Surrey’s Culinary Spice Trail offers the best South Asian and Indian dining experiences in North America. Without packing your bags, you can savour delicious vegetarian Bombay Street foods and the exotic spices of Kerala to Nepalese Himalayan dumplings.
One of the driving forces behind Surrey’s gastronomic diversity is its population’s rapid growth, which will soon make it British Columbia’s largest city. As one of the most multi-culturally diverse communities in Metro Vancouver, Surrey has become a top destination for food lovers as it sits along the Canada-USA border.
Above photo: Clove, the Art of Dining
Related story: Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
Surrey’s Culinary Spice Trail showcases the diverse and vibrant flavours of Indian cuisine, with northern dishes such as butter chicken and southern dishes featuring mainly fresh fruits and vegetables.
Nepalese cuisine may be rare in your neighbourhood, but it has a comforting familiarity once you experience it. Inspired by North Indian, Chinese, and Tibetan cuisine, they put their unique ethnic flavour with Himalayan steamed dumplings, making them a favourite among Surrey locals.
I recommend visiting the following restaurants along Surrey’s Culinary Spice Trail for an unforgettable dining experience without leaving home.
Raunaka Indian Cuisine
Raunaka Indian Cuisine offers a delectable vegetarian street food menu bursting with flavour. Typically sold by Indian street vendors, it has an intense flavour from the tiny region of Amritsar, just east of Pakistan in Punjab, India.
Under Chef Sujith, Kerala Kitchen is where you will find the best southern Indian foods, from dosas and immaculate idlis to steamed rice and lentil cakes served with fresh chutneys and hot sambar. Specializing in the regional staples of Kerala, fish, seafood, and coconut cream-based curries are found on the menu.
Kathmandu Bar & Grill
Kathmandu Bar & Grill is where you will discover delightful East Asian dishes with bold South Asian spices. Serving over 30 types of momos, Himalayan dumplings are steamed, deep-fried, and served with chilli, jhol, Nepalese tomato soup, or tandoor-cooked. Add a Nepalese-style chow mien for a tasty Indochine dining experience.
Chacha’s Tandoor & Grill
Chacha’s Tandoor and Grill is the master of the tandoor, sorcerer of spices and crafter of the kabab. Please don’t leave without trying their mouth-watering kalami kabab, the daal makhana or the chicken tikka.
Chaiiwala of London
The Chaiiwala family can trace their beginnings and their closely guarded Karak Chai recipe back 90 years ago to their small tea stall operated by their great-grandfather in the markets of Delhi. Pick up a cup of smooth chai and choose from breakfast plates, street food, and tori dishes for appetites big and small.
One of Surrey’s popular food spots, Apna Chaat, offers authentic Indian street food experiences. Walk up to the counter and enjoy simple, quick, inexpensive, and tasty Golgappas at this famous dining spot simulating the bustling streets of India.
Clove is a warm, friendly restaurant with a modern luxury vibe and a menu inspired by India’s ancient and regional cooking styles. Offering dishes such as Afghani lamb, Murgh Tikka, and Seafood Moilee. Your visit would not be complete without trying one of their collections of Indian-inspired cocktails, each with its own beautiful story.
During my visit, I was hosted by Discover Surrey, BC, but all the opinions expressed in this story are my own.
