-
Masala
-
8Loading...
-
Veg-options
Lacto
Indian
Buffet
Delivery
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Was vegetarian but added meat in addition to a vegetarian menu. Open Mon-Thu 11:00am-2:30pm, Mon-Sun 5:00pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 11:00am-3:00pm.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
Loading...
-
-
Last update on 13 Jul 2017 by Guest
Update business info -
Are you the owner?
Claim this business
-
-
9 Reviews
First Review by nainabarnett
Jill-Marie
Points +36
Decent. - Edit
There was really only 1 vegan option and it was okay. The prices were a bit high for the amount and quality of food.
Read moreGuest
lucerne07
Points +225
Keeps going downhill - Edit
An update to my last review from 2012: Masala just keeps going downhill. The food/service is lacking. And six years later, the restaurant seriously needs a good cleaning and coat of paint.
Read moreOld review: Before Masala added meat to their menu, we visited the restaurant pretty regularly. With fair prices and portions, it was an easy place to go for dinner without spending a lot. Plus, with every other Indian restaurant in town serving meat, it was relaxing to have somewhere to go that was vegetarian. Since they added meat a few months back, I definitely feel less inclined to go. Nothing puts a damper on my appetite quite like seeing lambs listed on a menu.
As for the food, I recommend the samosas, pakora, chana masala, coconut curry vegetables, and masala dosa. They aren't afraid to make things spicy, which I like. (The only exception to that is at the afternoon buffet, where they keep everything quite mild.)
The service isn't especially warm or friendly, and the restaurant itself is kind of grubby around the edges. The light switches and wall paint could use replacement, repainting, and/or a deep cleaning. When you use the bathroom, you can look into the haphazard and cluttered kitchen area. They've made some updates recently to their seating area, but there's still room for improvement.
Updated from previous review on 2018-10-06
Pros: Inexpensive, Good flavors, Not afraid to add spice
Cons: Grubby, Cold service, Added meat to their menu
Guest
amcghghy
Points +28
Great food and service! - Edit
Masala offers many vegan options -- all marked on the menu. The food is delicious, especially the vegan appetizers! Staff is friendly and accommodating. Masala also offers a great variety of vegan food on the lunch buffet.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, friendly staff, great atmos
Guest
acwrice
Points +222
Good Indian with vegan options - Edit
Pretty good Indian place with typical menu. Vegan options are marked on the menu and on the buffet.
Read morePros: Vegan options marked on menu and buffet
Cons: No longer all vegetarian
Guest
Troktagon
Points +179
Mediocre Indian food - Edit
Went through here on a cross-country road trip. Standard indian options were quite greasy and definitely not as good as many other indian places.
Read moreCons: Greasy
Guest
lavanderson
Points +38
No longer vegetarian - Edit
As the description says, Masala made the unfortunate decision to add meat options to their formerly 100% vegetarian menu.
Read moreGuest
veganqwert
Points +41
Take a look at their menu! - Edit
Vegan menu options
Read moreAPPETIZERS
Samosa 2.95
Two savory triangular pastries filled with potatoes and peas, served with mint and tamarind chutneys
Pakora 2.95
Spicy fritters of potato, spinach, onion and cauliflower, served with chutneys
Aloo Pakora 2.95
Slices of fresh potatoes dipped in gram flour and fried. Served with chutneys
Gobhi Pakora 2.95
Cauliflower dipped in gram flour and fried; served with chutneys
Eggplant Pakora 2.95
Slices of fresh eggplant dipped in gram flour and fried; served with chutneys
Aloo Tikki 2.95
Fresh grated potatoes formed into pancakes, dipped in gram flour and fried; served with chutneys
Assorted Platter 7.95
cobination of samosa, pakora, aloo Pakora, eggplant, aloo tikki and poppadum
VEGETALBES (SABZI)
Bengan Bhartha 8.95
Fresh roasted eggplant cooked with tomatoes, onions, herbs and spices (vegan or nonvegan)
Aloo Bengan 8.95
Eggplant and potatoes spiced to perfection
Aloo Gobhi 8.95
Potatoes and cauliflower complement each other in this traditional Indian favorite
Aloo Palak 8.95
Spinach cooked delicately with potatoes
Aloo Gajar Matter 8.95
Potatoes, carrots, peas cooked delicately with spices
Aloo Matter 8.95
Peas cooked with spices, tomatoes and potatoes
Zeera Aloo 8.95
Potatoes cooked with cumin seed and spices
Saag Channa 8.95
Spinach cooked delicately with chickpeas
Saag Tofu 8.95
Spinach cooked with soy cheese
Vegetable Jalfrazie 8.95
Sauted seasonal fresh vegetables in spices, ginger and garlic
Coconut curry 8.95
Fresh vegetables cooked with coconut milk
DAL (LENTILS)
Masala Dal 8.95
A massoor dal flavored with garlic, ginger and onion
Channa Masala 8.95
A chickpea dal simmered in a tomato and onion gravy with a delicate blend of spices
BREADS (ROTI) & RICE
Plain Parantha 2.50
multi-layered whole wheat bread (mention vegan or it's topped with butter
Tandoori Roti 1.95
Round whole wheat bread baked in our tandoor oven
Poori 1.95
deep-fried puffy bread made of whole wheat
Basmati rice 1.95
Vegetable Biryani 8.95
An elaborate pullao flavored with a unique blend of spices, nuts and vegetables; served with raita
SOUTH INDIAN ENTREES
Masala Dosa 9.95
light rice flour and lentil crepe is stuffed with potato filling and served with cocnut chutney and sambar, a spicy vegetable stew
Uttapum 9.95
Tomatoes, onions, and green chilies folded into a rice and lentil pancake; served with sambar stew and coconut chutney
Idli 5.95
rice and lentil cakes served with sambar stew and side of coconut chutney
Pros: huge variety/totally delicious, friendly, knowledgable staff, great value
Guest
hclark
Points +140
Always delicious - Edit
Masala is hands down my favorite restaurant in Iowa City. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The menu very clearly shows what is vegan. Choice of spice level is much appreciated. Our favorites include their pakoras, zeera aloo, dal makhani and saag channa. If you want a quick place to eat, go for their lunch buffet. Inexpensive, great food for a very reasonable price. Ordering off the menu takes longer and is a bit more expensive, but is totally worth it.
Read morePros: excellent food, courteous staff
Guest
nainabarnett
Points +56
my favourite indian restaurant in iowa city - Edit
Masala has really nice menu that clearly labels what is vegan and what isn't. I find the food to be delicious, and it's a very good value. It's also a great place to bring friends who aren't vegan/vegetarian, because although everything on the menu is vegan/vegetarian, everybody always finds something they love.
Read morePros: very vegan friendly, friendly staff, authentic indian flavour
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 4095 times.