The Spice Trail prides itself on being the first spice shop on the Gold Coast, established in 1999 by Parvin Balsara and her daughters Ava and Spenta. It provides all things Indian, Persian, Sri Lankan and Pakistani. I first visited this shop when it was located in Chirn Park, and have followed it to its present site hidden away in a little shopping centre in Keebra Park.
The store is packed full of grocery items: at least fifteen different types of basmati rice in 20kg bags as well as other specialist rices; dahl and legumes; a large range of pickles, chutneys, marinades, pastes and ready to serve simmer sauces, including hard to source items such as rose petals, golab and exotic Persian sweets.
In the freezers you’ll find Indian breads to accompany your curries, dosas, chapattis, paratha breads, spring rolls and samosas. You can also buy frozen Indian vegetables and freshly frozen goat’s meat.
There’s also an interesting assortment of Indian statues, Bollywood DVDs and music, sarongs and saris, books on yoga, Ayerverda health products and a huge range of variously scented incense for sale.
It’s worth seeking out this little shop for The Spice Trail’s own chai tea mix, or their fragrant range of freshly ground spices and readymade curry blends, such as harissa, butter chicken, korma, rogan josh, vindaloo or Bombay curry mix. Pick up some homemade desserts or mango kulfi on your way out to finish off your meal. Backed up by the recipes on the website, your curry making will be a guaranteed success.
15 Myall St., Southport, Queensland 4215 Ph: 07 5528 5522
Open: Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm Sat 10am – 5pm