The spice trade was once one of the most intricate and sought after commodites in history with monarchs and sultans devising the best routes to get their hands onto the rarest of spices showing their wealth and class of not only themselves but their representative countries. Although nowadays spices are much more easier to come by (just drive down to your nearest supermarket!); many spices are still on the scarcer side and represent luxury. Have no fear, though, because you no longer have to board a ship and find the passage to the Middle East but can simply head to the Solvang Spice Merchant. Solvang Spice Merchant is a female-owned (shout out to girl bosses!) spice boutique located in the central hub of the famous Danish tourist city of Solvang near Santa Barbara. Opening its doors a couple years before the Covid pandemic in 2018; Solvang Spice Merchant not only survived but thrived with a brick and mortar storefront and an online shipping option (flat rate of $10 shipping no matter the size of purchase!). The business features hand-crafted spices and seasonings, teas, and foodie gift sets serving both tourists and Solvang residents, alike. My boyfriend and I ventured into the Solvang Spice Merchant when visiting Solvang from Los Angeles for the city's Christmas-time Julefest and gazed our eyes on a shop that would make any King or emperor proud. The store is filled with floor to ceiling shelves of spices/seasoning mixes categorized by country/region and then further sub-categorized by ingredients, styles (BBQ, Pickling, etc) available in various bottle sizes (plus some can be purchased at the counter in bulk, as well). If you can conceive a certain spice or seasoning, trust me that Solvang Spice Merchant has it! Even if you are not in the market for spices; the store is fun to browse and discover all of the spices from around the world. My personal spice journey has endlessly been looking for Garam Masala (an Indian spice) which I could have purchased at the Indian shop by my apartment in Los Angeles - but what fun is that?! It is much better to come across Garam Masala at Solvang Spice Merchant where the spices are combined by hand and with love while enjoying the world of spices! We purchased a 2.3 oz bottle (the smallest) of Garam Masala for $10.25 which isn't cheap: but expected from a boutique spice store. I have since used the spice mix on chicken, Steelhead trout and steamed veggies and it is absolute perfection and makes my apartment smell delightful with its warm spices. The only complaint? None of the two young females behind the counter welcomed us into the store, offered any samples (which I learned the store does indeed do), ask if we needed help, etc. Solvang's main gimmick is being a welcoming tourist city ESPECIALLY during Christmas as it is known as the, "Most Christmas-y City in the Nation". Unfortunately, that Hallmark Christmas movie customer service was absent the night of our visit. Despite this minor qualm; Solvang Spice Merchant is a charming spice shop fit for a King, emperor, sultan or just Averages Joes like you and I visiting Solvang. Not only will you find whatever spice your heart desires but you will have an enjoyable time simply scanning the shelves. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

See all

Great tea selection , amazing aromas . Friendly service If you are tea lover , this is the place for you . read more

See all

I love to cook so anytime I see a spice shop, I have to go in and check it out! The staff said they have over 300+ spice blends, so there is something for everyone. They also have tea leaves, some small jars of honey, & bread mixes. I left with a small jar of zaatar and one of the fish seasonings with brown sugar. They have a blackberry sugar that I was tempted to get and try with tea and coffee. They give you a coupon for your first online order, so I may use that to try the items I didn't end up with during my in-person visit. The staff was very kind and helpful as well, which is always great to experience! read more

This shop is a must when we are in Solvang . We like to pick up their Shawarma spice mix and teas. Staff is friendly . Their shop is never too too busy and well organized! Love their set up . Soooo cute and you can literally see spices displayed ! read more

See all

We may have spent an hour in here just smelling all the spices and teas. I've never come across a shop like this before. So many unique blends and offerings. We had to refrain from buying too many, which means we will be back. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

While visiting we stumbled upon this place and it was so neat, I've never seen a place like this. Def a great spot to pick up some spices or even to gift to someone. They had so many spices and other fun items for the kitchen and just neat trinkets. As I walked in they were very helpful and if we had any questions to please ask great customer service! read more

See all

Cute little store with so many different types of spices! It was really fun to see and smell the variety of spices the store carried. We've been looking for good five spice so we decided to get one there. Thinking that it would better than a grocery store one. However, we tried it at home and it lacked the flavor that we hoped it would have. A bit disappointed but it's still a cool store to visit. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

See all

I love stopping by here whenever I'm in the area. The spices and seasonings are high quality and the prices are very reasonable. They also offer a small selection of loose leaf teas. The open spice area is always well displayed and quite amazing to look at. There are testers available to open and smell each spice, tea and seasonings. You can expect to find exotic blends such as smoked tea rub, smoky molasses rub, vindaloo curry, apple pie seasoning, breakfast sausage seasoning and much more! It's a small shop and sometimes hectic to move around when it's a busy weekend, but for the most part it's manageable. Overall, a cute spice shop to check out in Solvang. read more

See all

Great customer service and so many wonderful spices blemds to choose from. I had to stop myself from buying too many. Can't wait to return to try other spice blends. read more

I'm so happy I stumbled upon this store. The aromatics from all the different spices, teas, etc was amazing. They have such unique blends of herbs, spices, and teas I wish I could have bought the whole store. The associates that were working there were so helpful, friendly and had A+ service. I will definitely be making this shop a routine visit every time I'm in Solvang. read more

Really cool spot in Solvang. They have a ton of different spices and tea. They have samples that you can smell which is awesome! They have a ton of different flavors. The lady who helped ring us up was very sweet. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

This place has great reviews and looked warm and welcoming from the outside. Unfortunately, we didn't feel welcome when we entered. Not sure if greeting is sporadic but we weren't greeted upon entry but the couple behind us was. One of the ladies walking around did say, almost indirectly to us, that if we needed help with anything to let her know. She wasn't facing us and almost like she was talking to someone else. Not sure. The store had a large variety of spices and we found a decent selection of teas. My daughter and I love tea, especially loose leaf tea but didn't see any. Also, as aforementioned, the service inside didn't make us feel welcome so we decided not to buy anything. read more

See all

If you're a cook or foodie, like I am, or tea drinker, be prepared to spend some money in the store. This is one of my favorite places to shop at one in Solvang because of the wide variety of global herbs, spices, and teas that they have. The store is not your typical spice and tea shop. They have always surprised me with the unique blends and teas they have collected from all over the world into this little store. My daughter was thoroughly surprised and happy to find this rare tea called butterfly pea flower tea, that gives a blue color when brewed. I am a fan of the lavender earl gray and many of their herbal blends as well. What I love is that they have a jar that is a smelling sample jar of everything they sell in the store. Spices and teas come in different sizes so they're great for experimenting or buying in large quantities. If you are a barbecue and grill person, they have a large variety of spice blend and rubs for you to use and while your guests. Vegans don't be put off if an item says it is a meat rub; they are blends are great for meat, substitutes, and veggies as well. They also have a website so once you are out, you can also order online. read more

Very nice staff and a great selection of spices and tea. I really enjoyed how organized everything was and the great variety. Got myself some interesting puerh tea and cool tea syrups. Make sure to visit their sister shops: a great cat store and a candy store. read more

Every time I'm in Solvang, I NEED to stop in here, even if I don't need anything. The spice blends they have are so diverse, unique, so fresh, and just the best quality. The packaging is beautiful, the interior is so charming, and the people who work here are just lovely. You really cannot go wrong with any of their spices or teas - I've loved everything I've tried. I truly cannot wait to go back again soon :) read more

When I was looking on the map to see what all businesses are within the Solvang vicinity, I saw Solvang Spice Merchant. I was curious on what type of spices they sell. I had to pay them a visit. WOW, tons of different spices and I mean tons. Selection is massive. I was amazed on the unique spices from all over the world that were right in front of my presence. They have a full counter of various spices laid out for display. I don't think you can take your finger and get a taste. They have a whole wall of spices in jars. I only saw two different jar sizes. They do have sample jars available for the customer to smell the spice... probably for the most popular spices. The lady behind the counter was very nice and pleasant. She was helpful in answering my questions. I ended up getting a few jars... one 5.4 oz tumeric, two 4.5 oz cinnamon, and one 4.5 oz Solvang seasoning. Prices are slightly higher than your run of the mill supermarket prices... remember, they are spices coming from afar. They also sell teas, too, which I found interesting. As I was walking around the shop, I saw some really funny quotes on oven mitts... check out the photos! Definitely a must stop when you're in Solvang! read more

See all

This is literally a hidden gem not to be missed. I've been coming to the area for decades and never noticed this treasure trove of goodness. The staff was lovely and beyond helpful . read more

Walked in while visiting Solvang in the summer while home. The woman working there who I believe is the owner was very kind and nice to talk to. I ended up getting a product called "the Perfect Pickle" for a DYI spicy dill! Whole shop smelled delicious as well, really cool shop. The walls are lined with huge tubs of spices! read more

not only was the place run by very kind employees, but the selection was just beautiful!! i must have been inside looking at all of the tea for 15 minutes. they have a wonderful list of interesting tea blends, unique salt and sugar blends and an impressive collection of spices :) i would recommend that any cooking/tea enthusiasts stop by, you won't want to miss this cute shop!! read more

See all

This shop is such a treat! They have many options of premade seasoning to shop as well as some teas! We eneded up getting the Detox Tea, Shwarma and Mojo seasoning. Some of the seasonings can be a bit pricey but overall, the prices arent too bad. The employees are very helpful and ready to answer questions. My favorite part was walking in and smelling all the seasonings! Definitely a must to visit when going to Solvang! read more

My husband and I were visiting Solvang and we happened upon this spice shop. When I walked in I knew I was in spice and tea heaven. The smells were wonderful. The two ladies working there were so helpful with suggestions for what I was looking for. I ended up getting the Breakfast Sausage blend, Ceremonial Matcha Tea powder and Strawbiscus tea. I tried the Matcha tea today and it was the best Matcha I have ever tasted. I will be doing more online ordering from them in the future. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - My purchase. - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

Great place if you're looking for a variety of spices & tea. It was busy when I stopped in. As you walk in, you'll be hit with a scent of spices. It was a really interesting smell and not sure exactly what it was but likely a combination of everything. read more

See all

Solvang Tea & Spice Merchant is a true delight in the heart of Solvang. The shop is beautifully stocked with teas from around the world and, most impressively, a wide range of unique spice blends that you won't find anywhere else. Each mix is carefully crafted and full of flavor--I've already discovered a few that have elevated my cooking at home. The teas are equally special, with rich aromas and thoughtful selections beyond the usual staples. The staff is warm, and genuinely passionate about what they do. A must-visit stop for tea lovers and adventurous cooks alike! read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

Wow, what an amazing little shop! They have great selections of single spices, salts, peppers and others seasonings. Most of their custom blends are unique and creative. Bacon Salt? Can't wait to try it. Check it out...you will definitely find something appealing to enhance your next meal or bbq. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Bacon Salt - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

Such a cute and lovely spice and tea place in Solvang. There is such a wide-array of spices and teas, but more to choose from for spices. They also sell some accessories for teas and some wooden kitchen stuff which are all very aesthetically-pleasing. Whenever in Solvang, I always stop by this place. What I also love about this place is the flavored sugar--- ginger sugar, strawberry and the like. You could use this for coffee, tea, or for the rim of your alcoholic drinks as some do so. Service is warm and friendly! Try visiting this place in Solvang! Sacheen is great! She recommended an anti-inflammatory tea which really helped me a lot. read more

See all

Great selection of spices. Employees are nice. Cute little store, it also has delicious teas to choose from. My three favorites are the Ranch Dressing, Tuscan Bread Dip and the ceremonial green tea. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Ranch Dressing and Tuscan Bread Dip Seasonings. - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

Perhaps one of my favorite shop in Solvang! They have the most lovely package and a HUGE variety of spices from all over the world. The lady of the shop greeted us warmly. The shop has item from grounded spice of herbs, baking chills, sugar, seasoning, and few other varieties. Even though it's a tiny shop, if you love cooking or something who's interested in flavorings, you can easily spend 30 mins just sort through the entire shelves. Add another 10 mins if you are actually having a hard time tryin to decide which to buy haha. I got the chicory mocha and I love salmon spice! I love salmon and cannot wait to use the spice I got for it :) even the package is cute enough to make you buy it even if you're not the one using it. Even I ever stop by Solvang again, I'd make sure to visit this shop. read more

See all

While I do appreciate the variety of selections, I don't think the merchant worth half of the price. $40+ for a small jar of spice was a bit crazy and it's not organic ingredients/herbs used. They have ceremonial grade matcha powder. Can't say I am an expert but I do purchase various brand of ceremonial grade matcha and have been drinking in daily basis. The color of the matcha itself made me think they are old. We were there when it was slow so I can't judge on services. It's normal. The store itself is neat but I don't feel I can ever justify going there again or make recommendations to anyone. I think it's cool to check it out, smell the samples, but be cautious to purchase anything.. I have seen photos online where ppl purchased 5-6 of these.. I can't imagine myself spending a few hundred bucks for spices... even if they were great.. which yet to be tested out.. read more

Spices, teas, cooking utensils , & kitchen items! Love this place. Indian, South African, Persian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai & more! They have literally a hundred different types of spices for the chef gourmet! I also like their selection of teas from around the world. Prices are reasonable. Staff is friendly. And the store hours are reliable. read more

Of Spice and Men Spice shop located in the heart of downtown Solvang that wants to bring a little more spice into your life. The Good: *I'm not sure how many different spices they carry but they must literally have every spice known to man. And I like the way it was organized by region rather than alphabetically. *More than just spices, they also have spice rubs, salts, teas, and gifty items. *Great branding and logos *Woman-owned (if you care about that stuff) *You can also order from their website to have their spices shipped directly to you w/ $10 flat-rate shipping on domestic orders regardless of size. The Meh: *Prices are def on the higher-end, but that's to be expected here in Solvang. The Ugly: *Service was OK, I guess, but the guy seemed happier sitting in the back humming Christmas Carols than acknowledging customers. It's better than a hard sell, I guess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ TLDR: Great spice shop that will literally have any and everything the home cook could ever want/need in the way of spices and rubs. read more

See all

I love tea. I love to see all the different spices I can use for cooking. This shop is such a little cute tea and spice store. We went in just to look and ended up buying 4-5 spices. They have all been really good. Next time we go I will be buying tea. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Different spices from the shop. - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

This was our first visit to Solvang Spice Merchant. To be honest the spice selection was good but the customer service was nonexistent. We were pretty surprised as the store was pretty empty at the time. We were looking for someone to help us and didn't see the sales associate until we walked up to the register. Overall, we might return but probably not. Although the 4 spices we purchased are great, the prices are very high and the service sucked. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

I ordered dried ginger online, and the shipment was fast and nicely packaged. overall a great experience! The ginger is also great quality!

We seem to stop here on every visit to Solvang. The walls are lined with hundred of jars of spices. They seem to be arranged by regions where the spices are commonly used with each section alphabetized. This time we left with jars of saffron, turmeric, paella, and pink pepper. The woman working here was super nice but didn't seem to know where any of the spices were specifically located. We'd ask her where we'd find one of the above and she would start searching but we'd inevitably find it before she did. This is a great store to get both common and unusual spices, a definite stop if you're anywhere near Solvang and are one who enjoys cooking. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

See all

My husband's coworker recommended this place and she actually sent him a list. I think that's hilarious because I'm the only one that's supposed to give him a honey-do list. Lol! I was skeptical at first and didn't plan on making any purchases since I have a lazy Susan full of spices/ seasonings. I did hear the reviews about the lavender sugar and I was thinking about maybe purchasing just that. But oh my god when I entered the store the aroma itself was captivating. I was actually just going to do some window shopping and browsing until I came back later with my husband since my wallet is empty and his is not. Lol! There was so much to choose from. It was literally a candy store for the one who loves to cook. They also have tea making stuff. If you like to grill they have various rubs. I saw a molasses rub that I wanted to purchase especially for when I smoke meat or when I make a roast. I made a mental note of what to purchase when I returned later on that day. Our stay in and Solvang was just the weekend but I literally came here three times. Lol! I highly recommend this shop to everyone. We bought tons of spices. It is kind of pricey but you only live once so why not buy some wonderful spices and cook like there's no tomorrow. The spices do come in two sizes to choose from. We purchased many but I cannot wait to use the lavender sugar and strawberry sugar. I can't wait to try them in my coffee and I think the strawberry sugar will be wonderful on some toast. Personally, I love to cook and it was wonderful to add more spices to my enormous collection. It is great to step out of your comfort zone and to explore even more. The service was great and they will assist you and make suggestions. I believe Daisy helped us and she was extremely helpful. Thank you so much and whenever we come back to Solvang this will be one of our first stops. read more

See all

Absolutely fell in love with this store!!! As a culinary geek I was in heaven. Lots of great information from the lady working the evening we were in and also the gentleman I spoke with on the phone when I had a question about a followup online order. My husband and I both loved the Honey Chipotle Rub and the I Love Salmon seasoning. Those were the two items we bought on our visit but I'm adding refills and more new ones to try in my online order. Amazing displays and a great shop!!! read more

See all

Y'all.... I'm sold. Take all of my money! We discovered this place while doing the Solvang visitor center scavenger hunt. You can smell the spices about a mile away (well... maybe not a mile). I was excited to try some different teas and this place has no shortage of teas! I needed something for everyday, but good for my body. The team recommended two teas. The detox tea has a mint taste, but not too strong. The liver cleanse tea is a good one for your health. It's a decent flavor and doesn't taste bad at all. I was really excited to get those and the golden milk spice. I have been craving golden milks since I went to a coffee shop in LA. This place does ship and I will be ordering more teas and spices! I do love that all of their containers are reusable and can be recycled. I can't wait to get more items from the spice market! read more

See all

I've been to Solvang a few times and have never noticed this place until we were in line at Mortensen's and saw it across the street. This little shop is a gem for anyone who is into what seems like any and all spices. Shelves upon shelves are lined with unique types of spices that you probably wouldn't have in your pantry (like Berbere, Cinchona Bark, Sel Gris, and Trinidad Curry, just to name a few). Additionally they also sell tea (which is why I went into the store!). Their tea selection isn't as big as their spices and are located directly to the left and right of the entrance to the store. I got the Organic Golden Milk, Butterfly Pea Flowers, Purple Tea, and Rose Buds & Petals. Each tea came with brewing instructions, which I appreciated! The total for these teas came out to be about $30 but to support a small business, I'm okay with the price. They didn't have a lot of sweeteners while I was there, but I bet you could find plenty on their online store! The cashier was friendly and helpful and willing to share their knowledge of tea and spice with me. I will make it a point to stop by each time I make a trip to Solvang! read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - The teas I got! - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

See all

So many things I wanted to try, super bummed I didn't buy all the different sugars for my coffee bar at home. Everyone loves the lavender sugar so it's almost gone. Luckily, they will ship to your home. I will definitely place an order soon. Can't wait to try the rose sugar. I will buy a few lavender sugars and this time I will hide them from my family. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - LOVE my lavender sugar. - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California

Cute little shop. As a self-proclaimed tea collector, I was so excited to see this spot when we visited Solvang! WOW! Did they have a huge array of spices and teas! I was so impressed with their selection. This is definitely a place you want to visit when you're in town. One of the best things they had? Flavored sugar! I didn't buy any, but boy was I tempted. Blueberry, rose, strawberry- you name it, they had it. Prices were reasonable for a shop of its kind and the woman working inside was so helpful and kind! Can't wait to visit again. read more

Solvang Spice Merchant - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Solvang, California