I stumbled across Spice India while looking for an old Indian restaurant that apparently since shut down. I was pleasantly surprised to find Spice India, given that the nearest other Indian restaurant that I know of is 10+ miles away. The menu was more extensive than most Indian restaurants I have been to in the past. I started with a mango lessi, which came immediately, was large and delicious. I opted for the classic Chicken Tikka Masala and was not disappointed. It was a plentiful portion, came hot, and was delicious. I ordered medium but it wasn't very spicy at all. The best part about Spice India was the service. Our waiter was the most respectful, attentive waiter I ever remember having at an Indian restaurant. He kept calling my friend and I "sir" and read over our order to make sure he got everything perfectly. He was attentive to our table without being bothersome. I'd highly recommend Spice India to anyone who lives in or is traveling in the Allentown area. I'm very pleased to have this new restaurant nearby home!
(5)
Shawna S.
I've been to this restaurant twice. Last week, I tried to go at 4:30 (after confirming their hours on Yelp and their website) only to discover that they were, in fact, closed. FAIL. This week, I managed to make it there when they were actually open (I called first this time). Wishing I hadn't made the trek back. I've eaten Indian food in various places across the US and this place is dead last in terms of taste and they have a super small serving size. I got the Chicken Tikka Masala - what I get at every Indian restaurant. This is the first place where it has included red and green bell peppers along with large pieces of red onion. Bizarre. The gf got Navaratan Korma. The description for it reads "nine garden fresh vegetables gently simmered..." TOFU IS NOT A VEGGIE!! Yes, there was tofu in it. Kind of important info since some peeps have allergies. (Thankfully not us). ALSO - the carrots in this had crinkles, you know, like the ones in a bag of frozen veggies. Hardly what I would call "garden fresh." You know how sometimes you find a hair in your food and you think "maybe this could be mine. it's the same color." Well, that was what I thought the first time I found hair in my rice. When I found the second piece of hair, that did not resemble the first, I knew that at least one of them wasn't mine - likely both. Yum! The serving size is kind of pitiful for an Indian restaurant. If I can get twice as much in San Diego for only $18, then charging me $12 for half as much here in podunk is kind of a rip off. I can only surmise that the positive reviewers have either (a) never eat Indian any place else; or (b) never eaten outside of Lehigh Valley. Needless to say, if you are used to getting your Indian food in cities like LA, San Diego, NYC or even Columbus, Ohio then you will want to pass here.
(1)
Pritam N.
The food here is amazing!! We just found this restaurant in the Whitehall area and it was great. Specially the Chicken Tikka Masala was excellent. The waiter had recommended the Tandoori Mix Grill which was excellent too. We really enjoyed their food and their service was very attentive and up to the mark. Full marks to the owner ( Raman) who owns this restaurant. We will be surely back in this restaurant. The buffets are good too. They have a lot of variety in the buffet and they serve hot Naan (Indian bread) on the table. Definately recommend this restaurant who are crazy for Indian food.
(5)
JandF S.
I went with my bf for a lunch buffet first time several months ago and it was very disappointing and we will never go there again. The buffet selection and was pitiful and the most of the containers were almost empty and we went middle of the lunch hour. They were not in a hurry to fill the empty containers and the taste of the food was barely edible. We left early.
(1)
Ann T.
Has there been a change in ownership? We used to love this restaurant, but our most recent visit was disappointing. The waiters were different from previous visits, and the service was not as good. The most obvious decline in quality was in the bread -- it was flat, oily, and not fresh -- it seemed to have been reheated.
(3)
Quinn D.
After seeing all the 5-star reviews on Yelp, my husband and I figured this was the place to go for Indian food in the Leigh Valley. Our experience left me wondering how bad the other options must be if Spice India was the best. We went towards the end of the weekday lunch buffet, and the containers were largely empty. We were able to scrape up enough for two rounds of sampling the vegetarian dishes they had. All the dishes were immensely salty, and both the rice and beans were undercooked and crunchy. To be honest, I've had better (less salty, correctly-cooked) pre-packaged Indian food from the grocery store. On the upside, their naan-- which the waitress only brought halfway through the meal-- was much better than anything else we ate there, which is to say, mediocre but not bad. I really can't recommend this place.
(2)
Katie S.
I went here for the first time on a wednesday, which is chaat (indian street food) buffet day. (Monday is also a buffet day, just in case you were wondering!) The buffet was excellent! I love indian food, and this was the best Indian of my life. Very flavorful. I am a vegetarian and there were so many veggie options that both I and my meat-eating date were loving. The staff was very attentive to bringing us water as soon as we needed it, and they kept fresh naan coming to the table all night. Wonderful!
(5)
Marcus D.
Great service. Fantastic menu
(4)
Carolyn S.
I've already reviewed Spice India extensively here: lveggplant.wordpress.com… but I want to give them a yelp review as well, because they deserve the additional 5 star rating! I try to make it out to the Saturday lunch buffet every week. Those unfortunate weekends when I simply can't make it leave my palate horribly bored, disappointed, and mad at me. Spice India changes up their buffet every single week, so there is always something new and exciting to try. The food tends to be spicier than most American Indian buffets, and quite authentic. My friends and I have bitten down on whole cardamon pods or bitter guard on more than one occasion - and that's the way it should be, dammit! The manager assured us with a smile "Yes that's supposed to be there, eat it, it's good for you!" I loved that. The buffet always features a ton of veggie dishes (beans masala, at least one kind of dal, aloo gobi, mattar paneer, different kinds of saag, tofu or paneer tikki masala, etc) and several meat dishes, as well as soups and dessert. The wonderfully nice servers are attentive and so polite, I just want to hug them every time I'm there. Definitely BY FAR the best Indian food in the Valley.
(5)
Lauren S.
I've been to Spice India about 5 or 6 times now, and every time I am consistently pleased with the delicious food and very attentive service. They have a ton of tastey vegetarian options, all at a great price, and a terrific lunch buffet for less than ten dollars! Way way better than Nawab, insanely better than the sketchy often-closed/randomly-open Indian Restaurant in Emmaus, and one of my favorite restaurants in the Lehigh Valley.
(4)
Josh F.
A really good Indian spot, which replaced a (from what I heard) sub-par Italian joint. Have only been there once, and it was a while ago, but we couldn't have been happier with our experience. We went during the lunch buffet, and it was your typical set-up, a variety of delicious Indian staples. Everything was fresh, even the naan bread, which can tend to get stale or soggy in buffet enviroments. I do remember the place being a bit cramped, it was the lunch rush, and we had a short wait...nothing horrible though. I could see larger groups having issues, as seating was somewhat inadequate in it's current arrangement, but they might be able to make things work. With Raj Palace gone from the Whitehall area, this place takes over...doesn't quite fill it's shoes in my opinion, but very good nonetheless.
(4)
Ravikiran B.
Spice India is a good option for Indian food in Lehigh Valley. Unlike Bay Area or Edison, Lehigh Valley is not flooded with Indian restaurants. Being an Indian, I have a pretty good idea of what to expect from a dish, and Spice India gets it right 3 out of 5 times. Hence my rating!
(3)
Dara C.
I'm a longtime Allentown resident, but now I attend school full-time in Cambridge, MA. We have more Indian restaurants than you can shake a pakora at; therefore, I'm extremely picky about my Indian food. I eat Indian takeout about three times a week. Knowing this, upon returning home for a visit, my brother convinced me to check out Spice India's buffet. "Indian food? In the 610? GTFO. It was unexpected, and amazing. First of all, the buffet was about 5x the size of any we have in Boston. There were at least three dozen selections, including naan and dessert. There were vegetarian specialties (including a mushroom dish I've never seen before, and several different dishes with paneer.) There was chicken tandoori and tikka masala, as well as choices for more adventurous palates (goat curry, which I loved.) Everything was fantastic. The spices were perfect, not at all overpowering but always present, everything was salted well, the vegetables cooked to perfection. No flash-frozen, soggy spinach to be found. Just really good fresh food in abundant amounts. I felt so bad going for a third and fourth plate. I'm a small girl but I was tucking it away, and my brother (a former linebacker) was doing the same. The cooks must have been sweating out of fear, but hey, we couldn't help it! The food was brilliant. The service was equally attentive and our water glasses were never empty. Honestly, the quality of this restaurant one finds in a metropolitan area like New York or Boston, not in the suburbs of Pennsylvania. Please, please patronize Spice India rather than your local Applebee's or Chili's. The food is fresher, tastier, healthier, and the economy needs it. An excellent experience, and I can't wait to come home for more Indian!
(5)
Ki R.
Have to agree with a lot of the critical reviews. Last visit was my last time at Spice India. The food was just bad. Whether it's apathy, cheapness and/or the lack of competition, this place has gone wrong. Very sad... :(
(2)
Rita V.
My husband and I absolutely love love love this place. Although the food can be a wait, at least it slows me down to enjoy my time. My husband always gets the tandoori salmon and eats the whole (very generous) portion. I try different things, including the buffet, and have not ordered anything I didn't like. Favorites: chicken tikka masala, chicken korma, mixed grill (three delicious tandoori chicken rubs, each better than the last). The desserts are not something most people might be familiar with, but the carrot pudding and rice pudding are eaten to bottom of bowl, when I decide to get dessert. Lots of food here, prices very reasonable. Clean. If I were to have complaints at all, it would be wishing something else came with your order than just rice. And MORE CHEESE on the cheese na'an! Keep up the good work...I'm still coming once a week, at least!
(5)
Irene R.
i went to this place the other day with my bestfriend for the very first time and had the lunch buffet. i'd have to say that the food and the service was great. i had the yellow rice, chicken and the goat and it was delicious. and the tandoori naan bread was freshly made. loved it!! and our bill is less than $20. i will definitely go back there. this place is highly recommended.
(5)
Tim B.
Found the reviews on this place and was amazed at how good the food was here. Service was a little slow, but food was well worth the wait.
(4)
Jane G. F.
I discovered Spice India on my way to the post office on Schadt Avenue in Whitehall. Off to the left at the first light, lo and behold the Italian restaurant that used to be there had morphed into an Indian restaurant. Yeah! for me, as I had been looking for interesting ethnic food in the Lehigh Valley, I prefer Indian food over Italian, and this is near my home in Whitehall. Now if only the food was good . . . My first trip was with a friend that doesn't particularly like spicy food, but was up for a new taste experience. We tried the Chicken Saagala - waiter recommended 'mild' - turned out spicy, but not hot - really delicious! We also tried a vegetarian dish of potato dumplings that did not excite our taste buds. I'm a bread-lover and really like good bread/rolls/bagels - the naan bread was a wonderful bread experience! My second visit was with my daughter and her husband visiting from D.C. They were the perfect dining companions to initiate me into the delights of Indian food, which they really like. They had no trouble understanding the nice young Indian waiter (I got about every other word) and ordered with knowledge and experience. It happened to be Monday night buffet, which gave us the opportunity to sample many different dishes, most of which were too spicy hot for me. (They have a lunch buffet every day that gives you an inexpensive way to sample the menu.) I ordered a the Fish Curry (mild) that was incredibly delicious - got to take left-overs home and enjoyed it again the next day! We ordered a bread sampler that allowed us to taste several different kinds of bread - got to take a lot of it home, and it reheated in the toasted oven just fine. So if you have left-over bread, by all means take it home. The regular naan is still my favorite. I got all the left -overs, since they were continuing their travels the next day, and following my daughter's advice, I had the left-over Daal Makhani (hot,spicy lentil dish) over my own brown rice with yogurt on top to cut some of the heat - that made it cool enough for me to enjoy. I have found Indian food to be so tasty - they do great things with spices and at Spice India they can serve many of the dishes mild, which turned out to be spicy, but not hot. Service has always been good with pleasant, helpful servers. I like that you get linen napkins and tablecloths, and the atmosphere is nice - not too upscale, but really nice. When I took the picture of the outside of the building, the chef and two of the waiters came outside to have their pictures taken because I told them I would put them online for their 15 seconds of fame :-) Note: The hours at Spice India are M-Sun lunch 11:30 - 3pm, then they close until dinner at 5pm - 10 pm. The lunch buffet M-Th is $8.95 and food is not hot, just spicy. Friday & weekend buffet has a larger selection at $11.95. Monday night buffet is much hotter food. If new to Indian cuisine, I would recommend trying the weekday buffet. I highly recommend Spice India - if you just want to try something different or if you already are a fan of Indian cuisine, I think you will enjoy this restaurant as I can't find anything not to like.
(5)
Brian S.
Stopped in on a Sunday for the lunch buffet. This has to be one of the best Indian places I have been to in a while. Food was very distinctive and extremely tasty. Nice thing was buffet had a lot of different foods that I was able to try, instead of all the normal Indian fare. I will definitely be heading back here for dinner soon.
(4)
shubham k.
This place is absolutely fantastic!!! Very good buffet and nice variety .Blessed to have such a restaurent near by .
(5)
Jason M.
I started with the vegetable samosas which has a mediocre filling at best to begin with. For some reason they feel it's a great idea to throw salt on the outside of these (salty is a *very* common theme here), Ugh. I then began to eat the single worst lamb vindaloo ever. There is not much flavor here and once again an obscene amount of salt. The wait staff informed me this was because they make their own vindaloo with vinegar causing the salty flavor. They took my vindaloo away to try to "fix it", but when it returned it had the taste of a bad can of cheap soup. I'm quite confused by the amount of great reviews regarding this place, but I just have to assume it's from patrons that don't know any better.
(1)
Ben W.
Now I don't have to travel to Philly for good Indian food. I went to this place with some friends and let me tell you the food was phenomenal. It was traditional dishes served just like my mom used to make. The portions were big (ended up taking it home) and in great quality. The wait staff was very friendly and eager to make the experience at their establishment a good one. I will def go back there when I'm in the mood for great Indian food.
(5)
john r.
i've been here twice when in town and liked it both times. things tasted fresh, spiced and like what i expected, and service was reasonable. of all the indian restaurants the LV has had, this is by far the best. try it!
(4)
Steve L.
Let me preface my review by saying I don't have a lot of experience with Indian food. However, my wife likes the food here a lot and every once in a while, I'll go with her. Today, we headed in for the lunch buffet. I thought the food in the buffet was good. I really enjoyed the butter chicken and pakora. Plus, the lunch buffet is reasonably priced. The only issue was that the lunch buffet wasn't ready when we arrived. The website says they open at 11 am, but the sign on the door said 11:30. We arrived at 11:35 and they were still setting up. It was around 11:50 when we were able to get food and the after noon before all the labels for the food were put out.
(4)
Samantha S.
This place has been thru so many hands, it's hard to keep track. But updating my review from a few years back... this place is no longer the same. Flavors and spices are watered down, breads are thinner, and portions less. I'm not inclined to come back.
(1)
Chattycathy M.
Went for dinner with friends.
(1)
Christine R.
I love this spot. There are not many Indian restaurants around. So when I stumbled here I was very happy. I enjoy the spicey saag paneer and spicy goat saag. The price is ok and the food is really really filling. I continue to visit. I would love to go when they host there buffet hrs, but it has conflicted with my schedule. It is def. on my to-do list :)
(4)
Maulik S.
Loved the food ! One of best Indian food I had recently. I'm very picky in choosing Indian food and trust me, they did made fantastic food. From tadka dal to special chai. All done well.
(5)
Juicy G.
Spice India boasts that it is the only game in town for Indian food in the Whitehall area, and that's a real shame. If this is what the people of Whitehall, Pennsylvania think is great authentic Indian food, then I really feel sorry for them as they are missing out. This is not authentic Indian cooking. It's not even suitable for a mock Americanized version. The food here is bland/flavorless, and really just pathetic. There are so many amazing Indian Spices that make up your traditional Indian fare. The dishes we had appeared to have none of those. We started our meal with a few orders of vegetable samosas. Your typical samosa has bits of potato, chick peas, and a variety of spices. These had a potato wedge which was surrounded by regular old green peas, and no spices. They were bland and really disappointing. My brother ordered lamb biryani, and asked for it to be spicy. The server asked, "American spicy or Indian spicy?" My brother said, "Indian spicy." When he got his meal it was no spicier than my mother's mild chicken biryani. Worst of all, none of the dishes had any spices to add any flavor. Instead they appeared to have been made with some form of tomato sauce - Something I've never had in any biryani I've ever eaten. The service was atrocious as well. The guy waiting on us was inattentive, and when we asked for more water, didn't bother to bring it until we were done eating. He also brought it out in a large carafe as if to say, "I know I'm the server, but pour your own water." This was a major disappointment of a meal. While I don't live in the area, I can say without a doubt that when I come to visit my family who is, none of us will be back to (lacking) Spice India. Whoever owns this place is doing a great disservice to their countries heritage of food, and they should be ashamed of themselves.
(1)
Niral P.
we have been to this restaurant in the past and it is a hit or miss. there were times when food was delicious other time it was poor to say the least. today was one of those days. the service was horrendous and the food equally poor. the glasses were not properly cleaned and the server did not bring us any naan until we were half way done inspite of asking him twice and the curry dishes were very poor we wont be returning ever again.
(1)
Shelly M.
Freaking amazing food - we are slowly going through the menu. But then again i am a huge fan of South India cuisine. The acoustics are something of abit of nightmare. Once one starts eating the food - foggetiaboutit... The chicken dishes from the classic Butter Chicken, the Korma for those who like a creamier sauce can be kicked up a notch by asking for medium plus one. Magic. With nose running, drinking a sweet lassie, to sooth my somewhat hot mouth,, I was doing a dance of pure happyness of finding this place in Whitehall. Being from Toronto and living both near little India, in Vancouver and Toronto, This place brings me close to tears. Since I cant buy alot of the spices i would use to make it for myself locally, Going to Spice India and having it made for me, well its magic my friends..just magic. The goat dishes are great, i have never been one for red meat with india food. But my partner in crime loves the Vindaloo The nans, oh my sweet sweet carb...They have the cool clay oven that makes these lovely pieces of deliciousness. Nom nom nom..cant write anymore must continue to feast!
(5)
Alan M.
Saturday night I tried this place out for the first time. I'm vegan, and asked some basic questions about their menu and my dietary restrictions. The waiter wasn't as knowledgable as I may have hoped but he must have informed the manager. The manager took over and was VERY courteous about informing me what was safe options for me and making sure I was satisfied. My date is not vegan so he checked to make sure and point out what food she had I couldn't eat and so on. I was very happy with the service I received and the food was delicious. I'd highly recommend this place as a vegetarian/vegan option.
(4)
Isabel O.
We've been back several times since my first review and it's consistently great. We have never tried the buffet (husband is not a fan) but it seems very popular. I agree things have gone smoother since the new ownership, and service is always good (there's a young lady who has waited on us several times who's just lovely and very helpful when we want to pick items that might be new to us.) I disagree with any complaints about portion sizes. I think there's a weird visual illusion in the small metal bowls the entree is served in that makes it look smaller. However, I usually get 3-4 servings from my entree, unlimited rice, and never walked away feeling anything by stuffed. I challenge anyone to plate up with rice, dump the entire portion on their plate at once, and still say that's not a very generous portion AND a great value. It's on our shortlist of favorite BYOBs.
(4)
Matt N.
I've been to this Spice India many many times and am a big fan. Probably the best Indian in the Valley, I haven't had better..take from that what you will, you are in the Lehigh Valley, not Napa Valley. The food is pretty consistent; tasty and well done. It is a cozy little space, a dozen or so tables, clean and well maintained. I think the food may be better on the a la carte menu (true in just about all restaurants), but as some of my fellow Yelpers have pointed out; it's hard to deny the appeal of the buffet nights. My only gripes about Spice India come from the service; it is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes it feels like they just forget you at your table. No water, where's my naan, etc. Not often, certainly not enough to keep me away, but every now and again. Anyway, give it a try, it's a nice little restaurant.
(4)
Heidi S.
Ok food excellent...service not so much...plus we had a groupon and we were told they would honor it but they did not. Then we put in $10 cash plus a card and they charged the entire balance to the card. They thought it was the tip.....
(3)
Bill B.
They used to be great, now they use dark fatty meat in their dishes and not much in the way of spices. I wish they would go back to they way it use to be. They used to use good white meat and plenty of delightful spices. Either they lost their cook or they are buying cheap processed stuff.
(2)
Sarah O.
I've been to Spice India 4 or 5 times in the last couple of years and my boyfriend and I are huge fans. I almost always get daal makhani, and they give you a huge vat of it (I'm not sure what all the complaints about portions are - I ALWAYS have leftovers, and I have a big appetite). The naan is absolutely perfect, with a crispy bottom (har har) and a fluffy, buttery top puffing with air bubbles. My boyfriend usually gets chana masala and it is excellent here. Last time we went for the lunch buffet, and I was a little disappointed in the selection. Still, as soon as I sucked it up and put stuff on my plate, I couldn't complain. The aloo gobi is perfectly cooked, not mushy at all, and well-spiced without being overdone. My boyfriend raved about the goat curry, and we both had gulab jamun, which were... well, they're pretty much the same everywhere - overly sweet and weirdly delicious. My only complaint is that I back up some of the things people have said about the service. We are always the only people in there, and it still takes up to a half hour to get food. Then again, this isn't fast food. If you hate the people you are dining with that much, go to Arby's. Also, be warned - they do close from 3 to 5! My boyfriend and I once went at 4, not having eaten all day and ravenous for some Indian, and were disappointed to find it closed. Overall, one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. In terms of the Spice India vs. Nawab debate, I find them almost indistinguishable. If a gun were to my head I might pick Nawab, but Spice India is still a very solid option.
(4)
Pooja D.
Anyone notice that the Indian people are giving this place really bad reviews? There is good reason, people. Here are my reasons for liking Spice India: 1. Taste isn't bad. It's not GREAT, mind, but not bad. 2. It is the ONLY Indian restaurant in the Lehigh Valley I can tolerate in Lehigh Valley, so it's good when I don't want to drive all the way to Edison NJ to Little India and eat much better food. Here are my reasons for detesting Spice India: 1. Service is S.L.O.W. Prepare to spend 6 PM - 10 PM here for dinner (the buffet is fast, but the food is not as good....or should I say, not as acceptable?) 2. There is sometimes an awkward non-Indian man, singing mostly Indian songs, in a terrible accent. The accent wasn't enough though, he straight up can't carry a tune. 3. The portions are teeny tiny. Spice India, you are not single handedly responsible for feeding the billion people who reside in India, so would you please give me a little more to eat so I don't start snacking on your tablecloth? 4. The price is NOT worth the quality or quantity of food. You pay $10-$11 for 5 small pieces of boneless chicken in a cool looking Indian bowl? No, come on. Serve it to me in a styrofoam bowl, but where's the rest of my meal? If you are not accustomed to Indian food, this place will increase in your estimation by a couple stars, I can certainly see that. If you don't mind the drive though, do yourself a favor and go to Edison, NJ - there's a slew of restaurants on Oak Tree Road. Check Yelp for the Reviews, and hit the road. You're welcome.
(2)
Brooke I.
Not impressed. I got a goat dish that had more chewy fat than meat. Some of my goat was cubed chunks that I struggled to eat. My husband got a chicken dish...it was better than mine, but just okay. After a few times of being disappointed, we blacklisted this place. Wanted to love this place because it was so close...but I've eaten much better.
(2)
Ewelina C.
My husband and I do not know much about Indian food, so we do not know how it is supposed to taste and can't say how authentic it is. However, for people who like to try different cuisines, this place is good. We have been here a few times, and we were always happy with our food. My husband loves their Chicken Tikka Masala, and I like Korma. There are many choices on the menu with a lot of vegetarian dishes. We never had to wait, but we usually go before 6 pm. The music can be a bit annoying, but you get used to it after a few visits. The lunch buffet is okay. I would like to see more vegetarian dishes. Some food gets cold quickly, and it is not reheated. I would not go there for the lunch buffet again, but I recommend it for dinner.
(4)
Jeff C.
I've only gone here for their buffet, which is fairly good. But this is the first time I dined from the menu. It is an entirely different experience. First the service was not up to par. From waiting for water and finally after 10 minutes having to ask for it to very slow service. Why would it take 20 minutes to get soup? The bread was a tortilla shaped Chana flour crispy thing. It was very good but we were surprised that we would have to order naan ala carte. I ordered tandoori shrimp as I've never seen that before, with trepidation, as if they didn't time it right at that high a heat it can easily be overcooked. Well, my fears were realized when it came with a texture of extra chewy chicken. I sent it back and got tandoori chicken instead, which was very tasty and moist. But that came at a price, another 15 or so minutes of waiting. If you like cilantro on EVERYTHING, then this is the place for you. If you don't, avoid it like the plague as that seems to be their go-to herb. After the meal it took about another 15 minutes sitting there to get the check. I was thinking of paying by credit but my wife made me realize that it would probably take another 30 minutes to run it, so we scrounged for cash, left it and fled. All in all, I would only go there again during a buffet night.
(2)
Mark N.
I love spice India. There is no denying that they have the best Indian in the valley at the best price. Their Monday and Wednesday buffets (starting at 5:30) are staples for my family. This is a great place to introduce Indian cuisine to a first timer.
(4)
Howard M.
The food is okay, but the service is very slow. The menu is rather limited for an Indian restaurant; there are no Thali dinners. I find this place rather expensive for what you get, and I think there are better places for Indian food in the Lehigh Valley
(2)
Tara S.
I hate to do lower my review, but several months ago something changed. Ownership? The chef? The food is not nearly as good as it used to be. It's causing me to look elsewhere for my Indian fix when once I was loyal to this place. Sorry, Spice India.
(2)
Vince C.
Had the dinner buffet, was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. Nice atmosphere, sign said they were under new management, bathroom looked like it hadn't been cleaned for a few days.
(3)
TJ S.
Everything we ate here was delicious. We had the Chana Masala, which was based on chickpeas, and an eggplant dish; the eggplant was at a perfect level of spiciness that was very pleasing and far from overwhelming. We also had a mango and yogurt drink, which was a great contrast to the other flavors. Before you order, you get Indian crackers and interesting sauces. The service was good, and the waiter was helpful. The atmosphere was ideal.
(5)
Matthew B.
Ok, I give three stars for the food, it's really good and the buffet is what really sold me. HOWEVER, a big HUGE However, I give ONE star for the very poor service at this place. I've eaten here twice and read the other reviews and service seems to stand out as their huge Achilles heal. If you're like me, and truly appreciate having a full drink when you dine, then in all seriousness, I say bring your own drink. Or, teach them how to be waiters... Rarely do I leave a restaurant leaving no tip, but this place earned a stiffing.. So in review, really good food, very poor service.
(3)
Emily S.
Wow! Fantastic! Went by myself when I was visiting the area and was pleasantly surprised. I got the vegetable pakora ($4), paneer makhani ($12), and garlic naan ($3.50). They threw in a free little dessert of a sweet rice pudding. It was all fantastic. I ordered the entree too spicy (my fault for thinking that I'm tougher than I am), I asked if they had yogurt and they offered to tone down the spice in the meal instead. They took it back to the kitchen, added extra cream to tone it down, and brought it back steaming hot again! I've never had a place offer to do that. If I'm ever passing through town again I will definitely stop back!
(5)
Vanessa W.
I had heard mixed reviews about this place from friends for a while - from great to I got food poisoning, so I hadn't gone since Nawab on Southside Bethlehem is closer to my home, and reliable. I should have gotten here sooner. Firstly, the place is a decent size, and sadly patrons were kind of sparse for a Saturday night. The service was very nice and pleasant. Only atmosphere complaint was they were playing what I can best describe as Indian house music. The food itself was good. The portions at first glance appeared a little small, but don't let the containers fool you - there is plenty of food there and they offered us more rice when we were getting low. I got chicken tikka masala - my gauge of good food. I got it medium which was just enough spice for me, but was still pretty mild. If you're a big Indian food fan I would go with the spicy. I thought it was very good. Husband's chicken cashmere was also very tasy. Around $40 for the two of us with two meals and an appetizer I thought it was a good price point for a good meal.
(4)
Ethan A.
Update! I ordered takeout for 8 for my C-mas dinner last night, and: 1. It was done EXACTLY as ordered, every last bit. 2. It was done at EXACTLY the time ordered, as in they were finishing the last of it when we arrived, so everything go home hot. 3. It was absolutely delicious. I'm a big fan of Spice India, but somehow it just tasted one notch better last night. The naan was on. The samosas were way on. The paneer tikka masala was on. Even their rice was just... on. I can't say enough good about them!
(5)
Paul K.
Need I remind you people complaining about the authenticity of this place that it's located in Whitehall, Pennsylvania? I mean, if you're going to rag on the fact that the restaurant's naan quality isn't like that of Mumbai, just remember you're about a quarter-mile from a now-defunct Sam's Club. Spice India serves up some damn good India food--the best in the Valley--and I've been to Mumbai. Highlights include: Luscious, tender mango chicken Creamy, savory lamb or goat sagwala Indian pickles Seafood curry Yes, they will try to push appetizers on you. Yes, the food will be a little late. Yes, they sometimes have some bearded dude playing a keyboard next to the buffet bar (live music!). But all this only adds to the quirky ambiance of place. Plus, it's BYO. And you're going to need it should you dare to order your food "Indian spicy."
(4)
Jen E.
The times I've been to Spice India in Whitehall, something REALLY good happens, making me forget about the meh parts of the experience. The food and service is usually very good.. Except for the one time when I found a bone in my chicken, and the time they gave us dirty glasses, and the times they NEVER bring refills on rice or water, and the time I watched a creepy bug crawling along on the wall next to me... Wait, why do I come here again? I should've learned by now, except there's always something especially tasty that makes me forget. Tonight's adventure was no different. The food was really, really tasty. I had the Shahi Paneer, which I enjoyed, and my dining companion had the Chili Paneer. The menu described it as some things in an "Indian Chinese sauce." It was a thick red ooze with floating chunks in it. The last time I saw something similar, I ended up in an ambulance. Our consensus was that it appeared to be a steaming bowl of entrails. It was tasty, but it's a dish better served to a blind guy or at a Halloween party. Our server was as graceful as a falling sack of peas. He nearly smacked me upside the head with the carafe of water, and threw around our plates like they had insulted his mother's integrity. The service was pretty slow - We waited long enough to order to start contemplating placing a take-out order and bringing it to our table, and had to wait ten minutes to get a refill on rice. His winning move was when he couldn't figure out how to use our Restaurant.com coupon, and instead told us to bring it back next time. Nope, there won't be a next time. Not when the Spice India in Nazareth is eleventy million times better, and Nawab is down the road.
(1)
Soumya J.
Always disappointing to go here. And after the last time, I have decided to black list it and not go here again. 1. Quantities are pathetically low. Each veg dish can barely gives 2 servings. 2. Quality is below average - all the gravy vegetables taste the same. The south Indian food is oily and the 'chaat' is very ordinary. 3. Very slow service at dinner - we waited for almost 45 min last time. 4. The waiters are rude also and can't handle any load. Last time I went - A). Ordered channa bhatura - waiter says why are you ordering bhaturas - just get naan. B). They get channa masala instead of chole. C). On asking for more naan waiter says our cook is ready to leave - do you really want it? D). Paneer tikka masala had exactly 1 piece of paneer. E). Naan was made of rubber I think. Go anywhere else but here.
(1)
Mary T.
Agree - best Indian in the Lehigh valley. Better than nawab in Bethlehem, but not by a huge margin. Really broad menu. Lots and lots of vegetarian options. Hot is HOT - but waitress consulted carefully with each of us and everyone was happy with their spice level. Portions are normal sized - which might seem small to some, but perfect as far as I'm concerned. Usual indian serving style allows easy sharing of dishes - rice and entrees are served separately and you are given a clear plate to put them on. I had lamb saagwala, very tender and nice. Desserts were not so good - carrot pudding just weird shredded carrots and honey, rice pudding thin and flavorless, honey balls just sweet. It's byob. Total tab for six adults and three children with apps and desserts was about $220 with the tip. Not too pricey.
(4)
RINNA L.
took my mom here to celebrate her graduation from Empire beauty school. The food was pretty tasty. I really enjoyed my Mutter Panner. My GF wasn't too big a fan of her Chicken Tikka Masala. My mom ordered lamb chops - that's just kind of weird. They were ok, but I'm not a big fan of lamb in general. The bread was a little weird and soggy, but ok. I also felt like they could have been a little bit more generous with the rice that came with the meals. The service was ok - the decor is slightly strange and dark, but not distracting or anything. I will probably be back here if i'm in the area, but i prefer Nawab in Bethlehem.
(3)
Amy L.
Love love love the palak paneer here!! You can also ask them to make a combination onion and garlic naan and ask for melted cheese on top(make sure u say please bc sometimes they have trouble understanding this request) IT IS LIKE U DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN. I've been a vegetarian for 4 years now and after i eat from this place makes me happy I did so. Miss eating a cheesesteak?. I don't think so!!!!
(4)
Stacey L.
Excellent Indian food. A lot of vegetarian options. Cute restaurant and great service. :)
(4)
Ajeeb T.
I have been to this restaurant twice. This time was last week and I went to the buffet. It is under new management and the chicken tikka had chicken with bones! The gravy was not very good! All of it was rather mediocre and not particularly fresh. I like the Easton Spice India better. This one is mediocre at best!!!
(2)
Alyssa W.
This was my first experience in Indian food, and I'm excited to now try other restaurants specialising in such cuisine. I've been here more times than I can count, and now that I'm typing this, I realise I need a fix : ) The food is always good when I'm there, I especially enjoy the Goat Hyderabadi, it's cooked perfectly and is served with easily the best rice I've ever had anywhere. Their cheese naan is like a gift from heaven. I've more than once gotten just that to go, and eaten it before I've gotten home. I haven't been here for the buffet, but i believe they have a South Indian buffet some nights, and Northern Indian other nights. I know some people have mentioned that service is questionable, but I've never had a problem, and honestly, I prefer not having someone hovering over my every spoonful. I wonder if it's a cultural thing? That's always been my assumption regarding the service. My advice? Grab a couple friends, get here early and order a lot of food. And don't forget an Indian coffee, it's superb!
(4)
Nicole P.
I agree with Dara C a few reviews down...GOOD INDIAN in the 610! I couldn't believe it either! I've been to Spice India on several occasions and experienced both their buffets and the al a carte menu. I'm not a newcomer as I too lived in both Boston and Philadelphia for sometime and have been exposed to several Indian restaurants and have very picky standards. Oh, I failed to mention that I actually lived with an ex who was directly from Madras so I know quality/authentic Indian food when I see it and Spice India has it! Sorry, RR from Bethlehem, I disagree with your initial conclusions..... I hope I don't get this mixed up but I think the Monday nigh buffet has an Southern Indian theme and the Wednesday night buffet a more "Northern" theme. There is a chef on site that will prepare appetizers for you while you sample the dishes laid out on the buffet which is a real treat. I've had him prepare a masala dosa and a samosa chat..both were awesome :) I've never tried a dish I disliked. I will admit that once I ordered Mulligatawny soup and it was a bit salty to my taste but that was a one time event. I also ordered take out from the al a carte menu and asked for it "Indian spicy" and trust me if you're not accustomed to what that means beware...I found it quite deliciously spicy :) Overall, the food it good and the costs is worth the trip! One last thing....I also think it is cute that the owners provide some live entertainment on Thursday nights (I think). It is usually one man and his keyboard but I think it is a nice touch that the owners thought enough about the customer to provide this for our dining experience. Kudos!
(5)
Charly J.
I'm giving Spice India 5-stars for being one of the BEST places in the Lehigh Valley to get Indian food. It's not the best I've ever had, but it's pretty darn delicious! I've been looking for other eat-out, vegetarian alternatives other than salads & sushi (I'm trying to increase my fish & veggie intake & decrease my red meat intake), & right now Indian & Mexican are my current crushes. We've been to Spice India's lunch buffet twice & both times we left EXTREMELY satisfied. The 1st time we went they were hosting a large birthday party & it was near the end of the buffet. Regardless, we were very happy w/ the selections that were left for us to sample. We still had to be rolled out to our car because we were so full! The 2nd time we went it was right after the buffet had started, so we had more items to taste. Again, we rolled ourselves out to the car in a food-induced stupor. Just wonderful! The buffet is harmless spice-wise, but it offers an interesting cross-section of the dishes they offer. Vegetarian, chicken, goat/lamb, appetizers, desserts, etc. We're going to make this place a once-a-week necessity! Eventually we'll go just for dinner & order specific dishes (extra spicy!). Highly recommended!
(5)
Paul O.
Thanks to Yelp I found this place and we will be back. The atmosphere was great as a byob can get. Friendly service and the food was fantastic. The Tikki Masala Chicken was perfect, same for the Mango chicken. The rice was well cooked and the same for the Naan. We had the mix appetizer plate, we could have passed on that as the potato was the only real crowd pleaser. Not that the other items were not tasty, just they paled in comparison to the entries. Service ended well to with a fast check deliver and cash out. Head up to Whitehall and try Spice India.
(4)
Tik R.
The food is ok. The buffet seems a bit sparse. Need another type of chicken added to the buffet?. The service was ok as well. We would had to ask for soda refills and they didn't clear our plates most of the time before we got back. I took my family there since they never had Indian food and they fail to tell me gratitude was include for my size party of 6. I didn't see this and added an addition tip. I would not have mind if the service was good but it wasn't so I was not please. I probably won't go back since the food wasn't good as the other Indian restaurant that I normal go too.
(3)
Alysia S.
I have visited this place several times, since it's the only Indian restaurant I know of within 30 miles of Kutztown. Every single time I go here I am given terrible service and my food is prepared as if they think I have eaten only cheeseburgers all my life. For a table of 3, we were given one helping of rice, which was gone within 2 minutes. As well, we finished our water before our meals had arrived (30 minutes from order time, 1 hour from arrival). At this point we watched the waiter refill rice and water for 3 other tables, sat after us. I normally feel like a jerk for flagging a server down, but at this place it is the only way I can get service - and rude service at that. On top of all this, the food wasn't even acceptable. 3 out of 3 dishes were cold when they arrived and tasted like they were microwaved from a grocery-store pre-made packet. I have travelled the east coast ordering my favorite dish at every Indian place I can find - Shahi Paneer. Every other time, this dish was acceptable, but not great, from Spice India. This last time I tasted no spice beyond salt, pepper, and onion. I swear to god it was made with American cheese added - I asked for 'spicy'. I am absolutely appalled at every aspect of the service I recieve from this restaurant. I cannot tell whether this is because I am white, or because I'm young - others seem to have great experiences here. I have not.
(1)
Jim D.
I've been hearing some very good things about this place so I decided it was long overdue for me to pay my respective visit. I haven't been to an Indian restaurant in the Valley since my less than mediocre visit at Nawab so I was more than ready to take on a new prospect. The food is great! Monday night is buffet night and there were plenty of choices to choose from. Many of the dishes were vegetarian but there were some delish meat dishes. The ever basic chicken curry dish, although very good, had some small broken bones in it that made it a bit cumbersome to eat. They had some type of seasoned popcorn chicken that was really tasty too. We also ordered the shrimp nargisi and that was just absolutely amazing. It's full of spicy, robust flavors that just made my belly oh so happy. I'm with Joe L on the rest of the details. Prices, atmosphere are all good. I also love the fact it's BYOB. What's not to love about that?! I'd definitely come back here again and explore the massive regular menu.
(4)
Scott C.
Had an early dinner here with my wife. She is a relativley inexperienced with Indian food but loves the few currys I have made so tried this place an will be back! The appetizer sampler we split was very good but just shy of great. The chicken that comes with it was essentially chicken and the only reason it wasn't great. My wife and I split tandoori chicken and goat vindallo. Both were great and the vindallo (which we ordered spicy) was perfectly spiced. The naan was delicious and the overall meal was fantastic and very reasonable. The only knock is that the service, while exteremly friendly was a bit on the slow side. To sum up ... Eat here!
(5)
Greg S.
I had the buffet ($13.95) and mango lassi ($3.50). Everything was tasty. The buffet was characterized as South India. There were many dishes that I had not been served previously. The tables were set with table clothes and fresh flowers. As with most restaurants, the music was too loud, but I guess that must be what most patrons want.
(5)
Soumitra D.
WARNING ******** DO NOT GO TO SPICE INDIA FOR YOUR OWN GOOD I had a carry out ordered yesterday. As a Indian , I am sorry that these people are ruining the impression of AmericanS about Indian food. If they dont have proper CHEF they should close down or hire new. The food was HORRIBLE . Navrattan kurma tasted SO BAD that we had to throw it. My mistake . I should never have gone there. If you want to taste Indian food then go to NJ Edison .You will have plenty of choices.
(1)
Ben C.
Good stuff!
(4)
Joe L.
I've been to Spice India twice now; once for dinner, once for the lunch buffet. It is very, very good. The food has a homemade quality to it, something you don't see often in restaurants these days. (Especially in Whitehall.) I'm new to Indian food, so the menu is a bit challenging insomuch as I don't really know what anything is. That's why I recommend the lunch buffet. It is excellent. The food is hot and fresh, and the quality is top notch. Everything is well labeled, so it's easy to know what you had, what you liked, and what you didn't. An excellent way to get a crash course in Indian cuisine. Don't be afraid to try everything...some of the items on the buffet that look the most unusual (or unappetizing) to Western eyes are some of the best. Prices are good, the restaurant is clean and well-kept. The staff is attentive and you always have a fresh bottle of complimentary water on your table. If you like Indian food, you'll like this place. If you've never had Indian food, this is a great place to start. What are you waiting for?
(5)
Joseph B.
I just got back from the Sunday lunch buffet at Spice India, my first visit. Having lived near the Devon Avenue stretch of Indian restaurants in Chicago for a number of years, I'm not a stranger to Indian food, although I'm far from an expert. While the decor and atmosphere are a bit lacking, the food was definitely above average. The heat wasn't overwhelming, but it wasn't the bland version of what is often sold as Indian food in the US. The buffet had a lot of choices including a pretty extensive "salad" selection, at least 5 vegetarian dishes, 4 meat dishes, and a trio of dessert options. I sampled all of the vegetarian and dessert options (I'm not a meat eater) and found all to be very well prepared with fresh ingredients. Service was friendly and attentive. The naan was top notch. The masala tea was the best I've ever had. There were two different large groups that came through while we were there, and the staff had no problem accommodating both groups of 10-15 people. You'll be hard pressed to find a better Indian dining experience or a better lunch buffet of any kind in the Lehigh Valley. Highly recommended! Overall,
(4)
K F.
Spice India is solid Indian fare. The seasonings and preparations are Americanized but tasty. The Vindaloo especially showcased the growing intensity that I personally find most pleasing. The samosas and naan were both solid. The preparation was a little slow, but not excessive. And the service staff was very attentive throughout. The portions will not leave you with much for leftovers, which may be a slight negative given the pricing. But overall, the quality of food justifies a return visit for me.
(4)
Hady Y.
Good food, good serves
(4)
Kat H.
Hooray for Spice India! The undisputed BEST Indian in the Lehigh Valley...don't even listen to anything about NAWAB being good...probably written by college students who also think that the Tally Ho is a good night out. Everything was fresh! The tiki masala was awesome and they even had you rate the spice level (1 being as bland as grandma's mashed potatoes and 10 being, "holy underwear!") However...drinker beware! It is BYOB and the staff nasty ( however, they were nice MOST of the time) when you ask them for a kingfisher (the only reason why this isn't a perfect rating!) Overall, awesome food (get the appetizer for 2) and cheap prices...life is good
(4)
Randall B.
We loved it there! Can't wait till we go there again. The service was outstanding and guided us through the menu. It is a BYOB place and very vegetarian friendly. We will be back again and again!
(3)
michael c.
I like unexpected gems when I travel and Spice India is a shiny one. Tucked into a side street off of PA145, I never would have found this had I not asked the guy i was working with if I could fine good Indian food in Allentown. Spice India is a prime northern style Indian eatery. The sauces are heavier, but not too much so and the spice is even and balanced and not overpowering even in spicier dishes. I went for dinner and had a Paneer Somosa and the Goat Vindaloo which were quite good. For bread I tried the Paneer Kulcha, which a bread with cheese and spices. Overall the food was outstanding and the service, while not perfect was good. After my experience there I would gladly return.
(4)
David K.
i am forever conflicted about Spice India. initially years ago, i thought it was awful. then they came under new management and it vastly improved. then they hired another new chef and the food was amazing to the extent that i will actually now eat the buffet (one of the best i've ever had). vegetarians, there's a lot to offer here and you'll be pleased. obviously you'll get better quality food if you order from the menu. currently, the food is fresh, the "Indian Spicy" is actually spicy, and the dishes are complex and very flavorful. not sure why people are complaining about portion sizes, are you not happy unless a giant vat of slop is plopped in front of you and you have leftovers for a week? know that the interior amplifies sound like none other. so if you're on a date and there's a room full of parents with their terrible screaming children, you're going to have a bad time. they need to add some fabric on the walls or something to diffuse sound. the service is inconsistent, as you'll sometimes get an attentive (but not overly annoying) old pro, or you'll get a 16 year old that will only half listen to you and then bring out a completely wrong order and then laugh about it. regardless, it's a place for some good indian food, so roll the dice and go tonight. never the same experience twice. if you're an anal retentive type of person or someone that wants everything to be perfect and is annoyed easily, maybe stay home and stare at a wall.
(4)
Akshay B.
Have been here twice, both the times the food was not good. Its greasy and lacking in flavor. Apart from the lackluster food, the service was slow, had to wait for 10 minutes to get the bread (naan) after we got the curry. The ambient noise level was very high due to a party going on. I would recommend driving to NJ to get decent Indian food.
(2)
Julie S.
I'm going to make a bold statement: at this price level (the $9-12 entree) this is one of the best restaurants in the Lehigh Valley. I'm very familiar with Indian food--I've even been to India--and Spice India meets my fussy standards. I also lived in the Lehigh Valley for 18 years, so I've been many places. Spice India has a lot of dishes that are harder to find in the US, much less in Allentown: chaats (street food), Thums Up and Limca sodas, some south Indian dishes, and even a little Indian Chinese food, which is an amazing hybrid cuisine. When I, a pasty-faced white girl, asked for spicy, they actually gave me spicy. That doesn't always happen in Indian restaurants. The samosa chaat was great--it's basically a samosa sprinkled with crunchy Indian snack food, chick peas, and different chutneys. It's a great mixture of textures and flavors. And it's only $3.95! I was just about full when I finished it. But then I couldn't stop eating the Kashmiri Dum Aloo, a kind of potato dumpling in delicious sauce. Good good. I couldn't stop saying, "Slammin!" It's so slammin.
(5)
Jeremiah B.
Just finished dinner here with the wife and kids. Everyone was extremely pleased with their meals. We split garlic naan and vegetable samosas to start. The naan was excellent- fresh, flavorful and not tough at all. The samosas were good but not quite as seasoned as I like, however the onion chutney that accompanied it was fantastic and complemented it well. The kids shared mango chicken and absolutely loved it! I do agree with some other posts that a few more pieces of chicken would be nice but we were still happy with the quantity for the fair price. My wife had shrimp nargisi and the flavor was awesome and the portion was more than enough to fill her. I had the shahjahani biryani and it was the best Indian dish I've ever had in the area. It was packed with flavor, had the perfect level of heat and had a fair amount of meat. I would get it again in a heartbeat. This was our first time here since moving from Bethlehem where we always went to Nawab. We're glad to have found somewhere close to home with great food and friendly service.
(5)
Sachin K.
Best north Indian food in Lehigh valley. Been visiting from 3 years, every time I go its better than before. Recently had catering for 40 members dinner, every single person loved the food , it was so delicious. Keep doing good job guys, highly recommend. Especially chola bathura, veg briyani, malai kofta, gulab jamun were chartbuster.
(5)
Larry K.
Just did takeout because we were nearby and were hungry. We haven't had Indian food in a while and we have not been very happy with the Lehigh Valley's selection of Indian restaurants. The service was very good the food was ready on time. The food itself was adequate with the mixed appetizer selection being quite good but main courses were only fair. The peas in the mattar panir seemed like they were frozen and the naan seemed tough. The taste of the naan and the sauce was very good. The chicken tikka was good and tasted fresh. Would do takeout again but wouldn't eat in not quite good enough for that.
(3)
Lock N.
We have visited this Whitehall location several times over the years. At some point, it was the best Indian restaurant that I knew, that slowly changed to becoming the worst. Most of the selections don't taste as good as previously. Wifey will never step in this premise, she says. Her Lamb seekh kebab was nowhere near what she anticipated. We had two preschool age kids with us for dinner. The kids ate plain rice & plain naan since their order was too spicy, contrary to our request. Out of the total of four orders, I am the only one that liked my coconut goat selection hence the reason for the two stars. As the place started filling with people (we were the only ones for a while), the same waiter had to sit everyone & cater for us all. I was surprised additional held did not show up!! All in all, it will be a very very long time before we visit this place again.
(2)
Parth A.
Went for lunch buffet at allentown location. The food was too bland. The worst indian food i have had in US. Wouldn't recommend going there. Only the rice pudding was good.
(2)
Cheri Jerry A.
Service was a bit slow, but so worth the wait. We did however manage to score some free dessert. Very reasonably priced and food was amazing. They have a lunch buffet I'd like to try if I can get there in the afternoon.
(3)
TJ H.
I've been back many times but it has gone downhill over the years. The food is oilier, more bones than meat, and flavors aren't as good anymore... Then I read this article ( mcall.com/business/retai… ) and it all makes sense; it's been sold and it's not the same owner anymore. Granted it was sold in 2011 and my first visit was in 2012, and I loved it then, but I can't seem to stomach it now.
(1)
Drooling N.
Spice India has three locations (whitehall, Catasaqua and Easton). I have tried all three locations several times over the last 8 years. I am of Indian origin and recently reviewed nawab indian restaurant in Bethlehem. For those interested in Indian cuisince, can check that review for some comments on Indian food in general. All my reviews are based purely on the taste of food. Spice India started off as a decent restaurant serving primarily food from North India. Over the years, the food has fluctuated in taste and consistency. On a good day, the meal can be satisfactory, but maybe not value for money. Vegetarian fare at Spice india often lacks the freshness it derserves. The vegetables feel frozen or canned, which is a big disappointment. The meat, very inconsistent. In its initial few months, Spice India made a lovely, succulent goat curry, which declined in portion size, quality and taste over the years. Currently it is mostly, bone heavy, small pieces in a bland sauce. The lamb dishes similarly lack succulence and flavor. The sauces here in general often lack the subtelty of Indian food. Tongue-blazing hot food is not what Indian food is all about. I have noticed Spice India tries to mask some of its inadequacies in flavor with chilli powder and excessive seasoning. It would do them a world of good to find a balance in seasoning and spices. I still rank them higher than Nawab's because their food, despite their flaws has better flavor. However there is room, wait no a "football stadium" left for improvement.
(2)
Andy K.
We have been eating here weekly for a couple of years now, and every meal is better than the last. Consistently the BEST Indian food around! Highly recommend, Run, don't walk.
(5)
Srujan G.
Horrible portion sizes for the price. Dont go. We ordered fish vindaloo, had to search for fish pieces as it was filled with potato. Vegetable manchurian was 7$ you get 3 small pieces. Gulab jamun 2 pieces for 5$
(1)
D C.
Good food, very nice people. I have never tried Indian food, and I was not disappointed. I went and tried the buffet, which was pretty good. I will be going back to try a meal.
(3)
Jen W.
Absolutely delicious and worth the bill I had to pay. Groups of 6 or more will add a gratituity tip on it. I ordered the appetizer sampler and it was amazing. The samosa was on point!! The butter chicken was delicious. Friend ordered a chicken dish too and it was amazing. Anything "clay-oven" cooked would take longer but its amazing. Tried the cheese naan and it was HEAVENLY! We also got garlic naan complimentary of the chef. Delicious! Service was great since we had a very friendly teenager who knew the menu well. If you can take spice, order your food as "Indian spicy" and you will love the heat!!! Will definitely come again, especially for the buffet next time! Update: I went to the Buffet night and I never looked at Indian food the same way (in a good way!) I will only come here on Buffet nights now!
(5)
Angela L.
This has become one of our favorite restaurants. The food is excellent, the buffet is continually changing, and the staff is superb. They are not only accommodating, but go above and beyond for you. We wholeheartedly recommend this establishment.
(5)
Vanessa L.
We stepped in for the lunch buffet here. Vegetarian entrees top the menu at this authentic Indian restaurant (management is from India, by the way) with six vegan entrees. The spice factor is as expected though some dishes can put your breath on fire such as the aloo mutter (bean and potato) dish as quoted by my fiance who generally has a high threshold for spice. For dessert, the gulab jamen (milk, honey and cheese puffs) were a indulgent sweet afterthought to a memorable meal. I also like how they do not seem to serve fountain soda. Reasonable prices too. Would absolutely return for dinner to order off the menu. My fiance has been over to the Easton location and had nothing but delicious things to say so you really cannot go wrong with either location.
(5)
Christian M.
Had the chicken and shrimp curry on two separate occasions. I do not recommend seafood from this place as it was not fresh at all. The chicken curry however was excellent and spicy. Would recommend to anyone looking for a spicy meal.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes 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.
Jason T.
I stumbled across Spice India while looking for an old Indian restaurant that apparently since shut down. I was pleasantly surprised to find Spice India, given that the nearest other Indian restaurant that I know of is 10+ miles away. The menu was more extensive than most Indian restaurants I have been to in the past. I started with a mango lessi, which came immediately, was large and delicious. I opted for the classic Chicken Tikka Masala and was not disappointed. It was a plentiful portion, came hot, and was delicious. I ordered medium but it wasn't very spicy at all. The best part about Spice India was the service. Our waiter was the most respectful, attentive waiter I ever remember having at an Indian restaurant. He kept calling my friend and I "sir" and read over our order to make sure he got everything perfectly. He was attentive to our table without being bothersome. I'd highly recommend Spice India to anyone who lives in or is traveling in the Allentown area. I'm very pleased to have this new restaurant nearby home!
(5)Shawna S.
I've been to this restaurant twice. Last week, I tried to go at 4:30 (after confirming their hours on Yelp and their website) only to discover that they were, in fact, closed. FAIL. This week, I managed to make it there when they were actually open (I called first this time). Wishing I hadn't made the trek back. I've eaten Indian food in various places across the US and this place is dead last in terms of taste and they have a super small serving size. I got the Chicken Tikka Masala - what I get at every Indian restaurant. This is the first place where it has included red and green bell peppers along with large pieces of red onion. Bizarre. The gf got Navaratan Korma. The description for it reads "nine garden fresh vegetables gently simmered..." TOFU IS NOT A VEGGIE!! Yes, there was tofu in it. Kind of important info since some peeps have allergies. (Thankfully not us). ALSO - the carrots in this had crinkles, you know, like the ones in a bag of frozen veggies. Hardly what I would call "garden fresh." You know how sometimes you find a hair in your food and you think "maybe this could be mine. it's the same color." Well, that was what I thought the first time I found hair in my rice. When I found the second piece of hair, that did not resemble the first, I knew that at least one of them wasn't mine - likely both. Yum! The serving size is kind of pitiful for an Indian restaurant. If I can get twice as much in San Diego for only $18, then charging me $12 for half as much here in podunk is kind of a rip off. I can only surmise that the positive reviewers have either (a) never eat Indian any place else; or (b) never eaten outside of Lehigh Valley. Needless to say, if you are used to getting your Indian food in cities like LA, San Diego, NYC or even Columbus, Ohio then you will want to pass here.
(1)Pritam N.
The food here is amazing!! We just found this restaurant in the Whitehall area and it was great. Specially the Chicken Tikka Masala was excellent. The waiter had recommended the Tandoori Mix Grill which was excellent too. We really enjoyed their food and their service was very attentive and up to the mark. Full marks to the owner ( Raman) who owns this restaurant. We will be surely back in this restaurant. The buffets are good too. They have a lot of variety in the buffet and they serve hot Naan (Indian bread) on the table. Definately recommend this restaurant who are crazy for Indian food.
(5)JandF S.
I went with my bf for a lunch buffet first time several months ago and it was very disappointing and we will never go there again. The buffet selection and was pitiful and the most of the containers were almost empty and we went middle of the lunch hour. They were not in a hurry to fill the empty containers and the taste of the food was barely edible. We left early.
(1)Ann T.
Has there been a change in ownership? We used to love this restaurant, but our most recent visit was disappointing. The waiters were different from previous visits, and the service was not as good. The most obvious decline in quality was in the bread -- it was flat, oily, and not fresh -- it seemed to have been reheated.
(3)Quinn D.
After seeing all the 5-star reviews on Yelp, my husband and I figured this was the place to go for Indian food in the Leigh Valley. Our experience left me wondering how bad the other options must be if Spice India was the best. We went towards the end of the weekday lunch buffet, and the containers were largely empty. We were able to scrape up enough for two rounds of sampling the vegetarian dishes they had. All the dishes were immensely salty, and both the rice and beans were undercooked and crunchy. To be honest, I've had better (less salty, correctly-cooked) pre-packaged Indian food from the grocery store. On the upside, their naan-- which the waitress only brought halfway through the meal-- was much better than anything else we ate there, which is to say, mediocre but not bad. I really can't recommend this place.
(2)Katie S.
I went here for the first time on a wednesday, which is chaat (indian street food) buffet day. (Monday is also a buffet day, just in case you were wondering!) The buffet was excellent! I love indian food, and this was the best Indian of my life. Very flavorful. I am a vegetarian and there were so many veggie options that both I and my meat-eating date were loving. The staff was very attentive to bringing us water as soon as we needed it, and they kept fresh naan coming to the table all night. Wonderful!
(5)Marcus D.
Great service. Fantastic menu
(4)Carolyn S.
I've already reviewed Spice India extensively here: lveggplant.wordpress.com… but I want to give them a yelp review as well, because they deserve the additional 5 star rating! I try to make it out to the Saturday lunch buffet every week. Those unfortunate weekends when I simply can't make it leave my palate horribly bored, disappointed, and mad at me. Spice India changes up their buffet every single week, so there is always something new and exciting to try. The food tends to be spicier than most American Indian buffets, and quite authentic. My friends and I have bitten down on whole cardamon pods or bitter guard on more than one occasion - and that's the way it should be, dammit! The manager assured us with a smile "Yes that's supposed to be there, eat it, it's good for you!" I loved that. The buffet always features a ton of veggie dishes (beans masala, at least one kind of dal, aloo gobi, mattar paneer, different kinds of saag, tofu or paneer tikki masala, etc) and several meat dishes, as well as soups and dessert. The wonderfully nice servers are attentive and so polite, I just want to hug them every time I'm there. Definitely BY FAR the best Indian food in the Valley.
(5)Lauren S.
I've been to Spice India about 5 or 6 times now, and every time I am consistently pleased with the delicious food and very attentive service. They have a ton of tastey vegetarian options, all at a great price, and a terrific lunch buffet for less than ten dollars! Way way better than Nawab, insanely better than the sketchy often-closed/randomly-open Indian Restaurant in Emmaus, and one of my favorite restaurants in the Lehigh Valley.
(4)Josh F.
A really good Indian spot, which replaced a (from what I heard) sub-par Italian joint. Have only been there once, and it was a while ago, but we couldn't have been happier with our experience. We went during the lunch buffet, and it was your typical set-up, a variety of delicious Indian staples. Everything was fresh, even the naan bread, which can tend to get stale or soggy in buffet enviroments. I do remember the place being a bit cramped, it was the lunch rush, and we had a short wait...nothing horrible though. I could see larger groups having issues, as seating was somewhat inadequate in it's current arrangement, but they might be able to make things work. With Raj Palace gone from the Whitehall area, this place takes over...doesn't quite fill it's shoes in my opinion, but very good nonetheless.
(4)Ravikiran B.
Spice India is a good option for Indian food in Lehigh Valley. Unlike Bay Area or Edison, Lehigh Valley is not flooded with Indian restaurants. Being an Indian, I have a pretty good idea of what to expect from a dish, and Spice India gets it right 3 out of 5 times. Hence my rating!
(3)Dara C.
I'm a longtime Allentown resident, but now I attend school full-time in Cambridge, MA. We have more Indian restaurants than you can shake a pakora at; therefore, I'm extremely picky about my Indian food. I eat Indian takeout about three times a week. Knowing this, upon returning home for a visit, my brother convinced me to check out Spice India's buffet. "Indian food? In the 610? GTFO. It was unexpected, and amazing. First of all, the buffet was about 5x the size of any we have in Boston. There were at least three dozen selections, including naan and dessert. There were vegetarian specialties (including a mushroom dish I've never seen before, and several different dishes with paneer.) There was chicken tandoori and tikka masala, as well as choices for more adventurous palates (goat curry, which I loved.) Everything was fantastic. The spices were perfect, not at all overpowering but always present, everything was salted well, the vegetables cooked to perfection. No flash-frozen, soggy spinach to be found. Just really good fresh food in abundant amounts. I felt so bad going for a third and fourth plate. I'm a small girl but I was tucking it away, and my brother (a former linebacker) was doing the same. The cooks must have been sweating out of fear, but hey, we couldn't help it! The food was brilliant. The service was equally attentive and our water glasses were never empty. Honestly, the quality of this restaurant one finds in a metropolitan area like New York or Boston, not in the suburbs of Pennsylvania. Please, please patronize Spice India rather than your local Applebee's or Chili's. The food is fresher, tastier, healthier, and the economy needs it. An excellent experience, and I can't wait to come home for more Indian!
(5)Ki R.
Have to agree with a lot of the critical reviews. Last visit was my last time at Spice India. The food was just bad. Whether it's apathy, cheapness and/or the lack of competition, this place has gone wrong. Very sad... :(
(2)Rita V.
My husband and I absolutely love love love this place. Although the food can be a wait, at least it slows me down to enjoy my time. My husband always gets the tandoori salmon and eats the whole (very generous) portion. I try different things, including the buffet, and have not ordered anything I didn't like. Favorites: chicken tikka masala, chicken korma, mixed grill (three delicious tandoori chicken rubs, each better than the last). The desserts are not something most people might be familiar with, but the carrot pudding and rice pudding are eaten to bottom of bowl, when I decide to get dessert. Lots of food here, prices very reasonable. Clean. If I were to have complaints at all, it would be wishing something else came with your order than just rice. And MORE CHEESE on the cheese na'an! Keep up the good work...I'm still coming once a week, at least!
(5)Irene R.
i went to this place the other day with my bestfriend for the very first time and had the lunch buffet. i'd have to say that the food and the service was great. i had the yellow rice, chicken and the goat and it was delicious. and the tandoori naan bread was freshly made. loved it!! and our bill is less than $20. i will definitely go back there. this place is highly recommended.
(5)Tim B.
Found the reviews on this place and was amazed at how good the food was here. Service was a little slow, but food was well worth the wait.
(4)Jane G. F.
I discovered Spice India on my way to the post office on Schadt Avenue in Whitehall. Off to the left at the first light, lo and behold the Italian restaurant that used to be there had morphed into an Indian restaurant. Yeah! for me, as I had been looking for interesting ethnic food in the Lehigh Valley, I prefer Indian food over Italian, and this is near my home in Whitehall. Now if only the food was good . . . My first trip was with a friend that doesn't particularly like spicy food, but was up for a new taste experience. We tried the Chicken Saagala - waiter recommended 'mild' - turned out spicy, but not hot - really delicious! We also tried a vegetarian dish of potato dumplings that did not excite our taste buds. I'm a bread-lover and really like good bread/rolls/bagels - the naan bread was a wonderful bread experience! My second visit was with my daughter and her husband visiting from D.C. They were the perfect dining companions to initiate me into the delights of Indian food, which they really like. They had no trouble understanding the nice young Indian waiter (I got about every other word) and ordered with knowledge and experience. It happened to be Monday night buffet, which gave us the opportunity to sample many different dishes, most of which were too spicy hot for me. (They have a lunch buffet every day that gives you an inexpensive way to sample the menu.) I ordered a the Fish Curry (mild) that was incredibly delicious - got to take left-overs home and enjoyed it again the next day! We ordered a bread sampler that allowed us to taste several different kinds of bread - got to take a lot of it home, and it reheated in the toasted oven just fine. So if you have left-over bread, by all means take it home. The regular naan is still my favorite. I got all the left -overs, since they were continuing their travels the next day, and following my daughter's advice, I had the left-over Daal Makhani (hot,spicy lentil dish) over my own brown rice with yogurt on top to cut some of the heat - that made it cool enough for me to enjoy. I have found Indian food to be so tasty - they do great things with spices and at Spice India they can serve many of the dishes mild, which turned out to be spicy, but not hot. Service has always been good with pleasant, helpful servers. I like that you get linen napkins and tablecloths, and the atmosphere is nice - not too upscale, but really nice. When I took the picture of the outside of the building, the chef and two of the waiters came outside to have their pictures taken because I told them I would put them online for their 15 seconds of fame :-) Note: The hours at Spice India are M-Sun lunch 11:30 - 3pm, then they close until dinner at 5pm - 10 pm. The lunch buffet M-Th is $8.95 and food is not hot, just spicy. Friday & weekend buffet has a larger selection at $11.95. Monday night buffet is much hotter food. If new to Indian cuisine, I would recommend trying the weekday buffet. I highly recommend Spice India - if you just want to try something different or if you already are a fan of Indian cuisine, I think you will enjoy this restaurant as I can't find anything not to like.
(5)Brian S.
Stopped in on a Sunday for the lunch buffet. This has to be one of the best Indian places I have been to in a while. Food was very distinctive and extremely tasty. Nice thing was buffet had a lot of different foods that I was able to try, instead of all the normal Indian fare. I will definitely be heading back here for dinner soon.
(4)shubham k.
This place is absolutely fantastic!!! Very good buffet and nice variety .Blessed to have such a restaurent near by .
(5)Jason M.
I started with the vegetable samosas which has a mediocre filling at best to begin with. For some reason they feel it's a great idea to throw salt on the outside of these (salty is a *very* common theme here), Ugh. I then began to eat the single worst lamb vindaloo ever. There is not much flavor here and once again an obscene amount of salt. The wait staff informed me this was because they make their own vindaloo with vinegar causing the salty flavor. They took my vindaloo away to try to "fix it", but when it returned it had the taste of a bad can of cheap soup. I'm quite confused by the amount of great reviews regarding this place, but I just have to assume it's from patrons that don't know any better.
(1)Ben W.
Now I don't have to travel to Philly for good Indian food. I went to this place with some friends and let me tell you the food was phenomenal. It was traditional dishes served just like my mom used to make. The portions were big (ended up taking it home) and in great quality. The wait staff was very friendly and eager to make the experience at their establishment a good one. I will def go back there when I'm in the mood for great Indian food.
(5)john r.
i've been here twice when in town and liked it both times. things tasted fresh, spiced and like what i expected, and service was reasonable. of all the indian restaurants the LV has had, this is by far the best. try it!
(4)Steve L.
Let me preface my review by saying I don't have a lot of experience with Indian food. However, my wife likes the food here a lot and every once in a while, I'll go with her. Today, we headed in for the lunch buffet. I thought the food in the buffet was good. I really enjoyed the butter chicken and pakora. Plus, the lunch buffet is reasonably priced. The only issue was that the lunch buffet wasn't ready when we arrived. The website says they open at 11 am, but the sign on the door said 11:30. We arrived at 11:35 and they were still setting up. It was around 11:50 when we were able to get food and the after noon before all the labels for the food were put out.
(4)Samantha S.
This place has been thru so many hands, it's hard to keep track. But updating my review from a few years back... this place is no longer the same. Flavors and spices are watered down, breads are thinner, and portions less. I'm not inclined to come back.
(1)Chattycathy M.
Went for dinner with friends.
(1)Christine R.
I love this spot. There are not many Indian restaurants around. So when I stumbled here I was very happy. I enjoy the spicey saag paneer and spicy goat saag. The price is ok and the food is really really filling. I continue to visit. I would love to go when they host there buffet hrs, but it has conflicted with my schedule. It is def. on my to-do list :)
(4)Maulik S.
Loved the food ! One of best Indian food I had recently. I'm very picky in choosing Indian food and trust me, they did made fantastic food. From tadka dal to special chai. All done well.
(5)Juicy G.
Spice India boasts that it is the only game in town for Indian food in the Whitehall area, and that's a real shame. If this is what the people of Whitehall, Pennsylvania think is great authentic Indian food, then I really feel sorry for them as they are missing out. This is not authentic Indian cooking. It's not even suitable for a mock Americanized version. The food here is bland/flavorless, and really just pathetic. There are so many amazing Indian Spices that make up your traditional Indian fare. The dishes we had appeared to have none of those. We started our meal with a few orders of vegetable samosas. Your typical samosa has bits of potato, chick peas, and a variety of spices. These had a potato wedge which was surrounded by regular old green peas, and no spices. They were bland and really disappointing. My brother ordered lamb biryani, and asked for it to be spicy. The server asked, "American spicy or Indian spicy?" My brother said, "Indian spicy." When he got his meal it was no spicier than my mother's mild chicken biryani. Worst of all, none of the dishes had any spices to add any flavor. Instead they appeared to have been made with some form of tomato sauce - Something I've never had in any biryani I've ever eaten. The service was atrocious as well. The guy waiting on us was inattentive, and when we asked for more water, didn't bother to bring it until we were done eating. He also brought it out in a large carafe as if to say, "I know I'm the server, but pour your own water." This was a major disappointment of a meal. While I don't live in the area, I can say without a doubt that when I come to visit my family who is, none of us will be back to (lacking) Spice India. Whoever owns this place is doing a great disservice to their countries heritage of food, and they should be ashamed of themselves.
(1)Niral P.
we have been to this restaurant in the past and it is a hit or miss. there were times when food was delicious other time it was poor to say the least. today was one of those days. the service was horrendous and the food equally poor. the glasses were not properly cleaned and the server did not bring us any naan until we were half way done inspite of asking him twice and the curry dishes were very poor we wont be returning ever again.
(1)Shelly M.
Freaking amazing food - we are slowly going through the menu. But then again i am a huge fan of South India cuisine. The acoustics are something of abit of nightmare. Once one starts eating the food - foggetiaboutit... The chicken dishes from the classic Butter Chicken, the Korma for those who like a creamier sauce can be kicked up a notch by asking for medium plus one. Magic. With nose running, drinking a sweet lassie, to sooth my somewhat hot mouth,, I was doing a dance of pure happyness of finding this place in Whitehall. Being from Toronto and living both near little India, in Vancouver and Toronto, This place brings me close to tears. Since I cant buy alot of the spices i would use to make it for myself locally, Going to Spice India and having it made for me, well its magic my friends..just magic. The goat dishes are great, i have never been one for red meat with india food. But my partner in crime loves the Vindaloo The nans, oh my sweet sweet carb...They have the cool clay oven that makes these lovely pieces of deliciousness. Nom nom nom..cant write anymore must continue to feast!
(5)Alan M.
Saturday night I tried this place out for the first time. I'm vegan, and asked some basic questions about their menu and my dietary restrictions. The waiter wasn't as knowledgable as I may have hoped but he must have informed the manager. The manager took over and was VERY courteous about informing me what was safe options for me and making sure I was satisfied. My date is not vegan so he checked to make sure and point out what food she had I couldn't eat and so on. I was very happy with the service I received and the food was delicious. I'd highly recommend this place as a vegetarian/vegan option.
(4)Isabel O.
We've been back several times since my first review and it's consistently great. We have never tried the buffet (husband is not a fan) but it seems very popular. I agree things have gone smoother since the new ownership, and service is always good (there's a young lady who has waited on us several times who's just lovely and very helpful when we want to pick items that might be new to us.) I disagree with any complaints about portion sizes. I think there's a weird visual illusion in the small metal bowls the entree is served in that makes it look smaller. However, I usually get 3-4 servings from my entree, unlimited rice, and never walked away feeling anything by stuffed. I challenge anyone to plate up with rice, dump the entire portion on their plate at once, and still say that's not a very generous portion AND a great value. It's on our shortlist of favorite BYOBs.
(4)Matt N.
I've been to this Spice India many many times and am a big fan. Probably the best Indian in the Valley, I haven't had better..take from that what you will, you are in the Lehigh Valley, not Napa Valley. The food is pretty consistent; tasty and well done. It is a cozy little space, a dozen or so tables, clean and well maintained. I think the food may be better on the a la carte menu (true in just about all restaurants), but as some of my fellow Yelpers have pointed out; it's hard to deny the appeal of the buffet nights. My only gripes about Spice India come from the service; it is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes it feels like they just forget you at your table. No water, where's my naan, etc. Not often, certainly not enough to keep me away, but every now and again. Anyway, give it a try, it's a nice little restaurant.
(4)Heidi S.
Ok food excellent...service not so much...plus we had a groupon and we were told they would honor it but they did not. Then we put in $10 cash plus a card and they charged the entire balance to the card. They thought it was the tip.....
(3)Bill B.
They used to be great, now they use dark fatty meat in their dishes and not much in the way of spices. I wish they would go back to they way it use to be. They used to use good white meat and plenty of delightful spices. Either they lost their cook or they are buying cheap processed stuff.
(2)Sarah O.
I've been to Spice India 4 or 5 times in the last couple of years and my boyfriend and I are huge fans. I almost always get daal makhani, and they give you a huge vat of it (I'm not sure what all the complaints about portions are - I ALWAYS have leftovers, and I have a big appetite). The naan is absolutely perfect, with a crispy bottom (har har) and a fluffy, buttery top puffing with air bubbles. My boyfriend usually gets chana masala and it is excellent here. Last time we went for the lunch buffet, and I was a little disappointed in the selection. Still, as soon as I sucked it up and put stuff on my plate, I couldn't complain. The aloo gobi is perfectly cooked, not mushy at all, and well-spiced without being overdone. My boyfriend raved about the goat curry, and we both had gulab jamun, which were... well, they're pretty much the same everywhere - overly sweet and weirdly delicious. My only complaint is that I back up some of the things people have said about the service. We are always the only people in there, and it still takes up to a half hour to get food. Then again, this isn't fast food. If you hate the people you are dining with that much, go to Arby's. Also, be warned - they do close from 3 to 5! My boyfriend and I once went at 4, not having eaten all day and ravenous for some Indian, and were disappointed to find it closed. Overall, one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. In terms of the Spice India vs. Nawab debate, I find them almost indistinguishable. If a gun were to my head I might pick Nawab, but Spice India is still a very solid option.
(4)Pooja D.
Anyone notice that the Indian people are giving this place really bad reviews? There is good reason, people. Here are my reasons for liking Spice India: 1. Taste isn't bad. It's not GREAT, mind, but not bad. 2. It is the ONLY Indian restaurant in the Lehigh Valley I can tolerate in Lehigh Valley, so it's good when I don't want to drive all the way to Edison NJ to Little India and eat much better food. Here are my reasons for detesting Spice India: 1. Service is S.L.O.W. Prepare to spend 6 PM - 10 PM here for dinner (the buffet is fast, but the food is not as good....or should I say, not as acceptable?) 2. There is sometimes an awkward non-Indian man, singing mostly Indian songs, in a terrible accent. The accent wasn't enough though, he straight up can't carry a tune. 3. The portions are teeny tiny. Spice India, you are not single handedly responsible for feeding the billion people who reside in India, so would you please give me a little more to eat so I don't start snacking on your tablecloth? 4. The price is NOT worth the quality or quantity of food. You pay $10-$11 for 5 small pieces of boneless chicken in a cool looking Indian bowl? No, come on. Serve it to me in a styrofoam bowl, but where's the rest of my meal? If you are not accustomed to Indian food, this place will increase in your estimation by a couple stars, I can certainly see that. If you don't mind the drive though, do yourself a favor and go to Edison, NJ - there's a slew of restaurants on Oak Tree Road. Check Yelp for the Reviews, and hit the road. You're welcome.
(2)Brooke I.
Not impressed. I got a goat dish that had more chewy fat than meat. Some of my goat was cubed chunks that I struggled to eat. My husband got a chicken dish...it was better than mine, but just okay. After a few times of being disappointed, we blacklisted this place. Wanted to love this place because it was so close...but I've eaten much better.
(2)Ewelina C.
My husband and I do not know much about Indian food, so we do not know how it is supposed to taste and can't say how authentic it is. However, for people who like to try different cuisines, this place is good. We have been here a few times, and we were always happy with our food. My husband loves their Chicken Tikka Masala, and I like Korma. There are many choices on the menu with a lot of vegetarian dishes. We never had to wait, but we usually go before 6 pm. The music can be a bit annoying, but you get used to it after a few visits. The lunch buffet is okay. I would like to see more vegetarian dishes. Some food gets cold quickly, and it is not reheated. I would not go there for the lunch buffet again, but I recommend it for dinner.
(4)Jeff C.
I've only gone here for their buffet, which is fairly good. But this is the first time I dined from the menu. It is an entirely different experience. First the service was not up to par. From waiting for water and finally after 10 minutes having to ask for it to very slow service. Why would it take 20 minutes to get soup? The bread was a tortilla shaped Chana flour crispy thing. It was very good but we were surprised that we would have to order naan ala carte. I ordered tandoori shrimp as I've never seen that before, with trepidation, as if they didn't time it right at that high a heat it can easily be overcooked. Well, my fears were realized when it came with a texture of extra chewy chicken. I sent it back and got tandoori chicken instead, which was very tasty and moist. But that came at a price, another 15 or so minutes of waiting. If you like cilantro on EVERYTHING, then this is the place for you. If you don't, avoid it like the plague as that seems to be their go-to herb. After the meal it took about another 15 minutes sitting there to get the check. I was thinking of paying by credit but my wife made me realize that it would probably take another 30 minutes to run it, so we scrounged for cash, left it and fled. All in all, I would only go there again during a buffet night.
(2)Mark N.
I love spice India. There is no denying that they have the best Indian in the valley at the best price. Their Monday and Wednesday buffets (starting at 5:30) are staples for my family. This is a great place to introduce Indian cuisine to a first timer.
(4)Howard M.
The food is okay, but the service is very slow. The menu is rather limited for an Indian restaurant; there are no Thali dinners. I find this place rather expensive for what you get, and I think there are better places for Indian food in the Lehigh Valley
(2)Tara S.
I hate to do lower my review, but several months ago something changed. Ownership? The chef? The food is not nearly as good as it used to be. It's causing me to look elsewhere for my Indian fix when once I was loyal to this place. Sorry, Spice India.
(2)Vince C.
Had the dinner buffet, was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. Nice atmosphere, sign said they were under new management, bathroom looked like it hadn't been cleaned for a few days.
(3)TJ S.
Everything we ate here was delicious. We had the Chana Masala, which was based on chickpeas, and an eggplant dish; the eggplant was at a perfect level of spiciness that was very pleasing and far from overwhelming. We also had a mango and yogurt drink, which was a great contrast to the other flavors. Before you order, you get Indian crackers and interesting sauces. The service was good, and the waiter was helpful. The atmosphere was ideal.
(5)Matthew B.
Ok, I give three stars for the food, it's really good and the buffet is what really sold me. HOWEVER, a big HUGE However, I give ONE star for the very poor service at this place. I've eaten here twice and read the other reviews and service seems to stand out as their huge Achilles heal. If you're like me, and truly appreciate having a full drink when you dine, then in all seriousness, I say bring your own drink. Or, teach them how to be waiters... Rarely do I leave a restaurant leaving no tip, but this place earned a stiffing.. So in review, really good food, very poor service.
(3)Emily S.
Wow! Fantastic! Went by myself when I was visiting the area and was pleasantly surprised. I got the vegetable pakora ($4), paneer makhani ($12), and garlic naan ($3.50). They threw in a free little dessert of a sweet rice pudding. It was all fantastic. I ordered the entree too spicy (my fault for thinking that I'm tougher than I am), I asked if they had yogurt and they offered to tone down the spice in the meal instead. They took it back to the kitchen, added extra cream to tone it down, and brought it back steaming hot again! I've never had a place offer to do that. If I'm ever passing through town again I will definitely stop back!
(5)Vanessa W.
I had heard mixed reviews about this place from friends for a while - from great to I got food poisoning, so I hadn't gone since Nawab on Southside Bethlehem is closer to my home, and reliable. I should have gotten here sooner. Firstly, the place is a decent size, and sadly patrons were kind of sparse for a Saturday night. The service was very nice and pleasant. Only atmosphere complaint was they were playing what I can best describe as Indian house music. The food itself was good. The portions at first glance appeared a little small, but don't let the containers fool you - there is plenty of food there and they offered us more rice when we were getting low. I got chicken tikka masala - my gauge of good food. I got it medium which was just enough spice for me, but was still pretty mild. If you're a big Indian food fan I would go with the spicy. I thought it was very good. Husband's chicken cashmere was also very tasy. Around $40 for the two of us with two meals and an appetizer I thought it was a good price point for a good meal.
(4)Ethan A.
Update! I ordered takeout for 8 for my C-mas dinner last night, and: 1. It was done EXACTLY as ordered, every last bit. 2. It was done at EXACTLY the time ordered, as in they were finishing the last of it when we arrived, so everything go home hot. 3. It was absolutely delicious. I'm a big fan of Spice India, but somehow it just tasted one notch better last night. The naan was on. The samosas were way on. The paneer tikka masala was on. Even their rice was just... on. I can't say enough good about them!
(5)Paul K.
Need I remind you people complaining about the authenticity of this place that it's located in Whitehall, Pennsylvania? I mean, if you're going to rag on the fact that the restaurant's naan quality isn't like that of Mumbai, just remember you're about a quarter-mile from a now-defunct Sam's Club. Spice India serves up some damn good India food--the best in the Valley--and I've been to Mumbai. Highlights include: Luscious, tender mango chicken Creamy, savory lamb or goat sagwala Indian pickles Seafood curry Yes, they will try to push appetizers on you. Yes, the food will be a little late. Yes, they sometimes have some bearded dude playing a keyboard next to the buffet bar (live music!). But all this only adds to the quirky ambiance of place. Plus, it's BYO. And you're going to need it should you dare to order your food "Indian spicy."
(4)Jen E.
The times I've been to Spice India in Whitehall, something REALLY good happens, making me forget about the meh parts of the experience. The food and service is usually very good.. Except for the one time when I found a bone in my chicken, and the time they gave us dirty glasses, and the times they NEVER bring refills on rice or water, and the time I watched a creepy bug crawling along on the wall next to me... Wait, why do I come here again? I should've learned by now, except there's always something especially tasty that makes me forget. Tonight's adventure was no different. The food was really, really tasty. I had the Shahi Paneer, which I enjoyed, and my dining companion had the Chili Paneer. The menu described it as some things in an "Indian Chinese sauce." It was a thick red ooze with floating chunks in it. The last time I saw something similar, I ended up in an ambulance. Our consensus was that it appeared to be a steaming bowl of entrails. It was tasty, but it's a dish better served to a blind guy or at a Halloween party. Our server was as graceful as a falling sack of peas. He nearly smacked me upside the head with the carafe of water, and threw around our plates like they had insulted his mother's integrity. The service was pretty slow - We waited long enough to order to start contemplating placing a take-out order and bringing it to our table, and had to wait ten minutes to get a refill on rice. His winning move was when he couldn't figure out how to use our Restaurant.com coupon, and instead told us to bring it back next time. Nope, there won't be a next time. Not when the Spice India in Nazareth is eleventy million times better, and Nawab is down the road.
(1)Soumya J.
Always disappointing to go here. And after the last time, I have decided to black list it and not go here again. 1. Quantities are pathetically low. Each veg dish can barely gives 2 servings. 2. Quality is below average - all the gravy vegetables taste the same. The south Indian food is oily and the 'chaat' is very ordinary. 3. Very slow service at dinner - we waited for almost 45 min last time. 4. The waiters are rude also and can't handle any load. Last time I went - A). Ordered channa bhatura - waiter says why are you ordering bhaturas - just get naan. B). They get channa masala instead of chole. C). On asking for more naan waiter says our cook is ready to leave - do you really want it? D). Paneer tikka masala had exactly 1 piece of paneer. E). Naan was made of rubber I think. Go anywhere else but here.
(1)Mary T.
Agree - best Indian in the Lehigh valley. Better than nawab in Bethlehem, but not by a huge margin. Really broad menu. Lots and lots of vegetarian options. Hot is HOT - but waitress consulted carefully with each of us and everyone was happy with their spice level. Portions are normal sized - which might seem small to some, but perfect as far as I'm concerned. Usual indian serving style allows easy sharing of dishes - rice and entrees are served separately and you are given a clear plate to put them on. I had lamb saagwala, very tender and nice. Desserts were not so good - carrot pudding just weird shredded carrots and honey, rice pudding thin and flavorless, honey balls just sweet. It's byob. Total tab for six adults and three children with apps and desserts was about $220 with the tip. Not too pricey.
(4)RINNA L.
took my mom here to celebrate her graduation from Empire beauty school. The food was pretty tasty. I really enjoyed my Mutter Panner. My GF wasn't too big a fan of her Chicken Tikka Masala. My mom ordered lamb chops - that's just kind of weird. They were ok, but I'm not a big fan of lamb in general. The bread was a little weird and soggy, but ok. I also felt like they could have been a little bit more generous with the rice that came with the meals. The service was ok - the decor is slightly strange and dark, but not distracting or anything. I will probably be back here if i'm in the area, but i prefer Nawab in Bethlehem.
(3)Amy L.
Love love love the palak paneer here!! You can also ask them to make a combination onion and garlic naan and ask for melted cheese on top(make sure u say please bc sometimes they have trouble understanding this request) IT IS LIKE U DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN. I've been a vegetarian for 4 years now and after i eat from this place makes me happy I did so. Miss eating a cheesesteak?. I don't think so!!!!
(4)Stacey L.
Excellent Indian food. A lot of vegetarian options. Cute restaurant and great service. :)
(4)Ajeeb T.
I have been to this restaurant twice. This time was last week and I went to the buffet. It is under new management and the chicken tikka had chicken with bones! The gravy was not very good! All of it was rather mediocre and not particularly fresh. I like the Easton Spice India better. This one is mediocre at best!!!
(2)Alyssa W.
This was my first experience in Indian food, and I'm excited to now try other restaurants specialising in such cuisine. I've been here more times than I can count, and now that I'm typing this, I realise I need a fix : ) The food is always good when I'm there, I especially enjoy the Goat Hyderabadi, it's cooked perfectly and is served with easily the best rice I've ever had anywhere. Their cheese naan is like a gift from heaven. I've more than once gotten just that to go, and eaten it before I've gotten home. I haven't been here for the buffet, but i believe they have a South Indian buffet some nights, and Northern Indian other nights. I know some people have mentioned that service is questionable, but I've never had a problem, and honestly, I prefer not having someone hovering over my every spoonful. I wonder if it's a cultural thing? That's always been my assumption regarding the service. My advice? Grab a couple friends, get here early and order a lot of food. And don't forget an Indian coffee, it's superb!
(4)Nicole P.
I agree with Dara C a few reviews down...GOOD INDIAN in the 610! I couldn't believe it either! I've been to Spice India on several occasions and experienced both their buffets and the al a carte menu. I'm not a newcomer as I too lived in both Boston and Philadelphia for sometime and have been exposed to several Indian restaurants and have very picky standards. Oh, I failed to mention that I actually lived with an ex who was directly from Madras so I know quality/authentic Indian food when I see it and Spice India has it! Sorry, RR from Bethlehem, I disagree with your initial conclusions..... I hope I don't get this mixed up but I think the Monday nigh buffet has an Southern Indian theme and the Wednesday night buffet a more "Northern" theme. There is a chef on site that will prepare appetizers for you while you sample the dishes laid out on the buffet which is a real treat. I've had him prepare a masala dosa and a samosa chat..both were awesome :) I've never tried a dish I disliked. I will admit that once I ordered Mulligatawny soup and it was a bit salty to my taste but that was a one time event. I also ordered take out from the al a carte menu and asked for it "Indian spicy" and trust me if you're not accustomed to what that means beware...I found it quite deliciously spicy :) Overall, the food it good and the costs is worth the trip! One last thing....I also think it is cute that the owners provide some live entertainment on Thursday nights (I think). It is usually one man and his keyboard but I think it is a nice touch that the owners thought enough about the customer to provide this for our dining experience. Kudos!
(5)Charly J.
I'm giving Spice India 5-stars for being one of the BEST places in the Lehigh Valley to get Indian food. It's not the best I've ever had, but it's pretty darn delicious! I've been looking for other eat-out, vegetarian alternatives other than salads & sushi (I'm trying to increase my fish & veggie intake & decrease my red meat intake), & right now Indian & Mexican are my current crushes. We've been to Spice India's lunch buffet twice & both times we left EXTREMELY satisfied. The 1st time we went they were hosting a large birthday party & it was near the end of the buffet. Regardless, we were very happy w/ the selections that were left for us to sample. We still had to be rolled out to our car because we were so full! The 2nd time we went it was right after the buffet had started, so we had more items to taste. Again, we rolled ourselves out to the car in a food-induced stupor. Just wonderful! The buffet is harmless spice-wise, but it offers an interesting cross-section of the dishes they offer. Vegetarian, chicken, goat/lamb, appetizers, desserts, etc. We're going to make this place a once-a-week necessity! Eventually we'll go just for dinner & order specific dishes (extra spicy!). Highly recommended!
(5)Paul O.
Thanks to Yelp I found this place and we will be back. The atmosphere was great as a byob can get. Friendly service and the food was fantastic. The Tikki Masala Chicken was perfect, same for the Mango chicken. The rice was well cooked and the same for the Naan. We had the mix appetizer plate, we could have passed on that as the potato was the only real crowd pleaser. Not that the other items were not tasty, just they paled in comparison to the entries. Service ended well to with a fast check deliver and cash out. Head up to Whitehall and try Spice India.
(4)Tik R.
The food is ok. The buffet seems a bit sparse. Need another type of chicken added to the buffet?. The service was ok as well. We would had to ask for soda refills and they didn't clear our plates most of the time before we got back. I took my family there since they never had Indian food and they fail to tell me gratitude was include for my size party of 6. I didn't see this and added an addition tip. I would not have mind if the service was good but it wasn't so I was not please. I probably won't go back since the food wasn't good as the other Indian restaurant that I normal go too.
(3)Alysia S.
I have visited this place several times, since it's the only Indian restaurant I know of within 30 miles of Kutztown. Every single time I go here I am given terrible service and my food is prepared as if they think I have eaten only cheeseburgers all my life. For a table of 3, we were given one helping of rice, which was gone within 2 minutes. As well, we finished our water before our meals had arrived (30 minutes from order time, 1 hour from arrival). At this point we watched the waiter refill rice and water for 3 other tables, sat after us. I normally feel like a jerk for flagging a server down, but at this place it is the only way I can get service - and rude service at that. On top of all this, the food wasn't even acceptable. 3 out of 3 dishes were cold when they arrived and tasted like they were microwaved from a grocery-store pre-made packet. I have travelled the east coast ordering my favorite dish at every Indian place I can find - Shahi Paneer. Every other time, this dish was acceptable, but not great, from Spice India. This last time I tasted no spice beyond salt, pepper, and onion. I swear to god it was made with American cheese added - I asked for 'spicy'. I am absolutely appalled at every aspect of the service I recieve from this restaurant. I cannot tell whether this is because I am white, or because I'm young - others seem to have great experiences here. I have not.
(1)Jim D.
I've been hearing some very good things about this place so I decided it was long overdue for me to pay my respective visit. I haven't been to an Indian restaurant in the Valley since my less than mediocre visit at Nawab so I was more than ready to take on a new prospect. The food is great! Monday night is buffet night and there were plenty of choices to choose from. Many of the dishes were vegetarian but there were some delish meat dishes. The ever basic chicken curry dish, although very good, had some small broken bones in it that made it a bit cumbersome to eat. They had some type of seasoned popcorn chicken that was really tasty too. We also ordered the shrimp nargisi and that was just absolutely amazing. It's full of spicy, robust flavors that just made my belly oh so happy. I'm with Joe L on the rest of the details. Prices, atmosphere are all good. I also love the fact it's BYOB. What's not to love about that?! I'd definitely come back here again and explore the massive regular menu.
(4)Scott C.
Had an early dinner here with my wife. She is a relativley inexperienced with Indian food but loves the few currys I have made so tried this place an will be back! The appetizer sampler we split was very good but just shy of great. The chicken that comes with it was essentially chicken and the only reason it wasn't great. My wife and I split tandoori chicken and goat vindallo. Both were great and the vindallo (which we ordered spicy) was perfectly spiced. The naan was delicious and the overall meal was fantastic and very reasonable. The only knock is that the service, while exteremly friendly was a bit on the slow side. To sum up ... Eat here!
(5)Greg S.
I had the buffet ($13.95) and mango lassi ($3.50). Everything was tasty. The buffet was characterized as South India. There were many dishes that I had not been served previously. The tables were set with table clothes and fresh flowers. As with most restaurants, the music was too loud, but I guess that must be what most patrons want.
(5)Soumitra D.
WARNING ******** DO NOT GO TO SPICE INDIA FOR YOUR OWN GOOD I had a carry out ordered yesterday. As a Indian , I am sorry that these people are ruining the impression of AmericanS about Indian food. If they dont have proper CHEF they should close down or hire new. The food was HORRIBLE . Navrattan kurma tasted SO BAD that we had to throw it. My mistake . I should never have gone there. If you want to taste Indian food then go to NJ Edison .You will have plenty of choices.
(1)Ben C.
Good stuff!
(4)Joe L.
I've been to Spice India twice now; once for dinner, once for the lunch buffet. It is very, very good. The food has a homemade quality to it, something you don't see often in restaurants these days. (Especially in Whitehall.) I'm new to Indian food, so the menu is a bit challenging insomuch as I don't really know what anything is. That's why I recommend the lunch buffet. It is excellent. The food is hot and fresh, and the quality is top notch. Everything is well labeled, so it's easy to know what you had, what you liked, and what you didn't. An excellent way to get a crash course in Indian cuisine. Don't be afraid to try everything...some of the items on the buffet that look the most unusual (or unappetizing) to Western eyes are some of the best. Prices are good, the restaurant is clean and well-kept. The staff is attentive and you always have a fresh bottle of complimentary water on your table. If you like Indian food, you'll like this place. If you've never had Indian food, this is a great place to start. What are you waiting for?
(5)Joseph B.
I just got back from the Sunday lunch buffet at Spice India, my first visit. Having lived near the Devon Avenue stretch of Indian restaurants in Chicago for a number of years, I'm not a stranger to Indian food, although I'm far from an expert. While the decor and atmosphere are a bit lacking, the food was definitely above average. The heat wasn't overwhelming, but it wasn't the bland version of what is often sold as Indian food in the US. The buffet had a lot of choices including a pretty extensive "salad" selection, at least 5 vegetarian dishes, 4 meat dishes, and a trio of dessert options. I sampled all of the vegetarian and dessert options (I'm not a meat eater) and found all to be very well prepared with fresh ingredients. Service was friendly and attentive. The naan was top notch. The masala tea was the best I've ever had. There were two different large groups that came through while we were there, and the staff had no problem accommodating both groups of 10-15 people. You'll be hard pressed to find a better Indian dining experience or a better lunch buffet of any kind in the Lehigh Valley. Highly recommended! Overall,
(4)K F.
Spice India is solid Indian fare. The seasonings and preparations are Americanized but tasty. The Vindaloo especially showcased the growing intensity that I personally find most pleasing. The samosas and naan were both solid. The preparation was a little slow, but not excessive. And the service staff was very attentive throughout. The portions will not leave you with much for leftovers, which may be a slight negative given the pricing. But overall, the quality of food justifies a return visit for me.
(4)Hady Y.
Good food, good serves
(4)Kat H.
Hooray for Spice India! The undisputed BEST Indian in the Lehigh Valley...don't even listen to anything about NAWAB being good...probably written by college students who also think that the Tally Ho is a good night out. Everything was fresh! The tiki masala was awesome and they even had you rate the spice level (1 being as bland as grandma's mashed potatoes and 10 being, "holy underwear!") However...drinker beware! It is BYOB and the staff nasty ( however, they were nice MOST of the time) when you ask them for a kingfisher (the only reason why this isn't a perfect rating!) Overall, awesome food (get the appetizer for 2) and cheap prices...life is good
(4)Randall B.
We loved it there! Can't wait till we go there again. The service was outstanding and guided us through the menu. It is a BYOB place and very vegetarian friendly. We will be back again and again!
(3)michael c.
I like unexpected gems when I travel and Spice India is a shiny one. Tucked into a side street off of PA145, I never would have found this had I not asked the guy i was working with if I could fine good Indian food in Allentown. Spice India is a prime northern style Indian eatery. The sauces are heavier, but not too much so and the spice is even and balanced and not overpowering even in spicier dishes. I went for dinner and had a Paneer Somosa and the Goat Vindaloo which were quite good. For bread I tried the Paneer Kulcha, which a bread with cheese and spices. Overall the food was outstanding and the service, while not perfect was good. After my experience there I would gladly return.
(4)David K.
i am forever conflicted about Spice India. initially years ago, i thought it was awful. then they came under new management and it vastly improved. then they hired another new chef and the food was amazing to the extent that i will actually now eat the buffet (one of the best i've ever had). vegetarians, there's a lot to offer here and you'll be pleased. obviously you'll get better quality food if you order from the menu. currently, the food is fresh, the "Indian Spicy" is actually spicy, and the dishes are complex and very flavorful. not sure why people are complaining about portion sizes, are you not happy unless a giant vat of slop is plopped in front of you and you have leftovers for a week? know that the interior amplifies sound like none other. so if you're on a date and there's a room full of parents with their terrible screaming children, you're going to have a bad time. they need to add some fabric on the walls or something to diffuse sound. the service is inconsistent, as you'll sometimes get an attentive (but not overly annoying) old pro, or you'll get a 16 year old that will only half listen to you and then bring out a completely wrong order and then laugh about it. regardless, it's a place for some good indian food, so roll the dice and go tonight. never the same experience twice. if you're an anal retentive type of person or someone that wants everything to be perfect and is annoyed easily, maybe stay home and stare at a wall.
(4)Akshay B.
Have been here twice, both the times the food was not good. Its greasy and lacking in flavor. Apart from the lackluster food, the service was slow, had to wait for 10 minutes to get the bread (naan) after we got the curry. The ambient noise level was very high due to a party going on. I would recommend driving to NJ to get decent Indian food.
(2)Julie S.
I'm going to make a bold statement: at this price level (the $9-12 entree) this is one of the best restaurants in the Lehigh Valley. I'm very familiar with Indian food--I've even been to India--and Spice India meets my fussy standards. I also lived in the Lehigh Valley for 18 years, so I've been many places. Spice India has a lot of dishes that are harder to find in the US, much less in Allentown: chaats (street food), Thums Up and Limca sodas, some south Indian dishes, and even a little Indian Chinese food, which is an amazing hybrid cuisine. When I, a pasty-faced white girl, asked for spicy, they actually gave me spicy. That doesn't always happen in Indian restaurants. The samosa chaat was great--it's basically a samosa sprinkled with crunchy Indian snack food, chick peas, and different chutneys. It's a great mixture of textures and flavors. And it's only $3.95! I was just about full when I finished it. But then I couldn't stop eating the Kashmiri Dum Aloo, a kind of potato dumpling in delicious sauce. Good good. I couldn't stop saying, "Slammin!" It's so slammin.
(5)Jeremiah B.
Just finished dinner here with the wife and kids. Everyone was extremely pleased with their meals. We split garlic naan and vegetable samosas to start. The naan was excellent- fresh, flavorful and not tough at all. The samosas were good but not quite as seasoned as I like, however the onion chutney that accompanied it was fantastic and complemented it well. The kids shared mango chicken and absolutely loved it! I do agree with some other posts that a few more pieces of chicken would be nice but we were still happy with the quantity for the fair price. My wife had shrimp nargisi and the flavor was awesome and the portion was more than enough to fill her. I had the shahjahani biryani and it was the best Indian dish I've ever had in the area. It was packed with flavor, had the perfect level of heat and had a fair amount of meat. I would get it again in a heartbeat. This was our first time here since moving from Bethlehem where we always went to Nawab. We're glad to have found somewhere close to home with great food and friendly service.
(5)Sachin K.
Best north Indian food in Lehigh valley. Been visiting from 3 years, every time I go its better than before. Recently had catering for 40 members dinner, every single person loved the food , it was so delicious. Keep doing good job guys, highly recommend. Especially chola bathura, veg briyani, malai kofta, gulab jamun were chartbuster.
(5)Larry K.
Just did takeout because we were nearby and were hungry. We haven't had Indian food in a while and we have not been very happy with the Lehigh Valley's selection of Indian restaurants. The service was very good the food was ready on time. The food itself was adequate with the mixed appetizer selection being quite good but main courses were only fair. The peas in the mattar panir seemed like they were frozen and the naan seemed tough. The taste of the naan and the sauce was very good. The chicken tikka was good and tasted fresh. Would do takeout again but wouldn't eat in not quite good enough for that.
(3)Lock N.
We have visited this Whitehall location several times over the years. At some point, it was the best Indian restaurant that I knew, that slowly changed to becoming the worst. Most of the selections don't taste as good as previously. Wifey will never step in this premise, she says. Her Lamb seekh kebab was nowhere near what she anticipated. We had two preschool age kids with us for dinner. The kids ate plain rice & plain naan since their order was too spicy, contrary to our request. Out of the total of four orders, I am the only one that liked my coconut goat selection hence the reason for the two stars. As the place started filling with people (we were the only ones for a while), the same waiter had to sit everyone & cater for us all. I was surprised additional held did not show up!! All in all, it will be a very very long time before we visit this place again.
(2)Parth A.
Went for lunch buffet at allentown location. The food was too bland. The worst indian food i have had in US. Wouldn't recommend going there. Only the rice pudding was good.
(2)Cheri Jerry A.
Service was a bit slow, but so worth the wait. We did however manage to score some free dessert. Very reasonably priced and food was amazing. They have a lunch buffet I'd like to try if I can get there in the afternoon.
(3)TJ H.
I've been back many times but it has gone downhill over the years. The food is oilier, more bones than meat, and flavors aren't as good anymore... Then I read this article ( mcall.com/business/retai… ) and it all makes sense; it's been sold and it's not the same owner anymore. Granted it was sold in 2011 and my first visit was in 2012, and I loved it then, but I can't seem to stomach it now.
(1)Drooling N.
Spice India has three locations (whitehall, Catasaqua and Easton). I have tried all three locations several times over the last 8 years. I am of Indian origin and recently reviewed nawab indian restaurant in Bethlehem. For those interested in Indian cuisince, can check that review for some comments on Indian food in general. All my reviews are based purely on the taste of food. Spice India started off as a decent restaurant serving primarily food from North India. Over the years, the food has fluctuated in taste and consistency. On a good day, the meal can be satisfactory, but maybe not value for money. Vegetarian fare at Spice india often lacks the freshness it derserves. The vegetables feel frozen or canned, which is a big disappointment. The meat, very inconsistent. In its initial few months, Spice India made a lovely, succulent goat curry, which declined in portion size, quality and taste over the years. Currently it is mostly, bone heavy, small pieces in a bland sauce. The lamb dishes similarly lack succulence and flavor. The sauces here in general often lack the subtelty of Indian food. Tongue-blazing hot food is not what Indian food is all about. I have noticed Spice India tries to mask some of its inadequacies in flavor with chilli powder and excessive seasoning. It would do them a world of good to find a balance in seasoning and spices. I still rank them higher than Nawab's because their food, despite their flaws has better flavor. However there is room, wait no a "football stadium" left for improvement.
(2)Andy K.
We have been eating here weekly for a couple of years now, and every meal is better than the last. Consistently the BEST Indian food around! Highly recommend, Run, don't walk.
(5)Srujan G.
Horrible portion sizes for the price. Dont go. We ordered fish vindaloo, had to search for fish pieces as it was filled with potato. Vegetable manchurian was 7$ you get 3 small pieces. Gulab jamun 2 pieces for 5$
(1)D C.
Good food, very nice people. I have never tried Indian food, and I was not disappointed. I went and tried the buffet, which was pretty good. I will be going back to try a meal.
(3)Jen W.
Absolutely delicious and worth the bill I had to pay. Groups of 6 or more will add a gratituity tip on it. I ordered the appetizer sampler and it was amazing. The samosa was on point!! The butter chicken was delicious. Friend ordered a chicken dish too and it was amazing. Anything "clay-oven" cooked would take longer but its amazing. Tried the cheese naan and it was HEAVENLY! We also got garlic naan complimentary of the chef. Delicious! Service was great since we had a very friendly teenager who knew the menu well. If you can take spice, order your food as "Indian spicy" and you will love the heat!!! Will definitely come again, especially for the buffet next time! Update: I went to the Buffet night and I never looked at Indian food the same way (in a good way!) I will only come here on Buffet nights now!
(5)Angela L.
This has become one of our favorite restaurants. The food is excellent, the buffet is continually changing, and the staff is superb. They are not only accommodating, but go above and beyond for you. We wholeheartedly recommend this establishment.
(5)Vanessa L.
We stepped in for the lunch buffet here. Vegetarian entrees top the menu at this authentic Indian restaurant (management is from India, by the way) with six vegan entrees. The spice factor is as expected though some dishes can put your breath on fire such as the aloo mutter (bean and potato) dish as quoted by my fiance who generally has a high threshold for spice. For dessert, the gulab jamen (milk, honey and cheese puffs) were a indulgent sweet afterthought to a memorable meal. I also like how they do not seem to serve fountain soda. Reasonable prices too. Would absolutely return for dinner to order off the menu. My fiance has been over to the Easton location and had nothing but delicious things to say so you really cannot go wrong with either location.
(5)Christian M.
Had the chicken and shrimp curry on two separate occasions. I do not recommend seafood from this place as it was not fresh at all. The chicken curry however was excellent and spicy. Would recommend to anyone looking for a spicy meal.
(3)