Review of Masakali

Masakali has landed in central London, bringing its modern Indian offering to a spot just minutes from Warren Street. The concept is straightforward and confident: classic Indian recipes, drawn from generations of home cooking, presented with a contemporary edge that suits the city.

The menu pulls inspiration from across India’s diverse food culture, moving easily between street-food style small plates and richer, comfort-led mains. Its food is designed for sharing, lingering over, and returning to, rather than anything overly fussy or heavy. Masakali’s name, meaning “pigeon” in Hindi, is a nod to freedom and joy, inspired by the famous Bollywood song of the same name. That sense of energy runs through the restaurant, from the upbeat atmosphere to a drinks list that goes beyond the usual. Cocktails are well thought-out, with curated wines and spirits chosen to stand up to bold, spiced flavours.

We began with a Lychee Mocktail, which was heavenly, light and refreshing and not overly sweet, a luxurious way to start our lunch and fire up our taste buds. Along with our cocktails, we trialled the Soup Shots, an amuse-bouche style dish of soup tasters served in spice-dusted tiny glasses. The tomato broth packed a surprising amount of flavour, with plenty of warming spice and an unexpectedly hot kick. The Chicken & Mushroom Broth with Truffle was steeped in rich flavour and perfect for those less tolerant to hot spice.

The menu offers a range of small plates and starters for sharing. We began with the Beetroot Legacy, crisp beetroot and pine nut croquettes with beetroot hummus, which was well balanced and beautifully put together on the plate. The Tempura Cauliflower with Curry Mayo was exactly what it should be: light, crunchy, packed with spice so rich it was hard to stop eating.

Mains stick close to the classics, with Masakali flair. We opted for the Goan Prawn Curry, with the coconut, kokum, and traditional spices working in harmony, plus plenty of juicy prawns. The Old Delhi Butter Chicken delivered familiar comfort: a generous amount of tender chicken in a smooth, spiced tomato and butter sauce. Both dishes were well-balanced and served in portions which were not too overwhelming.

Leaving room for dessert, we ordered the Apricot Delight, which turned out to be the standout dish of the meal. Sweet apricots, nuts, fluffy sponge and the chef’s cream came together in a pudding that was indulgent, smooth and pure heaven, not overly sugary, well-textured, and definitely memorable.

We left feeling like we had genuinely feasted, inspired by well-balanced ingredients and textures. Masakali London gets the balance right: respectful of tradition, modern without trying too hard, and confident in what it does best. A solid addition to London’s Indian dining scene and a good option for everything from relaxed dinners to group occasions.

Address: 48 Stanhope Street, London, NW1 3EX

To book click here.

Written by Claire Bloom

Photography courtesy of Masakali