Trendy Indian restaurants are a bit of an enigma – after all, why tamper with tradition? But Masakali, the brand which has been making waves in Reading, has recently opened an outpost in London’s Zone One, bringing some hidden gems to Euston.
Tucked just off a quiet street in central London, Masakali is the kind of restaurant you might walk past without realising you’ve just missed something special. Step inside, though, and the noise of the outside world dissolves into a glow of saffron-coloured walls, soft lantern light and a subtle hum of spices that tells you exactly where the evening is headed.
Taking all the best bits from the flagship outpost in Reading, the menu reads like a smorgasbord of well-known Indian favourites, proffering a love letter to the subcontinent in the guise of small bites of comfort food.
From slow-cooked curries, charcoal-kissed grills, and hand-rolled breads, I wanted a girlie catch-up and some tasty bites; so on a windy Wednesday night, we were welcomed into the new pad where Indian street soul meets high-street swagger – which was to be expected in a restaurant named after the iconic Bollywood song!
Food and Drink at Masakali
We pondered the menu over cocktails- try the Mango Mojito and Tamarind Margarita, and decided the best way to maximise our experience was by sharing. Torn between tasty-sounding Nibbles, Soup Shots, Small Plates and Starters, the main event offered signature dishes such as Scottish sea trout, Old Delhi butter chicken curry and Royal Tiger Biryani from the stable of Chef Dev Biswal. Regarded as the spice whisperer extraordinaire, within the industry, he has a way of remixing regional Indian hits that transport you from rainy London to a Mumbai monsoon party.
While we were deciding, I can confirm that the low-slung lamps, emerald-green banquettes and walls splashed with abstract murals were not your typical “Indian”. The service was effortlessly cool; our waitress read the room like a pro, swooping in without a fuss, making us feel like VIPs.
We kicked off our feast with the deconstructed Onion Bhaji – crispy shards of caramelised bliss tangled in mint yoghurt, a cheeky twist on the classic that has you licking fingers before the mains land, followed by Prawn Sukka punched up with curry leaf crackle and tamarind tang.
Veggie queens, rejoice. There is so much on the menu to cater for plant lovers, we had to stop ourselves! But I can highly recommend the Beetroot Legacy and Dahi Ka Kebabs. And I am now addicted to the house cult fave: Basil Paneer Tikka – soft, squeaky cubes of paneer wok-tossed in a fragrant, tangy masala gravy. Complemented with the Fish Moile – the flaky, pink-fleshed fillets grilled to perfection and bathed in a delicate coconut milk and ginger sauce; we probably didn’t need the pillowy garlic naan, which we used to mop up all the saucy goodness.
Desserts are simple but comforting. The mango kulfi – creamy, cool, and just sweet enough was designed to be shared – especially after an evening of spice.
Masakali isn’t trying to be flashy. It doesn’t need to be. What it offers instead is sincerity: vibrant flavours, thoughtful cooking, and a dining experience that leaves you warm long after you’ve walked out the door. Whether you’re after a cosy date spot or a memorable meal with friends, Masakali is the place you’ll want to return to -and recommend, perhaps a little too enthusiastically, to everyone you know.
Masakali
48 Stanhope Street
London
NW1 3EX
United Kingdom
