Spice Kraft Indian Bistro

My friend was visiting Arlington for the week and was having a terrible time, however once we brought him to Spice Kraft, he instantly became happy and no longer sad. He said it became one of his top eats and would want to visit again only to eat at Spice Kraft. He said the taco was insane and that you can taste the love they put in it. Also the happy hour is amazing. If you like spicy food, make sure to get the spicy and not the medium.

We visited Washington DC to enjoy the Cherry Blossom. Even though it was almost time to close, we were accommodated. We were all hungry, so there were lots to order. I admired the staff patience with us all. The food and drinks were great. Highly recommended.

Had a good time here on a Sunday afternoon. For an appetizer i had, the Samosa, which was good, came with two dipping sauces, one sweet and one spicy. I did the create your on curry bowl. It came with curry (meat choice) with vindaloo sauce, basmathi rice, curried chickpeas, seasonal veggies, and Naan bread. To drink, I had the pretty in pink, which was just ok. The food alone was Def worth making this place a go-to restaurant anytime I'm in the area

My first time visiting and I wasn't disappointed. Service was fantastic and the food was flavorful and delicious! I will definitely return.

Fabulous happy hour. We tried everything on the bar menu along with an order of samosa, the lamb stew and the coconut bread pudding. All jam packed with flavor. The drinks on the happy hour menu sounded a little basic but we rolled with it and whoever is slinging drinks really elevates even the most basic pomegranate martini. The only thing we found just a tad lacking was the mint chutney that came with the samosa. My favorite was the lamb stew and for my husband the spicy chicken. Again, can’t beat the happy hour that opens the doorway to their excellent flavor.

We visited for Sunday lunch hoping to make it different with Indian burgers… it was nice when we entered and ordered. Hot tea was good and kids enjoyed Mango lassi.. the one unprofessional thing was while “we were still eating” I was given check (as they were closing, and it’s ok)… but then the server came back in like 2 minutes asking me to pay NOW. I was like what?.. clearly they don’t care about customer service or satisfaction but “payment”.. paying of-course need to be done but for gods sake let the family eat peacefully first… Apparently it seemed, the server needed to leave which seems was the reason to get all payments done before she leaves, but that’s not right. unfortunate, I was hoping this will be an addition to our list of places, but not sure now.. Food is good but service (servers) are not doing justice to the chef & kitchen

From the moment we walked in we felt welcome. The whole vibe of the venue was amazing, the service was amazing, and it all set the scene for a great meal. The food was amazing, especially the mixed grill and the butter chicken. So aromatic with deep flavours that never felt greasy or oily. And the cocktails were amazing too. Can't wait to come back again!

We came for the happy hour and DC Cocktail week specials and it was such a wonderful experience. Everything was rich and flavorful. I ordered two dirty blue chai cocktails and they were strong! Two was enough. The chicken tikka nachos were perfect and the entree lamb chops fell off the bone. 10/10 first experience!

So many things to love about Spice Kraft!!! Food: YUM!!!! And, they label all dietary restrictions so I knew which foods I could get immediately from a gluten free perspective. So delicious and fresh! One of the best Indian foods I've had in the area. Service: Well, it was slightly slower - BUT, there were soooo many people there (probably due to how good the food is), so I can't blame them. They were friendly and kind. Ambiance: very cute! I actually took my food to go, but did wait inside and was thinking I'd want to dine in one evening for sure. Can't wait to return!

I HAD TO HAVE ONE LAST MEAL AT SPICE KRAFT before leaving town!! They did not disappoint!! I do not know how they do it, it was 8:00 pm the place was packed, every table full and yet the service was stellar; Varsha and the rest of the crew remembered some of the special things our party needed from the last visit. The food was out of this world!! Varaha thank you for our parting gift

This place is a go-to for any one looking to try some delicious authentic tasting Indian food. I took one bite and knew that I was coming back here for seconds. I really enjoyed the mix of spice and savory. The location itself is small, so expect some wait time if dining in. I had a togo order, so it was less of an issue. There are several happy hour options, so I recommend going then. The prices for happy hour looked unreal. The staff was friendly and polite and assisted with getting my order to me. I had to note that the tandoori chicken was a major let down, I try it in every indian restaurant I go to and this one wasn't it. It was dry and bland. It felt like it had a spice rub with no sauce. All of our other items did taste good, and will try again, but man am I going to miss the tandoori chicken

Food here is sooo good! Well priced for the larger portions! Chefs are doing a great job and the staff is always kind and prompt. Always enjoy coming here, both dine in and takeout experiences have been awesome. Drinks are great here, cocktails aren't the best. Outdoor seating is super cute too, especially in the evening. Highly recommend this spot. (They check spice level with you as well)

Enjoyed a great dinner at Soice Kraft this evening. I haven't had Indian food in a while, and for a cool, rainy day, the best butter chicken hit the spot. This restaurant is located in a busy neighborhood, with lots of restaurant options. It's very small though, with limited seating. Fortunately they had a table to seat us when we arrived. The staff was quick to tend to us, and take our order. The menu was a bit limited, but had what I was looking for. Only some of the dishes come with rice, which I thought was weird, but the butter chicken was great, the naan was flavorful. I'd check this spot out again if ever in town!

Delicious Indian food - the creamy sweet Korma, Saag Palak Paneer, and scrumptious Garlic Naan hit the spot! While I got the classic Mixed Veggies as my protein and opted for the classic Chettinadu Vegetable Korma (referred to as Navratan Korma in Northern India), I wasn't a fan of the soggy carrots, potatoes, or cauliflower. The sweet coconut korma gravy made up for it though! Will opt for the paneer or try the tofu - next time! The Garlic Naan was flavorful and a generous size, larger than the size of my head!T he cubed paneer was tender and fresh and not too dense. The flavorful Saag Palak with Paneer was like a creamy spinach dip and both my toddler daughter and infant son enjoyed it with the soft fluffy naan to mop up the curry! The signature Quinoa Sun-Dried Tomato Kale Kofta with Turmeric & Coconut Sauce Malai Kofta was tasty and more savory than the Korma curry. While I enjoyed the Kata Meta Okra and Aloo with fried onions, it didn't pair as well as I hoped with the Dhal Lentil Sauce. I ordered take-out, so the temperature of the food and blending the dry and wet dishes may have been a bit off. The chunky Samosas were crispy and on poinjt with a spicy mashed potato and pea filling. The vodka-based mango and passion fruit cocktail SInful Passion was a bit spicier than I expected and tasted like a margarita with a spicy kick! The restaurant was cozy and packed - not a single table was open at 7pm on a Wed night! It only waited 15 min for my take-out order. The Happy Hour (Tues - Sun 4:30- 6:30pm) looks like a great deal with a Naan Flight and Bhel Puri. Looking forward to coming back for their happy hour and more Palak Paneer and Korma!

Small, delightful, corner restaurant! Really enjoyed the meal. I got a chicken tikka at medium level and it was just right. We stumbled upon this place because it was close and raining hard and our searched out option had an hour wait. This was right across the street. So glad we found it. The decor was cozy and nice and the wait staff was attentive. Would be a favorite if I was a local.

I've been to Spice Kraft numerous times and have loved everything I've ever had here. This time around I ordered carryout and got lashooni cauliflower, lamb vindaloo, garlic naan, and a mango lassi. The mango lassi is a must have! Especially if you plan on having one of the spicier dishes. Garlic naan is also a must have to scoop up whatever sauce you have left. I'm a huge spice fan and the lamb vindaloo really hit the spot. I ordered it extra hot which may have been a bit too spicy, so I'd recommend trying out hot before requesting an increase in spice level. The lashooni cauliflower was really good, it was sweet and a bit sticky. I expected it to be a bit crispy but the tomato-garlic chutney had made it soft. Despite the texture, I surely will get it again the next time I order from here. The times I've dined in, the service has been nice and quick. The restaurant is small and cozy. For pickup, I was promptly guided to my order and was in and out in a minute.

Sometimes you miss home especially when you're far away from it. So the best way of reminding yourself of home is to eat food that reminds you of home. *insert dramatic music* Sometimes you have the energy of making that food yourself. Sometimes you just want to get that food from somewhere else. *dramatic music volume increases* So being from South Asia, Biryani is one thing that reminds me of home and I was really craving lamb biryani so I decided to order it from Spice Kraft. *dramatic music stops* After I took the first bite of that dry piece of lamb, I stopped missing home. The rice did not have the biryani flavor as well. I ordered the spicy level and even the spice was not enough. Thanks to this Biryani I don't miss home anymore and the next time I crave something from home I would probably make it myself. The biryani should be full of flavor or onion, tomatoes and nice biryani dry spice blend. The meat should be soft, juicy and falling off from the bone type. This is how a biryani should be. 0.8/5 - definitely recommend this if you also want to regret ordering food that reminds you of home and want to cook it yourself.

I have a theory, that if a food business does its most basic item well, it is indicative of how well they do everything else. Spice Kraft has stunningly wonderful naan -- and the theory proved itself right last night! We were a party of five (with a reservation on a Saturday night) with little experience with Indian food. The menu is vast, and does a spectacular job of explaining what every item is, including details on each sauce. It made it very easy to order, including being able to customize the spice level of the hotter items. Very generous (and delicious!) portions of everything (we took home three leftover containers!). Among the favorites at our table were the samosas and anything with the Vindaloo sauce. "Hot" was nicely spicy-- not insane, but still very "kicky". Staff was very friendly and patient with us "newbies" to the cuisine. We truly loved everything about the meal and cannot wait to return!!!

Tasted amazing for great prices, only thing I will say was the rice portion as tad bit too small for the amount of chicken on the plate! Super fresh and delicious food though all in all.

I really loved this spot! My friend suggested it and it was a great suggestion! I had the Lamb Shank Josh. It was really good - well seasoned and the lamb was super tender. Lots of sauce! There was also a mashed potato side with tumeric - that was also good. They also had paratha as an option along with naan. Didn't realize that was $4 extra, but it was all good because the paratha was reallly good. Good times!

My wife is really into Indian food. I'm just keeping her company, but Spice Kraft is one of the finest Indian restaurants we've been to. Great service and nice people too.

You ever felt you were at home when taking the first bite of your food.? This is what Spice Kraft had me feeling like. Thank you, for being constant with your taste and paying attention to your ingredients. I love the drink options! They also have this drink option where you are able to build what ever drink you want for a set price.!!! There is also I great lunch special available with some delicious bites.. if in Clarendon please pop inside for some amazing Indian cuisine.

Solid spot for carry out, will likely be back for their happy hour deals (which includes $5 drinks!) We enjoyed: - Chicken Saag - Chicken Tikka Masala - Garlic Naan - Mango Lassi Everything was delicious, with tasty sauces, and perfectly prepared, tender chicken. The mango lassi is one of my favorites in the area-- just the right amount of sweetness. I can't really speak to ambiance since we got carry out, but from picking up my order it seemed to be pleasant inside. Service was helpful and prompt at getting us our order.

This is the "chicken 65"! Sooo good! We love this restaurant for the food, service, and the cool vibe. We always have a wonderful time here!

Everything had a wow factor in presentation; just beautiful plates at this Indian fusion spot. Very cozy & homey atmosphere; we came with a party of 10 with a reservation and fit great even in a smaller restaurant. Service was very attentive & caring. Plenty of options for both vegetarians & meat eaters, with several vegan options too. A great spot for a small group or date night. I ordered the chicken 65 which was spicy & sweet and sour. Chicken was cooked perfectly and I liked the sprouts on top. The pakora chaat had great textures and was fun to eat; a great sharing dish. Portions of everything were very generous! Will definitely go back!

Had a great dinner here. My friend got the lamb chops which were tasty too. My meal was a little more filling. I got the Chettinadu vegetable korma and it was super tasty and new. The Goat Cheese Olive Naan was as good as it sounds, real good. Fresh taste and a little soft and mashy on the inside that was so tasty. Sash took care of us and checked in on us regularly. Refilled waters.

Amazing food!! The food comes out fast and theres a pretty diverse menu. The cocktail menu is also very unique and a great happy hour deal. $5 Monday - Sunday

AMAAAZING!! So good. I really enjoyed my visit here. It was like entering into an authentic experience of dining in India. I am a huge fan of Indian food and as a GF eater, there were so many options. This naan? I must've been dreaming. Waiters were unbelievably nice. The aesthetic of this restaurant was great. Playlist is a huge thing for me. And they played Indian music while eating which is huge! 10/10 I can't wait to come back.

we came for the 2023 summer restaurant week and it was $65 for two (2 appetizers, 1 chana masala, 2 entrees with naan and rice, and 2 desserts). On top of this deal, they also have happy hour ($5 cocktails). The food was delicious and we ended up with a ton of leftovers because there was so much food! It definitely gets busy around dinner hours so making a reservation ahead is recommended. The service has also been very good (this is our 3rd time here) and food comes quickly. Amazing restaurant in the Clarendon area!

Delicious food, kind service, and nice ambiance! Really enjoyed this restaurant. We tried the samosas, chicken tikka masala, lamb dum briyani, garlic naan, and coconut pineapple bread pudding. Highly recommend all of these dishes!

Solid Indian spot! Came here with some friends on a Friday night and they are packed! Tables were always full and the amount of food pickups were wild. You can tell it's a neighborhood favorite! We started with the samosas and they were delicious!!! Don't skip the sauces, the brown one is so good! I then had the butter chicken, which was solid. I didn't get spicy because I didn't want my heartburn to flare up, but maybe could've gone one step up? Although my friend got spicy and it was SPICY! BIG difference in the levels, be careful. I will say I thought the portion was a little small. Felt like there were only handful of chicken pieces - if my husband got this dish, he would've been hungry still. Overall, good spot!

Food: Flavorful, aromatic, light, perfectly portioned Service: Attentive, friendly, informative Ambiance: Lively Price: Worth every penny!

Visited relatives and decided to have lunch at Spice Kraft. Fairly empty so service was quick. WE had mango and ginger lemonade, lavender and cardamon lemonade, mango lassi, blueberry chutney lemonade for drinks then veg samosa, spinach pakora chaat,saag paneer pasta, maharani veg burger and chicken tikka burger Sent 1 item for re-heating. Quite nice but not exceptional. Recommend for a decent meal.

We were told that it's going to be worth the wait since there was 20-30mins waiting. But it was absolutely not worth! We had paneer and daal makhni both were below average. Service is slow and not organized, they forgot our roti order for like 20mins. There are many better Indian restaurants out there!

Adding another review - we picked up this restaurants thanksgiving special and it was so good. If you're looking for a thanksgiving Indian fusion meal, this place will definitely make you happy. The turkey tikka masala was great and the cranberry lassi was innovative and so delicious. I like that Spice Kraft isn't afraid to take risks and try new things.

Small indian spot with a small menu as well Have a few traditional Indian dishes and a few unique ones as well Also have a "create your own" option where you can choose a sauce and a meat to mix I came here with my GF and her family and we tried a variety of dishes, which were all fine. The waitress was very pushy in trying to get us to order dessert

One of my favorite neighborhood spots! I'm celiac and they are always understanding of my dietary needs

Food is delicious, and the people are great. Be sure to make a reservation because they are always packed!

Love the appetizers, ambiance, non-alcoholic drinks and service! Portion sizes are generous, too! Try the lentil soup.

After passing this restaurant on several occasions I finally decided to make a reservation and check it out. The location has a small patio space and on the interior things are also fairly quaint which I assume was purposeful to try to create a more intimate dining experience, but it definitely makes for hearing your own conversations tough amongst everyone else in the restaurant. Their menu features indian cuisine with items like samosas, chicken biriyani, tandoori wings, lentil soup, chicken tikka, and lamb chops with entree prices ranging from $15-$26. They also offer you the option to choose your spice level as well for various dishes. I had no issues with service I was seated quickly and the food I ordered came out quickly as well. I decided on the chicken tikka taco, the garlic naan, and chicken biryani. The taco was decent the chicken while not too flavorful was at least nicely cooked and the toppings tasted fresh, the garlic naan was excellent and sadly the highlight of the meal. As for the chicken biryani, it was severely disappointing, it tasted unseasoned and the dish was also brought out room temperature. All in all it wasn't the best dining experience for this particular cuisine I've had in the area.

We came here for a group dinner on a rainy Friday night and made a reservation for the largest table they had. I called ahead to make sure they could accommodate for a group of 9 and they were super kind about making sure we could fit the whole group. The drinks here are pretty cheap for Arlington pricing and we tried the mojitos, the mules, and the Taj Mahal beers. You could easily come here for drinks and happy hour and have a great time. Foodwise: we got the tandori wings, chicken 65, samosas, garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, and the lamb chops. All the food was excellent and a nice portion! Our favorites were definitely the samosas as the dough wasn't too tough. the lamb chops were excellent, and the chicken tikka masala (medium). I will say their mild is way too mild so I would advise at least starting with medium as your spice level for better flavor. I think we could have even gone up a level of spice for the chicken tikka. Service was great but keep in mind their kitchen closes at like 9PM on a Friday night which is kind of early if you have a later dinner. Service was quick and everyone is friendly- they even gave us a nice birthday cake for our friends birthday!

This is the best Indian food I have ever had! The chicken tikka masala is my favorite! The samosas, naan, and paneer are great too. We got ours medium with extra spice on the side. I don't find the medium level to be very spicy but it might vary. (There is so much flavor you don't even need it to be spicy) It is a small place so I would make a reservation. The service is fast as well!

All around great experience! When we arrived, the friendly staff remembered me from the reservation phone call, and said "traffic was not bad?" Got a few happy hour drinks and appetizers, all of which were creative with great taste and texture and generous portions. Ordered butter chicken, lamb shank, and tandoori salmon as three entries. Again, great taste, portions, and creativity. Did not want to waste the great food and packed three to go boxes. The staff were all friendly throughout dinner. I wish them prosperity over many years to come, and hope to return from Hawaii sometime in the future to patronize them again.

Delicious tandoor mixed grill; generous portion with quite a bit of literally everything from shrimp to lamb. Tasty citrus salmon with spinach. Ordered on DoorDash for pick up and they did not disappoint. Food was ready and well packaged when we arrived. They initially gave us the food in flimsy paper bags, but it's raining cats and dogs. Luckily we brought our own tote bags. I would suggest Spice Kraft to switch to sturdy plastic bags. Much more pragmatic especially in lousy weather. Note: Spice Kraft is in the same space of the former Delhi Club. Big improvement in food ready time, though; and improvement on variety of dishes on the menu and portion. They are also on the app; the previous restaurant wasn't on any app.

I would give this place ten stars if I could. The food is spectacularly delicious! Also, the wine compliments the food very well. I must say that no matter what I try I am so pleased it feels like I am shot out of a rocket to the moon of wonderfullness.

Had dinner there on Saturday with my family. Unfortunately this visit was a disappointment for sure. The table was never set up properly for 7 people. Had to keep asking for numerous things like roll ups etc. They came and dropped appetizers and we were sharing family style but we didn't have any small plates to eat them on so we had to ask for that. Half of the food was not the usual great taste that I am used to, it was very bland and not as flavorful as Indian food should be. Not sure if the chef has changed. The wait staff was all very friendly and nice, they probably need to be trained and focus on the details like making sure a big table like ours has the right set ups, B&B plates for apps etc. The drinks were very good especially the Pomegranate mojito and mango ginger lemonade. My wife doesn't want to go back but I will probably try it again since I know the owner that runs the place.

This is very typical Northern Indian cuisine. The happy hour prices were the enticement for us. It's good for takeout. Otherwise unspectacular.

I cannot rave enough about Spice Kraft. It was truly one of the best meals I've had! Everything was SO flavorful, perfectly balanced, and cooked to perfection. The freshness was evident in every bite. There are numerous options for vegan and gluten-free needs as well. The entire table loved their dishes. The service was also great. They greeted us warmly and were very attentive. Unfortunately they couldn't accommodate our request to sit inside and they were so kind and apologetic with the situation. Thank you, Spice Kraft! I cannot wait to return when I'm back in DC.

Small restaurant in Clarendon that offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Butter Chicken: We love the sauce and keep thinking about it. The curry has a nutty and sweet flavor profile - it is less tomatoey than other butter sauces we've had before. The chicken is a little dry though. Chicken Dum Briyani: The dish is delicious and well seasoned, but the chicken is dry. I love the yogurt relish because it adds a freshness to the dish. The spice level is not strong, we chose Medium and can not taste it at all. We recommend choosing a level above what you would normally choose.

If you want great food for a great price, I highly recommend this place. Their hours can sometimes be inconvenient but the service is great, the ambience is great and the food is great. Can't go wrong here.

My wife and I just had their special Easter menu for two. The food and service were superb. A great value overall. We paid extra for the passion fruit lassi, which I'd recommend.

I placed an order through the restaurant's pickup service, Square around 11:15 on Friday for an 11;50 pickup. When I arrived for my food around that time, I was met by waitstaff who thought I was in the wrong location and asked to see the receipt from the order. Not a good start. So I went to Trader Joe's to get a couple of items. This was the other lunchtime errand I'd planned after getting my lunch, and I figured it would give the restaurant time to find the order I knew I had both placed and paid for. 20 minutes later I returned and was told that the order was being prepared. The auto had to be rebooted. I was offered a seat to wait. As the lunch crow came into this tiny dining room (and folks seemed to have their favorite spots) I loved twice to have space away from people, as Covid is still roaming. As time rolled on and my lunch hour nearly gone, I got a little antsy about the wait and the waitstaff preoccupation with new customers with no acknowledgment of updating me on my order. I inquired and was told the story of the need to reboot and that my order had to be written by hand because no receipts had come out of the system. At 12:30, 40 minutes after the requested pickup time, my order was ready. More excuses and apologies. I understand that mistakes happen and technology is far from foolproof, but 40 minutes is a long time to have someone wait for a paid order. Despite the high temperature outside, I was never offered a drink or a discount or a free appetizer. Nothing but "sorry, sir" as if the issue wasn't theirs to own and try to fix. In the end, my food was delicious, though my requested sauce was plain and mild, instead of the hot temperature I ordered. Mildly disappointing, but manageable. I recommend space for pickup patrons to sit out of the way if diners-in. I also recommend that you acknowledge and try something, anything, to fix order issues. Don't just say you're sorry, but show it in some fashion. Happy customers return, bring others, and bring their business to you, instead of the many other eateries in Clarendon.

I am from the south. I find when I come to DC that spicy doesn't always mean "Spicy". I ordered my Tika Masala extra spicy and it didn't disappoint. The naan was also great. The dining area is small. However, it's perfect for 2-3 people especially in a lunch setting because it's right across from the metro. Service was good. The menu is unique in my experience with Indian places. It's very "craft your own dish". That explains the name!

This was my first Indian food experience. We had several appetizers, and my entree was lamb with the black pepper sauce? I asked for it spicy and they delivered. Good drinks too. The service was fast and the ambience was nice.

We totally love our selections. The mixed grill was perfectly cooked and the portion was more the enough for two. The grilled salmon and pineapple was so tasty with medium spice served with delicious Tika sauce. Wonderful food. Service was attentive, outstanding. So glad we found this gem in Clarendon.

Last time, I got the chicken korma and one of my friends (who loves Spice Kraft) told me I needed to try to briyani here since it's supposedly the best int the area. Fortunately, I had some time today to stop by during lunch with a friend (who was craving a good briyani). CHICKEN BRIYANI - 17 The portion size is huge! For me, I don't eat too much so this is a satisfactory amount for two meals. I got my briyani with mild level of spice, but I'd probably try medium next time. I love the basmati rice as it was seasoned perfectly with such flavorful spices. The rice was not mushy and "dry" (in a good way) enough that you could taste every grain of rice by itself which is perfect. I thought the amount of chicken given was a bit lacking and it was pretty dry. Overall, still delicious and I really enjoyed the flavors and textures of the rice. If you do eat red meat, I'd recommend the lamb briyani instead. My friend got that and the lamb was much better compared to the chicken. It costs $2 more but I think it's worth it. Next time, if I'm coming in during lunch, I'd like to give their lunch menu a try. The build your own CURRY RICE BOWL sounds like a good mix of carbs, protein and veggies for a reasonable price ($11-14 depending on which protein you want to try).

Our first time but definitely not the last. Our server was kind, hellpful and friendly. The food was excellent I had the Curry soup and Naan bread it was so good. It's a small place but a really nice feel and good music. We will be back. Thank you for great food and great service.

Amazing food, amazing staff - hilarious and so kind and welcoming. Very accommodating and the food was delicious! Highly recommend