Highly-rated York restaurant in heartfelt plea over pending price rises
The Bengal Lounge in Acomb is an award winner (Image: Pic supplied)
A top York restaurant has taken to social media to explain why it will be increasing some of its prices in the coming weeks.
Since the Bengal Lounge opened in the Acomb Wood Shopping Centre, the restaurant has become one of the most popular curry houses in York.
TripAdvisor awards it 4.8 stars out of five, based on 447 reviews, ranking it 22nd out of 939 York restaurants, also awarding the restaurant a Traveller's Choice award for 2026.
Google awards 4.5 stars out of five, based on 257 Google reviews.
- Bengal Lounge, Acomb, shortlisted in Best Curry House Top 10
- Bengal Lounge Indian in York named Best Restaurant
- York restaurant named best in Yorkshire at curry awards
- Bombay Spice in Goodramgate wins in English Curry Awards
The Bengal Lounge is also a regular award winner and last October was shortlisted in the York Press Best Curry House competition.
Now, it has posted on Facebook that it “needs to be honest” with diners and it is “genuinely sorry” to be increasing prices when “we know things are expensive for everyone right now.”
Some of the top-rated food at the Bengal Lounge. (Image: Pic supplied)
The post continued: “But we’ve reached a point where we simply cannot keep absorbing the rising costs ourselves.
“Our shopping bills have increased unbelievably. Some ingredients are costing us two or even three times what they used to. Then there’s gas, electricity, fuel, wages, packaging and practically every other cost involved in running a restaurant.”
The restaurant said it could keep prices as they are, but this would mean buying cheaper meat, swapping fresh ingredients for frozen and buying ready-made sauces and pre-prepared products.
The post explained: “We could fill our freezers with cheaper food, cut corners behind the scenes and most customers would probably never even know. But WE would know.”
The restaurant said it has always tried to buy the best and freshest ingredients, even if it costs more and takes time.
It refuses to compromise on food as “our name is going on that meal” and “we want to be proud of what’s inside it.”
Therefore, it wanted to be open about the price increases.
The restaurant interior (Image: Pic supplied)
The Bengal Lounge also wanted to thank customers for their support.
The post continued: “You’re not supporting some huge faceless company.
“You’re supporting a local independent business, our staff, our families and everything we have worked so hard to build.
“Times are difficult for small businesses, but one thing we promise will never change:
“We will not sacrifice quality. We will not start cutting corners. We will continue serving food that we’re proud to put the Bengal Lounge name on.
“Prices may change. Our standards won’t.”
Customers have accepted the planned price rises, saying the restaurant is having to do what it needs to.
One said: “Everyone will understand. We are living the same lives.”
Another said: “We totally get it and we’ll still be regulars!”
And another added: “You do what you have to do, your food is definitely worth it.”