Royal Spice is situated on the main street of the quintessential Devonshire town of Modbury. Having escaped from the pouring rain outside, my partner and I felt instantly at home in the stylishly decorated restaurant.
We began our meal with masala poppadoms served with pickles, onion salad and raita, which were all delightfully fresh. My starter, a vegetable samosa, was light and beautifully complemented by a simple garnish of fresh lettuce and cucumber, while the prawns in my partner’s king prawn butterfly were perfectly cooked in a spiced breadcrumb batter. For my main course I chose a vegetable dhansak accompanied by Royal Spice’s special zinda rice, prepared with a secret blend of spices. The dhansak was rich but not too spicy, with a satisfyingly spicy finish that complemented the creaminess of the spinach and cheese in my side dish of sag paneer. My partner enthused about her lamb shashlik, with generous chunks of tender lamb and vegetables marinated in a deep-red sauce and cooked in the tandoor oven.
If you’re craving Indian food at lunchtime, they offer an £8.95 lunch menu during July and August. No matter when you visit, Royal Spice’s warm atmosphere, friendly staff and freshly prepared food are sure to bring a smile to your face.