• An evening at Marine Spice

There’s a quiet joy to discovering a spot that doesn’t scream for attention but steadily builds a loyal following. Marine Spice, a low-key restaurant along the ever-busy Marine Drive, is exactly that kind of place. With its cheery blue signage and relaxed ambience, it doesn’t try to be trendy or intimidating, it just promises a good meal by the sea. And in many ways, it delivers.

We spent an evening here sampling a variety of dishes from their extensive menu, which covers everything from Sri Lankan comfort food to Chinese classics, Indian favourites, and even a few international surprises. By the end of the night, we found ourselves pleasantly full, slightly sleepy, and already debating what we’d come back for next time.

A cosy welcome

The restaurant’s setup is casual and inviting. It’s not overdesigned; greenery, soft lighting, and an open kitchen area give it a neighbourhood feel. Seating is comfortable, and with the ocean just across the road, the occasional salty breeze makes its way in if you sit near the front. It’s easy to imagine this being your go-to dinner spot after work or a last-minute dinner plan with friends.

We were greeted with smiles and handed menus almost immediately. It’s a thick one, with laminated pages and a dizzying number of options: Seafood, meat, veg, fried rice, noodles, pastas, burgers, Sri Lankan dishes, and desserts. Usually, a menu this large is a red flag, but we took it as a challenge.

Kicking off with familiar favourites

We decided to ease in with two starters: The hot butter cuttlefish (HBC) and the cheese and mushroom spring rolls. The HBC arrived steaming hot and crispy, with just enough batter and a kick of heat that lingered pleasantly without overwhelming the cuttlefish. It wasn’t too greasy, which we appreciated, and the portion was generous, definitely made for sharing.

The spring rolls surprised us. Golden brown, neatly cut, and filled with a gooey, savoury mix of mushroom and cheese, they were comfort food at its best. They came with a mild sweet chilli dip that balanced the richness perfectly. If we had to nitpick, maybe a little more mushroom flavour could have made them pop, but that’s only because we liked them enough to want more.

Mains worth returning for

When it came to the mains, we were spoiled for choice. After much back and forth, we settled on four: Butter chicken with garlic naan, Marine special fried rice, devilled prawns, and black pork curry with roast paan.

Let’s start with the butter chicken. Served in a clay pot and accompanied by hot, pillowy garlic naan, it was a creamy, mildly spiced dish that offered comfort in every bite. The chicken was tender, and the gravy clung beautifully to the naan. It leaned more towards the creamy side than the smoky or tangy profiles we’ve had elsewhere, but that’s not a complaint. It’s the kind of dish that disappears quickly before you realise how much you’ve eaten.

The Marine special fried rice was colourful, with visible bits of seafood, egg, and vegetables. The rice was perfectly cooked – not oily, not dry – and had a subtle umami flavour that didn’t need any extra soy sauce. One of us did detect a faint sweetness in a few bites, which made us pause, but it wasn’t enough to distract from the overall dish. We’d happily order it again.

Now, the devilled prawns. Bright red, glistening, and packed with onions and peppers, this was a classic. The prawns were cooked just right – firm but not rubbery – and the sauce was well-balanced: Spicy, tangy, slightly sweet, but never overwhelming. It paired beautifully with the fried rice and brought a lovely heat to the table.

We also couldn’t resist trying the chicken dum biryani, a dish that arrived with an aromatic flourish, the lid lifted to release a heady mix of saffron, spices, and slow-cooked rice. The chicken was tender and well-marinated, tucked beneath layers of fragrant, fluffy basmati. It came with a cooling raita that balanced the warmth of the spices, and while the portion was hearty enough to share, we found ourselves reaching for more long after we were full. It’s a solid biryani – nothing overly complex, but deeply satisfying.

Drinks and desserts

When it came to our beverage options, we kept it simple: Iced Milo and fresh lime soda. The Milo was thick, nostalgic, and brought back memories of school canteens (in the best way). The lime soda was refreshing, though we’d ask for less sugar next time as it leaned sweeter than we’d expected.

We wrapped up the meal with a slice of chocolate biscuit pudding and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The pudding was dense and chocolatey, just the way we like it, with a satisfying crunch from the Marie biscuits. A drizzle of chocolate sauce on top sealed the deal. It wasn’t fancy, but it was everything a local dessert should be: Nostalgic, satisfying, and hard to share.

Service and atmosphere

Service throughout the night was warm and easy-going. The staff checked in regularly, were quick with suggestions, and didn’t hover, which we appreciated. Our food took a little time to come out, especially the mains, but considering everything is made fresh, we didn’t mind. It gave us time to chat, sip our drinks, and soak in the relaxed vibe.

The restaurant began to fill up as the evening wore on. There were families, couples, groups of friends, all seemingly regulars or people who had heard about the place from someone else. There was laughter, clinking cutlery, and the occasional cheer when a sizzling dish arrived at a nearby table.

Room to grow, but plenty to love

Marine Spice does a lot, and for the most part, it does it well. With such a wide menu, it’s natural that some dishes shine more than others. A few flavour combinations didn’t entirely work for us, and we’d love to see some of the items streamlined in the future. But there’s something earnest and welcoming about the place that made even the small misses feel forgivable.

The portions are generous, the pricing reasonable, and the variety ensures there’s something for everyone, whether you’re craving spice, comfort, or just a filling meal after a long day. It’s not trying to be fancy, and maybe that’s exactly why it works

Would we go back? Absolutely. We’re already planning to return for the crab curry (which we spotted on someone else’s table and immediately regretted not ordering), and maybe to try one of the grilled meat options or the seafood pasta. It feels like the kind of place you could visit several times and still discover something new.

In a city crowded with dining options, Marine Spice offers something simple and underrated: The pleasure of a good meal in a no-pressure setting. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s familiar. It’s filling. And it might just become one of our go-to spots on Marine Drive.