Magic Masala Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Seattle

A welcome addition to the neighborhood, MM has now grown to become our favorite Indian spot in the city, and with good reason...

Named after the popular regional Lays' flavor, if I had to guess, Magic Masala elevates the quality of Indian food in the Greenwood-Greenlake neighborhood. The truth is: Seattle is awash in good South Indian restaurants, but not so for North Indian fare. MM is noteworthy because while the owner-chef is from the South Indian Andhra state (be sure to try the authentic Andhra dishes on the menu btw), the team manages to put their spin on perennial favorites. Even dishes that one usually takes for granted like the malai kofta and the kadai paneer have rich undertones & complex flavors. The biryani had three pieces of chicken vs the typical two at other establishments. Would like to see the salan appear alongside the raita, dum biryani needs salan :)

I also appreciate that their spice level means business. Even a 4 was enough to bring a seasoned spice vet like me to shed some tears. I recommend most folks stick with a 3.

Other noteworthy points: Mostly operates as a takeout spot It's right on 85th, great location & has its own parking lot, and while the spots are tight, I've never struggled to find parking here. The hostess is very friendly and well-spoken They even have chaat on the menu, best eaten in person, doesn't keep well enough for takeout I suggest keeping Indian sodas in the fridge: Limca, etc.

In summary, Magic Masala hits the right spot in terms of menu breadth, quality, portions and of course, price. I tried two takeout orders before leaving a review, and I'm not kidding: every item we ordered was a hit! Usually, there's a lemon once in a while, but not so with MM. Here are the dishes I can recommend without hesitation: Kadai Paneer, Chicken Dum Biryani, Goat Curry, Masala Chicken, Malai Kofta, Samosas, Chicken 65, Dahi Puri

Drop everything and go to Magic Masala right now, you...

Date of Visit: May 8, 2025

We dined at Magic Masala Indian Cuisine today, and what an incredible experience it was! The restaurant was quite busy, which is always a good sign, but we were still seated comfortably and served promptly. The ambiance was clean and welcoming, perfect for enjoying a hearty Indian meal.

We tried a wide variety of dishes: cheeku shake, lamb biryani, paneer biryani, dal makhni, fish pakora, aloo tikki chaat, chai, cucumber raita, Hakka noodles, and chicken tikka. Every dish stood out in flavor and authenticity, and the portions were generous. The prices were surprisingly very reasonable, especially considering the high quality and portion sizes.

Our server, Harshank, provided excellent service. He checked on us multiple times, made us feel genuinely welcome, and even recommended a few amazing dishes that we absolutely loved. His attentiveness really elevated our dining experience.

One dish that especially stood out for me was the dal makhni—it had a unique flavor profile compared to the North Indian style I grew up with, and I found it to be absolutely delicious. The biryanis were rich and flavorful, the appetizers were crisp and fresh, and the chai was the perfect end to a filling meal.

Even though my stomach was full, my eyes wanted more—everything looked so good! This place definitely knows how to leave an impression, and we will absolutely be coming back to try more from the menu. Highly recommend Magic Masala Indian Cuisine for anyone craving authentic Indian flavors, generous portions, and...

After some questionable signage, magic masala opened in our neighborhood!

Food: we got butter chicken, chicken kadai, garlic naan, and a 555 biryani chicken. It came with a side of rice and a yogurt sauce that was a nice combo. I’d say I always get 3/5 or middle spice for all my Indian food or wherever there’s a spice scale and this was definitely a little spicier but pleasant. I needed water and the yogurt sauce so if you’re not too spice crazy, I’d go lower. The portions are large and will feed you 2-3 days after depending on how much you get. The biryani’s is very large so if you only had to get one filling thing, that’s what I’d go for.

Service: good. We went on a weekday so there weren’t a lot of dine in groups but noticed a bunch of takeout orders. The service was casual, nice, and attentive.

Atmosphere: pretty casual, one noticeable TV with Indian music videos with funny choreography and faint music while you eat.

Place is closed on Tuesday. I would come again if wanting a little Indian fix. Not sure how authentic it is but still a good pick for a decent meal...