Masala Bhavan Express (South Indian Cuisine) — Restaurant in Calgary

Visited on a quiet Monday evening for dinner with my kids in tow solely based on the reviews that promised lots of flavours. And YES - I agree, delicious flavours!

We ordered the Banana Leaf Fish (as my youngest put it.. "spicy but so worth the burning"). It was delicious with lots of ginger and spice. We then ordered the Paneer Dosai which was excellent and crispy (on special on Monday nights). We rounded out the meal with Butter Chicken (not my normal first choice ever BUT the kids loved it!) and an order of Naan bread (hot and fresh!). I plan to go back with more adults so I can try their spicy offerings. Sadly no photos as my kids have no willpower to wait for the artistic foodie in me to take them.

The restaurant is super small so recommend making reservations if eating during peak service times. They also have lunch specials and a small kids menu as well. Parking is free and plentiful. The service was friendly and attentive to my children's positive comments about the food. All in all excited to...

Authentic South Indian Food & Exceptional Service!

Masala Bhavan Express is a gem for anyone craving authentic Indian food, especially South Indian cuisine. I had the South Indian Thali, and every single item was a hit—pongal, rava kesari, idli sambar, medu vada, and uthappa—all absolutely delicious. A special shoutout to the rava kesari, which was perfectly done—sweet, warm, and full of flavor. They really nailed it!

Others in our group tried the masala dosa and non-veg thali, which included chicken (forgot the name but it was flavorful!), chana masala, and fish pakoda. Every dish was well-prepared and full of authentic taste.

What made our experience even better was the outstanding service from Aman. She ensured we were seated immediately, served on time, and took the time to explain everything in the thali. Her friendly and attentive approach made a real difference.

We’ll definitely be coming back—for both the excellent service by Aman and that unforgettable South...

A slice of South India right here and it’s the real deal! Had an absolutely amazing experience at Masala Bhavan Express! I ordered the lamb biryani, and wow it was packed with flavor, bhai style biryani, perfectly spiced, and felt straight out of the streets of Delta region in South India. What truly blew me away? They actually served it with brinjal gravy and onion raita - the authentic accompaniments most places skip!

Also tried the chicken veppudu roast - spicy, crispy edges, tender inside - just how it's meant to be. Washed it all down with a thick and creamy sweet lassi that tasted like it came straight from a village dairy.

The service was top-notch, friendly and fast. The setup is cozy and small, so it feels more like a carefully curated food experience than a loud, crowded restaurant.

If you're craving true South Indian biryani with all the right sides (and no shortcuts), this place...