The story
BiBi is a modern Indian restaurant at 42 N Audley Street in Mayfair, London, ranked number 27 in the National Restaurant Awards 2026. Chef-patron Chet Sharma cooks from the ingredients and memories of the Indian subcontinent, and the Michelin Guide lists the restaurant as Recommended for 2026.
Sharma studied physics at Oxford and finished with a PhD before committing to kitchens. His path ran through Moor Hall, L'Enclume, Mugaritz and The Ledbury, and he later became group development chef at JKS Restaurants. The cooking is progressive but anchored in tradition. Dishes may not look Indian on the plate, yet the flavours would be recognised by an Indian grandmother. The name is a term of affection for exactly that figure. Chaat and garam masalas are made from scratch, and the ghee comes from cows grazing on wild herbs.
Sharmaji's Lahori Chicken is the one dish Sharma will never take off the menu. It echoes his grandfather's description of a Lahore kebab vendor, with chicken marinated in yoghurt and cashew sauces. An Orkney scallop might arrive ceviche-style with Kaji lemonade, a nod to nimbu pani. Lunch is a four-course menu (£65). Dinner is the Chef's Selection (£145), with extra courses depending on the day's seasonal ingredients.
Modern Indian art hangs on the walls, and the fabrics take their cue from his grandmother's collection of pashminas. The feel is lighter and less formal than the colonial-style Indian dining rooms common in Mayfair. A 13-seat counter faces the kitchen, with black-leather booths along the opposite wall. The restaurant seats 34 inside and 16 on the terrace.
Cocktails lean on Indian flavours, and the list includes non-alcoholic drinks and spirits from around the world. The wine list mixes classical and eclectic bottles, with two pairings offered alongside the set menus.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
It’s easy to walk past Bibi. One’s eye tends to be drawn to North Audley Street’s flashier inhabitants, such as The Ivy Asia or Roka. But this bijou space, which combines the look of a luxurious railway dining car with a private members-only club feel, is by far the more interesting option – its sociable vibe, warm service and small-plate Indian cooking seducing most who cross its threshold. Chet Sharma's modern Anglo-Indian cuisine fuses different culinary influences from across the Subcontinent with the absolute best of British produce. His delicate blend of spices, the unique tangy, sour notes, the subtle hint of heat that lingers gently on the palate, the extra layers of taste and texture, translate into creative small plates such as the never-off-the-menu interpretations of nimbu pani or the signature Sharmaji’s Lahori chicken, all carried off with the same sure touch and stunning presentation. The best seats are the comfortable counter stools that grandstand the long, narrow kitchen, though there are some black-leather booths along the opposite wall. It's pricey (the five-course lunch taster is a good introduction). But limber up with a cocktail, lean into the warmth of the service and the extremely well-chosen (if expensive) wines, and this is a great option for an unstuffy celebratory meal .
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