Berenjak Mayfair, the latest outpost of the Tehran-inspired kabab house, has opened its doors with interiors designed by London studio Atelier Wren. Founded by Jake Raslan and Lorenzo Buscaroli, the studio has earned a reputation for crafting some of the most considered hospitality spaces in London and beyond, and at Berenjak Mayfair they have delivered a richly layered environment drawing on Persian homes and coastal villages. For anyone who has tried (and likely failed) to secure a table at the original Soho location, the arrival of this new venue is welcome news indeed. Berenjak has long been one of the hardest reservations to land in London, with queues of 2-3 hours, and the Mayfair opening finally offers a little more breathing room.
A Persian-Inspired Vision
From the street, passers-by catch glimpses of the brass bar gantry through the windows, an invitation to step inside. Once through the door, the interiors reveal themselves as a study in warmth and craftsmanship. Plush textures, deep timber tones, and softly diffused lighting set the tone, while every detail feels considered. Atelier Wren conceived the restaurant as a tribute to Persian domestic spaces and coastal villages, and that influence runs through the materials, the colours and the layering of decorative elements throughout the room.
Layered Craftsmanship and Bespoke Detail
Bespoke furniture, reclaimed lighting and hand-finished decorative walls give the space a sense of depth and history. Persian stained glass elements add jewel-toned colour and texture, catching the light in a way that shifts throughout the day. The result is a space that feels both intimate and theatrical, somewhere you want to linger over a long lunch or settle in for a generous evening of slow, layered dining.
Hand-Painted Ceilings and Female Artisans
One of the most striking design moments sits overhead. The ceilings feature bespoke artworks inspired by Kama Sutra imagery, taking cues from Persian miniature paintings held within the Wellcome Collection. Hand-rendered across the ceiling panels, the works introduce a narrative element while paying homage to the tradition of illustrated Persian manuscripts. Much of the decorative work throughout the restaurant was created by first- and second-generation female artisans, including the mosaicists who hand-laid the marble floors in the bathrooms and the carpet specialists who contributed to the wider scheme. Their hands give the interiors a deeply personal, human quality that polished design alone could never quite achieve.
Behind a secret door downstairs, guests are led to a concealed dining room complete with an open grill, a private dining room and a hidden booth tucked away for the most intimate of meals. At the front of the restaurant, a terrace opens onto the street and looks set to become one of Mayfair’s most inviting outdoor dining spots once the weather warms up.
A Menu Rooted in Persian Tradition
Founded by chef Kian Samyani alongside JKS Restaurants, Berenjak made its name by bringing the spirit of a Tehran kabab house to London, and the Mayfair branch builds confidently on that foundation. The signature kababs remain centre stage, joined by more than 20 new dishes, including a lunchtime offering rooted in regional Iranian home cooking. Timed to coincide with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, the opening also debuts the group’s most extensive wine list to date alongside an expanded selection of cocktails and teas. It is the kind of menu that rewards lingering, and in a room as beautifully crafted as this one, lingering is precisely what you will want to do.
For more information, visit Atelier Wren
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All images courtesy of Ash James.