Best Indian restaurant near Carlton North Melbourne — Masti

Carlton North has one of Melbourne's most celebrated Indian restaurants. You've probably heard of it. You may be on the waitlist. And if you've checked that waitlist recently, you'll know it runs to months.

Masti is 10 minutes away on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Walk-ins welcome and we always keep few tables available for walk-ins.Led by Curry Queen Chef Manpreet Sekhon — recognised by Sanjeev Kapoor and the late Jiggs Kalra, the Czar of Indian Cuisine — Masti serves authentic North Indian food made entirely from scratch, with a full Indian cocktail bar, freshly baked vegan naan, and a live tandoor. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm.

This is the Indian food Carlton North has been searching for — and it's been on Brunswick Street the whole time.

📍 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 — 10 minutes from Carlton North
📞 (03) 9427 2121
🕔 Tue–Thu 5pm–9:30pm | Fri–Sat 5pm–10pm | Sun 5pm–9:30pm | Mon closed

Book your table online — or walk in. We'll seat you.

Why Carlton North locals choose Masti

Carlton North is home to one of Australia's most talked-about Indian dining experiences — but it's a 20-seat degustation with a months-long waitlist and a price point of $150–200 per person. It's extraordinary food for a special occasion. But it's not what you want on a Tuesday night when you're craving butter chicken and an Indian single malt.

Masti fills every gap that fine dining can't. Our North Indian menu covers the full range — from Papdi Chaat and Lamb Seekh Kebab starters through to our famous butter chicken, 24-hour Black Dal, Amritsari Fish, and Honey Chilli Cauliflower. Every dish is made from scratch with whole spices ground fresh daily. Every naan is baked in our live tandoor while you watch.

Carlton North deserves great Indian food on any night of the week, at any budget, with or without a reservation. That's what Masti delivers.

The Curry Queen — Manpreet Sekhon's credentials

Chef Manpreet Sekhon trained in five-star hotel kitchens across Punjab for two decades before founding Eastern Spice in Geelong and Elchi in Melbourne's CBD. Her cooking has been recognised by Sanjeev Kapoor — India's most celebrated chef — and by the late Jiggs Kalra, widely regarded as the man who brought Indian cuisine to the world stage.

Masti opened in 2020 and has been featured in Time Out, Broadsheet, Good Food, Urban List and Concrete Playground. It is the most press-covered Indian restaurant near Carlton North — and the only one led by a chef with Manpreet's level of recognition.

This is not fusion. This is not contemporary Indian. This is authentic North Indian cuisine from the Punjab tradition — made the way it was made in the five-star hotel kitchens where Manpreet trained. Come and taste the difference.

Weekly specials — Carlton North locals have a reason to visit every night

Tuesday — Thali night ($28 veg | $30 non-veg)

A complete Indian thali — curries, dal, rice, naan, pickles — for under $30. The best value dinner near Carlton North on a Tuesday. Vegan options available. Bookings recommended.

Wednesday — BYO night

Bring your own wine, beer or scotch. Our bar is fully stocked every other night — but Wednesdays are for Carlton North locals who want to bring a bottle. Corkage-free.

Thursday — Unlimited kebabs & beer ($59pp)

90 minutes of unlimited tandoor-cooked kebabs plus bottomless Indian beer. The best Thursday night out near Carlton North. Book now — tables fill fast.

Sunday — Amritsariya Affair ($25)

Chole Bhature with unlimited lassi for $25. A classic Punjabi Sunday feast. Open 5pm–9:30pm every Sunday — when most Indian restaurants near Carlton North are closed or have reduced service.

Vegan Indian food near Carlton North — Masti leads the area

Carlton North has a large and growing vegan community — and Masti's vegan menu is the most comprehensive at any Indian restaurant in the area. Freshly baked vegan naan made in our live tandoor daily — not a substitute, not a different process. The same tandoor, the same clay wall, the same char as our regular naan.

Our vegan dishes include Soya Chaap in green coriander marinade, Honey Chilli Cauliflower, Chickpea Vindaloo, Dal Tadka, Bhindi Do Pyaza, and Jeera Aloo. Every Tuesday is our vegan curry night — $28 for a rotating selection of plant-based curries with vegan naan. If you're searching for the best vegan Indian food near Carlton North, Masti is the clear answer.

Indian cocktail bar near Carlton North — the most unique drinks experience in the area

No other venue near Carlton North offers what Masti's cocktail bar does. Every cocktail is built around Indian flavours — turmeric, cardamom, rosewater, hibiscus, mango — in drinks like the Turmeric Tommy's, Pink City, and Mango Margarita. We're also one of the only venues in Melbourne pouring all three premium Indian single malts: Rampur from the Himalayas, Amrut from Bangalore, and Indri from Haryana. Ask for a tasting flight.

Whether you're coming for a casual weeknight dinner or a special occasion, the cocktail bar and the food menu are designed to work together. A Turmeric Tommy's with the butter chicken. An Indri single malt with the 24-hour Black Dal. This is Indian dining as it's meant to be experienced.

Indian catering near Carlton North — live tandoor at your event

Planning a birthday, engagement, corporate function, or milestone celebration near Carlton North? Masti's catering team brings the full restaurant experience to your venue — including our live tandoor, where guests watch naan and kebabs cooked fresh in front of them.

Chef Manpreet Sekhon's team handles everything from menu planning to on-site preparation. Fully customised menus covering vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal-sourced options. We cater for 20 through to 200+ guests. For Indian catering near Carlton North, contact us at hello@eatdrinkmasti.com or call (03) 9427 2121.

Getting from Carlton North to Masti

• By tram: Tram 11 runs directly along Brunswick Street and stops at the door. From Nicholson Street Carlton North, take tram 96 south to Smith Street, then walk 5 minutes to Brunswick Street.

• By car from Nicholson Street: 8 minutes — head south on Nicholson Street to Alexandra Parade, turn right, then left onto Brunswick Street. Street parking available.

• By car from Princes Park: 9 minutes via Royal Parade to Princes Street to Brunswick Street

• By bike: 12 minutes via Edinburgh Gardens and Smith Street — protected bike lanes most of the route

We're at 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm. Monday closed.

Frequently asked questions — Carlton North locals ask

Is there a good Indian restaurant near Carlton North that doesn't require a long booking wait?

Yes — Masti on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy is 10 minutes from Carlton North, takes same-week bookings, and welcomes walk-ins. No waitlist, no minimum spend, no set menu required. Book your table here.

What is the best casual Indian restaurant near Carlton North?

Masti on Brunswick Street is consistently rated one of Melbourne's best Indian restaurants — featured in Time Out, Broadsheet, Good Food and Urban List. It's premium casual: exceptional North Indian food, a full cocktail bar, and weekly specials from $28. No dress code, walk-ins welcome.

Does Masti serve halal food near Carlton North?

All meat at Masti is sourced from halal-certified suppliers. The restaurant itself is not certified halal but all proteins are halal-sourced. Call us on (03) 9427 2121 if you have specific requirements.

Is there vegan Indian food near Carlton North?

Yes — Masti has the most comprehensive vegan Indian menu in the area, including Melbourne's only freshly baked vegan naan. Every Tuesday is our vegan curry night — $28 for a full vegan thali. Book here.

Can I do a group booking for Indian food near Carlton North?

Yes — groups of 6 receive a free cocktail pitcher and groups of 10 receive a free sharing platter. Our catering team also handles larger events. Call (03) 9427 2121 to arrange.

What makes Masti different from other Indian restaurants near Carlton North?

Masti is led by Curry Queen Chef Manpreet Sekhon — trained in five-star Punjab hotel kitchens, recognised by Sanjeev Kapoor and Jiggs Kalra. Every spice is ground fresh daily. Every sauce is made from scratch. We have Melbourne's only freshly baked vegan naan, all three premium Indian single malts, and a full cocktail bar. Read Chef Manpreet's story here.

Find the best Indian restaurant near Carlton North — book Masti today

📍 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 — 10 minutes from Carlton North
📞 (03) 9427 2121
✉ hello@eatdrinkmasti.com
🕔 Tue–Thu 5pm–9:30pm | Fri–Sat 5pm–10pm | Sun 5pm–9:30pm | Mon closed

Book your table online — or walk in. We'll do our best to seat you.