Banaras
About This Spot
Stepping into Banaras is like entering a quiet corner of Northern India nestled right in the heart of Bellevue. There’s an inviting warmth here, a calmness that settles in as soon as you cross the threshold. The pace is unhurried, giving space to savor each moment—not just of the food but the company and conversation around the table. It’s the kind of place where time slows just enough for you to feel the subtle rhythm of everyday life in Banaras, away from the rush of the city outside.
The atmosphere at Banaras weaves together tradition and care with a genuine devotion to authentic flavors. This is not a restaurant where dishes come and go as trends, but rather a homecoming to recipes handed down with pride and respect. You’ll find the menu a thoughtful journey of textures and tastes: from smoky, marinated soy preparations offering something fresh and intriguing, to comforting, rich lentils and biryanis that speak of long, patient cooking. The variety encourages exploration—each bite revealing nuances that are deeply rooted in the culture of the region.
What stands out is how Banaras serves pure vegetarian fare without ever feeling limited. Dishes that might seem familiar at first glance quickly reveal layers and combinations that surprise and delight, inviting both vegetarians and curious omnivores into an experience crafted with equal grace. The friendly, attentive service enhances this feeling of genuine connection, where you’re encouraged to learn about the stories behind the meals and the traditions they honor.
Whether you come seeking a quiet dinner or a shared meal full of discovery, Banaras creates a setting where food feels like a doorway to human moments—nostalgic, personal, quietly joyful. The careful balance of flavors, the thoughtful presentation, and the welcoming environment combine to make each visit feel less like eating out and more like being welcomed into a warm, flavorful story unfolding plate by plate.
What’s Available Here
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Fast service
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Comfort food
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Healthy options
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Small plates
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Vegan options
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Vegetarian options
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Wine
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Trendy
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Groups
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Tourists
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Brunch reservations recommended
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Lunch reservations recommended
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Reservations required
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Dinner reservations recommended
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Accepts reservations
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Usually a wait
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:30 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM | |
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| Tuesday | 11:30 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Friday | 11:30 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM - 03:00 PM , 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
Srivalli Yellepeddi 01 Jan 2026
We unexpectedly had dinner at this pure vegetarian place tonight. It was a fantastic decision because the food was so tasty and so unique unlike any other North Indian restaurant I have been to. The taste was very try authentic to the region of Banaras. The dishes were very unique. We had Paneer Tikka and Aloo Tikki chat, with main course of Gorakpuri kofta and dum Kaju paneer . The tandoor roti with butter was extremely soft and fresh. We ended the meal with hot jalebis and Rabdi which was to die for. Absolutely coming back again. So many more interesting dishes to try!! Major Singh who helped us was very welcoming and helpful with our selections.
Linda Nguyen 29 Dec 2025
Super friendly wait staff who checked in on us. You can tell they're very proud of their food. The flavors were phenomenal. We had one carnivore in our group who was very pleasantly surprised by the soy appetizer as well as rhe byriani (which honestly had the perfect soft pull apart pork texture). The Dallas wonderful depth. Would 10/10 recommend to anyone vegsn/vegetarian or meat eater.
ThroughMyLens 18 Dec 2025
Dining at Banaras felt like a warm trip back home! Even though we aren’t actually from Banaras, the flavors were so nostalgic and reminded us of tastes we haven't experienced in years. We definitely let our eyes get bigger than our stomachs and ordered the Dahi Gola, Paneer Patta Chat, Kathal Biryani, and the famous Litti Chokha. We’d heard such great things about all of them that we just couldn't choose! Everything had a fun, unique twist while keeping that authentic taste we were craving. If you go, the Litti Chokha was our absolute personal favorite. We wrapped up the meal with the Rabdi Jalebi, which was a pleasant surprise. It was perfectly balanced, sweet, but not overwhelming like some places which definitely helped reduce the guilt! A quick tip: The tables are a little cozy for two adults and a kid, but I’m sure the staff would help accommodate if you need more room. We arrived around 7 PM and had plenty of space, but it filled up fast by the time we left. The place was also a bit too loud but nothing you would not expect from an Indian restaurant.
Abhishek Gayakwad 03 Dec 2025
s vegetarians, finding a restaurant where the entire menu caters to us is a true delight — and Banaras is exactly that! It’s a paradise for vegetarians. There’s no need to search through a tiny section of options; every dish here is crafted with care and flavor. We tried the Dum Kaju Paneer, Dum Soy Biryani, and Jalebi Rabri, and everything was absolutely delicious. The paneer was rich and perfectly spiced, the biryani was fragrant and full of flavor, and the jalebi with rabri was the perfect sweet ending to the meal. The ambiance is warm, the staff is friendly, and the food truly captures the essence of authentic vegetarian cuisine. Highly recommend Banaras to anyone who loves great vegetarian food!
Bhavana R 24 Nov 2025
Our first time here. The food is absolutely amazing! We had litti chokha and spinach leaves chaat. Kiddos enjoyed the zero spice aloo parantha with raita. And jalebi with rabdi for dessert. All the dishes were super delicious and good portions too. Will be back to try more authentic Benaras cuisine.
Natasha Lunin 17 Nov 2025
Benares in Bellevue is excellent. We had the smokey soya chop, authentic chai, and litti chokha — everything was flavorful, spicy, and tasted genuinely authentic. This is real regional Indian food done right. A heads-up: you absolutely need reservations. It books up fast, basically all the time, and for good reason. Great food, memorable flavors — definitely worth planning ahead for.
Vijay Thakkar 16 Nov 2025
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Benaras Cuisine in Seattle, and I have to say, it’s some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had. Everything was just too good to stop eating! The jalebi and chaat were absolutely top notch, perfectly crispy and bursting with flavor. We also ordered chai, a variety of paneer dishes, and several appetizers, all of which were equally delicious and cooked to perfection. The presentation of the food was unique and impressive, making every dish feel like a special treat. On top of that, the customer service was excellent. The staff were friendly, attentive, and really made sure we had everything we needed. Benaras Cuisine definitely left a lasting impression, and I’ll be coming back for more soon!
Karan A 25 Oct 2025
Wonderful restaurant serving an all-vegetarian authentic Banarasi cuisine. We ordered palak patta chaat, smoky soy chaap, banarasi mirch paneer tikka, and banarasi kachori aloo subzi for starters, along with banarasi lassi. All the dishes were oozing with the perfect flavours, and were tastefully presented. The palak patta chaat, and the banarasi lassi were the clear standouts. For the main course, we had ordered dum kaju paneer, along with butter naan, and again both were perfectly made. For dessert, we went with jalebi rabri, and the kesariya jalebi had just the perfect crispiness to it, whereas the creamy rabri complimented the jalebi extremely well. The servers were kind, well informed, and attentive, and the service was super quick, despite it being a busy Saturday evening. Would recommend booking a table in advance considering how busy the place can get. This place is a must try in Bellevue.