Best Indian restaurant near Collingwood Melbourne — Masti Fitzroy, 5 minutes from Smith Street

Collingwood has Smith Street, Gertrude Street, the live music scene and one of Melbourne's sharpest dining cultures. It knows the difference between food that is genuinely good and food that merely looks the part. So do we.

Masti is 5 minutes from Smith Street on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Led by Curry Queen Chef Manpreet Sekhon — trained in five-star hotel kitchens across Punjab for two decades, recognised by Sanjeev Kapoor and the late Jiggs Kalra, the Czar of Indian Cuisine, and featured in Time Out, Broadsheet, Good Food and Urban List. Authentic North Indian food, made entirely from scratch, every single night.

Collingwood diners have always been the hardest to impress. That's exactly who Masti is for.

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

Book your table now — walk-ins welcome.

What Collingwood deserves from an Indian restaurant — and what Masti delivers

Collingwood is a suburb that holds its restaurants to a high standard. Smith Street and Gertrude Street are lined with some of Melbourne's most acclaimed venues — natural wine bars, zero-waste kitchens, hatted dining rooms. The local crowd is food-literate, well-travelled and deeply unimpressed by shortcuts.

Masti is built for exactly that audience. Every spice on our kitchen bench was whole this morning and ground fresh before service. The butter chicken's tomatoes were charred over an open flame. The chicken marinated overnight. The naan bakes in a live clay tandoor reaching 480 degrees while you watch. There is no paste, no shortcut, and no compromise in how we cook. See our full menu here.

From Smith Street to Gertrude Street — Collingwood's nearest Indian restaurant with national press coverage

Collingwood is one suburb east of Fitzroy. Smith Street becomes Brunswick Street at Johnston Street — the two neighbourhoods share a postcode boundary, a tram line and a dining culture. Masti sits on Brunswick Street just minutes from both Smith Street and Gertrude Street, accessible on foot for Collingwood residents in the north of the suburb and by a 5-minute Uber or tram from anywhere on Smith Street.

What Collingwood currently lacks is an Indian restaurant with the credentials and press coverage that match its dining scene. That's the gap Masti fills. Featured in Time Out, Broadsheet, Good Food, Urban List and Eatability — the same publications that cover every acclaimed restaurant on Smith Street.

The Collingwood crowd — who Masti is cooking for

After-gig dinner near The Tote, The Gasometer and Corner Hotel

Collingwood's live music scene draws thousands of people to The Tote on Johnston Street, The Gasometer on Smith Street and Corner Hotel in Richmond every week. Masti is 5 minutes from The Tote — open until 9:30pm weeknights and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Whether you're fuelling up before the set or winding down after the encore, our kitchen is ready. Book your table here.

Smith Street dining scene locals

Collingwood residents who dine on Smith Street and Gertrude Street regularly are exactly the kind of diners who appreciate what Masti does. Fresh-ground spice curries, a live tandoor, an Indian cocktail bar pouring Rampur, Amrut and Indri single malts — this is Indian food that fits the Collingwood dining standard. See our menu here and our drinks here.

Groups and celebrations near Collingwood

Masti is one of Fitzroy's best group dining venues. Groups of 6 receive a free cocktail pitcher. Groups of 10 receive a free sharing platter. Our menu is built for sharing — large plates, tandoori platters, naan arriving hot from the clay oven. For birthdays, work dinners and private celebrations near Collingwood, book online or call (03) 9427 2121.

Collingwood's vegan and plant-based diners

Collingwood has one of Melbourne's highest concentrations of vegan diners. Masti serves Melbourne's only freshly baked vegan naan — made in the same live tandoor, with the same char and texture as the original. Plus a full plant-based menu: Soya Chaap, Honey Chilli Cauliflower, Chickpea Vindaloo, Dal Tadka and Bhindi Do Pyaza. Every Tuesday is our vegan curry night — $28 for rotating plant-based curries with vegan naan.

The Curry Queen — credentials Collingwood respects

Collingwood's dining culture values authenticity over marketing. So here are the facts, not the claims.

Chef Manpreet Sekhon trained in five-star hotel kitchens across Punjab for twenty years before opening a restaurant in Australia. Her cooking was recognised by Sanjeev Kapoor — India's most celebrated chef — and by the late Jiggs Kalra, the man credited with defining Indian fine dining globally. She founded Eastern Spice in Geelong and Elchi in Melbourne's CBD before opening Masti on Brunswick Street in 2020. Time Out calls her food "next level." Urban List includes Masti in Melbourne's best Indian restaurants for 2026.

These are not self-awarded titles. Read Manpreet's full story here.

Weekly specials — a reason to visit any night from Collingwood

Masti runs weekly specials from $25 — see what's on this week on our What's On page. Tuesday thali, Wednesday BYO, Thursday unlimited kebabs, Sunday Amritsariya Affair. Five minutes from Smith Street. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm.

Getting from Collingwood to Masti

• By tram from Smith Street: Tram 86 or 96 westbound to Fitzroy, then a short walk or Uber to Brunswick Street. 8 minutes total

• By car from Smith Street: Head west on Johnston Street directly onto Brunswick Street. 5 minutes. Street parking available on Brunswick Street and side streets

• By Uber from The Tote / Johnston Street: 4 minutes direct to 354 Brunswick Street

• By foot from north Collingwood: Cross the suburb boundary at Johnston Street and Brunswick Street — Masti is 12 minutes on foot from upper Smith Street

• By bike: Brunswick Street has a dedicated bike lane — 8 minutes from most of Collingwood

We are at 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm. Walk-ins always welcome.

Frequently asked questions — Collingwood locals ask

What is the best Indian restaurant near Collingwood?

Masti on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy is the best Indian restaurant near Collingwood — 5 minutes from Smith Street. Led by Curry Queen Chef Manpreet Sekhon, featured in Time Out, Broadsheet, Good Food and Urban List. Authentic North Indian, live tandoor, Indian cocktail bar. Book here.

Is there Indian food near Smith Street Collingwood?

The best Indian food near Smith Street Collingwood is Masti on Brunswick Street — 5 minutes away by car or Uber, accessible directly via Johnston Street. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm. Weekly specials from $25.

Is there Indian food near The Tote Collingwood?

Yes — Masti is 4 minutes from The Tote on Johnston Street. Open Tuesday to Saturday until 9:30–10pm. Perfect for pre-gig or post-gig dinner. Book ahead on busy nights.

Is there vegan Indian food near Collingwood?

Yes — Masti has Melbourne's only freshly baked vegan naan, a full plant-based menu, and a dedicated Tuesday vegan curry night at $28. 5 minutes from Collingwood by car or Uber.

Can Masti cater for events near Collingwood?

Yes — our catering team handles private events and corporate functions for 20 to 200+ guests near Collingwood. Live tandoor available. Email hello@eatdrinkmasti.com or call (03) 9427 2121.

The best Indian restaurant near Collingwood — book Masti tonight

📍 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
📞 (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. Collingwood's best Indian restaurant is 5 minutes away.