Planet Spice

About Planet Spice

Planet Spice is a fully licensed Indian restaurant on Riddiford Street in Newtown, Wellington, just a short distance from Wellington Hospital and around a 10 minute drive from the city centre. Established in 1997 by husband and wife Govind and Hasu Patel, it was Newtown's first Indian restaurant, built on the popularity of Hasu's home-cooked curries after the couple first ran a takeaway on the same site.

The kitchen is run by chefs from India who combine fresh produce with home-ground spices, cooking each meal to order using a traditional clay tandoori oven and recipes passed down since the restaurant's founding. The menu covers classic curries such as Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh alongside changing specials like Kerala Duck and Tandoori Green Chilli Chicken.

Still a family run business today, Planet Spice has been recognised by Wellington food critics including David Burton and Rev Des Britton, and was voted one of the top two Indian restaurants in Wellington in the 2012 Capital Times best-of poll. The restaurant seats up to 75 people, making it suited to both large groups and smaller parties, and also offers takeaway and home delivery for those who prefer to eat at home.

Planet Spice: Newtown's Original Indian Restaurant in Wellington

On Riddiford Street in Newtown, just down the road from Wellington Hospital and a short drive from the city centre, Planet Spice has been serving Indian food since 1997. It was the suburb's first Indian restaurant, opened by husband and wife Govind and Hasu Patel after they discovered that Hasu's home-cooked curries were the standout item at the takeaway they were already running on the same site.

A Family Story

Govind and Hasu Patel already had a background in business when they moved into hospitality, and it was there that their passion for food took hold. When demand for Hasu's curries grew too big for a takeaway counter, the couple made the decision in 1997 to turn the business into a full restaurant. A traditional clay tandoori oven was installed and professional chefs were brought in from India to help develop and carry on the recipes — many of which, the restaurant says, are still used today. Planet Spice remains a family run business to this day.

What They're Known For

The kitchen's approach blends classic curries — Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh among them — with a rotating list of specials such as Kerala Duck and Tandoori Green Chilli Chicken, giving regulars a reason to keep coming back. Every meal is cooked to order using fresh produce and home-ground spices, prepared by chefs trained in India.

Drinks get the same attention as the food, with a full bar list covering spirits, a range of NZ and international beers and craft IPAs, an extensive wine list by the glass or bottle, and Indian-style lassis in mango, salt and sweet varieties. The Bhang Lassi — a cocktail built on the restaurant's own mango lassi — is a distinctive house specialty, alongside classic cocktails like the Blue Lagoon and Pineapple Lime Punch. On cold nights, Mulled Wine is served warm with orange peel, star anise and cinnamon.

Recognition and Reputation

Over the years Planet Spice has picked up praise from local food critics, including David Burton, who described the menu as "exciting and different", and Rev Des Britton, who called it "this unpretentious little mecca" that turned sceptics of Indian cooking into converts. In 2012, the restaurant was voted one of the top two Indian restaurants in Wellington in the Capital Times best-of poll.

The Experience

Planet Spice is fully licensed and seats up to 75 people, making it a practical choice for large groups as well as smaller parties. The restaurant describes its atmosphere as relaxed and vibrant, backed by friendly and knowledgeable staff. For those who'd rather eat at home, takeaway and home delivery are also available.

Visiting Planet Spice

Lunch runs Monday to Friday from 11:30am to 2:30pm, and dinner is served seven days a week from 5pm, with later closing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The restaurant is located at 128 Riddiford Street, Newtown, and can be reached by phone or email to book a table, especially for larger groups.

Signature items

• Butter Chicken
• Rogan Josh
• Kerala Duck
• Tandoori Green Chilli Chicken
• Mango Lassi
• Bhang Lassi

Menu

Tea

• Chai — Masala tea
• English Breakfast — Black tea
• Earl Grey — Black tea with bergamot
• Green Tea — Green tea
• Peppermint Tea — Herbal tea
• Long Black — Black coffee

Beer

• Kingfisher — 330ml Indian lager
• Steinlager Light — NZ lager
• Asahi — Japanese lager
• Heineken — Dutch lager
• Corona Extra — Mexican lager
• Monteiths Apple Cider — NZ apple cider
• Emerson's Pilsner — 330ml NZ pilsner
• Heineken 0.0% — Non-alcoholic lager
• Tiger — Singaporean lager
• Garage Project Garagista IPA — 5.8% NZ craft IPA
• Parrot Dog Bitter Bitch IPA — 5.8% NZ craft IPA
• DVB Red Rascal Red IPA — 6.3% NZ craft red IPA
• The Wellingtonian NZ IPA APA — 6% Wellington craft beer
• Kingfisher 500ml Can — 7.2% Indian lager
• Kingfisher 650ml — 7.2% Indian lager

Rose

• Thornbury Hawkes Bay Rose — Merlot-dominated blend with floral red fruit and spice aromas
• Villa Maria Rose — Strawberry and raspberry aromatics with a crisp, refreshing finish

Spirits

• Jim Beam — Bourbon
• Johnie Walker Red Label — Whiskey
• Johnie Walker Black Label — Whiskey
• Canadian Club — Whiskey
• Glenfiddich — Single malt whiskey
• Coruba — Rum
• Chatelle Napolean — Brandy
• Bombay Sapphire — Gin
• Absolute — Vodka
• Bacardi — White rum

Red Wine

• Montana Pinot Noir — Fruit driven with savoury tannins and bright fruit flavours
• Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Pinot Noir — Ripe cherry and dark plum with savoury oak and spice
• Huntaway Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir — Vibrant fruit aromas with ripe cherry and plum flavours
• Taylor Shiraz — Soft and fleshy with juicy red berry, plum and subtle chocolate notes
• Brown Brothers Victoria Shiraz — Medium-bodied with red berry, dried herb and pepper aromas
• Esk Valley Gimblett Gravels Merlot Cabernet — Full bodied blend of dark fruits and subtle oak

Cocktails

• Bhang Lassi — Flavoured liqueur mixed with Planet Spice's mango lassi
• Blue Lagoon — Vodka, blue curacao, lemonade, lime juice and sliced lemon
• Pineapple Lime Punch — Vodka, pineapple juice, lemonade, lime juice and sliced lemon

Mocktails

• Lemon Lime Bitters — Lemonade, lime cordial, aromatic bitters and sliced lemon
• Blue Lagoon (Mocktail) — Blue curacao, lemonade, lime juice and sliced lemon
• Pineapple Lime Punch (Mocktail) — Pineapple juice, lime juice, lemonade and sliced lemon

White Wine

• Montana Sauvignon Blanc — Ripe capsicum and gooseberry with tropical fruit flavours
• Vidal Estate Marlborough — Organically grown, with citrus and passionfruit aromas
• Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc — Intense Marlborough sauvignon with gooseberry, passionfruit and citrus
• Spy Valley Marlborough — Rich and ripe with sweet fruit flavours and a dry finish
• Montana Chardonnay — Stone fruit and pineapple flavours with a creamy palate
• Jacob's Creek Chardonnay — Creamy texture with stone fruit, melon and grapefruit aromas
• Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Chardonnay — Ripe stonefruit with a creamy, nutty, oaked texture
• Montana Pinot Gris — Fleshy and ripe with pear and a hint of sweet spice
• Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Pinot Gris — Spicy pear and green apple aromas, soft and rich
• Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Gewurztraminer — Rose petal and Turkish delight aromas, mouth-filling and balanced
• Main Divide Waipara Riesling — Lighter Canterbury riesling with crisp acidity, apple and apricot

Soft Drinks

• Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Diet Coke, Coke Zero — Soft drink options
• Bundaberg Ginger Beer — Bottled ginger beer
• Coke or Sprite with Raspberry — Soft drink with raspberry syrup
• Juice — Apple, orange, tomato or pineapple juice
• Mango Lassi — Lightly spiced Indian yoghurt and mango drink
• Salt Lassi — Lightly spiced and salted Indian yoghurt drink
• Sweet Lassi — Lightly spiced Indian yoghurt drink
• Sparkling Water — Sparkling water

Sparkling Wine

• Jacob's Creek Moscato Rose — Light and refreshing with red summer berry flavours and fine bubbles
• Lindauer Brut Cuvee — 200ml NZ methode traditionelle, light and golden with fresh fruit flavours

Curries & Specials

• Butter Chicken — Classic curry, one of the restaurant's most popular dishes
• Rogan Josh — Classic Indian curry
• Kerala Duck — Changing special from the kitchen
• Tandoori Green Chilli Chicken — Changing special cooked in the tandoori oven

Cold Weather Treats

• Mulled Wine — Warm wine garnished with orange or lemon peel, star anise and a cinnamon stick

Frequently asked questions

What are Planet Spice's opening hours?

Lunch is Monday to Friday, 11:30am-2:30pm. Dinner runs 7 days from 5pm, closing at 10pm most nights and 10:30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Is Planet Spice licensed?

Yes, it is a fully licensed restaurant.

Does Planet Spice offer takeaway or delivery?

Yes, the restaurant offers both takeaway and home delivery alongside dine-in service.

How many people can Planet Spice seat?

The restaurant can seat up to 75 people, suiting both large groups and smaller parties.

How long has Planet Spice been open?

It was established in 1997 by Govind and Hasu Patel, making it Newtown's first Indian restaurant.

What are the signature dishes?

Classic curries like Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh, plus changing specials such as Kerala Duck and Tandoori Green Chilli Chicken.

How do I make a reservation?

Call 04 389 8345 or email hello@planetspice.co.nz.

Tips

• {"body":"A house cocktail built on Planet Spice's own mango lassi — a distinctive way to start a meal.","title":"Try the Bhang Lassi"}
• {"body":"Dishes like Kerala Duck and Tandoori Green Chilli Chicken rotate on the menu alongside the classic curries.","title":"Ask about the specials"}
• {"body":"The restaurant seats up to 75, so it's worth booking in advance for larger parties.","title":"Book ahead for groups"}
• {"body":"Dinner runs until 10pm most nights but stays open until 10:30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.","title":"Check the later closing nights"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Seats up to 75 — suited to large groups as well as smaller parties"}