Review: Spiced Roots

The Bitten crew were lucky enough to have the team social at Spiced Roots on Cowley Road this month, and boy do we have a lot to say about this place!

Tete and the team were a joy to have around, giving us recommendations and stories behind recipes and rum from the moment we stepped inside. We really felt like we’d stepped off of Cowley Road and right into a holiday – the relaxed atmosphere and charming staff are great. (It also helps that the walls are covered in beach scenes – pure escapism!)

We were served a mix of all the favourite dishes, from octopus and pineapple salad (personal fave), jerk chicken, braised oxtail and a plethora of tasty things in between – as well as a range of delicious desserts.

The team have also introduced a game for diners to play at the table, you’ll find a decorated bowl on your table with dice inside and a set of cards – each number combination matches a card number which has a forfeit or quiz question on it – mostly to do with the restaurant’s roots. It was such a fun thing to do as we waited for our food and sipped on our cocktails, even if it did highlight our lack of geographical knowledge!

Now onto the food! As it was a Bitten social, we’re all chipping in here, so see below for snippets of what each of us thought…

Holly

This was my second visit to Spiced Roots in the last few months, and I was so excited to go back, mainly for the Mac and Cheese. I never normally order Mac and Cheese, but I’d been literally dreaming about it since my first visit. It’s the perfect texture: super cheesy, crispy on top – divine!

I also really enjoyed the Salt Fish Croquettes, which I didn’t try the first time. They were super crispy on the outside with a fluffy potato and fish filling – just the right balance of flavour, really delicious.

I was equally excited to revisit the rum cake with rum and raisin ice cream, and it delivered the same punch as before, boozy, rum-soaked raisins and a soft, spongy cake. A perfect finish to another fantastic meal.

The service here is just so warm, friendly, and fun, and the soundtrack and ambience immediately take all of life’s troubles away.

Nicola

This is my third visit, and as always, the bold flavours in all of the dishes never fail to disappoint me. The Oxtail was my absolute favourite – I’m still thinking about it.

You can’t go wrong with their banana bread, which is served with the coconut ice cream. The best part of the visit was the staff – always so friendly and radiating good vibes.

Liz

I’ve been a regular at Spiced Roots since they opened and I’m thrilled that they are now better than ever. The slow-braised oxtail was everything: rich, hearty, and intensely luxurious. I’d say you couldn’t beat it, but add a side of the mac n cheese, and you can take it to the next level. Bliss!

Faith

I doubt I’ll be the only one to say this but the standout dish for me was the oxtail stew. It was so rich and delicious, and the meat fell off the bone. I could have happily eaten many more bowls if I wasn’t already dangerously full! I’ll definitely be back to try it again, maybe in the winter months when I need something hearty.

Another favourite was the smoked baigan (aubergine) and tomato choka starter, served with toasted bara. I love anything with a smokey flavour, and this dip was subtle but very tasty.

As for the drinks, I think it would be hard to beat the rum punch. It was strong but had a great balance of fruity flavours. Straight up delicious and perfect for a summer’s eve! I also really enjoyed the sorel as a non-alcoholic option – it’s great to have something more interesting than the normal range of soft drinks (plus it looks very pretty as an added bonus).

I’d also like to shout out the fantastic staff who were so friendly and welcoming, as well very generous in sharing their knowledge of the food!

James

I can’t believe this was my first visit. I’ve always heard about the restaurant, but just not had the chance to pop in.

I think we were all just about in agreement that one of our favourites was the Oxtail, the way it melted in your mouth and had the sauce having such a deep, rich flavour was amazing. The pieces of yellow pepper gave the dish a great freshness as well.

Another stand out dish for me was the octopus salad that was cooked perfectly and had a real sweetness to it, definitely something I will be having again! I am already looking forward to going back, as I need to try the glazed lamb chops!

I think it’s safe to say – the team definitely all loved the oxtail dish – which I can’t disagree with, it was cracking.

To summarise, the food at Spiced Roots is incredibly tasty, with a huge variety of options and some fresh, delicious side dishes to complement the heavier meat dishes. The staff are SO warm, friendly, and super knowledgable, and it really is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle outside. I can totally see how it’s been open for 10+ years! A great spot for date night or catching up with a pal, but even better for a group meal or celebration, I think this is where the place really comes alive.

I’m already planning my next visit!