Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Spice Waala – Seattle
Spice Waala - Seattle
Photo from Spice Waala
Spice Waala at a glance
Seattle Sunset Hill
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 64 of the guests
#178 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#3 Indian Restaurant out of 22 in Seattle
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
455
Reviews
84.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Great service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Limited seating
- Slow service
- Authenticity issues
The restaurant Spice Waala, an Indian restaurant in Seattle’s vibrant Sunset Hill neighborhood, offers you a truly casual and trendy dining experience. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This spot is known for its delicious Indian cuisine, providing a fantastic option whether you’re seeking healthy choices, vegan delights, or traditional halal food in Seattle.
Overview: Introducting Spice Waala
Spice Waala offers a delightful experience for those seeking flavorful Indian street food. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the overall casual place vibe.
It’s a spot where the culinary offerings generally hit the mark, making it a popular choice for a quick and satisfying meal. While the food and service are often praised, some guests have noted issues with limited seating or occasional delays.
However, the reasonable prices often make these minor inconveniences easy to overlook, contributing to its appeal as a convenient dining option.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
455
Reviews
84.4%
Satisfaction
50
negative
21
neutral
384
positive
Overall, Spice Waala maintains a strong reputation, reflected in its solid restaurant score of 8.2. This positive impression is further supported by a high customer satisfaction rate of 84.4%.
These figures are drawn from 455 pieces of feedback, with 384 positive comments outweighing 50 negative ones, indicating a generally well-received establishment. Digging deeper, the Food (8.3), Service (8.4), and Value (8.6) all receive commendable scores, suggesting these are consistent strengths.
While the Ambience (6.7) is rated lower, it still falls into the good category, though it indicates there might be some room for improvement in the dining environment.
What people like
- Delicious street food
- Attentive, friendly service
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Limited seating comfort
- Occasional slow service
- Food authenticity concerns
Spice Waala is a solid choice if you’re looking for flavorful Indian street food at a good price, delivered with friendly service. With a recommendation score of 8.4, it generally delivers a positive experience, especially for those prioritizing taste and value over a lavish dining setting.
While some minor issues like seating or occasional service delays might arise, they don’t overshadow the overall appeal. If you appreciate a casual spot with satisfying food and efficient service, this restaurant is certainly worth considering for your next meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Spice Waala
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to food, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8.3 and a good customer satisfaction of 85.4%, its clear diners are delighted. Out of 329 total opinions, a whopping 281 praise the delicious and authentic offerings, especially the flavorful Kathi rolls, diverse chaat options, and fresh ingredients that make every bite a satisfaction.
However, a few of the 31 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. Some found the options a bit limited, or occasionally experienced issues like oily food, a burnt smell, or portions that felt too small. While these are minor concerns, theyre worth noting if you're particular about authenticity or portion size.
Food
329
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
31
negative
17
neutral
281
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Kathi rolls
- Authentic flavors
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Limited options
- Oily food
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this terrific, locally owned restaurant was fantastic. They serve delicious Indian street food, and it's difficult to make specific recommendations because it's all really good. I highly recommend stopping in; you will not be disappointed.
- Indian street foodMy experience at this terrific, locally owned restaurant was fantastic. They serve delicious Indian street food, and it's difficult to make specific recommendations because it's all really good. I highly recommend stopping in; you will not be disappointed.
- mango lassiMango lassi and the soft serve were amazing too
- Foodit was better than I remembered
- chicken tikka rollChicken Tikka roll was good- love the amount of chicken stuffing and flavour.
- flavorsthe flavors were tantalizing
- rollsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be the best place to get rolls in Seattle. The service is excellent, and the flavors are truly authentic.
- soft serveMango lassi and the soft serve were amazing too
- Indian foodthe food is an amazing spin on Indian food
- Papdi ChaatI was so impressed that I wished they sold their chutneys separately. The Papdi Chaat was a recommended dish, and it certainly lived up to expectations. It was a great choice for a lunch, and the price per person was reasonable at $10–20.
Frequently criticized
- rollsrolls were not even close to being authentic
- Indian street foodMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. If hype is the new authentic, then oily chapati & french fries do not make for Indian street food. I felt a shame on them for claiming ethnicity with zippety gastro pedigree.
- Masala alooMasala aloo was just fries so wouldn’t recommend it
- Paneer bhurji rollPaneer bhurji roll was tasteless
- alooif only the aloo was not undercooked.
- authentic Indian placeNot authentic Indian place
- burnt smellburnt smell coming from it
- cardamom coconutI can’t taste the coconut at all in the cardamom coconut
- cardamom flavorstoo heavy on the cardamom so the other flavors don’t come through
- chaatsI used to love the food here, but the past couple of times, I've not been able to eat my roll due to the burnt smell coming from it. I also saw someone go from using the cash register to mixing one of the chaats without switching out gloves. This could have been a one-off, but it's enough of a concern that I won't go back for a while.
If you're craving delicious, authentic Indian street food, especially Kathi rolls and chaat, this place is definitely worth a visit. While some minor issues like occasional oiliness or smaller portions were noted, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests a satisfying culinary experience awaits.
Service (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a solid score of 8.4 and a fantastic customer satisfaction of 84.1%, its clear guests are generally thrilled. Many of the 58 positive comments praise the friendly staff, quick takeout meal options, and efficient menu, making ordering a breeze, especially with easy online ordering.
However, its not entirely without its hiccups. A few of the 10 negative comments point to occasional slow service and frustrating waiting times. Some also wished for more flexible or extended limited hours, suggesting there's a little room for improvement in operational consistency.
Service
69
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Easy online ordering
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Limited hours
- Long wait times
Often praised
- serviceThe food was amazing, and we received many compliments. Uttam was incredibly easy to work with, offering speedy communication and over-the-top service, including setting us up with chafing dishes and compostable plates and cutlery. I highly recommend them!
- staffHowever, I did find the wraps to be a bit small; you might need two if you're feeling hungry. While the selection isn't vast, the food is consistently good, the staff are friendly, and the flavors are definitely on point.
- ServiceService:5
- Guys workingGuys working were very courteous and friendly!
- chafing dishessetting me up with chafing dishes
- communicationSpeedy communication
- community worktheir community work
- courteous and friendlyGuys working were very courteous and friendly!
- deliveryDelivery was right on time
- disappointnever disappoint
Frequently criticized
- fill orderMy order was finally filled. I didn't mind that it was late because they were busy; I minded because we were continually skipped over in the fill order. The wraps were good, and the fries were good, but the snacks/sides were disappointing.
- glovesI used to love the food here, but the past couple of times, I've not been able to eat my roll due to the burnt smell coming from it. I also saw someone go from using the cash register to mixing one of the chaats without switching out gloves. This could have been a one-off, but it's enough of a concern that I won't go back for a while.
- hoursI wish they had better hours!
- limited hoursthe limited hours they are open
- open everydayJust wish they were open everyday!
- orderWe got our order a little late
- passive aggressivewow, passive aggressive to boot!
- slow serviceSuper slow for some reason
- slow, luxurious mealEnjoy a slow, luxurious meal
- waiting timeAnd then I waited. And waited.
If youre looking for a place with genuinely friendly staff and quick service, especially for takeout, youll likely be very happy. Just be mindful that occasional slow periods or limited hours might affect your experience, so plan accordingly.
Ambience (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
Stepping into this spot, youll likely find the atmosphere quite appealing, with many praising its great vibes and cheerful decor . Its often described as a casual and convenient unique gem , and the parking situation gets a thumbs-up too. The ambience scores a solid 6.7, reflecting a generally positive impression from 19 out of 30 comments.
However, the customer satisfaction for the ambience is a more mixed 63.3%, suggesting some areas could use a little polish. A few guests mentioned limited seating and wished the music was turned down. Other concerns included a cold interior due to the heater , a weird smell , and issues with the front door .
Ambience
30
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
8
negative
3
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great vibes
- Cheerful decor
- Easy parking
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Cold interior
- Weird smell
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmospherethe vibe of the restaurant were great
- casual and convenienthow casual and convenient the spot is
- cheerful decorI'd recommend two rolls per person. The restaurant also boasts great vibes, cheerful decor, and helpful staff.
- great vibesGreat vibes
- parkingEasy to find parking for both locations.
- parking spacePlenty of parking
- placeLaid back casual place
- spaceThe space is clean and well maintained
- unique gemA unique gem in Ballard
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereNot at all comfortable to dine in.
- chapati heating panchapati heating pan is very unhygienic
- front doorPlease fix your front door
- heaterturn the heater on. It's freezing inside
- musichave the music turned down a bit
- seatingDefinitely check the hours and plan your trip; it's not a spur-of-the-moment restaurant. Also, seating inside is kind of limited, so have a backup plan if there isn't a spot. Despite these hurdles, you will not regret eating here!
- water purifierwater purifer was empty
- weird smellnoticed a weird smell
If you're looking for a laid-back spot with good vibes and easy parking, this place could be a great fit. Just be prepared for potentially limited seating and a few minor comfort issues like the music or temperature, which might affect your overall experience.
Value (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With an excellent 96.3% customer satisfaction and a good score of 8.6, its clear guests are thrilled with what they get for their money. Out of 27 comments, a whopping 26 rave about the price, value for money, and how affordable everything is, consistently calling it a great deal for delicious food.
Interestingly, even the single comment flagged as negative actually reinforces the positive sentiment, highlighting how the prices are great compared to other expensive restaurants' in Seattle. This means there are virtually no complaints about the cost, making it a standout for budget-conscious diners.
Value
27
Reviews
96%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value for money
- Affordable prices
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricesThis place is such a gem! Everything I've eaten here has been unbelievably delicious and the prices are pretty reasonable for the quality of food. However, I wish they had better hours.
- valueMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed great Indian street food with fast service and great value. The food was absolutely delicious.
- priceThe service was incredibly fast for pickup orders, which was a huge plus. Plus, you really can’t beat the price.
- PricesPrices are very reasonable.
- affordableVery affordable and tasty Indian snack offerings
- economicalchecks everything - economical
- good pricesgood food for really good prices
- inexpensive spotGreat, inexpensive spot
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- price pointboth from price point but also size
Frequently criticized
- restaurantsIt's a great Indian street food location in Seattle. Given that Seattle has very expensive restaurants, Spice Waala is an amazing respite because the prices are great for what you get. The food is DELICIOUS.
If youre looking for fantastic food that wont break the bank, this place is an absolute winner. You can expect great quality and portions at truly reasonable prices, making it a smart choice for any meal.
How are the prices at Spice Waala?
You’re looking at roughly 16 per person – reported by 64 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For an Indian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find themselves in this $11–$20 sweet spot, showing a clear cluster around the average. However, there are also plenty of options if you’re aiming for the $1–$10 range, indicating some flexibility.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 64 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Indian Restaurant in Seattle. It offers a good balance, so you can likely find something delicious that fits your budget.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Spice Waala
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
9
Delicious & Great Value!
My experience at Spice Walla was fantastic! It's consistently delicious and fresh. I was particularly impressed with the value, as my favorite chicken wrap was only $8.
50 and left me feeling full. The mango lassi was also delicious, and the rotating soft serve flavor was a nice touch.
- chicken wrap9
- mango lassi9
- soft serve flavor8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Staff and Delicious Chaat!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The staff were amazing and so kind. They went above and beyond to make my bhel fresh for pick-up on a Friday evening, which I truly appreciated.
The considerate packaging was also a great touch. I love having this place in Ballard. The bhel, aloo tikki chaat, and papdi chaat were all great, but their chutneys are the real winner!
- staff10
- bhel9
- aloo tikki chaat9
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Tasty Chicken Tikka Rolls, Worth Trying
I visited for an evening snack and ordered a chicken tikka roll, chai, and another roll for the kids. The chicken tikka roll was very good, with a nice protein to carb ratio and excellent overall taste. I definitely recommend it.
I even got a second one and made it Kolkata style. A minor point, kati rolls are traditionally made with paratha, not roti, but this version was still very tasty. I believe the roti might make it slightly healthier.
Regardless, I enjoyed the flavors and found it to be pretty good.
- chicken tikka roll9
- protein to carb ratio8
- flavors8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
5
Good food, but expect a long wait
My experience at this restaurant was marked by slow service, which was unexpected given the nature of the establishment. While the food was good, the overall pace meant it wasn't a quick in-and-out experience. The owner's response, stating they 'missed the part where we promised speed, ' came across as passive-aggressive.
It seems they are not geared towards lunch traffic, so be prepared for a slow, luxurious meal even at a counter-order place serving foil-wrapped rolls.
- Good food8
- foil-wrapped rolls5
- slow service2
- passive aggressive2
- slow, luxurious meal3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Fantastic Indian Street Food Experience!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed great Indian street food with fast service and great value. The food was absolutely delicious.
I particularly loved the Chicken Tikka kathi roll, the paneer bhurji, the Kathi Lamb Kebab roll, the Aloo Tikki Chaat, and the Masala Aloo fries. The mango Lassi was also a hit, and the soft serve ice cream was delectable!
- Indian street food10
- service9
- value9
What Spice Waala offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Beer
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Quiet
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dietary options and quick meal choices can you find at Spice Waala?
At Spice Waala, you’ll find diverse options including healthy choices, dedicated vegan and vegetarian dishes, and halal food. If you’re in a hurry, you can also grab a quick bite, making it a versatile spot for any craving or dietary need.
What is the atmosphere like and what service options are available at Spice Waala?
You can enjoy a casual and trendy atmosphere at Spice Waala, perfect for a relaxed meal. For your convenience, they offer outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery services. The restaurant is also wheelchair accessible, ensuring a comfortable experience for all.
How does Spice Waala generally perform?
Spice Waala scores well overall with a restaurant score of 8.2. Its Food (8.3), Service (8.4), and Value (8.6) are particularly strong, while Ambience (6.7) is good but has some room for improvement.
What kind of food can I expect at Spice Waala?
You can expect delicious Indian street food, with many praising the tantalizing flavors of items like the chicken tikka roll and Papdi Chaat. Some opinions, however, suggest that certain rolls might lack authenticity.
Is Spice Waala a good value for money?
Yes, many customers find Spice Waala to offer excellent value, describing prices as reasonable and affordable for the quality of food received. It’s often seen as an inexpensive spot for a satisfying meal.