A new addition to London's Indian dining scene, Masakali is a restaurant that opened in Fitzrovia in October 2025. They've got an existing site in Reading, and they're all about pairing traditional flavours with bold, modern twists - taking their name from the iconic Bollywood song Masakali. And only a month or so after their opening, we were eager to visit this Central London newbie.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Masakali Fitzrovia
This restaurant is new to London for 2025.
Need To Know:
- Address: 48 Stanhope Street, NW1 3EX
- Area: Fitzrovia
- Cuisine: Indian
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: the restaurant was a little hard to find as it's on a quiet street, but once inside we were met with a warm, buzzing setting. There was a long booth running along each wall and a bar in the centre, with a warm glow to this inviting dining room.
- Perfect For: this is a great choice for large groups as there is ample seating space, and the menu is designed to be shared.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: around £100 for two, including three courses and drinks
Expect spicy cocktails and fragrant curries at Masakali.
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐
- Cauli kempu bang bang (£10) - this tempura cauliflower starter had a real kick to it, with a crisp batter and a delicious curry mayo drizzled over the top.
- Mirchi paneer hera pheri (£11) - these tender cubes of paneer were very moreish, served alongside fried peppers and chillies and glazed in a spicy coating.
- Old Delhi butter chicken (£16) - a true staple at Indian restaurants, and these guys knew how to do it well. The sauce was creamy and indulgent, swimming around juicy chunks of chicken - pairing nicely with our rice and garlic naan.
- Smoked paneer makhani (£16) - an equally delicious curry that fell somewhere in between a tikka masala and a butter sauce. It was full of smoky, tomato flavours, and the smooth texture added to its appeal.
- Naatu Naatu (£13) - even the cocktails here pack a punch. This concoction featured tequila, raw mango, lemon juice and whole lot of chilli, making it both fruity and spicy at the same time.
Our Overall Experience At Masakali
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This new Indian restaurant is a welcome addition to London, adding some buzz to Fitzrovia's backstreets. The menu was full of favourites and some slightly more unique picks, with a wide range to suit everyone. There were some slight hiccups with service it seemed, but as a very new venue that's understandable, and there was certainly nothing lacking in the food department. And if you're a real spice fan, try out their signature cocktails too - though I have to admit they were slightly too much for me.
