Spice Social — Restaurant in Fullerton

Walking into Spice Social, you immediately get the feeling that this is not your typical Indian restaurant. The interior is modern yet cozy — think warm wood accents, exposed brick, stylish lighting, and a few artistic touches like a dramatic elephant portrait. It manages to balance a lively bar vibe with a family-friendly dining space, perfect for casual dinners or catching a game on one of the many TVs.

The bar is serious business here. Rows of wine bottles, a great selection of craft beers on tap, and an impressive lineup of Indian beers you don’t often find — Taj Mahal, Haywards 5000, Old Monk 10000 Super Beer, Flying Horse, and more. Definitely a paradise if you’re looking to pair authentic Indian flavors with a cold, bold brew.

Now onto the food — and wow. I ordered a classic setup: a rich, fragrant chicken marsala curry , a bowl of fluffy basmati rice, and a basket of freshly baked naan. The curry was hearty, deeply spiced without being overwhelming, and had that slow-cooked depth you dream about. The naan was warm, soft, with just the right char, perfect for scooping every last bit of sauce. Fresh cilantro and pickled onions on top added a nice finishing touch.

Service was friendly and low-key, giving you space to enjoy your meal but always nearby if needed.

Highlights: • Excellent Indian beer selection • Modern, welcoming decor • Authentic, flavorful food • Relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere

Minor nitpick: • The music/video on the TVs was a bit eclectic — Indian mythology animations next to NFL games can be a little distracting if you’re hoping for a quiet meal.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a modern take on an Indian bar and grill without losing the authentic soul of the cuisine, Spice Social nails it. I’ll definitely be back for the beers, the vibe, and especially that...

We came in for dinner around 5:20 PM on a Sunday (Labor Day weekend) and left pretty underwhelmed. A few issues stood out:

Service & Atmosphere – From the moment we walked in, it felt like we were intruding. The staff treated us as if we’d shown up at closing time, not at the start of dinner service. No greeting, no smiles, no check-ins on how the food was. For a place with an open kitchen, the whole vibe was strangely lifeless—loud music blaring, but zero energy or hospitality from the team. For a Punjabi-run spot, the famous Punjabi warmth was nowhere to be found.

Food – We ordered dry gobi manchurian, papdi chaat, shahi paneer, malai kofta, butter naan, and a side salad. The gobi was easily the highlight—flavorful, well-balanced, and not drowned in ketchup like many places do. The papdi chaat, however, was a letdown. It lacked that real chaatwala punch, and the pre-packaged papdi was way too hard. Both curries (shahi paneer and malai kofta) were over-seasoned with salt, which made them tough to enjoy after a few bites, even though the requested mild spice level was respected.

Details & Focus – The lack of attention to detail showed in other ways too. For example, their menu describes “paneer tikka masala” as a chicken dish made with white meat. Probably an oversight, but it summed up the general lack of care we felt throughout the experience.

Bottom line: apart from the gobi manchurian, nothing really impressed. Between the heavy hand with salt, the lack of hospitality, and the joyless service, it’s hard to see why this place gets hyped up. We went here because ChatGPT really hyped this place up and the other google reviews really made this place like a must visit… this place doesn’t live up to these...

This is the new spot! Opened just a few months ago, the Spice Social making its way to being my absolute favorite spot in downtown Fullerton. My fiancé and I had heard about it and wanted to check it out for a dinner date and were pleasantly greeted by the friendly staff. The chef even brought us over the Dalim Shakarkandi Chaat, which was definitely delicious and beautifully presented. If you’ve never had pani puri you need to order Gol Gappa. It resembles a traditional street snack called pani puri where you fill a puffed chip with seasoned water, potato and eat it in one bite. It is very good and I just kept wanted more than the six they give you. My fiancé is a Mango Lassi enthusiast and absolutely loved it here! For entrees she ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and I ordered the Aloo Mutter Paneer. The Masala has a little more of a kick to it than that of tikka masalas we are used to but it feels like that is how it should be. Regardless I ate it all, even ordered more Naan to clean up the rest of the masala. The Aloo Mutter Paneer is also very very good. It is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. A for sure order again! After all of the amazing service and delightful food we were about to pay the check when the owner (or co owner I believe) gave us some Masala Tea to thank us for coming. A great way to end a great meal. Thank you Spice Social! We are coming back to make our way through the menu. Hopefully many more times before this place starts to get...