Taste the world with chef Blake Thornley

A modern dining experience inspired by Bali.

At Spice by Blake, formerly restaurant Ají, authentic Balinese flavours and sophisticated French techniques come together in dishes that invite sharing and discovery. From lunch to dinner, bites to cocktails: enjoy distinct flavours and good conversation in a relaxed, stylish setting, in the heart of Rotterdam.

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About Spice by Blake

A culinary journey along the Spice route

Spice by Blake is a modern dining experience in the heart of Rotterdam, developed by Masterchef Blake Thornley (Mozaic, Ubud). Inspired by the ancient Spice Route, we bring the essence of Balinese cuisine to the present: distinct flavours, aromatic spices and contemporary techniques, with dishes that invite you to explore together.

The menu features snacks, sharing plates and signature dishes built around balance, depth and quality. The atmosphere is casual sophistication: sophisticated but relaxed. A place for shared dining, early nights and lively, stylish evenings where flavour and conversation take centre stage.

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The food was exquisite and progressive. Delicious dishes thrill the palate. Good ambience, excellent staff. Excellent experience. Thoroughly enjoyed!!!

A culinary journey full of surprise and sophistication The atmosphere was warm, stylish and inviting, but it was mainly the dishes that made this experience unforgettable. Each plate served was a small work of art not only beautiful to look at, but also an explosion of flavours that were perfectly balanced. The chef's daring experimentation with unexpected combinations resulted in true taste sensations. Think velvety textures combined with fresh accents, subtle smoky notes alongside sparkling acids, and aromas that linger for a long time. Each dish tells a story, and you sense that the cooking has been done with love as well as guts. The service is professional, passionate and knows exactly how to take the experience to the next level. this restaurant offers a spectacle for all senses. Perfect for those who love creativity, refinement and culinary moments that will stay with you for a long time.

Delicious Asian-Hollandi-French dishes with a nod to Indonesia. Sophisticated flavours, well balanced and never boring. Personal recommendations; tuna 3 different ways, the sea wolf, Rendang and basically all the desserts. The sticky toffee pudding and the pata negra ice cream dish are especially good!

Aji on Baii! Been walking around too long to eat here, finally did and no regrets, 2 course share dinner is more than enough, the taste is Bali, and so is the ambience, staff super. We will go back and recommend 1 hot dish with the first course.

Very nice menu, wine matching the chefs menu, nice tasty flavour combinations. Very much worth a visit.

Menus

Take a seat and be taken away by flavours that surprise and stories that connect. Whether you choose a table inside or enjoy the light and vibrancy outside, Spice by Blake is all about being together and conscious tasting.

Whether you come for an intimate dinner or an evening of discovery and conversation, enjoyment is key here. A place where dishes invite sharing, where flavours take you on a journey and where moments arise that stay with you.

Lunch Appetisers Hot dishes Side dishes Desserts Bites Skewers Feed Me Menu

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Lunch

Eggs Benedict Balinaise £14.50

eggs | hollandaise sauce | avocado
Pata Negra +2 | Smoked Salmon +1

Tuna Melt 15

Balinese spices | pickles | herb salad

Steak tartare 20

Chips of bread

Rendang Chip 21

gherkins | almond crumble | mesclun

Pork belly bao buns, 2 pieces, £17.50

gherkins | herb salad |
Even base mayo

Bao bun Tempeh 2 pc 16.5

Herb salad | spring onion | emulsion

Spice Salad 15

nut crumble | spice dressing | mesclun
Seasonal vegetables

Lunch Special

Ask our employees

Starters

Tuna tataki 16

coconut vinaigrette | lemon and basil oil
shiso tempura | fennel

Kingfish 18.5
‘Rujak’ | mango gel | daikon salad
orange | crispy corn

Carpaccio 17

rendang oil | pickles | crispy onions
Rotterdam Old

Steak tartare 18

Balinese seasoning | shiitake | cheese custard
vermicelli

Avocado 15
‘Kacang’ | green peas | string beans | peanuts | Granny Smith lime

Hot dishes

Bimi 22.5

Base gene tofu cream | peanut chili crisp

Cod 29.5

laksa | cap cay | rice cakes
Smoked prawn oil

Confit duck 26

rawon gravy | mashed potatoes | sambal kluwek

Spare ribs 27.5

urap | spice glaze | salad

Flatbread £19.50

corn | kluwek purée | Rotterdamsche
Ouwe | spice sambal | pickles

Side dishes

Coconut rice 5

Chips with mayonnaise 6

Balinese Chips 7

Spice Salad £8.50

Desserts

Sticky toffee pudding 10
‘Cardamom | Jasmine tea crumble

Pandan crème brûlée 11

Toasted coconut ice cream | white chocolate
crumble

Mixed Spices

Bites

Panko prawns 16
Base genap mayonnaise | furikake

Balinese Hot Chicken 15
umami mayonnaise | coleslaw

Rendang bitterballen £12.50
4th Green Sambal

Mushroom rice cake 3 per piece

Spring onion emulsion | spice sambal

Bread and butter £8.50
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Oysters £4.50 each
Mignonette | passion fruit

Pata Negra 18.5

Skewers

Pork belly 1st 9

soya glaze | urap | pickles

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Peanut sauce | spring onion

Tempeh and mushroom 1st 7

tempeh crumble | lava emulsion |
Spicy sambal

Decision paralysis? 23.5

one piece of each skewer above

Feed Me Menu

Feed Me Menu £49.50 per person.

Can't choose? Let the chef surprise you and discover the bold flavours of Bali. The kitchen puts together a sharing style menu in which different dishes are served to share together.

Can only be ordered per entire table.

Carefully created menu. Combination of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes.

At Spice by Blake, we take you on a tasteful journey
combining authentic Balinese flavours with refined techniques and a modern take on gastronomy. Chef Axl passionately creates dishes to share, taste and experience.