Jewel Covent Garden in City of London, Westminster

Avoid at all costs. We took two young families with 4 kids to Benihana’s for a birthday dinner and were charged almost £1,000 by the restaurant, who’s team did nothing but push dishes on us to up the spend of the bill and not help to manage our order in any way, including charging £40 to upgrade the free rice to egg fried rice by putting 3 eggs in it. Sure the experience of the tepanyaki chef is fun, but it was far from what I’ve experienced elsewhere and quite mediocre. The food, whilst tasty, was very average and not worthy of the price tag - simple grilled chicken, grilled steak and prawns with some salad and dips on the side and a bit of grilled veg. That seems to be the mainstay of the menu, to suit the cooking style I assume. Mocktails for the kids were fun. However an average wine list that hasn’t been considered for the style of food adds to the mediocrity of the experience. Staff were friendly enough and the overall atmosphere is, again quite average. I imagine this place being centred in Covent Garden has become comfortable turning around tables of tourists with little care for repeat custom. With the multitude of options on your doorstep in London, save yourself the money and you’ll find immeasurably better value at half the cost.

Fun dining experience. Our chef, Jhun, was brilliant and very entertaining. Food was tasty but I think it’s too pricey really. However, the children’s menu is much better value!

When I go to Benihana I always expect the food to be great which it was! For the location I expected service to be ok because it’s in a very over crowded tourist area but the service was 10/10. Harshita was our server and she made our meal twice as amazing because of the quick and accommodating service she provided. Thank you to her and to the Filipino chef that cooked for us! Can’t wait to go back.

Food was OK, but extremely limited vegetables (just in the starters and a little amount of mushrooms. Sauces not good at all. Steak no flavour. But the service of our cook was terrible. Like 10/15 min, not 1 second of smiling, and he was never acting with us. Sorry, but for an entertaining restaurant like tepanyaki it was extremely high-priced for this low overall quality.

Amazing service and food, the chef and waiters were brilliant and they make your birthday feel very special. 10/10

Benihana in Covent Garden is the spot! It's not just eating out; it’s like being part of a cooking show. The chefs are seriously talented—not only do they make amazing food, but they also keep you entertained the whole time. Everything I tried was spot on, and the vibe of the place made the whole night fun. The team there really knows how to treat you right. If you're after great food and a good time, this is your place. Loved every minute and every bite!

Had an amazing evening, our chef Greg was brilliant and very entertaining. Waitress Miho was very attentive, food was fantastic. Would definitely recommend."

Great night out, lovely food, lively place. Enjoyed my 50th to the max🥳🥳

Not even being dramatic but the absolute worst steak I’ve ever eaten in my life. So tasteless so chewy. The chef was amazing and rlly talented and kind but the food quality was horrid we ordered quite a bit and finished nothing it all just tasted like different variations of rubber

Benihana Covent Garden, exciting to experience the UK version after the USA. Laurence was our cook and he did a good job. Things are getting better, but everything is ok. The food was, as usual, good and fresh. The location is nice and clean.

If you like flames, trains and smoke with your meal, you’ll enjoy the experience. Good food, service and atmosphere. Best shared with others.

What a lovely experience, staff were very attentive and patient as we were running late for our reservation. Our waiter put on a great show and was entertaining. I ordered the steak and prawns and my friend had the chicken and prawns, all cooked really well and very fresh (my steak was meant to be medium but ended up being cooked well done which was a shame). The food tasted pretty much the same in terms of seasoning but all in all was a great experience. I would recommend for the entertainment and fresh produce but it personally lacked a little flavour.

Great experience in a hectic environment. Not much is left to chance here. I have visited several similar restaurants and the concept is always almost the same and it works. We were here four friends this time and what a show. We all chose “Rockys Choise” and upgraded to tenderloin, it was really delicious and tender.

Wish we had one in sunny Scotland to goto. Fantastic experience thoroughly enjoyed. 10/10

What a great vibe in this fantastic restaurant. I can't fault a single thing. The food was amazing, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. Definitely a go-to restaurant in L ondon

This benihana is amazing! The service was extraordinary like always and the food was delicious! The lunch menu is totally worth it and I can only recommend it.

Parts of the main course are sometimes cooked before the meat/fish part of the course, which can lead to it getting cold before the meat/fish is ready. The chefs can be very entertaining whilst cooking the courses.

We visited at night without a reservation and they were happy to find a spot for us. The food was incredible and they took great care for the dietary restrictions we had, as well as the chef being very funny! Absolutely amazing experience, would happily recommend!

Not that impressed with this restaurant unfortunately. Went for a special birthday meal, but was more appropriate for the stag do's that were there. Floor was covered in oil from all the cooking, so could literally skate to the bathrooms. Food was fairly average and steak and seafood fairly overcooked. Was just a little stale. Lots of food, so you won't go hungry, but better for a big feed before the pub rather than a nice meal spot.

Dinner show! Well-trained, the cooks put on a show while preparing our dishes. The cooking is perfect and the cooking good. We had a great time and we will happily return to Benihana. Small downside: the smell on the clothes

Very pleasant service and cozy atmosphere. Our waiter was very nice and made good tips and recommendations. The chef entertained us while he prepared the food at our table. I ate steak and lobster "Shogun's feast". The food was perfectly fine, but everything tasted the same. In any case, people go here just as much for the entertainment. One of the guests was unlucky and spilled soda over the food. She got both new soft drinks and new food, free of charge. Top service. I would recommend this restaurant.

Food was okay, service was good but the restaurant feels a bit gimmicky

Great experience and good service from chef Charley and Sofia. Great for gluten free also.

Great atmosphere here, they take your order and then bring you out all your starters before your chef arrives. We had the sashimi platter to start - the sashimi itself was lovely but super thick would have been nicer if it was thinner. I had the salmon & my partner had the teriyaki sirloin, these were both really tasty, you do get a lot of food throughout the meal and by the end we were so full. They brought over a little cake for our anniversary which was lovely, it was a lemon sponge cake and really light and fluffy. Was a great experience and would definitely come back. Drinks and service were also good.

Was really looking forward to this as I heard good things but it turned out to be terrible , the food was cheap cuts and lacked in flavour and majority of the food was vegetables that all come at separate times , the chef looked like he didn’t want to be there and top it off they charged me £250 for me 2 adults and that was even with no alcohol !! Terrible

Amazing staff and service! The French coffee was also great. The meat was well-made but lacked flavour/taste considering the price range. Overall we, a three-generation family group, enjoyed a nice meal and a great performance by the skilled chef. Thank you to all Benihana staff!

It's always a bit if a gimmick but truth us that I love the food since I was a kid so still come once a year or so. The show is amusing for the children whilst the adults wait hungry for their food 😋 Cocktails are lovely, it is a bit pricey but it's tge whole experience.

A great experience and good quality food. The menu is very limited and there’s not much explanation of what the dishes are. The staff compensated for this as they were happy to explain everything to us being our first time visiting this restaurant. The spring rolls were delicious however, incredibly greasy so make use of the napkins provided! The chef was lovely, very friendly and happy to make adjustments to the dishes if required. Personally I do think the food is overpriced for what you get however it was an enjoyable experience and interesting to see the food cooked right in front of you. Potentially better for groups bigger than 2.

I had an amazing time with my partner yesterday night at this Restaurant. Amazing customer services especially from KJ she catered to the customers and made sure we had a good time and was also attentive. The chefs were very nice aswell. The atmosphere was very nice aswell , loved every moment.

If you want to dine under the attack of the cooking smoke, go for it, the extraction systems are no where near strong enough to pull the smoke out on top of the grills. The food wasn’t very good either the rice was appallingly bad the spring onions bad the prawn tempura bad, the chicken gyoza ok, the black cod was really tasteless the fillet mignon was good. Overall a poor experience

Benihana Covent Garden is a really nice spot for Japanese Teppanyaki style food with everything made in front of you on a grill. Seating is bar style with tables of eight. Even though the restaurant was busy the layout meant that the atmosphere was lively without being too loud or intrusive. The food was really good, plenty of flavour and fresh. The chefs are clearly very skilled and everything was cooked to order, just as asked. They were also happy to accommodate for dietary needs, including a nut allergy and coeliac. I’d highly recommend Benihana to anyone after an entertaining, unique meal out.

Great experience and delicious food! I will recommend to my friends.

Quirky place to go and do something different. Not very abundant, but an experience

I went for my 21st birthday, we had Charlie as our chef and he made the experience so fun! Very interactive and a great night out <3

Great atmosphere, friendly team and a good restaurant to take family of all ages.

I took my bestfriend here for her birthday celebration. We both had an amazing time, the service was immaculate and staff were super friendly and the chef was entertaining. Food was fresh and so delicious! They also brought out a birthday cake for my friend which was so sweet. Definitely going back there again!

Great experience, a little bit expensive though but worth it. Only 4 stars for the food though given the price I would expect better. The hibachi rice should be included rather than steamed rice. You are there for the hibachi, not the steamer.

The Benihana experience was absolutely amazing, with helpful staff and a funny whitty chef who gave our table a wonderful experience. The food was all hot off the stove and tasted great, and the additional service of singing happy birthday was great (although it happened many many times throughout the night on many different tables)

A really nice experience, nicer in big groups as you’ll get the grill to yourselves

I have been to many Taipanyaki places including here in UK, this new one in Covent Garden is a disappointment. Staff were pushy and inattentive, the pricey stakes were not even room temperature - straight out of fridge, the chef's performance was below average. The only highlight was the so-so egg fried rice 🍚. £300+ for 2 adults and 2 children 🤔 🤔🤔🤔

Never a dull moment at Benihana! Lovely restaurant with friendly staff!

Benihana Covent Garden offers a unique and entertaining dining experience with a serene atmosphere. The live teppanyaki cooking adds flair to the meal, creating an engaging ambiance. The chefs showcase impressive knife skills, while the calm setting allows diners to enjoy their meals in a relaxed atmosphere. When it comes to the food, Benihana Covent Garden excels in delivering a diverse array of impeccably crafted dishes. The egg fried rice stands out for its perfectly cooked grains and subtle yet rich flavor. The delicate horseradish sauce and ginger sauce add layers of complexity, complementing the dishes with their unique zing and aromatic notes. The succulent tuna steak showcases the chef's mastery in preparing seafood, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth experience. For those seeking the epitome of indulgence, the Wagyu beef takes center stage, offering a luxurious and tender meat experience that's hard to rival. The beautifully refreshing ginger-dressed salad provides a crisp contrast, balancing the richness of the main courses. Additionally, the onion soup, a classic Japanese starter, impresses with its comforting warmth and depth of flavor. Attentive servers contribute to this tranquility, ensuring every need is met with efficiency and friendliness. Their knowledge of the menu and willingness to accommodate preferences add a personal touch, enhancing the overall satisfaction for patrons seeking a delightful and enjoyable meal. Though pricing may be on the higher side, the entertainment and attentive service make it a worthwhile choice for special occasions. Each dish at Benihana Covent Garden reflects a commitment to quality ingredients and skillful preparation, resulting in a culinary journey that captivates the senses and leaves a lasting impression.

The show is fabulous, the cooks are excellent and the service is great. The food is not ideal but I guess that’s not the main reason you would go there. Very overpriced though.

Food was great, service was very good and the atmosphere is created by you. The more you engage with the chef the more they engage with you.

Absolutely amazing experience, the staff always give you a warm welcome. Highly recommend for an experience that is not just about eating... and the food is divine

Food with entertainment is probably the best way to describe this place. We go every year to celebrate our children's birthday. This time, it was my sons 14th. This year, the team at Covent Garden went the extra mile. They gave us a private room and assigned one of the best chefs I've ever seen. His final blindfold trick was simply amazing. Whilst this place is expensive, it is still worth going to celebrate an event. The food is good but not great, but that is almost irrelevant because we always leave with a smile on our faces. We always have a great time, which is why we go every year.

Lovely ambience plus chef Charlie was brilliant

Had such a wonderful evening in Benihana tonight! Atmosphere and service are simply amazing! Well done to the team! They made myself and my boyfriend feel amazing. Chef Kevin was very funny and communicative with us, same for the Waitress ( I think her name’s Jam if I’m not wrong ), very professional and cool! Keep it this way guys!! I’ll definitely be back soon and definitely I will recommend this place to my friends!❤️💪🔥

Big props to Charlie who was not only a great chef, but fantastic entertainer! My father had a wonderful birthday!

We had amazing service and food and were very taken care of by ms liz, and the chef mr Charlie super kind and accommodating . Everything we ordered was halal too and it was amazing

10/10 Excellent Japanese Food 👌

Loved our experience with the chef Charlie !

Eine klare Empfehlung dieses Lokal zu besuchen. Top Show Köche und spitze zubereitetes Essen. Auf jeden Fall mal probieren.

What a great experience, experts chef cook your food in front of you and at the same time they entertain you. The food was amazing and the service fast and kindly. I’ll return for sure, highly recommended 👍👍

a great teppanyaki restaurant, well served dishes and truly Japanese seasoning, I recommend it! recommended reservation

I tried to call and book I’ve never had a worse experience the lady was horrible and hung up on me I called back and I got an even worse experience from her Co worker I was just trying to book a table for my 18th birthday I’m really disappointed not only that but I’m in costumer service myself and would never be rude to any other worker I also have autism and I get very nervous on the phone and they made me feel very uncomfortable just so shocked they hung up on me the lady’s were named wren and Marion I feel humiliated and I don’t think I would ever go there again take my advice don’t

This is my 2nd time here and seafood palace is highly recommended. The chef is entertaining we had some laugh, overall very nice dining experience

Went on 30 Dec, was 15 mins late, but they were kind enough to hold the table. We were a mix of vegetarian, meat only, and fish eaters. They catered really well for all of us prioritising vegetarians, then meat and finally fish eaters. Each stage of cooking was entertaining. The chef (Kevin) was entertaining involving everyone, even the chef behind us! Some of the "tricks" need more work. Jane, the drinks lady was also very helpful - no sullen faces here! It is expensive but it is a one a year / special occasion type of meal. Don't need to tip as 12.5% added. Give it a try, you'll enjoy it.

Very nice food, but it's so overpriced, plenty of other Japanese restaurants in and around London that aren't so expensive

Ventilation terrible, very smokey. The chef at my table overcooked my steak and prawns...and because the people sharing table didn't like onions, the chef didn't serve me any with my fried rice either (that i paid extra for), instead of cooking it separately for us, pure laziness.

The best service, the most top quality food and drink, 10/10 service to all food types! I'll 100% recommend to my family and friends x

I felt like they were trying to rip me off with multiple "upgrade" tricks. 1) Their fix menu includes rice and the cook asks if you prefer Steamed Rice or Grilled Rice. We asked Grilled Rice and shocked with an additional fee on the bill (£4.50 - upgrade to grilled rice ) because nobody told us about this fee. Also, the cost of grilled rice is also £4.50 so I am not sure how can "upgrade" fee is exactly the same cost as the actual cost of the good. As for 4 people, we paid £18 just for upgrading steam rice to grilled rice :) 2) The quality of the beef was okay. However, considering the amount you pay (almost £45-50/meal) I was expecting softer and juicy premium steaks whereas our steak wasn't so good. (fyi, we ordered Fillet Mignon - medium cooked) 3) The bill for 2 adults and 2 little children was £210 (with no alcoholic drinks) which was ridiculous. 4) The ventilation was terrible and all the bad smell sticks on your dress / coat when you leave the restaurant. Do I recommend anyone to visit this restaurant? Definitely NO. You should try alternative restaurants.

Kevin the chef was amazing, very funny and excellent service, so nice and cooked my girlfriend a great stake,she loved it . Jhe’s service was unmatched. Tended to us at every moment and went above and beyond for us.

I went here with a few friends for my birthday. After checking the prices I was a little skeptical, but wow what a night definitely worth every penny. When we arrived we were greeted with friendly door staff and shown to our table. We weren't left waiting long before our drinks order was taken, which is always a bonus in my eyes. We were left to browse the menu which mainly consists of steak. The waitress was extremely helpful with explaining the process and how things would unfold thought the night as none of my party had experienced teppanakyi before. We had our own chef at the table and cooked all of our steaks to order, showing us a few tricks along the way. Made some cracking jokes and made us feel really welcome. The quality of the food is exceptional and the guys here really go the extra mile, they even passed me a slice of free cake for my birthday. Try it if you have never been before, I highly recommend it.

How this place gets a 4.5 for food is beyond me. The food is one of the worse I've experienced in any resturant. Starter soup came Stone cold. Then they cook us an onion soaked in oil bu the icing on the cake was when the chef cooked the chicken and the meat with the same spatula. My partner is also allergic to seafood and we expressed this but they put the prawns on the same hot plate. For sure I would never return

Worth it if you've never been before! Considering that everything is cooked fresh, there was a long wait to order food and then another wait for the cooking to start. The experience is great as a one-time, one-off but as this was my second time after many years, you realise that the price does not match the food portion or flavour

Highly recommend…clean, wonderful food, entertaining staff..great selection of cocktails and wine

Beyond merely a meal, it was an entire experience, a captivating show. While the food was satisfying, it fell short of being truly exceptional. I couldn't help but wish for a more extraordinary culinary delight.

Very good good, recovered if you are looking for an experience dinner night

It was a nice experience polite staff good atmosphere. Restaurant wasn’t a good standard for the price especially downstairs to steaming you will come out smelly like food no enough ventilation that is a bit down and is no where you can put your coat. Walking as well no enough space especially if you are sitting by the door you will get interrupted every time someone come out . Facilities is a minus toilet again no a good standard Food wise was good no a wow experience as I was expecting I guess you pay is for the show as is a good show. Do I recommend well looks like I don’t need as it’s well known Do I will return.. is a not for me

Food was lovely. Was a great joy to watch the food being freshly prepared in front of you. Just want to add our chef Charlie was brilliant. Really friendly and polite. He made the whole evening. The birthday cake and song for my Partner at the end of the meal was also a lovely touch

Really enjoyed it. Food was fabulous.

Thank you Chef Laurence for such a wonderful evening. Witty, engaging and cooked everything to perfection. All the staff were wonderful in fact and gave me dessert with a candle in it and sang happy birthday. I felt very valued and not rushed at all in this restaurant unlike others in London. Benihana Covent Garden is perfect for a special occasion, they look after you very well, food is amazing and portion sizes are great. (Absolutely try the chicken and steak, the prawns are just unreal too!)

Nice performance of the cook in front of us, very fun and delicious

Fun place to visit and good food

First time and I will definitely be back. Food was delicious especially the saucy prawns which we ordered twice. My black miso cod was flavoured with lemon & butter (which needed more flavour) instead as the waiter kindly pointed out their miso has ‘sake’ which is alcohol infused therefore not halal. Really appreciate him pointing that out! Great fun food show and the chef was pleasant.

Friendly funny chef. Was absolutely great. Food was good size and very tasty. Free treat for husband’s birthday and they sang to him. Great staff. There was a waiting section you can order drinks before they take you to your seat

Absolute MUST go in London. The food is addictive and the service is excellent. Drinks are delicious and creative. Favorite dishes are the filet mignon, garlic fried rice, ginger salad and the pirikara prawns. Excellent always and caring management to take care of any feedback you offer.

Last minute birthday celebration. The girl who served us was very nice and the chef was funny and kind! Food was ok , but i came here for the entertainment! We had a really nice evening :)

This has been on the list for years. Finallhy ticked off but did it exceed my expectations......??? Let's start with service. Poor!!! The supervisor who happened to be at the front desk was overly keen to send me over to the bar and was not willing to help sort out the confusion. I sat at the bar for over 30 mins and wasn't approached by anyone even though others were served. This wasn't a good start at all. The drinks were okay. The chef we were assigned didn't look too happy to be there so minimal interaction with the crowd. The spring rolls were good but everything else was just average. I believe you are paying more for the show than for quality food. So, it all comes down to the chef to make it a fun experience. Would i go back, maybe in a different city but definitely not the London one.

The pirikara prawns are amazing. Most tastiest thing ate in my meal.

A great and entertaining place to dine. The chefs are amazing at what they do and the food is delicious and plentiful. As it was my birthday, they even sang happy birthday to me in Japanese! Convenient location (went here before a theatre show) but is pricier than expected.

Me and my family recently visited Benihana for the first time, and I must say it was a fantastic experience. Our dining server, Harshita, was exceptional in guiding us through the menu and providing top-notch service. I would highly recommend Benihana to others.

Food was good and a great atmosphere, also a little pricey. The only drawback was the chef Charlie who gave extra attention to one couple only on our table which was shared by 3 couples. This is something i dint like because we saw the way he interacted with special attention with them was different compared to rest. We all deserved the same treatment and service.

Didn't have the wow factor I was expecting, however the food was fresh and excellently cooked. Lots of theatre.

Caught up with a long time friend for dinner alongside a Japanese hibachi! Shared grilled seafood (salmon and prawns), vegetables (asparagus and mushrooms) and a bottle of very drinkable Pinot Grigio. Something fun, entertaining and delicious for dinner

Hideki Was our chef and he was amazing! So much fun and 10/10 food. From start to finish a completely enjoyable experience. All of the staff were welcoming and lovely, the vibe downstairs was great. Will definitely be back.

Fab fun restaurant, great for birthdays , friends and family. Food delicious too.

Fantastic place to go to with friends and family. Amazing chef's and food. Would definitely go back.

Visited as a family of 5 for my sons birthday. This is my first visit to Covent Garden, we have in the past often visited the Chelsea branch. The food here is on par to Chelsea, however the surroundings is a little less inviting. We opted for the signature dinners. The onion soup very bland, the egg fried rice was tasteless/ not worth the £3.50 additional charge. However the chicken, beef, prawns, scallops and lobster tails all tasted delicious. It is expensive, but as a special treat it is worth a visit. The 12.5% service charge was in my opinion not worthy, we paid £33 service, we didn’t receive that in anyway.

Great food . Great show. Great service.

Amazing food and atmosphere. Totally recommend here for bougie dining

Atmosphere was great 👍, chef's are very friendly 👌 professionals, service was excellent 👌 I will recommend, definitely going again.

The chefs were very nice and we enjoyed sucking the noodles

My wife and I go here at least once a year for our anniversary, it is the most amazing restaurant in the world to me.

The essential interactive dinner!

Great fun and great food. Our chef, Charlie, was a great entertainer and Marian took great care of us.

The chef we had , didn’t interact with us , we could hardly hear him , he dropped the egg on the floor. The other chefs were doing tricks and making the kids laugh , my son was underwhelmed the chef didn’t do any tricks . Also we ordered two lunches and I didn’t get the prawns with mine! My son got his , I didn’t get mine . Very disappointed . The rice was so bland I had to drench it in the sauces . The staff were lovely I feel so bad to write this but I was just very unsatisfied considering I spent over £70

Had the best experience at Benihana. But you need a dessert menu/ experience - that only thing missing. Dessert is a must.

Die Show und die Köche sind sehr gut. Das Einzige was mich gestört hat ist, dass man halt bei einer TeppanJaki Kochherd nach dem Restaurant Besuch nach gebraten riecht ist aber nicht so schlimm. Ich finde es schade, dass die Köche deren Rücken so belasten müssen weil der Tresen zu tief ist. Das Essen war ok aber hat mich nicht umgehauen schade für den Preis. Der Service war aber sehr schnell und sehr höflich