A Festival of Flavour at Kanishka this Diwali

London in October takes on a different kind of glow. The city’s chill is softened by bursts of light and colour as Diwali approaches, and nowhere is that spirit more deliciously captured than at Kanishka by Atul Kochhar. For one week only, from the 14th to the 19th of October, the Mayfair restaurant is inviting diners to mark the festival with a six course tasting menu that celebrates both heritage and innovation.

Kanishka has long been a destination for those who expect more from Indian cuisine. Atul Kochhar, one of the first Indian chefs to win a Michelin star, has made his name by blending authenticity with invention. This year’s Diwali menu promises to be no exception, weaving together fine British ingredients with the bold techniques and flavours of India’s diverse culinary landscape.

The evening begins as every celebration should, with canapés designed to spark curiosity and awaken the palate. From there, the journey deepens into dishes that are both playful and precise. Achari Paneer Tikka arrives with cottage cheese filled with sharp pickling spices, striking a balance between comfort and surprise. Lehsuni Palak Chenna takes spinach and garlic and places them alongside roasted baby burrata, an unexpected partner that works with grace.

At the heart of the menu is a house speciality that has already become something of a legend among regulars. The Rogan Josh Wellington transforms the British classic into a celebration of Kashmiri spice. A cannon of lamb is encased in duxelle and pastry, brought together with a rich Rogan jus. It is a dish that bridges two culinary traditions, not through compromise but through confidence.

Dessert is no afterthought. Gulab Jamun Saffron Brulee combines milk dumplings with the silken richness of saffron custard. It is sweet, yes, but also layered with fragrance and warmth. The kind of dish that insists you slow down, that asks you to reflect on the festival itself and the joy of endings that feel like beginnings.

Atul Kochhar has always approached cooking as storytelling. This menu is less about spectacle and more about rhythm, a sequence of moments that build towards something lasting. It reminds you that Diwali is not only about light in the sky but also about connection at the table.

Priced at ninety five pounds per person, the tasting menu is a rare chance to step into a world where the boundaries of tradition and modernity are blurred in the best possible way. For those looking to celebrate Diwali in London this year, Mayfair may just be the brightest place of all.