Masala Art DC (Tenleytown)

Name: Masala Art DC (Tenleytown)
Address: 4441 B-Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, United States, 20016
Telephone: (202) 362-4441
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1081 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary Indian

Top Tags:

'Too much is so good, you can't stop eating it. The tandoor-baked breads are not mere swabs for sauce but could be eaten, and enjoyed, on their own; the naan with cilantro and rock salt is terrific, as is the kulcha richly stuffed with minced lamb. Masala Art offers combinations you don't see often around here, but even its more familiar dishes can be revelations. Consider its samosas. They're flakier than a lot of the competition, and their filling of peas, potatoes and sweet raisins tastes fresher, too. A burst of cardamom in every bite helps. In the same vein, soft logs of minced lamb pulse with heat from jalapeno peppers, a shock offset with breezy mint. Pureed spinach is a vibrant green, flecked with corn and rich with garlic...' - WashingtonPost.com

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Nov 28, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(202) 362-4441

Other options

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Contemporary Indian
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(202) 362-4441
Website
http://www.masalaartdc.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
4441 B-Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016
Neighborhood
Tenleytown
Cross street
Albemarle Street NW
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access

Calamari$7.95
sautéed calamari with curry leaves, coconut and hint of lemon juice
Vegetable Samosa$6.95
Fried patties stuffed with peas, potatoes and raisins
Aam Palak Chaat$8.95
flash fried baby spinach, diced mango, sweet yogurt and sauces
Aloo Tikki Chaat$6.95
Panfried potato cakes on a bed of chickpeas, sweet yogurt and sauces
Bhelpuri*$6.95
Puffed rice, chickpea vermicelli, peanuts, chopped onion, diced mango, cilantro and drizzled with tamarind chutney
Dahi Papri Chaat$6.95
Fried flour crisps, moong dal dumpling, chickpeas, topped with yogurt, chutneys
Pani Poori$6.95
Puffed hollows stuffed with diced potatoes and chickpeas topped with chutneys – eaten whole in one bite
Dahi Bhalle$6.95
Velvety lentil dumplings in yogurt sauce
Cauliflower Bezule$6.95
florets coated with rice flour, spices and tossed with mustard seeds and curry leaves
Aloo Bonda$6.95
spiced mashed potatoes engulfed in a coating of chick peas batter
Phulka Tacos$7.75
stuffed with sliced chicken tikka OR lamb keema, pickled red onion, lettuce and chutney
Onion Bhaji$6.95
julienned bell pepper and onion in chick peas batter
Dhokla$6.95
irresistible street food snack made with fermented chick peas batter, tempered with curry leaves, mustard seeds and chilli
Pao Bhaji$6.95
thick vegetable curry served with soft buttered bread roll
Lahori Murg Tikka$7.95
chicken cubes marinated with yogurt, chilli paste and star anise
Chicken 65$7.95
Small pieces of chicken tossed with South Indian masala
Jheenga Porcha Yera$8.50
Spicy tempered Prawns
Seekh Kabab$7.95
Skewered minced lamb kabab flavored with mint and cilantro
Scallops Chilli Garlic$9.95
scallops tossed in chilli garlic sauce

Tandoori Specialities

Ajwaini Jumbo Prawns$28.50
Jumbo prawns in saffron marinade and carom seeds
Tandoori Salmon$24.95
chargrilled fillet of salmon marinated with yogurt and dill
Tandoori Chicken$17.95
Half a chicken marinated in saffron-yogurt marinade
Murg Malai Kabab$18.95
chicken cubes marinated in yogurt and cream cheese
Tandoori Lamb Chop$26.95
succulent lamb chops marinated in yogurt, green cardamom and mace
Kastoori Paneer Tikka$15.95
cubes of cottage cheese marinated in low-fat yogurt, saffron and dried fenugreek leaves
Tandoori Vegetarian Platter$18.95
stuffed green & red pepper, cheese stuffed broccoli and tandoori paneer

Tawa Selection

A thicker version of the household griddle, it is used to cook food very fast, the outer rim is used to keep the food warm and needs to be constantly stirred to avoid burning. It is also used for preparation of unleavened Indian breads and for dry roasting

Shrimp Balchao$25.95
shrimp tossed in thick tawa sauce and gauda masala
Bhareli Wangi$15.50
Indian baby eggplant with coastal spices and topped with tawa sauce
Tawa Bhindi$15.50
Okra with sesame seeds and cumin
Gobhi Mussallam$15.50
tandoori cauliflower topped with mussallam sauce – a traditional Mughlai delicacy

Non Vegetarian Specialities

A half portion of any of our vegetarian specialties can be ordered as an accompaniment to the main dishes $8

Lobster Lababdar$29.95
Lababdar means to completely surrender to the dish – chopped onion, tomatoes, fenugreek & garam masala
Shrimp Ambi Curry*$25.95
Prawns cooked in onion cashew nut gravy with fresh mango fillet
Nariyal Pudina Fish Curry$22.95
Fillet of fish cooked in a coconut and mint gravy
Murgh Tikka Masala$17.95
Chicken tikka in onion tomato gravy with fenugreek
Chicken Saagwala$17.95
Chicken tikka in creamy spinach
Coorgi Murg$17.95
chicken cooked with curry leaves, crushed black pepper in a rich coconut sauce
Awadhi Dum Ke Murg*$17.95
Speciality from Awadh – chicken cooked in rich brown cashew nut and saffron gravy
Murgh Makhani$17.95
Charbroiled chicken in tomato cream sauce
Achari Murg*$17.95
marinated chicken cubes in Indian pickle sauce
Lamb Vindaloo$18.95
Fiery lamb curry with vinegar and potatoes
Lamb Neelgiri Korma*$18.95
Lamb cooked in a rich mint and cilantro gravy
Elaichi Gosht*$18.95
lamb in cardamom sauce
Lamb Shank$22.95
marinated and cooked in its own juices, topped with minced lamb sauce

Vegetarian Specialities

A half portion of any of our vegetarian specialties can be ordered as a side with an accompanying main dish $8

Aloo Ke Gutke$13.50
Potatoes with curry leaves and mustard seeds
Tofu Garam Masala$14.50
Tofu in coconut sauce spiced with garam masala
Lassoni Corn Palak$14.50
Creamy spinach and corn tempered with garlic
Baingan Mirch Ka Salan*$14.50
A delicacy from south of India- eggplant & pepper in sesame seed sauce
Mattar Paneer$15.50
an Indian classic – green peas and cottage cheese
Kofta Shaam Savera*$14.50
cottage cheese dumplings stuffed with sautéed spinach and green puree sauce
Paneer Makhan Masala$15.50
Cottage cheese in a rich tomato cream sauce
Subzi Korma*$14.50
mixed vegetables in a rich cashew nut sauce
Vegetable Jalfrezi$14.50
tossed mixed vegetables tempered with whole red chili
Baingan Bharta$13.50
Tandoor roasted eggplant, mashed and tempered with onion, tomato and cilantro
Pindi Chole$13.50
Punjabi style chick pea curry
Dal Makhani$13.50
Black lentil -rich and creamy
Dal Panchrattan$13.50
a well seasoned mix of five different lentils
Saag Paneer$15.50
An all time favorite- cottage cheese in creamy spinach

Biryani

Biryani is a Rice dish – delicately cooked, wonderfully spiced, and enjoyed heartily

Shrimp Biryani$24.95
Chicken Biryani$18.95
Lamb Biryani$19.95
Vegetable Biryani$17.95

Breads

Kashmiri Nan$4.50
stuffed with dates, almonds, raisins and apricot
Goat Cheese Kulcha$4.50
Nan$3.00
A soft white flour bread
Butter Nan$3.50
Garlic Chilli Nan$3.50
A white flour bread with fresh garlic & crushed red pepper flakes
Rock Salt & Cilantro Nan$3.50
A white flour bread topped with rock salt & fresh cilantro
Tandoori Roti$3.00
Unleavened whole wheat bread
Aloo Parantha$3.50
whole wheat bread stuffed with mashed potatoes, ginger, cilantro and green chillies
Tildaar Paranthaa$3.50
whole wheat bread with sesame seeds
Missi Roti$3.50
Chick pea flour bread with ginger and ajwain
Kulcha$3.50
White flour bread stuffed with your choice of - Cheese OR Onion

Accompaniments

Pulao$3.99
Long grain Basmati rice cooked with spices
Chawal$2.99
Steamed long grain Basmati rice
Raita$3.95
yogurt with cucumber and cumin
Assorted Papaddum$3.50
Onion Salad$2.50
Mango Chutney$2.50
Chutney Platter$5.50
Pickle$1.75

Desserts

Kheer$6.00
The famous Indian Rice Pudding
Khubani Ka Meetha$6.00
Apricot compote – traditional special occasion dessert from Hyderabad
Shahi Tukra$6.50
Indian bread pudding – The dessert of Nawabs
Gulab Jamun$6.00
Milk dumpling, served with cardamom ice cream (eat-in only)
Rabarhi$6.50
A reduced milk dessert with vetivier and served with rolled silver leaf
Rasmalai*$6.50
Cottage Cheese dumpling in a reduced milk sauce with cardamom & pistachio
Date & Figs Jugalbandi$6.50
Deliciously divine – medley of date and figs with ice cream (eat-in only)

Food & Beverage Specials

Food Specials

Community Package: Choose any 4 main course, any 4 breads, & 2 accompaniments. Also get with our compliments 6 pack beer OR a bottle of house Red / White Wine $120. Add to the below:

Thali Dinner

Vegetarian Thali$21.95
with 4 dishes of chef's choice with pulao rice
Non Vegetarian Thali$25.95
with 2 non veg & 2 veg dishes of chefs choice

3 Course Tasting Dinner

Veg Dinner$31.95
2 appetizers, 4 dishes, rice, bread & dessert
Non Veg Dinner$35.95
2 appetizers, 4 dishes, rice, bread & dessert

Beverage Specials:

Community Package for 4 people $120

Brooklyn Pilsner
- Bottle$5.00
Amstel Light
- Bottle$3.00
All Wine Bottles @ 1/2 Price

What 1,081 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.3Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

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Filters

NG
NickG
Washington DC
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Having lots of food allergies I shy away from Indian food. So glad we took a chance at Masala Art DC! The owner took personal interest and care to be sure there was no cross contamination, and the food was delicious! We'll be back.
MI
McIeats
Washington DC
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience4
Amazing food. You can’t go wrong with Masala Art!
P
Prontomac
Washington DC
407 reviews
vip
5.0
407 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Truly outstanding Indian food in many varieties. We think the kitchen is very mature..no Hollywood but exactly like the food we had in great places in Delhi, Lucknow etc
M
Mauri
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Nice cozy restaurant with good food at reasonable prices.
DG
DanG
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
indian pickle chicken wonderful and not what we in America think of as pickle flavor. got a 1/2 vegetarian dish that we did not like and they gladly switched it to another 1/2 vegie dish. very helpful and informative waiter.
JE
JohnEO
Washington DC
115 reviews
vip
3.0
115 reviews
Dined on October 30, 2022
overall3food4service2ambience2
We returned to Masala Art on the basis of our previous pre-COVID experience. Our return with friends, however, turnout to be a somewhat embarrassing experience. The first hint of disappointment was us hanging around by the door waiting for a maitre d' to turn up to direct us to our table. We received glances from staff but were studiously ignored. We decided on pre-emptive action and chose a table ourselves - only to wait another 10 minutes for menus and attention from a server who gave every impression of not wanting to work at the restaurant at all. Eventually, 25 minutes after arrival the manager took our orders during which interval we noticed a regular stream of carry-out customers picking up their orders. We concluded carry-out was where this restaurant now thought it made most of its money. 60 minutes after arriving we received our first food, which was really very good: in my case, tender, nicely flavoured Rogan Josh; but all the other dishes were also very good, except one chicken dish was too spicy. (Unusually, for an Indian restaurant we were not asked how spicy we liked our food). The Kashmiri naan was also good but the pre-entree popadoms never showed up although we were charged for them. We hear DC restaurants are suffering because of post-COVID staff shortages - something we had not experienced at other DC restaurants we have visited recently. At Masala Art, the problem appears to be server quality, customer inattentiveness, and overpriced wine: $40 for a bottle of cheap Malbec is ridiculous. We were disappointed. I doubt we will return despite the very good fare.
LC
LoreeC
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Masala Art's food and ambience are excellent. A new appetizer to us was the delicious cauliflower bezule. We will definitely order it again. Service was efficient and pleasant. We frequent Indian restaurants regularly and highly recommend Masala Art in Tenleytown.
BG
BobG
Washington DC
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 15, 2022
overall2food3service2ambience3
Tried the goat cheese kulcha which I had never heard of. It was ecellent. The Dal makhani was excellent as usual. The remaining food was uninteresting -- samosas, the Tawa eggplant and the dhokla. It was a disappointing meal with some highlights.
g
geezerseat
Washington DC
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
Good food, usually quiet enough for easy conversation. Staff are attentive but not obtrusive and you never feel rushed. Recommend for catching-up-with-a-friend.
JA
JAWNPS
Washington DC
61 reviews
vip
5.0
61 reviews
Dined on September 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Best Indian food around.
JL
JaneL
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is one of our favorite restaurants. The aroma and atmosphere are very good. We feel welcome here & frequent it often. We like the lamb and chicken dishes and the naan. The prices are quite reasonable and the dishes feel fresh.
JC
JenniferC
Washington DC
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
There are so many interesting and hard-to-find dishes on Masala Art's menu that it was totally worth the trip from Takoma Park. Good selection of beers on tap and in bottles, and it was utterly generous and charming that they brought me a birthday Gulab Jamun / Rasmalai sampler with a lighted candle in it, on the house! Will return to sample more of their great menu sometime in the near future!
S
Seth50
Washington DC
27 reviews
vip
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I am always very pleased by the warm welcome I receive upon entering the restaurant and the attentive service. This is in addition to fine food and reasonable prices!!!
P
Prontomac
Washington DC
408 reviews
vip
4.0
408 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience4
Truly outstanding food prepared by a very good Chef. The Setting is quite comfortable, and the manager very welcoming as was her charming daughter. We were especially impressed with the shrimp in chili sauce appetizer and the lamb with mint and cilantro. Both the cauliflower appetizer and the baby eggplant are just wonderful. The wine list if just the right size for this restaurant, and not crazy prices like you see elsewhere these days!
KG
KarenG
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Favorite Indian restaurant in the area. Broader, more unusual selection than most and most importantly, tastier!
LB
LeslianneB
Washington DC
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on July 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service is attentive without being overbearing; the food is excellent and authentic.
C
Cakes
Washington DC
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on July 2, 2022
overall1food1service2ambience4
This was my first time dining here. The food was cold and seemed old. It was as if they didn’t care for our business with them. The only dish that was good was the fried cauliflower. I would not recommend this place.
x
xyzee
Washington DC
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on June 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service and low noise levels so conversation was easy.
J
Jess
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Masala Art DC is a hidden gem. We had never been there before and popped in on a Friday night. The food was absolutely delicious (some of the best Indian food we have ever eaten - the butter nan is to die for). Staff were very nice as well. We will definitely be going back.
JC
JosieC
New England
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful!!!
TF
ToddF
Washington DC
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Masala Art is one of our favorite restaurants. The food is always delicious. And the owner and his staff are very welcoming.
ES
EdwardonSSI
Washington DC
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I had a lovely meal at Masala Art. The food was delicious and we appreciated the personal attention of the owner. The restaurant was doing a bustling take out business but spacious dining room was virtually empty of diners, which made us feel comfortable and safe. We will return soon.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall2food1service4ambience3
Nice friendly couple running the place. They try really hard from a service standpoint. Food is pretty bad though. It wasn’t just one dish - across the board very very average food. So many much better Indian restaurants in the DC metro area that it is impossible to recommend this place.
CW
CarolineW
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 1, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
I always expect excellent food and we were not disappointed. We had lamb vindaloo, lamb ghosh and chicken tikka masala. All recommended.
JM
JamesM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Masala Art has excellent food and has had a booming take-out business during the pandemic. It is open now for in-person dining. Recommended.
MJ
MJinDC
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food, attentive service. A neighborhood gem!
B
Boothbay
Washington DC
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This place is always amazing, the food and service is outstanding.
DC
DCRandy
Washington DC
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on April 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is our favorite Indian restaurant in DC. The lamb chops were superb, as was the saag paneer, naan and chicken tika masala. The wine list is succinct and very fairly priced. Nice quiet atmosphere. It is a great place to spend a nice quiet relaxing dinner. Service is professional and not rushed at all.
SS
StephenS
Washington DC
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a splendid birthday party dinner with 10 friends (3 birthdays). We were well-cared for, with excellent food guidance, and staff were patient, even though we lingered for a bit and were the last guests.
F
Foodlover25
Washington DC
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on March 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We have been to Masala Art before and it is one of our favorites, but yesterday's meal was really fabulous. We shared 2 vegetable dishes, a shrimp. and a chicken dish and all were excellent. The presentation made it easy to share and we felt completely safe in the clean and calming atmosphere.
S
Seth50
Washington DC
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on March 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I have been to the Tenleytown location of Masala Art many times, and each time has been a start-to-finish delightful experience. The service is good--in fact, elegant--the food is authentic, and the prices are most reasonable. Do not hesitate to go!
d
dcdolcevita
Washington DC
44 reviews
vip
5.0
44 reviews
Dined on March 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love Masala Art! The food is reliably great - really, everything on the menu -- and it's an easy place to park, get into on short notice, and enjoy a quiet conversation. One of our go-to spots for a casual but delicious night out!
T
Traveler33145
Dallas
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Slow kitchen. 1.5 hours waiting at the table for food with nobody coming to get water. Great food, great portions, great flavor.
L
Lois
New Mexico
4 reviews
2.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2022
overall2food3service2ambience2
The Open Table reservation was not found when we arrived. The staff seemed to be pre-occupied with delivery orders and our entire meal took 2 hours. The food was good, but the drinks ordered were miscounted leading to a quadrupling of a glass of wine order (instead of the 2 ordered) and the single Manhattan drink which was ordered but two were delivered. The error was corrected after speaking with management. Overall the meal was good but was slow in being served.
DP
DarinP
Washington DC
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on January 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was delicious and the staff is very patient and friendly, and willing to answer lots of questions about the spices, etc used in the dishes. We’ll definitely return.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on December 25, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Phenomenal experience. Food was reasonably priced, service was superb, food was served hot and was delicious, and ambience was great as well. 10/10 would recommend!
d
dinerwiner
Washington DC
43 reviews
vip
5.0
43 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2021
overall5food5service4ambience4
I go to Masala Art often. The food is always good.
FD
FoodnDrinkGuy
Washington DC
35 reviews
vip
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Masala Art is one of my favorites. They have a contemporary twist on traditional fare. There is something for everyone. I highly recommend them for any occasion.
P
Peterw
Washington DC
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2021
overall4food5service4ambience4
Always constantly good food. Friendly service.
L
Leighatsea
Washington DC
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Their menu ranges broadly and is excellently prepared. Service and ambiance are terrific.

FAQs

Masala Art DC (Tenleytown) does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Masala Art DC (Tenleytown) also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 362-4441.

Masala Art DC (Tenleytown) is rated 4.6 stars by 1081 OpenTable diners.