Sydney Restaurants

Spice I Am

#3 of 958 things to do in Sydney

#13 of 9613 things to do in Pacific

6 reviews | Write a review

Good for: food, Solo Travellers, Budget Travellers, Groups, atmosphere

Not good for: atmosphere, service

  • Address
    • 90 Wentworth Ave Surry Hills
  • Transport
    • Central
  • Website
  • Phone
    • 02 9280 0928
  • Price
    • mains $8-26
  • Hours
    • 11.30am-3.30pm & 6-10pm Tue-Sun

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Lonely Planet review for Spice I Am

Once the preserve of expat Thais wanting a taste of home, this little red-hot chilli pepper now has queues out the door. No wonder, as everything we’ve tried from the 70-plus affordable dishes on the menu is superfragrant and superspicy. BYO and no corkage!

 

Traveller reviews for Spice I Am (6)

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    possibly Australia's best Thai food

    vivekw recommends this,

    Fine - the waitstaff are sometimes surly, the seating is cramped and the prices are going up. It's still worth it. This is incredible food, worthy of Thailand's streets. They don't skimp on the chili and fresh flavors. The pork belly and prawn salads are just spectacular. Nothing is bad.

    Good for: Everyone!

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    PHAT - pretty hot and tasty.

    dmcclurg recommends this,

    Green mango salad, baby eggplant and crispy crispy duck. Best thai i've eaten in Australia. Super fresh and fragrant dishes with the right amount of HOT!

    It's busy so you might have to wait or you could pop into the hollywood hotel (2 Foster St, Surry Hills) just up the road for a beer.

    Good for: atmosphere, cheap eats, vibe, Thai food, spice

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    Perhaps it is better to takeaway

    kinetic79 recommends this,

    Spice I am - Serves up some of the most delicious Thai I have found in Sydney, however, as a venue it also stirs mixed feeling with me. This very popular restaurant rely's upon its skilled chefs, because for the most part that is all it has going for it. Sadly, the venue, location and attitude of the staff leave a lot to be desired.

    There is always line up to get a seat, and the wait can be quite long. Many a time I have opted to move on to another nearby venue. I would not dare try and go with a group any larger than 4 people. This cute but tiny restaurant cramps its dinners in and hosts a 'Get in, Get Out' attitude which is quite obviously reinforced by its bordering on rude wait staff, highly trained in making you feel uncomfortable until you decide to leave. The service is very fast (once you have a seat) so do not bother with bringing a bottle of wine or conversation because you simply won’t have the time. If they could feed you through funnels I am sure they would.

    With the food being this venues star quality, perhaps its better to do takeaway and go somewhere nice where you can actually take the time to enjoy it.

    Good for: food, Solo Travellers

    Not good for: atmosphere, service

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    So what are we waiting for??

    kk77 recommends this,

    ...a hearty good feed of thai goodness!! I just love love love this place but i hate hate hate the wait. It's a guaranteed part of the experience, so bring a book or some good gossip.

    Food is plentiful and very well priced. Service is fast, it's another one of those order, eat and get out type of restaurant.

    The food is so tasty. I don't have a recommendation because everything is just delicious...I suggest you try it for youself and decide.

    Good for: atmosphere, food, Budget Travellers, Groups, Solo Travellers, service, Families

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    insanely good Thai

    djebru recommends this,

    This is my favourite Thai place in Australia. I have some Thai 'index dishes' - pad thai and green chicken curry - and this place scores high on both counts. But the specials are where it's at - pork belly with Thai basil is a favourite, and the green papaya salad is awesome too. Expect to queue - it's popular - and make sure you're dressed for the weather on cool nights in case you can only get an outside table (it's worth it, no matter how cold it is).

    Good for: food, Budget Travellers, Groups, Solo Travellers, Families

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    Pork belly deliciousness

    katmar33 recommends this,

    So here's what I recommend you do:
    - have a couple of beers (they call them schooners in Sydney) at the Hollywood hotel around the corner from Spice I am.
    - grab a table at Spice and order at least 2 pork belly dishes
    - sit back and enjoy some of the tastiest Thai food you will eat in Australia.

    Don' be put off by the location (handy to the train!) or bright busting Sydney eatery style. The service is efficient and the meals excellent. Though be warned, this food is spicy by name and spicy by nature.

    You can check out their site at http://www.spiceiam.com

    Good for: Romance, food, Budget Travellers, Groups, Solo Travellers

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