Address: 1-2 Lower Dock Walk, London, E16 2GT
Website: https://www.cafespice.co.uk/
Nearest Station: Gallions Reach (DLR)
Tel: 020 7488 9242
Cafe Spice Namaste is a family-friendly restaurant serving Indian cuisine with a European twist. Located in Royal Albert Wharf, close to City Airport. You have a beautiful river view and docks to dine on. Nestled within this colourful mosaic is Cafe Spice Namaste, a culinary gem that captivates customers with its unique take on Indian cuisine and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Chef Cyrus draws inspiration from his Indian and Parsi heritage to create dishes that entice the palate and awaken the senses.
Cafe Spice Namaste Experience
I was graciously invited to dine at this restaurant with my wife. We were given a shared plate to sample different dishes. The trip here was quick because it wasn't as far from where I live. When I first entered the restaurant, I asked for the owners, but they were upstairs, so the staff directed us to our seats instead.
As I perused the menu, the chef, Cyrus Todiwala, and his wife, Pervin, approached us to greet us and assure us that they would take care of us. This made it easier to decide which food to prepare because everything was done to their specifications. I spoke briefly with Pervin, and we discovered that we were both from the same state in India and lived close to where my parents were raised.
The restaurant's vibrant decor and excellent service create an intimate but lively atmosphere. This was ideal for everything from casual gatherings to special events. Cafe Spice Namaste also serves a variety of delectable main courses, ranging from juicy tandoori to aromatic curries. Each dish is expertly prepared using the best ingredients, resulting in a symphony of flavours with each bite.
What we had bite-sized at Cafe Spice Namaste:
- Lamb Cutlets (£12)
- Halloumi Shaslik (£9)
- Bombay Cheese Chilli Toast (£9)
- Roast Chicken Cafreal Zambeziana (£9)
- Mango Lassi
- Beetroot Samosa (£9)
- Keralan Chicken Biryani (£16)
- Bebinca (£9)
- Zafrani Creme Brulee (£8)
- Masala Tea (£5)
All the meals listed above were served on a shared plate, so we had four items on one plate.
Drinks
The drink options here were pretty restricted. However, Mango Lassi was a good choice. We were given one strawberry mocktail and a lassi to start while the dinner was being cooked. I preferred the mango lassi over the mocktail, but my wife thought the opposite.
Sharing Plates at Cafe Spice Namaste
This was a plate filled with various starters that offered a sample of the menu. Halloumi Shashlik cubes, lamb samosa, and mango salad are all on display here. All three meals were great, and I especially enjoyed the presentation of the halloumi shashlik and samosa.
The samosa was served with chutneys and chickpea vermicelli.
Mains
Our mains arrived similarly to the starters, in a little piece on a platter.
First, we tried Bombay's Cheese Chilli Toast, which was created with five different cheeses and a kick of spice.
Second, we got the lamb cutlets, which were the lamb chops. We enjoyed the juicy bite-sized. Marinated with ginger essence and spices.
The Ginger Prawn Balls were the third item, which were fried diced king prawns with minced garlic, chilli, and ginger tossed in an Indo-Chinese hot garlic sauce.
Kerala Chicken Biryani
Chicken biryani was one of the dishes I wanted to try, and we had the choice of ordering a full pot or a smaller portion since we were already full from the previous dishes. We decided to go with the smaller version to save room for dessert. The presentation was fantastic, and the delivery was outstanding.
Desserts
The sweets were quite good. I particularly enjoyed the Bombay Creme Caramel with ice cream. The soft pancake served with ice cream was both sweet and delicious. Additionally, the presentation was outstanding!
Multi-layered Portuguese-inspired Goan coconut pancake, warmed and served with vanilla ice cream.
This dish was okay, there weren't many dessert options on the menu, so we decided to try it, but I wasn't particularly fond of it.
Crème brûlée flavoured with saffron, ginger and cardamom.
Masala Tea
Finally, after eating all of the food, I needed some refreshment, so I ordered masala tea, similar to what we have at home. If you order this, you will be provided with a teapot that can be shared by two people.
CONCLUSION
Food: 9 out of 10
Service: 10 out of 10
Price: 7 out of 10
Experience: 10 out of 10
Presentation: 10 out of 10
Overall, I've given Cafe Namaste Spice a 9.2 out of 10.
To summarise, Cafe Spice Namaste is more than just a restaurant. It's a culinary trip that highlights the diversity and depth of Indian cuisine. With its inventive meals, genuine hospitality, and commitment to sustainability, it's no surprise that Cafe Spice Namaste is still a popular destination for foodies in London and beyond. I thought the meal, service, and presentation were excellent. The idea of sharing was fantastic, and the presentation of each dish showed that they had made an effort to make it seem attractive.
If you're shopping in Beckton or searching for a night out to eat, look no further than Cafe Namaste Spice.
If you enjoyed this post, have a read of my other reviews on my blog:
