Spice Up, House of Indian Cuisine image

Spice Up, House of Indian Cuisine

Restaurant Indian restaurant Nepalese restaurant

👍 Spice up is a cozy spot, we got there at 5 when it opened as they don't take reservations and we heard they definitely get busy. The staff promptly checked our vax cards and IDs and our group of 5 was seated right away. It had a very homey feel, the lines were a heavy material that you would have us... People often mention Indian, good, restaurant, chicken, service, delicious, garlic, friendly, naan, small,


Address

1289 S King St Unit 101, Honolulu, HI 96814

Contact

(808) 784-0338

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (449 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 11 AM to 1:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 11 AM to 1:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 1:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 11 AM to 1:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 11 AM to 1:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 1:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Indian (21) good (18) restaurant (10) chicken (9) service (8) delicious (7) garlic (7) friendly (6) naan (6) small (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Chris A. 2 years ago on Google
    Spice up is a cozy spot, we got there at 5 when it opened as they don't take reservations and we heard they definitely get busy. The staff promptly checked our vax cards and IDs and our group of 5 was seated right away. It had a very homey feel, the lines were a heavy material that you would have used in the old days so you could smell the old world charm haha. The decor was indian charm as well. The menu had just the right amount to choose from as well. The staff was masked up and safe and took our order fairly quick, our food came out within reason and looked and smelled delicious. Really the one and only compliant was my med rare lamb was a little over cooked but not destroyed. Oh yeah and the lamb cubes were a bit big and with the butter knife they give you it was hard to cut but other than that everyone had a good meal. We would definitely visit again.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James S. 2 years ago on Google
    After trying 5 different Indian restaurants, I've come to the conclusion that Spice Up is some of the best of this cuisine in Honolulu. Their service is really personable and friendly. (They remembered me after just 1 visit!) They are always checking in and filling waters, it's obvious that they care about your comfort as you eat. I've also overheard some awesome advice and recommendations from them as other customers navigate the menu. Everything came out pretty quickly when I was there. Full of flavour and spiced to perfection. I'm planning to keep visiting and trying remixes of different dishes! Everything I've tried so far has been excellent.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ale R. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is amazing, so glad we tried it. One of our new favorite places for sure. The atmosphere was welcoming and beautifully designed. The service was friendly and helpful and the food was incredible! I was a little worried about the food being too spicy for our toddler but it was perfect, our 3 year old loved everything we tried. So excited they have opened up, wishing them the best of luck. Go check it out before it starts getting packed!!!!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Max T. 2 years ago on Google
    My photos don’t do it justice (sorry). But this is my new favorite Indian spot on island! Their flavors are authentic and delicious, the naan is the best I’ve had. Before they make their curries they roast/ grill the meats in the tandoori oven. 11/10 on food & flavor. One critique is that there is no reservation system yet.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Adilene E. 1 year ago on Google
    10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If I could give this place 100 stars I would! Service was incredible! Answered any question we had, neat and clean dinning area. The food….. absolutely delicious! Definitely coming back! My friends and I really enjoyed this restaurant! Lovely music as well!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 A T. 2 years ago on Google
    Spice Up restaurant was popping Friday night. With a limited seating inside, there were about 12 people outside waiting for a table. It seemed to me that majority of the people eating at the restaurant were locals. They don’t take reservations but they will take your name once you arrive. There is a limited parking in the back of the building. The menu was on the pricier side and portions were on the smaller side then at a lot of restaurants on the mainland. We received one small bowl of rice that was not even filled to the top for 4 people which like I said is on a smaller side compared to the restaurants that I’ve frequented. Their medium is very spicy, so heads up when choosing spice levels. The food on the other hand was delicious.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 D. D. 2 years ago on Google
    I love my India cuisine. The servers were all nice and attentive. The restaurant had plenty of room for space between seating. Really clean inside with only one bathroom though. The food was good, but not as rich and spicey as I've had and like, look for the spices' flavors. Chai tea was ok but again the flavor was missing there too. But a good Indian restaurant for the prices here in Honolulu. Parking is limited during certain times cause King street parking is not open. Oh the serving sizes, even the Naan, were smaller than I'm used to, but it was cheaper.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kamatis Wit P. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazingly fresh and robust flavors, the best Indian food I’ve had so far. Public parking is available although hidden and a little small it’s definitely worth it. The drinks were so vivid in its flavor, I love mango!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jordan W. 1 year ago on Google
    I really love Indian food. This was the most delicious Indian food experience I've had to date. I think the line out the door was a good indicator of this place being very much worth going to. It's a small establishment with a limited number of tables, so there was about a 40 minute wait to get in. But once in, the wait staff was really tentative and genuinely sweet, and the food came out really fast. Their mango lassi was incredibly delicious and all of the food was flavorful, full bodied and incredibly satisfying. I will absolutely be dining here again, even though I don't live in Honolulu.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Crystal S. 1 year ago on Google
    I went here last night for a last minute date night! They were very accommodating and nice! We ordered a couple dishes & everything was excellent! It was definitely the best garlic naan bread I’ve ever had! I’m so happy we found this place & we’ll definitely be back soon!😋
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Dom S. 1 year ago on Google
    It's neat indo Nepali resturant with good food. Staff was friendly especially Sumi. The food was really tasty and parking is at the rear. Decent seating area. Chai is very refreshing too. Don't forget to order desert. I would give it 4 stars for the service and ambience. Good place.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kuldeep S M. 5 months ago on Google
    In Hawaii you expect seafood quality to be great but this restaurant certainly broke our stereotype. One of the best Indian tastes we have ever encountered. Would revisit
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Walter M. 7 months ago on Google
    Stopped by here based on the Yelp reviews and ratings. We arrived and put our own name on the wait list then walked outside for about 30 minutes. Once seated the service was very quick, including how quickly we got our food. To be clear, we never felt rushed, given the smaller dining room and the number of people waiting. The food was very good but the chicken was a little dry. The Lamb Rogan Josh was very good, as was the dal makhni, and acarhi chicken.. If you need to get your Indian food fix, this is a good place, just be prepared to wait to be seated.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 edmarie a. 9 months ago on Google
    This place did not disappoint! The best Indian restaurant on the island! Been to a couple of different places and this place really stands out! Flavorful, authentic indian taste. Service is amazing and the place is calm and clean. Definitely coming back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justine LaLa S. 1 year ago on Google
    This place has become our to go or to take out place for Indian food in Honolulu. Everything taste freshly made food. Vegetarian friendly place as I was doing 2weeks Vegetarian. Good friendly service and spacious dining space with lots of space in between. On this day we tried only Vegetarian dishes but their house special green chicken is wonderful to try.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Claire 2 years ago on Google
    Love love love. I've had a lot of Indian food with my colleagues for the past 4 years. And I thought I have had it all since my employer had a big Indian headquarters. But I was wrong. This is the BEST Indian food I've ever had!!! So happy and so lucky to have stumbled upon this place on our way to the airport!!! Really recommend the lasuni Gobi, the mulligatawny soup, pahadi mint chicken
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John J. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious flavors and awesome service! First time here and we got the Momo's (Chicken)...and Vindaloo (Chicken), as well as an order of the Naan (plain). Nice portions and priced right for Honolulu. Take out boxes were used and the food was enjoyed the next day as leftovers. Extremely busy but even as a walk-in, we got a table fairly quickly. Will be coming back again!!! MAHALO!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Nicole W. 7 months ago on Google
    Finally got a chance to try the Indian food here. The garlic naan is good with my favorite butter chicken. But the chai is disappointing, not the receipt I like.

  • 5/5 Priya G. 8 months ago on Google
    On the Hawaii islands for more than a week and were craving solid Indian food. Found this place - and it looks exactly like the pictures. Nothing fancy in terms of ambience - but it was packed when we went for dinner. Food was really really good - though we had to wait for 15-20 mins for our food (which is ok bcos food was really good!) Ordered samosa chat - excellent flavors! Also ordered paneer makhani, malai kofta, onion kulcha & garlic cheese naan. All were great. Def recommend this place for its food.

  • 5/5 Rhea Y (. 4 months ago on Google
    My friend told me about this place and we tried it for lunch. The service was timely and friendly, the restaurant is small, but very clean and plenty of space between tables. The wait person assisted us in deciding what to order which was very helpful since it was our first time there. We were both very pleased with the food, it was delicious! we will definitely be back either for dine in or takeout and look forward to trying some other dishes!

  • 4/5 Alex W. 2 years ago on Google
    Pretty good. I need to go back to try more things. Many items on the menu were unavailable with taped over labels, so maybe they don't make them anymore. I'm a big fan of spicy food but the chicken vindaloo was a touch spicy if you're eating just that.

  • 3/5 Disha K. 4 months ago on Google
    Visited this restaurant cause we were craving good Indian food and this restaurant had raving reviews. But unfortunately the food did not impress us. A couple of things were good like the chicken momos. But rest of our order was just not up to the mark. Chicken malai tikka was dry and hard to chew. Lamb Rogan Josh tasted good but not like a Rogan Josh curry. Ordered the chef special pudina chicken tikka which was okayish. Ordered garlic naan but there was hardly any garlic in it. Not sure if this is just 1 bad day in the kitchen but didn’t expect everything to be a disaster.

  • 5/5 Eden C. 1 year ago on Google
    Best Indian cuisine in Oahu! Curry is so good! It’s good for 2 with rice. Order it with Garlic Cheese Naan. 👌🏻 Usually there is a queue since this place is popular. Waiting time is 20 mins on a Friday but serving is fast.

  • 4/5 Erika L. 1 year ago on Google
    Me and my mom were craving Indian food so we decided to check this place out. Parking can be sparse, there is a small lot in the back of the building. The samosa wasn't my favorite, I've had better. The rice was a pretty small portion to share for two people. But the butter chicken garlic naan and palak paneer was good. Would definitely come back !

  • 5/5 Tiffany Dela C. 2 years ago on Google
    After 2 visits, Spice up has become my new favorite Indian spot on the island. Great service, great pricing and even better food! Samosas, Veggie Momos, Lemon Rice, Channa Masala, Chicken Tikka Masala and of course garlic Naan!

  • 5/5 Tito 2 years ago on Google
    OMG! Best Indian cuisine in Waikiki, HI and maybe here in Oahu! That lamb korma was so on point! Everything was on point! What am I talking about? This is my new go to place for Indian cuisine.


Call (808) 784-0338 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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