Spice Island Restaurant in County Durham

Khole was amazing as always, she's always customer focused. Cant wait to come back. Love this place in Darlington xxxxx

Amazing delicious food. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Service fantastic. Lovely ambience excellent value for the quality of food. Love this restaurant never disappoints and we go several times a year Friends and family have been with us on occasions and all have been impressed.

AMAZING service and GREAT cocktails. lovely staff; Katy in particular!! she was polite, knew what she was doing and looked after us and her cocktails were outstanding. amazing portion sizes

With a limit on the number of places open for dinner in town, we ordered takeaway and were surprised how bland the food was. Others had recommended the food, but we found it to be just "meh". Would not eat here again.

Best Indian food for miles around. The biryiani is especially good and the best I've had for many, many years. Great cocktails as well. Make sure you book as it's not a big place and it gets busy.

Unplanned visit and sobglad we did. Gorgeous freshly cooked food, great service and lovely atmosphere. Babuls never fails to please

This was our second visit and it definitely won’t be our last. Fabulous food very reasonably priced and the staff were friendly and helpful. The range of lunch time food is lovely and you’re spoilt for choice. Looking forward to trying the dinner menu soon!

Beautiful food, Beautifully presented, excellent value for money, staff lovely and friendly, would highly recommend

The food was absolutely fabulous and the restaurant had a lovely atmosphere. The menu was extensive so it was hard to choose. The pakoras were lovely. Great cocktails especially the rum ones.

This place is great, great staff very helpful and friendly, the food was 10/10 with no complaints and really tasty. I will be back.

We hadn't booked a table and they were busy but they asked if we'd like to wait for 5 minutes in the cocktail lounge. So we did - and it's lovely in there. Our table was ready in the time stated and we ordered _ Babul's Korma and Babul's Massala. Gorgeous food for a very reasonable price, served by friendly staff. Thank you!

Great food. great staff. i had a great time tonight. really good vibe of the place. definitely recommend for a nice outing with family

All round excellent, lovely staff, wonderful food. Easy to order from your table, great atmosphere. Clean and well presented.

Food and drink exceptional, staff were amazing, restaurant immaculate! Tablets to assist ordering were really thoughtful, made the experience 10/10

Exceptional! Food consistently amazing, staff & service excellent. Ambiance great. Best Indian restaurant ever. Our go to restaurant.

How can you tell me that you will not allow me to order poppadoms whilst I wait 20 minutes for my partner who is running late. Male waiter tells me it’s policy!! Total lack of customer service. Bengal Market for me next time.

I thought I’d booked a table for food but I mistakenly booked just a table in the cocktail lounge. However we were able to order nibbles and light bites to our table and they were delicious! Service here was excellent! Thank you guys for making us feel welcome 😁 will definitely return!

Wow such a great experience, lovely staff, delicious food and great decor. Was suprised to find such a nice indian in barney but was pleasantly surprised. Will definitely be back.

Food was nice but when I go to a restaurant I expect to get waited on. Not to do it myself on a iPad by the time I done that the waiter could of been the bar and back with the drinks

Love having cocktails in Babul's especially in Barnard Castle as the cocktail bar is tucked out of the way from the restaurant whereas Darlington is too integrated. Got served by a lovely lady called Jess and the cocktails were spot on, have had the same cocktails in other places but none of them are a patch on Babul's

We had a fabulous meal here while staying in Romaldkirk. Helpful staff and wonderful food. Recommended for lovely evening out. Thank you 👍👍👍

Great food nice atmosphere and the waiting team are friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable. The naan coconut rice and 2 of the specialty curries were delicious 😋 thank you 🤩

This was my third time in this restaurant although have also had take aways from here. Service was exceptional, food quality excellent, fresh, hot and delicious. The decor is tasteful, fun.and interesting. My only issue is with the toilets. They are unisex and on a previous occasion, I was here with my young daughter and we had to endure drunken men staggering around the toilet cubicles and not closing the doors when taking a pee! Drunken men do not aim well either...just saying. This is my only critism of the place.

To celebrate Mothers Day my sister and I took mum out for a meal. We love coming here. Staff are very pleasant. Nothing too much trouble. Food beautiful.

After the theatre, this was a lovely find! Great food, good friendly service. nice range of dishes and a fun atmosphere.

Fantastic experience The food was superb the atmosphere was great and the staff were very attentive Would defo recommend Babul’s at Barnard Castle for your next Indian meal

From beginning to end, our dining experience was superb. The staff were very friendly and helpful, from entering the restaurant to leaving. The food was so tasty, and the perfect portion sizes, and was priced very fairly. Overall, a brilliant meal and experience, and a place I would not hesitate to recommend!

We were visiting Barnard castle, didn’t plan where to eat so just tried our luck. Staff were super friendly and fast (thank you Sam), the interior was gorgeous and food was one of the best curries I’ve ever had. Would definitely recommend!

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and great food . Best Pawn Star Martini.. Had a lovey night out with friends , highly recommend.

Fabulous meal - fresh ingredients and variety to behold. Contemporary and chilled atmosphere and music - tablet ordering system for drinks ordering and waiting/table service for food - fun staff, Recommend and will def return.

As a group of lads we do the bottomless brunch here a few times a year, always great service and the best cocktails for miles. Got well looked after by the lads a couple of weeks ago and will be back soon!

Been here a few times with no complains. Tonight just seemed even better than usual. The staff are friendly and helpful. The food was incredible! Definitely worthy of 5 stars!!!

The best Indian food for miles around. Just had staff party and all were very impressed. Food very tasty great choice for everyone Thankyou Babul

Absolutely amazing food, and attentive staff, really friendly. Highly recommend. Will be coming back. Food outstanding.

We booked a table for 6pm, our table was given to someone else. We eventually were given a table but still waiting for drinks 50 minutes later. We use this restaurant quite a lot and this is the worst experience we have ever had. The staff are running around like headless chickens and just coming out with excuses.

Booked a table for 8 people in the cocktail bar for 6PM, 25 Nov 23 (my birthday) on arrival there was no table ready, table then given to a party of four girls whilst we were waiting by the bottom bar (I heard the waiter say he thought there was 8 of them), I complained as our table had been given away and we were moved upstairs to wait (for a new table) outside the cocktail bar, my first drink finally arrived at 6.45 PM - 4 more of our party’s drinks arrived at 6.55 PM. At 6.59 PM we were still waiting on two drinks. As we had a table for dinner booked elsewhere we had to leave at 7.10 PM and two of our table didn’t get drinks at all. In short no cocktail bar table and over 60 mins to get a drink for 7 of us, 2 very rushed drinks for me and my daughter, and 1 of us didn’t even get a drink (my brother in law didn’t get his drinks). Will not use the cocktail bar again, and most definitely would not recommend it to anyone, which is a shame as I have eaten here several times and really enjoy the food, however on this occasion it was very poor service and the place is clearly over booked and cannot deal with the volume of customers.

The menu was a little different to your average curry house but it was actually fun to try something new! They have options to create your own curry or you can opt for more of a tapas style instead which was a nice touch. I have a severe nut allergy and I was so relieved to see that the menu is nut free! I didn’t have to worry about anything and it also seems they cater to all dietary requirements including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Food was delicious and the waiters were attentive, there is an iPad on the table so it’s easy to order drinks! Cocktails were great too 😍

We visit here about three times a year and have never been disappointed Edith either the food, service or atmosphere. As I live in Bradford I’ve a good understanding of a decent curry and this place is up there with the best Bradford has to offer

Had a fab time at bottomless brunch, food was amazing as always and great selection of drinks which were all very nice and we got plenty, not always the case at some bottomless brunches I have been to in the past. The waiters were amazing too, Nick and Pa were great, always making sure we had drinks and that we were happy. 10/10 service! Definitely will be back.

First time here for bottomless brunch. Had an absolutely amazing time. Me and my partner Julie Absolutely loved it…. Amazing food and some really nice well-made and put together cocktails. Thank you too HARLEY !!! . What a gentleman and made us feel very welcome. Can’t wait to try the other items of food and the different cocktails. We didn’t get chance to try! Definitely will be back. Thank you so much. ..

This is the best Indian restaurant I have ever been to. Food is absolutely delicious staff are lovely, helpful and professional. Service is excellent and all in a beautiful setting. We go every month when possible we like it so much. Honestly cannot find any negatives. Absolutely recommend 👌

The staff were really friendly and helpful, the cocktails and the drinks system (ordered via a tablet on the table) were great and fun to use. I had the Punjabi Mojito, which is a perfect take on the original and a great aperitif before an Indian meal! The food was equally brilliant. Grilled chops as a starter come with a hot sauce so you can take as much as you like. The menu has symbols to tell you how hot each dish is. I normally find most dishes to be under-spiced, but the Madras (indicated as the second hottest dish on the menu) was absolutely perfect: rich and hot but not a challenge! I suggest that when they say the Vindaloo is one for the brave, it probably is! But my prediction is that I would enjoy it with a sweet lassi on the side.

It was a casual meal ,but also a birthday dinner very helpful staff and lovely tasty food and I must say the cocktails were lovely

Such a great experience on our first visit to Barnard Castle! Staff were efficient and friendly, the atmosphere relaxed and the food really hot and absolutely delicious!!! Highly recommend!

Really not sure why this place gets such good reviews because this has to be one of the poorer curries ive had, and ive had alot. The whole tablet experience just doesnt work for me and im not sure what there trying to acheive by it, looking around most tables only had to call the waiter over to assist with it anyway, my tablet looked like a 12 year olds phone with a massive crack on the screen. I also found the menu confusing, I just think there trying to be too clever for no reason, same for the mixed toilets where I thought id walked into the ladies untill the girl said she had originally thought the same walking in on a bloke. I also like to order my starter first then main after, this system doesnt allow for this. Once ordered the food came quickly, the rice portions are very small and my curry was nothing out the ordinary, just ok, nans were nice. What really made me give this place a low review was when I witnessed what I assume was the head waiter come out of the toilet and walk straight back to the restaraunt without washing his hands....if id not already eaten my food I would have cancelled my order and left, if a waiter on public view is behaving like this what are the Kitchen staff doing?

First time at Babul's restaurant, but I have had takeaway before. Service was excellent. Our server was polite, funny and personable, I wish I could remember his name! There were four of us, all techie dinosaurs, so when it came to ordering, thankfully he helped...

Been a big fan of the food this restaurant has always provided but this latest change in menu for me personally is a big disappointment in not only the choices, took me ages to fine a meal I looked forward to ordering, which is now...

Great for couples and groups. Very innovative way to do things. Modern twist on things. The food presentation was great and tasted amazing. My partner even goes so far to say it’s the best Indian he’s ever had. High praise indeed for him! He had...

Beautiful food lovely staff and excellent service. Best Indian food we have ever tasted. 3rd visit in 2 months and will be going back again soon

First time at Babuls in Barnard Castle and it won’t be the last. Best Naan bread ever and amazing curry too. Will definitely be back 👌🏻

Dropped in on spec and got the last unreserved table (so booking is advised) Innovative tablet system worked well. Food was excellent, everything with a subtle modern twist. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience once again. Great food. Great service. All in all top class yet again. .

We went for the bottomless brunch. The food and service was excellent. This was our second time for BB and will definitely be back 🍸🍹

My partner & I were staying in the local area and wanted to treat ourselves to a nice takeaway after a 7 hour drive to our destination. We spent some time on Google and came across Babul’s who were very recommended. We ordered two biryanis,...

We ordered Babul’s for takeaway, everything was lovely! Quick service and the food was hot even after a half hour drive back to were we we’re staying. Chicken tikka masala was delicious!!! Balti was very flavoursome but very hot! The reason for my 4 stars...

Wonderful. Great food superb service and worth every penny. A massive thanks to Sam ,Teagan( spelling) and John. Looked after us so well. 3 blokes on a reunion that enjoyed the food and the banter. A dairy free korma was a little disappointing though. But...

Messy, confusing Menu. Loud, intrusive clubbing music. The second course came out in dribs and drabs before the first course was finished. Disinterested waiters. Hassled to vacate the table. The food was good and reasonably priced but the whole experience was negative. Never again!

We visited early evening as a family for a meal. Food was ok, naan bread was really good as were tikka bites! Curry nice but nothing special. However, we found the restaurant too noisy. All tables were required to shout at each other to converse...

So we arrived a little earlier this evening, unfortunately all tables was booked from the girl inside which slightly put us off after being told it was a 30 min wait however after sitting for 15 mins we decided to call and got told we...

Visit to barnard Castle caravan club. Due to the awful weather we decided to treat ourselves to a takeaway. You won't be disappointed. EXCELLENT Food the best curry we've tasted. Don't miss out!

Choose to eat here as opposed to Bengal merchant based on the reviews and very glad we did. Really like the simple menu without all the over complicated "chef specials" dishes. Really nice food and good value.

Really tasty food and good value. Friendly and efficient staff in a great atmosphere and lovely surroundings .Would definitely recommend a visit, just wish we’d had time to stay and use the cocktail bar it looked amazing.

A great night out, starting with cocktails upstairs then a lovely Indian meal. Great food, good variety of choices. Lovely friendly staff and a great atmosphere.

This Restaurent was recommended by our holiday cottage owners and it didn’t disappoint. Having had a takeaway the night we arrived we thought we would sample the good food in the Restaurent itself. Food great, atmosphere warm and relaxing, service excellent - can’t fault it....

Ate here with friends last night. A brilliant & varied menu with excellent detailed information about dietary requirements etc. friendly & helpful staff. The service was excellent, very efficient but not rushed. Great atmosphere, chilled & relaxed. The food is delicious, good portion size &...

Great food & friendly staff. The cocktails are amazing & I would certainly recommend the porn star martini. Lovely evening

Great atmosphere, lovely staff and gorgeous food. Bakewell spritz cocktail was so good! Wouldn’t recommend the alcohol free aperol spritz but apart from that perfect :) Also they don’t take tip on card machine.

Highly recommend this great restaurant. Warm welcome, lovely surroundings and ambiance, and delicious selection of vegan small plates/tapas style dishes. Offer of three plates for £12 is great value, we chose six between the two of us and were very satisfied. Delicious variety of flavours...

My daughter held a fundraising event there for 23 people so it was a big crowd. Service was excellent and the food was extremely good. Enjoyed by all of us there.

Had a very tasty meal in this indian restaurant. Not the usual type of menu and I loved the way you chose your meat/veg then type of sauce. The on table ordering was handy too. What impressed me the most was the cocktail bar upstairs...

It was the best service, food and decor we have had in a while. The staff here are so helpful and attentive. Really impressed with it all can't fault it. Trying to think of a negative but there is not one thing I can think...

Amazing, attentive staff, and the food was fantastic, great value for money and the atmosphere was lovely, we will be back 😀

An excellent experience. Very friendly and efficient staff and loved the iPad system to order drinks and your food order.Food too was top rate.

A warm welcome was followed by excellent service . King prawns to start were very tasty however the Balti was the very best I have tasted anywhere. I chose a Peshwary Nan and mushroom rice, both were excellent. Highly recommended, looking forward to another visit...

Stunning food, excellent service. Loved the iPad thing to order drinks and let them know you’re ready to order/the bill. Best Indian food in a long time!

Lovely brunch in Babuls, with amazing cocktails. Staff were really lovely, every single one of them. Becca served us and she was excellent.

We had an excellent evening. The waiter was very helpful and friendly and the food was very good. Would highly recommend this restaurant.

Charming little bengali restaurant, serving decent curry in a clean, modern environment. My Madras was a touch spicier than im used to, however it had plenty flavour and was very good.

A group of us visited for the first,and last time. Drinks.Why can't we order them through a human ? It defeated the object when a waitress came to tell us one of the beers was off and took an alternative order. Anyway 2 of the...

Just returned from having not only an amazing meal at Babuls but great service from the staff which really brightened up a rainy Monday night. Hats of to the lads Pa & Sam for their attention to detail prompt service and laughing at my jokes!!...

Absolutely first class restaurany. Wouldn't go anywhere else in town. Great service and atmosphere. Lots of variety in choice of dishes.

Food was mid, bar staff very rude, made me and my friends feel uncomfortable as we were being pointed at and clearly judged.

Great you could order on line. You could track collection time. All dishes well prepared and of a high standard. A really good experience. I would thoroughly recommend.

Babul's, 9 Market Place, Barnard Castle DL12 8NF (+44 1833 630575) It was minus 5C outside. The thought of pulling on heavy coats, jumping in a cold car and making even a short journey in sub-zero temperatures through twisty, country roads did not appeal. However,...

The staff were helpful and friendly, ordering was easy. The menu was easy to identify any vegan choices and the food was delicious. Really glad we visited.

We ate from the lunch/brunch menu, available till 3pm. We had a naanwich with lamb, a curry bowl with rice and paneer bhuna, a bowl with rice and chicken jalfrezi and a naan loaded with fries, chicken and smashed onion bhaji. We shared 2 large...

What a place! Top decor, chilled vibe and out of this world food that has choices from your standard curry house fare to authentic south east Asian recipes. The Podhina Zaal is out of this world!

We were really excited to visit Babul's on our visit to Barbard castle as we've heard a lot of rave reviews, so we booked a table there. The standard booking is one 1hr 45 min, so we allocated an hour and a half for our...

Dismally poor customer service. Treated like children having booked the Bottomless Brunch. Told we were late arriving and therefore couldn't have all our drinks - despite the fact the table wasn't booked by anyone else later. Drinks could only be ordered every 15 minutes BUT...

Great range of food featuring regional flavours not seen in most Indian restaurants. Prices and portion sizes are also good but drinks are expensive. The experience was slightly soured by some careless service (wrong meals brought out) but overall a great experience. Booking is essential.

Bit of a faff on to order. what is wrong with pen and paper? Friendly helpful staff. The vegetarian food is decent quality using fresh veg. Not a bad price point

My partner and I visited Babuls as we were going to see Jimeoin at the Witham centre that evening. I called before to check they offered gluten free options which they did. Their menu was very easy to use and showed all allergens clearly. The...

Excellent food, excellent service, excellent staff, excellent night. Rex and the team, while being thoroughly professional and polite, were all very friendly and approachable. This gives the whole restaurant a relaxed atmosphere which is a pleasure to be in.

My wife & I was on holiday here at eggleston a few miles from Barnard Castle. On our 6th night we just walked passed the restaurant then turned around and popped in to see if they had a table! The manager said they were fully...

This little gem of a restaurant was quite busy for a Tuesday, but staff a plenty to assist you. Ordering was on an I pad which was easy to understand and your requests were attended to almost instantly. The rest rooms were upstairs but very...

We’d decided to try Babuls as we’d not been before and we’re so glad we did. We called in on the off chance before our visit to the Witham. The food was utterly amazing, service was fabulous and I have to mention Tegan who informed...

Absolutely delicious and we felt very authentic. Great vegan and vegetarian choices. We loved everything about it. Staff very friendly too.

Thought this was a very good Indian restaurant that had great customer service and very good food well presented.

Amazing takeaway curry. Fabulous quality food. Easy to order online and lovely staff when we picked up our takeaway. 5*****

For something a little different and special Babul's brunch and lunch menu if perfect. The service is excellent and the food amazing. Really recommend it.