Dual Specialty Store

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.

this is one of the greatest establishments I’ve ever been to in NYC. and I’m from here.

This place is such a secret little gem. So many unique and exotic spices, teas and other foodstuffs! I find this place much more approachable than some other larger but just as diverse stores in Murray Hill.
They have quite a selection of beer, which is surprising and welcomed for the purposes of BYOB to Sigiri upstairs — another of my favorites. I love this store and don’t get to enjoy it as much as I’d like because it’s a bit off the beaten path. But I think that’s what gives it the charm. Shop here! They are so nice and helpful and lovely.

I stumbled upon this awesome place last week. Everyone was super nice and helpful. They have a wonderful selection of herbs and spices. I was able to get everything I needed and the prices were all reasonable.

I love this place.
hey had more than I could think up, and I can think up a bit in the realm of teas and spices.
Nice people. Helpful and don’t hover.
Check it out! You don’t know what you may discover. The selection is extensive, so I recommend going in with some idea of what you want. Also, be sure to check the bargain bulk bags (½ lb), which they have for certain popular selections (I picked up one spearmint and one peppermint bulk, but they also had sage and I think I spotted a chamomile bulk in the corner of my eye).

Love this store! Great hours and they have so many different herbs and spices. Awesome variety of cosmetics as well (they even have expiration dates on them– so you know when your face mask is nice and fresh).
I like using their rose water as a liquid for their powder face masks or creating smoking blends with their dries goods.
Prices are super reasonable.

Found this store really late into my stay this side but it is one of the better store for Indian groceries as compared to the stores on Lexington.

Best store ever! In addition to the endless amount of spices, they also have some hard to find produce such as fresh turmeric, curry leaves, pandan leaves, and unpitted dates. I recommend the Al Madina dates, they taste just like caramel.
They have Kashmiri chili powder too, something I haven’t been able to find at the Patel Bros. grocery in Jackson Heights.

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.

When it comes to finding some interesting little spices and herbs this place is perfect. The staff don’t bother you which is kinda good and bad, you get to shop in peace but then when you have an actual question you can’t really ask for help. The Owner of the store, Abdul and his son, Solomon are amazing and they help all the time. Don’t be afraid to ask them for anything because they also have a warehouse of goodies… like I needed Eucalyptus from India and BOOM he found it for me. Also really cheap Incense and Teas and they have some hard to find ingredients if you cook Mediterranean, North African or South East Asian.

Love this place! My son lived above this store or I would have missed this great discovery. Amazing variety and asthma balm that they make in house that works wonders.

Horrible customer service… This is my first time writing a bad review; however, I have never been so disrespected as a customer! I called the store today and asked the man on the phone (I believe his name was Amin, who says he is the brother of the owner) if he could put together a .25lb of Chaga and Cordyceps. He responded by saying I’m busy, we don’t do delivery until after 4 and then HUNG UP!!! I called back and told him that I wasn’t looking to do a delivery and that I was coming to pick up the stuff in half hour, if he could have someone separate it out for me (because last time I was at the store, it took a while). And once again, he said if you want the stuff, come into the store, AND HUNG UP AGAIN!!! When I went into the store, there were a few people working there that could have helped with my order and the man at the counter whom I spoke to on the phone was extremely rude to me once again. This will be the last time I support this type of establishment, I can order the stuff I need cheaper on amazon.

Update: They seemed to have solved the problem of unwanted flavors infiltrating their nuts and dried fruit. Packaging has improved or something…

Great bodega for spices galore, just watch your step in, and head throughout.

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!

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.

I was looking for Indian beer. I called the Lexington Avenue Indian grocers – Kalustyan, Little India Stores and they had nothing and had «no idea» where in New York City to find Indian beer. Okay, thanks.
I went to the internet, found Dual Specialty Store which is more conveniently located for me anyway and I found all the beer I could ever want —they claim to sell 400 brands of imported beers – and everything else that the Lexington Avenue Indian shops carry. Dual looks tiny from the outside, but it has an extensive inventory of Indian foods.

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.

If you are in need of any spices and herbs, whether they be organic or non-​organic, obscure or mainstream, medicinal or culinary… you will find them here!
I walked in here one day out of the blue after passing it a lot and discovered what a wonderland it is. They have a really good amount of organic beer options. They have a select amount of produce, usually specialty (bitter gourd, etc.). Ghost chilies at the counter as well as vanilla beans. They also have a bunch of different types of flours.
Do yourself a favor and walk in to this lovely place.

When I need pickles, the Dual Specialty Store has them in spades: multiple brands from all over the globe, and cheap. Plus, if you can’t find what you want, the staff are friendly enough to help. (Not that that’s rare — thankfully — but that fact deserves to be highlighted.)
Don’t know what this market’s specialty actually is — their huge spice rack may have something to do with it — but I know they have pickles. If you have a weird hankering for something late-​night, their doors are open til 1 AM.