This place was one of two I found in London that carried tonka beans. This one had the best price by far. It's a teeny spot that brought me right back to the spice souks in the Middle East. The two workers were busy restocking and rearranging the space when I entered their empty store. Soon after it filled up with 3 other customers and we all seemed to need something all at the same time! The workers were cool and dealt with each of our questions quickly and knowledgeably. I got tonka beans and some very fat Madagascar vanilla pods! Yum! read more

This is an UH-mazing little hole in the wall stuffed to its rafters with a dizzying array of spices - the names of half I am unable to pronounce. Still, prices are reasonable, the server extremely knowledgable and helpful to the clueless, though she'll happily let you poke around and stay out of her hair. We got some dried jalapeño peppers, a shellfish mix, and what was for me, the greatest find. My favorite tipple of all time is the Bloody Mary and when I literally stumbled upon a tin of Bloody Mary mix, it was as if the heavens had opened and were shoving it in my face. How do you turn down an offering from the universe? The answer - you don't. Now all I need to do is get some tomato and vodka alchemy going... read more

The Spice Shop - Bloody Mary mix - Herbs & Spices Near Me - London, XGL

What an amazing place to go and just explore the world of spices!!! I found this while walking on a Saturday afternoon at Portobello Rd in Notting Hill. Love this place!! There so many things you can possibly buy here - in terms of spices. I would definitely stop by here every time if I had a chance to come back to London. Miss you London!!! read more

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This is my favourite spice shop ever! (well, apart from the real deal Souq's and Bazaar's) If you need an unusual spice/herb/ingredient in London this place has it. They also sell packets/cute yellow tins of mixes that suite certain dishes (i.e. Carribean fish rub, Bombay potato mix etc..). These little tins make fantastic presents. Although you can now get most spices herbs in your local market/supermarket, this place is worth checking out for it's gorgeousness!! It is also conveniently located across the road from the 'Books for Cooks' book shop! RECOMMEND! read more

For my brother, this shop would be porn. Due to the over use of crushed chillis in all his cooking and the amount of tabasco we will splash onto the most tasty dishes, he has killed off almost every last taste bud in his mouth. An Aladdin's cave of flavours, you'll find rose buds, spices, herbs and some unusual ingredients that you won't get anywhere else in the city. It's pricey, but that's what you have to pay to get this kind of selection. Service is fun and honest and the lady in the shop is more than happy to help you if you ask nicely. If you are in the area, and an avid cook you really must pop in. Even if it's just to have a snoop around and a sniff! read more

One of London's best independent retailers. As all the other reviews have said, they have almost every spice you could possibly need. The more standard mixes such as Cajun are great and far better than the supermarket standard, but when they come into their own is on the more unusual mixes. The seaweed salt, Za'tar Mix, and strange unheard of chillis are all worth traveling for. read more

I was in London for the night (Thursday) and wanted to have a walk through Notting Hill and Portobello Road to also visit the Spice Shop as I had heard from a couple of tv cooking programmes of how good it was! I did that today and was so disappointed with the shop, I can't see how it could have that sort of reputation. It felt dirty (sorry), untidy, it was very small considering it claims to have over 2,000 spices/blends. Two people working in there in a corner who didn't give the time of day until I said my hastened goodbye, I couldn't wait to get out. The 2 stars are only because of their nice little yellow tins (£2.50 empty!) similar to Colemans mustard at half the price but including a full can of mustard powder. I wouldn't recommend to anyone! read more

When you walk into this little shop you will be blown away by the smells. It is packed from the floor to the roof with spices. Very colorful and unpretentious shop with skillful staff who are ready to help you even with your recipes. This is the mecca for the spice lovers as I can guarantee, what ever you are looking for, this shop has it. That is the speciality, and they take it seriously. read more

The Spice Shop - Herbs & Spices Near Me - London, XGL

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Agree with the reviews so far, this is the Spice store. I live in East London and many stores have all the spices one needs to cook indian. in china town there are stores where to buy chinesse and thai, but in this very store in Portobelo there are spices, herbs, pastes and curries from all over the world. Another point is the staff. Try to ask something in a Thai store. they may well grunt at you in a this-food-is-not-for-you fashion. Conversely, you will be advised about anything in Spice Shop. I have been just once, but I really need to come back soon to stock some stuff i would not find anywhere else. I could not say is cheap though, but, i guess when someone is determined to try new things and get hands-on to do sexy food a few quid is irrelevant. read more

Every now and then a girl needs some devil's penis chilli, and this is the place to come for it. The Spice Shop stocks every powder you could possibly imagine for an eye-watering, throat-searing, blow-your-head-off curry. The spices here are probably overpriced, but what I love about the place is the riot of colours and pungency that assaults your senses the moment you step through the door. It's such an unfamiliar sensation when we have got so used to overpackaged, often flavour-free, scent-free so-called 'fresh' produce stocked by supermarkets. After a visit here you'll be able to experiment with all sorts of spices you've never heard of, although be warned, the devil's penis chilli is hot hot hot! read more

This place is the best spot to all spice lovers. Everything spice that you are looking for, they all have it and they take it seriously. It is huge little shop that is full of different spices. Upon entering the door, you will already smell the different spices, and the aromas are really captivating. These shops have a special place in my heart and I will definitely come back here again for the second time. read more

This place is the best spot to all spice lovers. Everything spice that you are looking for, they all have it and they take it seriously. It is huge little shop that is full of different spices. Upon entering the door, you will already smell the different spices, and the aromas are really captivating. These shops have a special place in my heart and I will definitely come back here again for the second time. read more

On our hunt for interesting new hot sauces we stumbled into the Spice Shop to see what was available. The smell is warm and intense when you walk in. They had a few interesting selections of hot sauces however we opted for the ULTRA DEATH sauce. We had also contemplated picking up some cayenne pepper, but we found the same amount in a grocery store at a third of the price. When we got home we pulled off the seal and found that a maggot had climbed under the seal. Not exactly appetising, however the cap was still tightly screwed on so we gave the bottle a rinse and hoped for the best. Wowza! Is that sauce hot!! Nice to find a shop which has so many spice options, however for the price and the fact that we found a visitor on our hot sauce bottle, I don't think we will be shopping there again. Although I wouldn't be adverse to stopping in to smell all the spices. read more

Quite pricey but if you are looking for a rare spice mix such as Yemeni zhug for instance then this your place to go. Otherwise I would shop in Indian grocers who sell big bags of spices for less dosh! There was some tired looking jalapeños but they had fresh herbs and spices. Finally this shop is not for the claustrophobic as it's so tiny! But if they don't stock it then it just don't exist. read more

Have you ever seen a recipe but never actually made the dish because you could not find one of the obscure spices? Those days are over because Notting Hill's Spice Shop has a huge variety of spices from around the world. Step inside the tiny shop crammed with jars and sachets and your sense of smell is immediately heightened. I love the bags of dried fruit (the mango strips are really good) and nuts displayed outside the store. The perfect healthy snack to much on while I'm wandering around the market. The store also has a market stall nearby at the weekends. read more

The Mexican drug cartels may rethink their business plan after seeing this shop. Tiny plastic baggies of powder all sold for exorbitant prices. And it's all legal. Yes, they have an exhaustive supply of exotic spices, so come here if you can't find what you need anywhere else. Because if you can find it somewhere else, it will be less expensive. Especially avoid the non-Spice-Shop items such as jars of preserved lemon, bottles of orange blossom water and rose water. They were all marked up at least double what you would pay for the exact same product at any Middle Eastern grocery store. read more

I stumbled across The Spice Shop just as my cravings for yogurt coated banana chips were getting unbearable. There in front of me on a table outside the shop were packets of dried fruit and indeed amongst them my banana chips. I call that fate. Then the last time I popped in to buy some Thai soup paste I walked out straight into an old friend I had not seen for years, I think there must be something about this shop. Other than being home to freaky coincidences, The Spice Shop is amazingly well stocked, selling unusual cooking ingredients and so much more than just spices. read more

A great little shop that packs just about every spice imaginable. Walking through the front door, the smell of spices makes you feel like you are in the spice markets of Morocco or Turkey. It is charming, a little cramped, but always a delight. read more

I love the spice shop - I had to find some kecap manis (an Indonesian sweet soy sauce) for a recipe the other day, I must admit I did not think the spice shop would have it, but they did. Spice up your cooking and your life by popping in. read more

Just walking in here is a treat! The spice shop stocks surprisingly spices, from all over the world. I was completely overwhelmed by their selections. They don't just have basic spices and herbs, they also have spice concoctions for particular recipes, or flavours, and every little bag of spice comes with instructions for cooking on the back. It's extremely inspirational! The staff are always so helpful as well. Might be a good idea to pop into Books for Cooks across the street to get some recipes, and then go to the Spice Shop who will no doubt have everything you need. read more

Don't bother - it's a rip-off. I just bought a 50g tin of Hungarian sweet paprika to make goulash. The guy charged me £4.95 but when I got home and opened the tin there is a plastic bag of spice with the price of £2.95 on it. I would go back and complain but it's too far. Never again. I now don't even believe this is a genuine product...the whole place seems a bogus tourist trap. read more

I love love love this site, I dislike cooking with recipes, I like just to cook without all the messing around, buying all the ingredients etc. With The Spice Shop I simply buy the amazing spice/herb blends and that is all it needs, it makes cooking so easy. I simply buy lean meats sprinkle 1 teaspoon of spice/herb mix blends mix with 1 tbsp of oil per person, stick it in the fridge for a few hours to marinade,(not essential but tastes far better), grill or fry for a restaurant quality taste, no salt added either . I hate cooking, but this is so easy a child could do it, what is amazing is my kids love the food as it tastes so delicious. I have gluten/yeast intolerance, so finding healthy tasty meals in supermarkets is hard, I have a busy life with work and children, I don't want to spend an hour and a half a night messing around cooking and washing up. Since I have been using these blends, I don't even have to think to prepare the food the blends are already prepared for you, There is nothing added but simple real spice/herbs. I like to add some salt as I fill it enhances flavour, but really this is not necessary. It even has sweet style spice blends, simple put a teaspoon in your porridge in the morning for a new delicious flavour. Gone are the times of boring healthy food, I am loosing tons of weight since using these amazing blends as I am having lean high protein meals with amazing flavour I have seen a few blends in the supermarket, but nothing compared to this site, there are blends from all around the world I never write reviews, but the sheer excitement of finding this site, justifies it. Also I have now bought about 50 blends in total so I will never have to worry about coming up with new meals again. The blends are only £3.95 a bag, which can give you approx 15 meals, not that is low cost!! Thank you for reading George read more

Pricey, yes, but if you're looking for something special, something you seriously can't find in any other shop in London, this is the place to get it. We walked away with £20 worth of goods and could have easily spent more if we didn't tell ourselves to stop. Egyptian dukka, nasi goreng seasoning, Lebanese seven spice... this must be where Yotam Ottolenghi gets all of his spices. If they don't have it, it probably doesn't exist. read more

have been a few times found the prices a bit mad really i usually go to east lane market there is a stall there with fresh spices and herbs that are just as good but better value read more

I was born and raised in Notting Hill and have myself had a store in Portobello Rd quite happily. I popped into the Spice Shop in search of this rare Middle Eastern herb that creates a beautiful red colour. I had been in search all morning and then decided to pop down to the Spice Shop, on entering there was a lady sitting on the steps where she could hardly been seen labeling packets. The owner of the shop was on the phone quite loudly and I waited patiently till she ended her long winded conversation. I was actually a bit taken a back at the customer care. As soon as she was done with her call she ignored me and when I said excuse me do you have, she quickly dismissed it with disgust. I don't think I have ever been to a shop where someone has made me feel so demeaned, I have shopped for years at a Spice shop in Goldbourne where the prices quality and packaging are a lot better and where there is a evident friendliness as well as great customer service. I will not being going back and am making sure that my family and friends don't either. read more

I've been using this shop for a few years now, and in my opinion, its always been pretty overpriced, but you know, they have a lot of stuff you can't get anywhere else, and that's a good thing...but I think the pricing is over the top now! 2 weeks ago I went and bought a 50g (2oz) bag of onion powder, and it cost £3, and today I went in to buy 3 small Jalapeno chillies, which cost me £2, and the guy didn't even weigh them! This number was plucked out of his head! Considering I can buy 9 green chillies in my local Thai supermarket (which I should have gone too...but it was raining, and another 10 minute walk), for 90p, I think The Spice Shop is a complete rip off. As I said before, its good for things you can't get anywhere else, but my God, you pay for it! Nigella, Jamie, and other celebrity chefs may well not notice it on their budgets, but I certainly did! And stupid me for paying what the guy asked! I think I was in a state of shock and just handed the money over! Well, never again! I don't know if its under new management or not, but the American woman in there is kind of rude too. As you can see...I'm quite disgruntled! LOL read more