Richmond has a genuinely good Indian restaurant scene. Swan Street and Victoria Street both have venues worth visiting — Mumbai-inspired, lively, well-reviewed. If you want Bombay street food, Victoria Street has you covered.

But if you want authentic North Indian food — the cuisine of Punjab, made by a chef trained in five-star hotel kitchens across Punjab for twenty years, recognised by India's most celebrated culinary figures — Richmond doesn't have it. Masti does. Eight minutes away on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.

Led by Curry Queen Chef Manpreet Sekhon — recognised by Sanjeev Kapoor and the late Jiggs Kalra, the Czar of Indian Cuisine. Featured in Time Out, Broadsheet, Good Food and Urban List. This is the Indian food Richmond has been missing.

📍 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 — 8 min from Swan Street Richmond
📞 (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.

Mumbai vs Punjab — why Richmond's Indian restaurant scene has a gap

India is a vast country with distinct regional cuisines. Richmond's Indian restaurants draw beautifully from Mumbai — the street food, the coastal flavours, the Bollywood energy. This is real, legitimate Indian cooking and there are excellent options on Victoria Street and Swan Street.

Punjab is different. North India's most celebrated cuisine — butter chicken made from whole spices charred over flame, 24-hour black dal, Amritsari fish, live tandoor naan. This is what Masti cooks. Chef Manpreet Sekhon grew up learning this food, trained in it across Punjab's five-star hotels, and has been cooking it in Melbourne since 2020. Richmond has Mumbai covered. For Punjab, you come to Masti. See our full menu here.

The Curry Queen — credentials Richmond's food culture respects

Richmond's dining scene knows quality. Swan Street holds some of Melbourne's most acclaimed venues. The local crowd has eaten well and knows the difference between a chef with genuine credentials and a restaurant with a good Instagram.

Chef Manpreet Sekhon's credentials are verifiable and specific. She trained in Punjab five-star hotel kitchens for two decades. Her cooking was personally recognised by Sanjeev Kapoor — India's most celebrated chef with 60 million social media followers — and by the late Jiggs Kalra, the man who brought Indian fine dining to the world stage. She founded Eastern Spice in Geelong and Elchi in Melbourne's CBD before opening Masti on Brunswick Street in 2020. Time Out, Broadsheet, Good Food and Urban List have all featured her work.

No Indian restaurant near Richmond has this combination of training, recognition and press coverage. Read her full story here.

What Masti offers that Richmond's Indian scene currently doesn't

Whole spices ground fresh every morning

Every spice at Masti was whole this morning and ground before service. No paste, no pre-mixed blends, no shortcuts. The butter chicken's tomatoes were charred over an open flame. The chicken marinated overnight. This is how North Indian food is made in Punjab. It is not how most restaurants near Richmond cook. Explore the full menu.

Indian single malts — the only bar near Richmond pouring all three

Rampur from the Himalayas, Amrut from Bangalore, Indri from Haryana. Masti's cocktail bar pours all three premium Indian single malts — plus a full menu of Indian-spiced cocktails. No Indian restaurant in Richmond offers this. Ask for the tasting flight and our sommelier will walk you through all three.

Melbourne's only freshly baked vegan naan

Made in the same live clay tandoor at 480 degrees. Same char, same texture, same care as the original. Every Tuesday is our vegan curry night — $28 for rotating plant-based curries with vegan naan. 8 minutes from Richmond.

Groups and pre-MCG dinners

Richmond is Melbourne's gateway to the MCG. Masti is 10 minutes from the MCG via Swan Street. Groups of 6 receive a free cocktail pitcher. Groups of 10 receive a free sharing platter. Our menu is built for sharing. Book ahead on match nights.

Weekly specials — worth the 8-minute trip from Richmond

Masti runs weekly specials from $25. Tuesday thali, Wednesday BYO, Thursday unlimited kebabs and beer, Sunday Amritsariya Affair. Five nights of reasons to make the short trip from Swan Street, Bridge Road or Victoria Street.

Getting from Richmond to Masti

• By Uber from Swan Street: 8 minutes direct to 354 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

• By Uber from Victoria Street: 7 minutes direct to Brunswick Street

• By car from Bridge Road: North on Church Street to Alexandra Parade, left onto Brunswick Street. 8 minutes

• By tram: Tram 70 or 75 westbound to the city, then Tram 11 northbound to Brunswick Street. 12–15 minutes total

• From the MCG via Richmond: Uber or car north via Church Street — 10 minutes total

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

Frequently asked questions — Richmond locals ask

What is the best authentic North Indian restaurant near Richmond Melbourne?

Masti on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy — 8 minutes from Swan Street. Led by Curry Queen Chef Manpreet Sekhon, trained in Punjab five-star hotels, featured in Time Out, Broadsheet, Good Food and Urban List. Authentic North Indian, live tandoor, Indian single malt bar. Book here.

What's the difference between Masti and the Indian restaurants on Swan Street and Victoria Street Richmond?

Richmond's existing Indian restaurants are excellent — most are inspired by Mumbai street food and Bombay coastal cuisine. Masti serves a different regional tradition: authentic North Indian cuisine from Punjab, made by a chef trained in Punjab five-star hotels for twenty years. Different cuisine, different credentials, different experience. See our menu here.

Is there North Indian food near Richmond Melbourne?

Yes — Masti on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy is 8 minutes from Richmond and serves authentic North Indian food from Punjab. Every spice ground fresh daily, live tandoor, 24-hour black dal, Amritsari fish, freshly baked vegan naan. Book your table here.

Is there Indian food near the MCG in Richmond?

Masti is 10 minutes from the MCG via Richmond by Uber or car. Open from 5pm Tuesday to Sunday, until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Book ahead on match nights.

Is there vegan Indian food near Richmond?

Yes — Masti has Melbourne's only freshly baked vegan naan plus a full vegan menu. Tuesday vegan curry night is $28. 8 minutes from Richmond.

Can Masti cater for events near Richmond?

Yes — our catering team handles functions for 20 to 200+ guests near Richmond, live tandoor available. Email hello@eatdrinkmasti.com or call (03) 9427 2121.

How far is Masti from Richmond?

Masti is 8 minutes from Swan Street Richmond by Uber or car, and 12–15 minutes by tram. The quickest route by car is north up Church Street to Alexandra Parade, then left onto Brunswick Street. By tram, take the 70 or 75 westbound to the city then Tram 11 northbound to Brunswick Street. Get directions here.

 Is Masti open on Sundays near Richmond?

Yes — Masti is open every Sunday from 5pm to 9:30pm. Most Indian restaurants near Richmond close early or don't open on Sundays at all. Masti's Sunday Amritsariya Affair — Chole Bhature with unlimited lassi for $25 — is one of our most popular nights. Book your Sunday table here.

Authentic North Indian near Richmond — book Masti tonight

📍 354–356 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 — 8 min from Swan Street, 7 min from Victoria Street Richmond
📞 (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. The North Indian food Richmond has been missing is 8 minutes away.