Nestled in the heart of Montenegro, Podgorica is a city full of hidden treasures waiting to be explored. Its charm lies in its blend of old-fashioned cobblestone streets and modern architecture, where history seamlessly merges with the present. But the real magic of Podgorica can be found in its food—a delightful mix of flavors influenced by centuries of cultural exchange. From hearty Balkan dishes to fresh Mediterranean seafood, every meal tells a story of tradition, passion, and the vibrant spirit of the city.
Lately, I found myself craving to explore different cuisines that are offered in the city. For quite some time I wanted to try out a fine dining Indian restaurant in Podgorica, but I was saving it for a special occasion. This past week I have decided it was the right time to try it out since I was really in the mood for Indian food after not having it for almost a year.
The restaurant can be found at the following address: 13a Vasa Raičkovića, Podgorica 81000. At first, it was a bit tough to find it as it is situated between buildings, but I believe this adds to the charm of the place since you are guaranteed to not hear any traffic or noise while you embark on this culinary journey.
Making a reservation for the restaurant is not mandatory but it is highly recommended since the availability depends on how busy the restaurant is that day. Making a reservation is extremely easy through the website, all you have to do is input your name, email, phone number, and the date and time you would like your reservation to be at. The food is also halal which is a plus for muslim tourists
The Interior
From the moment I stepped foot into Masala Art in Podgorica, I could feel the thrill of embarking on an extraordinary culinary adventure. We were welcomed at the entrance by an extremely kind hostess and immediately after we were taken to our reserved table. The warm glow of the lights, the alluring aroma of spices, and the sophisticated ambiance instantly captivated my senses, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.
As I settled at my table, a wave of excitement washed over me. It was my first time visiting this fine-dining Indian restaurant, and I couldn’t contain my eagerness to explore the vibrant flavors of India right here in Podgorica.
To start, I have to mention that every single detail of the restaurant has been carefully picked out creating a feeling like you just stepped into an actual place in India – from the wallpapers, art, tables & chairs, to the menu.
The menu
As soon as I read the menu at Masala Art, I could tell that the evening was going to be filled with amazing dishes that were going to stick in my mind for quite some time. This was like turning from one page of a gastronomic travel novel to the next, as each dish leads us through India’s flavorful destinations.
With the menu options viewed by my eyes, something in particular was fixed there, that being the Meat Lover’s Menu for Two. Without thinking too much, I immediately made my selection, thrilled at the thought of the many meaty treats that I could feast on. It was with eagerness that I had been awaiting the arrival of every dish, each one making me realize that my every bite was a burst of flavors that was a tribute to the art of meat preparation in Indian cuisine.
Meat lovers for two
It all started with the delicacy of Papri Chaat, which are crunchy crispy fried baby potato served with tart yogurt and mint sauce and so was the beginning of our food journey. There were four different sauces brought from the start and each of them complimented the different meats perfectly.
However, the delightful Papri Chaat was only the beginning of the gastronomic adventure. The second course was the Masala Mixed Grill which was an extraordinary assortment of lamb seekh kebab, tilapia tikka, chicken tikka, and prawns. What should never be underrated, besides being good quality ingredients, was the cooking method that the owner had developed. Every item was individually marinated with love and charred over the grill to crescendo the individual juicy and zesty flavors and meat textures with each bite. Not only that, excellent presentation meant each type of meat was plated with one of the other types, which granted me and my couchmate the opportunity to sample and have sauce at each and every corner of this foodmaster’s work. The lavish and rich flavors of the lamb seekh kebab coexist harmoniously with the tasty bubbling spices of the fish tikka to create a work of art that can only be achieved with skill and commitment to one’s craft. The aroma of the different tastes sucked me into the chef’s style, such that I was more than eager to know what more this dish had in store for me.
As the main course, we pampered ourselves with Mogh Tikka Masala, with well-marinated diced chicken softened in creamy tomato sauce, and served together with the Kadhai Mutton, which was amazingly cooked tendered meat in an aromatic onion and chili gravy. There were no mistakes found in each dish which was the chef’s artwork with sophisticated taste that called for a closer look every time. The Murgh Tikka Masala, which oozed a silky-smooth tomato sauce with just a hint of spice that carefully complemented the sweetness of the tomatoes, was a dish with pieces of nicely prepared chicken, with just the right level of tenderness and moistness.
And the Kadhai Mutton which is cooked in a richly flavored gravy had such a beautiful aroma that the succulent meat bathed in this aromatic gravy including those that clung to the meat offered a bold and robust but smooth flavor profile that definitely lingered on the palate, causing us to crave for just a few more bites. Alongside, these meals present the variety and the multi-dimensional nature of Indian cuisine that asks us to eat and enjoy every moment of our meals at Masala Art.
Alongside these dishes were some Kesariya Pulao, which was low-salt basmati rice infused with saffron and cumin spices, and cooked to perfection in the tandoor oven. The naan which was full of garlic was baked the traditional way in the tandoor, while the parantha bread which was fresh and spiced with pudina was roasted on the tando.
Being the finishing point of our meal today, we enjoyed the restaurant’s special dessert, which was sweet and satisfying consisting of small brownie cubes and ice cream topped with whipped cream.
Conclusion
At the end of our Masala Art food tour, it is appropriate to mention that we have never quite experienced hospitality such as this one before. For around 55€, we enjoyed such great dishes of Indian cuisine that seemed to show every facet of the Indian kitchen: from grams of food eaten in Papri Chaat to such meat mixture in Masala Mixed Grill and such substantial meat as in Murgh Tikka Masala and Kadhai Mutton as well. Every meal was like a graduate-level culinary course and demonstrated the talent of the chef who was responsible for the restaurant’s success and further encouraged us to go back for similar satisfaction. Through having a unique mix of authentic taste and a fairly cheap price, undoubtedly, Masala art has reached to the top with fine dining in Podgorica.
Whether you are a longtime eater, or you are looking to experience an extraordinary dining moment, Masala Art will bring you face-to-face with flavors that you will fall in love with and will be looking for more.
