Indian street food Melbourne — pani puri, papdi chaat and the chaat menu at Masti
Every Indian city has a chaat corner. A crowd around a small cart, a man moving faster than seems possible, cracking puris, spooning in potato and chickpeas, pouring tamarind and mint, finishing with yoghurt, sev and a pinch of chaat masala — and handing it over to be eaten immediately, standing up, before it goes soft.
That is chaat: India's most loved street food, and the first section of the menu at Masti on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. If you are looking for Indian street food in Melbourne, the best Indian restaurant in Melbourne for sharing plates, or simply Indian food in Melbourne that tastes like a Delhi evening, start here.
📍 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 — open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm 📞 (03) 9427 2121
What is chaat?
Chaat is a family of savoury Indian snacks built on contrast — crunchy and soft, sweet and sour, hot and cooling, all in one bite. The word is often linked to the Hindi chaatna, to lick, which tells you how people feel about it. A typical chaat brings together something crisp (puri, papdi or a potato tikki), something hearty (potato or chickpeas), a sweet tamarind chutney, a sharp green chutney, cool yoghurt, crunchy sev and a dusting of tangy chaat masala.
Chaat grew up on the streets of north India — Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Amritsar — and every region has its own favourites. Pani puri alone has a different name in almost every city: golgappa in Delhi and Punjab, puchka in Kolkata, pani puri in Mumbai.
The chaat menu at Masti
Pani puri
Crisp hollow puris filled and dipped in three spiced waters — tamarind, mint and jaljeera. One bite, one puri, no hesitation. Vegan and dairy-free.
Dahi puri
Puris filled with yoghurt, tamarind, green chutney and sev — the cooler, creamier cousin of pani puri.
Dahi bhalla
Soft lentil dumplings soaked and served under whipped yoghurt, tamarind and sev. A Delhi classic and one of the most comforting dishes on the menu.
Aloo tikki chaat
Crisp potato patties on a chickpea masala with three chutneys and pomegranate. Vegan option available.
Papdi chaat
Masti-style nachos — crisp papdi loaded with chutneys and toppings. The easiest introduction to chaat for anyone trying it for the first time. Vegan option available.
Samosa chaat
A crushed samosa under chickpea curry, yoghurt, chutneys and sev. Two street foods in one bowl. Vegan option available.
Chaat platter
Can't choose? The chaat platter serves two — pani puri, dahi puri, aloo tikki and dahi bhalla on one plate.
How to eat chaat
Chaat waits for nobody. It is assembled at the last moment so the crunchy parts stay crunchy, which means it should be eaten the moment it lands. Pani puri especially: one whole puri in the mouth, straight away, before the water softens the shell. Order chaat first, share everything, and do not let it sit while you take photos.
More Indian street food at Masti
Chaat is only the start. The street food continues with momos — veg, chicken and chilli — samosas and onion bhaji, and the Indo-Chinese wok: chilli chicken, chilli paneer, Gobi Manchurian and Hakka noodles, the street food every Indian kid grew up on. Read our Indo-Chinese guide →
Then the tandoor takes over — chicken tikka, paneer tikka, lamb seekh kebab and Amritsari fish — before the curries and naan arrive. That is a proper Indian night out.
Chaat for vegetarians and vegans
Every chaat on the Masti menu is vegetarian. Pani puri is vegan and dairy-free, and aloo tikki chaat, papdi chaat and samosa chaat all have vegan options. Our vegan and gluten-free guide →
Chaat stations for weddings and parties
A chaat counter is one of the most popular parts of any Indian wedding or party — guests gather, the food is made fresh in front of them, and it keeps everyone happy before dinner. Chaat is part of the catering menus from Curry Queen Catering Co., Masti's catering arm. Read our Indian catering guide →
Where to find Indian street food in Melbourne
Masti is at 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy — ten minutes from the Melbourne CBD by Uber or tram routes 11 and 96. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm, and BYO every Wednesday and Sunday.
📍 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 📞 (03) 9427 2121 ✉ hello@eatdrinkmasti.com
Frequently asked questions — chaat and Indian street food Melbourne
Where can I get pani puri in Melbourne?
Masti on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy serves pani puri with three spiced waters — tamarind, mint and jaljeera — along with dahi puri, dahi bhalla, aloo tikki chaat, papdi chaat, samosa chaat and a chaat platter for two.
What is the difference between pani puri, golgappa and puchka?
They are the same idea with regional names: hollow crisp puris filled with potato or chickpeas and spiced water. Golgappa is the Delhi and Punjab name, puchka is Kolkata's, and pani puri is used in Mumbai and much of India.
What is papdi chaat?
Papdi chaat is crisp fried wafers topped with chutneys, yoghurt and toppings — we call ours Masti-style nachos. It is one of the most popular chaats in north India.
Is chaat vegan?
Many chaats contain yoghurt, but at Masti pani puri is vegan and dairy-free, and aloo tikki chaat, papdi chaat and samosa chaat have vegan options.
Can I book a chaat station for my event?
Ask Curry Queen Catering Co. about including chaat in your wedding, party or corporate catering menu.