Spice Merchant: Leek's Not-So-Secret Gem For Bangladeshi Cuisine
Discover the delicious Bengali flavours and cosy ambiance at Spice Merchant in Cross Street Mill.
If you’re a lover of Indian cuisine, tucked away in Cross Street Mill, you’ll find Spice Merchant, a Leek curry house favourite that promises an authentic Bengali/Bangladeshi dining experience with fantastic service. It’s a must-visit for anyone seeking rich, vibrant flavours and a menu full of classic Indian favourites and some Bengali specials.
Set in the historic Cross Street Mill, Spice Merchant boasts a cosy and inviting ambiance with exposed brick walls and charming archways. The tasteful decor pays homage to the vibrance of the food it serves, making it ideal for meals with friends, family, or even a cosy date night. The atmosphere is both relaxed and vibrant, perfect for any occasion.
Our culinary journey at Spice Merchant began with a simple yet delightful starter of poppadoms (£0.70 each), a mixed starter (£6), and a chutney tray (£2). Our poppadoms were crispy and light, and the mixed starter featured chicken tikka, sheek kebab, samosa, and onion bhaji, each bite bursting with freshness and flavour. Our chutney tray contained four fresh Indian chutneys and sauces, the perfect accompaniment.
For our main courses, we decided to try options from the ‘chef’s specials’ menu, so we chose tandoori makhon chicken (£12) and Bangladeshi lamb (£13). The makhon chicken was rich and creamy with a smoky, spicy flavour. We requested it extra spicy, and it was made to perfection. Our lamb dish was a real delight, featuring lamb cooked on the bone, which was tender and succulent, served in an aromatic lamb mince sauce that was spiced beautifully. We ate these with a serving of plain naan (£3) and pilau rice (£3). Our naan was huge and fluffy, and the pilau was fluffy and fragrant, the perfect side to our mains.
One of the things we love about Spice Merchant is that everything is made fresh to order, and they’re more than happy to cater to dietary requirements and preferences. One of our party has an allergy, and they were more than helpful in discussing which dishes could be adjusted or made without certain ingredients, and we felt totally taken care of.
Despite being quite full, we couldn’t resist the offer of a complimentary ice cream or alcoholic drink. We opted for a few scoops of creamy almond and pistachio ice cream, which was a delightful and refreshing end to our meal.
Our experience at Spice Merchant was nothing short of spectacular, and it’s safe to say we’ll be back soon. Spice Merchant offers a dining experience that combines fresh, high-quality ingredients with authentic Bengali/Bangladeshi flavours, all served in a warm and inviting setting, and the staff are both warm and welcoming. Choosing which curry house to go to in Leek can be a tough choice—there are many options—but we’d always recommend Spice Merchant.