Bengal Spice in Islington

Great food with suggestions given for our party by the waiter. He knew the menu very well and each of our party was very pleased with the recommendation.

This must be the only restaurant that charges for the spice! Everyone who eat Bangladeshi or Indian food surely like their food being spicy! Ok no one didn’t force me to order but it’s ridiculous that you end up paying £9 for the side dish because they charge £1 for spicy and £1 for Balti?! My side dish was shockingly small and still lacked flavour even after additionally paying for it! Atmosphere in the restaurant was so tense, there is no music and it’s weirdly quiet. P.S. At least customers are warned that food is cooked in GMO soya oil 😆

Great meal at Bengal Spice, food was fantastic and so was service. The person who served us was knowledgeable and recommended dishes for us which we all enjoyed. Plenty of vegan options including rices, breads, mains and sides.

Quality of food doesn’t justify the price. I ordered spicy and received bland food in small portions. Chef maybe had a bad day but that’s not my problem.

Great value local restaurant. The food is great and the staff are always friendly and helpful. I'm lactose intolerant and they are really good at helping me choose diary free options. Bonus is that they are BYO which helps keep the cost very reasonable.

Popped in here the other night for the first time with friends and had a great time. The owner was incredibly helpful and made sure we had a meal that was to our liking, would highly recommend and look forward to coming back soon

What a little gem this place is. I was working near Upper Holloway the service and food was 1st class. We was asked what we liked, spice, flavour and it did not disappoint we all had something that we would not normally go for and I we all said it was the best curry we had had. Top class meal would 100% recommend

Simply amazing. Fresh ingredients wonderful staff great atmosphere. Nice portions size.

My boyfriend and I come here once a month as a tradition because we love the food so much. Everything is always so fresh and delicious. The host is very hospitable and is so passionate about his food which is what makes the place so special. Neither of us want to go anywhere else for a curry again.. Thank you!

Ally the owner is extremely attentive to his customers, he came over made to our table to help us chose our dish based on preference, The food was absolutely DELICIOUS, i ended up ordering a second main of Dahl to take away with me 😍 Great service, fantastic food in a practical location. Please go, you won’t regret it!!

really authentic family business and amazing food

The best food and lovely staff with great recommendations on the different curries and spice levels and great for dietary requirements like vegan!

Amazing service, such friendly and helpful staff! So many options on the menu too, plus very good for vegetarians/vegans. 10/10 would recommend!!

Really good food, excellent service, and BYO! What’s not to love?

Our food was amazing, 10/10 and the waiter helped us decide on what to get immediately!

Such a great experience, the food was delicious and the staff were so helpful in explaining the menu where needed. Great service as well as food so we will definitely be back soon :)

Gem of a curry house that was recommended to me. The service and understanding to set a sauce against your own requirements is very good.

Excellent food and service. Hidden gem.

Amazing food. Nothing like it in London, definitely worth a visit!

Delicious food, nicely presented, and the staff were so authoritative and helpful - really went out of their way to broaden our horizons! Recommend highly - also corkage is free

Beautifully fresh food. Fantastic flavours. Great service. The best poppadoms and pickles and the peshwari naan of your dreams.

We enjoyed various delicious dishes and had a wonderful time.

Perfect food and VEGAN friendly :)

Excellent food and excellent service. The proprietor guided us through our selection. This is a BYOB restaurant. I was so excited to find Peshawari naan. We loved the food so much we went back before our trip wrapped up.

A group of 10+ here had an excellent meal with fantastic service! Be prepared to learn and try new dishes! The team are very accommodating and good humoured.

The BEST CURRYS you’ll ever have!!! From the chicken tikka, the madras to a korma it’s soooo good! I’ll never go anywhere else

Distinctive & different flavours served to individual chilli heat (0-10!) and really helpful staff explaining. Tried and really enjoyed Prawn Lebu roll starter - generous soupy and juicy. And Lamb Borfi - highly recommended dish with 2 contrasting layers of sauce - underneath a thick bhuna sauce and on top a rich, nutty, buttery, sweet, coconut and creamy sauce - delicious and not over sweet & creamy like a Korma. Appreciated the BYO policy which keeps the costs reasonable.

Very good indian restaurant ! Delicious Tikka Massala and Butter Chicken.

Food was delicious could not recommend more will be back for sure.

Delicious food and very helpful owner who made us try many new dishes!

Brilliant authentic food, informed and friendly staff and great atmosphere. Perfect birthday party!

Such a great experience for our friends birthday, the owner really made it a special evening. He helped us with our orders and was so friendly and enthusiastic, a great place for birthdays as he let us bring a cake :)

Attentive staff, excellent food - top class south Asian food in an area that’s lost a few over the years.

Welcoming and entertaining service. Even better food, would highly recommend !!!

this place is a gem. Ali takes so much care with service and food is always delicious. vegan options too.

Sehr sehr gutes Essen und toller Service. Alkohol gibt's keinen, kann aber mitgebracht werden

First time eating at this restaurant as just moved to the area and we were very impressed! Food was delicious, very attentive staff who helped us understand the different spice levels and flavours to make sure we got exactly what we wanted. Such a reasonable price based on how good food was! Would highly recommend and definitely coming back!

We had an excellent meal here. The staff was there to help us navigate the extensive menu and suggest options based on our choices. Modest and brilliant. Highly recommended. Ps they do not serve alcohol, but you can bring your own and consume it with your meal.

Perfect Christmas curry - our host talked all 9 of us through the menu, made recommendations and was overall incredibly engaging from the moment we sat down. They were also brilliant with allergies (nuts) We’ll be back!

Such a great and unique experience, we told him what we like and what we usually go for and then he would ask questions and understand about the flavours you like and what kind of heat to then recommend you a dish and then it turned out to be the best Indian meal I’ve ever had! Great way to be served and push yourself outside your usual, every bite was delicious!

This was the best curry I have had in my life... hands down! I will definitely be returning. The staff were amazing and really went over and beyond to make sure we were all good! See you soon Bengal Spice!

Lovely restaurant with a dim, relaxing ambiance. We had two starters, two mains with rice and two naan breads, I also had a dessert to take home, every dish was delicious! You also get to try your dish before eating in case you don’t like it, which is a bonus! The staff is super welcoming and attentive to their clients, I will 100% come back!

The hidden gem you are looking for. An unassuming little space tucked away in a rare quiet part of the Holloway Road, this restaurant seems to want you to believe it’s just another Anglo-Indian curry house. Don’t be fooled the cooking is thoughtful, imaginative, inventive and soulful. Oh and delicious.

Went for a dinner tuesday night. The food was perfectly spiced and the taste was really really good. The best curry I have had for years. The service was just excellent. The staff made sure we got exactly what we wanted. Will definately come back. Highly recommended.

I went here for my birthday with a group of 10 people and the food was absolutely banging. Most people ordered different dishes so I got to try a few and they were all delish. Would recommend the korma or morris masala

Bengal Spice in Archway, London, exceeded my expectations with its delightful array of flavors. The Paneer Shashlik was a standout, perfectly grilled and bursting with rich, aromatic spices. The restaurant's commitment to incredible veggie options made it a haven for vegetarian food enthusiasts like myself. The diverse menu and impeccable service make Bengal Spice a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic and delectable Indian dining experience in the heart of London.

The best curry I have ever had in my life, already planning a return trip even though I'm not local to the area, it's worth the travel. The chef has an obvious passion for the dishes, giving recommendations, asking if we would like any changes, giving everyone a chance to try the sauce they choose before committing. A huge menu and so many dishes I need to come back to try! Honestly, come to this restaurant, you will not regret it.

One of the best curries in London!! Absolutely delicious food, and wonderful people. As I am vegetarian, I unfortunately find at most curry houses, you cannot get your favourite dishes with a veggie option, and are therefore limited to the same redundant options. However, Bengal Spice offers all of their dishes with a Paneer option, (which is an amazing substitute for chicken), so there are so many dishes available to try! Honestly they are amazing, if you are still reading this stop now, and get ordering, I promise you, you will be happy you did!

We were staying in an Airbnb near Archway. Dinner on a Tue nite. It was wonderful. I love Indian food but not super spicy, they made our food perfectly to order. Then 2 other customers came in the server explained the menu too. Just to make sure they ordered the right amount of spice.

Very authentic and delicious Indian/bengali food with an extremely varied menu. Super nice owner who will help you decide if you’re confused with the different types of dishes. Hidden gem in north London.

Bengal Spice has been here years and has a wonderful menu full of diverse dishes that they will customise to your taste for heat etc. Many chef's specials and more unusual dishes as well as the old favourites. No longer licensed, so you can pick up your Cobras or wine at shops nearby. Staff are lovely and really know their curry. It's fairly small, so booking is advised, but you might be lucky with a walk up.

Excellent food, great service, very knowledgable staff. Take the time to get it right - would recommend

Delicious food. Server knows how to guide you through the sauce decision process. Won’t be disappointed. Looking forward to eating her again

Found this Brilliant little spot for good Indian food, whilst visiting the area for work. Really friendly service and top notch flavourful food. Our host was great at recommending dishes from the menu, good sized portions, would highly recommend and will definitely return when I'm back in the area!

Fantastic service and we had a great mix of curries. They personalized all our meals for us and it’s BYOB which was great!

This is a hidden gem that more people need to know about. Some of the best Indian food you will try in London. Let the host guide you as there are some amazing curries I’ve not had before. Everything made fresh to order so make sure you have time and are not in a rush.

Lovely atmosphere, courteous staff and fabulous food. Would recommend

The freshest and most delicious Bengali food. Each dish was made with the most care and attention. Staff were fantastic. A true gem.

I have a really great meal here 🤩

Exceptional food and service will certainly return !

We ordered delivery, aim to be delivered at 8, and they arrived 30mins earlier. Good that it works for us. After reading all the reviews, unfortunately the food was only mediocre. We ordered poppadom, curry, tikka, naan, and kulfi. Everything was just ok. - (Updated) I'd like to clarify that I mentioned the delivery time solely for reference. Food quality overall is what I think they deserve 3 stars. In response to the owner, The order I made were standard dishes, but if they're expected to taste exactly the same everywhere, I'd have ordered from the cheap Indian shop next to me, where I can feed two people happily under £13. The problems with my order were: The lamb in my curry was too chewy, kulfi has weird sandy texture instead of being smooth and creamy, tikka too salty, etc. everything else was standard hence the 3 stars instead of lower. There are other restaurants who can impress people with basic things, this is not one of them.

For over a decade Gulshan in Islington was our go to for fabulous curry with friendly service. When it closed many years ago the search was on for a place to match it and it took almost ten years. Bengal Spice is now the new go to, and could not be happier with the food. A wonderful balance of complex spices, perfectly cooked meats and good service. Highly recommend any discerning Indian food lover to experience this place for themselves.

Wanted to have a curry and our regular place sadly shut down so took a chance on Bengal Spice .... we hit the jackpot, lovely flavours, friendly helpful service and now feeling very replete and satisfied. We will be back, I can highly recommend this place.

I found this great Indian restaurant with high reviews. It was so good I wanted to add my own review! The owner is very pleasant and friendly. He walked me through their different curries and customized it to my taste. I had the lamb hyderabadi masala, and it was delicious! I also had their onion bhaji, which was very flavorful with great texture and a delicious sauce to eat with it. I washed it all down with a fantastic mango lassi that was thick and delicious! I definitely recommend this place.

Can’t recommend Bengal Spice enough! We were very impressed by the delicious food and friendly service. The staff care about their customers and craft. Cannot wait to come back again!

Recently stated ordering takeout from here, so far the food has been really tasty. Good spice levels and the different curries have unique flavours (I've found that some places use the same base for a lot of dishes). The only thing I would mention is the 4 star hygiene rating, which though adequate, always puts me off a bit. Cause I'm wondering why...

Went here with my girlfriend and we thought it was awesome. Food was unique, delicious, individual and importantly well-priced. Great vibe and it's BYOB too so the whole thing felt chill and easy going. Service was quick and the owner came and chatted to us a wee bit about the food too which was lovely. Big recommend.

Incredible curries, and friendly staff. Helpful as Able to give recommendations based off your taste. BEST peshwari naan in town!! Reasonable prices and big portions. Definitely returning customer.

We are travellers and try Indian Restaurants everywhere we go. It was the best Indian starter I’ve ever had! Also the main menus we had were very very good and the level of spice was perfect! We‘re coming back!

Lovely food, helpful staff walked us through our options to help us land the perfect curry, 10/10!

We had a lovely dinner here. Loved the interactive quiz where we got to find our most compatible curry, the staff were so friendly and helpful and the food was yum!! Will be back for sure - support your local 💛

Had a birthday dinner at Bengal Spice, dishes were a true discovery for us, and very passionate and well-informed staff, you can choose your spiciness level from 1 (medium) to 10 (beyond the scale), decided to be brave and asked for 7, the next visit will be 5 :-) I wish I had discovered this place sooner. In my view, it is the best Indian cuisine experience in London! On top of that, it is a family-run business. Will be back very soon.

Great food served by attentive staff and a nice atmosphere. Bengali food with lots of spice (the level of which they will adjust for your palate) and their own takes on the traditional curries (dhansak, etc.). Will definitely be going back.

What an incredible experience! My partner and I went for his birthday, and what a special evening! The food was delicious—really out of this world flavors— the atmosphere magical, and Ali was such a gracious host—loved every moment! Highly recommend this place 👌👏👌

Fantastic fresh food. All cooked from scratch. Friendly staff & nice atmosphere

One of the best curry experiences we’ve ever had - we were asked our preferences and guided to our ideal plates. 10 stars for the host and the food

Gestern Abend dort wunderbar gegessen! Absolut freundliche zuvorkommende Menschen große Auswahl !

Been going here for years. Ali is an absolute legend producing some of the most flavourful curries around. An amazing menu and he happily customises anything to your liking. Real food, authentic and unique recipes cooked freshly to order, best

Just had another amazing meal from Bengal Spice, Ali and his team never disappoint - wonderful service and wonderful food cooked to perfection. I can't wait to return.

I came here for my birthday and we were incredibly well looked after! The staff made a real effort to tailor and personalise everyone’s dish, the staff were also fun and engaging. The food was exquisite and super affordable. Also BYOB which is always a win. Couldn’t recommend it enough!

Very good food and Superior service

Went for a pre-birthday meal , amazing delicious food. Must go again. Service is lovely. Thank you

Delicious food and fantastic service!!

WORSE RESTAURANT IN NORTH LONDON.!!!! Where do I start. I have never in my 37yrs experienced such insulting, disgusting and viciously aborant service. The owner, pushed my aunt as she politely tried to squeeze through their narrow walk way. He shushed and ignored. He spoke over us constantly. Every single person of our party of 25 people experienced something negative, upsetting or unnerving during there encounter with this individual. It is apparent to mention that the system currently inplace is outdated and not fit for purpose. Food took over 40 min to arrive. And then the owner proceeded to state "he is stressed". I'm not unreasonable I could see that they were overwhelmed with 2 arge party bookings plus takeaway orders as well as other eat in customers. However, this was so unacceptable. Imagine saying " excuse me can" and mid sentence, he cuts you off and puts his hand up in front of you. Honestly, I never loose my temper in public spaces but I completely lost it and raised my voice at him. I will never ever go back here and I'd never recommend anyone else attend!!!!!!! So furious I could cry.

Cozy homey little gem with delicious Bengali food.

Delicious! Such tasty food. Very friendly and helpful service. Will certainly be back again.

The food was delicious, especially the chicken biryani and the mango lassi. Everything was really nicely seasoned! The staff were so accommodating and friendly and helped us choose some dishes. Great central location as well.

Excellent Food and Excellent Experience. Akram, our server, was very attentive and made awesome suggestions. Would highly recommend. Food was delicious.

We enjoyed a last minute curry here, all really tasty and a reasonable price for London. Good veggie options and a massive menu. The service was great and they helped us with what would be best to get.

Fantastic food. The Saag Paneer and Mita Jal Saag were hightlights, but also really liked the Chilli Masala. Service was great and also very helpful guiding us through the enormous number of options.

Surprised there weren’t more people in there. Had a lovely dinner w my friends, great curry, byob as well, and the service was great nice helpful friendly waiter. Go and have your dinner here

Intended on going to another restaurant tonight near enough this one and boy am I glad we didn’t!! Absolute hidden gem this place, food was absolutely delicious from starters to mains along with it being super affordable and with great staff. 100% recommend will be going back asap !!

After the Arsenal game, we arrived here. Without a doubt, it was the best curry we've ever had! Booking in advance was a great choice; this place is a hidden gem. Despite the wait, the service was excellent and completely worth it. The waiter apologized for the delay to all the tables and helped us choose exceptional dishes. We won't even need to glance at the menu next time. Despite the wait, I'll definitely be returning. Hopefully, they'll open a branch closer to St Albans.

Visited Bengal Spice on Friday night with my partner. The onion bhajis were the best we have ever had, we're vegetarian and got the quorn naga masala, quorn indian butter chicken, bombay aloo, pilau rice and garlic naan. The food was incredible, so fresh and tasty with great portion sizes too. The man serving us was really really nice and helpful with helping us pick the right dish for us and making sure we really liked the dishes. The service was truly wonderful, the food was incredible and the atmosphere was really chill and comfortable. We are already planning our next trip to Bengal Spice and look forward to bringing friends and family with us too. Would recommend to anyone, especially vegetarians.

It was delicious, you can choose the spiciness, the staff was super nice and funny. I didn't know what to order, I was wonderfully advised.

Ate here recently. Definitely one of the best Indian restaurants I've eaten at in a long time! All the food was fresh and delicious. We were given the opportunity to taste the dishes when they came out to make sure we liked them, which was a nice touch. Service was very good, overall the experience was great and we will be back!

The food is amazing, excellent services and very good prices

Amazing food and customer service, Ali was the best and he made sure we were getting the best experience 🥰

Food was amazing, had a few dishes and Lassi drink. Would eat it every day. The owner/staff were super nice, had good conversation and made sure we loved our food before anything further. Would recommend to anyone local or visiting.

Wow! The best onion bhaji 10/10 and flavourful authentic curries 😍 You can tailor your spice level and everything was just I ncredibly flavourful, definitely will be back! Amazing vegan options, I’m a bit of a spice wimp so I had the vegan tikka masala - the sauce was dreamy. What made this place stand out was the friendly staff with a knowledge, kind owner who takes the time to make you feel very special. Finally… it’s BYOB. What a win!