Benares - Tribeca

My friend recommended this place to me and it did not disappoint! The wait staff was friendly and attentive and were happy to make food suggestions. Our three guests had never had Indian Food before - this was their first experience - and they absolutely loved it. We all enjoyed the flavors of the dishes. The naan was so fresh and yummy and I was able to box it up for lunch the next day with my leftovers - so good! However, my FAVORITE part of the night was the cocktails! Affordable, unique, and delicious! I know where we are going the next time I am craving Indian!

One of the best Indian food restaurants we've had in the city because the flavor of the food was actually memorable (so nicely spiced!). On top of that the service was attentive, especially our server Harish who had great recommendations and was careful with our dietary restrictions. Tons of vegetarian and vegan options and portions were generous. Look forward to coming back to try other options on three menu.

Benares Tribeca is a nice place to have simple and amazing Indian fare. The menu boasts the classics and the dishes remain very true to their origins. They are delish and sumptuous. Set in a retro and classic theme the place exudes sheer simplicity and exuberance.

Exquisite Dining at BENARES: A Culinary Jewel on Tribeca, NYC Nestled on 45 Murray Street, BENARES transports its guests to the rich culinary traditions of Northern India with a modern, upscale flair. From the moment you step inside, the warm ambiance, impeccable service, and vibrant aroma of spices set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. For starters, the Benarsi Kachori is an absolute delight. This traditional dish, masterfully crafted, boasts crispy lentil-stuffed pastries paired with tangy tamarind and spicy mint chutneys. Each bite is a harmonious blend of crunch, tang, and spice—a perfect introduction to the meal ahead. The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the Laal Maas, a fiery Rajasthani lamb curry. This dish showcases tender, slow-cooked lamb in a rich, bold, and aromatic sauce infused with Kashmiri red chilies. The depth of flavor is extraordinary, balanced perfectly with the heat, making it an essential order for spice enthusiasts and anyone seeking a truly authentic Indian delicacy. Complement your meal with freshly baked garlic naan and a side of aromatic saffron rice to elevate the experience further. The cocktail menu and wine selection also deserve a mention, offering thoughtfully curated pairings that enhance the flavors of the cuisine. BENARES is not just a restaurant; it is a celebration of Indian heritage and culinary artistry. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur of Indian food or exploring it for the first time, BENARES promises to captivate your senses and leave you longing for your next visit. Highly recommended for its bold flavors, elegant presentation, and the unforgettable charm of dishes like the Benarsi Kachori and Laal Maas. A true gem on Murray Street!

My friend is from India and this is our favorite Indian restaurant in all of Manhattan. The food is very authentic, well-spiced, and delicious. I love their aloo tikki, shahi paneer, and kulfi in particular. The staff is incredibly friendly as well. I personally don’t understand some of the other negative reviews I’ve seen on here, and I wouldn’t listen to them if I were you. They don’t reflect my experiences in the slightest. I’ve done lots of hunting around NYC for good Indian and so far Benares is the best veg-friendly option I’ve had! Keep it up!

Aldi is exceptional. He possesses a refined palate paired with a charismatic and commanding presence behind the bar. Not only does he skillfully craft each drink, but he also serves as an engaging and gracious host. I recommend both Aldi and this establishment highly, truly one of the finest bartenders in New York City.

We just loved the place. Food was amazing. We ordered vegetarian dishes and it turned out wow. We asked them to make a bit spicy and it was perfect. We will surely visit again.

My boyfriend and I spontaneously stopped in today around lunch time and we were so happy that we did! From the moment we stepped inside the service was A+. We had the pleasure of having Tere Naam serve us and we couldn’t say enough great things. The food was incredible and very fresh. The pricing was great as we got three meals but the price barely reflected such. We definitely will be coming back. 10/10 I recommend.

Just amazing food. We were craving for Indian veg food during our NYC holidays. Benares popped up on Google search whilst returning from Staten Island. Excellent food with great service from all the Benares team. Your glass is never empty they keep filling. Super delicious food. Bernarsi Kachori was super se upper

I have to start with mentioning how AMAZINGGGGG the food is. I don't really write reviews, but place is too good to not review. I have been to many Indian restaurants in NYC, but this has definitely been my best experience. Everything about this place was great including the service, ambiance, and location. Also, the prices don't dig a whole in your pocket and the staff is very welcoming. It's very rare to experience that on a Saturday evening in NYC, and I was IMPRESSED. We took our friends there for dinner, and we were so happy to have picked this spot over anything else. Our friends loved the food and we devoured the dessert. If you have never been, do check it out! They mentioned they offer summer brunches - CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Update- visited again in Nov'25. Amazing. 2024- Loved eating here. Excellent food. HARISH IS A LEGEND, please take care of him. Amazing hospitality. We tried Malai Kofta seeing other reviews and it was too good. Even the Benarasi Kachori was so different (like Raj kachori). Mix veg pakodas were fresh and tasty (Aloo, Gobhi, Pyaaz, Palak). Could have added a Paneer too to make it complete :D. The Naans/breads were also perfect. Yellow Tadka Dal was bland but fine. In the end, Gulab Jamun was wowwww!!!! Definitely recommend and will come again whenever I'm in NYC.

Our first visit here this weekend. Had a reservation as it was the memorial day weekend. It was crazy busy here but the staff kept up. The food was great... we really liked the smoked chicken and beet root tikki. I do recommend them and also making a reservation if planning over the weekend. The chicken makhani was tasty as well

Great Indian food. Aldi was our server and very friendly service. Will come back again.

This honestly has been my go to place this entire year. Everytime I go, everyone is so nice and the food is always amazing. The service is great, everyone cares about you and makes sure you have a great experience. You should try their saag paneer and Paneer tikka. Also checkout their lunch special, it’s the most bang for your buck!

I've lived in NYC for 3 years and this is some of the best Indian food I've had. On top of that, the service was excellent. We were able to celebrate a birthday and even though we were a party of 16 with 6 kids, everything went flawlessly. Thank you! Can't wait to return.

Benares Indian Restaurant, in Tribeca, NYC, Located in the heart of Tribeca, Benares stands out as an exceptional Indian cuisine jewel in the vibrant culinary scene of downtown Manhattan. named after a city in northern India, the restaurant centers on the lush spices and abundant diversity of Indian cuisine. We tried Drinks 🍸 Lychee lover - alcoholic 🥤 Mango lassi - non alcoholic Appetizers 🥦Khasta Gobi 🍢🍗Chicken 65 Entree: 🥬🧇Saag Paneer 🍛Chicken Dum Biryani in clay pot with naan in top 🥘Lamb Rogan Josh 🫓Garlic naan 🫓Plain naan 🍚🫛Peas Pulao Dessert 🍨Rose ice cream The robust menu is almost overwhelming, and yet authentic serving contemporary Indian cuisine. Do not skip chicken 65 , Lamb rogan Josh, Chicken Dum biryani or the saag paneer they have an ample selection for both non vegetarian, vegetarian and couple of vegan options like Khasta Gobi ( cauliflower) all are stand-out options that deserves attention. Finish off with refreshing rose petal ice cream. The ambience strikes a perfect balance of serenity and sophistication. Staff’s knowledge and recommendations are much appreciated. With its flavorful food, attentive service, and tranquil setting, Benares has carved out a niche for itself as a must-visit Indian restaurant in NYC.

Recently visited Benares and was absolutely delighted by the experience. The food here is exceptional, particularly the Kachori, which was perfectly spiced and crispy. The Spicy Naan and Laccha Parantha were soft and flavorful, complementing every dish beautifully. The Amritsari fish and Chicken Kali Mirch were standout dishes, each offering a unique and rich taste that was simply unforgettable. But the highlight of the evening was the surprise from our waiter who brought out a delicious Gulab Jamun cake for my birthday, making the occasion even more special. The service throughout was impeccable, adding to an overall fantastic dining experience. Highly recommend Benares for anyone looking for exquisite Indian cuisine and top-notch service.

Had a lunch at Benares recently and truly enjoyed my experience here. It’s a nice sit down Indian spot in TriBeCa. Has ample seating and the service was great. The menu is quite extensive but the servers helped us figure out everything. Also the meat here is Halal. They start you off with fryums and some chutni that you will love as a light snack while you wait for your apps. In the apps we got the Khasta Gobhi, Galouti Kebab, Paneer Tikka. All were good but really enjoyed the paneer Tikka. For the mains, the Dum Biryani is amazing and then the butter chicken is a must. One of the best butter chickens I have had especially with garlic naan. So good! For dessert I would highly recommend getting the Atom Bomb, which is a lava cake with rose petal ice cream, you will love it! It’s a little pricey tho that comes with the location, but the food and service is top notch. They also have really good lunch specials starting from 12.95. Def check this spot out for lunch or dinner if you are looking for a nice sit down Indian spot.

Lovely place. I’ve been to a couple Indian restaurants in the city and I must say the presentation and taste of the food at Benares is unmatched. Would definitely recommend the lamb vindaloo and the chicken tikka masala. In addition, the dessert was great. Would come again!

Absolutely wonderful experience! The service here is warm, attentive, and personal — they truly make you feel cared for. Every dish bursts with outstanding flavors, and you can taste the high quality in every bite. It’s easily some of the best Indian food I’ve had. If I could add one tiny wish, it would be to see a favorite candle on the table to make the already cozy atmosphere even more inviting. But honestly, everything else was perfect. Super clean. Great date or family spot. The personal service and incredible food set this place apart. Highly recommended! (Thank you for the rice pudding!!:)

We had Benares cater our Indian wedding week with over 400 guests, and everything was absolutely flawless! The food quality, menu options, and overall execution were beyond impressive. Our guests could not stop raving about how delicious everything was — from start to finish, it was perfect. The team was professional, organized, and delivered above expectations for every event. Highly, highly recommend Benares for any large celebration or wedding!

Exceptional service and a top tier burgundy red Vindaloo which warmed the belly. We came with a group of 14, were served quickly and with great personalized attention as hospitality. The Vindaloo was definitely too quartile, maybe too 10% of the ~200 vindaloo I’ve enjoyed around the world. I’ll definitely be back.

Exceptional experience at Benares Tribeca! Server Fernandez was phenomenal - friendly, attentive, and gave great recommendations. The vegetarian options were delicious, expertly prepared, and generously portioned. Quality and quantity were both impressive! Warm atmosphere, great service, and outstanding food. Highly recommend!

While we were looking for an Indian restaurant around SoHo, Gemini recommended Benares and we never regretted it! It was my mom’s and sister’s first time trying Indian food, and they absolutely loved the experience, thanks in large part to our wonderful server, Mogambo. He was incredibly helpful with his recommendations. We ordered samosas, butter chicken, chicken vindaloo, and chicken kali mirch (which was just as excellent as Mogambo promised). We finished with rasmalai, which was delightful. Fantastic food and outstanding service, highly recommended!

Benares is one of those rare NYC spots that consistently gets it right — refined, flavorful, and genuinely welcoming. The space is warm and intimate, making it perfect for date nights, business dinners, or a relaxed evening out. The food is the real star. The curries are beautifully balanced and aromatic without being heavy, and the butter chicken is silky, rich, and comforting in the best way. The biryani is fragrant and perfectly cooked, and the garlic naan comes out hot, fluffy, and ideal for soaking up every last bit of sauce. Even the appetizers — especially the samosas — are crisp, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared. Service is attentive without being overbearing, and the staff is knowledgeable and happy to make recommendations. You leave feeling taken care of, well fed, and already thinking about what you’ll order next time. A true Tribeca staple and an easy place to recommend to anyone who loves excellent Indian food done right.

I would highly recommend this place, especially if you live or work in the Tribeca area! I came here to test out their food prior to catering with them and the food was amazing. Not only did I enjoy it, but many of my co-workers deeply enjoyed it as well. They are a longtime caterer to Goldman Sachs, with the Asian affinity network using them for our Diwali event aside from my division’s happy hour. The service is phenomenal and the atmosphere of the restaurant is great, not to mention the restaurant’s interior is beautiful. The food is authentically made, which is very hard to come by. If you ever get a chance to interact with the owner, he’s a very nice and friendly guy.

Aankit Malhotra is the owner of the restaurant and he is the most welcoming and heart warming person ever. Can you believe that I have yet to meet him in person. He is incredibly accommodating through the phone and via online catering orders. He’s willing to update you and replies very quickly when an issue is going on. I already love Indian food and I already can tell their food is delicious. I will keep y’all updated!

I have been to this place twice as of December 8th, 2025 and I always have had great and honestly pretty addicting food over here. Our server was Aldi both times and he displayed very high professionalism and friendliness. The atmosphere is very relaxed and this is a great place to have a nice Indian meal when you're dying of hunger and want something to satiate that immediately. Service is excellent and food is awesome quality.

The flavors were rich and distinct! Overall very delicious food and comfortable atmosphere. Lots of seating options, either cozy booths, spacey tables, or seating at the bar. The waiter was exceptionally friendly. The Lamb Kourma was my favorite dish. Dessert was on the sweet side, but delicious. However, the bathrooms were in a strange location and not very clean. Also, we had to ask for the water to stay at our table when we got our drinks.

The food was great and so was the service! Everything seemed very cozy and comforting. We got misal pav, kachori, naan, methi malai matar, laal maans, lassi, and fresh lime soda. Kolhapuri misal pav didn't really hit the spot but everything else was delicious and I would recommend it! We just probably made a mistake of going there when the owners had their own party ongoing. It distracted the staff and they understandably felt like they had to reprioritize their services to cater to the party. Would definitely visit if I am in the area.

Located at walking distance from one world, Benaras was our pick for the dinner spot. Their veg dum biryani was delicious. Misal pav was not what i was expecting ( had chickpeas),but still it was very tasty and flavorful. The other appetizer we tried were dahi kabab,papdi chaat and kachori. Kachori stood out the best. Desserts were not as great as their appetizer but still good enough.overall good food and good vibe and friendly staff.

Their week day lunch food is pretty good. Staff is cordial, although the place gets really crowded Friday lunch time with delays.

We were around the area and wanted to try at this place. It was not busy on a Sunday afternoon. They seated us immediately. They had a 3 course lunch menu with varying options (veg, non veg, sea food). Prices are reasonable. The food tasted very good. We had the soup and Samosa as starters. The taste of Chicken tikka was ok. The Andhra chicken curry was spicy. They gave Naan and rice as well. Over all the experience was great. But why 4/5, when I saw the bill they included a tip of 18%. Which I did not like at all. I would have given the same amount by myself but the addition to the bill I did not like it. And on top that there was a space for gratuity.

Nice Indian Food Option in Manhattan Downtown. Manager was very friendly and assisted in reservation and setting up our team. This is one of our surprise dinner event for our manager, it turned out to be great location and food. Nice options for Veg and Non-Veg folks, definitely will recommend this hotel for the folks in the area.

Went with a friend for dinner today. Nice cool peaceful ambience. Attentive service with recommendations by the Manager. We had mixed pakoras and tikka for starters. Good taste. Had peshawari choley and tandoori roti and masala Chai. Good taste and authentic servings.

Had a very nice dinner here. The biriyani was excellent and the spinach and chicken were solid. Our server mogambo was perfect, helpful but not overly present. He made some solid suggestions and we were very happy with the food and service. We will be back for sure!!!

Benares offers a contemporary take on Indian cuisine, with a focus on good vegetarian options. The peshawari chole and kofta were flavorful, but lacked the authenticity of true Peshawari spicy chole. The gulab jamun, a popular Indian dessert, was a disappointment - it was overly dense and lacked the expected tenderness. However, the service was friendly and attentive. The paneer Tikka and papdi chaat starters were good. Overall, Benares is a decent choice for a modern Indian dining experience, but if you're seeking strictly traditional flavors, you might want to look elsewhere.

The food was good, staff was good, but the person who attended us at the entry stopped us from choosing the seat, even when the restaurant was empty. He told us not to enter without his permission, we had a small kid with us, so thought to set him and his stroller in some place. Also they charged us 15$ gratuity for 4 adults and one kid under the age of 3. NYC restaurants and other states charge gratuity for the group of 6 or more, he charged us for 5. Upon confrontation, he told it's our choice. Being an Indian, I thought it would be a good experience, but if this is what they do, they are representing India in a wrong way.

I truly love going to restaurants where the staff is wonderful, the food is good, and prices are realistic. For me, the staff being warm and professional is what makes the rest of the experience stellar. I used to be a frequent customer at Benares and often dropped in for wine. Unfortunately, I will no longer be returning because of repeated negative experiences with one front-of-house staff member of average height who dons long hair tied in a ponytail. I will not mention the name as there might be someone else working there with a like-sounding/same name and do not wish to give a red X to any other worker in there. On multiple visits for a while now, he has been consistently rude, dismissive, disrespectful, and projects a noticeably bad attitude that sets a very unpleasant tone for a family-style place. Most recently, on the evening before Thanksgiving, I arrived to meet friends for a few drinks. This staff member was the only person visible in the customer dining area. He came from the back of the restaurant and walked past me a couple of times without acknowledging me or offering so much as a “Can I help you?” I stood near the bar and was the only customer in the entire place at the time, and difficult to miss when passing at a distance of three feet behind. After standing there for several minutes being completely ignored, I called my friends and asked them to meet me elsewhere. I left and decided I would not return again. I want to emphasize that other servers and management I have dealt with at Benares have been friendly, above and beyond kind and markedly professional. However, this particular staff member’s rudeness, disrespect, negative attitude, and bad energy are completely at odds with what I expect from any restaurant or staff whether front-facing or otherwise. As a once-loyal customer of a place that I have helped to promote and tell friends and others to patronize, I take umbrage to being disrespected by a staff person whose attitude is destructive not building. There are other restaurants with similar cuisine in the area where this kind of treatment towards customers does not exist.

The food was average. While not bad, I noticed a hair in the curry. When I brought it to the manager's attention, they handled the situation calmly. Given that it was a large party, I did not wish to cause a fuss. They were aware I wouldn't be able to eat the remaining kofta, but they didn't seem to care. While they offered an apology, it did not feel sincere. There was no offer of compensation or any indication of future caution. I was very disappointed. While the staff is friendly, there was an issue during the inspection with finding a hair in the food. The staff did not appear to investigate how this happened, nor did they speak with the chef about the issue. I hope that the next inspection will result in a negative score, as this will hopefully encourage improvement. The food was average. There wasn't anything negative about it, but it wasn't particularly memorable and I wouldn't miss it again.