We love this place. Fantastic Indian fare with a nice variety of choices and a full bar. My coworkers from India swear it's the most authentic Indian restaurant in the Capital Region. Service is very friendly and efficient. Reservations are highly recommended as seating for walk-ins is very limited. Ambiance is casual classy with some nice cultural murals on the walls. read more

We hadn't had an Indian meal in quite a long time. The flavors were calling out to us. We definitely wanted a location that served Doas and narrowed it down from three under consideration to the one that was closest - Spice Malabar. Our previous experience here was only with takeout about two years ago and we were quite pleased. The only downside on that occasion was finding out that 4 peppers on the menu for the dish that I ordered for myself was well beyond my spice tolerance. Certainly not the fault of the restaurant. We started out with a bottle of Saratoga Water (still) ($5) that is displayed upon every table as you are seated. I also couldn't pass up the opportunity to have an Ubu ($7) from Lake Placid. It was so tasty even though it was in a can. Papadam and chutneys were served while we perused the menus. Deviating from our tradition of starting with Mysore Masala Dosa we decided to try the Spring Dosa ($15). It was delicious enough to consider having again. Served with the traditional sambar and coconut chutney, the dairy rice-lentil crepe was a beautiful golden brown surrounding the flavorful filling of potatoes, panner, spring vegetables (which gave a contrasting crunch), and a lightly spicy spread. For her main course, my wife chose the Vegetables Kundapur ($20) with fresh vegetables, potato, coconut, ginger, and Mangalorean spices. Labeled with a single pepper on the menu, it had a slight level of spiciness and was very flavorful. We also tried a variation of Nan, Lacha Paratha. These whole wheat, griddle-made flatbreads reminded me of freshly made tortillas as their layers separated, but also flaked. They were delicious and less filling than Naan. As I've already noted, there was no way I was going to order any dish with 4 peppers next to it on the menu. I therefore opted to have the Lamb Madras ($26) with coconut, mustard seed, red chili, and curry leaf. Two peppers on the menu turned out to be JUST RIGHT! The lamb was very tender and not gamey. The coconut added a hint of sweetness and the white rice provided on the side for both of our meals was a perfect blend of texture for adding to the curry sauce. Service was friendly and efficient as they appeared to work as a team. Ambiance was very pleasant. There were plenty of leftovers for a second meal. read more

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The wife and I had a great time. Delicious food, friendly and fast staff, and a relaxing ambiance. Attached photos below. The lighter orange is chicken ammwala, the red is a masala, the white rice balls is iddli and of course the bread is delicious garlic naan. read more

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This place NEVER disappoints. We went, during a winter storm because our town was plowing our area and we had no access to our driveway! As always the service was impeccable and the food were delicious. My hubby and I love going here for impromptu dates. read more

Spice Malabar - Potato Palak Lamb Rogan Josh - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

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The lunch buffet is good and reasonably priced at $15. I think that the deliciousness of the food is not as high as cart and café in East Greenbush, or Karavalli in Latham, even as the latter has decreased these recent years in hyper deliciousness. But the service at Spice Malabar is really good and efficient and it's prettier inside certainly than Cart and café. read more

Love this place! The food is excellent. They are so knowledgeable about spices and their food. They give great recommendations. They gave us a dish to try on the house which was something I never would have tried and it was fabulous. We buy a gift card every time we go to remind us to go back! The restaurant is very clean, well decorated and not too noisy. It is always a very pleasurable experience. You are missing out if you don't try this place at least once. read more

Spice Malabar - Palak Chaat - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

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Stopped here on a drive from Vermont to PA. happened upon Saturday buffet. The food is excellent and the service is excellent. Very clean restaurant. Everything was delicious! read more

Spice Malabar - Masala Chai - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

I recently visited here and had the lunch buffet. The wait staff were very friendly, pleasant, helpful and prompt. The buffet dishes were well prepared and tasted fresher than those I have had at other Indian food buffets. I enjoyed the naan very much, hot, fresh, flavorful. Nice buffet. Will return. read more

Second time around! Really enjoy Indian, Mediterranean, Greek, Italian, and Turkish. Food/Drink: Entrees were amazing, everything tasted fantastic. The flavors and the smells were intoxicating! I had the Dahl pouri, and curry potato. Bread and Apps: The garlic naan mmmm mmmm! Small dish of the samosas were to die for. Dinning Area: Pretty Small, and cramped. A little drafty. Prices: Relatively cheap. Small appetizer, entree, and a drink I got away for $30. Parking: Plenty of space, private lot. Bathrooms: Bathrooms were clean and smaller in size. Atmosphere: During the weekday Dinner rush, pretty busy, but not unmanageable. I did not wait long. Staff/Attendants: Staff overall was Great, family owned and operated I presume. Extremely authentic, deep accent. Awesome experience wish I had my wife, I will be back! 8/10 read more

From the reviews I read, I was excited to try Spice Malabar. I've driven by in the past, as it's in a shopping plaza that I frequent often. The establishment is quite unassuming from the outside and a rather hidden gem. I'm glad that I came in for lunch, as I was pleasantly surprised. The eatery is spotless and has a really comfortable and contemporary vibe. The ambiance is very inviting and the wall murals are really pretty. The staff are all very welcoming and attentive. I got in a little late for lunch but was happy to see that the buffet table was still plentiful and nicely presented. Vegan and non vegan options were available and clearly labeled along with a small description of each dish and their spice level. I appreciate that, as it's annoying when you are unclear as to what you're looking at. Especially if you're like me, and not very familiar with some Indian dishes but willing to try if given the opportunity. I love how fresh the mango salad tasted along with all the chutney options. it's also nice when the cut fruit is actually sweet and I do like melons! It's a win when my favorite tandoori chicken is moist and flavorful. I enjoyed pairing it with a small amount of basmati rice and having it with all the saucy dishes offered. The naan at the table was crisp and hot and the right vehicle to soak up all the marvelous sauces. It's wonderful to taste all the freshly ground spices in each of the dishes I tried. Lastly, to top things off I had some of their creamy and perfectly executed rice pudding. In my opinion it is just so comforting and deliciously fragrant. I look forward to dining here again, as their lunch buffet offerings vary. Additionally, their extensive a la carte menu is on my list to try as it all sounds so tasty. Lunch here was delicious and beyond my expectations. If you enjoy food of varying degrees of spice level, you will be wowed! read more

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To answer your question Yelp--What went well?--Well, everything. Everybody is very friendly. Nothing is better than traditional Indian hospitality. Not only is the service first-class and the food tasty, but the atmosphere is simultaneously classy and comfy. Thusly, without overdoing it, or, more like it, over saying it, Spice Malabar is truly on par with the other wonderful local Indian eatery--Karavalli. After dining at one of these magnificent restaurants, other than home-cooked meals, it's just hard to beat it. read more

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I tried Spice Malabar recently with a friend. I have never been to an Indian restaurant before and have only had Indian food twice in my life, and her never, so we went out for an adventure. We had a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was hip and cute. All the waiters were kind and attentive. We tried as many menu items as possible to get a good feel for the restaurant and food culture. Everything was delicious! My only advice would be to make sure you ask for it hot if you like spicy food and also ask for salt and pepper. They will try to make the food less intense as they try to read their audience. Just say "I love the spice"! Overall it was a wonderful adventure and I will definitely go back again until I make my way through the menu! Thanks Spice Malabar for a great night! read more

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Our second time dining here, last time was with a friend, this time with my mother and this is my personal 3rd time here after a Yelp event last year. I enjo8it so much I want others to experience how good it was. They are soooooo vegan friendly, they even have a separate menu section for vegan dishes. Make sure you let them know of you have dietary restrictions. We were blessed with having the owner as a server the first time we dined here together and he helped us figure out what to have. This time we didn't have the same one on one experience but I'll tell you the wait staff is very knowledgeable and eager to make suggestions. They know their food, the know every ingredient and everything in the kitchen is made from scratch so there is no guesswork for allergens, and ingredients. They even grind their own spices fresh so you can be confident they know what they're serving. From appetizers to the main entrees we were never dissatisfied. We had plenty of food to box up and take home. Their cocktails are excellent and their is Papadum snacks on the table with I think a persimmon chutney and a mint or cilantro yogurt dip, so vegans don't use the green dip on the table! Beautiful murals adorn the walls and there is a small bar at the back of the dining room. When we came in we were seated immediately but by the time we departed there was a short wait for arriving guests. Overall, we love this place and we will keep returning and bring more people to enjoy the experience. If you are in town for business, love Indian cuisine, curious to try something new, or living a vegan lifestyle Spice Malibar is a must try in Clifton Park! read more

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I cannot get over how GOOD this buffet is. The flavors in each option are so flavorful, the food feels so light and fresh. It's truly absolutely delightful. I attended a Yelp event last year and got ti hear some behind the scenes details about their focus, which was inspiring, but the food is the thing, at the end of the day, and the food is perfect. I brought my husband for the first time and he was wowed. We can't wait to return. Additionally, staff is super nice, attentive, and the space is beautiful. read more

Spice Malabar - First plate, truly each bite was a dream. - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

Second time at lunch buffet. Not five stars today. Today, the service was four stars. One server on duty. Never asked if more Tandori bread was wanted. The food today was mediocre. Three stars at best. Examples: --Tandoori chicken was poor; it was small grisly pieces on bone. I have never eaten such awful Tandori chicken. --Some chicken breast pieces in tikka masala were not tender. --Lots of "creamy" food. Little meat of substance. --Other than cabbage, vegetables were over cooked. --Spice level was minimum of medium. --Even Rice Pudding was mostly liquid and blah. (Salad fixings were okay IF you are interested in salad.) I am now turned off to inexpensive luncheon buffets, especially here. The food must be far superior here when ordered from menu. I have not eaten from menu at Spice Malabar; however, I do know from experience that the food off menu at Karavalli has been very good or excellent. read more

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Previously have been here multiple times and was disappointed with their biryani. However on this visit we got lamb rhogan Josh, paneer kurchen and garlic Naan. If not for my prior experience the rating would have been a 5. Garlic Naan is one of the tastiest Naan's you can get next to garlic chili Naan. If you haven't had an opportunity to try it, make sure to pay the extra couple of dollars. The kurchen was a right combination for the Naan, with a perfect blend of cheese, bell peppers and onions in a creamy tomato sauce. read more

Spice Malabar - Take-out order of paneer kurchen and Garlic naan - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

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Great food. Unfortunately, we ordered so much food we neglected to order the dosa. Next time for sure. The appetizers, the naan and the entrees were wonderful. The service was attentive without being intrusive. We didn't even order dessert and they brought us some! Wonderful experience. Very cozy. read more

We were so excited to finally try out this gem of an Indian restaurant. Nice atmosphere, excellent staff who were attentive and super friendly, and the food was top notch. We will definitely be back!! read more

Worst customer service and they aren't interested in having anyone ask for an explanation of the lack of communication. Their posted hours of when they claim to answer the phone are NOT TRUE. They also claimed that with the online ordering system I could order ahead NOPE, eventually I got a email through to them and they did call me back and take a order, but when I got there the place was empty and I tried to get them to explain what happened, they tried to make me believe it was all my fault and offered no apology. Very disappointing experience and I spent over $100 for a meal that I'll always remember for the hassle not the food, at least my wife and daughter were pleased with the food which was critical as it was for a very special occasion. read more

We had a great time at Spice Malabar. First off, the service was just phenomenal. We brought my toddler and they were so attentive and considerate the entire time we were there. They do have cups with a lid and a high chair, but no changing table in the bathroom (my one complaint!) The food was also delicious and favorably compared to Karavalli. (I said "close". My husband said "as good as". Everyone agreed we needed a taste test to be sure). The flavor was well integrated with the spice and all the meat was very well cooked. We'd go back, for sure. PS - I asked if my party wanted to add anything to this review and my father says "The flavors! The flavors were well thought out and distinct.". So make of that what you will. read more

Three of us hast had lunch here. Wow! Their food is delicious. Every entree of the buffet that we tried was fantastic. Their service is excellent, and the decor of the restaurant is stylish. Great dining ambiance as well. We're definitely coming back again. read more

Don't leave reviews often. This restaurant was top notch and would give it 10 stars if I could. Food - amazing. Service - very quick and friendly. Ambiance - quiet/relaxed. Very clean. I don't live in Albany but I will make a point to come back here whenever I'm in town. read more

Spice Malabar - Chicken Tikka Masala, Shrimp Mango Curry, Garlic Naan Bread, Nuts and Raisin Naan - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

We came into the restaurant on the later side and they sat us immediately and provided excellent service until their closing. The food was delicious and so fresh and the servers were attentive throughout the entire meal. One asked us if this was our first time (which it was) and came back later with kulfi on the house. Neither of us had tried it before and it was amazing! So refreshing and a delightful surprise. We will absolutely be coming back. Thank you for a lovely meal!!! read more

Spice Malabar - Chicken Tikka Masala - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

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Food was pleasantly different from what we find at our normal go to Indian places. Very fresh and delicious tasting food, and a varied menu to boot. Mango lassies were a hit. Service was amazing, all staff were friendly and very attentive to all tables despite having a full house. Great atmosphere with lovely murals on the walls. The layout for the buffet was tough to maneuver for a larger crowd but again totally worth it. Would absolutely recommend Spice Malabar if you like Indian food! read more

Spice Malabar - Side salad and assorted sauces - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

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There are couple of Indian restaurants in Albany which are better than this one. This one does not have few tasty dishes served.

My new favorite India restaurant in the capital region! Spice Malabar uses all fresh ingredients to homemake everything and you can really tell in the tastes of all of the dishes! Each dish I tried was better than the last! If I had to pick favorites, I would say the chicken biryani and the lamb rogan josh, but I genuinely loved every single dish in the buffet! Excellent mango lassis and service as well! Everyone I talked to was so sweet and helpful. Cannot wait to go back to try out more of their offerings :) read more

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I am not about to say I have any favorite Indian restaurant in the Capital District/Saratoga region, but there are several I like very much. This would be one of those. The things that, to me, distinguish Spice Malabar are the lightness of the batters and sauces, and the freshness of many of the entrees, due a lot to the fact that they grind fresh spices daily. For example, at the lunch buffet today, the onion pakoras were as light as a feather, and the the flavor of the (finely) shredded cabbage dish was enhanced by an unusual spice combination and coconut. Their Lamb Malabar is also distinctive, and again in a sauce nowhere near as heavy as lamb dishes elsewhere. The chicken in the chicken tikka masala is very tender, though their sauce is more creamy/less tomato-y. Buffet service overall was excellent. Hot naan was delivered to my table while I was at the buffet, my water was refilled multiple times , and I was checked on frequently. I'll take this place as a meal option over any of the chain restaurants in the vicinity any time. read more

Spice Malabar - My lunch today from their buffet - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

The best Indian Food we have eaten!! Service was outstanding. Friendly, warm and laughter. Very pretty and so clean. Chicken was cooked perfectly, juicy and tender. Dosa was delish. Garlic Nan, Mango lassi as well. We will be back very soon Thank you Ejaz & Maxine Ahmed read more

Food was superb! Varied assortment of vegetable dishes with 3 varieties chicken. I usually eat the chicken tika, cooked tender with a yogurt red sauce and white rice. Also had some tandoori chicken, spinach, fried vegetable fritters, etc. Always finish off dinner with rice pudding, which I use the ban bread to dip in and scoup the pudding. Staff are all friendly and polite, makes everyone feel special too. Will go back again and again! read more

We went for the first time to the lunch buffet and I have to say it was the freshest Indian food we have ever had! Everything was perfect and traditional! read more

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The food is terrible, our naan was undercooked to the point that there was raw dough in the middle. The entrees came out *piping* hot, so much so that after 15 minutes on the table, it was still too hot to eat. A server dropped the utensils from a plate he was carrying away from the table onto my wife, getting various different sauces on her person. Very disappointing and lousy experience. The buffet can be decent, I would never come back here for dinner. read more

We have eaten here a number of times. The food is outstanding, unmatched anywhere in the area and presented beautifully. The service is excellent with staff frequently stopping to see how things are going and if we need anything. The atmosphere is comforfortable and the murals on the wall are beautifully done and exquisite. Bravo! Keep up the great work read more

I've been around the world, trying Indian food at almost every destination I visit. After eating at Spice Malabar several times, I can confidently say that this is not only the BEST Indian restaurant I've ever visited, but also the BEST restaurant I've ever been to for any cuisine. The chicken makhani with a high spice level is the best dish I've ever eaten and it complements well with garlic naan. The chicken is always cooked to perfection and extremely tender. Their tandoori dishes are fantastic as well, including the rack of lamb. For me, the most important thing that sets Spice Malabar above the rest is the cleanliness and the quality. It is very clear that they take cleanliness very seriously; the silverware, plates, and cups are always presented nicely. Service is always good and the workers and managers are super friendly and personable. The food can sometimes take longer to come out, but that's never an issue for me as I prefer waiting a bit longer to get a freshly cooked meal. I strongly believe they use high quality ingredients as the food always tastes fresh. I highly recommend this place and currently regard it as the BEST restaurant in Upstate NY and the best Indian restaurant I've ever eaten at (among 100+ I've tried all around the world). The Chicken Makhani dish is among the Top 3 dishes I've ever eaten at any restaurant. These guys have set the bar too high - this place is truly the best! read more

Spice Malabar - Makhani Butter Chicken, Lamb Saag, Naan - Indian Near Me - Clifton Park, New York

Excellent all around dinner and night out! The restaurant decor is fresh and modern with colorful murals and peaceful lighting. They planned the space so take out people aren't in diners' way. Extensive menu with many appetizers, vegetarian and vegan options. The gentleman at the front of the house was very kind, informative and attentive! We loved our spring veg Dosa and the tandoori paneer- very delicious. Now that we know what they think two spicy level is, we can dial it up next time. Worth us driving from Guilderland for a night out. read more

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Out of dozens of Indian restaurants, Spice Malabar is our favorite. Excellent service, and spotless interior. The food is delicious, and each dish has its own blend of spices, so every bite has a unique freshness. The fried vegetable fritters are surprisingly not greasy, unlike other restaurants. The nan bread (as much as you want) is also wonderful. read more

Best food and service and I use to be a loyal Shalimar fan. This restaurant bas won over our whole family

Spice Malabar serves the most delicious and fresh Indian food in the area. It's one of my favorite restaurants, and we try to go at least once a month. My favorite dish is the garlic chicken tikka. The chicken is always so flavorful and tender, and the portion is generous. My husband got the lamb kebab which was tender and juicy, he really enjoyed it. For appetizers, we have had the tamarind eggplant too many times to count, it's a really delicious unique dish and the tamarind sauce is to die for. We've also enjoyed the green chili bhajia, and the chicken wings. I've had a number of their curries, and they have all been so good! The garlic naan is so crisp and chewy and yummy. I have never had a bad meal at Spice Malabar, the service is also fantastic and welcoming. My only suggestion is that I would love to see more variety in the music. read more

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Food and service great. Ambiance good. The restaurant is clean. Servers are accommodating. Best Indian food in Clifton Park.

As cliche as it sounds, I wish I could give more than 5 stars. This is the second day in a row I have eaten here, my third time over all. The food is outstanding, OUTSTANDING!!! The lunch buffet will set the bar unreachable high for any other restaurants you may try in the future- not just for the quality of food, but for the value too. The staff here are also extremely kind, considerate, and compassionate people. After eating here 3 times I truly feel "at home". There really isn't anything here I wouldn't recommend, come see for yourself! read more

First time there with a friend, we asked the waiter for an appetizer recommendation. he actually ordered the entire meal for us after a few important questions. The food was outstanding, the price was reasonable and the service was very good. I highly recommended this place, especially if you like spice. Ambience is mediocre, but not even a consideration when deciding we will definitely go back. read more