Located in the heart of the International Mall, Spice Kitchen is a restaurant recently opened in the South Tampa area. Based on the authentic flavors of North Indian cuisine from New Delhi, “The Best of the City” award-winning restaurant caters to everyone in terms of preferences such as vegan, vegetarian, dairy and gluten-free. 

Upon entering the door,  you will be greeted by friendly staff who are efficient and knowledgeable about the cuisine. I was drawn to the intimate setting of the restaurant, as well as the inviting aromas that reminded me of home cooking. Once you are seated, you are given a menu with a variety of selections, all with a unique and creative flare. When I went to try, the waiters were also really helpful in sharing what sides and sauces pair well with what dish.

The menu consists of five sections: taste plates, shared plates, breads, sides and desserts. I would recommend ordering a shared plate since they are large, easy to share with friends and family and still very filling at the same time. For every item, you will have the option to cater the dish to your spice liking on a scale from one to five, with one being the least spicy and five being the spiciest.

With the option of dining in or taking out, I chose to order take out, since it was more convenient for me. To my surprise, it tasted just as good as if you were in the restaurant. I started with the garlic naan which was essentially bread covered in spices like cilantro and garlic. The naan was light, fluffy and a great appetizer to prepare your plate for the incoming invasion of flavors. For my entrée, I chose the shared plate of Vegetable Biryani with a spice level of 3. It came with Basmati rice, in-house curry, crispy onions and was served with raita sauce as well. Rich in flavor and filled with spices like shallot, five spice and ghee, it was a flavor-infused meal. 

Although it was a bit on the pricier side, with a regular entrée ranging from $12-$25, I thought it was worth every penny and I personally had a wonderful experience trying New Delhi cuisine. I highly encourage anyone who is in the South Tampa area to try Spice Kitchen and to bring a friend along with you.

IF YOU GO:

Tampa Location: International Plaza Mall

2223 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33607

Phone Number: 813-302-7607 or  813-302-7593

Hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Website: https://spicekitchentampa.com/locations/