Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai and business partner Abhi Sangwan are elevating London’s dining scene—literally—with Vatavaran, their latest venture on Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge.
Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai and business partner Abhi Sangwan
Opened in November 2024, this immersive fine dining restaurant draws inspiration from the serene landscapes of the Himalayas, offering a multi-sensory experience across four uniquely designed levels. Vatavaran, meaning “atmosphere” in Sanskrit, takes guests on a culinary and visual voyage, with each floor reflecting a different element of Himalayan terrain. From the tranquil valley streams on the ground floor (think plush blue and cream carpets) to the summit-inspired cocktail bar, Shikhar, on the top floor (and perfect for private parties) every detail, designed in collaboration with Collective Design, has been meticulously curated. Expect rich colours, luxurious textures, and a dining experience that blends nature with fine cuisine.
Renowned for his modern take on Indian flavours, Ghai has crafted a menu that celebrates seasonal, indigenous ingredients from the Himalayan region and beyond. On a recent visit on a freezing Friday night, it’s the perfect cuisine to warm us from the inside out. Highlights of our meal, and there are many, include huge portions of robata-grilled tender salmon, slow-cooked lamb-shank biryani, and a delicious butter chicken.
Desserts are just as inventive, although we are so full up, it doesn’t occur to us to abstain, so we decide to happily share a mango cheesecake, which is just the right side of sweet and creamy.
It’s not just the food that’s creative here though, as Vatavaran’s expert mixologists are on hand to create some inventive cocktails, taking guests on a journey through the flavours of India’s most beloved sweet delicacies, such as Kala, inspired by gulab jamun, made with spiced rum and pistachio. The mocktail offering is equally comprehensive, with my friend declaring her mocktail, Tulsi, made with cucumber, apple and elderflower, the best she’s ever had.
With live music on weekends and an atmosphere as mesmerising as the Himalayas themselves, Vatavaran is set to be London’s next must visit fine dining destination.
