Christoff.ai

BiBi

restaurants
London
London

BiBi

42 North Audley Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 6ZP

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on North Audley Street, BiBi represents something genuinely exciting in London's Indian dining scene. This isn't your typical curry house - it's a 33-seat modern Indian restaurant where chef Chet Sharma transforms British produce with Indian spice mastery, all set to a hip-hop soundtrack that somehow works perfectly in posh Mayfair.

BiBi: Where Modern Indian Meets Mayfair Sophistication

Chef Chet Sharma's intimate counter-dining experience that's redefining Indian cuisine in London

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Step into BiBi and you'll find yourself in a space that strikes an impressive balance between sophistication and energy. The Rajasthani-inspired design features polished wood and black leather booths, complemented by modern Indian art that gives the place genuine character. With only 33 seats, intimacy is guaranteed, but don't expect hushed fine-dining whispers - the hip-hop and R&B soundtrack creates a buzzy energy that's refreshingly rare for Mayfair's typically stuffy dining scene. The counter seating is where the magic happens, offering direct interaction with Chet Sharma's team as they plate your dishes. There's also a 16-seat heated outdoor terrace for those preferring al fresco dining. The overall vibe scores high on sophistication (9.5/10) while maintaining a lively energy level (7.5/10), making it feel both special occasion-worthy and genuinely fun.

Food & Drink

The kitchen's approach centers on charcoal-grilled dishes from the Indian sigree, innovative small plates, and the brilliant concept of applying Indian spices to seasonal British produce. Signature dishes include the Lahori Chicken, Orkney Scallop with Indian lemonade, and Buffalo Milk Paneer - combinations that sound intriguing on paper and evidently deliver in execution. The menu structure offers flexibility with two lunch set menus at £65 for three courses and £95 for five courses, while evening brings two tasting menu options: Kamal at £145 and Ranjana at £195. Wine pairings are available to complement the spice-forward cuisine. Dietary requirements are well-catered for with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, though note that children under 12 aren't welcome, reinforcing the adult-focused dining experience.

Service & Experience

The service experience appears designed around interaction and engagement, particularly if you secure counter seating where the kitchen team becomes part of your evening's entertainment. The AI insights suggest chef Chet and his team actively engage with diners, sharing knowledge about dishes as they're plated - described as 'dropping knowledge bombs' while serving your Lahori Chicken. This level of chef interaction elevates the experience beyond typical fine dining service. The restaurant operates Monday through Saturday with lunch (12pm-2:30pm) and dinner (5:30pm-10pm) services, closing Sundays. The intimate size means service should feel personal and attentive, though the buzzy atmosphere suggests it's more approachable than intimidatingly formal.

Value for Money

Let's be frank about the investment required here - with tasting menus ranging from £145 to £195, this firmly sits in the 'serious budget planning' category for most diners. At price level 4/4, BiBi positions itself as a luxury experience and special occasion destination. However, the lunch options at £65-95 offer a more accessible entry point to experience Chet Sharma's cuisine. Given the intimate setting, quality of ingredients (British produce elevated with Indian techniques), chef interaction, and the unique concept, the pricing reflects the Mayfair location and fine dining investment you're making. The question isn't whether it's expensive - it absolutely is - but whether the combination of innovative cuisine, intimate atmosphere, and chef engagement justifies the premium for your particular occasion.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Lunch service offers better value with the £65-95 set menus if you want to experience the cuisine without the full financial commitment. For the complete experience, evening dinner service is when the energy peaks and the tasting menus showcase the kitchen's full capabilities.

What to Focus On

The signature Lahori Chicken appears to be a must-try, along with the Orkney Scallop with Indian lemonade. If you're investing in the full experience, the Ranjana tasting menu at £195 presumably represents the kitchen's complete vision, though the Kamal at £145 might offer better value.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book counter seats specifically for the chef interaction experience - this transforms dinner into an educational and entertaining experience. Request these seats when making your reservation.The hip-hop soundtrack creates a unique atmosphere that sets BiBi apart from typical Mayfair fine dining - embrace the energy rather than expecting traditional quiet elegance.Note the no children under 12 policy when planning - this is strictly an adult dining experience.

The Final Verdict

BiBi succeeds in creating something genuinely distinctive in London's competitive dining scene. Chef Chet Sharma's concept of applying Indian techniques to British produce, combined with the intimate counter-dining experience and unexpectedly energetic atmosphere, delivers on its promise of modern Indian cuisine. The pricing reflects its Mayfair location and luxury positioning, but the combination of innovative food, chef interaction, and buzzy-yet-sophisticated atmosphere justifies the investment for special occasions. The lunch menus provide a more accessible entry point, while the evening tasting menus offer the full experience. It's Instagram-worthy without feeling contrived, sophisticated without being stuffy.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

Couples seeking an intimate yet energetic date night experienceFood enthusiasts interested in modern Indian cuisine innovationSpecial occasion diners who want chef interaction and memorable experiences

Quick Details

1

BiBi

🇮🇳 Modern indian
👑 Mayfair luxury
⭐️ Counter dining
⭐️ Chef interaction
⭐️ Intimate

Chef Chet Sharma has created something special in this intimate 33-seat Mayfair gem,modern Indian cuisine that respects tradition while pushing boundaries. The Rajasthani-inspired design with polished wood and black leather creates sophisticated intimacy, while the hip-hop soundtrack adds unexpected energy rare in Mayfair's stuffy dining scene. The charcoal sigree grill produces dishes like Lahori Chicken and Orkney Scallop that showcase how British ingredients can be transformed through Indian techniques. Counter seating offers direct interaction with the kitchen team, turning dinner into culinary theater where you can watch each plate being crafted with precision.

What's Great

Counter seating provides direct chef interaction and kitchen theater

Hip-hop soundtrack creates unique energy for Mayfair fine dining

Keep in Mind

× Tasting menus at £145-195 require serious budget planning

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Book counter seats for the full chef interaction - Chet drops knowledge bombs while plating your Lahori Chicken!

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Sat: 12pm-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm\nSun: Closed"
💷£££££

Featured In My Guides

BiBi has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.