“AD” – Why is this here?

For those who regularly read this blog, my affection for Royal Spice on Victoria Avenue was no secret. It was, without doubt, one of my top picks for Bangladeshi-style Indian takeaways in Cambridge.

I have lost track of the number of reviews I have written about Royal Spice over the years, all thanks to their consistency and excellent quality. Imagine my delight, then, when I discovered that they were relaunching as a proper dine-in restaurant located just around the corner on Chesterton Road! This means I can now savour their fantastic food fresh from the kitchen at a proper table, rather than waiting for it to arrive after a half-hour journey in a takeaway box. Joy!

Stepping into Royal Spice, I was immediately struck by its fresh and impeccably clean style. The old takeaway waiting area had vanished, replaced by a thoughtfully designed and stylish interior. It felt energetic and inviting, a clear and welcome departure from its previous, more rudimentary setup.

Watch the video of my visit here!

BYOB

While Royal Spice does not serve alcoholic beverages, they do offer a good selection of alcohol-free beers, including Corona, Kingfisher, Heineken, and Cobra. What’s more, you are welcome to bring your own alcohol, which can certainly help keep the cost down – No £6.50 pints here!

Chutney Tray

The chutney tray was well-executed, featuring four generously sized pots of colourful sauces that added a real pop to the table. There was a deliciously sweet chutney with an unusually deep red colour, quite unlike any mango chutney I had ever seen before. The thick green yoghurt was a particular standout, instantly becoming one of my favourites of the tray. The finely chopped onion salad tasted fresh and the lime pickle also proved to be a fine addition. Overall, there wasn’t a single disappointing one among them.

Starters

All the starters were beautifully presented on a sleek charcoal plate. The dark surface contrasted elegantly with the bright green salad and colourful sauces, bringing an air of prestige and excitement to the experience.

Chicken Tikka

The Chicken Tikka featured grilled chicken wings that had been marinated in a tikka sauce. It was complemented by a refreshing mint chutney, a crisp fresh salad, and a dollop of homemade mayonnaise. Each bite was succulent with a robust texture that truly felt like you had a proper piece of chicken in your mouth.

Onion Bhaji

The onion bhajis were absolutely superb and everything you would want from this classic starter. They were a great size, an attractive golden colour, and a crunchy bite – top marks all round!

Gilafi Seehk Kebab

My personal highlight from the starters were the Gilafi Seekh Kebabs. It is made from skewered minced lamb and cooked in a clay oven. It was unbelievably tender and a remarkably substantial starter that went with anything due to its subtle blend of spices.

Welsh Lamb Chops

The Welsh Lamb Chops were another strong contender amongst the starters. It was presented beautifully on the same dark ceramic plate with a fresh salad with the chops being charcoal grilled, resulting in a smokey flavour that truly allowed the quality of the Welsh lamb to shine.

Salmon Tikka

The salmon tikka is a truly special dish that had the entire table talking. The cubes of salmon were chunky, juicy, and invigorated with a sweetness that made it impossible to put down. This sweetness was created by marinating mango chutney on the salmon before putting it into the tandoor clay oven. This added an extra dimension to the texture and flavour that worked on every level. Salmon can be hard to get right, often being overcooked and dry but this is an absolute must! Thank me later!

Main Course

My eyes lit up as the trolley filled with a dazzling selection of dishes arrived. Each one was covered in a spicy sauce that had me foaming at the mouth. You could practically hear my excited squeal as it was wheeled over! 😂

Purple Tiger

The Purple Tiger was a standout dish, offering a lighter and more zesty experience when compared to other heavier and richer options at the table. It combined king prawns and aubergine with fresh coriander in a citrus relish that complemented the plump meaty prawns in an illuminating way. Utterly superb!

North Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken

The North Indian Chilli Chicken was another personal highlight in a truly brilliant line-up, making the idea of picking a favourite or highlight almost meaningless by this point.  This delightful dish featured tender chicken pieces drenched in a garlic and chilli sauce. With the addition of peppers and whole chillies, it offered a balanced flavour, spicy kick, and overall colourful experience that was as pleasing to the eye as it was to the palate.

Butter Chicken

Everyone knows the iconic butter chicken. It is a timeless classic known for its light and accessible flavour, making it a crowd-pleasing dish that never fails to disappoint (except for the hot heads 😂). This was a great execution that truly reflects the rich creamy texture and delicate taste that it is known for.

Pan Fried Fish With Green Beans

Much like the salmon tikka starter, this fish was also marinated with mango chutney before being thrown in the tandoori oven. It arrived as an incredibly tender dish, with a subtle sweetness that became more pronounced with each bite. The bhuna sauce transformed it into a vibrant, versatile dish making it ideal for serving with rice or mopping up with naan. This, hands down, was the table’s dish of the night – a definite must-try for anyone looking to visit Royal Spice.

A cup of chai anyone?

The evening drew to a close with a cup of warm chai served in a charming ceramic cup. Its delicious creaminess provided a comforting send off to a relaxed evening of great food. I particularly appreciated the complimentary chocolate and hot towel, a thoughtful and increasingly rare gesture with other Indian and Bangladeshi establishments these days. It is great to see Royal Spice keeping this tradition alive.

Chesterton Road gets another great restaurant

Royal Spice offers a fine addition to the ever growing and bustling Chesterton Road. It takes one of my favourite Indian takeaways and transforms it into a stylish restaurant with a great menu full of finely executed dishes. Our table was alive with debate, discussing all the dishes and their marvellous execution, with a consensus concluding that the salmon dishes were the favourites of the night (despite some stiff competition). It is a unique way of preparing fish and it has won over my guests (who are already planning their return).

With the BYOB policy, you are also able to keep costs down in this ever more expensive economy and still get the bells and whistles you’d expect from an Indian, such as hot towel and after dinner chocolate.

As usual, Chesterton Road suffers from a lack of parking that may put people off but otherwise it was an experience I struggled to fault. If you love a good curry then get down to Royal Spice as I am confident it will impress you.

Thanks for reading!