Masala Zone Piccadilly Review: Grand Criterion Interiors, Thalis, Street Food & Cocktails

If you’ve ever walked past Piccadilly Circus and thought, “Surely it’s all neon, noise, and overpriced tourist traps,” let me introduce you to a delicious plot twist: Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus. From the outside, it’s easy to underestimate. Step in, though, and you’re suddenly in a dining room that feels almost palatial—gilded, glowing, and quietly dramatic (in the best way). This branch sits inside the historic Criterion building, a famous London restaurant venue that dates back to 1873. 

I visited as Your Food Fantasy—equal parts hungry, curious, and fully prepared to judge the lighting (because reels don’t film themselves). What I got was an experience that balances proper Indian flavours with a setting that makes you feel like you should be wearing velvet… even if you’ve turned up in trainers.

Quick snapshot for the impatient scrollers

• Best for: A central London Indian meal that feels special (without being stiff)
• Vibe: Grand brasserie glamour meets lively Indian comfort
• Don’t miss: Pani puri / gol guppa-style street snacks, thalis, kebabs, biryani, and cocktails
• Location: Opposite the Eros statue at Piccadilly Circus

Masala Zone: what it is (and why it’s everywhere in London)

This restaurant is part of the MW Eat family—the group behind some of London’s most celebrated Indian restaurants, including Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary. Masala Zone itself was created in 2001, with a clear mission: serve “proper Indian food as eaten by Indians daily in India”, spanning regional dishes and street-food classics. 

Today, Masala Zone has four London locations (Soho, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and Earl’s Court). 

And yes—this is where the Veeraswamy connection matters. If Veeraswamy is “fine dining with history and a suit jacket,” Masala Zone is its cool cousin: still rooted in authenticity, but more playful, more accessible, and brilliantly social.

Why Piccadilly is the Masala Zone to visit

The Piccadilly branch is housed in the Criterion Restaurant building, a London landmark that opened in 1873 and is frequently described as one of the capital’s most iconic dining rooms. 

A few fun heritage notes that make this location extra special:

• The dining room dates back to the late Victorian era (hello, marble-and-gold drama). 
• The venue has a long cultural footprint (it’s even associated with famous literary and historical references in reviews and write-ups). 
• Masala Zone opened here in 2023, bringing Indian brasserie energy into a room that already knows how to host a grand evening. 

Translation: if you love interiors that look like they belong in a period drama, this is your sign.

The interiors: bigger, grander, and far more “wow” than you expect

Outside, Piccadilly is chaos. Inside, Masala Zone Piccadilly is… calm opulence. Think: high ceilings, heritage detailing, shimmering surfaces, and a dining room that feels both bustling and luxurious. Many guides highlight the ornate character of the space and how well it suits an Indian brasserie. 

As a food blogger, I’ll be honest: I came for the flavours, but I stayed for the lighting. This place films like a dream—especially when you’re doing that slow-motion pan from interiors to thali (you know the one).

Let’s talk food: street snacks, thalis, grills, biryanis, and curries

Masala Zone’s menu is built to travel across India—street food, home-style comfort, and regional classics. 

Here’s what stood out in my Piccadilly visit (and what you should look for).

1) Pani puri / gol guppa-style joy (the edible mood-lifter)

If you want to start with something instantly fun, go for the gol guppa / pani puri-style dishes. On Masala Zone menus you’ll often see versions like Gol Guppa Pops—crisp hollow shells, filled, then you add the tangy water and pop. It’s the kind of starter that makes the whole table laugh and immediately order more. 

This is street food energy done in a way that still feels polished—Piccadilly appropriate, but unmistakably desi.

2) Vada pav (aka: the snack that hugs you back)

Masala Zone does a vada pav-style bite (often shown as “Vada Pao / Vada Pav sliders” on their menus): soft bread, spiced potato patty, and that irresistible hit of masala warmth. 

It’s nostalgic, satisfying, and basically the reason I believe carbs are an emotional support system.

3) Lamb kebabs: smoky, tender, and properly regal

For grills, the Piccadilly dinner menu calls out Lucknow Lamb Seekh Kebab—minced lamb with spices and coriander, rooted in Lucknow-style flavour. 

This is the sort of dish that smells like it arrived with confidence. If you’re a kebab person (or you dine with one), this is a safe “order it and watch them smile” situation.

4) The thali: the main character moment

Masala Zone’s home thalis are one of the smartest ways to eat here—balanced, varied, and extremely satisfying. The Piccadilly menu explains the format clearly: you choose a curry, and the thali comes with vegetables, dal, raita, rice or chapattis, papad and chutney. 

And yes, they include both veg and non-veg thalis at Piccadilly—like Konkan Mixed Veg, Alleppey Prawn Thali, and Lamb Rogan Josh Thali on their menus. 

For me, the thali is the “I want to taste everything but I also want my life to be organised” choice.

5) Biryani: fragrant, layered, and generous

Their house biryanis are built for aroma—saffron, herbs, and that slow-cooked depth. On the Piccadilly menus you’ll find options like Hyderabadi Mumtazi Veg Biryani and Traditional Lucknow Lamb Biryani, and also a Shahi Mughlai Chicken Biryani listed via delivery menus. 

This is biryani that understands the assignment: perfumed, comforting, and totally reel-worthy when you lift the lid and the steam hits.

6) Curries: prawn, lamb, and the comfort of a good sauce

If you’re going the curry route, look out for Alleppey Prawn Curry (also referenced on their ordering/delivery menus), and lamb options across the menu/thali formats. 

The best part? Masala Zone builds flavour without making everything taste the same. You can genuinely hop regions on one table.

What to order at Masala Zone Piccadilly (my suggested “dream table”)

If you’re going with friends or family (or you’re hungry-hungry), this is a brilliant mix:

• Gol guppa / pani puri-style starter (for fun + tang) 
• Vada pav-style sliders (for comfort) 
• Lucknow Lamb Seekh Kebab (for smoky indulgence) 
• Veg thali (for variety and balance) 
• One biryani to share (because it’s always a good idea) 
• One “spiced” cocktail each (Piccadilly’s list is strong) 

The Veeraswamy link (and why it matters for your expectations)

Masala Zone exists in the same wider restaurant universe as Veeraswamy—London’s iconic Indian fine-dining name—via the MW Eat group story. Masala Zone’s own “our story” page explicitly references its creation after the success of Chutney Mary and Veeraswamy. 

So when you dine here, you’re getting something that’s more casual than Veeraswamy, but still rooted in a team and legacy that takes Indian food seriously. It’s not trying to be Michelin-star formal—it’s trying to be joyful, regional, and reliably delicious.

Final verdict: is Masala Zone Piccadilly worth it?

Yes—especially if you want:

• Central London convenience without compromising on flavour
• An interior that feels grand (hello, Criterion building) 
• A menu that can do street food + thali + biryani + cocktails in one sitting 

This is a brilliant “take visitors somewhere impressive” restaurant, but it’s also a great “I live in London and still want to be wowed” choice.

And from a content perspective? Interiors + food + cocktails + that Piccadilly energy outside? It’s basically a reel storyboard waiting to happen.

FAQs
Is Masala Zone only in Piccadilly?

No—Masala Zone has four London branches: Soho, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and Earl’s Court. 

What’s special about the Piccadilly location?

It’s inside the historic Criterion dining room building (dating back to 1873), giving it a uniquely grand interior for an Indian brasserie. 

What should I order first?

Start with a gol guppa / pani puri-style dish and a vada pav bite, then move to a thali or biryani, and don’t skip the cocktails.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes