Cuisine: Indian
Price Point: Mains from £10-£20
This is the sort of neighbourhood Indian you wish you had at the end of your street…
The newest addition to Cardiff’s Indian dining scene is relaxed, informal and friendly, yet the attentiveness of the service wouldn’t look out of place in a fine dining restaurant.
The food is inspired by India’s many street cafes. Think authentic Mumbai tawa biryanis, thalis, fragrant prawn curries and khati rolls bursting with fresh herbs and tangy chutneys.
While all your Indian favourites are available, lesser known dishes such as crispy prawn koliwada and Bombay aloo wada (mashed potato balls with spices) will take you on a delicious journey all the way from Northern India to Southern Goa.
A selection of nine beers is just the thing to cool your palate after the fiery chicken chatpata, or opt for a glass from the good value wine list.
Map
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Masala Bag
145 Crwys Road
Cardiff CF24 4NH
Open Hours:
Mon 12:00 pm - 10:30pm
Tue Closed
Wed 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Thu 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Sat 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Sum 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Phone: 02920300649
Website: www.masalabag.co.uk
Sample Menu *may not be current
Click on menu to enlarge.
Reviews
EMMA PRICE - dined at Masala Bag on 11 August 2019
Had the set "thali' menu which was quite tasty. Staff were welcoming. Didn't take card payments though which was apparently advertised but I didn't see it. Nice little eatery
Sharon Davies - dined at Masala Bag on 17 August 2019
We had a lovely warm greeting as soon as we entered and excellent service throughout. The menu was varied and had our favourites too. The food was glorious! We ordered a little too much as we weren’t expecting such generous portions sizes. But the waitress was very accommodating and packed us a wonderful doggy bag.
Must try the onion baji and the lamb keema with the puffy bread.
Heads up, it’s cash only.
Ruth Nasrat - dined at Masala Bag on 7 August 2019
Excellent food as usual. Even without the first table discount it's amazing value. I had the lamb thali while my friend had the veg. The portions are large and they were quite happy to let us take my leftovers home. One note is that they don't take cards so remember to take cash.
Prashen Pillay - dined at Masala Bag on 26 July 2019
My family and I really enjoyed our meal at Masala bag. Staff were really attentive, service was fast and food was tasty and presented well. We bought a mixed non veg thali, chicken thali, lamb biriyani and a masala dosa.
Overall a brilliant experience and we will return.
Sharon Seto - dined at Masala Bag on 18 November 2018
Firstly the time of the first table is 7:30, the latest in Cardiff, which for us was great because we felt like we were in the busy period so atmosphere was good.
The menu comprises of Indian street food and we both had a thali each. The lamb was really tender which is always paramount in a curry in my opinion and the seafood was good - prawns were massive. Personally it could have been more spicy but I’m sure if you asked for that they would do it!
We will be returning to have a selection of street food dishes.
Amber Moorcroft - dined at Masala Bag on 16 November 2018
We had a lovely time in Masala Bag, from the moment we walked in. We received a very warm welcome and service with a smile from both the waitress and the manager.
The young lady was very helpful and knowledgeable explaining each of the dishes in detail.
We had three different Thali meals a fish, a chicken and a vegetarian, each consisting of a starter, three curries a side dish, rice, roti, lime pickle and Yogurt. Then finished off with a delicious traditional Indian sweet.
Booking through table made this excellent value for money but we will definitely be returning and happy to pay the full price.
This new restaurant is a real gem on the block and a rising star amongst the Indian restaurants in Cardiff.. A must for connoisseurs of good food.
Deb Aseeley - dined at Masala Bag on 12 September 2018
This was our first experience of trying First Table for Cardiff and visiting Masala Bag did not disappoint us while staying in Cardiff.
We all ordered a mixed non veg Thali, it was a good portion, nice presentation and most of all it tasted Mmm very yummy and we managed to eat it all!
Its cash only which could do with being displayed but we would return here next time we're on holiday here. Thank you :)
EMMA PRICE - dined at Masala Bag on 11 August 2019
Had the set "thali' menu which was quite tasty. Staff were welcoming. Didn't take card payments though which was apparently advertised but I didn't see it. Nice little eatery
Sharon Davies - dined at Masala Bag on 17 August 2019
We had a lovely warm greeting as soon as we entered and excellent service throughout. The menu was varied and had our favourites too. The food was glorious! We ordered a little too much as we weren’t expecting such generous portions sizes. But the waitress was very accommodating and packed us a wonderful doggy bag.
Must try the onion baji and the lamb keema with the puffy bread.
Heads up, it’s cash only.
Ruth Nasrat - dined at Masala Bag on 7 August 2019
Excellent food as usual. Even without the first table discount it's amazing value. I had the lamb thali while my friend had the veg. The portions are large and they were quite happy to let us take my leftovers home. One note is that they don't take cards so remember to take cash.
Prashen Pillay - dined at Masala Bag on 26 July 2019
Amazing food! Would recommend the peppered lamb and chicken lollipops
Nick Dibb - dined at Masala Bag on 19 July 2019
The food was really good quality and using first table made it very very good value for money
Cara Jameson - dined at Masala Bag on 5 May 2019
Lovely evening at a curry house we hadn't tried before. Food was tasty, and the staff were friendly. Will definitely be back.
Gareth Taylor - dined at Masala Bag on 7 June 2019
Great food, beautifully presented and friendly service
Delyth Chandler - dined at Masala Bag on 8 June 2019
Lovely food, lovely little place which isn’t too overcrowded. The staff are very friendly. Would definitely visit again :)
Beverley Rogers - dined at Masala Bag on 25 May 2019
Great food with amazing flavours at a fabulous price! Would definitely recommend anyone to go there.
Rachel Aylward-Clark - dined at Masala Bag on 18 May 2019
Fantastic food freshly cooked very tasty and friendly pleasant service definitely would go back thank you
Alison Roberts - dined at Masala Bag on 14 March 2019
Masala Bag is now our first choice if we want Indian food. Everything on the menu is excellent, the only problem we have is choosing what to eat. We went for a selection of starters – fish amritsari, tawa lamb, bombay aloo wada, paneer tikka saslick. We also had the lamb kadhai curry, garlic naan & cheese potato naan. It was tons of food. I'd have to say our favourite dish was the fish amritsari – it was really tender and nicely spiced. We’ll definitely be back.
Rosie Johns - dined at Masala Bag on 21 February 2019
Book for a table of 4, slightly busy when we arrived. Good selection of starters, not a lot of curry main options but go for the Thali as that is what they do. The lamb was tender in a rich deeply curried sauce. Would go again
Sam Chettleburgh - dined at Masala Bag on 8 February 2019
Great experience as always! Amazing food! I highly recommend it.
Bianca Barbu - dined at Masala Bag on 31 January 2019
Food was good
Sonia Goyal - dined at Masala Bag on 18 January 2019
Having been twice in recent months, I fell confident in saying that the food at Masala bag is fantastic and great value for money, as are the drinks.
Service is very friendly but on our second visit, too few staff to cover a full restaurant meant that it wasn’t quite as enjoyable. For the food and value (even without FirstTable), I’d definitely return.
Jamie Morgan - dined at Masala Bag on 19 January 2019
Small and cosy restaurant which was perfect for us! The food was to die for! Highly recommend the spring chicken starter - was beautiful! Also the staff are lovely too! Will definitely be back :)
Charlotte Jones - dined at Masala Bag on 12 January 2019
Only a small restaurant but the food and service was brilliant. I only mentioned the first table discount once the full priced bill had come and the gentleman was apologetic and changed the bill straight away. Will be going again soon
Ben Carey - dined at Masala Bag on 11 January 2019
The contents of this review have not been published as it breaches our review guidelines.
Prashen Pillay - dined at Masala Bag on 23 November 2018
The food was great, authentic Indian dishes. The service was very slow however. Table was booked for 7.30,we had starters and poppadoms but we didn’t get our mains until about 8.30. Also a problem when we got the bill as they tried to take off 25% rather than 50% and said they had included the drinks instead. But when I calculated 50% off food and then add the drinks at full price the original total they gave was £10 more expensive. So we spoke to them and then they agreed to do it properly. It’s not nice to have to complain when the idea of First Table is that there is 50% off the food. The saving grace was that the food was very good but I don’t think I would return.
Megan Davies - dined at Masala Bag on 23 November 2018
Very good experience and really nice food.
Would go back again
Chi Felly-Njoku - dined at Masala Bag on 18 November 2018
My family and I really enjoyed our meal at Masala bag. Staff were really attentive, service was fast and food was tasty and presented well. We bought a mixed non veg thali, chicken thali, lamb biriyani and a masala dosa.
Overall a brilliant experience and we will return.
Sharon Seto - dined at Masala Bag on 18 November 2018
Firstly the time of the first table is 7:30, the latest in Cardiff, which for us was great because we felt like we were in the busy period so atmosphere was good.
The menu comprises of Indian street food and we both had a thali each. The lamb was really tender which is always paramount in a curry in my opinion and the seafood was good - prawns were massive. Personally it could have been more spicy but I’m sure if you asked for that they would do it!
We will be returning to have a selection of street food dishes.
Amber Moorcroft - dined at Masala Bag on 16 November 2018
I had a table of 4 at Masala Bag and we had an excellent time. The food was great particularly the starters and the service was very friendly throughout our meal
Thomas Freeman - dined at Masala Bag on 6 October 2018
fab
Jackie Glassar - dined at Masala Bag on 15 September 2018
We had a lovely time in Masala Bag, from the moment we walked in. We received a very warm welcome and service with a smile from both the waitress and the manager.
The young lady was very helpful and knowledgeable explaining each of the dishes in detail.
We had three different Thali meals a fish, a chicken and a vegetarian, each consisting of a starter, three curries a side dish, rice, roti, lime pickle and Yogurt. Then finished off with a delicious traditional Indian sweet.
Booking through table made this excellent value for money but we will definitely be returning and happy to pay the full price.
This new restaurant is a real gem on the block and a rising star amongst the Indian restaurants in Cardiff.. A must for connoisseurs of good food.
Deb Aseeley - dined at Masala Bag on 12 September 2018
Can't recommend Masala Bag enough! I've been before and everything I've tried on the menu has been incredible. I'd particularly recommend the 'small plates' like chicken dosa (which really aren't that small) and the naan breads (best I've ever tasted).
Rosie Johns - dined at Masala Bag on 3 September 2018
Very knowledgeable and friendly waiter, helped us with our choices and made us feel very comfortable. Wine was lovely, food was even better!
Isabelle Rose - dined at Masala Bag on 1 September 2018
First rate dosas and then a couple of excellent thali plates. It was a speedy visit but just what we wanted and all served with a lovely smile
Alvin Jones - dined at Masala Bag on 10 August 2018
I had the Tawa Lamb to start and my oh had Gosht Karak Sheek and both really enjoyed it. Mains were chicken tikka and lamb kadhai with pialu rice, the chips were French fries which although nice didn't compliment the curry and the karma naan was lovely but thin. Looking forward to going again and trying the wraps.Well worth a visit
Susan Jones - dined at Masala Bag on 4 August 2018
What a fab little restaurant. The owner told us it's only been open a month! Food was fantastic - lots of Indian street food we hadn't tried before, or seen elsewhere. The food is really reasonably priced, even without the First Table offer. Ate too much and wanted to have a little cry when we couldn't fit in dessert. Highly recommend the chicken dosa under 'small plates' (side note: it's not that small!), also the garlic naan which proved to be my undoing.
Rosie Johns - dined at Masala Bag on 27 July 2018
The meal was great, my starter of tandoori chicken was probably one of the best I've eaten, but quite spicy, so beware.
The rest of the meal was equally as good, the service was good. We will be back
Graham McCauley - dined at Masala Bag on 26 July 2018
Great place , authentic cookings at a resaonable price.
Rakesh Thakur - dined at Masala Bag on 20 July 2018
Overview
33 reviews
This was our first experience of trying First Table for Cardiff and visiting Masala Bag did not disappoint us while staying in Cardiff.
We all ordered a mixed non veg Thali, it was a good portion, nice presentation and most of all it tasted Mmm very yummy and we managed to eat it all!
Its cash only which could do with being displayed but we would return here next time we're on holiday here. Thank you :)