Best Indian !!!! lunch buffet is just 11$ but you get great quality authentic food !!!! Very clean place and friendly family that's own and runs the place
(5)
Jeff K.
I have been to Cafe Spice countless times. In the past I dined in more, but as of late I have been ordering more take-out. The owners are some of the most friendliest of people and remember their regulars. THE GOOD... -easy to park (private lot) -convenient hours -food tastes fresh -paneer tiki masala is my favorite -garlic naan is good -food is typically ready upon pick-up (if carry-out) -upon dining in, water is usually refilled promptly - owners are very friendly and welcoming -BYOB (I never have, but see plenty who do) -very clean inside THE BAD... -had a couple bad experiences with the wait staff...lack of attentiveness was a biggie...I don't know how often it happens these days considering I've been carrying-out more..,but it appeared their turnover for servers was pretty high Overall I like Cafe Spice. It is my favorite Indian Restaurant in Baltimore County. If the next time I dine in I have a great experience I will consider upping my review to 5 stars.
(4)
Tim H.
Chicken Tikka was excellent. It came out on a sizzling hot plate as if it were a fajita. Nice sizzling onions and peppers with the special seasoned chicken chunks were amazingly tasty. I loved it with the rice it was served with. I also tried an appetizer. Everything I ate was tasty. I will be back for more! Prices are moderate and the dining room is spacious and open. Thank you for reading my review. This review is based on my personal experience and opinions.
(4)
Keith K.
Cafe Spice is good Indian, good southern Indian. All the traditional dishes that you are used to done up right. It may lean a little on the more pricey side, but the atmosphere compensates for that, it is quite elegant. Like most good Indian restaurants, they cater to both vegetarians and meat eaters alike, with a wide variety of dishes for both. Portions are large too, so expect to take some of your meal home when you leave. Nothing better than Indian food the next day, yum!
(4)
Sarah G.
Great variety of dishes (fish, goat, chicken, vegetarian), good levels of spice, love the carrot pudding! Have been looking for my place to get great Indian food and I think I have found it at Spices. Great decor inside, too, and always busy! Looking forward to hitting up Spices monthly.
(4)
Kate E.
This is my favorite place for Indian food when I am in town. The owners are super friendly. Service is great. Lots of water refilled quickly to go with the spicy curry. Decor is very colorful and cute with traditional Indian umbrella things. I have been several times for the lunch buffet. This is nice since some curries can be rich and filling. I like to try a little of everything. Love the rice pudding for desert. Definitely the way to go if you are going to eat here.
(5)
Johhny H.
The best Indian food I have eaten in the Baltimore area . Very attentive service with the owners there paying attention to the food and service . Highly recommended.
(5)
Richard M.
Some qualifications to my review: 1) I had the lunch buffet only. 2) I've been spoiled by some truly awesome Indian buffets elsewhere. That said, here are my thoughts: Nan: plain and soft. No garlic and did not have the sheen of butter applied to my liking. 4/10 Palak paneer: the most disappointing palak paneer I've ever had. It was watery instead of creamy. The fact that the cottage cheese tastes like chewing gum and hard tofu was the worst. 2/10 Tandoori chicken: dark meats, juicy, well done. 8/10 Chicken masala: cream was too watery. White meat chicken too dry. 4/10 Chicken curry: again dry chicken but the curry was tasteful however on the watery side. 6/10 Price: $11 per person. Value 2/10. They didn't have lamb/goat curry that most other Indian buffets would have, which was disappointing. Dessert lacked variety and only had the hush puppy-like fried dough in sugar syrup, would have been nice if mango yogurt was offered. Service was excellent and that deserved a star on its own.
(3)
Dave S.
I can't speak to the issues that others have mentioned regarding ownership's demeanor. All I can say is that I've been here twice. I'm no expert at Indian cuisine, but I will say that on both occasions my food was unremarkable- overcooked and dry. There's a bit of a language barrier with a few servers, and I have not found them to be particularly welcoming or helpful. Nothing special here, folks.
(2)
Milly I.
It's unfortunate that I have to write this review. My sister and I went in for carryout. Once we made our way to the counter we were met by two women who asked us to speak to the gentleman behind the counter to place our order. After thoroughly looking through the menu to see what we could have based on our allergies (nuts, gluten, and dairy - some dishes noted there were nuts) we decided to order mixed meat rice dish and lamb rice dish. We asked the guy taking our order if the food contained nuts or dairy, he told us it didn't contain any. After arriving home we noticed our dishes contained both dairy and nuts. My sister called the restaurant to explain to them it contained nuts and dairy the manger (a woman) told my sister to eat around the nuts and/or take them out. My sister explained we have nut allergies and the women blamed us for not knowing so. The woman finally agreed to make 1 of the dishes over. Once we arrive back at the restaurant, I told the woman I wanted a refund for my lamb meal that the experience left me with out an appetite. This is where it all went down hill. The woman began to scold me about not reading or telling them about our allergy. I explained to her that the man placing our order said it wasn't in the dishes. She then said that "he is just a child. You should have asked one of us adults." I was confused by this and explained to her it's her job to train her staff to ask the cook if there's an ingredient in the dish. What was I supposed to do? Walk into the kitchen and ask the chef myself? I explained that another item on the menu mentioned having nuts, and she said she doesn't have to list it, it's my job to ask which I did. I wish the woman would have assumed some kind of responsibility.
(1)
Shayan K.
I am literally writing this review while sitting here , food is worst !!! I never had such a bad Indian cuisine ever in my life .. I ordered appetizer (chicken pakora) which was terrible , biryani had no taste Do not go to this place !!!!
(1)
Candy F.
I was there last night around 7:00pm i know that supposed to be a busy hour but wasn't too busy..... service was very poor by the server but still im giving 2 star thats only for the bus girl and the food runner for their excellent job and smile on their face, the only time i see my server is to take my order thats all had to ask a bus girl for my check........ she never asked me how was my food or thank u when i leave. Food was okay not so tasty !! I might go back or i might not !
(2)
Shivali A.
It was my first time going to this place and from the reviews I had read it seemed like a nice decent indian restaurant since the ones by towson aren't quite authentic indian. I walked in on a saturday evening around 6pm with my younger sister and we were greeted by a woman who sat us down at our table. We ordered a Samoa chaat and butter chicken. The food was okay as far as taste but as Indians we have had better back home in the Dc/Va area where we are from. Anyhow, it had not even been 20 minutes since we got our food when a man came to ask if I was finished even though my plate still had food in it. I felt so disrespected because then another lady came to ask the same thing a few minutes later. I looked around and noticed that we were the only indians sitting at the place and everyone else around us were Caucasian people. The waitresses were not asking the Caucasian people if they were finished but instead asking them how their food was and if everything was alright so far. I just could not believe what I was seeing. Not only that but the man who brought our food out did not speak a word!!! I said thank you after he placed our food on the table and he did not say anything back and just walked away. He also took awaycthe papad basket without saying anything even though it had two whole ones left in it. The rudeness!!! There were a couple ladies at the front counter who kept staring at me and my sister like they really wanted us to leave. And mind you, it was not busy like the reviews had said partly due to the fact that everyone was busy warching the mayweather vs pacquiao fight!!!!! So I do not know why they were in a rush to get us out when they had plenty of tables open. We felt so disrespected we just had to call for the check and get the hell up out of there. I would never go back there just because of this. Im sorry but if you dont want indians coming to your restaurant, you should just put a big ol' sign on the door and save us time from being disrespected. They only get a 2 star for their okay food otherwise.....ha! If anyone is in the rockville area, do check out Minerva. The best tasting indian and south indian food....and the owner is friendly and comes around personally to make sure your food and service is outstanding!!!!
(2)
Emma T.
Such great food! The menu is full of delicious options. The service was great, the ambiance was fun and i"m so glad to have left overs for the next day!
(5)
Merrie W.
Excellent! Food is amazing. The spices are hitting the right spot. I'm actually eating real Indian food! Service is great! The server will make appropriate suggestions if you just ask. Can't go wrong with cafe spice if you crave Indian food
(5)
Alice H.
I had some guests from out of town request Indian for dinner, and some friends had been raving about this place (granted this might have been for the lunch buffet), so I decided to give it a try. My guests wanted Indian food but I also know they're not the super adventurous type, so I kept to what people (at least people I know) typically order. We got naan, chicken tikka masala, goat vindaloo, and saag paneer. The waiter started us off with papadum, which is like a thin, crisp, disc shaped dough that can be broken and dipped into chutney. I don't think I've ever had this before but I thought it was delicious. It was a lot saltier than I had anticipated, but I that was what made it addicting. I just kept munching away. Out of all our dishes, I would say the goat vindaloo was my favorite. The goat was well prepared and the curry had just the right heat to it. I thought the saag paneer nicely offset the heat of the vindaloo, but the cubes of cheese did not really have much flavor to them. I wasn't all that impressed with the tikka masala. The chicken was drier than I would have liked. The naan was also just ok. It was blander than what I'm used to and more on the fluffy side. I like my naan have a bit more crisp and pull to it. Pricing was a bit high, but that's to be expected for dinner. I think each platter was around $15. The staff was very friendly and helpful and were constantly checking in on us. The one thing I like about this place is that they have so many options, more than what I've typically seen at other places, so I might try coming back with some more adventurous friends to give some other dishes a try.
(3)
Madhu M.
Nice atmosphere but as an indian, this food wasnt that good at all. Wouldnt come back. Staff seemed to provide better service to some than others. Save your money and go elsewhere
(1)
Melissa B.
I'm updating this review based on my last two experiences, both carry-out. First, New Year's Eve... So, they get a pass for telling me the food would take an hour or more. It's busy--I get it. But the guy who took my order said he would call when it was ready. We called after an hour to check in and were told it had been ready for a while. Needless to say, everything was cold. Last night, we decided to try a few different things (we always order the same things at Indian restaurants, and Cafe Spice does have some different koftas and curries than most places). We found the both the paneer fried rice and aloo gobi with paneer lacking in paneer. Considering that this place is more expensive than other similar ones in the area, this is unacceptable. I've enjoyed meals here before, but the service is spotty, and I've experienced the same cold buffet as some others. When they're on, they're great, but lately--they've been off.
(3)
Skylar S.
I would give five stars for service, but three for food. India Palace runs circles around their food IMO. I'm a huge Indian food lover but this place is a little too Americanized for me. I can't really describe what I feel Indian food should taste like specifically, I just trust my gut. India Palace gets my carry out orders going forward.
(3)
Emily G.
Wait staff was quick and friendly. The meals that were recommended were fantastic. This was my first time eating Indian food and it was great I would recommend this place to others
(4)
Chandni A.
This place is a hit or miss. Sometimes the food is pretty good and other times it's unbearable. The last few times we've been there, the food was mediocre (average taste but very oily and a bit watery). Also, they've increased the prices and reduced the portions. Customer service isn't the best either. This one time I went for buffet with my sister, I told the lady at the counter that we were expecting one more person (my husband) who was running a bit late and so we were seated on a table for 4. The waitress came and asked us 3 times where our friend was because we were occupying a bigger table. My husband was only 10 min late.
(1)
Ekta Y.
Wonderful wonderful food! Me and my husband were looking to eat some real Indian Spicy food.... And we were hoping a lot out of this place. And yes, they exceeded our expectations. The Paneer Manchuria had the perfect Indo-Chinese blend of spices. We would certainly return. Thank you Cafe Spice Indian Cuisine!
(5)
Ashu G.
Wow!!! Ridiculous!!! I and my wife just dropped in this area to meet my friend and thought of trying food here. I just got to know that you have to order atleast 2 entree. In dinner as this is fine dining. Are you SERIOUS!! The chef will not allow as per the manager. Who the hell is HE?? So just to let you know guys, you can't eat here what you like to eat. The manager ( so called owner) just dropped here at our table with very harsh language as we were in a mood to eat appetizers and soups and 1 entree only. We wanted to move out but unfortunately it's too late to go out. I will revise my rating depending on the quality of food we get. But for service, it's a zero!!!!
(1)
Anne B.
Cafe spice is so amazing. The food is so delicious. The chicken tikka masala is delicious chunks of white meat chicken and the sauce-amazing. So many vegetarian options. My sister loves this Indian restaurants because she doesn't eat meat and Cafe Spice has plenty of The owners and servers are extremely polite and attentive. The interior is beautifully decorated and it is a very clean restaurant. It also smells great!
(5)
Amy S.
I was really looking forward to eating here. Yelp and the sign outside says open 7 days a week. I get there it's closed. Not cool.
(1)
Anuj B.
Visited this place for a lunch buffet. Just awesome in all senses including ambiance, food, courtesy of the staff and service. Outstanding point is, it has dishes which are authentic north Indian style and has the flavor of north spices. I particularly liked the saag (spinach), daal pulses) and chicken dish in coconut taste. Naan's are served pretty fresh. Honestly, pure worth for money and absolutely looking forward to visiting again !!!!
We've enjoyed their food for years, though we now have to drive farther to get it! In our opinion, they set the standard for local Indian cuisine. And though we tried other Indian places closer to home, in and near Baltimore City... We always leave saying "it was OK, but it wasn't Cafe Spice." The sauces are so nuanced, the breads wonderfully flaky and crisp , and the spices deftly utilized. And on top of that, their Cockeysville location is beautifully decorated and serene. The staff is well trained and attentive... All in all always a wonderful experience and a place to bring our friends and family for many happy years!!
(5)
Jonathan R.
One of the better Indian restaurants in the area. Reasonably fresh food. Generous portions and friendly service. I always feel welcome here, and come by for dinner pretty frequently -- 2-3 times a month.
(4)
Nancy G.
This Is the second time we have been at Cafe Spice. Although the food is reasonably good, both times we waited an inordinately long time for our food to come out. This time our food was nowhere in site after an hour and twenty minutes. I asked the waitress to speak to the manager and was told that the owner is "back there" with no offer to have him come to speak to us. We were told that they have a lot of take out orders. There is no feeling that they should get the entrees made for the people there!!!!
(1)
Melissa B.
The most DELICIOUS Indian food on the planet! I eat here every chance I get. The lunch buffet is superb and the service is phenomenal.
(5)
Faisal A.
Every time I enter this place I discover new stuff that it would be a must for every person. I would recommend this time Josh curry and malabari Curry Dellllicious !!!
(5)
John S.
Back for dinner, Friday night, party of six and everybody is in love with Cafe Spice. Tried 6 different Naan's, plain, stuffed with minced lamb, chicken, garlic, onion & potato and all wonderful flavor. Fried cauliflower and potato appetizers were very good, forgot the Indian names though, too busy trying them all. Vegetable Vindaloo best I've ever had anywhere. Eggplant "Began Baratha" was excellent as rated by Lynn from Providence and Palm Beach an Indian aficionado who has tried her favorite dish worldwide, I loved it to. Chicken, Lamb, fish dishes all were great, nothing was not at least very good. Lots of flavors, many spices noteworthy of name "Cafe Spice". Try the Naan varieties, really wonderful and moderate priced. Curries, vegetarian choices all very good or better, no complaints. This place is great, huge portions, good prices, no corkage fees, some of the Indian dishes tried anywhere in the US or England. I am not the world connoisseur of Indian cuisine, but among the best Indian food experience I've had in a very long time.
(5)
Sarah B.
The portions are great, you'll always leave with leftovers! I had lamb korma which had great flavor. There was a very tasty tomato soup that one of our party had, very complex flavors. Friendly, clean, but not the most prompt in the world. Indian food is alright with that though because you're there to relax with friends and enjoy the experience not be in and out quickly. At least, it doesn't bother me when it's a long lunch.
(4)
Carrie O.
Time for a re-review of this place, and the 5-star deliciousness continues. After our experiences here in the past, LoML and I decided to take the harshest critic of all time to Cafe Spice - and that would be Carrie's Momma, who knows her Indian food very, very well. We decided to do the mid-day buffet. Even on a Wednesday afternoon, this place was jam-packed, and no wonder - the food was just as delicious as I remembered it to be. They had the malai kofti and the gajjar ka halwa this time, much to my delight, and it took everything I had not to gorge on those two dishes alone! Carrie's Momma stuffed herself full and proclaimed the buffet "the best Indian food I have ever had in my life". She then proceeded to ask the owner to relocate to downtown Baltimore, which earned her a smile and a regretful sounding "no". For myself, I think they'd do damned well - it puts some of the others to absolute shame. (Yes, Kumari, I'm looking at you.) If you don't come here and at least try the Indian buffet, you are doing yourself a serious disservice. Even 6 months later, this place has got it going on. If you're in the Hunt Valley/Cockeysville area, stop in - I promise, you won't regret it. This is the good stuff! Tip for Diabetics: This was my first time with Indian food since my diagnosis, and I'm pleased to say that the "damage" was pretty nil here. Stick with the meats (tandoori chicken is a definite winner!) - basmati rice didn't seem to do much to me, but that's all subjective. The only thing I really had to totally avoid here was the naan, and that's not too bad of a hardship, though I would have loved to have something to soak up all that delicious sauce. And spicy? You'd better believe it. It had all the spice I could have wanted and then some. Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor. YMMV. Seek medical advice and tailor my review to your situation. I simply provide opinion.
(5)
M B.
Cafe Spice is in a non-descript shopping center on York Road but don't let that dissuade you from trying it. The decor immediately impressed us with its warmth and art. There are gorgeous umbrellas in the ceiling and a soothingly inviting feel to the space. We ordered the vegetable samosa and palak paneer (they call it something else). Both were sublime. Oh, the place is BYOB, but that's a plus for us. We usually go to the Ambassador Restaurant in Tuscany-Canterbury across from JHU for Indian food, but this place will be beckoning us the next time we crave the cuisine.
(4)
Gaurav R.
Extremely oily even for Indian food. keep serving the same food in buffet. Most of the preparation tastes the same after being soaked in oil. Service is fine.
(2)
Johannes B.
One of the best experiences at an Indian place! I would recommend this place to everybody. Management/owner was the nicest lady and super accommodating.
(5)
Liver P.
Lunch Buffet: Very ordinary. The buffet is available for carry out. Be warned !!! Indian food is very heavy. You pay by the pound !! A typical carry out box with a small dab of several items cost me $14.00
(2)
Chadwick V.
So lucky to have such a great exotic restaurant near my house! Really loved my first meal there. Tikka Masala with lamb. Boom. Wow!
(5)
Jason E.
Okay, this place smells heavenly. Their breads are delicious, especially the Naan with lamb in it. Oh my. The food here was delicious. Seriously, a few times I've swung by just for the bread.
(5)
J S.
What I have issue with such confused-American-Indian restaurants is that they have separate sitting arrangements for Indian and non-Indians. When I visited this restaurant, I was made to sit in the corner on other side of the half wall in center of restaurant while other side of wall was filled with non-Indian guests. Seems like owners of such restaurant beliefs are shaken to root and they are ashamed of being Indians. Food was ok - can't complain but definitely would not give them more than 2 out of 5 as I have eaten at least 50 percent of North American restaurants and they are below average on taste even in typical Indian dishes. What pissed me more was discrimination.
(2)
Amanda B.
Friends of ours took us here, I was very skeptical because I'm not an adventurous eater. As soon as you get out of your car you can smell the aroma! We sat down, ordered and before we knew it the food was out! I took my first bite, expecting not to like it...was heaven!!! The whole way home I was telling my husband that I could not wait to go back, he completely agreed! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I thought it was a bit too expensive for the dinner portion size (but I'm also very cheap), my husband thought the price was great! The price isn't going to stop me from returning! I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Jackie H.
(This is a guest post by my husband) I wanted to write a long review, like how much I love their naan (I mean are you kidding me I'm not food critic and I'm not expert in Indian food but I don't care and I love their naans to death) and their curry (dipping their naan in their tikka masala makes me infinitely grateful that I get to eat this stuff), but I will not. Because there's only so much you can read from a review and you just gotta go see it for yourself. Their staffs are always friendly, the food is awe-tastic, and their location is super convenient (at least to me). So, me heart this place so much it's not even funny.
(5)
Amin P.
The food is above average or good, and the food is usually fresh. The chicken tandoori is the only one, that the cook needs to improve upon(as its usually dry). The decoration(inverted umbrella) is good & the service is great. It seems to be slightly pricy as compared to nearby - India Palace(where the food is slightly better but randomly fresh/old) .
(4)
Carl H.
You can't go wrong with any dish here. Everything is wonderful and delicious! I often come in to place an order to go and they always offer a small cup of chai while I wait. When dining in, the service is professional and friendly. They really do take joy in serving wonderful food. If you are in the mood for Indian cuisine this place will not leave you disappointed.
Great flavors. Particular hats off for the turkey...special today only. Spiced right...must try.
(5)
Kirstin B.
Refreshing to find a spot that serves flavorful north Indian food instead of bland dishes for American tastes. My favorites from the lunch buffet were the tomato soup (with Indian spices), veggie rice (quite colorful and a stand alone dish for flavor), and channa saag. My husband also enjoyed the chicken dishes. The place was packed when we went today, I hope it continues to have such good business. Also, lovely decor and atmosphere. A gem north of Baltimore.
(5)
Ross M.
Wow. What a great Indian restaurant in Cockeysville of all places. The staff is very friendly. We tried the buffet. So many fresh and delicious dishes. Fresh salad, roasted chick peas, tandoori chicken, 2 kinds of rice, goat curry, fish, butter chicken, potato spinach something, rice pudding for dessert - everything was delicious. Sometimes you feel bloated after an Indian buffet, I felt like dancing! Here's the real gem - all of the spices and herbs used in the cooking! You can actually taste them! They aren't drowned out in heavy creams and oil. I literally kept tasting different things while I enjoyed my meal: ginger, licorice, mint, cilantro, garlic, cumin, cloves, curry and probably a ton that I have never heard of. So a big thanks to the people who own this place. Nice job! Highly recommended! I can't wait to go back. Cafe Spice is one of the best restaurants in Cockeysville. Also checkout Fazzinis Italian restaurant - delicious home made pasta and bread Italian - also one of the best restaurants in Cockeysville. Don't agree? Let me know.
(5)
Felipe N.
Wow. Their lunch buffet was amazing. Sauces were rich and flavorful and spice levels were on point. Glad I stopped here for lunch.
(5)
Piyumi R.
I won't write too much about Cafe Spice, because there's so man good review's on this place. Very good Indian food and the best service I had in an Indian restaurant. Hostess was extremely nice, she recommended a few good dishes when I didn't know what and the guy at the counter was helpful too. They even brought me hot chai in a cute little cup when I had to wait for my order and sent complementary mango lassi for me to take home with my food. Very good lamb biryani, very tender and nicely flavored food.
(5)
Mansi K.
Found this -hole in the wall kinda joint after reading reviews on yelp- thanks fellow yelpers ;) At first was skeptical - reached there around 9:30pm- closing time 10pm- thought may get at least something- was totally amazed by the service, the quality of food- top of the line food- had tandoori paneer tikka and makhani daal and kadi- amazing..nothing but amazing Flavorful!!! Even the rice that came with dish were done so tastefully- cloves and peas- like someone is really trying to put their heart into feeding you with love and want you to feel content!!! Mr. Garg stopped by our table- such a gentleman!! Must stop in to experience the best of Indian food!!
(5)
Camille H.
I LOVE ethic food and being German, I have a weakness for buffets so it seems that Ada G and I stop here every time I come out to Baltimore and I can't complain. My only request, those little cold wet donuts EVERY TIME for dessert!
(4)
Josh S.
The food is absolutely amazing, I always get the chicken rogan josh (Tried it because my name is in it!!!!!) the rogan josh sauce is perfectly seasoned and spicy (just the way I like it!!!!) and the chicken is also greatly seasoned with some spicy spices here and there. My only complaint is that I have tried to order out from them but I never get someone to pick up and it seems that they have not set up their own voice mail (For a place that supposedly delivers that is very, very, very bad!!!!!!!)
(4)
Barry B.
I've had Indian cuisine before. I've had it at "high-end" white table cloth places and I've had it delivered in white Styrofoam. This place is excellent. The staff is friendly and enthusiastic. One of the owners came over and talked to us. The decorations are exotic and beautiful without being "over-the-top". The food. We had Samosas as an appetizer. They were big (compared to other places) clearly freshly and perfectly cooked. The stuffing was spicy but not "hot", the coating was crisp and had a wonderful spice note that you just kept wanting a little more of. This is an excellent and (comfortable way) to introduce a new palate to the flavors of Indian foods. I had Boti Kabob (lamb) and my date had Tandoori Chicken. Both dishes are excellently presented here on a sizzling iron skillet. The sound and the aroma's from the onion's and peppers make your mouth water before it even gets to your table. The flavors were well balanced, the lamb tender but still enough "bite" to not be mush meat. The chicken was charred perfectly and red on the outside and tender and juicy. The main dishes come with basmati rice, light and fluffy with bits of vegetable and delicate spices. The Naan (ordered separate) was the only slight disappointment in that it was not as "fluffed" as I have had at other places. A moment of commentary: On how restaurants are a microcosm of the global economy. We ended up at Cafe Spice (India) because I saw it from the road as we were on our way to The Corner Stable (America). When we arrived at Corner Stable, the parking is odd (had to park in shopping center lot and walk around a fence). On the way into the place with its cramped odd back/side door entrance you were assaulted with the very bad smell of old seafood (crab debris maybe). Once you made your way through the crowd past several tables to the hostess stand- she was "busy and distracted" barely looked up and sort of smugly said 45 minutes for a party of two. The crowd was mostly white, some aged. The Corner Stable has good food, don't get me wrong, I have eaten there and probably will again. It did however draw for me some parallels to this Nation I love and serve. It is big, a little run down, a little smug and sure of itself, not very welcoming or responsive at times. It "gets by" on its reputation. It s traditional big American Comfort Food and it does that okay (but there is a danger in being monolithic). Will the market always be looking for that though? Enter Cafe Spice. The front door is obvious, welcoming and the little walkway leads you right to the hostess stand (not hip checking other diners). The hostess was quick to greet us and seemed to have genuine angst that she couldn't seat us immediately. We waited all of 5 minutes. The place smells great, the servers are agile and friendly. The food is fresh and full of new, complex tastes. The room is lit properly and smells great. The decor is purposeful. The patrons a mix of multicultural "well-heeled" folks all happily blending and dining and experiencing that broader world around them. Draw your own conclusions...
(5)
Taylor C.
Had dinner here a few times a couple years ago, and this place still stands out as the best Indian food I've had. Wish I was closer so I could go back sometime.
(5)
Jay B.
TRY THE TOMATO SOUP! I was there this past week for the first time, and got the buffet. I don't think anything in the buffet particularly spoke to me, but everything was good. One of the dishes was pretty spicy (heatwise) which is good because it gives you options for heat in the buffet. I don't like a demurely spiced Indian dish. We were seated at the table, and the owner(s) came over to ensure we were having an enjoyable meal. They're quite personable. She asked if I had tried the soup, and I said no not yet. I ended up going back for seconds, it's DELICIOUS. She said "nobody ever tries the soup, but once they do they can't get enough of it". Hard to reach for soup in June, but it's delicious and very tactfully and tastefully spiced. A rich, non-creamy tomato soup perfumed with Indian spices. If this place served grilled cheese naan with it, I'd lose my mind
(4)
Niran A.
Good indian food is hard to find. Good Indian food prepared in a clean environment is even harder to find. With that said I encourage you to eat at Cafe Spice. Small disclaimer - I have only eaten at Cafe Spice during their weekend lunch buffet. They call this their "gourmet" buffet but I am not exactly sure how it differs from the regular buffet. Regardless, this place is delicious. The options aren't as plentiful as some other buffets, but for what they lack in variety they more than make up for in quality. You will find many of the Indian staples including chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, rice briyani, and many vegetarian options as well. Some of my favorite's include the grilled chicken thighs (on the bone) which are marinated in a red spicy/zesty paste, as well as the surprising delicious goat curry. Most people will shy away from this dish because it has the word "goat" in it, but don't. The goat is cooked until it is fall apart tender and it's served in a fragrant red curry type sauce. Usually the buffet will also features balls of fried vegetables of some sort. I am not sure what the Indian name is for this dish but it is always delicious. The last time I was there they took what would be the filling for a vegetarian samosa and just fried it in a ball - perfect with their cilantro mint pesto sauce. As you would expect there is also salad with yogurt dressing available (nice palette cleanser), an option of basmati rice prepared with cinnamon stick and clove or the briyani rice (Indian equivalent of fried rice). Naan is always a plenty, which is perfect for sopping up all the sauce from various dishes on your plate. A nice surprise is the dessert options. Although limited to rice pudding and galub jamon (fried dough in a sweet syrup), I can't think of any other dessert I would rather eat after a hearty satisfying Indian meal. Lastly, the owner is always very friendly and makes a dedicated effort to see that his guests are happy and that the quality of the food is always a priority. When the owner "gets it", the restaurant is almost guaranteed to be a success. Mission accomplished.
(4)
Guam D.
The Chicken Biryani was just ok. Their garnishes were too overwhelming. Boiled eggs?!?!?
(3)
Arwa M.
Best Indian restaurant I've ever benn. And I've tried so many Indian food places in different countries. My favorite is Samosa Chaat. And the service is great. The owners are so nice.
(5)
Erica R.
Wonderful, friendly service offering authentic bold flavors. My favorite Indian cuisine around! Eat in or take out, the food is fresh and always delicious. Consistent.
(5)
Jen W.
Don't judge a book by it's cover. This is tucked in a strip mall yet when you walk in, it feels warm and cozy. It's perfect for a windy, cold winter day. The walls of the restaurant are painted peach with bright swags of chiffon, artwork of beautiful women in intense jewel tones and high ceilings covered with colorful silk umbrellas. I think they knew that diners would go into a "post-buffet food coma" and would stare at the ceiling while rubbing their full bellies. We stopped in for the weekend lunch buffet. It serves a compact buffet. This time the buffet consisted of fresh green salad, the basic Indian condiments (raita, tamarind etc.), warm naan, a vegetarian curry, channa (chickpeas) massala, chicken tikka massala, paneer (cheese) tikka massala, fish curry, goat curry, tandoori chicken, veggie samosas plus dessert carrot pudding and rice pudding (very nice flavor and texture). The food was fresh, the spices tasted freshly ground and it was delicious. In addition to my buffet, I ordered a chai and it was smooth, spicy, slightly sweet and warm. It was the perfect drink for a cold winter day and counteracted some of the spice in a few of the spicier dishes. The service was pleasant and efficient. Our water glasses were refilled and dirty plates were removed. It was a great way to sample many of their dishes and what they do well. Parking is really easy. It looks like they have quite a weekend crowd. I look forward to going back.
(4)
Rachel P.
Had the lunch buffet. Everything was quite good. I liked that there were lots of vegetarian options. I'm not vegetarian, but I like vegetarian Indian.
(3)
Amanda J.
I just ordered from this place for the first time with a coworker who highly recommended it. I won't be ordering again. The chicken tikka masala was some of the worst I've had, and the service is enough for me to not bother again. When a restaurant has the word "spice" in their name, you expect the food to be well seasoned - not the case. While the chicken tikka masala didn't taste bad, it didn't taste like anything, that was no heat, no spice, no flavor. They should change their name to Cafe Bland so people have correct expectations. Then there was something missing from out order. When we called, they said "Oh, it didn't make it to the bag. Well we are very busy, so we'll issue you a refund." I'm sorry, but if I ordered something, it's because I expected to eat it, and to tell me that you are too busy to correct your mistake is ridiculous. I know, I know, you're issuing a refund, so I should be happy, but if I told my clients that I was too busy to do my job correctly, I would lose them. I know accidents happen, and I've gotten deliveries missing items before. However, I've never had a place tell me that they were too busy to Swing back by with it (especially when we're right around the corner.) Thanks, but no thanks.
(1)
Michaek S.
DELIVERY is a real issue. They say they deliver on the menu, but they rarely even answer the phone-- it's a generic voice mail message, like the type you get when you first set up voice mail. Doesn't even identify the business. The one time they did answer the phone, they stammered when I asked about delivery, said they had to ask a manager, and hung up on me. Sadly, they've lost alot of business from us-- 4 times we wanted delivery Indian; 4 times since my last review we've called (most recent was last week)-- food was so good we kept hoping they would answer AND deliver. Sadly, it hasn't happened. But we did learn Kathmandu Kitchen has upped their game!!
(4)
Megan H.
Lunch buffet: go! Great, flavorful Indian food. Although the serving area is small, the selection of dishes is varied. Each dish has great depth of flavor, and they obviously use lots of different spice combinations unique to each dish. At some buffets, there are a few curries that all taste similar, but here, each selection is totally different from the next. Their tandoori chicken is actually tender and flavorful (rare!). The naan is fresh, hot, & chewy. We have tried (and have been disappointed) at many places in the greater Bmore area, but Cafe Spice and Royal Taj (in Columbia) offer outstanding lunch buffets for Northern Indian food. Royal Taj *does* have better dessert, complimentary chai (mmmm), and an awesome dosa station...but I do think the dishes at Cafe Spice have a slight edge for flavor (especially the spinach dishes and fish curries). They have a much nicer space in this new location compared to the old digs in Towson- the festive umbrellas on the ceiling are particularly beautiful. The owners are exceptionally welcoming and friendly. I'll add that my 1 and 4 year old love going to this buffet as well. There are non-spicy dishes they can enjoy, plus we can mix the spicier fare with raita and rice and they gobble it up. There are highchairs available. Cafe Spice is one of our favorite places to eat in Baltimore- I just wish they'd open a branch closer to the city!
(5)
Sara E.
I have a hard time rating this place. The first time, we got takeout, and it was pretty good. The staff is really, really friendly, but...the buffet was just not good. We were seated over to the side, behind the buffet, which was incredibly cramped. It was only noon, but some of the food was not fresh tasting. The raita was really runny, the green salad dressing was bland to the point of not being able to taste it. There was a vegetable curry that had a good sauce, but the carrots had that tell-tale, uniformly square cut of Veg-all or something similar. The tandoori chicken pieces were dry and puny, and the saag paneer had corn in it. A lot of corn. The chicken tikka was delicious though. I much prefer the buffet at Bombay Nights,
(3)
Kathryn P.
We went here based on yelp reviews and were more than satisfied. The quality of meat was outstanding and they were very welcoming even 30 mins before close. Great atmosphere with beautiful decorations. Slightly expensive but well worth it for the large portions. Prefer it over other Indian restaurants in the area.
(5)
Beth S.
Despite the great reviews, I beg to differ. I was here this week for the lunch buffet and it was both expensive and kind of creepy, food only so/so. Doesn't anyone else notice the filthy rags they use to wipe down the tables? the bottles of disinfectant sitting within a few feet of the food line? The darkness of the food line (so you really can't see what they are serving?) I find Cafe Spice to be a distant second to India Palace a few blocks further south off of York Road. See my review of that for comparison.
(2)
Valerie L.
I am forever grateful to Cafe spice for making my husband an Indian food lover! He has detested this cuisine in the past, and is now a convert!
(5)
Amee P.
We had a HORRIBLE experience with cafe spice. We went there with our infant baby. When we reached there, they offered us a high chair and turned it upside down and asked us to put our chid seat on it. I am pretty sure this is against all safety regulations. We denied that and put our car seat on a chair. The owner (or manager) made a frowning face and showed his displeasure since we now occupied an additional seat. After that, he came back to us to complain that we needed to order more food and had not ordered "enough". I shared that my dad would not be dining. He still insisted we needed to order much more since his was a dining place and he would not be able to afford if we ordered less. At this point, we started to get up and walk away without eating. He now said we had to pay him $15. I asked him for a reason since we had so far only eaten the complimentary papad which would not cost more than a dollar or two if we had to pay for it. He said he wanted $15 to clean the table and for service (which had been a nightmare so far). My husband then gave him $20. He did not even have the manners to return $5 to us and happily pocketed the $20. We came home hungry after having to drive so far to even reach there. We will definitely not be visiting again. Horrible customer service!!
(1)
Fat T.
Lunch buffet, excellent value as stated by all the reviews. I get the chai to clean my palate. Seems "homemade" based on the residual leftovers from the bottom of my cup.
(5)
Rob V.
The food here is spectacular and the service is even better. We get carry out here on a somewhat often basis. Every time I come in to place an order or just pick it up I am greeted by one of the owners who is very warm and friendly. Today she asked me to try a piece of a special sandwhich her husband made. It's not on the menu but should be! Great family atmosphere.
(5)
Stephen S.
Decided to try this on a whim based on Yelp reviews. We enjoy Indian cuisine but often times Indian restaurants seem a little sketchy, I don't know why, they just do. Not the case here! We are delighted to discover Cafe Spice and it will now be one of our favorite haunts. Pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, cleverly decorated, and the food is fresh and delectable. The bread is outstanding. One suggestion for ambiance: the tables need to be adorned with a candle/lantern of some sort and a simple bud vase with a single stem flower would be nice, then the lighting could be dimmed a little :)
(4)
Blake S.
Skip the lunch buffet; order out dinner. We ordered three entrees, four different types of naan, and three appetizers to feed a group of people one night. Everything was amazing. It was some of the best Indian food we've ever tasted, and we could not wait to return. The staff was incredibly friendly, and they even gave out yogurt drinks to those waiting for their pickup order! Very nice touch. After that I heard they had a buffet that extended into the weekends for lunch. A few weeks later, we all decided to give it a shot. It was a bit of a let down. It's hard for me to say whether we didn't like it because our take out order was so much better...or if it was just not that great in general. Cafe Spice is capable of making really great Indian food, but in my experience, it's better to skip the buffet entirely and just order out for dinner.
(4)
Tak K.
Having been to Maryland for the first time, I did not expect that such a tasty Indian restaurant would be available. After a vendor visit, I came to this place in the middle of lunch rush hour. The decor is adequately Indian while not too idiosyncratic. You see a lot of people with groups - a good sign that regulars come here often - along with good percentage of Indians. Since I wanted to try how good their dish would be, I decided to skip buffet against a waitress' recommendation, and ordered chicken vindaloo. Something spicy is what I wanted after mission accomplished. While waiting for my dish, I noticed that most people did get plates from buffet. That rice pudding looked so creamy and sweet, but I had to stick with my choice ;). Anyway, after what seemed like an eternity, I finally got my vindaloo. Not knowing what to expect other than being a spicy curry with spicy onion, tomato, ginger blended with a dash of vinegar, I put one mouthful in. The first impression was how fragrant the mix of spices was. Then ginger made inside my mouth highlighted with fiery attacks. Enjoying that sensation, I kept eating with a little bit of rice as a chaser. By the time the half of curry was done, my body was sweating and my mouth was in a constant numbness. Yet, the spiciness was never painfully lingering - rather refreshing. So even though the curry itself was very hot, I ended up not needing an extra naan. Perhaps finding me in such a seemingly dismal condition, a waitress gave me a complimentary rice putting. Boy, was I ever grateful for that change of taste. It was so easy to go in; too bad that I did not decide buffet to get the second serving. After all, buffet is $10; the curry was $15. A normal human being would rather get buffet service for the value and more choice. Maybe reading my mind, the head waitress told me to try buffet next time. I probably will.
(4)
Kat E.
Pretty good butter chicken and chicken tikka masala. Tons of tasty sauce in each dish so I would recommend ordering more rice or naan. The chicken is cooked through and tender though, pretty delicious. The naan itself was just okay-- pretty plain bread, not really cooked to the point of yeast bubbles forming on the tops. Good for pick-up orders though and I always go here when I'm craving Indian food in this area.
Good Indian food and the best service I had in an Indian restaurant.
(4)
Stefanie C.
Best Indian Buffet in the area. Working in Towson it's a bit of a hike for lunch, but it's totally worth the trek. Large selection of super fresh dishes, and the service is outstanding. I can't say enough about how delicious the food is - it's a must try.
(5)
Jim K.
Absolutely the BEST Indian food in Baltimore... Service is great, place is super clean and staff is super friendly. Thanks! I will be back...
(5)
Gordy B.
Some of the best indian food I've ever had.. try the lunch buffet. Keep up the great work Cafe Spice.
(5)
Karen C.
BEST INDIAN FOOD EVER!!!! Love this place! So fresh and tasty and the owners are so sweet and nice. Prices are reasonable and the lunch buffet is such a bargain. Definitely go there you will love it!
(5)
David V.
The service at Cafe Spice was a little tentative, but friendly. No problem there. I ordered a butter chicken (also known as chicken makhani, or some other variation on that spelling, and my most commonly ordered Indian dish) with a mango lassy and some naan. The mango lassy and the naan were good, no complaints there. The sauce on the butter chicken was Ok, not great and not bad. The fatal flaw was that the chicken itself seemed like the cheapest possible Chinese takeout chicken you can imagine. Horrible consistency and full of gristle. Definitely not worth the price.
(2)
Erik P.
Who would have known... Good Indian food in Maryland. It was just as good as my favorite haunts in the Bay Area.
(5)
zubin l.
I was raised with Indian food so that gives me a good advantage over other people on judging a quality and taste of Indian food. I have been here for 3 buffets in the last 1 month and the buffet was the same all the 3 times. The number of items to choose from is also very limited but since its located in a area which doesn't have many Indian options, this place is popular. The food was decent and acceptable. Host were good. The ambiance of the restaurant is accentuated with the colorful umbrellas they have used for decor.
(3)
Brian P.
I never had Indian food before I wondered into Cafe Spice. Now I go at least once a week for the absolutely best lunch buffet in the area!
(5)
Harry S.
Fantastic, authentic North Indian dishes. The Mysore coffee is a great, sweet conclusion to the perfect explosion of spices. I recommend the Butter Chicken and Naan.
(5)
Deborah K.
My family and I loved this place! We just happened by it traveling back home, and the buffet was plentiful, fresh, and reasonably priced. There is a good mix of vegetarian options. If you are not into spices, I would find it helpful to ask the attentive staff the spice levels, but there are also mild dishes on the buffet. I really enjoyed the eggplant dish, the channa saag, and the tandoori.
(5)
Toni F.
We came here when they first opened at the Cockeysville location and had such poor (and bizarre) service that we almost didn't come back. Fast forward to a year later, and I'm so glad we gave Cafe Spice another chance! Service kinks seem to have been worked out, and the current waitstaff is attentive and friendly. The food is high quality and very fresh. Many dishes are garnished with jullienned ginger, which adds a really nice bite and complexity to the flavors. Nice selection of vegetarian dishes---their began baratha is out of this world, especially with a side of garlic naan. I also appreciate that they're BYOB---makes it a really affordable option when dining with a group.
(4)
Anusha S.
Excellent tasting food, being an Indian I realized how authentic this was.. Good variety of dishes... Could have added fruit salad, and few more desserts.. It's def a must try!!! The taste of food still lingers in my mouth..
(5)
Greg A.
Best vegetable curry I've ever tasted. Cozy atmosphere. Friendly staff. The only complaint I have is the same for every Indian Restaurant ever. And it's not them, it's me. I feel like a dunce asking what stuff is. So there are certain things on the menu I avoid. But I've never been disappointed when taking a chance. This place was simply great.
(4)
Andrew R.
What a neat little place. This is definitely family owned and operated. They really, really care about their patrons. You are warmly greeted, attentively (but not overly so) waited on and the food, although visually perhaps not to distinguished, is wicked tasty. I've only been there for lunch and have always gotten the buffet. The prices are less than you'd expect to pay for the quality of food. Everyone smiles there. Tip: they are closed on Mondays.
(5)
Craig S.
Wow this place was great. The food was great and not overly expensive. We went in with a 2 year old. They served us super fast and were very nice to our child the whole time. The decorations are worth a visit too. Upside down umbrella ceiling. Nothing bad to say about this place.
(5)
Randy J.
I am new to indian food and I think I set the bar really high. Lunch buffet was amazing and I felt like a pig when I was done. Could not eat the dessert. It is family run and the ceiling decor is really neat. It is in a strip mall setting facing York rd. with plenty of parking.
(4)
Kyle L.
Most beautiful Indian restaurant I have visited and food to match it. Great service, very friendly and prompt service. A must visit, I will be back!
(5)
Erin B.
Amazing food, ambiance, service, and prices! Worth a trip. We'll definitely be back! We asked our waitress for suggestions on really flavorful, unique dishes because, as she pointed out, "You can get saag anywhere." You can also get saag at Cafe Spice (and I'm sure it's great) but there were lots of dishes I hadn't heard of before--and we're definitely lucky we got to try them! I'm a vegetarian so I was thrilled to have A WHOLE PAGE of vegetarian options. She recommended something that included the phrase "veggie ball." Amazing! The bright orange sauce was loaded with flavor, the veggie ball thing was kind of a baked fritter thing and it was fabulous. She also gave me a little dip of vindaloo sauce in case it wasn't spicy enough--it was so well balanced I didn't need it, but it was fun to dip the onion kulcha in it. (Oh and the onion kulcha is incredible.) My boyfriend got an amazing curry dish with chicken and he loved it--I just can't remember the name of it! They bring you a big, generous portion of rice to share, which we appreciated. The serving sizes are very generous and we had some leftovers to take home. Do what we did and trust the staff's recommendations--you won't go wrong. The meal started out with pappadams and dipping sauce. These were delish and a great way to start. We also got an appetizer of assorted fried veggies, which were awesome. The decor inside is super nice, not what you're expecting when you first arrive in the strip mall. There are these beautiful paintings, colorful umbrellas coming down from the ceiling, neon pink brocades. A really nice environment. It's BYOB so bring a bottle of something, although you could also get a mango lassi and leave it at that. :)
(5)
Carla C.
This place is excellent! I had a pregnancy craving for some Indian food and didn't feel like making the ride to ambassador room. I had been here for lunch before when they were in Towson. Clean restaurant. Every dish at the table was enjoyed by our party and the service was great. Nicest owners ever. Craving lamb tikka masala now. Yum yum yum
(5)
Mehmed M.
The tomato soup on the buffet is out of this world. For 10 bucks, the all you can eat buffet is a pretty amazing deal. Super quick lunch that is super satisfying... The only problem would be if you have to return to a desk job after it.. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(4)
Sung C.
I had never tasted Indian cuisine before... Boy, I was missing out big time!! First bite I fell in LOVE! For the price, they have EXCELLENT service and food! I highly recommend at least try once if you have never tasted Indian cuisine, you be amazed by what your taste buds will say~! Too bad they are closed on Mondays...
(5)
Desi Y.
Nice, friendly service. Multiple repeat customers. Byob. Ultimately though it is Bangalore natives making North Indian food, with undercooked basmati on the buffet.
(2)
Kyaw M.
Solid indian lunch buffet. Toss up between Mughal Garden and this place. The spices and flavor profile here is much better, but no chai tea and slightly limited choices of entree...=(
(3)
Ada G.
I LOVE this place! It is my most favorite lunch place in town. When they first opened, I was visiting every week. If I could control my portions, I would go everyday, but the food is so so yummy that I end up going back for seconds and thirds and then sit at my desk at work, wanting to take a nap. The owners are so sweet and recognize my friends and I every time. That personal touch makes such a difference! They offer different items on the buffet daily, so you get to try everything on the menu that you might not normally try a la carte. If you are not really into Indian food, come with your friends anyway! They have tandoori chicken that you can eat while your friends enjoy the exotic stuff. This place is also great for larger lunch groups - they have plenty of room for large parties. Highly recommend this place for lunch! Fantastic food and service!
(5)
Erin M.
Excellent lunch buffet... Our new favorite in Baltimore County! Food was perfect amount of spice and warmth. Service was friendly and attentive and everything was clean.
(5)
Jan T.
We have been long time customers of another local Indian restaurant for years until the place began a sad decline sometime last year. So what a pleasant surprise it was to see a "new" Indian restaurant opening right on York road. As we found out upon our recent first visit, this restaurant is actually quite old, having been established 40 years ago in Towson but, although we lived there for a while, totally unknown to us due to a somewhat hidden location. Well, better late than never. Although located in a strip mall, the restaurant has a comfortable feeling, with the decor being a very beautiful mixture of cloth, classical Indian pictures, and warm, friendly colors. Very nicely done, and a great way to hide the bones of the restaurant itself. The menu is extensive, featuring both your classic dishes like Tikka Masala and more exotic dishes like the excellent Asharra, a delightfully spicy and tangy combination of mixed pickled vegetables, chilis, and whatever meat you choose. You can have all dishes with whatever meat, fish, or veg preparation you choose, giving you a great variety. Apart from that, and this is a unique feature in Baltimore, the restaurant features a full list of vegetarian and vegan entries including, again, items you will not find in most Indian restaurants this side of 495. The food was excellent, from the fresh, home-made tasting samosas (and fresh mint chutney), to the above-mentioned Ashara, to the dessert. Prices were reasonable and the restaurant offers a daily lunch menu, with an expanded gourmet selection on the weekends, for $9.99 and $11.99, respectively. Something to try for next time. Service was excellent, with the owners taking excellent care of us, including on-the-hose soup and desserts since it was our first time. A definite return trip and part of my personal Timonium A-list.
(5)
Kara K.
Amazing service! mulligatawny soup was very good.
(4)
Jian Cai Z.
I got take out from this place last night. OMG...i'm speechless of how good this food tastes. This is by far the best Indian restaurant in the U.S. You can't find any other place that tastes as authentic as Cafe Spice. You have to see for yourself just how amazing this food is.
(5)
A. C.
(02/10/2012) A nice Indian place out in the County. The dishes we had were more sauce than protein; the chicken and lamb chunks were a little on the chewy side. The Basmati for the table was a little over cooked, kind of wet and clumped, but nice flavoring with bay leaf and a little saffron. The spicing of the sauces and stews is not subtle. The Vindaloo is tongue-numbing and vinegary. The Malai Kofta were tender and moist, very sweet creamy sauce, buttery, got bits of whole cardamom pods in a few bites. The Malabari sauce was the best of the three sauces; lots of fresh grated coconut and ginger, garnished with bright cilantro. The space is warm and inviting, little decorative touches like stenciling along the walls, sari-like umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, beaded edging along a canopy. It seems like a family run place, not exactly professional service. The timing of the kitchen is uneven and the wait for entrees can be long, but when the sizzling tandoori platters come out of the kitchen, the whole place fills with a savory, spicy, aroma. There aren't a whole lot of Indian places way out in Cockeysville, but this is one of the better ones.
(4)
S W.
We will make the trip from Catonsville any day. The food is SO delicious. The garlic naan is perfectly crispy and buttery, the chicken tikka katti wrap is great, and it is so refreshing to find a place that knows its malai kofta--koftas are moist and not dried out like they are at so many other places. I don't know what they put in their tikka sauce and butter chicken sauce, but they are both so savory it makes my mouth water. Add in the fact that it is BYO, the staff is super friendly (I have a hard time believing that J.B.'s review about horrible service is referring to Cafe Spice!) We came with our 7 month old son, and not only did the owners both come up to entertain him, he even got a balloon from the busboy! We look forward to trying more on the menu.
(4)
Jim H.
A new personal favorite during my trips to Baltimore. Extensive menu with many vegetarian options. I had the Mulligatawny soup which started out rather bland but had a spicy finish. The spicy version of the Saag Paneer was good, not great, due to the blandness of the Paneer but the dish was well spiced.
(4)
Raymond L.
New location of a wonderful restaurant! Moved a few miles north on York Rd, same owners, same menu, MUCH improved decor and atmosphere. The food is a good as ever: the gobi manchuri is addictive, the chicken vinadloo tasty and satisfying. I'm sure the rest of the unchanged menu is as good as ever. The lunch buffet is downsized and the biggest change is it is now BYOB. Enjoy!
(5)
Atul C.
We were in the area for a soccer tournament. Read the reviews and gave it a try. We mistakenly showed up before the 1130 opening time on Sunday. Were welcomed in (out of the cold) by the owner. Food was excellent. Great flavors. Friendly service. Not oily at all. I grew up in India and based on our sample would rate it highly. Loved the sarson ka saag, tandoori chicken and kheer.
(5)
Andrew S.
The same great Indian food you loved when it was across the street from the Towson Library, now in a new location with a bigger staff and better decor, including some really cool paintings and a bunch of elaborately patterned umbrella/parasol-type things hanging from the ceiling. Seriously, come for the food, stay for the parasols. One thing to note however: the to-die-for vegetable pakora has changed a bit, both in shape and quantity. It still tastes just as good, there's just a little less of it and some of it is now straight-up battered and fried onions rather than the typical medley. Considering it was something like $3.99 for eight pieces at the old place, I can't really blame them for adjusting the quantity a little bit. On that note, none of the entrees seem to be downsized.
(5)
David G.
Great Indian restaurant! We go there several times a month and LOVE the food. The staff is courteous and the owners are very nice people. It's worth a stop if you are on York road.
(5)
Ed S.
Spent a wonderful evening with friends at Cafe Spice. There were four of us, and we made certain to order four different dishes as well as an appetizer and plenty of naan. Everything was very good, and the service was friendly. My favorite was the Chicken Tikka Masala, which I think is right up there with the best I've had. The Tandoori Chicken is a good choice, too, though I do not feel that the spices penetrated the chicken as well as in some other places, and the meat was slightly dry--but still very good! I enjoyed the Chicken Curry, too, and the blend of spices made it flavorful and hot--not just hot. I did not try the Lamb a friend had, but she said it was good, though slightly over-cooked. The friendliness of the staff is not to be overlooked. The place is small, and, as a result, a bit noisy and has a bit of a crowded feel. But every one of the staff stopped by at some point or another for a quick conversation or to make certain everything was all right. I went from feeling a little crowded to feeling very welcome almost immediately, and I would not trade the pleasant atmosphere for more space. We will definitely be going back.
(4)
Kathe W.
I found this place through Yelp! while I was visiting my family in MD and this is one of the best Indian lunch buffets ($9.95 per person) I've ever been to (although, to be fair, I'm FL). The paneer tikka masala was absolutely amazing, with chunks of fresh green peppers and onions in the sauce. The only negative was I found a bone in the chicken tikka masala, but that happens...my husband's serving was fine. Also, the onion chutney is slightly different from others and was fabulous. I think they put carrots in it to get a sweet-spicy taste? Anyway, if you're every in town and want some high-quality Indian food, go here.
(5)
Alex K.
As good as it gets. Their lunch buffet is great, but if you want a meal fit for a king, order off the dinner menu. Everything at Cafe Spice rocks. 'Nuff said.
(5)
Andy B.
Best Indian in Baltimore. Better and cheaper than that "fancy" Indian place. the owners are so nice and welcoming. I love this restaurant.
(5)
Milton F.
It's great to have another alternative in this area. Cafe spice has lovely decor, and pleasant service. The food is no better than most other Indian places, with no special standouts. It is OK for the lunch buffet, but as others have mentioned, the options don't change much. For a special dinner, there are better Indian restaurants in town.
(3)
Ryan G.
This place is not closed. They have just moved to 10540 York Road. Just north or Warren Road. Very good. Same owners as the old location. Lamb Rogan Josh and Chicken Tikka Masala are very good.
(5)
Rick F.
Ate here couple of weeks ago before a movie on Sat night. Arrived around 6pm without reservations but were seated immediately. Place had around 5 tables filled when we arrived - was packed with not a table unused when we left. We ate at the old York Road location on several occasions and were pleased to find the same quality of food and improved service at the new location. Only downside is no liquor license. Good selection of foods and good service. A real asset to the area. Very much recommended.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
uliana l.
Best Indian !!!! lunch buffet is just 11$ but you get great quality authentic food !!!! Very clean place and friendly family that's own and runs the place
(5)Jeff K.
I have been to Cafe Spice countless times. In the past I dined in more, but as of late I have been ordering more take-out. The owners are some of the most friendliest of people and remember their regulars. THE GOOD... -easy to park (private lot) -convenient hours -food tastes fresh -paneer tiki masala is my favorite -garlic naan is good -food is typically ready upon pick-up (if carry-out) -upon dining in, water is usually refilled promptly - owners are very friendly and welcoming -BYOB (I never have, but see plenty who do) -very clean inside THE BAD... -had a couple bad experiences with the wait staff...lack of attentiveness was a biggie...I don't know how often it happens these days considering I've been carrying-out more..,but it appeared their turnover for servers was pretty high Overall I like Cafe Spice. It is my favorite Indian Restaurant in Baltimore County. If the next time I dine in I have a great experience I will consider upping my review to 5 stars.
(4)Tim H.
Chicken Tikka was excellent. It came out on a sizzling hot plate as if it were a fajita. Nice sizzling onions and peppers with the special seasoned chicken chunks were amazingly tasty. I loved it with the rice it was served with. I also tried an appetizer. Everything I ate was tasty. I will be back for more! Prices are moderate and the dining room is spacious and open. Thank you for reading my review. This review is based on my personal experience and opinions.
(4)Keith K.
Cafe Spice is good Indian, good southern Indian. All the traditional dishes that you are used to done up right. It may lean a little on the more pricey side, but the atmosphere compensates for that, it is quite elegant. Like most good Indian restaurants, they cater to both vegetarians and meat eaters alike, with a wide variety of dishes for both. Portions are large too, so expect to take some of your meal home when you leave. Nothing better than Indian food the next day, yum!
(4)Sarah G.
Great variety of dishes (fish, goat, chicken, vegetarian), good levels of spice, love the carrot pudding! Have been looking for my place to get great Indian food and I think I have found it at Spices. Great decor inside, too, and always busy! Looking forward to hitting up Spices monthly.
(4)Kate E.
This is my favorite place for Indian food when I am in town. The owners are super friendly. Service is great. Lots of water refilled quickly to go with the spicy curry. Decor is very colorful and cute with traditional Indian umbrella things. I have been several times for the lunch buffet. This is nice since some curries can be rich and filling. I like to try a little of everything. Love the rice pudding for desert. Definitely the way to go if you are going to eat here.
(5)Johhny H.
The best Indian food I have eaten in the Baltimore area . Very attentive service with the owners there paying attention to the food and service . Highly recommended.
(5)Richard M.
Some qualifications to my review: 1) I had the lunch buffet only. 2) I've been spoiled by some truly awesome Indian buffets elsewhere. That said, here are my thoughts: Nan: plain and soft. No garlic and did not have the sheen of butter applied to my liking. 4/10 Palak paneer: the most disappointing palak paneer I've ever had. It was watery instead of creamy. The fact that the cottage cheese tastes like chewing gum and hard tofu was the worst. 2/10 Tandoori chicken: dark meats, juicy, well done. 8/10 Chicken masala: cream was too watery. White meat chicken too dry. 4/10 Chicken curry: again dry chicken but the curry was tasteful however on the watery side. 6/10 Price: $11 per person. Value 2/10. They didn't have lamb/goat curry that most other Indian buffets would have, which was disappointing. Dessert lacked variety and only had the hush puppy-like fried dough in sugar syrup, would have been nice if mango yogurt was offered. Service was excellent and that deserved a star on its own.
(3)Dave S.
I can't speak to the issues that others have mentioned regarding ownership's demeanor. All I can say is that I've been here twice. I'm no expert at Indian cuisine, but I will say that on both occasions my food was unremarkable- overcooked and dry. There's a bit of a language barrier with a few servers, and I have not found them to be particularly welcoming or helpful. Nothing special here, folks.
(2)Milly I.
It's unfortunate that I have to write this review. My sister and I went in for carryout. Once we made our way to the counter we were met by two women who asked us to speak to the gentleman behind the counter to place our order. After thoroughly looking through the menu to see what we could have based on our allergies (nuts, gluten, and dairy - some dishes noted there were nuts) we decided to order mixed meat rice dish and lamb rice dish. We asked the guy taking our order if the food contained nuts or dairy, he told us it didn't contain any. After arriving home we noticed our dishes contained both dairy and nuts. My sister called the restaurant to explain to them it contained nuts and dairy the manger (a woman) told my sister to eat around the nuts and/or take them out. My sister explained we have nut allergies and the women blamed us for not knowing so. The woman finally agreed to make 1 of the dishes over. Once we arrive back at the restaurant, I told the woman I wanted a refund for my lamb meal that the experience left me with out an appetite. This is where it all went down hill. The woman began to scold me about not reading or telling them about our allergy. I explained to her that the man placing our order said it wasn't in the dishes. She then said that "he is just a child. You should have asked one of us adults." I was confused by this and explained to her it's her job to train her staff to ask the cook if there's an ingredient in the dish. What was I supposed to do? Walk into the kitchen and ask the chef myself? I explained that another item on the menu mentioned having nuts, and she said she doesn't have to list it, it's my job to ask which I did. I wish the woman would have assumed some kind of responsibility.
(1)Shayan K.
I am literally writing this review while sitting here , food is worst !!! I never had such a bad Indian cuisine ever in my life .. I ordered appetizer (chicken pakora) which was terrible , biryani had no taste Do not go to this place !!!!
(1)Candy F.
I was there last night around 7:00pm i know that supposed to be a busy hour but wasn't too busy..... service was very poor by the server but still im giving 2 star thats only for the bus girl and the food runner for their excellent job and smile on their face, the only time i see my server is to take my order thats all had to ask a bus girl for my check........ she never asked me how was my food or thank u when i leave. Food was okay not so tasty !! I might go back or i might not !
(2)Shivali A.
It was my first time going to this place and from the reviews I had read it seemed like a nice decent indian restaurant since the ones by towson aren't quite authentic indian. I walked in on a saturday evening around 6pm with my younger sister and we were greeted by a woman who sat us down at our table. We ordered a Samoa chaat and butter chicken. The food was okay as far as taste but as Indians we have had better back home in the Dc/Va area where we are from. Anyhow, it had not even been 20 minutes since we got our food when a man came to ask if I was finished even though my plate still had food in it. I felt so disrespected because then another lady came to ask the same thing a few minutes later. I looked around and noticed that we were the only indians sitting at the place and everyone else around us were Caucasian people. The waitresses were not asking the Caucasian people if they were finished but instead asking them how their food was and if everything was alright so far. I just could not believe what I was seeing. Not only that but the man who brought our food out did not speak a word!!! I said thank you after he placed our food on the table and he did not say anything back and just walked away. He also took awaycthe papad basket without saying anything even though it had two whole ones left in it. The rudeness!!! There were a couple ladies at the front counter who kept staring at me and my sister like they really wanted us to leave. And mind you, it was not busy like the reviews had said partly due to the fact that everyone was busy warching the mayweather vs pacquiao fight!!!!! So I do not know why they were in a rush to get us out when they had plenty of tables open. We felt so disrespected we just had to call for the check and get the hell up out of there. I would never go back there just because of this. Im sorry but if you dont want indians coming to your restaurant, you should just put a big ol' sign on the door and save us time from being disrespected. They only get a 2 star for their okay food otherwise.....ha! If anyone is in the rockville area, do check out Minerva. The best tasting indian and south indian food....and the owner is friendly and comes around personally to make sure your food and service is outstanding!!!!
(2)Emma T.
Such great food! The menu is full of delicious options. The service was great, the ambiance was fun and i"m so glad to have left overs for the next day!
(5)Merrie W.
Excellent! Food is amazing. The spices are hitting the right spot. I'm actually eating real Indian food! Service is great! The server will make appropriate suggestions if you just ask. Can't go wrong with cafe spice if you crave Indian food
(5)Alice H.
I had some guests from out of town request Indian for dinner, and some friends had been raving about this place (granted this might have been for the lunch buffet), so I decided to give it a try. My guests wanted Indian food but I also know they're not the super adventurous type, so I kept to what people (at least people I know) typically order. We got naan, chicken tikka masala, goat vindaloo, and saag paneer. The waiter started us off with papadum, which is like a thin, crisp, disc shaped dough that can be broken and dipped into chutney. I don't think I've ever had this before but I thought it was delicious. It was a lot saltier than I had anticipated, but I that was what made it addicting. I just kept munching away. Out of all our dishes, I would say the goat vindaloo was my favorite. The goat was well prepared and the curry had just the right heat to it. I thought the saag paneer nicely offset the heat of the vindaloo, but the cubes of cheese did not really have much flavor to them. I wasn't all that impressed with the tikka masala. The chicken was drier than I would have liked. The naan was also just ok. It was blander than what I'm used to and more on the fluffy side. I like my naan have a bit more crisp and pull to it. Pricing was a bit high, but that's to be expected for dinner. I think each platter was around $15. The staff was very friendly and helpful and were constantly checking in on us. The one thing I like about this place is that they have so many options, more than what I've typically seen at other places, so I might try coming back with some more adventurous friends to give some other dishes a try.
(3)Madhu M.
Nice atmosphere but as an indian, this food wasnt that good at all. Wouldnt come back. Staff seemed to provide better service to some than others. Save your money and go elsewhere
(1)Melissa B.
I'm updating this review based on my last two experiences, both carry-out. First, New Year's Eve... So, they get a pass for telling me the food would take an hour or more. It's busy--I get it. But the guy who took my order said he would call when it was ready. We called after an hour to check in and were told it had been ready for a while. Needless to say, everything was cold. Last night, we decided to try a few different things (we always order the same things at Indian restaurants, and Cafe Spice does have some different koftas and curries than most places). We found the both the paneer fried rice and aloo gobi with paneer lacking in paneer. Considering that this place is more expensive than other similar ones in the area, this is unacceptable. I've enjoyed meals here before, but the service is spotty, and I've experienced the same cold buffet as some others. When they're on, they're great, but lately--they've been off.
(3)Skylar S.
I would give five stars for service, but three for food. India Palace runs circles around their food IMO. I'm a huge Indian food lover but this place is a little too Americanized for me. I can't really describe what I feel Indian food should taste like specifically, I just trust my gut. India Palace gets my carry out orders going forward.
(3)Emily G.
Wait staff was quick and friendly. The meals that were recommended were fantastic. This was my first time eating Indian food and it was great I would recommend this place to others
(4)Chandni A.
This place is a hit or miss. Sometimes the food is pretty good and other times it's unbearable. The last few times we've been there, the food was mediocre (average taste but very oily and a bit watery). Also, they've increased the prices and reduced the portions. Customer service isn't the best either. This one time I went for buffet with my sister, I told the lady at the counter that we were expecting one more person (my husband) who was running a bit late and so we were seated on a table for 4. The waitress came and asked us 3 times where our friend was because we were occupying a bigger table. My husband was only 10 min late.
(1)Ekta Y.
Wonderful wonderful food! Me and my husband were looking to eat some real Indian Spicy food.... And we were hoping a lot out of this place. And yes, they exceeded our expectations. The Paneer Manchuria had the perfect Indo-Chinese blend of spices. We would certainly return. Thank you Cafe Spice Indian Cuisine!
(5)Ashu G.
Wow!!! Ridiculous!!! I and my wife just dropped in this area to meet my friend and thought of trying food here. I just got to know that you have to order atleast 2 entree. In dinner as this is fine dining. Are you SERIOUS!! The chef will not allow as per the manager. Who the hell is HE?? So just to let you know guys, you can't eat here what you like to eat. The manager ( so called owner) just dropped here at our table with very harsh language as we were in a mood to eat appetizers and soups and 1 entree only. We wanted to move out but unfortunately it's too late to go out. I will revise my rating depending on the quality of food we get. But for service, it's a zero!!!!
(1)Anne B.
Cafe spice is so amazing. The food is so delicious. The chicken tikka masala is delicious chunks of white meat chicken and the sauce-amazing. So many vegetarian options. My sister loves this Indian restaurants because she doesn't eat meat and Cafe Spice has plenty of The owners and servers are extremely polite and attentive. The interior is beautifully decorated and it is a very clean restaurant. It also smells great!
(5)Amy S.
I was really looking forward to eating here. Yelp and the sign outside says open 7 days a week. I get there it's closed. Not cool.
(1)Anuj B.
Visited this place for a lunch buffet. Just awesome in all senses including ambiance, food, courtesy of the staff and service. Outstanding point is, it has dishes which are authentic north Indian style and has the flavor of north spices. I particularly liked the saag (spinach), daal pulses) and chicken dish in coconut taste. Naan's are served pretty fresh. Honestly, pure worth for money and absolutely looking forward to visiting again !!!!
(4)Amrish J.
So my wife stopped in for an afternoon snack @ 3 pm and ordered a $7 appetizer; when she was informed that she could not be served unless she ordered an entrée as well. Now this is when you have an empty restaurant with no one ordering anything! Great going ! Brilliant business strategy ! Starbucks next door got her business instead. Never eaten there. Never will. Horrible service. Would never recommend it to anyone.
(1)Jeff F.
What a horrible experience! We had read good reviews about this place and were excited to try it. I live in Pennsylvania and my girlfriend lives in Baltimore so we frequently meet the Cockeysville area for dinner and enjoy a variety of ethnic foods. We were promptly seated, given menus, water served ... a round of drinks and it was time to order. We ordered 2 appetizers to start and an order of naan. A few minutes later, a man approached our table with the slip with our order on it. He was shaking it as us saying we needed to order dinner. I said we just ordered appetizers and were going to see about dinner. He insisted we had to order at least one entrée or we had to LEAVE!! I asked where it said that. It didn't say it on the door or the menu. He said it doesn't have to state it "I'm telling you. Order an entrée or leave." He was verbally abusive. It made quite a scene. Other tables could see what he was doing. I'm a working professional now, but spent many years working in restaurants while getting through college and I have never seen an owner mistreat his guests in such a way. He said it was dinner time (8:00 p.m!) and that we should order dinner. We were not ready to order dinner. He said we were taking up a table and that he had others waiting who wanted to order dinner. There was at least 3 open tables and NO ONE waiting to be sat. We walked right in and were seated without any wait. Considering that restaurants make a higher profit on drinks, appetizers and desserts ... his attitude made no sense. When I worked in restaurants, my managers always liked when guests would order piles of appetizers instead of meals. They are quick and more profit! What a sad experience.
(1)Patricia D.
We've enjoyed their food for years, though we now have to drive farther to get it! In our opinion, they set the standard for local Indian cuisine. And though we tried other Indian places closer to home, in and near Baltimore City... We always leave saying "it was OK, but it wasn't Cafe Spice." The sauces are so nuanced, the breads wonderfully flaky and crisp , and the spices deftly utilized. And on top of that, their Cockeysville location is beautifully decorated and serene. The staff is well trained and attentive... All in all always a wonderful experience and a place to bring our friends and family for many happy years!!
(5)Jonathan R.
One of the better Indian restaurants in the area. Reasonably fresh food. Generous portions and friendly service. I always feel welcome here, and come by for dinner pretty frequently -- 2-3 times a month.
(4)Nancy G.
This Is the second time we have been at Cafe Spice. Although the food is reasonably good, both times we waited an inordinately long time for our food to come out. This time our food was nowhere in site after an hour and twenty minutes. I asked the waitress to speak to the manager and was told that the owner is "back there" with no offer to have him come to speak to us. We were told that they have a lot of take out orders. There is no feeling that they should get the entrees made for the people there!!!!
(1)Melissa B.
The most DELICIOUS Indian food on the planet! I eat here every chance I get. The lunch buffet is superb and the service is phenomenal.
(5)Faisal A.
Every time I enter this place I discover new stuff that it would be a must for every person. I would recommend this time Josh curry and malabari Curry Dellllicious !!!
(5)John S.
Back for dinner, Friday night, party of six and everybody is in love with Cafe Spice. Tried 6 different Naan's, plain, stuffed with minced lamb, chicken, garlic, onion & potato and all wonderful flavor. Fried cauliflower and potato appetizers were very good, forgot the Indian names though, too busy trying them all. Vegetable Vindaloo best I've ever had anywhere. Eggplant "Began Baratha" was excellent as rated by Lynn from Providence and Palm Beach an Indian aficionado who has tried her favorite dish worldwide, I loved it to. Chicken, Lamb, fish dishes all were great, nothing was not at least very good. Lots of flavors, many spices noteworthy of name "Cafe Spice". Try the Naan varieties, really wonderful and moderate priced. Curries, vegetarian choices all very good or better, no complaints. This place is great, huge portions, good prices, no corkage fees, some of the Indian dishes tried anywhere in the US or England. I am not the world connoisseur of Indian cuisine, but among the best Indian food experience I've had in a very long time.
(5)Sarah B.
The portions are great, you'll always leave with leftovers! I had lamb korma which had great flavor. There was a very tasty tomato soup that one of our party had, very complex flavors. Friendly, clean, but not the most prompt in the world. Indian food is alright with that though because you're there to relax with friends and enjoy the experience not be in and out quickly. At least, it doesn't bother me when it's a long lunch.
(4)Carrie O.
Time for a re-review of this place, and the 5-star deliciousness continues. After our experiences here in the past, LoML and I decided to take the harshest critic of all time to Cafe Spice - and that would be Carrie's Momma, who knows her Indian food very, very well. We decided to do the mid-day buffet. Even on a Wednesday afternoon, this place was jam-packed, and no wonder - the food was just as delicious as I remembered it to be. They had the malai kofti and the gajjar ka halwa this time, much to my delight, and it took everything I had not to gorge on those two dishes alone! Carrie's Momma stuffed herself full and proclaimed the buffet "the best Indian food I have ever had in my life". She then proceeded to ask the owner to relocate to downtown Baltimore, which earned her a smile and a regretful sounding "no". For myself, I think they'd do damned well - it puts some of the others to absolute shame. (Yes, Kumari, I'm looking at you.) If you don't come here and at least try the Indian buffet, you are doing yourself a serious disservice. Even 6 months later, this place has got it going on. If you're in the Hunt Valley/Cockeysville area, stop in - I promise, you won't regret it. This is the good stuff! Tip for Diabetics: This was my first time with Indian food since my diagnosis, and I'm pleased to say that the "damage" was pretty nil here. Stick with the meats (tandoori chicken is a definite winner!) - basmati rice didn't seem to do much to me, but that's all subjective. The only thing I really had to totally avoid here was the naan, and that's not too bad of a hardship, though I would have loved to have something to soak up all that delicious sauce. And spicy? You'd better believe it. It had all the spice I could have wanted and then some. Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor. YMMV. Seek medical advice and tailor my review to your situation. I simply provide opinion.
(5)M B.
Cafe Spice is in a non-descript shopping center on York Road but don't let that dissuade you from trying it. The decor immediately impressed us with its warmth and art. There are gorgeous umbrellas in the ceiling and a soothingly inviting feel to the space. We ordered the vegetable samosa and palak paneer (they call it something else). Both were sublime. Oh, the place is BYOB, but that's a plus for us. We usually go to the Ambassador Restaurant in Tuscany-Canterbury across from JHU for Indian food, but this place will be beckoning us the next time we crave the cuisine.
(4)Gaurav R.
Extremely oily even for Indian food. keep serving the same food in buffet. Most of the preparation tastes the same after being soaked in oil. Service is fine.
(2)Johannes B.
One of the best experiences at an Indian place! I would recommend this place to everybody. Management/owner was the nicest lady and super accommodating.
(5)Liver P.
Lunch Buffet: Very ordinary. The buffet is available for carry out. Be warned !!! Indian food is very heavy. You pay by the pound !! A typical carry out box with a small dab of several items cost me $14.00
(2)Chadwick V.
So lucky to have such a great exotic restaurant near my house! Really loved my first meal there. Tikka Masala with lamb. Boom. Wow!
(5)Jason E.
Okay, this place smells heavenly. Their breads are delicious, especially the Naan with lamb in it. Oh my. The food here was delicious. Seriously, a few times I've swung by just for the bread.
(5)J S.
What I have issue with such confused-American-Indian restaurants is that they have separate sitting arrangements for Indian and non-Indians. When I visited this restaurant, I was made to sit in the corner on other side of the half wall in center of restaurant while other side of wall was filled with non-Indian guests. Seems like owners of such restaurant beliefs are shaken to root and they are ashamed of being Indians. Food was ok - can't complain but definitely would not give them more than 2 out of 5 as I have eaten at least 50 percent of North American restaurants and they are below average on taste even in typical Indian dishes. What pissed me more was discrimination.
(2)Amanda B.
Friends of ours took us here, I was very skeptical because I'm not an adventurous eater. As soon as you get out of your car you can smell the aroma! We sat down, ordered and before we knew it the food was out! I took my first bite, expecting not to like it...was heaven!!! The whole way home I was telling my husband that I could not wait to go back, he completely agreed! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I thought it was a bit too expensive for the dinner portion size (but I'm also very cheap), my husband thought the price was great! The price isn't going to stop me from returning! I can't wait to go back.
(4)Jackie H.
(This is a guest post by my husband) I wanted to write a long review, like how much I love their naan (I mean are you kidding me I'm not food critic and I'm not expert in Indian food but I don't care and I love their naans to death) and their curry (dipping their naan in their tikka masala makes me infinitely grateful that I get to eat this stuff), but I will not. Because there's only so much you can read from a review and you just gotta go see it for yourself. Their staffs are always friendly, the food is awe-tastic, and their location is super convenient (at least to me). So, me heart this place so much it's not even funny.
(5)Amin P.
The food is above average or good, and the food is usually fresh. The chicken tandoori is the only one, that the cook needs to improve upon(as its usually dry). The decoration(inverted umbrella) is good & the service is great. It seems to be slightly pricy as compared to nearby - India Palace(where the food is slightly better but randomly fresh/old) .
(4)Carl H.
You can't go wrong with any dish here. Everything is wonderful and delicious! I often come in to place an order to go and they always offer a small cup of chai while I wait. When dining in, the service is professional and friendly. They really do take joy in serving wonderful food. If you are in the mood for Indian cuisine this place will not leave you disappointed.
(5)Julie H.
We are giving café spice three stars because there were good points and bad points. The service was poor and we waited for a long time both to order and for our meal. The bread tasted like they had come out of the package frozen and been reheated. Given the price of the breads, between four and six dollars, this was a disappointment. The five dollar spinach kulcha barely had any spinach in it and what spinach there was was not seasoned. I ordered raita and the first time it came out, it was watery but the second time it was okay. My husband lamb was tough and the flavors did not penetrate the meat. My channa masalah was very good. However, it was overpriced by several dollars compared to other Baltimore Indian restaurants. In fact, I can get the same dish At Phavan food in Parksville for one third the price. Overall, The meal was not worth the money we paid and we most likely will not go back. In short, it was meh.
(2)David S.
Great flavors. Particular hats off for the turkey...special today only. Spiced right...must try.
(5)Kirstin B.
Refreshing to find a spot that serves flavorful north Indian food instead of bland dishes for American tastes. My favorites from the lunch buffet were the tomato soup (with Indian spices), veggie rice (quite colorful and a stand alone dish for flavor), and channa saag. My husband also enjoyed the chicken dishes. The place was packed when we went today, I hope it continues to have such good business. Also, lovely decor and atmosphere. A gem north of Baltimore.
(5)Ross M.
Wow. What a great Indian restaurant in Cockeysville of all places. The staff is very friendly. We tried the buffet. So many fresh and delicious dishes. Fresh salad, roasted chick peas, tandoori chicken, 2 kinds of rice, goat curry, fish, butter chicken, potato spinach something, rice pudding for dessert - everything was delicious. Sometimes you feel bloated after an Indian buffet, I felt like dancing! Here's the real gem - all of the spices and herbs used in the cooking! You can actually taste them! They aren't drowned out in heavy creams and oil. I literally kept tasting different things while I enjoyed my meal: ginger, licorice, mint, cilantro, garlic, cumin, cloves, curry and probably a ton that I have never heard of. So a big thanks to the people who own this place. Nice job! Highly recommended! I can't wait to go back. Cafe Spice is one of the best restaurants in Cockeysville. Also checkout Fazzinis Italian restaurant - delicious home made pasta and bread Italian - also one of the best restaurants in Cockeysville. Don't agree? Let me know.
(5)Felipe N.
Wow. Their lunch buffet was amazing. Sauces were rich and flavorful and spice levels were on point. Glad I stopped here for lunch.
(5)Piyumi R.
I won't write too much about Cafe Spice, because there's so man good review's on this place. Very good Indian food and the best service I had in an Indian restaurant. Hostess was extremely nice, she recommended a few good dishes when I didn't know what and the guy at the counter was helpful too. They even brought me hot chai in a cute little cup when I had to wait for my order and sent complementary mango lassi for me to take home with my food. Very good lamb biryani, very tender and nicely flavored food.
(5)Mansi K.
Found this -hole in the wall kinda joint after reading reviews on yelp- thanks fellow yelpers ;) At first was skeptical - reached there around 9:30pm- closing time 10pm- thought may get at least something- was totally amazed by the service, the quality of food- top of the line food- had tandoori paneer tikka and makhani daal and kadi- amazing..nothing but amazing Flavorful!!! Even the rice that came with dish were done so tastefully- cloves and peas- like someone is really trying to put their heart into feeding you with love and want you to feel content!!! Mr. Garg stopped by our table- such a gentleman!! Must stop in to experience the best of Indian food!!
(5)Camille H.
I LOVE ethic food and being German, I have a weakness for buffets so it seems that Ada G and I stop here every time I come out to Baltimore and I can't complain. My only request, those little cold wet donuts EVERY TIME for dessert!
(4)Josh S.
The food is absolutely amazing, I always get the chicken rogan josh (Tried it because my name is in it!!!!!) the rogan josh sauce is perfectly seasoned and spicy (just the way I like it!!!!) and the chicken is also greatly seasoned with some spicy spices here and there. My only complaint is that I have tried to order out from them but I never get someone to pick up and it seems that they have not set up their own voice mail (For a place that supposedly delivers that is very, very, very bad!!!!!!!)
(4)Barry B.
I've had Indian cuisine before. I've had it at "high-end" white table cloth places and I've had it delivered in white Styrofoam. This place is excellent. The staff is friendly and enthusiastic. One of the owners came over and talked to us. The decorations are exotic and beautiful without being "over-the-top". The food. We had Samosas as an appetizer. They were big (compared to other places) clearly freshly and perfectly cooked. The stuffing was spicy but not "hot", the coating was crisp and had a wonderful spice note that you just kept wanting a little more of. This is an excellent and (comfortable way) to introduce a new palate to the flavors of Indian foods. I had Boti Kabob (lamb) and my date had Tandoori Chicken. Both dishes are excellently presented here on a sizzling iron skillet. The sound and the aroma's from the onion's and peppers make your mouth water before it even gets to your table. The flavors were well balanced, the lamb tender but still enough "bite" to not be mush meat. The chicken was charred perfectly and red on the outside and tender and juicy. The main dishes come with basmati rice, light and fluffy with bits of vegetable and delicate spices. The Naan (ordered separate) was the only slight disappointment in that it was not as "fluffed" as I have had at other places. A moment of commentary: On how restaurants are a microcosm of the global economy. We ended up at Cafe Spice (India) because I saw it from the road as we were on our way to The Corner Stable (America). When we arrived at Corner Stable, the parking is odd (had to park in shopping center lot and walk around a fence). On the way into the place with its cramped odd back/side door entrance you were assaulted with the very bad smell of old seafood (crab debris maybe). Once you made your way through the crowd past several tables to the hostess stand- she was "busy and distracted" barely looked up and sort of smugly said 45 minutes for a party of two. The crowd was mostly white, some aged. The Corner Stable has good food, don't get me wrong, I have eaten there and probably will again. It did however draw for me some parallels to this Nation I love and serve. It is big, a little run down, a little smug and sure of itself, not very welcoming or responsive at times. It "gets by" on its reputation. It s traditional big American Comfort Food and it does that okay (but there is a danger in being monolithic). Will the market always be looking for that though? Enter Cafe Spice. The front door is obvious, welcoming and the little walkway leads you right to the hostess stand (not hip checking other diners). The hostess was quick to greet us and seemed to have genuine angst that she couldn't seat us immediately. We waited all of 5 minutes. The place smells great, the servers are agile and friendly. The food is fresh and full of new, complex tastes. The room is lit properly and smells great. The decor is purposeful. The patrons a mix of multicultural "well-heeled" folks all happily blending and dining and experiencing that broader world around them. Draw your own conclusions...
(5)Taylor C.
Had dinner here a few times a couple years ago, and this place still stands out as the best Indian food I've had. Wish I was closer so I could go back sometime.
(5)Jay B.
TRY THE TOMATO SOUP! I was there this past week for the first time, and got the buffet. I don't think anything in the buffet particularly spoke to me, but everything was good. One of the dishes was pretty spicy (heatwise) which is good because it gives you options for heat in the buffet. I don't like a demurely spiced Indian dish. We were seated at the table, and the owner(s) came over to ensure we were having an enjoyable meal. They're quite personable. She asked if I had tried the soup, and I said no not yet. I ended up going back for seconds, it's DELICIOUS. She said "nobody ever tries the soup, but once they do they can't get enough of it". Hard to reach for soup in June, but it's delicious and very tactfully and tastefully spiced. A rich, non-creamy tomato soup perfumed with Indian spices. If this place served grilled cheese naan with it, I'd lose my mind
(4)Niran A.
Good indian food is hard to find. Good Indian food prepared in a clean environment is even harder to find. With that said I encourage you to eat at Cafe Spice. Small disclaimer - I have only eaten at Cafe Spice during their weekend lunch buffet. They call this their "gourmet" buffet but I am not exactly sure how it differs from the regular buffet. Regardless, this place is delicious. The options aren't as plentiful as some other buffets, but for what they lack in variety they more than make up for in quality. You will find many of the Indian staples including chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, rice briyani, and many vegetarian options as well. Some of my favorite's include the grilled chicken thighs (on the bone) which are marinated in a red spicy/zesty paste, as well as the surprising delicious goat curry. Most people will shy away from this dish because it has the word "goat" in it, but don't. The goat is cooked until it is fall apart tender and it's served in a fragrant red curry type sauce. Usually the buffet will also features balls of fried vegetables of some sort. I am not sure what the Indian name is for this dish but it is always delicious. The last time I was there they took what would be the filling for a vegetarian samosa and just fried it in a ball - perfect with their cilantro mint pesto sauce. As you would expect there is also salad with yogurt dressing available (nice palette cleanser), an option of basmati rice prepared with cinnamon stick and clove or the briyani rice (Indian equivalent of fried rice). Naan is always a plenty, which is perfect for sopping up all the sauce from various dishes on your plate. A nice surprise is the dessert options. Although limited to rice pudding and galub jamon (fried dough in a sweet syrup), I can't think of any other dessert I would rather eat after a hearty satisfying Indian meal. Lastly, the owner is always very friendly and makes a dedicated effort to see that his guests are happy and that the quality of the food is always a priority. When the owner "gets it", the restaurant is almost guaranteed to be a success. Mission accomplished.
(4)Guam D.
The Chicken Biryani was just ok. Their garnishes were too overwhelming. Boiled eggs?!?!?
(3)Arwa M.
Best Indian restaurant I've ever benn. And I've tried so many Indian food places in different countries. My favorite is Samosa Chaat. And the service is great. The owners are so nice.
(5)Erica R.
Wonderful, friendly service offering authentic bold flavors. My favorite Indian cuisine around! Eat in or take out, the food is fresh and always delicious. Consistent.
(5)Jen W.
Don't judge a book by it's cover. This is tucked in a strip mall yet when you walk in, it feels warm and cozy. It's perfect for a windy, cold winter day. The walls of the restaurant are painted peach with bright swags of chiffon, artwork of beautiful women in intense jewel tones and high ceilings covered with colorful silk umbrellas. I think they knew that diners would go into a "post-buffet food coma" and would stare at the ceiling while rubbing their full bellies. We stopped in for the weekend lunch buffet. It serves a compact buffet. This time the buffet consisted of fresh green salad, the basic Indian condiments (raita, tamarind etc.), warm naan, a vegetarian curry, channa (chickpeas) massala, chicken tikka massala, paneer (cheese) tikka massala, fish curry, goat curry, tandoori chicken, veggie samosas plus dessert carrot pudding and rice pudding (very nice flavor and texture). The food was fresh, the spices tasted freshly ground and it was delicious. In addition to my buffet, I ordered a chai and it was smooth, spicy, slightly sweet and warm. It was the perfect drink for a cold winter day and counteracted some of the spice in a few of the spicier dishes. The service was pleasant and efficient. Our water glasses were refilled and dirty plates were removed. It was a great way to sample many of their dishes and what they do well. Parking is really easy. It looks like they have quite a weekend crowd. I look forward to going back.
(4)Rachel P.
Had the lunch buffet. Everything was quite good. I liked that there were lots of vegetarian options. I'm not vegetarian, but I like vegetarian Indian.
(3)Amanda J.
I just ordered from this place for the first time with a coworker who highly recommended it. I won't be ordering again. The chicken tikka masala was some of the worst I've had, and the service is enough for me to not bother again. When a restaurant has the word "spice" in their name, you expect the food to be well seasoned - not the case. While the chicken tikka masala didn't taste bad, it didn't taste like anything, that was no heat, no spice, no flavor. They should change their name to Cafe Bland so people have correct expectations. Then there was something missing from out order. When we called, they said "Oh, it didn't make it to the bag. Well we are very busy, so we'll issue you a refund." I'm sorry, but if I ordered something, it's because I expected to eat it, and to tell me that you are too busy to correct your mistake is ridiculous. I know, I know, you're issuing a refund, so I should be happy, but if I told my clients that I was too busy to do my job correctly, I would lose them. I know accidents happen, and I've gotten deliveries missing items before. However, I've never had a place tell me that they were too busy to Swing back by with it (especially when we're right around the corner.) Thanks, but no thanks.
(1)Michaek S.
DELIVERY is a real issue. They say they deliver on the menu, but they rarely even answer the phone-- it's a generic voice mail message, like the type you get when you first set up voice mail. Doesn't even identify the business. The one time they did answer the phone, they stammered when I asked about delivery, said they had to ask a manager, and hung up on me. Sadly, they've lost alot of business from us-- 4 times we wanted delivery Indian; 4 times since my last review we've called (most recent was last week)-- food was so good we kept hoping they would answer AND deliver. Sadly, it hasn't happened. But we did learn Kathmandu Kitchen has upped their game!!
(4)Megan H.
Lunch buffet: go! Great, flavorful Indian food. Although the serving area is small, the selection of dishes is varied. Each dish has great depth of flavor, and they obviously use lots of different spice combinations unique to each dish. At some buffets, there are a few curries that all taste similar, but here, each selection is totally different from the next. Their tandoori chicken is actually tender and flavorful (rare!). The naan is fresh, hot, & chewy. We have tried (and have been disappointed) at many places in the greater Bmore area, but Cafe Spice and Royal Taj (in Columbia) offer outstanding lunch buffets for Northern Indian food. Royal Taj *does* have better dessert, complimentary chai (mmmm), and an awesome dosa station...but I do think the dishes at Cafe Spice have a slight edge for flavor (especially the spinach dishes and fish curries). They have a much nicer space in this new location compared to the old digs in Towson- the festive umbrellas on the ceiling are particularly beautiful. The owners are exceptionally welcoming and friendly. I'll add that my 1 and 4 year old love going to this buffet as well. There are non-spicy dishes they can enjoy, plus we can mix the spicier fare with raita and rice and they gobble it up. There are highchairs available. Cafe Spice is one of our favorite places to eat in Baltimore- I just wish they'd open a branch closer to the city!
(5)Sara E.
I have a hard time rating this place. The first time, we got takeout, and it was pretty good. The staff is really, really friendly, but...the buffet was just not good. We were seated over to the side, behind the buffet, which was incredibly cramped. It was only noon, but some of the food was not fresh tasting. The raita was really runny, the green salad dressing was bland to the point of not being able to taste it. There was a vegetable curry that had a good sauce, but the carrots had that tell-tale, uniformly square cut of Veg-all or something similar. The tandoori chicken pieces were dry and puny, and the saag paneer had corn in it. A lot of corn. The chicken tikka was delicious though. I much prefer the buffet at Bombay Nights,
(3)Kathryn P.
We went here based on yelp reviews and were more than satisfied. The quality of meat was outstanding and they were very welcoming even 30 mins before close. Great atmosphere with beautiful decorations. Slightly expensive but well worth it for the large portions. Prefer it over other Indian restaurants in the area.
(5)Beth S.
Despite the great reviews, I beg to differ. I was here this week for the lunch buffet and it was both expensive and kind of creepy, food only so/so. Doesn't anyone else notice the filthy rags they use to wipe down the tables? the bottles of disinfectant sitting within a few feet of the food line? The darkness of the food line (so you really can't see what they are serving?) I find Cafe Spice to be a distant second to India Palace a few blocks further south off of York Road. See my review of that for comparison.
(2)Valerie L.
I am forever grateful to Cafe spice for making my husband an Indian food lover! He has detested this cuisine in the past, and is now a convert!
(5)Amee P.
We had a HORRIBLE experience with cafe spice. We went there with our infant baby. When we reached there, they offered us a high chair and turned it upside down and asked us to put our chid seat on it. I am pretty sure this is against all safety regulations. We denied that and put our car seat on a chair. The owner (or manager) made a frowning face and showed his displeasure since we now occupied an additional seat. After that, he came back to us to complain that we needed to order more food and had not ordered "enough". I shared that my dad would not be dining. He still insisted we needed to order much more since his was a dining place and he would not be able to afford if we ordered less. At this point, we started to get up and walk away without eating. He now said we had to pay him $15. I asked him for a reason since we had so far only eaten the complimentary papad which would not cost more than a dollar or two if we had to pay for it. He said he wanted $15 to clean the table and for service (which had been a nightmare so far). My husband then gave him $20. He did not even have the manners to return $5 to us and happily pocketed the $20. We came home hungry after having to drive so far to even reach there. We will definitely not be visiting again. Horrible customer service!!
(1)Fat T.
Lunch buffet, excellent value as stated by all the reviews. I get the chai to clean my palate. Seems "homemade" based on the residual leftovers from the bottom of my cup.
(5)Rob V.
The food here is spectacular and the service is even better. We get carry out here on a somewhat often basis. Every time I come in to place an order or just pick it up I am greeted by one of the owners who is very warm and friendly. Today she asked me to try a piece of a special sandwhich her husband made. It's not on the menu but should be! Great family atmosphere.
(5)Stephen S.
Decided to try this on a whim based on Yelp reviews. We enjoy Indian cuisine but often times Indian restaurants seem a little sketchy, I don't know why, they just do. Not the case here! We are delighted to discover Cafe Spice and it will now be one of our favorite haunts. Pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, cleverly decorated, and the food is fresh and delectable. The bread is outstanding. One suggestion for ambiance: the tables need to be adorned with a candle/lantern of some sort and a simple bud vase with a single stem flower would be nice, then the lighting could be dimmed a little :)
(4)Blake S.
Skip the lunch buffet; order out dinner. We ordered three entrees, four different types of naan, and three appetizers to feed a group of people one night. Everything was amazing. It was some of the best Indian food we've ever tasted, and we could not wait to return. The staff was incredibly friendly, and they even gave out yogurt drinks to those waiting for their pickup order! Very nice touch. After that I heard they had a buffet that extended into the weekends for lunch. A few weeks later, we all decided to give it a shot. It was a bit of a let down. It's hard for me to say whether we didn't like it because our take out order was so much better...or if it was just not that great in general. Cafe Spice is capable of making really great Indian food, but in my experience, it's better to skip the buffet entirely and just order out for dinner.
(4)Tak K.
Having been to Maryland for the first time, I did not expect that such a tasty Indian restaurant would be available. After a vendor visit, I came to this place in the middle of lunch rush hour. The decor is adequately Indian while not too idiosyncratic. You see a lot of people with groups - a good sign that regulars come here often - along with good percentage of Indians. Since I wanted to try how good their dish would be, I decided to skip buffet against a waitress' recommendation, and ordered chicken vindaloo. Something spicy is what I wanted after mission accomplished. While waiting for my dish, I noticed that most people did get plates from buffet. That rice pudding looked so creamy and sweet, but I had to stick with my choice ;). Anyway, after what seemed like an eternity, I finally got my vindaloo. Not knowing what to expect other than being a spicy curry with spicy onion, tomato, ginger blended with a dash of vinegar, I put one mouthful in. The first impression was how fragrant the mix of spices was. Then ginger made inside my mouth highlighted with fiery attacks. Enjoying that sensation, I kept eating with a little bit of rice as a chaser. By the time the half of curry was done, my body was sweating and my mouth was in a constant numbness. Yet, the spiciness was never painfully lingering - rather refreshing. So even though the curry itself was very hot, I ended up not needing an extra naan. Perhaps finding me in such a seemingly dismal condition, a waitress gave me a complimentary rice putting. Boy, was I ever grateful for that change of taste. It was so easy to go in; too bad that I did not decide buffet to get the second serving. After all, buffet is $10; the curry was $15. A normal human being would rather get buffet service for the value and more choice. Maybe reading my mind, the head waitress told me to try buffet next time. I probably will.
(4)Kat E.
Pretty good butter chicken and chicken tikka masala. Tons of tasty sauce in each dish so I would recommend ordering more rice or naan. The chicken is cooked through and tender though, pretty delicious. The naan itself was just okay-- pretty plain bread, not really cooked to the point of yeast bubbles forming on the tops. Good for pick-up orders though and I always go here when I'm craving Indian food in this area.
(4)Not M.
A sense of urgency is much needed improvement at this establishment regarding carry-out. My wife and I placed our carry-out order at 7:10 and received our order at 7:55. Meanwhile 2 tables of 4 people each had come in 10 minutes after us and had their appetizers, drinks, and entrées served all while we still had not received our order. The topping on the cake was that the Host desk employee was taking selfies of himself the entire time. I had approached him not making eye contact as he was about to take another selfie, he then looked over at me assuring himself that I was not looking and then proceeded to take another selfie before I asked again as to where our order was after 45 minutes. He said he was not the chef and that he could not control the order in which the dishes came out. Really? The constant consolation prize was "would you like tea?". No comps, No apologies, just tea. Café Spice, Customer Service is key.
(2)Wendy V.
Good Indian food and the best service I had in an Indian restaurant.
(4)Stefanie C.
Best Indian Buffet in the area. Working in Towson it's a bit of a hike for lunch, but it's totally worth the trek. Large selection of super fresh dishes, and the service is outstanding. I can't say enough about how delicious the food is - it's a must try.
(5)Jim K.
Absolutely the BEST Indian food in Baltimore... Service is great, place is super clean and staff is super friendly. Thanks! I will be back...
(5)Gordy B.
Some of the best indian food I've ever had.. try the lunch buffet. Keep up the great work Cafe Spice.
(5)Karen C.
BEST INDIAN FOOD EVER!!!! Love this place! So fresh and tasty and the owners are so sweet and nice. Prices are reasonable and the lunch buffet is such a bargain. Definitely go there you will love it!
(5)David V.
The service at Cafe Spice was a little tentative, but friendly. No problem there. I ordered a butter chicken (also known as chicken makhani, or some other variation on that spelling, and my most commonly ordered Indian dish) with a mango lassy and some naan. The mango lassy and the naan were good, no complaints there. The sauce on the butter chicken was Ok, not great and not bad. The fatal flaw was that the chicken itself seemed like the cheapest possible Chinese takeout chicken you can imagine. Horrible consistency and full of gristle. Definitely not worth the price.
(2)Erik P.
Who would have known... Good Indian food in Maryland. It was just as good as my favorite haunts in the Bay Area.
(5)zubin l.
I was raised with Indian food so that gives me a good advantage over other people on judging a quality and taste of Indian food. I have been here for 3 buffets in the last 1 month and the buffet was the same all the 3 times. The number of items to choose from is also very limited but since its located in a area which doesn't have many Indian options, this place is popular. The food was decent and acceptable. Host were good. The ambiance of the restaurant is accentuated with the colorful umbrellas they have used for decor.
(3)Brian P.
I never had Indian food before I wondered into Cafe Spice. Now I go at least once a week for the absolutely best lunch buffet in the area!
(5)Harry S.
Fantastic, authentic North Indian dishes. The Mysore coffee is a great, sweet conclusion to the perfect explosion of spices. I recommend the Butter Chicken and Naan.
(5)Deborah K.
My family and I loved this place! We just happened by it traveling back home, and the buffet was plentiful, fresh, and reasonably priced. There is a good mix of vegetarian options. If you are not into spices, I would find it helpful to ask the attentive staff the spice levels, but there are also mild dishes on the buffet. I really enjoyed the eggplant dish, the channa saag, and the tandoori.
(5)Toni F.
We came here when they first opened at the Cockeysville location and had such poor (and bizarre) service that we almost didn't come back. Fast forward to a year later, and I'm so glad we gave Cafe Spice another chance! Service kinks seem to have been worked out, and the current waitstaff is attentive and friendly. The food is high quality and very fresh. Many dishes are garnished with jullienned ginger, which adds a really nice bite and complexity to the flavors. Nice selection of vegetarian dishes---their began baratha is out of this world, especially with a side of garlic naan. I also appreciate that they're BYOB---makes it a really affordable option when dining with a group.
(4)Anusha S.
Excellent tasting food, being an Indian I realized how authentic this was.. Good variety of dishes... Could have added fruit salad, and few more desserts.. It's def a must try!!! The taste of food still lingers in my mouth..
(5)Greg A.
Best vegetable curry I've ever tasted. Cozy atmosphere. Friendly staff. The only complaint I have is the same for every Indian Restaurant ever. And it's not them, it's me. I feel like a dunce asking what stuff is. So there are certain things on the menu I avoid. But I've never been disappointed when taking a chance. This place was simply great.
(4)Andrew R.
What a neat little place. This is definitely family owned and operated. They really, really care about their patrons. You are warmly greeted, attentively (but not overly so) waited on and the food, although visually perhaps not to distinguished, is wicked tasty. I've only been there for lunch and have always gotten the buffet. The prices are less than you'd expect to pay for the quality of food. Everyone smiles there. Tip: they are closed on Mondays.
(5)Craig S.
Wow this place was great. The food was great and not overly expensive. We went in with a 2 year old. They served us super fast and were very nice to our child the whole time. The decorations are worth a visit too. Upside down umbrella ceiling. Nothing bad to say about this place.
(5)Randy J.
I am new to indian food and I think I set the bar really high. Lunch buffet was amazing and I felt like a pig when I was done. Could not eat the dessert. It is family run and the ceiling decor is really neat. It is in a strip mall setting facing York rd. with plenty of parking.
(4)Kyle L.
Most beautiful Indian restaurant I have visited and food to match it. Great service, very friendly and prompt service. A must visit, I will be back!
(5)Erin B.
Amazing food, ambiance, service, and prices! Worth a trip. We'll definitely be back! We asked our waitress for suggestions on really flavorful, unique dishes because, as she pointed out, "You can get saag anywhere." You can also get saag at Cafe Spice (and I'm sure it's great) but there were lots of dishes I hadn't heard of before--and we're definitely lucky we got to try them! I'm a vegetarian so I was thrilled to have A WHOLE PAGE of vegetarian options. She recommended something that included the phrase "veggie ball." Amazing! The bright orange sauce was loaded with flavor, the veggie ball thing was kind of a baked fritter thing and it was fabulous. She also gave me a little dip of vindaloo sauce in case it wasn't spicy enough--it was so well balanced I didn't need it, but it was fun to dip the onion kulcha in it. (Oh and the onion kulcha is incredible.) My boyfriend got an amazing curry dish with chicken and he loved it--I just can't remember the name of it! They bring you a big, generous portion of rice to share, which we appreciated. The serving sizes are very generous and we had some leftovers to take home. Do what we did and trust the staff's recommendations--you won't go wrong. The meal started out with pappadams and dipping sauce. These were delish and a great way to start. We also got an appetizer of assorted fried veggies, which were awesome. The decor inside is super nice, not what you're expecting when you first arrive in the strip mall. There are these beautiful paintings, colorful umbrellas coming down from the ceiling, neon pink brocades. A really nice environment. It's BYOB so bring a bottle of something, although you could also get a mango lassi and leave it at that. :)
(5)Carla C.
This place is excellent! I had a pregnancy craving for some Indian food and didn't feel like making the ride to ambassador room. I had been here for lunch before when they were in Towson. Clean restaurant. Every dish at the table was enjoyed by our party and the service was great. Nicest owners ever. Craving lamb tikka masala now. Yum yum yum
(5)Mehmed M.
The tomato soup on the buffet is out of this world. For 10 bucks, the all you can eat buffet is a pretty amazing deal. Super quick lunch that is super satisfying... The only problem would be if you have to return to a desk job after it.. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(4)Sung C.
I had never tasted Indian cuisine before... Boy, I was missing out big time!! First bite I fell in LOVE! For the price, they have EXCELLENT service and food! I highly recommend at least try once if you have never tasted Indian cuisine, you be amazed by what your taste buds will say~! Too bad they are closed on Mondays...
(5)Desi Y.
Nice, friendly service. Multiple repeat customers. Byob. Ultimately though it is Bangalore natives making North Indian food, with undercooked basmati on the buffet.
(2)Kyaw M.
Solid indian lunch buffet. Toss up between Mughal Garden and this place. The spices and flavor profile here is much better, but no chai tea and slightly limited choices of entree...=(
(3)Ada G.
I LOVE this place! It is my most favorite lunch place in town. When they first opened, I was visiting every week. If I could control my portions, I would go everyday, but the food is so so yummy that I end up going back for seconds and thirds and then sit at my desk at work, wanting to take a nap. The owners are so sweet and recognize my friends and I every time. That personal touch makes such a difference! They offer different items on the buffet daily, so you get to try everything on the menu that you might not normally try a la carte. If you are not really into Indian food, come with your friends anyway! They have tandoori chicken that you can eat while your friends enjoy the exotic stuff. This place is also great for larger lunch groups - they have plenty of room for large parties. Highly recommend this place for lunch! Fantastic food and service!
(5)Erin M.
Excellent lunch buffet... Our new favorite in Baltimore County! Food was perfect amount of spice and warmth. Service was friendly and attentive and everything was clean.
(5)Jan T.
We have been long time customers of another local Indian restaurant for years until the place began a sad decline sometime last year. So what a pleasant surprise it was to see a "new" Indian restaurant opening right on York road. As we found out upon our recent first visit, this restaurant is actually quite old, having been established 40 years ago in Towson but, although we lived there for a while, totally unknown to us due to a somewhat hidden location. Well, better late than never. Although located in a strip mall, the restaurant has a comfortable feeling, with the decor being a very beautiful mixture of cloth, classical Indian pictures, and warm, friendly colors. Very nicely done, and a great way to hide the bones of the restaurant itself. The menu is extensive, featuring both your classic dishes like Tikka Masala and more exotic dishes like the excellent Asharra, a delightfully spicy and tangy combination of mixed pickled vegetables, chilis, and whatever meat you choose. You can have all dishes with whatever meat, fish, or veg preparation you choose, giving you a great variety. Apart from that, and this is a unique feature in Baltimore, the restaurant features a full list of vegetarian and vegan entries including, again, items you will not find in most Indian restaurants this side of 495. The food was excellent, from the fresh, home-made tasting samosas (and fresh mint chutney), to the above-mentioned Ashara, to the dessert. Prices were reasonable and the restaurant offers a daily lunch menu, with an expanded gourmet selection on the weekends, for $9.99 and $11.99, respectively. Something to try for next time. Service was excellent, with the owners taking excellent care of us, including on-the-hose soup and desserts since it was our first time. A definite return trip and part of my personal Timonium A-list.
(5)Kara K.
Amazing service! mulligatawny soup was very good.
(4)Jian Cai Z.
I got take out from this place last night. OMG...i'm speechless of how good this food tastes. This is by far the best Indian restaurant in the U.S. You can't find any other place that tastes as authentic as Cafe Spice. You have to see for yourself just how amazing this food is.
(5)A. C.
(02/10/2012) A nice Indian place out in the County. The dishes we had were more sauce than protein; the chicken and lamb chunks were a little on the chewy side. The Basmati for the table was a little over cooked, kind of wet and clumped, but nice flavoring with bay leaf and a little saffron. The spicing of the sauces and stews is not subtle. The Vindaloo is tongue-numbing and vinegary. The Malai Kofta were tender and moist, very sweet creamy sauce, buttery, got bits of whole cardamom pods in a few bites. The Malabari sauce was the best of the three sauces; lots of fresh grated coconut and ginger, garnished with bright cilantro. The space is warm and inviting, little decorative touches like stenciling along the walls, sari-like umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, beaded edging along a canopy. It seems like a family run place, not exactly professional service. The timing of the kitchen is uneven and the wait for entrees can be long, but when the sizzling tandoori platters come out of the kitchen, the whole place fills with a savory, spicy, aroma. There aren't a whole lot of Indian places way out in Cockeysville, but this is one of the better ones.
(4)S W.
We will make the trip from Catonsville any day. The food is SO delicious. The garlic naan is perfectly crispy and buttery, the chicken tikka katti wrap is great, and it is so refreshing to find a place that knows its malai kofta--koftas are moist and not dried out like they are at so many other places. I don't know what they put in their tikka sauce and butter chicken sauce, but they are both so savory it makes my mouth water. Add in the fact that it is BYO, the staff is super friendly (I have a hard time believing that J.B.'s review about horrible service is referring to Cafe Spice!) We came with our 7 month old son, and not only did the owners both come up to entertain him, he even got a balloon from the busboy! We look forward to trying more on the menu.
(4)Jim H.
A new personal favorite during my trips to Baltimore. Extensive menu with many vegetarian options. I had the Mulligatawny soup which started out rather bland but had a spicy finish. The spicy version of the Saag Paneer was good, not great, due to the blandness of the Paneer but the dish was well spiced.
(4)Raymond L.
New location of a wonderful restaurant! Moved a few miles north on York Rd, same owners, same menu, MUCH improved decor and atmosphere. The food is a good as ever: the gobi manchuri is addictive, the chicken vinadloo tasty and satisfying. I'm sure the rest of the unchanged menu is as good as ever. The lunch buffet is downsized and the biggest change is it is now BYOB. Enjoy!
(5)Atul C.
We were in the area for a soccer tournament. Read the reviews and gave it a try. We mistakenly showed up before the 1130 opening time on Sunday. Were welcomed in (out of the cold) by the owner. Food was excellent. Great flavors. Friendly service. Not oily at all. I grew up in India and based on our sample would rate it highly. Loved the sarson ka saag, tandoori chicken and kheer.
(5)Andrew S.
The same great Indian food you loved when it was across the street from the Towson Library, now in a new location with a bigger staff and better decor, including some really cool paintings and a bunch of elaborately patterned umbrella/parasol-type things hanging from the ceiling. Seriously, come for the food, stay for the parasols. One thing to note however: the to-die-for vegetable pakora has changed a bit, both in shape and quantity. It still tastes just as good, there's just a little less of it and some of it is now straight-up battered and fried onions rather than the typical medley. Considering it was something like $3.99 for eight pieces at the old place, I can't really blame them for adjusting the quantity a little bit. On that note, none of the entrees seem to be downsized.
(5)David G.
Great Indian restaurant! We go there several times a month and LOVE the food. The staff is courteous and the owners are very nice people. It's worth a stop if you are on York road.
(5)Ed S.
Spent a wonderful evening with friends at Cafe Spice. There were four of us, and we made certain to order four different dishes as well as an appetizer and plenty of naan. Everything was very good, and the service was friendly. My favorite was the Chicken Tikka Masala, which I think is right up there with the best I've had. The Tandoori Chicken is a good choice, too, though I do not feel that the spices penetrated the chicken as well as in some other places, and the meat was slightly dry--but still very good! I enjoyed the Chicken Curry, too, and the blend of spices made it flavorful and hot--not just hot. I did not try the Lamb a friend had, but she said it was good, though slightly over-cooked. The friendliness of the staff is not to be overlooked. The place is small, and, as a result, a bit noisy and has a bit of a crowded feel. But every one of the staff stopped by at some point or another for a quick conversation or to make certain everything was all right. I went from feeling a little crowded to feeling very welcome almost immediately, and I would not trade the pleasant atmosphere for more space. We will definitely be going back.
(4)Kathe W.
I found this place through Yelp! while I was visiting my family in MD and this is one of the best Indian lunch buffets ($9.95 per person) I've ever been to (although, to be fair, I'm FL). The paneer tikka masala was absolutely amazing, with chunks of fresh green peppers and onions in the sauce. The only negative was I found a bone in the chicken tikka masala, but that happens...my husband's serving was fine. Also, the onion chutney is slightly different from others and was fabulous. I think they put carrots in it to get a sweet-spicy taste? Anyway, if you're every in town and want some high-quality Indian food, go here.
(5)Alex K.
As good as it gets. Their lunch buffet is great, but if you want a meal fit for a king, order off the dinner menu. Everything at Cafe Spice rocks. 'Nuff said.
(5)Andy B.
Best Indian in Baltimore. Better and cheaper than that "fancy" Indian place. the owners are so nice and welcoming. I love this restaurant.
(5)Milton F.
It's great to have another alternative in this area. Cafe spice has lovely decor, and pleasant service. The food is no better than most other Indian places, with no special standouts. It is OK for the lunch buffet, but as others have mentioned, the options don't change much. For a special dinner, there are better Indian restaurants in town.
(3)Ryan G.
This place is not closed. They have just moved to 10540 York Road. Just north or Warren Road. Very good. Same owners as the old location. Lamb Rogan Josh and Chicken Tikka Masala are very good.
(5)Rick F.
Ate here couple of weeks ago before a movie on Sat night. Arrived around 6pm without reservations but were seated immediately. Place had around 5 tables filled when we arrived - was packed with not a table unused when we left. We ate at the old York Road location on several occasions and were pleased to find the same quality of food and improved service at the new location. Only downside is no liquor license. Good selection of foods and good service. A real asset to the area. Very much recommended.
(4)