The Spice Garden — Restaurant in Round Rock

Response to owners reply:

Dear Arfan Ahmed,

Thank you for your detailed response. I need to clarify that we had called ahead to reserve for our party of 16, not just walked in. This detail is important as it shows our effort to be considerate of your restaurant's operations.

Our main discomfort stemmed from being seated in a cramped area near the restrooms, which affected the ambiance of our dining experience. As I was discussing alternative seating arrangements, my family, including six children, were waiting at the table, and unfortunately, they were not even offered water during this time. This was particularly noticeable as the servers seemed available but were engaged in conversation amongst themselves.

Thank you for taking the time to address my concerns.

Warm regards, Majid

Original review:

This place is a joke! On new years day all 16 of my family members decided to try this place out, we called ahead and asked if they can accommodate us, they said sure we got there around 8:45 ish and the restaurant was pretty much empty, they sat us down literally next to the restrooms, actually our table was blocking the restroom entrance, so I got up and asked one of the waiters if we can sit at a different table since we are not comfortable sitting inside the restroom, I also mentioned that you put us in this corner we are all cramped up and we were kind of suffocating while the whole restaurant is empty, he goes sorry our owner said “NO” and since we are the only place open we are expecting alot of people, i said Habibi! Its 9 pm right now and you stop taking orders at 10! Who are you expecting in the next 45 mins?! We were very hungry so we decided to let it go and just order, i went back to my table sat down looked at the menu and literally waited for a good 8 to 12 mins and no one comes to our table, at this point we were just frustrated and got up to leave, one of the waiter stops me in the middle of the restaurant, he didn’t even come to me he actually waited for me to come to him so he can ask what happened. I said buddy tell your “OWNER” you can wait for all of Austin to come and eat in the next 45 mins in your MICHELIN STAR restaurant, we will just go somewhere else. I m including pictures to show the WHOLE restaurant was empty. They could have easily sat us down in the middle, but apparently according to this OWNER they can’t move their sticky tables. Mr. Owner for your information, at least 8 other restaurants were open and were happy to serve us, our bill was $500 which you lost. Hope all those customers you were...

Spice Garden Restaurant** in Austin, and I can confidently say it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment we walked in, the restaurant's warm and inviting ambiance set the perfect tone for the meal. The décor is charming, with a blend of modern touches and traditional elements that make it feel both elegant and cozy.

Now, let’s talk about the food – it was phenomenal. The menu is full of a wide variety of dishes, and everything we tried was packed with authentic, rich flavors. The balance of spices was masterful, showcasing the culinary skill in the kitchen. The biryani was fragrant and perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of heat. The butter chicken was creamy and indulgent, and the naan was hot, soft, and perfect for scooping up every bit of sauce. Each dish had its own unique profile, bursting with freshness and complexity that reflected the chef’s dedication to authentic cuisine.

One of the standout features of Spice Garden is the attention to quality and freshness. You can truly taste the difference – the ingredients were clearly fresh and of high quality, elevating the entire meal. It's rare to find a restaurant that blends authenticity and innovation so well, but Spice Garden has nailed it.

Aside from the incredible food, what really made this experience special was the hospitality, particularly from the owner. The owner is an absolute gem – welcoming, gracious, and truly passionate about the restaurant and the customers’ experience. He personally visited our table to check on us, and it was evident how much heart and soul he puts into the restaurant. His genuine warmth made us feel like we were guests in his home. He was happy to explain the background of certain dishes and even offered personalized recommendations based on our preferences. This personal touch is what makes Spice Garden stand out from the crowd.

It’s clear that the owner and staff take pride in ensuring that every guest feels valued and well taken care of. Their dedication to hospitality, combined with the incredible food, makes Spice Garden a standout destination for anyone seeking an authentic and memorable dining experience in Austin.

In short, Spice Garden is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. If you're in Austin and looking for a place that serves authentic, flavorful food with exceptional service and a personal touch, look no further. We will definitely be back soon!

And the owner Salma is a great host and...

Luckily we were in the mood for some soup, and came across this gem! The food is beyond fresh and perfectly prepared! It's been a while since I find that everything we order, which it's usually quite a bit (to be able to try different things and then enjoy leftovers later) was amazing! We would come back for each and every single thing we ordered.

The lamb curry (only at a medium heat) was just SO savory and believe it or not (for me) the heat was not only tolerable but it made the taste even better. Wow, this place is making me rethink levels of heat I try next time; thank you!!!

The owner took time to swing by our table - Farhan (I hope I'm spelling it correctly, I apologize if I did not), the owner swung by our table to see if we enjoyed the meal. I greatly appreciated it wasn't just a check the box and but engaging! We even learned the chef is his son-in-law - which we joked about and Farhan joined in on the banter....

We MUST try the Mongolian beef, as Farhan informed us, it's the best thing on the menu! We had ordered too much, if not we would have added some Mongolian beef to go, lol.

Farhan also explained that his son-in-law's thing is to cook and serve only fresh ingredients - I CAN attest the fresh (and NOT frozen, as Farhan explained) was beyond noticeable - thank you!!!

As I wrote this while at the restaurant and to "put the cherry on top" we were so full, when Farhan swung by our table to see if we wanted dessert. Honestly, we were stuffed but Farhan actually offered to bring us a dessert "on the house"; Gulab Jamun - and WOW!!!!!!

The son-in-law does it again!!!! Bottom line, you WILL NOT regret coming out to try ANYTHING on the menu!!!!

Thank you Farhan and we will absolutely come back and we WILL order the Mongolian Beef (along with many...