Kelvedon Spice in Essex may have only opened two years ago-but its roots lay in a single family’s deep love of the hospitality industry that stretches back for decades.
Owner Lucas explains: “My family ran a restaurant in nearby Coggeshall for a number of years -so I grew up loving the atmosphere that’s created by a place where people not only come to eat, but is also a focal point for the whole local community.
“That gave me this deep desire to recreate that same buzz of excitement. A traditional restaurant where people feel at home – but introducing subtle modern twists reflecting the next generation of dining.
“In short I wanted a place that blended authentic Indian and Bangladeshi flavours with modern presentation and ambience. “He adds: “Kelvedon in the heart of Essex, with its beautiful High Street and close-knit community, felt like the perfect place to bring this vision to life.”
It’s an ambition that is definitely bearing fruit. Since opening, business has grown by over 60% year-on-year, with incredible support from a loyal customer base, not just locally but also from diners in surrounding towns like Witham, Tiptree, and Silver End.
Lucas explains: “Because we opened post-pandemic, we were very aware of how the dining landscape had changed. People were more selective about where they chose to eat – they wanted value, consistency, and warmth.
“So we focused on just that. During quieter periods, we built trust through reliable takeaway services, constant communication with customers on social media, and by being actively involved in community projects.
“Rather than trying to ‘bounce back’ after Covid, our approach was to build forward – listening to feedback, evolving our menu, and offering experiences that go beyond just dining.
“Today, our repeat guests make up a huge percentage of our bookings, which is the biggest compliment any restaurateur can receive.”
We tested out Lucas’s recipe for success by sampling a mix of classic and modern dishes, when we visited on a sleepy early Essex evening, to be surprised by the throng of customers present at a normally quiet midweek service.
Sticking to the modern versus classic dish theme, we started with a mix of a Samosa Chat – described as a ‘lip-smacking’ smashed samosa served with chickpeas, tamarind chutney and yoghurt – as well as a Broccoli Tikka, again marinated in herbs and spices and cooked in a tandoori oven.
When it came to the mains, the Chef’s Specialities section of the menu was a treasure trove of imaginative modern dishes, from an amazing Special Curry boasting prawns, lamb and chicken – while the Wrap and Roll section also offered some fresh takes on a wide range of wraps
For diners keen on more traditional fare, there’s even an All Time Favourites menu, offering a wide range of Baltis, Bhunas and Biryanis.
Mixing modern and classic dishes in this way is certainly paying dividends-with the restaurant winning a prestigious Editors Choice Award in the 2025 Curry Life Awards, while also being voted Regional Restaurant of the Year 2025 (Essex Region) at the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards.
On top of that, the restaurant was also voted among the top 10% of eateries worldwide on TripAdvisor -and received a Recommendation Badge from Restaurant Guru, which boasts over 30 million monthly users.
Lucas sums up: “Each of these recognitions is a reflection of the incredible teamwork and community support that fuels everything we do.
“What makes Kelvedon Spice truly unique is its place at the heart of the community. We’re not just a restaurant — we’re a part of the local fabric.
“From donating vouchers to schools and local raffles, to hosting live music evenings that bring people together, we always look for ways to give something back to the local area.”
“At Kelvedon Spice, we don’t just serve food,” he adds, “we serve experiences, conversations, and connections. Every dish tells a story of tradition, culture, and the passion that goes into creating it.” l
Kelvedon Spice
98 High Street
Kelvedon
Colchester, CO5 9AA
Tel: 01376 571081
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