It’s hard to miss SpiceBox’s second outpost, which has landed on High Road Leytonstone in a riot of colour. The stylish, canteen-style interior is electrified with cartoon shades of pink, yellow and orange, and lined with cosy, comfortable booths that mean the atmosphere is as buzzy as the décor.
Instagram-friendly setting aside, SpiceBox is your classic neighbourhood curry house, with one small twist – it just happens to be vegan. Carnivore or not, it’s really not relevant: all the classics are covered.
The food kicks off with the arrival of a complimentary platter of warm, crisp poppadoms accompanied by a selection of chutneys to nibble on while you peruse the menu and wait for drinks (we tried a delicious Chilli and Mango Margarita from a short and sweet cocktail menu). Street Bites feature well-spiced potato and pea samosas, a cooling Chana Chaat and standout onion bhajis: delicate tangles of sweet onion in a light, crisp batter.
Curries include old favourites and imaginative newcomers: the vegetable cashew and coconut Korma is sweet and creamy, and though the seasonal vegetables feel a little like a lucky dip, with broccoli, butter beans and carrot in the mix, each is perfectly tender (or choose chick’n instead for a meatier experience).
A whole fire-roasted aubergine brings a little drama to the table, with complex layers of spice playing with the charred smokiness. Sides of crispy, spiced Bombay potatoes sit alongside their award-winning tarka dhal and a flaky, somehow-buttery paratha is a must for wiping your plate clean.
For dessert, a vegan brownie is one of the best we’ve tasted, its rich texture and deep chocolatiness balanced by a fresh coconut ice cream.
With warm service, a failsafe menu of favourites, and a sustainable approach to dining (they recycle as much food as possible to reduce landfill), SpiceBox is a fun and feelgood destination for everything from family lunches to date nights.