This place is nuts. It's tiny, it's BYOB, and I had the hottest vindaloo this side of Vindaloo. A group of us came in and were split into two tables, and it was totally fine. We ran across the street to a convenient store and picked up beer and wine - the waiters put it in the fridge for us, too. When your food is served you have 30 seconds to try yours and if you don't like it they'll take it back - or make you give it to someone else. It's quite funny, they really do give you quite an experience when placing your order. Great stuff! I wish we had it this good in the States. read more

A great simple Indian restaurant with tasty food. The menu has too many options so it is a bit overwhelming, so unless you go with the "usuals" I would ask for some recommendations (we did and it worked out well). All the food was really good. We got the butter chicken which was different to what we are used too, quite sweet from the coconut and almonds but still delicious. The naan was also very good, good texture and flavour. I am guessing we arrived early in the evening as it was empty. As the night went on a few more tables showed up but there were still tables available when we left. Not as stylish or funky as the other Indian restaurant up the road but much better food and value for money. read more

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Small restaurant but had space for a party of 3 on a Friday night. Friendly service, huge menu, and best of all - excellent food. We didn't know about the bring-your-own-booze beforehand so next time I go (yes, I'll definitely be back) I'll bring a bottle of wine. I wasn't as much of a fan of the garlic naan just because I couldn't taste the garlic but everything else we had was delightful. Solid place - highly recommended. read more

Good - YES Spicy - YES Cheap - YES Interesting - YES Welcoming - YES Bring your own beer or wine - YES YES YES Although further afield in London there are some very world class Indian restaurants we shouldn't ignore how good local ones can be. Spices is very much one of the best ones in Islington. It's the kind of place where you can book a fun curry night with your friends and rock up with plastic bags full of booze. But don't think... "yeah, yeah, bhuna and vindaloo" - because Spices have a great menu of real Bangladeshi curries that you may not have tried before. Interesting and exotic Bangla cuisine like the Naga Curry that I went for. There really were Naga chillies cooked in, giving a very hot smoky taste that I'd never get at one of the usual curry houses with their tikkas and dupiazas. My jacket still smells curry-lovely, weeks later. So make sure you end your fun and tasty Spices dinner with a trip into the supermarket to buy some Febreeze. read more

I went to Spices last night with three other people on a friend's recommendation. I owe that man a pint. I've walked past this place many times and it never one occurred to me to actually step inside. Now I stand corrected. Dinner started with two big onion bhajis, samosas, and chicken rajistani. the samosas were some of the best I've had outside of India. The filling was so fresh and moist that I want another this instant. Spices masters what is says on the tin - spice. And not "this dish is so hot it will blow your mouth off of your face" (unless that's what you want). No, the chefs incorporate about 30-40 herbs and spices in each dish. Every bite leaves you finding another flavour so that you want to yell them out like a spice bingo caller. "I've got lemon zest! Cumin! Anyone else getting floral here?" The Mix Tok Jal Ju is enough reason to go running back. The lamb ada left us drooling. My chicken malai was even more amazing when kicked up with a side of Spices Special Hot Bengali Chilli Pickle. The shatkora wasn't bad but less memorable than the other dishes. The prawn pasanda was a bit disappointing, but we didn't hold Spices responsible. We discussed what flavours we liked and one of the people at the table mentioned that there's a spice he reacts badly to, but doesn't know what it is. For this reason the pasanda was toned down and less nuanced than the other dishes. Instead it was a coconut punch to the taste buds. The only quibble I have with Spices is the wait. It took an hour for us to get our food after ordering. Was it worth it? Yes. Will I return? Definitely. I just won't sit down if I have somewhere to be in the next few hours. read more

Fantastic Indian food! I had the best indian rice I've ever had, very good main dish that is one of their specialties, quite spicy and flavorful. The na'an was phenomenal. And how do you beat bring your on alcohol? Friendly service as well. read more

I love Spices - its one of my favourite Indian restaurants and we went there a lot. I miss it dearly... The food: 5 stars. I've never had a meal there that I was not happy with. My experiences ranged from very good to ohmygod!. They will help you choose as well, if you're open for suggestions. You can bring your own booze, although the store right across is not the best (both in terms of pricing and selection). The reason I'm not giving Spices 5 stars is the slow service. They either have management problems, or as I suspect, a small kitchen. If they're full, expect a long wait for the food. Even when they're not full, it's a slow dinner. read more

One of those allusive gems that make any potential punter's eyes light up - BYO - bring your own alcohol. Yes yes, we all love that - the potential to drink a bottle of fine wine at a non-knocked up price. Ideal. Sometimes this is at the cost of the food, but not at Spices. The food here is amazing and so so cheap. You can get a deal for £10 including a starter, main, side and rice. The value here is astounding. Your only problem might be the service. When we went we had to move table, but that was simple because they were concerned about us sitting next to the coke machine. The food also took a long time to arrive, but seen as I was enjoying the date, I was quite happy it did - sometimes you don't want to be rushed in and out. If I lived more locally to Angel I'd be here all the time - it's a brilliant, tasty local place and I doubt you could beat it for value. read more

The food was cheap and delicious, the owner Ali is such a character and made some great recommendations for what we ate. Plus, BYOB is massive moneysaver. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but trust me, it's worth it. read more

One of the best Indians in London in my view. Extremely tasty food and a great price. If want you are looking for something that is not on the menu, don't worry describe what you are looking for and they will make it up for you. Not sure what you fancy on the menu, not to worry they will guide you to making the best choice to suit you, and apparently if you don't like it they will take it back! You can bring in your own booze, even store it in their fridge. A great place to go for a quick bite or with a large group for the evening. But with everything this place has going for it, it just wouldn't be the same without Mo the owner who just makes it exactly what it is a little Jem. And if you don't fancy going out and fancy a curry in your pj's they deliver :) This place is definitely worth a visit read more

Good menu with really tasty curry. Go there! I've been eating curries in islington for years and this place has caught my attention. Lots of flavour and varied, different menu. BYO as you expect in these parts. The off licence over the road has broadened its beer selection to include Brew Dog beer and Brooklyn Lager. All good. read more

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This, ladies and germs, is a first. i've eaten a lot of indian in the past 10 years. take out, eat in, $3 a plate, $30 a plate - San Francisco, San Jose, Chicago, New York, Boston, London. I've encountered food so spicy i've been unable to take more than 2 bites, i've had plenty of dishes that were 50% by volume ghee, and i've bravely (foolishly?) attempted some scary curries that have rewarded me with a 2 day bout of sitting on the throne. I've even eaten my fair share of mediocre supermarket curry from Trader Joe's, Whole foods, and Waitrose. And this is a first. The first time I've ever had to add salt and my own chili sauce to my curry, it was so bland. read more

I love this place - I'd never give 4 stars for a local but this is well deserved. I took my yankee buddies here instead of Brick Lane (post Ripper tour of course!) as my friend Megan doesnt like curry - but she LOVED this place and was fully converted. Mo (the owner) asked what her favourite food was and then adapted a curry to suit that. I never knew that much about the differing options for a shaslik but here its elevated to an art form. I will never eat curry anywhere else now I know this gem exists local to me. If they delivered I'd be a stone heavier! read more

Superb little find: it's simple, honest, delicious food served very fresh and without any pretence. The restaurant is small and intimate, not at all fancy and from the street you'd be forgiven for expecting something cheap & boring, but this is certainly not the case: the food and service are fantastic, and the owner is particularly friendly with lots of good menu recommendations according to your own taste. Note it's BYOB, with an off-licence just across the road. read more

Disclaimer: I get irritated when people give super low ratings because of service to restaurants with wonderful food. But that is what I am doing now. The food is seriously top notch, definitely just what I was looking for on my quest for Indian food in London. The samosas were divine, the garlic naan fluffy and non-greasy, and the lamb chili masala just perfect. If you are looking for a delicious meal away from the super touristy areas, this is your spot. BUT, the service. I had high expectations based on previous reviews but my experience was probably one of the poorest I've had at any restaurant in which I've ever eaten. My girlfriend and I were seated quickly and then forgotten for about 30 mins (all the while, folks who came in after us had their orders taken and received paddapam and drinks). When we did get to ordering, we didn't really receive suggestions when we asked for some (the menu is huge). This was all made worse by the large party in the restaurant that was so loud, it was difficult to even talk at our table. The whole time it appeared other tables were getting much more attention than us, also very offputting. Anyway, rant over. Food is awesome and the prices are too...just wasn't impressed with the service. Maybe I'll give it another shot next time I'm in London and see if things change! read more

Average Indian with a very extensive menu. We were confused by the menu but were helped by a very nice member of staff. Food was average. read more

Good, tasty food, attentive, friendly service and you can take your own booze. Reasonable prices - be sure to book on a Saturday night, or you'll only get an hour. They'll be nice about it tho! read more

I made the big mistake of trying this restaurant, for what should have been a pleasurable dining experience. Big, big mistake. The starter was congealed (King Prawn Butterfly), and arrived congealed, like a big blob of fat, beached on the plate. My main course, the so called special,Mix Tok Jal Jul (Balti), was tepid, missing half the ingredients. When I mentioned this to the manager, I was subjected to a tirade of abuse. The meal was not particularly cheap, the service was outrageous, and humiliating. Quite frankly there are countless other restaurants in this area, that seem to value custom - the first and last time for me. read more

Nice little place, close to the Tube. It's well named, though, because the food is spicy. Very tasty and flavourful, but very spicy. I went with a group of work colleagues and we got several curries and a couple of biryanis. All of it was great. Quick and friendly service, too. The one downside is that they're small, so you can't really linger over your meal if they have reservations later. The place is BYOB, but there's plenty of places in the area to buy a bottle. read more

This place is FANTASTIC - very reasonably priced, very authentic, and they will customise the spiciness of things for your taste. They're very eager to help you find new dishes (and not just order tikka masala...), very helpful and nice staff. And BYOB! Who could ask for more? I personally think this is one of my favourite hidden gem indian restaurants in London, a new personal favourite that I will be coming back to from now on. read more

Great spot. Very unpretentious. The food is solid and of decent value. The staff is pretty efficient and fairly funny. Perhaps best of all, this place is BYO so, by all means, bring some. Fun place for a low-key meal. Highly recommended. read more

This place is definitely worth checking out. I ate dinner here three times during my recent 8-day trip to London. The owner is also the head chef, and would come out to serve our table, asking us to try each sauce to make sure it had the right level of spice. You can tell he really cares about the quality of the food and your experience. We had a local Indian Londoner eat there with us, and he said that "the food is very good for the price", but as an Indian food fan from Seattle, I can say that this place blows away anything offered where I live. The dishes have a much more complex and powerful flavor, and the meat was always cooked to the right amount of tenderness. read more

Second night in London and decided to try out this place. The food was absolutely delicious. The waiter is the owner and he was the most helpful one I have ever encountered. Before taking our order, he interviewed us about the flavors of food we liked, how hot, how sweet, whether we liked tomatoes, etc. He then proceeded to tell us the choices on the menu that matched our tastes. I ended picking out something I would never have picked out on my own but loved it. The food was excellent in quality and the service was great. Highly recommend you stop in and check it out. Around the corner from the Doubletree Islington near the Angel tube stop. read more

A wonderful Indian restaurant costing no more than the others, but no pools of oil, no mystery sauce on everything, no tired vegetables. Instead, authentic Indian food arranged by style of cooking. For those who long for the standard fare, there is a back page on the menu devoted to "European" Indian food. Everything here is fresh, tasty, and outstandingly flavoured. Can't praise it too much. read more

Ordering online is a big, big MISTAKE -- one I seriously paid for, literally and figuratively. The upshot: I made an order and paid through paypal. Spices claimed it never received payment. Unfortunately for me, the payment was taken from my bank. People at Spices were unbelievably rude, and I mean unbelievably. Just reprehensible behaviour. Finally, after I said I would leave a negative review reflecting this experience, the manager informed me that I could 'go to yelp or go to hell' for all he cared. Apparently, I was already there. Very nice. I am a customer that placed a large order in good faith. Instead, my entire evening was absolutely ruined -- no food but plenty of time wasted on the phone with Spices, Paypal, and my bank. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE. read more

Incredible food! I had the vegetarian options, my two companions had meat. Don't go for the standard Indian food (korma, tikka masala, etc), here the beauty is in the selections you don't normally see. The service was brilliant, the owner/chef was full of enthusiasm and pride for what the restaurant offers and with good reason. Bring your own alcohol was good too. Would definitely go back.. read more

Being the fussiest eater in the world i am usually supprised when i like somewhere. The food was really nice and the service was great and they were open late so drink and then curry!! woohoo!! read more

If you're heading for a night out in Islington and want a cheap curry to line your stomach, then Spices is the place to go. Nice and central in Islington this is a Indian you don't find too often anymore. Half take-out and half sit-down, you can take your pick depending on how much of a hurry you're in. Well priced, with quick service - the food is good and easy. Just remember to take your own beer or wine as they only serve cooldrinks. read more

I have been to a lot of indian restaurants in my life but this one was very very good. The chef, who is also the waiter is so nice with customers and give very good advices about food and help you pick the ingredients you want to have eventually in your plate if you are not sure about what you want and what is in the menu. The food was one of the finest piece of indian food I have ever had. Very tasty, not too spicy, just perfect. Don't hesitate: go try a plate there. read more

Spices is fantastic. I've been going there regularly since 2011, and have never had anything but an excellent meal for a more than fair price. All of what you read hear about the wide menu, customizable curries, corkage-free byob, etc is true, and makes this an excellent stop for a night with friends, an impressive but inexpensive date, or just an evening to relax by yourself with a book and some excellent food. One word about the service: As has been pointed out here, the mains do not come out five minutes after ordering like at so many curry houses. This is just because the food is freshly made and the blending flavors of complex curries can't be achieved with the snap of the fingers. So bring your own drinks, order some papadams and apps, and discuss "what flavors you're after" with Ali, the chef-propriator, and he won't let you down! read more

We visited Spices again last night and took a couple of friends that hadn't been. The place is a little gem and since we first went about 2 years ago, I have rarely been for a curry anywhere else. It is advisable to book on a friday/sat night because it gets busy - surely testament enough to the place given it is unlikely to get too much passing trade. It is BYO (an offy is just across the road). We each had a starter, Samosas, spicy chicken tikka, a spicy fish dish and a spinich pastry (can't remember the name). Spicy is spicy but if you ever want to tone a dish down the manager will do so (a sign that each dish is prepared individually i guess). We each had a 'special' as a main and i can't remember the name of the other guys dishes but my Lamb naga masala was superb as usual. The girls ordered dishes that normally came madras strength but asked for it to be cooked to half strength - not a problem and thoroughly enjoyed. We had a few sides as well as the usual rice and naans. The food is always very good, not hard to tell that it is very fresh and thankfully lacking in the layers of oil found in too many curry places. I have recommended this place to many friends and have only ever had positive feedback. I have to seriously question whether the previous reviewer actually visited the restaurant and was very surprised to see such a review written here. The only gripe that someone may have could be the service, the manager is always very busy and lacking in help from his staff. Very good and if you're looking for a curry in the Islington area, you won't be disappointed with this choice. read more

Fantastic curry, decent prices and friendly service It always seems to be full of locals when we go which is testament to the great food. The manager is really helpful and clearly enjoys his job, always educating and explaining about the different dishes. Its bring your own booze which makes it a cheap meal and they're happy to keep your drinks cool in their fridge, no corkage charge either. It's up a slightly dodgy looking street but only 3 mins from the tube. Forget about any of the curry houses on upper street, Spices is the best! read more

I've been to all the best known Indian spots in London and none of them seem to match up to Spices. It is my go to Indian spot for entertaining friends in London as everyone is always amazed by the quality. The secret to spices is to tell Ali (the lovely owner) what type of food you're interested in and he will guide you to a few choices on the menu. With that said no one I've ever met hasn't loved the Mita Jal Sag (my personal favourite with some naan bread of your choosing). On a street with a few Indian choices located in a city with thousands, you can't go wrong with Spices! read more

What a treat! I was back in London for a visit and this place will be my go-to whenever I'm back. The place is small and intimate yet relaxed and the owner took the time to make sure that everyone made a selection they'd be happy with. I usually go with a classic like a jalfrezi but based on the owner's recommendation (after maybe a 2-min conversation about what kind of flavors I like), I ordered the Morris Masala. It was a revelation for my taste buds, and I'd never tasted anything like it before!! Everyone in our group really enjoyed their food - including my mum who ordered the lamb kofte (indian version of comfort food like spag-bol) and that was amazing too! They have a policy of new customers tasting their dishes and having the option to send back within a minute if they don't like it. The choices are extensive so it was very helpful to have the owner help us. The personalized service (owner who is passionate about food, and humorous at the same time) was entertainment in its own right and the food was amazing!! read more

eaten here several times and it never gets old. some of the best food i've had in london! the owner will often insist on guiding you through the menu to find a dish that you want based on your preferences (dry vs saucy, tomato vs lemon and herbs, spicy vs not spicy, meat vs vegetarian, etc). the food was fantastic and the bill was affordable. it's also BYOB which makes it an easy choice. definitely come here! i'm a big fan of the morris masala with chicken and the preshwari nan read more

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. read more

best Indian indian i've ever had, being going there for years, only reason i haven't written a review before is rather selfishly i was keeping it to myself, a little gem if you will. invite your friends along and a few weeks later you'll see the same friends doing the same with other friends and feeling all clever that everyones so impressed with their superior knowledge of London's real best restaurants. read more

pay the extra £1 for the spices! i cant remember which dish i get (the maratha??) its a yellow sweetish curry i think and its divine! trust the chef and let him choose the dishes. I've tried great dishes that aren't the typical ones I normally get (butter chicken, vindaloo, rogan josh). the best dishes here are the other unknown ones that the chef recommends. I no longer live in the UK and miss this place very much! read more