Spices

I had never been to Spices before but found it by accident tonight on my way to the lovely vegetarian all-you-can-eat across the road. To make a long story short the food was nice for the price but the man that served us was so rude! Not worth the price to put up with the attitude! One to avoid!!

I can't speak more highly about this place. I don't live locally yet make the trip to Spices every few weeks for a real treat. It is BYO which is great as you can't leave Spices paying more than about £25 for two people. The manager greats you with a huge smile on his face and I have never seen him be anything but hugely welcoming to all his customers. He goes through the menu with you and can tailor meals to your taste. He always offers to amend your meal if it's not to your liking but I don't think any of his customers would ever need to! It is very high quality Bangladeshi food and they don't use a lot of oil which makes the food seem much more healthy then the usual indian fare you get. The place is packed out on the weekends so i would recommend booking in advance. I have recommended Spices to all my friends and it is now their favourite 'not so loca'l local! I would recommend the mixed starter and the lamb dhansha but we generally try a new dish every time and are never disappointed.

Group of around 12 of us turned up in the early evening on a recent Saturday. We'd pre-booked a table.

Like the other reviews, I'd summarise it by saying it looks a bit faded from the outside, but the food and service are excellent (and the place itself is clean, hygienic etc).

Food was very nicely and subtly spiced, very well cooked. Service was amusingly eccentric - couple of our party asked for kormas, the manager (I think he was the manager) shook his head and persuaded them to have a similar curry - he basically ran through the ingredients of a korma, and suggested something a bit different that they'd still probably like. Difficult to convey it in words, but there was a good charm and sense of humour about haggling over your menu choices. When the dishes came out, we were encouraged to taste the sauce first to ensure we were happy - if we were not, then we'd be offered something else. Everyone was happy with what they were given though. I was offered a second cheese nan for free, as the manager wasnt quite happy with the first one (I wasnt remotely fussed, seemed fine to me!).

No alcohol license, but the off license across the road does a discount of cans of beer for customers of Spices. They were happy to chill them for us, and gave us glasses and poured the beer for us too.

So yes, a great curry house, with a 'traditional home-cooked' menu, and the standard balti/korma/massala etc. Slightly eccentric but charming service. Very nicely priced too. Definitely recommend Spices.

Fantastic food, everything tastes fresh unlike our average run-of-the-mill curry house. The staff and owner are very friendly, and although not licensed you can bring your own booze. The variety and quality of dishes is outstanding. The decorations are pretty basic, so I probably would not have gone in if it hadn't been recommended to me, but it is clean. I can't wait to go again!

Not only was the food delicious, but it was also very far away from the usual Euro-indian fare you can find everywhere. The owner is very passionate about his food, and makes you taste the dishes before he serves you: if you don't like it, back it goes, and he'll adapt to your own tastes! The flavours were subtle and different, the service was excellent, and the whole was frankly inexpensive. We live in Brussels - but we'll definitely come back!

I lived in Islington for 3 years without knowing this place existed before being told about it by a friend. I consider this 3 wasted years of my life. The food is sensational - delicate and fragrant, with some dishes combining 5 different flavours in one mouthful. I recommed the Lamb Rajastani starter followed by the Tok Jal Misti (sp?). Food heaven. The owner is one of the most charismatic and fun people you will meet. I took my parents there twice while they were down in London, and they now request we go back to see him every time they come down. It's BYO and the food is exceptional value.

Spices is the best Indian/Bangladeshi food in North London. I love it, the food is fresh, authentic and the service is passionate and knowledgeable. Don't go here if you want to impress or have a swanky night out - there are plenty of expensive Indian restaurants in Mayfair for that. Go here for great food at great prices.

I visited for the first time tonight although I have been several times to the nearby Angel Curry but they were full and I had not booked.

It looks a bit dingey from outside because they keep their lights rather too low.

I had to specifically ask for the special £9.95 menu even though they had a board on the street outside. It was not available if you had booked through one of the booking sites.

We were warned that it would take at least an hour. Thats sounded as if we had booked the cheapie and they then penalised us by making us wait.

The service was speedy but unfriendly and a bit rushed. They dont open the door for anyone when they leave. They became more friendly by the time we were leaving and it was almost empty. There were only 17 eating out of 38 covers so it was hardly full though.

The food was rather average apart from the small amount of meat in the meat dishes. The taka dal could only have had about five dals in it.

It was a noisy lively place because of the other diners so it has a lively ambiance.

All in all it was not disastrous and with the BYOB it was a cheap meal with wine but they do need to be a little more friendly and particularly to put a bit more ingredient into their dishes! Until they have sorted that out, next door is about 25% better and at the same price would be my first choice!

Tony

If you only visit one Indian restaurant this year, let Spices be it! The standard of food is impeccable and the service is second to none. This is the sort of place you'd want to ask for a chef's recommendation - they know their food, and clearly cook with passion. The menu is extensive, offering the English style dishes that we are all familiar with (kurma, vindaloo, madras etc), as well as traditional 'home style' Bengali versions that present authentic, uplifting flavours. The enthusiasm for great food fills this restaurant - and i suggest that you let it fill your plate too! ...if only Spices delivered to Brixton, as i just don't think I could go anywhere else now!

Spices is pretty good in fact. True, the kitchen won't be rushed, though not a bad thing as the food that arrives on your table is more authentic than most high street curry houses. This is reflected in the added spiciness just about everything on the menu. Prices are fair and portions considerate. Give it a go.

Spices was our favourite curry restaurant but this time the food had no flavour other than chilli hot. We didnt finish our meal even though we had waited an hour for it. The delivery man short changed us as well. Wouldnt recommend it.

I had a brilliant time in Spices. The food was delicious, full of brilliant flavours and very colourful. It is not expensive either, excellent value and it is a BYO. I pla to definitely go again.

Simply the best curry restraurant in London. Great service. They are totally passionate about their food, and this passion translates into amazing dishes. Everything tases so fresh and full of flavour. And it is cheap too. By rights this place should be packed every night as it is just sublime. This dishes in this place are miles above the usual sitting-in-ghee-and-sauce-for-days type of food that you get from a typical curry-house. Each seems to be made to order from scratch. I can't recommend it enough. I discovered it as I used to live nearby. Now I live in West London, but still make the journey to Angel just to eat there. Brilliant food

Probably the best Indian Restaurant in all of London. Food is ace, and the service is even better. Would recommend to anyone.

Wonderful! The waiters are very nice and give a lot of good advice about the different dishes, the food is delicious (good quality and recipes) and the menu is really cheap and offers lots of various dishes! I will come back and make other friends discover this nice restaurant or order something as soon as possible!