Earlier in the month, we took a trip to Helmsley. It’s somewhere we used to go quite often before we moved to York, but haven’t been for a while. Last weekend we met up with some friends and hit up the curry house.
Helmsley Spice
Helmsley Spice is a quaint little curry house in the heart of Helmsley. It offers take out as well as table service. We’ve been 4 or 5 times before. We went on Sunday before the bank holiday.
Luckily we booked as the restaurant was packed when we got there. A rare sight. As it’s only a small town, it’s usually rather empty! We ordered and waited for our usual papadums and dips to arrive when a group of women walked in, one with a flashing crown saying ‘bride to be’.
A hen party. In Helsmley? What? Like, there’s nothing wrong with that, but there are about 3 pubs in Helmsley so it’s not your usual idea of a hen do. Certainly not the type of hen do where you’re wearing flashing crowns and sashes.
There seemed to be some mix up with the time they booked and they were not happy. They were shouting and pointing in the man’s face who was trying to calm the situation and saying he needs to find them a seat and give them all a free drink until there are tables for them.
There were no seats.
You have no right to point in anyone’s face.
Jog on, love.
After a while they left. Good.
I love the dip mix that comes with the poppadums. The mint sauce is to die for. I could eat it by the spoonful.
Our main took ages to come! It was a tad annoying. Our table was at 7:30, we ordered about 10 minutes after and our main came at 9:15 pm. We didn’t leave until 10 pm.
We’ve not had issues like this before, it must have been because it was so busy. The food was as lovely as ever though. I had the lamb shank which was delicious. I’m surprised I ate it all. The other curry is our friend’s butter chicken. I didn’t take photos of the rest as it’s not always appropriate to lean over and take photos of people’s food. Even if you really want to.
I’m not put off by the slow service as we have been there many times and it seems to just be a one-off.
Helmsley Spice Information
Address: 1 Bridge St, Helmsley, York YO62 5BG
Phone Number: 01439 771777
Opening times: Daily 5 pm – 11 pm.
Final Thoughts on Helmsley Spice
This Helsmley Spice review might sound a little negative due to the lateness of our food, but like I said, I have been here many times and it was just a one-off. Helmsley curry house is a lovely place to eat and I am dying to go back!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Helmsley Spice offer takeaway? Yes, Helmsley Spice offers a full takeaway service alongside their restaurant table service. You can call them directly to place an order.
Is Helmsley Spice child-friendly? Yes, they are welcoming to families. However, as it is a relatively small and often busy restaurant, it is best to visit earlier in the evening if you are dining with young children.
Do I need to book a table at Helmsley Spice? While they do take walk-ins if space is available, the restaurant is small and very popular with locals and tourists alike. We strongly recommend booking in advance, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
What is the best dish at Helmsley Spice? The lamb shank is a standout dish that is frequently recommended. Their mint sauce and poppadom dip selection are also highlights of the meal.
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