At a glance

The best restaurants in this city for 2026 are led by Varuna at Taj Ganges. Runners-up by editorial rank: Aangan at BrijRama Palace, Dhanushkoti at Taj Ganges, Canton Royale at Radisson Blu, Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe.

Uttar Pradesh — North India

Best Restaurants
in Varanasi

The oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world — where the Taj Ganges' Varuna dining room, the BrijRama Palace's Aangan dining room, and the sacred vegetarian traditions of the ghats build a dining culture with no equivalent in India.

By the Restaurants for Kings Editorial Team · Reviewed by Fredrik Filipsson, Editor-in-Chief · Updated · How we rank · Corrections

5Restaurants Listed
7Occasions Covered
—Michelin / World-Ranked

The Top 5 in Varanasi

  1. Varuna at Taj Ganges

    Contemporary Indian Fine Dining — The Taj Ganges' contemporary Indian flagship — Varanasi's most serious fine-dining kitchen, and the city's default business-dinner address.

  2. Aangan at BrijRama Palace

    Indian Vegetarian Fine Dining — Chef Devansh's ten-course degustation in a Ganges-side palace courtyard at Darbhanga Ghat; Varanasi's most ambitious vegetarian tasting menu.

  3. Dhanushkoti at Taj Ganges

    Pure Vegetarian Indian Fine Dining — The Taj Ganges' pure-vegetarian fine-dining sister to Varuna — the city's most celebrated vegetarian tasting menu, built for Varanasi's cultural context.

  4. Canton Royale at Radisson Blu

    Cantonese and Pan-Asian Fine Dining — The Radisson Blu's Cantonese flagship — Varanasi's best Chinese restaurant, and the city's default team-dinner pick when the Indian fine-dining fatigue sets in.

  5. Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe

    Italian and Continental — Assi Ghat Rooftop — The Assi Ghat rooftop that every visiting traveller ends up at — sunset Ganges views, wood-fired pizza, and the most coveted sundown table in Varanasi.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best restaurant in Varanasi?
For 2026, our editorial pick is Varuna at Taj Ganges. Editorial runners-up: Aangan at BrijRama Palace, Dhanushkoti at Taj Ganges, Canton Royale at Radisson Blu, Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe.
Where should I eat in Varanasi tonight?
For a same-night booking, the casual and mid-tier picks above are reachable. Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe typically takes walk-ins; Canton Royale at Radisson Blu accepts day-of reservations. Splurge picks (Varuna at Taj Ganges, Aangan at BrijRama Palace) need 3–5 weeks notice.
How much does dinner cost in Varanasi?
Splurge picks (Varuna at Taj Ganges, Aangan at BrijRama Palace): $200–$400 per person without wine — full tasting menus. Mid-tier rooms $80–$140. Casual but excellent Varanasi neighborhood spots: $40–$70.
What is the most expensive restaurant in Varanasi?
Varuna at Taj Ganges sits at the top — full tasting menu with wine pairings runs $400+ per person. Other splurge-tier rooms (Aangan at BrijRama Palace, Dhanushkoti at Taj Ganges) cluster at $250–$350.
Which Varanasi restaurants have Michelin stars?
The top of our Varanasi list anchors with internationally-recognized rooms. Varuna at Taj Ganges and Dhanushkoti at Taj Ganges are the rooms most often featured in international press coverage of Varanasi dining.
Do I need a reservation for restaurants in Varanasi?
Splurge tier: 3–6 weeks notice. Mid-tier: 1–2 weeks. Casual rooms in Varanasi take walk-ins early evening (5:30–6:30pm) and last-minute cancellations open regularly via OpenTable / Resy.
What's the best neighborhood for restaurants in Varanasi?
Varanasi's strongest dining clusters around the central business district and high-end residential quarters — that's where the splurge picks (Varuna at Taj Ganges, Aangan at BrijRama Palace) sit. Casual options spread further across the city.
Where do locals eat in Varanasi?
The casual and mid-tier picks above are local-frequented — fewer tourists, better pricing, and the rooms where Varanasi-based diners have weekly tables. Splurge picks attract a mix of locals and international visitors.
More

Additional Restaurants

Charcoal Fine Dining
2
Close a Deal

Barcelona

Charcoal Fine Dining

Awadhi and North Indian Fine Dining $$$

8.8Food
8.8Ambience
8.8Value
Darbhanga at BrijRama Palace
2
Impress Clients

Barcelona

Darbhanga at BrijRama Palace

Banarasi and Multi-Cuisine Vegetarian $$$ (INR 1,750+ per person)

The riverfront vegetarian dining room inside the restored 1812 BrijRama Palace, where a Royal Banarasi Thali arrives in ornamental silverware as folk musicians play in the Ganges-side courtyard.

9Food
9Ambience
9Value
The Yellow Chilli
2
First Date

Barcelona

The Yellow Chilli

North Indian, Mughlai and Chinese $$ (about INR 900 for two)

Sanjeev Kapoor's brand kitchen in Mahmoorganj is the dependable North Indian room in Varanasi — Shaam Savera and paneer butter masala done to a national standard, at about INR 900 for two.

9Food
9Ambience
9Value

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