Phone: +441388777775
Address: 100 Main Street, County Durham, United Kingdom, DL4 1AQ
City: County Durham
Menu Dishes: 21
Reviews: 1499
Website: https://spiceisland-menu.co.uk/
"I went here a few years ago and gave the restaurant four stars. Having returned, recently, I am dropping my review to two stars. When I called to make a reservation, the gentleman answering the phone straight up asked me if I was actually going to turn up. This immediately put me off. I understand that some places have problems with customers booking and then failing to show up, but there are probably politer ways to speak to people making a booking. When we got there, the gentleman who greeted us seemed to be the same man as answered the phone. He was very friendly and polite, and everything seemed fine. I remembered that the last time I visited, the Vindaloo wasn't particularly hot, so this time I tried ordering the Phal, which should have been considerably spicier. I have had Phals in other restaurants and they are normally at just about the upper limit of my tolerance/enjoyment. Sadly, Spice Island's Phall wasn't noticeably hotter than their rather timid Vindaloo. My sons both had tasty curries (deliberately mild, as they don't like very spicy food), and I couldn't argue with the portion sizes, price or flavour. When I mentioned the lack of heat in the Phal to the manager (the only person working front-of-house), he replied that he had given me something relatively mild because he wasn't sure if I could really handle spicy food. This on its own limits the place to two stars. There is a distinct lack of trust from the management towards customers. Two days later, we ordered curries for delivery. Mostly the same items, but with one of our Vindaloos switched to a second Phal. Again, the Phals just weren't particularly spicy, despite our insistence, on the phone, that yes, we really did want spicy food. I have no idea if Spice Island is actually capable of serving really spicy food, as I have never had any from there. I can say that their food is flavourful and generously portioned for the price. The restaurant is cleaner than the last time we visited, with no lingering smell of cigarette smoke in the toilets anymore. The management, however, is off-putting and I am not sure if I would bother trying for spicy dishes for a fourth time."
Full menu - 21 options
All prices are estimates on menu.
Indian
Naan
A soft, oven-baked flatbread, perfect for scooping up curries or savoring on its own, with a light, fluffy texture.
Saag
Spinach and mustard greens cooked with spices, creating a flavorful and creamy traditional Indian dish.
Korma
A rich and creamy curry with tender meat, infused with spices and finished with a touch of yogurt for a smooth flavor.
Biryani
Biryani is a fragrant rice dish cooked with tender meat, aromatic spices, and herbs, offering a rich and flavorful experience.
Vindaloo
Spicy and tangy curry dish with marinated meat, often featuring fiery chilies and aromatic spices for a bold flavor.
Garlic Naan
Soft, fluffy Indian bread infused with rich garlic and buttery flavors, perfect as a side to any curry dish.
Tikka Masala
Tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce, served with fragrant basmati rice.
Chicken Curry
Tender chicken simmered in a rich, spiced curry sauce with aromatic herbs and a touch of coconut milk.
Chicken Curry
Tender chicken simmered in a rich, aromatic blend of spices with creamy coconut milk.
Chicken Tikka
Marinated chicken pieces grilled to perfection, served with fresh herbs and spices, offering a savory and aromatic delight.
Chicken Korma menu
Creamy, spiced chicken dish cooked with yogurt, coconut milk, and aromatic spices, offering a rich and flavorful experience.
Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken: Roasted chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in a clay oven for a smoky and tangy flavor.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce with aromatic herbs and spices.
Mixed Specialties
Seafood
Prawn
Juicy prawns grilled to perfection, seasoned with garlic and herbs, served with a tangy lemon butter sauce.
Pakora - Starters
Pakora
Pakora: Deep-fried fritters made with spiced gram flour batter, enveloping a mix of vegetables or meat, crispy and deliciously savory.
Main Course
Grilled Specialties From The Tandoor
Popular Dishes
Pilau Rice
Fragrant, fluffy basmati rice cooked with aromatic spices, offering a perfect pairing for curries and flavorful dishes.
Indian Rice
Breads & Rice
Peshwari Naan
Sweet, fluffy naan bread stuffed with nuts, raisins, and coconut; a delightful side for any Indian curry.
Sandra
I had a wonderful dining experience in the comfort of my own home.
Address
Reviews
Taha
Very nice owner the food is amazing my number one take out and a nice siting inside the restaurant
Stephen
Awful service, two hours late. Food was wrong, poor quality. Wouldn’t recommend. They kept telling us the order was on its way.
Sarah
Curry was horrible! Took 2 hours to arrive and it was cold. Chicken was disgusting and the curry sauce was like water. Would not recommend. View menu
lesox
We enjoyed a delicious Lamb Jalfrezi and Chicken Bhuna at this restaurant. The Vegetable Pilau was excellent and it is definitely the best Indian food in County Durham.
Alexandra
Tastiest curry I've had in ages, really good portion size too and especially loved it as do my favourite curry which not many places do. Only thing is missed the mint sauce but not worth losing a star over as the rest was so good! Found our new takeaway
Alison
The best by far for takeaways. We have tried many others in the area but none were as good as as Spice Island so we will stick to this place in future. Nice to find a restaurant that uses fresh vegetables in their curries! Always beautifully cooked and not too oily, the menu offers a good choice for vegetarians and vegans View menu
Chloe
One of the best Indians I’ve had in such a long time, came for a weekend away with my boyfriend and went for a last minute meal. Service was excellent and the food was amazing. Portions are absolutely huge and well worth the money. We had to take out due to leavint so much. Will 100% return due to how amazing the food was and excellent service. Cannot recommend enough : 10 out of 10
Ad
Well, what can we say. I never leave reviews, but this warrants it to warn others. We were passing through and met with a relative who had moved in locally and went looking for a curry. After being refused entry in another curry house being a 5 person party. We found this place. Alarm bells immediately as only 2 people sitting in on Saturday night with 20ish tables empty. The waitress had to go and ask someone if it was ok if we sat in, which was agreed. But we were so hungry after our very busy day. I had veg pakora for starters. Never seen them in sausage form before and was made clearly from frozen. Then our mains came out. OMG HORRENDOUS! Apparently chicken, though nobody ate it, as it t...
Tom
I went here a few years ago and gave the restaurant four stars. Having returned, recently, I am dropping my review to two stars. When I called to make a reservation, the gentleman answering the phone straight up asked me if I was actually going to turn up. This immediately put me off. I understand that some places have problems with customers booking and then failing to show up, but there are probably politer ways to speak to people making a booking. When we got there, the gentleman who greeted us seemed to be the same man as answered the phone. He was very friendly and polite, and everything seemed fine. I remembered that the last time I visited, the Vindaloo wasn't particularly hot, so thi... View menu
Categories
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Balti Balti dishes are richly spiced, cooked in traditional steel woks. Enjoy bold flavors with tender meats or fresh vegetables, slow-cooked to perfection, delivering a unique and aromatic dining experience.
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Asian Experience a culinary journey through Asia with our diverse menu. From the spicy flavors of Thai curry to the savory umami of Japanese sushi, we offer a wide variety of dishes that celebrate authentic Asian cuisine. View menu
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Indian Experience the vibrant flavors of India with our authentic dishes crafted from aromatic spices, fresh ingredients, and traditional recipes, offering a rich tapestry of taste with each mouthwatering bite.
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Vegetarian Delight in our vibrant collection of vegetarian dishes, crafted with the freshest greens, rich flavors, and savory spices. Enjoy a wholesome, delectable plate that celebrates nature's finest ingredients.
Amenities
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Wifi
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Takeout
- menu
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Seating
- menu
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Delivery
