Kanishka

At first glance, Kanishka is just another Indian restaurant in Mayfair - you’ll find two more on the same street - so it takes something special to stand out from the crowd around here. With the same finesse and style that has earned him two Michelin stars in the past, Atul Kochhar's superb cooking helps Kanishka stand out from the Maddox Street crowd.

Inside is a tale of two restaurants, with a convivial bar space and dining area up front filled with after work chit-chat, as well as a slightly more composed space towards the back. The entire room is a mish-mash of bold patterns and blue hues that manage to work in harmony when combined, and set the tone alongside a low-lit aesthetic.

Kanishka offers a choice of menus, all of which showcase food from across each Indian region. We’d recommend opting for the tasting menu to get a true sense of what Kanishka is about, with a wine pairing also on offer. Unapologetically punchy from the first bite, it’s kicked off with dahi puri; a wheat crisp bubble with sweet yoghurt and tamarind, and followed by equally flavour-packed dishes that take you on a cross country tour of India’s culinary landscape. The monkfish tikka is a real highlight, made of Chettinad spiced monkfish tail with creamed kale korma, the former of which is a shining example of excellent seafood cookery. Like many dishes at Kanishka it holds the charm and comfort of your local curry house, but still delivers smart innovation. Desserts are slightly less remarkable, with a chai creme brulee that whilst offered a tasty twist on a classic, lacked its signature texture that elevates it from ordinary to knockout.

The wine pairing is an international affair, with options from across various continents, but our favourite was one of India’s own - the mango wine from Rhythm Winery. A surprisingly delicate addition that opened our eyes and our hearts to possibilities of slightly fruitier alternatives.

London may be a city swarming with Indian restaurants, but Kanishka offers an undeniable quality that can often be hard to find elsewhere - one that we hope will leave a lasting impression on the restaurant scene for years to come.

Another addition to the small restaurant empire of Atul Kochhar, Kanishka offers Pan-Indian fine dining in the heart of Mayfair that reflects India's rich and varied regional cuisines. Split across two floors on Maddox Street, chef patron Kochhar puts a contemporary spin on classic dishes at this upmarket spot, using a curated selection of fine ingredients to create his innovative menus. 

The ground-floor dining room offers formality with plenty of flair, boasting glamorous mirrored walls, a striking black and white pinstripe motif and a beautiful ocean blue bar in the centre of the room. Downstairs, meanwhile, is all neutral tones and lush foliage, boasting an impressive ceiling covered in verdant greenery. 

There are a wealth of menus on offer at Kanishka including tasting, a la carte, set, vegetarian and children's menus. For those dining a la carte, expect to sample dishes such as soft shell crab with corn and mango, Kashmiri goat rogan josh and old Delhi-style lamb biryani. While desserts are just as intriguing and include a chocolate 'Jaffa' featuring chocolate mousse, orange curd and cinnamon ice cream.

If you can't decide, or want to make your dining experience extra special, there is a six-course tasting menu which takes guests on a culinary journey through some of Kochhar's favourite dishes. This can be enjoyed with a wine pairing if liked, for the full experience. Dishes change with the seasons but might include the likes of Tamil chicken with tenderstem broccoli, onions and musallam gravy, Bengali lamb kosha with black dal and saffron rice, and custard apple rabdi (sweet milk) for dessert. 

The drinks menu is headlined by a selection of house cocktails, alongside non-alcoholic versions and lassis. You'll also find an extensive collection of old and new world wines from across the globe, as well as an unparalleled spirits selection.