Spice Mantra, St. Peters — Restaurant in Saint Peters

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Spice Mantra, an Indian restaurant that truly impressed me with its rich flavors and inviting atmosphere. From the moment I stepped in, the ambience set the tone for a great meal. The restaurant boasts a modern, clean interior with a relaxed and cozy vibe. The added bonus of a bar attached to the dining space adds a touch of sophistication and makes it a great spot for both casual dinners and weekend hangouts.

Appetizers: A Spicy Start

I started my meal with their Chicken Manchurian, and I must say – it was absolutely delicious. The chicken was perfectly cooked – juicy, tender, and bursting with bold, South Indian-style flavors. The spices were just right, offering a flavorful kick without being overpowering. The texture was crisp on the outside and succulent inside, making every bite incredibly appetizing. It was the perfect dish to awaken the taste buds and set the mood for the main course.

Main Course: Biriyani Heaven

For the main course, I tried two types of biryani – the Vijayawada Boneless Chicken Biryani and the Mutton Fry Biryani. • The Vijayawada Boneless Biryani was a true standout. It was packed with layers of flavor, featuring well-marinated chicken pieces that were tender and generously spiced. The rice was perfectly cooked – fluffy, fragrant, and infused with spices. What made it even more special was the addition of cashews, which added a delightful crunch and a hint of richness. This biryani was comforting, satisfying, and incredibly delicious – a must-try for biryani lovers. • The Mutton Fry Biryani had a spicier kick to it, which I appreciated. The mutton was flavorful, but a bit on the tougher side. Despite that, the spice profile was on point, giving the dish a robust and hearty character. If you enjoy strong flavors and a bit of heat, this one will definitely appeal to your palate.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I had a fantastic experience at Spice Mantra. The service was prompt and courteous, the food quality was top-notch, and it the setting was both vibrant and relaxing. From the juicy and flavorful Chicken Manchurian to the richly spiced biryanis, every dish showed care in preparation and authenticity in flavor.

Whether you’re a fan of Indian cuisine or just exploring it for the first time, I highly recommend visiting Spice Mantra. It’s the kind of place that leaves you planning your next visit before you’ve even...

Authentic Flavors, Excellent Service – A Must-Visit Indian Restaurant!

I recently visited Spice Mantra and had a genuinely great experience worth sharing. This wasn’t my first visit, and once again, the food and service left a lasting impression.

I called ahead to confirm their hours and was informed that they close lunch service at 2:30 PM. I mentioned I’d be arriving close to that time, and the staff member on the phone was incredibly courteous. He kindly said they’d wait and asked if I could arrive a little earlier. That kind of thoughtfulness is rare and very much appreciated. I reached by 2:05 PM, and they took my order without any rush or pressure. Smooth experience all around!

We started with the Chicken Manchurian—crispy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. It exceeded my expectations. For the main course, we had Mutton Biryani and Chicken Biryani. The mutton biryani was especially impressive this time—the spice level was just right, unlike a previous visit where it was slightly too spicy for me. The chicken biryani was equally flavorful with tender meat and aromatic rice.

Portion sizes are quite generous. One biryani can easily serve two people unless you’re really hungry—in which case, it’s perfect for one. The addition of Thumbs Up (the drink) with the meal was a nostalgic and refreshing surprise that complemented the spices beautifully.

A special shoutout to one of the afternoon staff members—I’ve seen him a couple of times but sadly forgot to ask his name. He’s always very kind, soft-spoken, and gentle in how he handles customers. His service is warm and respectful, and he deserves recognition for the way he represents the restaurant.

Pro tip for new visitors: It’s a good idea to call before you go, especially in the afternoon close to break time. They’re not usually super busy, but calling ahead helps ensure smooth service. For those hoping to catch something special, try coming on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings after 6 PM till 12 AM—you may find a few extra touches or even meet “Monday” (possibly a special chef or team member known for great dishes).

This was my second visit, and I’m happy to say the consistency in both food and service is on point. Whether you’re going with friends or family, Spice Mantra offers great value, flavorful Indian cuisine, and heartfelt service.

Highly recommend it to anyone...

We were in the area getting groceries from India Bazaar and decided to give Spice Mantra a try. We were surprised that they didn't have any dosas given that the majority of the cuisine highly is South Indian. The person attending us said the menu happened to be two days old and they had just revamped it (maybe they had new chefs) we didn't quite follow what was her reasoning.

We called for Gongura bone in Chicken along with Goat Fried Biryani, Rogan Josh, a basket of naans along with Filter Coffee and Irani Chai.

Gongura Chicken - Flavorful gravy, succulent piece of meat, but way too many bones for the quantity of gravy served.

Goat Fried Biryani - Hands down the best Goat Biryani we've had in St Louis for sure. Very vibrant, flavorsome, aromatic, and the perfect spicing you seek when you visit an authentic Indian food serving restaurant.

Rogan Josh - Rich gravy, sharp taste, but again too many bones and very little meat. The Gongura Chicken certainly had more meat in comparison.

Naan Basket - The perfect item to order when you have more than two people at a table. You could experiment different flavors in one go. The butter garlic naan definitely stood out. It was fresh, buttery, soft, and came right off the tandoor.

Filter Coffee -Absolutely delicious. The taste that takes you home. Incredible taste. Needs nothing, it is spot on.

Irani Chai - Could be hotter. Had a unique taste than the cutting chai you get in Bombay or the Kadak Chai you have on the streets of India. It definitely has more milk powder than milk in itself. Pretty good choice if you crave chai and don't see a tapri (stall serving tea specifically in India/Pakistan)

Pros are the restaurant definitely lived up to it's hype of serving Indian cuisine. They have more dishes than your typical tikka and butter chicken dishes. The place is well lit, has a friendly staff and we are certainly revisiting it to try newer dishes.

Cons are the wait time is quite a bit (understandable because it had a waiting line, it was a Friday evening, and we saw a bunch of bags go out for deliveries). The bone in dishes could be a lot better if there was more meat on the bone and not just bones. :) Bon appetit folks!

Spice Mantra we'd be recommending you and coming back for...