Ask ten Melburnians where to find the best curry in Melbourne and you'll get ten answers. Here's ours: five curries from the Masti kitchen on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy that are worth crossing town for — from mild and buttery to properly hot.
1. Masti Butter Chicken
The one that started it all. Our butter chicken is a slow-cooked makhani gravy finished with a charcoal note from the tandoor — rich, smoky and not overly sweet. If you're bringing someone new to Indian food, start here. Curry Queen Chef Manpreet Sekhon tells the full story in the best butter chicken in Fitzroy.
2. 24-hour Dal Makhani
Black lentils, slow-cooked overnight until they turn silky. It's vegetarian and gluten-free, and it's the dish that ties the whole table together — order it alongside everything else.
3. Lamb Rogan Josh
Kashmiri-style lamb, slow-braised until tender in a deep red, aromatic gravy. Warm rather than fiery, and one of the most satisfying curries on the menu with a fresh naan from the clay tandoor.
4. Goan Prawn Balchao
For the spice lovers: a fiery, tangy prawn masala from India's west coast. It's marked hot on the menu for a reason. Cool it down with raita or a mango lassi.
5. Chettinad Chicken
A peppery South Indian masala with real heat. If you think you've had every curry Melbourne has to offer, this is the one to try next.
Mild, medium or hot — how to choose
Mild: Masti Butter Chicken, Paneer Butter Masala, Korma.
Medium: Lamb Rogan Josh, Palak Paneer, Dal Makhani.
Hot: Goan Prawn Balchao, Chettinad Chicken, Lamb Madras.
Tell your server how much heat you like — the team will steer you right.
Vegan and gluten-free curries
Most of our curries are gluten-free, and there's a full plant-based range — dal tadka, aloo gobhi and bhindi do pyaza are all vegan. Pair them with Melbourne's only freshly baked gluten-free vegan naan, and come on a Tuesday for Vegan Curry Night ($30 per person).
What to order with your curry
Basmati rice, naan or cheese naan fresh from the tandoor, raita and pappadums. For a group, a shared set menu (minimum four) is the easiest way to try a bit of everything. See the full menu and current prices →
Curry night at home
Order pickup direct from Masti and save 10% with the code CURRYQUEEN — online or by phone on (03) 9427 2121. (Not available on Uber Eats or DoorDash.) Order pickup →
Best curry in Melbourne — questions
Where can I find the best curry in Melbourne?
Masti, 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, cooks curries from across India from scratch — including butter chicken, 24-hour dal makhani, lamb rogan josh, Goan prawn balchao and Chettinad chicken. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm.
What is the mildest curry at Masti?
Masti Butter Chicken, Paneer Butter Masala and the kormas are the mildest choices.
What is the hottest curry at Masti?
Goan Prawn Balchao and Chettinad Chicken are both marked hot on the menu.
Are there vegan curries?
Yes — including dal tadka, aloo gobhi and bhindi do pyaza, plus Vegan Curry Night every Tuesday.
Can I get Masti curries for takeaway?
Yes. Order pickup direct online or by phone and save 10% with code CURRYQUEEN.