Spice Trail — Restaurant in Chattanooga

Good and not so good. Took a party of four on a Wednesday night, slow restaurant night. About half full. The good: everyone in my party thought the taste and flavors were as good as any Indian food they had experienced. (and some of us have traveled through India). I especially enjoyed the Samosa. The dishes were sequenced as the waitress put it, with the smalls before the mains. We were in a quiet side room, which made conversation easy. There was music in the background with an overpowering base drum that my wife found annoying. Flatware was high-quality with linen napkins, felt upscale. The Indian beer I had was delicious, flavorful and cold. It did not have the stale taste that some imported beers have. The price, averaged out to $25 a person, also seemed very reasonable for a downtown location and made to order food(not a pre-made microwaved dish).

The not so good: I wanted a cold drink after a long hot walk to the restaurant. Was basically told nothing cold was available, (no ready-made iced tea, and no artificial sweeteners) only the room temperature water being served at the table. They did have cold beer but only two types, both Indian, in a large 22 ounce bottle, see pic ., an IPA, the other a lager, previously mentioned. We were left, 10+ minutes, at the table with a menu we found confusing. Examples. There were “Small plates” which included chicken, tiki masala, which we considered a main course. Among the “Mains” was a dish, chicken Makhani, at other restaurants was a chicken in a buttery type stew. But description underneath called it tandoori chicken, which was typically chicken baked in an oven with a crispy red crust. So we did not know what to order or how much until the waitress returned and explained the menu and her assumption that we all wanted to share our meals with each other. We got 4 smalls and 3 mains for two large men and two small women. Turned out to be like “tapas.”We ate every speck of the delicious food but the men left hungry. The smalls and mains seemed the same small size. Since the service was fairly slow, two hour dinner, we did not order more, but went home where the men snacked and...

Our time at Spice Trail began the moment we stepped through the door, greeted by tantalizing aromas that promised an exceptional culinary adventure. We were promptly seated and warmly welcomed by Maddie, our server for the evening, whose profound knowledge of the menu immediately put us at ease. Being novices in Indian cuisine, she patiently guided us through the intricacies of the menu, ensuring we understood each dish's flavors and origins.

Maddie's service elevated our dining experience to new heights. Her passion for the cuisine was evident as she shared insights and recommendations, making our choices both informed and exciting. Every dish she suggested was a delight, showcasing the restaurant's dedication to authentic flavors and quality ingredients.

The attention to detail in presentation and the balance of flavors in every dish spoke volumes about the chef's mastery of Indian culinary traditions.

Our evening at Spice Trail was nothing short of remarkable, thanks to Maddie's attentive service and the restaurant's commitment to excellence. We left with a promise to return, eager to explore more of their menu and savor the impeccable flavors once again.

If you're seeking an unforgettable dining experience infused with authentic Indian flavors and impeccable service, Spice Trail is a...

We had dinner here after reading all of the reviews. We loved the food! It's not a traditional Indian restaurant. They put a twist on everything. For example, we ordered the Samosa chaat and it came with pomegranate seeds on it, tomatoes, cucumbers, chick peas and the chutney mixed in. It was different than any other Samosa chaat and it was delicious. We also ordered the lamb kabobs and they were unbelievably awesome! The mustard fish was also awesome! Maddy the bartender/server was very knowledgeable about the food, the area of India the owner gets her inspiration from also. Maddy is very passionate about the menu and her job. The owner should definitely keep her and appreciate what she is doing for the business. We went in the early afternoon and were able to get a table but it's a small place and it filled up very quickly around 5 pm so my advice is to make a reservation if you plan to go (which you should and you won't be sorry you did). Our only wish is that the owner/chef had a twin in Cincinnati! There is no place close to this good within a 50 mile radius in Cincinnati. There are Indian restaurants but as usual the food lacks true Indian flavors and has been "Americanized"...