The seekh kebabs are the dish most often mentioned when people talk about Spice Village. Minced lamb is blended with spices, shaped onto skewers and grilled over charcoal — the smokiness is what sets them apart from tandoor-cooked versions elsewhere. Two pieces per portion. Reddit threads about Tooting restaurants frequently point to these as a must-order starter.
Tips from diners
Order at least two portions per person — they are small and cheap enough to warrant doubling up. The charcoal flavour is the whole point.
A signature dish that regulars swear by. The fish is marinated in a blend of spices, coated in gram flour batter and deep-fried. The result is a crunchy, well-spiced coating around flaky white fish. Reddit users and reviewers single out the masala fish as one of the best things on the menu — it is not a subtle dish, but the spice coating has real depth.
Tips from diners
Ask for it fresh out of the fryer. When it sits, the batter loses its crunch. Squeeze lemon over it and eat with the green chutney.
Five chops per portion, marinated in curd with herbs and spices then cooked over the coal grill. The charcoal does the heavy lifting here — the edges get properly charred while the meat stays pink and tender. At under £10 for five chops, it is seriously good value for central London-quality lamb.
Tips from diners
These chops benefit from the coal grill more than most dishes. Five per portion makes them perfect for sharing across the table as a starter.
Spice Village's butter chicken is their most-liked item on delivery platforms, with an approval rating over 70% on Uber Eats from hundreds of orders. The sauce is creamy and mild, which makes it a good entry point if you are not used to high spice levels. The chicken tikka pieces hold their texture well in the sauce.
Tips from diners
This is the mildest curry on the menu. If you want something with more kick, go for the karahi instead. Good choice for kids or spice-averse friends.
Four different grilled meats on one platter — seekh kebabs, chicken tikka, lamb tikka and lamb chops, all cooked over the charcoal grill. At £24.99, it is designed for two to share and gives you a sampler of the kitchen's strongest suit: the grill section. Everything comes off the coals with that smoky char that defines Spice Village's cooking style.
Tips from diners
If you cannot decide what to order, start here. It covers all the grill highlights and feeds two comfortably with a side of naan and rice.
Opened in 2004 by brothers Nasir and Suleman, who started with a 15-seater takeaway in Tooting inspired by their mother's home cooking. The kitchen uses hot stones, coal grills and tandoori ovens — the charcoal grill is central to their approach. Spice Village has since expanded to multiple locations, but the Tooting original on Upper Tooting Road remains the flagship. The dining room is bigger and more polished than most Tooting curry houses, with a late-night atmosphere on weekends.
Friday opening is later at 2pm instead of noon. If you want a late lunch, go on any other day. Sunday opens at 10am for desi nashta (Pakistani breakfast).
The dining room is more spacious and polished than many Tooting curry houses. Good for families and larger groups. They take bookings, which is worth doing at weekends.
Lots of Pakistani and Indian families eat here, which is always a good sign. The atmosphere picks up in the evening — lunchtime is quieter and you will get a table easily.
The food travels well on delivery via Uber Eats, but the grilled items lose some of their charcoal smokiness. Eat in for the full experience if you can.
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