Cafe Spice in County Durham

Ordered takeaway thinking go for quality told hour for delivery two hours later still waiting!! Why offer delivery service when can't meet demand? Will not use again

Booked for tea with friends. Greeted by lovely staff and shown to our table. We all had different curries I had the spicy Sri Lankan chicken curry and it was delicious . Everyone enjoyed their meals. Staff were attentive but not intrusive. Decor was fine with comfy chairs to sit on. Can't comment on the toilets as didn't go. But the restaurant entrance is on the flat so it's fine for disabled guests . The only niggle we all had was after our meal we asked for a tea and coffee but staff told us that they don't have a coffee machine or facilities to make a hot drink they just concentrate on selling alcohol and cold soft drinks to keep energy costs down. We all thought it was abit odd and didn't make good business sense but that's just our personal opinions so we went elsewhere for a hot drink. It wouldn't stop us coming back to eat though as we all really enjoyed it.

NEVER EVER AGAIN takeaway ordered online 16:00 for delivery at 18:30 we checked at 17:30 make sure order was placed and it was. So 19:05 still no delivery so I rang and was told it was en route!and would be 10 mins I said I’ve worked delivery driving and know the patter so the girl put me onto a guy and he said he was one of owners and.it had sent left and he would deliver it himself in 6 - 7 mins. It arrived at 19:25 so 1 hour later than we wanted.. and it wasn’t the owner he had sent one of his workers. Paid in full no discount for delay or lies or inconvenience.. on opening the poppadoms which from this establishment cost 80p each when others give them free they were literally like and bag of crisps and that’s no lie I’ve pics to prove. Rice was like warm so had been sat in shop probably awaiting a driver return the tika balti itself was very average! This place we tried for the first time and will be the last and my advice is don’t bother we go somewhere else normally but were told to try this place ! NO THANKS DEFFO. The most expensive takeaway I’ve bought and by far service & quality the worst .. the old chestnut of a delivery driver hadn’t turned in.. OK blame the drivers who work hard for your greed ! Be honest own it and ring the customer and say we are running late is that ok. I wish I’d cancelled when I rand firstly but I didn’t won’t happen again you live and learn .

Ishy looked after us exceptional well. The food was delicious and the ambience was great. We have the private room upstairs which is great for a big party. Really lovely experience.

Ordered takeout, fabulous service as always, . Food is amazing every time, consistently good, definitely recommend. Thank you

We ordered takeaway for collection and although the food was average we were overcharged. This is not the first time this has happened so for that reason we will not be using this restaurant again

Works do. Ordered Chicken Achari which came with separate rice poppadoms and dips. Not a generous portion and not the tastiest Achari I've ever had. Sorry

Had some fantastic food here on Saturday evening king prawn purée lamb chops and a mixed grill starters were delicious and a chicken tikka balti with a chilli Nan bread beautiful

Very poor takeaway, soft poppadoms, both madras and vindaloo seemed to be out of the same pot of watery sauce and cheese naan with no cheese

Cafe spice is a very English Indian restaurant with traditional dishes you’d expect. They are all prepared freshly and chutneys were excellent with our popadoms also delicious. The service was friendly and the patron was there to recommend dishes. Simple and enjoyable dinner I’ll be back the next time I’m in Darlington.

Poor service with food taking nearly 90minutes. The daal was burnt. They brought the wrong order. Possibly the worst Indian food I've ever had.

Ordered a takeaway at 18:55 with a delivery of 20:15 - 20:35. Food didn’t arrive until 21:30. 1 hour late and 2.5 hours after we ordered. No update or apology from the restaurant. Couldn’t get through on the phone to find out what was happening. The following day they refused any offer of compensation. With plenty of other Indian restaurants in town, we’ll be eating elsewhere in future.

Never disappointed food always great whenever we go here, service very good, our favourite Indian restaurant

Friends up from Swindon fancied an Indian meal and we chose Cafe Spice in Darlington, what a find. Lovely restaurant with attentive, friendly staff. All the meals were the well presented and delicious. Definitely worth a visit........Thanks for the cuppa guys 😁

Fabulous food. Such a friendly and knowledgeable young waiter who added to the experience. Great 👍 !!

I've been to this restaurant numerous times and it is without doubt the best in Darlington and must be one of the best in the North East. The staff are extremely friendly and attentive, offering recomendations and advice about menu items as necessary. The food is always excellent. I don't often eat a Vindaloo as most restaurants just seem to make them uncomfortably spicy, but the flavours that go into the food here are really exceptional. Starters are out of this world - everybody should try the Fish Biran! Take away delivery service (Just Eat) I have also found to be very efficient, often beating the advised delivery time by quite a margin. In summary, if you like your indian food and haven't tried Cafe Spice, you are really missing out on something special.

Ive lived in darlington all my life, it was my first visit to cafe spice with a friend. The food was amazing, excellent customer service and clean environment. Definitely would recommend.

Having visited & supported this restaurant since it first opened we have decided not to go again, On the last 2 occasions we had made a reservation and turned up on time only to be told we would have to wait 20 minutes or so. Needless to say we will not return and will dine in one of the other fine Indian restaurants in Darlington. Very disappointed to have been treat this way!!!

We had our Christmas party at cafe spice. I have personally had many meals at cafe spice and have enjoyed everyone. The food is incredible and the team are always on hand offering top class service! Thank you!

Outstanding takeaway curry again. We have had 2 sit down meals and 3 takeaways since we found it. I always gauge a good curry house by how good the takeaway is compared to the restaurant meal. Exactly the same and fantastic. Lamb Garlic and a...

Food was good but very little chilli heat. Girlfriend had a vindaloo but it was quite mild, (even I could eat it!). Served by waitress who was excellent but then when paying the bill a guy came over who didn’t ask how the meal was...

Always great food and great service from Dan and the whole team. Plenty of choice and all reasonably priced.

Excellent food and service. Ishy was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, and was lovely. Extremely good value for money. I will definitely recommend to others and will be back.

Amazing food and amazing prices. Ishy looked after us from the start and had a great knowledge of the menu, was very attentive and polite at every exchange. Food was brought to the table promptly and couldn't find a single fault. 100% would recommend and...

Food is variable. The food I had tonight was so nice. I think the Prawns were off. I am mot feeling well

Fairly informal, good quality food. Good level of spiciness and freshness. Friendly staff. Chose it after local friends recommended it as one the best in Darlimgton.

Oh what can I say. Little hidden gem. For was fantastic even had to bring some home. Staff where great. Very clean. Defo go a again.

Seriously this place is unreal, we have lived in Catterick for 3 years and tried every Indian in the surrounding area and never found one we liked. Today we decided to venture out to Darlington and I'm so glad we did. The food is so...

Service and food 1st class, wouldn’t go anywhere else. Food that looks and tastes great. A great welcome from all the staff as soon as you enter the premises.

Fabulous food and service… would definitely recommend and we will visit again soon. Dan was very helpful and advised on food choices !!!

We recently visited this restaurant for a family get together, the whole experience was excellent. The food was well presented & tasted gorgeous, the staff were very friendly & attentive, especially the young man who looked after our table, Daniel. Well done everyone, we don’t...

Me and my partner came here last night and it was absolutely perfect. From going into the restaurant and greeted by the friendly gentleman, being served by the friendly waiter and the food was unbelievable, awards that have been won are definitely deserved. Will definitely...

Great night out with friends, terrific curries and friendly service. A busy restaurant but with very attentive staff. Great value, we will definitely return.

We ordered a takeaway at 7. 08 on just eat and were told it would be here in 30 minutes! We are sat here at 9pm still waiting for it.We paid 33 pd up front and have got past eating anything now ! I have been a customer for many years but when I rang I was told tell them 5 minutes (half an hour ago) Don’t like not being told the truth !!!!

Ordered at 7.08 pm showing a 30 min turnaround. Still waiting at 21.14 ! Phoned several times but still don’t know if we r getting a delivery ! We have previously been to this restaurant several times but will not go again. Terrible service !

Called in on Tuesday evening with 3 friends and we were not disappointed. Although quiet the service and food were top notch and reasonably priced. Easy to recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting some great food.

We booked a table for two for 5.45 and were seated at the only table for two and that was right by the door to the upstairs and the outside door. People from a large party started to arrive almost immediately and were then constantly walking past us to get upstairs and then a few started to come down for the toilet. We had almost decided to leave when our starter came and so we decided to make the best of it No one came to ask if were OK or to make us fell welcomeThe food saved the day as it was really good but we definitely won't be back. There are other restaurants nearby with just as good food, a much friendlier atmosphere and nicer tables The best of it was that no one else came in to eat downstairs while we were there and we could have sat at a table for four that was well away from the stairs

Cafe Spice is always best in service, cleaniness and outstanding 👏 indian food in the whole of Darlington. I would highly recommend it.🍚🍛🍴

1. Having told the waitress (lovely girl) what we wanted we were approached shortly after to have the pitch of poppadoms given to us, and did we want the king prawns instead of just prawns. Clearly a ruse to squeeze more money out of us. Not good.2. Food arrived - I asked for a vindaloo which was not remotely spicey! I asked for some chillis to spice it up. One sliced chilli arrived. I asked again, informing the manager it was not spicey and could I have 'some more chillis' again one chilli arrived. I asked for some more, nothing came. The sauce looked identical to my partner's sauce, who had a different curry. When I questioned the heat, the manager offered to get some vindaloo sauce! What a joke. It tasted like a cheap, shop bought sauce, worst I have ever eaten. No thanks on payment either.3. As we were leaving, 7 people came in. Noting the rule of 6, the group head asked if 7 was ok. The manager sat the group of 7 down for a meal, indoors. This is breaking the law and I gladly reported them to the Police.Terrible place, will never return. Lots of other good Indian food places nearby, and cheaper.

eaten in restaurant and had takeaways many times in the past always high quality and tasty, we ordered 2 meals tonight arrived well ahead of time, thats the good part the meals were lukewarm and the worst meal we have eaten in a long time most of the meal went in the bin with the menu.

Always like to eat here as normally it's exceptional however,New year's Eve think they were overwhelmed as when I went in must have been about 20 odd takeaways ready to go in the restaurant.Anyway on arriving home in heighington we found that our kaema rice was ordinary boiled rice I'm sorry but that spoiled the whole meal which was also like warm.The curry just about summed up the year .

We have used Cafe Spice during lockdown for our treat. We usually order a simple Chicken Biriani between 2 of us but have also ordered the Jalfrezi and Tikka Masala when there are more of us. We use Cafe Spice because my son worked in the kitchen for a short while as a student and he told us the kitchen was immaculate. The food has been consistently good- you can taste all the different spices/herbs individually if you know what I mean. Not just a “curry” taste. We would highly recommend. Don’t think you would get a better curry in Darlington. Jxx

We have eaten here both in the restaurant and as a takeaway. It never disappoints! Amazing food, great service and authentic flavours. Highly recommend!!

Always a pleasure to eat at Cafe Spice. Staff are very welcoming, free beer for my dad's birthday and the food excellent, would definitely recommend

Fantastic meal with excellent service. Lively atmosphere. Menu easy to read. Wide menu choice. Will definitely be back! Also have experienced takeaway service, which is also very good.

Amazing food and amazing service. Highly recommend, never disappointed and will always come back. Favourite Indian😌

Cafe Spice has long been one of the best curry houses in Darlington and I have news for you that it still is. Very good quality food and friendly service.

I’m really sad to say we visited last weekend, I had booked the table several days earlier and expected it to be ready when we arrived but it was not and we had to sit and wait for our table to clear in an entrance area which was cramped. I then watched a man do an awful attempt at cleaning the table we were expected to join, did not sanitise it properly even though other staff watched on. The food when it arrived was not good for either of us. We were extremely disappointed because previously weeks earlier it had been much better!! I hate to give a bad review at these times but I could not deal with the bad food and as a result could not sleep that night. I’m so sorry but standard have to be at the best!

I wish I had taken photos of the food here. It was fantastic. The staff are so friendly and attentive and the food is very good! So we had the chicken vindaloo and the lamb bhuna, Bombay aloo, naan and rice. The naan was very fresh and tasty and the lamb in the bhuna melted in your mouth. Everything we ordered was great. Can’t wait to visit again now lockdown is lifted.

This has got to be our favourite Indian restaurant. Food is amazing and so is the service. Would highly recommend

Had dinner tonight - absolutely gorgeous food and really good service with good social distancing tables clean and adhere to government guidelines All staff wearing masks and attentive but not intrusive - kept distance at all times A really lovely restaurant with fantastic authentic food - we would definitely return on another trip nearby and can recommend

Been here twice before lockdown and then ordered take away once lockdown hit. Amazing food. My new favourite place for Indian food. Fantastic service. I will definitely be going back.

We rang Cafe Spice to see they were delivering food as many others are they are temporarily delivering in these difficult times.the food was as good as always and also brought 2 bottles of Cobra beer for us .the driver wore a mask and gloves as they can not take card payments over the phone but overall an good experience and will deffinately use them again well done Brian and all of your staff.

Been here a few times now and can't fault the food or the service. Absolutely fabulous. I would highly recommend the Hirali Chicken and the Bengal Surprise.

Visited late on a Friday night, Nothing was a problem even though we arrived quite late, The food was very flavoursome and service prompt , Worth a try

I really don’t understand why this restaurant isn’t the number 1 in Darlington. I have been to over 100 Indian restaurants in the uk and the food here really is superb. So so tasty. I have been here maybe 10 times in the last 6 months. Definitely recommended.

Table booked for 18:30, meal finally arrived at a little after 20:00 hrs, the ambience is dim, the food under par and overpriced for the setting, quality and service, the main problem is and always has been that they overbook and cram as many in as they can and the kitchen is too small to cope, I certainly wouldn't recommend this establishment, there are far superior Indian restaurants in Darlington.

Evening meal for 2. Had a really tasty meal here. The staff were professional & prompt with their service.

Our 4 man band of curry aficionados are continuing our tour of Indian eateries in Darlington, and this was our first visit here as a group although came recommended by our informal ‘leader’. Whilst he was still nervous from a less than successful night out on a previous outing together, doubts were quickly dispelled.The restaurant was already busy when we sat down at 6.30 to peruse the very extensive menu whilst the first chilled beer slipped down.Normally we would have pickles and poppadoms to start but this time opted for a ‘proper’ starter and were not disappointed. This arrived piping hot after about 10 minutes and set the tone for the mains which were delivered sizzling to the table once the starters were cleared away.The portions were generous without being over filling and tasty without being excessively spicy.We left full and satisfied 2 hours later, paying sub £30 a head for a great night out.And we plan to go back in January as there is still so much more to explore on the menu

Great meal, food was very tasty especially the fish. Staff were able to take our quite confusing order and bring it all out correctly. I would visit again if visiting Darlington.

Having visited this place a couple of years ago and a. Good experience then thought we would give it another try. This was a massive mistake as we ended up being sick that night and still feeling ill the next day. All this was due to the amount of salt they used in their lamb curries. Never going back there again

We were just visiting Darlington and this was our first visit to Cafe Spice (Wednesday 2nd October). The staff were excellent, asked us what we wanted to drink just a couple of minutes after we had been seated and shortly after that took our order. They were very friendly and couldn't do enough. After finishing our poppadums we were then asked whether we were ready for our main which was excellent and fabulous value for money. The wine was also excellent, would highly recommend. Thank you

Called in a couple of times and we were never disappointed. Food was exceptional and really tasty, staff were pleasant and helpful. Prices were about right but the quality of the food was much better than the low cost paid. Don’t miss this restaurant if you are looking for good Asian food in Darlington!

Attended with seven others as a general get together over some good food. Seated upstairs, not an issue, and waited on in a timely and professional manner. As ever the food was perfect and we all enjoyed it, washed down with a few bottles of Kingfisher.

Experienced team , The starters and the main courses were very well presented , also promptly with polite and professional service .

Went in here midweek with a workmate. Its quite small but there was only about eight people in being a wed night. we ordered our food which came out piping hot and was Delicious. we had a garlic rice between us which was plenty. I ordered a Paratha bread which was better than any ive had in Manchester, yes id go back here again if in Darlington and i would certainly recommend to anyone.

I was staying in Darlington and this place was recommended to me Really friendly place with all the classics on the menu and the food was really tasty Thanks guys I shall return

Booked in for 5:30pm to fit in with a trio to the theatre, place was empty but the staff make you very welcome and as there are so many help to fill the place. The meal was at the restaurants usual high standard, served efficiently but not pushy and with a smile.

We visit Cafe Spice regularly, the service and food are both excellent even the offer to box up what we cannot eat on the night as the portions are so good.

I've been here a few times and their vegetable sag is amazing. The portions are huge and the staff are great. The menu has all the allergens in each dish clearly labelled, which is very useful.

Having been to most of the Indian restaurants in Darlington we always end up back at cafe spice. Even when we are abroad we still compare other Indian restaurants with cafe spice. Great food - the staff always on the ball - and the owner always makes the effort to acknowledge you. Another example of how to keep your customers coming back. It's not rocket science - good food - good staff and clean.

I've had prawn dish and was really disappointed as the prawns were overcooked to the point where they were rubbery and inedible. My friend ordered hariali and rather than is being usual radiant green colour it was yellow and didn't taste right. Very disappointed as previous year the food at the Cafe Spice was really nice.

went to Cafe Spice in a group of 7 people with some having starters and all of us having different main meals all of us commented that their dish was really nice and they were decent sized portions too

Usually we have a takeaway from here and those are always just the job but on Sunday we visited with friends for a sit down meal. The service was excellent and attentive without being pushy and the food was excellent. Everyone enjoyed their order and there was very little left which was an indication of the quality.

Was recommended this place by a chef so I had high expectations.

Preise sind gut, Service ist schnell, manchmal vergesslich. Ich bin enttäuscht, dass es kein Mango Lassi dort gibt, sollte es eigentlich geben.

Ordered a takeaway the other night, have to say not as good as some of the other places in town. Chicken in the curry was overcooked, meat somasas full of fat dripping into the try. Chips bad effort... every the sause for the pops was shocking.... no wonder you are hidden in the ally way... try harder boys

Friendly and helpful staff, food was excellent , although did feel a bit rushed, definitely would eat here again as it was so nice

It was awful. Prosecco was disgusting and a brand I had never seen in my life! Vegetable samosa was like a rock hard bullet. Cheap horrible prawns. And lots of green colouring. Will never ever go back there.

Had another great authentic curry, probably thee best garlic and cheese naan bread. They do a superb lamb rogan josh and keema rice is next to none, service is alway, always pleasant and I always feel welcomed!!!!

I live in the Midlands and do not know Darlington but was pleased to find this great restaurant hiding in one of the passageways off Skinnersgate. Warm welcome and great food right in the town centre.

Visited last night for a meal with a friend. Friendly staff, great food and prices very reasonable. Could not fault at all. Highly recommended!

Birthday night out, the food and service were amazing, just don't plan to go out drinking after as you will be stuffed.

Had a great and tasty meal at cafe spice, naan bead was out of this work and the curry was top notch, will definitely come here in the next few weeks!!!!

Left a review before but this place deserves many. Sat night gone 10pm we decided a curry was needed 6 people. They couldn't of been nicer the food as always was sensational hot spice curry ordered hot spicy curry I got. Went there on your opening night lost count how many times I have returned and recommend keep up the fantastic work

Visited here with 4 other friends on the basis of a recommendation and we weren't disappointed. The food was great with all of the curry's tasting completely different.

Had sadly been to a funeral, had a few drinks around town, decided we were hungry so called in to ask there was a table. We were seated straight away food and drink orders taken quickly, pickle tray came out with pupadoms, then main course was served was piping hot could not complain at all, staff great food great what more do you need. Definitely recommend.

Visited early evening and the restaurant was pretty full. The food order was taken quickly we had poppadoms and pickle to start and as mentioned in previous reviews the yoghurt sauce was very green!! We shared the lamb tikka mint and chicken herali which were tasty we ordered a Nan bread which was forgotten having to ask for it a couple of times. Have had better.

My partner rang up for me to enquire about vegan options. They were extremely helpful and clued up/specific on what I could and couldn't have. When picking our order up a member of staff amended a normal menu and highlighted all the vegan options. Very helpful and friendly. Food was also amazing! Will definitely be going back

First time visit after hearing much about this restaurant. The dining area is small but cosy, tables nicely laid out and our server was friendly and attentive.

This is my favourite Indian restaurant in Darlington. Bombay Duke and Red Hot are also really good, but I like the atmosphere better in Cafe Spice and the staff are always really nice and good fun.

My husband had a colleague in staying in town from London and we decided to take him out for a meal rather than leaving him sitting in his hotel. We were going to take him to a different Indian restaurant but it was closed so we went to Cafe Spice instead. My husband had been once before but this was my first visit and will certainly not be my last.

There was a group of us celebrating a birthday. The staff were polite and friendly. The food was good.

'Cafe Spice' is rather nice although amenities are rather small;

We visited here with friends after a night out and it was very nice... good service, a nice menu and really nice food.

Fabulous food and excellent service. Nawabi Murgh was very tasty. Staff found us a table, even though we'd not booked.

Well worth seeking this place out. There are some interesting variations on the usual Indian choices. Everything we had was...

We always recieve a friendly welcome, our last visit was early sunday evening so we were able to sit and...

We spontaneously visited here last Saturday evening arriving at a clean & tidy restaurant.

This place is disgraceful ALWAYS OVER CHARGE and customer service is vile treat you like white trash they are totally racist and disgusting towards certain coustmers NEVER EAT HERE