Marine Spice | Restaurant Review

In case you’re craving some spicy Middle Eastern bites by the sea 

We headed on over to Marine Spice, just eight months after they opened, to see if it still sizzled. The food was top-notch, just as we remembered, letting us explore a variety of cuisines from all over the world. Their menu featured crowd-favourite dishes from Indian, Mongolian, and Malaysian cuisine, although we had our eyes on their new Middle Eastern offerings. 

Located along Marine Drive, the restaurant offers a pleasant dining experience with a diverse menu and a sea view to boot. While the ambience could hugely benefit from better maintenance, the quality of the food more than makes up for it.

Let’s dig in!

APPETISERS

Golden Crispy Panko Prawns — LKR 2,490 (5/5)

These prawns stand out among the appetisers. They are juicy, large, and coated in crispy panko crumbs, served with a mayo-ketchup dip. The side of coleslaw adds a fresh, crunchy element to the dish.

Beef Kofta — LKR 2,390 (5/5)

This dish is firm, chewy, and heavily spiced, ideal for those who enjoy bold flavours. It’s savoury, tangy, and peppery. While it’s good on its own, pairing it with naan can help balance the flavours.

SIDES

Chicken Tikka — LKR 1,690 (5/5)

Charred just right, this chicken tikka is both meaty and flavourful. It’s seasoned with a good balance of salt and spice, and pairs beautifully with garlic naan and smoky rice. A straightforward dish, it’s well-executed and a solid choice for those who enjoy meat.

Chinese Full Fish — LKR 4,490 (3.5/5)

This dish features a large garoupa with sweet, soft meat, served with mayo, ketchup and coleslaw. Definitely a dish that needs to be shared; we recommend two, but the more, the merrier.  It’s a great choice for those who enjoy sweet fish, but be prepared for a strong fishy taste. 

Shish Tawook — LKR 3,240 (5/5)

Being a traditional Lebanese marinated chicken shish kebab, this dish is smoky, well-seasoned, and meaty with a pronounced charred flavour. It’s served with fries and roti topped with coriander. While the fries might be slightly underseasoned, the homemade, herby, and spicy sauce adds a nice touch.

Mushrooms Curry — LKR 1,200 (5/5)

Milky, creamy, and well-spiced, this mushroom curry is addictive from the first bite. With hints of coconut and rich seasoning, it’s savoury and comforting. A perfect pairing for naan.

MAINS

Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani — LKR 1,940 (5/5)

This biryani is rich with ghee, raisins, and tender chicken pieces, topped with a boiled egg and naan, all served in a charming aluminium bowl. Savoury, creamy, and delectable, it’s made even better by fresh mint and raita sauces. Ideal for sharing.

Smoky Rice — LKR 1,540 (5/5)

This herby, savoury smoky rice is another new gem on their menu. Served with tender, well-seasoned chicken, and a rich, sweet, and sour curry sauce, it’s perfectly balanced and satisfying. Shareable between two, it’s a dish that delivers on flavour.

Bacon Crispy Big Burger — LKR 2,490 (5/5)

The ultimate one bite challenge. This burger, aptly nicknamed the “tower burger,” lives up to its name with its towering height. It features two large pieces of fried chicken, ham, cheese slices, a fried egg, onion, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, mayo, and ketchup, all stacked between soft buns. 

Mongolian Paneer Nasi Goreng — LKR 2,290 (5/5)

Marine Spice promised cuisine from all over the world, and they definitely delivered. An Indonesian classic, the Nasi Goreng comes topped with paneer and a fried egg. They give their Mongolian twist to the paneer, which is smokey and tangy on its own. The rice has a sweet and savoury balance, complemented by a garlic-oil sauce. Though non-shareable, it’s a large portion and comes with chilli paste and prawn crackers, making it a good value for the price. I had to take the leftovers home.

Garlic Naan (2 pc) — LKR 370 (5/5)

These soft and slightly chewy rotis arrive in a charming little basket. The roti is not a garlic punch in your face, but has a rather gentle garlic flavour that makes it appetising. Pair it with a mushroom curry and you’re in for a treat. 

Chicken Shawarma — LKR 1,400 (4/5)

This crispy wrap is filled to the brim with chicken and coleslaw, and has a slightly sweet and sour taste with a hint of pepper. While not shareable, it has a substantial portion and pairs well with a Blackcurrant Mojito.

Paneer Shawarma — LKR 1,650 (4/5)

Generously filled with soft paneer and coleslaw, topped with fresh coriander, this crispy wrap has a delicately sweet and peppery flavour. The mayo and ketchup dip add a nice touch, making it a satisfying single-serving meal.

DRINKS

Blackcurrant Mojito — LKR 870 (5/5)

Sweet, tart, and with a hint of spice, this refreshing drink is bold and delicious—a perfect choice on a hot day. 

Bombay Falooda — LKR 890 (5/5)

A glass of pure indulgence. This drink is rich and creamy, with vanilla ice cream and fragrant sherbet syrup. Basil seeds and dried fruit add depth, making it a treat for those who enjoy the sweetest of flavours.

Lime with Mint — LKR 870 (4/5)

Though a bit sugary and not bursting with lime and mint, it goes down well. A decent choice when you need something refreshing and doesn’t fail to pair well with any dish. 

Strawberry Mojito — LKR 870 (3.5/5)

Not as strawberry-forward as you might hope, but it’s still sweet and refreshing. A decent option if you’re in the mood for something fruity.

Iced Milo — LKR 790 (5/5)

Iced Milo is like that reliable old friend who never disappoints. Thick, rich, and icy, it delivers nostalgic chocolatey goodness in a cool, refreshing way. 

Iced Coffee — LKR 990 (4/5)

It is your standard ice coffee – not groundbreaking, but reliably good with a strong coffee flavour and balanced sweetness. It’s a reliable pick-me-up and went well with our appetisers. 

AMBIENCE

With its Middle Eastern vibes, gold walls and blue furniture, Marine Spice is pretty elegant with its interior and colour palette. It is also loveliest at night. The servers are friendly and helpful, adding a touch of warmth to this comfortable setting.