October 2024 by Laurence Reade
Pricey but tasty. Bhaji is the size of a house!!
September 2024 by Matthew Molloy
A true orchestra of spices, herbs and culinary skill. I started with the pakora, light, crispy, beautifully prepared and presented to the table, the drizzle of tamarind sauce that lifts the delicate balances of spices to a perfect starter.
With a glass of Malbec I was introduced to the lamb raghisthan, a salivating Bouquet of Kashmir chilli and mixed herbs and spices with a depth of flavour that meets the Indian Ocean. The lamb is as soft as your grandmothers kiss and when mixed with cardamom pilau rice a symphony takes place on your tongue that in emulated by the gentle background of music. Making you feel you are transported to precolonial India. All the service was warm hearted and professional, yet I felt I was eating with friends who want to see you truly enjoy the magic they have created for you to eat. My only regret is not having a bigger stomach and wallet to try everything they have to offer. I ate alone but I can only recommend bringing all the friends and family for a truly wonderful night.
September 2024 by Murad Ahmed
We had an early dinner menu. So ordered the spiced duck starter from tandoor and rajasthan lamb curry and Malawi monk fish curry
The menu was very interesting trying not to be just a typical Indian restaurant.
Duck can be very badly done by Indian cooking.
The duck was soft and perfectly cooked. With a light spicing.
We had similar from Benares with pigeon. Which was just as memorable.
The lamb curry was excellent in flavour and spicy. I do think you need be aware that you need to make sure it?s mild. Even if it C doesn?t say it is spicy.
For me it was perfectly spicy.
The Malawi curry with non fish was great. The monkfish was tasty.
We had a reasonable priced Pilau rice and Kema nan. Which is more more a roti. Not a nan.
Service was charged.
All in all the choice was excellent to be different.
I read the other poor reviews and didn?t make sense to me. Taste being boring and portion sizes.
The portion of the fish and lamb curry was at least 7 pieces. Not small pieces. So portions were large enough for the price.
The curry was more authentic to regions they have mentioned. Rajasthan tends to be deeper flavours and spicy.
The fish curry was heavy with fish sauce flavour with curry leaves.
I?d personally try the Chettinad curry next time as that should be strong with curry leaves and tomato.
Service charge is included. If you didn?t like the service. Don?t pay it.
We had a real good experience and the 3.9 stars does not accurately reflect I feel this restaurant trying to offer a better regional choice of curries.
I do think the lamb was overcooked.
But that was my main criticism of a good curry house.
Recommend a try.
July 2024 by Jackie Harris
We ate here on the Friday of Regatta week. A party of three older women. A sign on the door said that tables are for 90 mins. That seemed fair given that this is one of the busiest weeks of the year.
After 35 mins, the bill was put on our table. We were still eating and drinking. When we said we hadn't finished, we were told that "There are no deserts" and hot towels and chocolates were put on the table. The manager then told us he needed us gone. We said "The sign says 90 mins" but he insisted we pay and leave.
The food was OK - nothing special - but it was nice enough. We had 2 of their "football-sized" onion bhaji as they had been recommended. We had to leave one of these as we were hassled out of the restaurant. And they had the cheek to add a 10% service charge!
So, I wouldn't go back unless I was starving.
July 2024 by Paul Davis
very smart inside and lovely location. Food is average at best, service not particularly good. Also quite expensive with small portions
Vegetarian options: plenty of veggie choices
May 2024 by Cecilia L
Food was too spicy, overcooked and looked awful. Poppadoms with chutneys were very tasty, starters decent but mains (what we ordered) was close to inedible.
March 2024 by Henry Day
Take away service is absolutely awful. 2 hour plus wait when confirmation said 50 minutes. Very poor response from staff. Would not recommend!
March 2024 by Dave Irwin
Abysmal delivery service was supposed to be 19.45 then out for delivery at 20.10 then vanished till appearing at 21.07 when I sent it back .Contacted staff many times and no help ,didnt even call back when they said they would .Still havent been refunded my £80
February 2024 by debra foster
Hi had a lovely time food always good
February 2024 by A Ogle
We haven't been to every restaurant locally but probably most. Our meal at Henley Spice Merchant was the best. The dishes were unusual and delicious (a few more vegetarian/vegan ones would be good) We even had some cooking tips thrown in. Thank you. We will be back!
January 2024 by Alison H
We have eaten at The Spice Merchant on the River at Henley many times. Never never been disappointed. They have moved to Hart Street. The restaurant is now very narrow and small. The food was nothing like it was, most dishes were too spicy whatever we ordered. The lamb dish I ordered was a dark brown mush. The restaurant was cold although, they did turn up the heat for us as we were right by the door. The waiter removed our table cloth just after we?d finished eating and split a pint of beer over three of us. Our plates had to be passed over the table with knives and forks covered in curry, flying everywhere. Very very disappointing - the waiters certainly need a course in how to wait at table. We will not be going to this restaurant again.
January 2024 by Sue Fixsen
Delicious food ?
January 2024 by H M
Not the best taste compared to prices charged. Before you pay, please check your bill as they will charge you extra for things which other Indian restaurants give free like chutneys. And worst part is they charge you per person on your table for same chutney. Even though you didn?t order that chutney. They say it?s with pappadoms but then they charge you for pappadoms and chutney both per person. Prices in menu are outrageous compare to portion given. When ordered tandoori platter I was charged twice saying it can only be ordered for two people and there were only 8 pieces worth £34.00. Out of which two were not even cooked properly. Avoid this place and try better Indian restaurant with fair prices and good taste of food.
December 2023 by Garfield Bryant
We really enjoyed our curry. Good, friendly service.
October 2023 by lena123186338
I?ve read all the other negative reviews and can honestly say I am really surprised. Our experience was more than great. We visited Henley today and decided to pop into the Spice Merchant for lunch, the food was delicious, & service was excellent. Best poppadums and Nan breads I?ve ever tasted. We chose a selection from the vegetarian thali menu and it didn?t disappoint. People on another table ordered a huge onion bhaji which they shared and it looked amazing. Lots of interesting dishes on the menu. We left full and satisfied
