Spice Up, House of Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Honolulu

06/09/21 @ 5:30pm ONOLICIOUS kaukau... First Time for Indian Food

The Place: The restaurant wasn't to bad to find with the help of google maps. Parking was a little difficult to find, but we called and they were so helpful in directing us. Be aware that if you have a large vehicle parking is tight and shared with other businesses, so try to use a smaller vehicle. Luckily we came when it wasn't as busy or our Ram 1500 wouldn't have fit. The restaurant was a little small, but it had an intimate feeling and it was super clean. The tables were set up far away from each other for social distancing and each table had it's own sanitizer.

The Service: Superb! The gentleman who sat us and took our order was just amazing. He was so patient and friendly. He answered all our questions and recommended a lot of what we decided to purchase. Come to find out, my friends wife works there and she was so awesome. They constantly came to check on us and refill our waters. My friends wife even made sure we had some desert before heading out...even if we were so full. TY Maskey!

The Food: I'm a Bollywood fanatic...I watch Indian movies all the time and I've been waiting to find a place to taste all the wonderful food I see in those movies. After months of research...I finally found Spice Up based on reviews. Talk about flavors and not being able to breath because you don't want to take a moment to catch some air before shoving the next spoonful down your throat. Yup...that was me and my husband. Words can't explain how delicious every thing tasted.

Our order: Samosa(Veg) $6.95 Chicken Tikka Masala with white rice $16.99 Lemon Fried Rice $7.99 Chana Masala $14.95 Rack of Lamb (medium well) $31.99 Garlic Cheese Naan $5.95 Rasmalai (2 pieces on the house) TY Maskey! Chai Tea $2.95 Everything was suppah ono. We didn't take pictures of the Samosa(Veg) or the Rasmalai.

In Summary: Tonight we lost our virginity to Indian Food and we are glad it was by Spice Up. My husband and I agree...hands down this has been the most delicious food we ever ate on date night. Although we live 28 miles away, we plan to make a monthly date night at Spice up till we have tried everything. We wish these guys a long...

This was the best Indian food I have ever had. This place has real authentic Indian cousine… the food was fresh, homemade, and used all real ingredients, nothing frozen. I ordered so many things, along with my boyfriend; we eat out at quality places after we go to the gym, as our diet is very important to us. The service was also A-1 and impeccable. The staff knew their menu and they wasted no time serving us whatsoever. Our food came out hot and just so fresh and wonderful, our water was never empty, and we wanted for nothing. I have was truly blown away by all the flavors. I felt so good after lifting weights and working out so hard. One thing that everyone should be aware and considerate of: they close at 8:30, so I would not recommend coming there with a large party right before closing. While I was there, there was a very rude man that came with a very large family at around 8:15, right before closing. He even said that he called and he was informed that they closed at 8:30… so why bring your whole family at 8:15? This would push pack the restaurant and it’s staff at least another hour and a half to two hours, not allowing the restaurant to close until, most likely, 10:00PM, or later. It would take at least half an hour to take a family that large to order, about the same to set them up and prepare the food, an hour for them to eat, then even more time clean up after all of them. This is rude and very inconsiderate to a place you want to eat at. I have been in food service my whole life and these types of people need to think of others as if it were them, or their own family. The man even threatened to leave them a bad review, based upon his very own decision to come there with his whole family of about 10 people, right before closing. We must be kind to others, especially the great people that feed our community. You will not be disappointed eating here, come on time, leave happy, and you’ll be glad you...

First off, parking is atrocious, if you want a parking stall, visit during the in-between times.

Went on a Sunday to order take out, should have called it, but decided to just order from inside the restaurant.

It was busy, right at opening. Which should be a good sign, anyways, made the order which wasn't too difficult, was able to pay, and then waited for the call for pick up. They said 50-60mins due to them just opening.

I came back around the 55min mark, and it was even busier, people waiting outside kind of situation.

The foot was sitting, and for an indeterminate amount of time, can tell from how soggy the containers were.

Besides that the pick up was not too bad.

The food tho, half was good, half was just so-so.

One thing I do appreciate is the fact that they labeled everything. The other place we like to order from, even with the request of label, they do not.

Which brings me to the food.

Three out of the four curries I ordered, I only liked one. Chicken Saag, butter chicken, chicken tiki masala, and shrimp coconut curry. I think the butter chicken was the best flavorwise, Saag didn't have enough flavor, was kind of bland. Shrimp coconut curry was nothing steller, tiki tasted like chef boyardee, and butter chicken was the most flavorful and favorite.

The naan was good, plan and garlic, both really good, they dont cut it like the other place here. Im not sure which is more authentic, but was really good.

Roti, I couldn't tell the difference between that and the naan, so it felt like it wasn't. But not sure, was our first time ordering it.

The dessert is not something that I will ever order, it is way too sweet and the texture isn't my preference.

Overall, and alright experience, don't know if I'll hit this place up over the other Indian place, but maybe it's better in house.

Rice was good. The...