Dual Specialty Store
“From incense, to exotic spices, to Hindi music, to fresh young coconuts (cut open, and with a straw upon request).”
“They have tons of spices, flours, grains, oil essences and other items I wouldn't know how to use.”
“You can ask the cashier for recipes for some of the spice mixes and other items here.”
Dual Specialty Store
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Inexpensive
8 reviews
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This place is truly phenomenal. You can find pretty much any herb, nut or spice you're looking for. There is a large selection of Indian specialty foods and spices but they have spices from literally everywhere. If they don't have it, they can probably get it. And the prices are great. This place is a must-visit for any NYer.
I was excited to check out the spice shop on my recent trip to New York City and it didn't disappoint. They have earned their current 4.5 star review. The selection at this place is unbelievable. I wish I had a spice store like this in San Diego. We barely scratched the surface as we didn't have all day to look around. I couldn't believe all the options and specialty items. I guess that is why they are called dual specialty! They have a ton of blends, which we got a handful of to try. The labels have a nice description of the spices and recommended uses. I can't imagine there are many items that you would need for a recipe that this place wouldn't have. If you live near this spice shop you are very lucky! This is a must stop if you are a tourist that is interested in Indian cooking.
Awesome variety of herbs, spices, nuts, grains, teas and other goodies.
I'm not sure there isn't something they don't have. (If that makes any sense).
I've bought tea as gifts for family from here, and tea for myself. They have a great selection of loose tea.
Indian food is probably one of my favorite foods, and when I first went to Dual it was after eating upstairs at Sigiri (Sri Lankan restaurant upstairs). I don't remember when but at some point in my life I've had "bombay mix" or chiwda, an Indian snack mix. Dual has a bunch of different options of these mixes. I've tried most of them, one always gets me to go back the Panchrattan from Haldiram, it offers a little bit of every flavor from sweet to spicy all in one savory mix.
When I visit I usually get lost in all that is offered. Many things I've never heard of or have seen in person before. It's like a food/spice museum, except you can touch and buy to enjoy for yourself.
Some of the other items being offered are soaps, chocolates, incense, frozen Indian food, drinks, religious items, Ghost peppers (very HOT, I've heard) and many many other delights.
Another plus is they are open late.
Stop on in and check them out.
This place is indeed spice heaven. A great spot for hard to find spices. I managed to locate Aleppo pepper flakes, and, on a whim, some marsala naan. Also, the store smells heavenly and the staff is really friendly.
This is a wonderful store and should be your source for beer in the East Village.Years ago I got the New Glarus Cherry here- the only place I've ever seen it.There are a lot of BYOB places in the area and this is a must stop.But that only skims the surface of the store.It has a wide range of spices, herbs and nuts.Get the raw cashews and the Tunisian dates!I also bought the Ayuervedic pain cream here once and it was pretty good.Yesterday bought fenugreek and Lebanese olive oil. This is a legitimate destination store and is in walking distance from Economy Candy, Russ and Daughters,Yonnah Schimmel , DBA , Anthology Film Archives, Sunshine Cinema and a plethora of restaurants.Sigiri is upstairs .Get a table and get some beer.
The best place in the entire world. Okay, a little bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. The freshest, best, and most diverse spice market in New York, and so much better than places like Dean and Deluca or Whole Foods where you pay so much more for so much less… Here you can find things like various organic Indian spices, pink peppercorns, vanilla beans, forbidden black rice, and young coconuts that they will hack the top off of for you so you can drink the coconut water. Try it, it's awesome!
I LOVE this store. If you need any spice, grain, herb, or natural remedy look no further. The guy who runs this place has it all. They're open late so if you're drunk and you realize you ran out of fresh tamarind then you know where you need to go.
They also have freshly made Mango Lasi in the fridge, which I get every single time.
This is the only place I've seen that sells fresh kieffer lime leaves.
They literally have everything from the most common/generic to the most obscure. I recently moved away from the city, so I desperately miss this place!
I'm so glad I got two packets of the Piri Piri spice. It's a blend of everything from paprika and pepper to cardamom and cinnamon to ginger and tumeric to garlic and onion. It is the perfect savory sweet spice. My soups, a dressing, and a few grilled baby eggplants were magically turned into fantastic versions of their previous selves. Cumin, cardamon, and ginger can just take your food so far, the addition of all the other spices transports your food to a higher plain of excellence. Oh, and it makes your abode smell fantastic.
I also got a few more items such as a peppery blend and a bag of Galangal (amazing mixed with fresh ginger and made into a tea), but the Piri Piri is my favorite so far.
I know. I've only mentioned a couple of items in Dual's vast array of spice bags. Good luck narrowing down to just a few. I'd gone through one wall of spices, only to reach the back and discover all of the bags of medicinal herbs (where I found the Galangal). Everything is reasonably priced, so it's really hard to narrow down.
As I was taking this home (a few were gifts, later they just became gifts for Gretchen), I didn't bother with the other aisles. I'm from Houston (lots of South Asian grocery stores), so I overlooked everything else.