An Indian restaurant in Birmingham that was once visited by Hollywood star Johnny Depp has failed a food hygiene inspection for the second time in just over a year, raising concerns among diners and local authorities.
Hygiene Rating Drops to One
Varanasi, located on Broad Street, received a score of 1 from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on March 18, 2026, meaning major improvement is necessary. This comes less than a year after the restaurant was given a passing grade of 5 (very good) in January 2025, following a previous failure.
According to the latest inspection report, food safety and food handling were rated as 'good', but cleanliness was flagged as requiring major improvement. The overall score of 1 indicates that the establishment has significant work to do to meet legal requirements.
Johnny Depp Connection
Varanasi gained notoriety in 2022 when it hosted Johnny Depp for a £50,000 meal after his performance at Symphony Hall. The celebrity visit put the restaurant in the spotlight, but recent hygiene issues have overshadowed its fame.
In 2024, Birmingham City Council apologised to Varanasi after a technical glitch displayed an incorrect hygiene rating on its website. However, the current rating appears to be accurate following the latest inspection.
Discrepancy in Displayed Ratings
Despite the FSA score of 1, the restaurant is reportedly displaying a 5 rating on its doors, which could mislead customers. The FSA website shows the correct rating, but the delay in updating the physical sticker may cause confusion.
Birmingham City Council and Varanasi have been approached for comment but have not yet responded. The council is responsible for food hygiene inspections in the city and usually works with businesses to improve standards.
What the Score Means
On the FSA scale, a score of 3 (generally satisfactory) is considered a pass. Any score below 3 is a fail. Varanasi's score of 1 indicates that major improvement is necessary, particularly in cleanliness.
This is not the first time the restaurant has faced hygiene issues. In January 2025, it failed an inspection but later passed in March 2025 with a 5 rating. However, the pass was not made visible on the FSA website for nearly three months, causing further confusion.
Diners are advised to check the FSA website for the most up-to-date hygiene ratings before visiting any restaurant.
