City spice London is an Indian and family run restaurant located in East London’s Brick Lane. The restaurant was bought by Adbul in 2015 who had the vision to transform City Spice into the best curry house in London. Recently, the restaurant launched its very first Vegan Curry Menu filled with scrumptious dishes with a twist of traditional Indian food.
Over the last couple of months, we’ve spent more time in East London than most areas in the city. East London Markets are some of our favourite places to visit whenever we are in this part of the city. Brick Lane is not only an exciting area in East London, but it also has some of the best eateries and vintage stores.
City Spice London has a passion for creating the authentic Indian curries in London and the new VEGAN MENU has filled to the brim with exciting dishes. We were happy to be invited to City Spice London to sample the vegan menu and share our thoughts.
Dinner at City Spice London
In our home, we have pescatarians and picky carnivores who are huge foodies and have restaurants listed as contacts in our phones. When we were excited to review the vegan menu, I knew the pescatarians in our home would be excited.
With several awards under their belt, we knew that City Spice London’s Michelin chefs would create up a storm. Several celebrities are known to frequent this restaurant and have been praised by many media outlets. It’s no wonder many food critics recommend City Spice and we excite to share our experience.
Starter & Pickled Tray
Every Indian restaurant has its own version of the pickled tray and City Spice London is no different. We were truly taken in by the chef’s secret ingredient dip which we polished off quickly. The one dip we did not take to was the spice lime pickle it wasn’t sweet and hard to discern the ingredients. Our pickled tray was filled with;
- Papadoms
- Yoghurt dig – Mint sauce
- Chef’s special – Coconut chutney
- spice lime pickle
- Fresh salad
- Mango chutney
* It is important to note that the yoghurt dip and mango chutney are not vegan
For our starter, we picked items to form the vegan menu and we absolutely loved what we picked. We ordered City’s Chana {£4.95} -chickpea based and Aloo chat {£3.95} – potato based, both dishes were scrumptiously salivating and we accompanied with fresh salad.
Mains – Vegan and non-vegan
Before we started our mains we ordered some drinks; Mango Lassi {£3.52} and King Fisher beer {£3.75 half a pint}. For wine lovers, it’s important to note they have vegan white and red wines on the drinks menu. We enjoyed our drinks and can not recommend the mango lassi enough, its the best mango drink ever.
For the purpose of our review, we ordered from the vegan and as a non-vegan, I ordered also from the non-vegan menu. What we loved is that City Spice London are masters of authentic Bangladeshi cuisine and all foods aside form breaded items are all gluten-free.
*Vegan Dishes: Shobji Garlic {£9.95} and Bindi Daal Gatta {£8.95}
Both dishes were recommended by our server and we were glad they did as they are absolutely delicious. Shobji Garlic is one of the most popular dishes from the Michel-Indian menu and its easy to see why. The fried mushrooms and cauliflower were nicely cooked and a great mixture of herbs completed the dish.
*Note – side dishes have to be ordered separately for these dishes but can be eaten alone.
*Non-Vegan Dishes: Murgh Masala {£12.95}
I love Indian food and almost always order the same thing but this time I wanted to try something else. Murgh Masala is such a popular dish that most customer order from City Spice and I wanted to know why.
*I ordered garlic bread and I must confess it the best garlic bread I have ever tried.
Thoughts on Brick Lane’s Best Curry House
From the moment we arrived until we left, we loved our experience at City Spice, everything from the decor to the food was absolutely inviting. The restaurant is open from 12pm until 11pm, our dinner started at 7pm and the restaurant was fairly quiet. But, by 8pm, it was packed to the brim and the manager informed us this was the norm.
The restaurant is popular with groups, couples and solo foodies as well as families. We loved how knowledgeable the staff were about the various foods on the two menus. What was truly impressive was how quickly our food reached our table from the time we ordered.
One of the important things I like to check whenever we review restaurants it’s the state of the bathrooms. I am happy to report that at City Spice the toilet was very clean the downsize is there was only one toilet for each sex. The toilet is located downstairs where the second seating area of the restaurant is located.
Another important thing to note is that a small commission is automatically added to the bill like most London restaurants. We were happy for this to be added because of the great service and tasty food we tried. Also, they serve the freshest salads I have ever tested, it felt like I picked them from my own garden.
We had such a lovely dinner, best Indian food have had in a long time, thanks City Spice London for inviting us.
mightymamabear2017 says
It all looks delicious! We’re big curry fans! We’ll have to try it next time we’e in London
forkwardthinkingfoodinista says
I am feeling hungry reading this. We love a good curry night, just wish it was nearer to us xx
Mellissa Williams says
We adore Indian food in our house, in fact I am going for an Indian meal tonight. I wished I love closer as this place looks tremendous
helloglobalmousegmailcom says
Ooh I love a good curry and Brick Lane has to be the best place to have one. I absolutely love that they have good vegan offerings too.
happy squirrel says
This looks amazing. Its great to see so many vegan options.
bex allum says
I love Brick Lane, I’m not fan of spicy food but it looks fresh and colourful.
Natasha Mairs - Serenity You says
Has my husband works in an Indian restaurant I know all the dishes, but not many of them are vegan. So having a vegan menu is brilliant. I like the sound of the Shobji Garlic, sounds right up my street.
rhian westbury says
That’s good that there are quite a lot of veggie/ vegan options as I know a lot of friends are veggie but love Indian food x
Rebecca Smith says
It can be difficult to find a curry house that delivers on all your expectations but this certainly looks like it does. The food looks absolutely delicious – you’ve got me craving a curry now!
Stephanie says
It looks so fresh and yummy, lovely review and pictures
Jess Howliston says
This sounds like an amazing place to eat. The food all looks so vibrant and fresh (and delicious of course!). I cant remember the last time I had a good curry but your photos are making my mouth water!
Sarah Bailey says
What an amazing looking range of foods, the colours are amazing and it sounds like such a lovely location to relax and enjoy some spice in!
newmumfun6 says
Sounds and looks delicious! Next time I am in London I will have to visit here!
Charlotte - Mama Makes Do says
This all looks amazing, always looking for new places to try out when I visit London so will add this to my list
Sabina Green says
Gosh this is making me super hungry. It all sounds amazing, can’t beat a good Indian.
Sarah Dee says
I love India food, this sounds wonderful. I will have to take a look next time I visit London.
ChelseaMamma says
I have not been for a proper Indian for such a long time – I would love to eat here
Kizzy says
One of my favourite things about eating at Indian restaurants is the starters and pickles. This looks amazing
Miranda says
I must agree, I did love the pickle tray and the starters were the best Vegan I have never had.
Playdays and Runways says
We don’t go for indian that often but I do love a nice curry
Jenni says
I went here for curry with a friend last time I was in London. We’d heard Brick Lane was famous for it. One of the best curries I’ve ever had!
Miranda says
Glad it lived up to the hype, we had the best time ever and enjoyed the curries we tried.
laura dove says
Ooh I love Indian food and his all looks so good! I haven’t heard of Brick Lane before, its definitely one to make note of if I am ever down that way. Looks YUM!
mommamack15 says
I have recently been trying to be more adventurous when eating out at Indian restaurants rather than having the same dish. I’ve come to really like some of the vegetable dishes, I’d love to visit here and taste some of the vegan options too.
Marie says
That look delicious, it’s so nice when the whole evening is enjoyable. I definitely need to check this place out.
Anita Faulkner - Brazen Mummy Writes says
This food looks amazing! So bright and fresh. I didn’t realise you could get vegan wine (or that normal wine wasn’t vegan). I love a restaurant which caters for all sorts, as my little one has dairy allergies so vegan is great for him! Xx
Talya says
I do love a good curry – I haven’t been up to Brick Lane for an age but will definitely keep this in mind for when we are next up that way. You can’t beat a Brick Lane curry!
Lyndsey O'Halloran says
The food really looks delicious. I can imagine the toilets being an issue though.
Stephanie says
Oh yum yum, can’t beat a proper good curry!