River Spice Bradford-on-Avon Review: Is the Tandoori Mixed Grill Worth Ordering?

Sometimes you know exactly what you want for dinner. Other times, you have had a substantial lunch and fancy something a little different from the usual curry, rice and naan. That was how we ended up at River Spice in Bradford-on-Avon. We had been meaning to try the restaurant for a while, ever since a flyer arrived through our letterbox. It had been sitting in our living room long enough to remind us that we still hadn’t made the trip.

On this occasion, we decided to go for a mixed grill rather than a traditional curry. We ordered the Tandoori Special Mixed Platter, a portion of pilau rice and a side of sag bhaji, sharing everything between the two of us. It sounded like a good way to sample several grilled meats without ordering too much food.

The meal had some good points, particularly the flavours of the grilled meat and the friendly service. We also came away with a couple of thoughts about what we might order differently next time.

Finding River Spice at Bridge Yard

We know Bradford-on-Avon reasonably well, so Bridge Yard was familiar territory. The development sits close to the town’s historic bridge, with the River Avon nearby. The buildings may be relatively new by Bradford-on-Avon’s standards, but the location fits naturally into this part of town.

River Spice occupies a spot at 12 Bridge Yard, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1EJ. It serves Indian food, with an extensive menu covering traditional curries, house specials, biryani, tandoori dishes and grilled meats. Two other eateries are also in the same development, an Italian and a restaurant offering pies.

We arrived on a late Saturday evening, at the beginning of the month, and the restaurant was packed. The number of diners gave the place a lively atmosphere, and it was clear that we weren’t the only ones who had chosen River Spice for a weekend meal. We had already decided what to order, thanks to the flyer that had prompted our visit, so we didn’t need long to study the menu.

A Clean, Modern Interior with a Mediterranean Touch

The first thing we noticed inside was how bright and airy the restaurant felt. The decor is modern, with predominantly white finishes and a clean, uncluttered look. There were also Turkish-style lamps hanging from the ceiling, which we recognised from the previous Mediterranean restaurant occupying the premises.

They worked surprisingly well with the newer decor. Later in the evening, when the lights were dimmed, the lamps provided a softer glow and made the dining room feel more intimate. The restaurant was busy, but the staff were friendly and took our order promptly. We didn’t feel that we were being left waiting, even with plenty of other tables occupied. For a Saturday night, it was a comfortable place to sit down for dinner.

1. Poppadoms and Chutneys to Start

We began, as we always do, with poppadoms and a chutney tray while waiting for our main course.The tray came with the usual accompaniments: mixed pickle, mango chutney, onion salad and mint sauce.It’s a familiar start to an Indian meal, but it gave us something to nibble on while the kitchen prepared our order. As we had eaten a heavy lunch, we were quite happy to skip a substantial starter and concentrate on the main event.

2. Tandoori Special Mixed Platter – £18.95

Our main choice was the Tandoori Special Mixed Platter, listed in the River Spice Special section of the menu. Priced at £18.95 at the time of our visit, it included grilled chicken, lamb, king prawn and sheek kebab, served with a green salad and a choice of rice or naan bread. We chose pilau rice.

A mixed grill is usually a good option when you want to sample different meats in one sitting. Instead of committing to a single chicken or lamb dish, you get a little variety on the same plate. The platter was adequately spiced, and the grilled meats had flavour. We enjoyed the different textures and the chance to try chicken, lamb, prawn and sheek kebab together.

However, we did find the platter a little dry. The meats were tasty, but we would have appreciated something with a little more moisture to bring everything together, especially alongside the pilau rice. At some Indian restaurants, a mixed grill comes with a small vegetable curry or a sauce on the side. That can make a real difference when you’re eating several pieces of grilled meat. At River Spice, the fresh salad provided a lighter accompaniment, but it didn’t quite fill that role.

We enjoyed the platter for what it was: an Indian-style mixed grill with a selection of spiced and tandoori meats. It was a good way to try several things in one meal, although the dryness stopped it from being a standout dish for us.

Mixed Shashlick: Another Option

The menu also lists a Mixed Shashlick at £15.95 at the time of our research. This features grilled chicken, lamb and king prawn with onion, tomato and red peppers, served with green salad. What’s missing?

It is worth noting the difference between the two dishes. The Tandoori Special Mixed Platter includes seekh kebab and comes with a choice of rice or naan. The Mixed Shashlick focuses on grilled meat and vegetables and does not include the same accompaniment.

For the extra few pounds, the mixed platter’s inclusion of sheek kebab and rice or naan seemed worthwhile for our meal. Prices and menu details can change, so check the current menu before ordering.

3. Sag Bhaji: The Spinach Side Dish

We also ordered a portion of sag bhaji, a spiced spinach side dish. Spinach is a useful partner for grilled meat and rice. I was hoping it would bring a little moisture and a vegetable element to the meal. Unfortunately, this dish was also on the dry side. It didn’t come with much gravy, so it didn’t help with the dryness of the mixed platter or the pilau rice.

This was the main thing we felt was missing from the meal. We had chosen grilled food deliberately, but a little sauce would have made the combination more satisfying. In hindsight, we might have been better off ordering a vegetable curry or a separate curry sauce to accompany the grill.

4. Pilau Rice

From our Tandoori Mixed Special Platter, comes the choice or rice. Light and fluffy, the rice is cooked to the right consistency. It just lack a certain visual appeal. Still, rice is rice, as long as it is not too soft or undercooked, it is alright in our books.

A Menu with Plenty More to Explore

One thing that stood out while looking through the menu was the sheer number of options. If you’re familiar with British Indian restaurant menus, you’ll recognise many of the categories, but River Spice has plenty of dishes to explore beyond the standard favourites.

A. Traditional curries and house specials

The menu covers familiar dishes such as Madras, Vindaloo, Jalfrezi and Korai, alongside a range of house specials. The house-special section includes different combinations of meat, spices and sauces, while the River Spice Special section offers its own selection of dishes.

For our next visit, I’d be inclined to try a curry with a proper sauce rather than another dry grill. It would give us a better opportunity to see how the kitchen handles its spicing and flavours.

B. Tandoori Masala dishes

The tandoori masala section combines grilled or marinated ingredients with a masala sauce. It offers another way to enjoy tandoori flavours without having an entirely dry plate of food. Chicken tikka masala is a familiar choice, but the menu also includes options using lamb, king prawn and other ingredients.

C. Biryani

Biryani is another category worth considering. It is a complete rice dish, with basmati rice cooked with meat or vegetables, herbs and spices. River Spice’s menu describes its biryani dishes as being served with mixed vegetable curry sauce.

That accompanying sauce is appealing, particularly after our experience with the mixed grill. A biryani would also make a substantial meal without requiring several separate dishes.

D. Balti, Jalfrezi and Korai

There are plenty of choices for anyone who prefers a more robust curry. Balti dishes are known for their thicker sauce and use of herbs and spices. Jalfrezi is typically hotter, with fresh chilli, onion and green pepper, while Korai dishes use a combination of spices, onion and green peppers.

These are the sorts of dishes I’d consider on a return visit, particularly if we wanted something with enough sauce to accompany rice or naan.

E. Fish and sizzling tandoori dishes

The menu also has a fish section, along with sizzling tandoori dishes and shashlick options.

The fish dishes are based on tilapia, according to the menu information we reviewed.

For those who enjoy the smoky flavours of grilled food, the tandoori and shashlick sections offer plenty of choice. The main question for us would be which dish provides the best balance of char, seasoning and moisture.

One Thing We Wish We’d Ordered: Curry Sauce

After leaving the restaurant, we realised there was another option we had overlooked. River Spice offers individual curry sauces through its online ordering menu, including curry, korma, masala, dansak, pathia, Madras, Vindaloo and Jalfrezi. At the time of our research, a portion was listed at £5.95, with larger masala and korma portions also available.

That could have been just what our meal needed. A portion of masala or another curry sauce alongside the mixed grill would have given us something to spoon over the rice and grilled meat. Of course, we can’t say how those sauces would have tasted without trying them, but the option is worth knowing about if you’re planning to order a mixed grill.

It is also a useful reminder to look beyond the printed menu when deciding how to put a meal together.

What Do Other Diners Say About River Spice?

Our experience was generally pleasant, although the dryness of the mixed grill and sag bhaji affected our enjoyment of the meal. We had a brief conversation with the couple at the next table before we were quickly ushered to our own bigger 4 seater rectangular table, much more comfortable than our tight square table for two. They were returning customers and considered River Spice their local Indian restaurant as they only lived around the corner. It was all praises from them.

Looking at customer feedback online, there are plenty of positive comments about River Spice’s friendly service, generous portions, lively atmosphere and flavourful curries. Some diners have particularly praised the lamb and tandoori dishes, while others have enjoyed the restaurant for family meals and celebrations.

There are also less enthusiastic reviews. A few diners have described grilled meat as dry or tough, while some have felt that particular curries lacked flavour or didn’t quite match their expectations. These comments are broadly in line with our own experience of the mixed grill, though individual dishes and visits can vary.

That doesn’t mean every visit will be the same. Other diners have clearly had excellent meals, and the restaurant has received praise for its attentive staff and welcoming atmosphere. For us, the service was friendly and the food was enjoyable, but the grilled dishes could have benefited from a more substantial sauce or accompaniment.

I’d be interested to see how the kitchen handles one of its curry dishes on a future visit.

Would We Return to River Spice?

Yes, I’d consider giving River Spice another visit, but I’d probably order differently. The Tandoori Special Mixed Platter was a sensible choice for two people who wanted to share a main course after a heavy lunch. We enjoyed the variety of meats and their seasoning, but the overall meal felt a little dry, especially with the sag bhaji alongside it.

Next time, I’d be tempted by one of the house specials, a biryani or a curry with a proper sauce. I’d also consider ordering a separate curry sauce if we chose a mixed grill again. The restaurant itself made a good impression. The modern, airy interior was comfortable, the Turkish lamps added warmth, and the staff were friendly on a busy Saturday night.

River Spice has a broad menu, so there’s plenty left for us to try. Our visit didn’t convince us that the mixed grill was the best way to experience the restaurant, but it did give us a reason to look more closely at the curry dishes.

River Spice Bradford-on-Avon: At a Glance

Restaurant: River Spice
Address: 12 Bridge Yard, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1EJ
Cuisine: Indian
What we ordered: Poppadoms and chutneys, Tandoori Special Mixed Platter, pilau rice and sag bhaji
Mixed platter price: £18.95 at the time of our visit
Atmosphere: Modern, bright and lively on a Saturday evening
Service: Friendly and prompt
Our highlights: The variety of grilled meats, the clean modern interior and the friendly service
What could be better: The mixed grill and spinach side were dry, and we would have appreciated a sauce or curry accompaniment
Would we return? Yes, to try the curry dishes and house specials.