Spice Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Mechanicsburg

I don’t even know where to begin — Spice Restaurant isn’t just a place to eat… it’s a culinary portal straight to the heart of Nepal. This place absolutely blew my mind. If you’ve never had real, authentic Nepali food, prepare yourself. If you have had it before — this is the place that will ruin all other spots for you forever.

The moment I walked in, the aromas hit me like a warm Himalayan hug. Cardamom, cumin, garlic, ginger… and something magical I still can’t identify. I felt like I had just walked into someone’s kitchen in Pokhara.

🔥 MOMOS — don’t even think about skipping these. Little dumplings of pure joy. Steamed, pan-fried, or chili-style — they come out sizzling, perfectly seasoned, and served with a tomato chutney that I would legit drink by the cup.

🍛 GOAT CURRY — this dish is absolutely wild. Deep, rich, tender meat in a bold gravy that hits you with layers of flavor — earthy, spicy, slightly smoky. I’d put this curry up against anything, anywhere.

🥬 GUNDROOK KO JHOL — fermented mustard greens in a tangy, soulful broth — this is the dish your Nepali grandmother would’ve made if you were lucky enough to have one.

🌶️ And the spice level? They don’t hold back. It’s bold and unapologetic, the way real Nepali food should be — but still balanced so you taste everything.

Service? Warm, friendly, and proud — you can tell this food means something to them. It’s not just a job. It’s a story, a legacy, and a gift they’re sharing.

Bottom line: Spice Restaurant is the best-kept secret around. If you’re within 100 miles of this place, make the drive. Cancel your dinner plans, bring an appetite, and prepare to have your taste buds taken on a Sherpa-guided expedition through the Himalayas.

Absolutely...

Took the place of the Colony House restaurant on Main Street Mechanicsburg and the decor is unchanged. Still looks like a diner inside. The place needs more staff - the night we visited, there was only one server and he was run off his feet. Had to ask for water and didn't get refills. My wife got the mixed grill and gave it a thumbs up, except for the lamb which was dry. My grilled spiced chicken was tasty and our friend's shrimp was good. My wife and I asked for medium heat, but it was more mild than medium. Note to owners: Some of us can stand heat! We have high hopes for Spice and my score is based on potential rather than current performance. 12/13/23: My wife and I went for dinner at Spice and were pleasantly surprised at the improvement since our last visit. The decor has been updated and the food has improved immeasurably. We started with the Samosa Chat as an appetizer and it was almost a meal. Nice interplay of spices and good heat. For main courses, I had the Chicken Vindaloo (hot) and my wife had the Chicken Mushroom (medium heat). Both dishes were flavorful with just the right amount of heat and the basmati rice was a great accompaniment, soaking up the sauce and moderating the heat. We ended up with nice warm glows inside and brought leftovers home for future lunches. They also now have a liquor license and we split a large bottle of Indian beer with our meal....

Delicious food with both unique and familiar flavors in a convenient location, with friendly service. The menu describes each dish with enough detail for someone who doesn't know the terms. My family had never had Nepali food before, but are somewhat familiar with Indian food, so we focused on the Nepali section of the menu. I had chicken thupka, which was like a ramen bowl: broth with noodles, topped with meat and flavorings (onion, cilantro, and various other yummies). The chicken morsels were roasty and made a great contrast with the soft noodles and tasty liquid. My husband and daughter had chicken momo and chicken jhol momo. These are tasty dumplings with two different kinds of sauce. We all asked for mild (other options were medium or hot), and that gave a pleasant tingle without overwhelming my suburban white-person palate. I drank a strawberry lassi, which was sweet, smooth, and just a bit tangy; an excellent accompaniment to the savory main course. Finally, the three of us shared a portion of naan, which was tender and nourishing.

There are foods that would please someone who doesn't like spiciness, and a wide range of menu items to try for food...