The Blue Eyed Maid and Spice Lounge, SE1

Ok curry lovers of Britain, brace yourselves for a new wave of curry houses like the Blue Eyed Maid Pub and Spice Lounge near London Bridge. Welcome to the traditional British pub with linked Indian restaurant. We are not talking a pub with restaurant next door, we are talking two fully integrated businesses working together.

It’s a great idea and although not the first time I’ve come across it, it’s perhaps surprising there are not more of these curry houses cum pubs. All the pleasures of a good old British pub with the greatest food on earth at the same time.

In this case the Blue Eyed Maid is the pub downstairs (with sports on TV, DJs and late bar) while the Spice Lounge is a smallish area upstairs serving Indian food (the same food can also be ordered in the pub).

There is an à la carte menu with all the old school favourites (Chicken Dupiaza £6.50, Lamb Biriani £7.95, Pilau rice £2.25) but the venue has a particularly good following for its lunchtime buffet, which is not surprising as the selection of dishes (which changes daily) costs just £5. The venue is also popular for private parties (buffet was just £10 for a recent visit).

It’s good. Keep your eyes open for a new wave of more of these curry house pubs.

Spice Lounge, 173 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1HR. Tel: 020 7378 8585. Open: Sat–Thurs 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-midnight, Fri noon-1am.

Spice Lounge snapshot

Food ① ② ③

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Value ① ② ③ ④ ⑤

Atmosphere (private party) ① ② ③ ④ ⑤

Service and friendliness ① ② ③ ④