Stepping into Masala Zone is like entering the taste buds of India. The cuisine here is proper Indian, not that trendy stuff that Westerners usually buy into. I came to this place with two of my friends from Delhi and they were explaining the origin of the food before me: what region it came from, the cultural reasons behind the use of those particular ingredients. It was like an Indian food seminar. The waiters and waitresses were just as knowledgeable as my Indian dining companions. The whole experience was a festival of learning. Their food is delicious. They serve platters with all kinds of yoghurts, nans and house specialties. I got the smallest platter thinking that I could devour it whole in a matter of milliseconds, but surprisingly it was very filling. My other friends who got the larger platter couldn't finish their meal. The place is cheap as well (I spent £11 for my platter and a cold beer), so I would definitely suggest going if you have severe Indian food hankerings. read more

Masala Zone Islington - Indian Near Me - Islington, XGL

Masala Zone is one of my guilty pleasures and one of very few companies I ever use for Friday night takeaways ... they offer particularly good value when really hungry. However, my most recent visit to an actual branch proved that Masala Zone is not a good option if you just fancy a light meal. The streetfood starters seem like a good choice but I've actually tried most of them before and they tend to be on the greasy side. Having been lucky to get an outdoors table on the patio out front (overlooking traffic, but still ...) we decided to leave without ordering. Sushi across the road was the answer on this occasion. The upmarket chains (Wagamama, Dishoom, Busaba Ethai et al) all seem to employ the same interior designers, this branch of Masala Zone was dimly lit with dark tables - very pleasant but formulaic. read more

Masala Zone Islington - Al fresco dining - Indian Near Me - Islington, XGL

We are here from Laguna Beach Ca USA Melwyn the manager and his staff were wonderful and the food is very authentic and fresh Our Uber driver said it's the best and he was soooo right We will be back for sure Thank you for the fantastic experience. We were at the Islington location read more

This is not the best Indian food to be had in London, and is best avoided for lunch. I've eaten before at the Soho Masala Zone, and loved the food, which is why I was so disappointed with the quality of the same chain in Islington. I went with a friend to have a Sunday lunch, and the service was rather slow - she had to go to the counter to ask someone to take our order. We ordered a starter and two dishes - the mains were uninspiring in their combination of different flavors - the essential component of Indian food. In fact, everything seemed to have been made with the same mix of spices. But the starter made with chickpeas was quite good, sweet and tangy with a yogurt dip. I hope they bring this place up to the centrally based Masala Zone standard soon. read more

Masala Zone Islington - Indian Near Me - Islington, XGL

If you really love authentic Indian food Masala Zone may not be the place for you. I love Indian food and my favourite dish is chicken tikka masala. The dish at Masala Zone is okay. Other dishes I have tried, butter chicken and chicken madras have always been just okay, none of the dishes have offered anything spectacular. The dishes that I have found that are really good are the starters, particularly the chicken samosa. The chicken samosa has a dark flaky crust filled with spicy bits of chicken and is very good. The dish comes with two samosa and just the right amount of kick. Masala Zone is a good stop if you want something Indian tasting, in a friendly environment but are not expecting authentic Indian fare. read more

Masala Zone Islington - Indian Near Me - Islington, XGL

Masala Zoooonne!!! I love you!! When I was a poor American, living in London, you gave me the calories I needed to survive, and the spices I craved. You were an oasis of cleanliness, calm, and enticing aromas! Your thali plates are so bountiful! Your dhal so smooth. Your lassi so tangy. Your vindaloo so tender. And your papadam so delicate! How can I thank you? This is the only way. Until we meet again! PS. I don't think Masala Zone is even trying to be the best, most authentic and high end Indian in the London market. So love it for what it is (and stop with the critical ratings)-- an easy way to get an amazing variety. And a perfect spot to try Indian for the first time. It's like the tapas of Indian foods. read more

The food here is kinda meh & I always wondered why it got such rave reviews. It's not really authentic & is just another joint trying to pass off as 'real' Indian food. read more

Along the majorly trendy Islington main shopping road, are loads of very trendy restaurants and the competition is high. Masala Zone is a chain whose other branches do not fit this description, because although it is quite cool it is not very trendy. However it is clear that they have changed their decor for this location and done a great job of it. The decor is not a achingly trendy, but it is cool fun and nice. The food is perfectly good and nicely done Indian food. Nothing remarkable, but perfectly nice. If you like Indian food you will not be disappointed, it is nicely done and presented. The service is lovely, the staff were friendly and attentive. I have only not giving it the 5th star, because although it was very good, there was nothing that made it top of it's game, or remarkable. I feel I should reserve the 5th star for those occasions that something really is remarkable, or the best in London for it's category. read more

Visited here in April but didn't feel it lived up to the reviews. Service was fine and the ambience and decor was refreshingly modern. However I really didn't like the food that much. I've no idea if the food was authentic or not, but to be honest "authenticity" is not a quality I really value highly in foreign food. I just value good quality ingredients and want it to taste good to my somewhat unadventurous palate. I had a kurma but it was a lot less sweet than I was expecting and I'd have preferred the meat to be marinated in the sauce rather than served separately. I think this place just wasn't for me. read more

I have been a few times, and I would say, if you do come here, go for the thalis. This is where tapas like portions of a range of different dishes are placed on a metal plate. You get a couple vegetarian canapes, dal (lentils), a chapati, cucumber raita (a yoghurt based condiment) and a choice of one of their main curry dishes. This I do like, however, there have been times where the curries have not been wholly satisfactory and lacked the kind of spice you would expect a good Indian curry to have. A couple of the staff here can be a bit overly enthusiastic, but who's to complain. read more

Masala zone is an easy saturday lunch spot. I had the chicken (butter chicken, yum!) thali with the dahi puri app. Will definitely be stopping back in when a craving for quick easy Indian faire hits... read more

Was attracted by the modern look and menu from outside. Amazing perfume of spices when I opened the door - had to try. Good menu - samosas to start - delicious and cooked to perfection Lamb curry was so so tasty Staff were very friendly and attentive Ambiance was modern and chic Price was right I will be back!! read more

I went there for lunch today and have always found the service and food to be of a high standard. Its clean and efficient. And its one of the only restaurants who serve authentic West Indian cuisine. Its not a curry house! Curry is not Indian food, anyone wants to debate this please write to me. Overall I like the location because its on the main street, yet the approach to the interiors gives it privacy and makes it personal. They also don't rush you out with the bill.............but one can spend a quiet relaxed afternoon. read more

Yes, it hit the spot! Average Indian food. Highlights: Food was cooked well and tasty, Location was easy to find near the tube station, Staff was friendly with good decor and a good size sitting area. Can improve: Increase the quantity a little. Benchmark: My best Indian restaurants are Delhi Spice, Namaste Lounge and Everest Lounge. Dined in June 2015 and might consider again if in the area. read more

I never ever find a hair in my food and nor would I make a big fuss if I did. But when I found one in my food last week at Masala Zone I quietly told the waiter and said that I was informing him just to let the kitchen know to be careful. I didn't ask for a discount or make a big stink, I just put my plate aside and waited for my partner to finish his meal. The waiter was thankful at first but then after speaking to the staff in the kitchen he basically came back to the table and accused me of dreaming it up as there would never be a hair in the food. I didn't want to pick at my plate to show him as I had buried it under some food but I told him to do so in the kitchen if he wished, I felt a bit sick at this point. I was shocked but was so tired that day that I didn't cause a fuss, I was just floored at the poor service and how they handled that; if I wasn't with a terrible cold I probably would've had words with the manger but I didn't. They gave us 10% off our bill - which was also absurd! I was a fan of Masala Zone but shall not be returning ever again -not because the food isn't great, I still think it is but how they treated a customer who was quietly informing them of something amiss with their meal was done all wrong. Customer service training should be given to the staff there. read more

I think all the restaurants on Upper Street up their game because there's so many restaurants in the area, they have to be the best they can be. Masala Zone tends to be an averagely decent place to eat Indian food - but this particular branch has a little extra something! Service is always great, we hardly wait long for our mains to arrive - the Thali is the one to go for as it gives you a bit of everything! Depending on how hungry you are, close the regular or grand (the grand has more carbs so is especially filling!) I've come here a few times now, and I'll probably come again! read more

Great indian food!!! The atmosphere is nice, service is friendly and good value. Top tip: Defo get a Thali; this is a sort of indian platter with a selection of lots of different things a refreshing change from your standard british curry :) Sometimes they can be a bit slow on drinks - so remind them! Gets busy, so book or arrive early. read more

Wow, people so far have given this place good reviews. I am honestly shocked. This is by far some of the worst Indian food I have ever eaten, and I've been to some pretty crappy Indian restaurants over the years. The service was mediocre at best, they were a little pushy and not exactly polite or friendly. The menu. Someone here said it's varied and has a good choice? Have you ever been to a real Indian restaurant? The menu is terrible, the selection of curries is very narrow and they don't even have peshwari naan. I ordered the butter chicken, my friends ordered the korma and the lamb thali. The butter chicken was passable, but the chicken was a little strange and the rice didn't taste freshly cooked. The garlic naan was strangely flat and false tasting. Not nice and light and fluffy as you'd expect. I tried the korma and the thali as well. The thali was passable too, not good, but edible. The korma on the other hand, wow, sinking to a new level of terrible. It tasted like one of those microwave curries you'd get from a supermarket for a quid. The sauce was horrible and the chicken had chewy nasty bits in it. If you want good modern Indian food in North London, try the Tiffin tin or Dinnerbox. If you're going to eat out on Upper street, why choose this place when there are so many great, real restaurants in this area?! (the fig and olive for example is brilliant) read more

There's always something slightly amiss when I visit Masala Zone (okay, I've only been twice). I've enjoyed it both times, mainly because the experience is different to the traditional Indian we usually get over here and it is also very good value for money. However, as nice as the food was, it just didn't make me want more. The varied menu was good, but I was just craving for a big plate of lamb rogan josh by the end of it. I've never been a fan of fiddly food, so maybe this place just isn't for me. No doubt I'll give it another go in future (probably with a group of friends), but I won't be rushing back. read more

So, I went here for my 21th birthday with my friends and I must say everything is crap. The food doesn't look or taste like the way Indian food should be. You don't get enough food on your plate like most Indian restaurant does. Overall I believe its expensive and tasteless. If you really want some Indian food head down to Southall. Jollyton (= read more

The food is as good as people say it is (but the first time I went it was awful and after visiting a half dozen more times, only once was the food below average. Overall I'd still recommend going.. read more

They have the most wonderful Indian food you will find on Upper Street, with good deals on set menus, and a selection that offers way more than your Standard Indian. Check out the lassis- they are delicious! The interior is funky but maybe a tad sterile. Only real let-down is the staff which is friendly but only WHEN they finally bother to serve you. Getting someone to take your order is usually preceeded by lots of arm-waving and meaningful looks. read more

Every single time I order takeout from Masala Zone, it arrives cold. Why do I keep ordering? I asked myself this yesterday when my order arrived within 15 minutes of ordering and parts of the order were frozen..considering we live about 10 minutes away, there's no way it was cooked from fresh - a point we argued with the guy on the phone. Hungry and annoyed, I was already writing this review in my head, but I have to be fair, their customer service was great. They happily replaced our food, this time it took a bit longer that 15 mins to get to us..which weirdly, was reassuring. It still wasn't hot tho, it never is and I don't know why! They then called us twice to check we were happy and offerered us a discount off our next order. So back to the question of why do I keep ordering? It's so damn tasty!!! It's really really good. I just wish it was hot read more

Being a big fan of indian food, I was really excited to try this place out. Unfortunately I found it very disappointing, there wasn't much choice on the menu and my chicken tikka masala didn't have much flavour to it. My boyfriend had the vegetarian thali and although this was quite big, it tasted average. The restaurant has a friendly atmosphere and the service was very good, but I wouldn't go back there again. read more

I used to travel to London quite frequently for work and this was my first stop. I drop off my luggage at the hotel and head over for lunch before heading to the office. I have their theli everytime. I get to order a bit of everything. I always order a type of lentils, potatoes and butter chicken. The rest I leave up to the waiter to recommend. read more

We headed to Masala zone last night and really enjoyed our meal. I was a bit cautious when I saw the decor as it looked a little "fast food/mass market"...nothing special about it but the food is tastey. It is not too pricey and the service is very friendly. If you are looking for authentic indian food with a nice ambience, this might not be the place. It is GOOD...but not the best indian I have ever had and it has the mass chain vibe which throws it a bit. Overall, however, I would go back :)! read more

Good, clean, and friendly place serving up great food. The menu has a great range to pick and choose from to accommodate even our son's mild palate. read more

Delivery order made from the website. The food was disappointing to say the least and the portions were shameful. The Honey and Dill Prawns Main -- £ 15.20 -- was just plain offensive: 4 prawns and a rather pathetic garden salad with a vinaigrette on the side. Unbelievable! The Goan Crispy Fried Prawns were soggy and the Delihi Vegetable Korma was runny and mainly liquid -- not much by way of substance at all. The 'Dal of the Day' was ridiculously oily and garlicky. This was an epic failure of a meal whose only upside was prompt delivery. Absolutely will not order again and will most certainly share this horrid experience to spare other potential diners this nasty fate. Also, the site's captcha code is ridiculous indecipherable as is the audio option so they have 'gamed' their own feedback mechanism. Pretty shady stuff. read more

Everyone said this was the best Indian, so I went. It was good, but I was definitely expecting something more flavorful. The waiter was helpful in helping me pick out the best entree though. read more

I have to agree with the previous reviews, this place has a lovely ambiance, the hostess is usually so happy to see you... it kind of freaks you out, but the food is not quite there yet. I went there on a date with my boyfriend, he loves this place, and I wasn't as enthusiastic as he was, I'd been to the Mazala Zone in Soho and had a so-so lunch. This night at the Islington branch, I had the Grand Tali, and it was a lot of food. I liked the dal, but the curry, which was supposed to be spicy, lacked that spicy kick. It was not terrible not it was incredible. What I can say for sure is that I was stuffed like a turkey in Christmas. I could barely move when I finished my huge plate. But I managed to order a cup of chai, I thought that would help my digestion, but it didn't, it was too sweet. I think they deserve the two stars big time. read more

Of course with a name like "Masala Zone", I had to try it out. Food was good, but not great. More of a westernized Indian.

We had dinner here last night. There was 7 of us and we all had Thalis we were all still suffering a bit from new year's eve so Thalis were the safe and easy choice as you get a bit of everything. I chose Goan prawn as the main curry with the Thali, and got two vegetable dishes, a poppadom, a chapati, some salad and sauces. One of the vegetable dishes was lentil and was good, the other had potatoes in and was red (I'm guessing tomatoes?) and was not very tasty. The prawn curry was average at best. It feels to me like this place is more focused on marketing and interior design than having great tasting food. If you want a good curry in Islington Roots @ N1 is a million times better read more

This is a lovely place to come and visit, the food is amazing, I ordered the Pani Puri and we got some squid for starters, we both got Thalis which had some creamy chicken and the other with lentils, the place was decorated well, it is a chain but it is worth visiting read more

The Dhali is to die for, very good food although pricy for the portion size, recommended only if you have 2 for 1 deals otherwise as stated pricy for what it is. Service is good, atmosphere is quiet, its also romantic.. decor is nice. read more

Quick and dirty Indian food. They have dishes where you get small servings of different curry so you get a nice variety. Staff is friendly too. read more

Their takeout delivery service is brilliant. The people who take your order are always friendly, helpful and make everything so easy. The thalis come in fantastic delivery trays and the food is always wonderful, especially as a vegetarian. Occasionally the lentil dishes can be a little too watery, and the side dishes in the thalis can be very spicy or overly oily sometimes too but these are very small complaints. Most of the time the food is as good as when you eat in and is fantastic value with great service. read more

I love Masala Zone! Yes it is a chain of restaurants and the food/experience is more contemporary than many Indian restaurants but I think that it is delicious every time I visit. You always think that the plates of Thali will not be enough but they are extremely satisfying! The way the menus are set out makes ordering easy too. I have introduced friends to Masala Zone and they have always wanted to go back! read more

I will definitely give a 5* for the taste of the food. I love south Indian food and I know how it should taste being a fan of home cooked Indian food. So given that I can tell the place lives up to my taste buds. I knocked one star as the portions are little less to my liking and prices are higher for the portions they serve. But hey we are planning to visit again very soon as taste matters in the end. I had the masal chai and chicken biryani which came with a dal(we don't eat dal with biryani) but it still tasted good and yoghurt both are yum. read more

I enjoy Indian food immensely and have never been disappointed by Masala Zone. I visited the Islington branch yesterday with my daughter and my husband. I recommend the Thali as it is nicely balanced. The staff are helpful, unobtrusive and we all enjoyed our meals there before our trip back to Bournemouth. read more

Absolutely woeful from start to finish... the waitress hovered over us, forcing us to order quickly from what was a limited menu, and tried to upsell far too obviously. The food was bland and over-priced, and the chicken clearly pink. Upon noting that I could get better (and cheaper) food at my local Indian I was given a lecture re the ethos of 'food that you can cook at home'. I go out to dinner to get better food than what I can cook at home... I go out to eat so that I can get something flavoursome! To me this was like eating in a typical chain and I'd recommend going to your local rather than here. read more