Henley Spice Merchant - Henley-on-Thames

Tracey W.

As previous customers of the Spice Merchant (when it was located riverside) we were excited to visit them on their new premise in the High St, we were a little disappointed to find a much smaller restaurant, over priced food, £19 pp for a seafood starter, £15 for a glass of wine, and customers crammed into a small space, very uncomfortable. The new restaurant lacks atmosphere and authenticity.

Murad A.

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.

krish K.

This restaurant has the best views in Henley.
The staff are very attentive and helpful. But the food is definitely on the expensive side for an Indian restaurant. As an Indian I needed to ask for extra green chillies.

Sean H.

Friendly staff, good location, nice ambience. Slightly smaller portions than you’d expect. For a main course of Tandoori tiger prawns at £21.95 you’d expect more than 5 on a plate! However the butter murgh was the best I’ve ever had. Deep, rich and complex.

Christie B.

Absolutely stunning and unique afternoon tea . A delicious selection of savoury bites , mango lassi , scones , cake and macarons with tea or choice . Incredibly tasty and fabulous alternative to a normal afternoon tea . Highly recommended

Kevin J.

Absolutely appalling. A picture speaks a thousand words, so here is ours of a £61 curry for two (yes) where it belongs. Although, frankly, the food bin is starting to gag too. Where do I start? Probably first order of the evening, but it turned up cold? A salad that was a two-year old slicing inch thick slices of red onion, cucumber and tomato? A £6.50 mushroom rice? Food that had clearly been recycled from a quiet lunch? Simply the most shocking food that I have ever been served.

Jackie H.

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.

A O.

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!