Shahi Masala on the Quays in Salford

I’ve been eating here every Thursday for the last 10 weeks, every meal has been exceptional different meals each time This week was lamb Handi special 10 out of 10 again Friendly staff warned me when food was going to be hot ( I didn’t listen) food was still very tasty

Shahi Masala in Manchester is a popular restaurant known for offering a diverse range of Indian and Pakistani cuisine with an emphasis on bold flavors and traditional recipes. Located near the bustling Salford Quays, it caters to both casual diners and those seeking an authentic dining experience in a comfortable, family-friendly environment. The menu at Shahi Masala includes a wide variety of dishes, from classic curries and biryanis to tandoori grills and vegetarian options, with something to suit all tastes. The restaurant is also known for its generous portion sizes and flavorful, well-spiced dishes. In addition to dine-in services, Shahi Masala offers takeaway and delivery options. The restaurant’s modern décor, friendly staff, and vibrant atmosphere make it a popular spot for both local residents and visitors to the area. Whether for a casual meal or a celebration, Shahi Masala delivers a satisfying experience for those craving flavorful South Asian cuisine.

Excellent food & service, whats not to like

Absolutely love this place, food is spot on and just the right amount aswell.

The curry was pretty cold and had little flavour

Terrible Tikka masala was orange and tasted terrible. Onion bahgi look like they have been stud on Ordered tikka prawn. Cost 8 pound I got 4 lemon and herd prawn Honestly just terrible really really bad

Best food iv had in long time I will be order again soon

Food never arrived, driver called to say he's about 400 metres away and that was 20 minutes ago. Not paying for cold food. Terrible service.

Great little Indian. Server was really polite and helpful even made sure we had paid for parking.(we hadnt). Gave great advice on the menu. The food was quick and very tasty. Definitely going to try again if we are ever back in Manchester

It was not delivered by any delivery agent. I personally collected the order from the restaurant. I would request you to initiate a refund for this order. This was really a frustrating experience.

Avoid this place at all costs food is absolutely disgusting. I should have refused to pay for it I was served chutneys in dirty bowls obviously being reused ! I was only brave enough to try the yoghurt one tasted gone off ! My vegetable curry was awful over cooked veg shrivelled peas and the mushroom rice grey and greasy I should have read reviews before visiting, worst curry I have ever had I’m so cross with myself for paying I should walked out

Brilliant in all aspects particularly helpful on the phone.

amazing amazing good, great quality curry was gorgeous and spicy everything cooked to perfection highly recommend. thank you for the food! 👏👏👏👏👏😩

The best Indian I’ve ever had and the atmosphere was great. Would definitely go again if I was up this way again.

Lovely food and great service. Popadums and pickles perfect. Main curry rice and naan all cooked lovely. Lamb tender and taste.

It’s my second time here. The food is tasty and well cooked. Staff are nice and attentive too. I’ll return again at some point

We were there last night with my husband and two kids. Very friendly and attentive staff. The atmosphere was lovely, I loved the lights on the windows. We had poppadoms and chutneys to start with. The poppadoms were delicious. Our autistic son who eats only a few foods loved them and had a whole poppadom and a half to himself and lots of chips which he really liked. My husband had jalfrezi with rice which he said was very nice. Our other son had chicken wings and he said they were very tasty. I had vegetable piaza curry which was absolutely delicious and extremely spicy, I really enjoyed it. I also had a plain bread which was really nice and a side of potatoes and aubergine dish which was also very tasty. As a whole, I was really impressed with the variety of dishes on the menu, especially the meat free options. I couldn't finish everything, so I took leftovers back to the hotel. 10/10 would visit again.

Absolute rubbish food. It’s well known they have a lock up off Dakota Avenue Salford quays were the food is prepared and is then transported to the restraunt. All frozen made months ago

Came to visit salford quays , saw the sign for shahi masala outside and just came in , trying this place for the first time , The staff were very welcoming didn't had to wait even for a moment as we entered, they helped us in recommending the dishes and might I add they were amazing , drinks and food portion are your moneys worth , this is the first place I've dined where they don't serve drinks in thin glasses or topped off with ice just to fill up the glass, prices are same as you go to any other place . As I said the portions were quiet big so we had to go takeaway on it, and not like other places that will bring you boxes to the table , the staff offered to pack it and bag it up for us . Great food , great service , Great location just near the tram stop , will be coming back again

Visited whilst staying at the Travelodge. Just wanted a quick meal Chicken dansak was nice Hubby had a 4 chilli rated lamb dish which was extremely hot but he loved it. Nan bread was very thin ( only complaint) What spoilt it for us was the VERY LOUD couple who sat behind us, we heard every word of their conversation and there was absolutely no need for the swearing constantly by the female 😡😡

Pickles board very poor watery and tasteless, vindaloo curry was terrible did not look or taste anything like a curry, the Nan bread was more like a chapati, and the pilaw rice was like boil in the bag rice.. honestly save your money and dine elsewhere..

The staff are very friendly and the food is pretty good

No “wa-fer thin mint, monsieur”. No, but really, unreal.

Staying at one of the local hotels with limited dining tried here The manager is very accommodating but I object to having food banged down after returning because it needed more cooking The taste even of two chilli heat is unpleasant far too hot I am seasoned curry eater and cooker and felt this was really difficult to eat Currently I have burning lips and nose runs….

Very disappointed food services with little Indian food cusine ... No Karak tea at all or as waiter said no hot drinks served ... Waiter is looks like angry and customer service behaviour 😳... They are given service unprofessional Not recommended at all.. Prices are high with low services

Very delicious and authentic food.

I had the best Tarka Dhal I ever had here. As my mum would make it and as she made it over the last several decades. Decent naan too. Good and efficient service, peaceful atmosphere.

wasn't happy with the poppadoms as they were stale and the tikka lamb was dry and very tuff.

We were looking for a place to eat and this came up on Google. We were put off by some of the reviews and almost didn't go in but we went for it and we were pleasantly surprised. The staff were very friendly and the restaurant was very nice, clean and good atmosphere. There was quite a lot of food per serving and it was very tasty.

Impulse curry, food was great, service functional but the atmosphere a little lacking of a traditional Indian restaurant

While walking along Manchester, I decided to try out Shahi Masala, a charming Indian restaurant that caught my eye. The moment you step inside, you are welcomed into a basic and simple setting. The decor is straightforward, lacking any frills, but it provides a clean and comfortable environment for dining. Our meal began with an order of Chicken Tikka for starters. This dish was a fantastic introduction to the flavors of Shahi Masala. The chicken was incredibly tender and juicy, marinated in a delightful blend of spices that made each bite a burst of flavor. The grilling process added a perfect char that enhanced the taste, making it a dish I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the restaurant. Following the delicious starter, our meal continued on an exceptionally high note with the Lamb Nehari. This dish was a revelation of flavors. The lamb was cooked to perfection, tender and succulent, and the rich, spicy gravy had a depth of flavor that spoke of hours of careful preparation and the perfect blend of spices. Each bite was a delightful explosion of taste, warming the palate with its subtle heat and fragrant undertones. It was, without a doubt, one of the best versions of this classic dish I have ever had. Accompanying the Lamb Nehari was a serving of Pilau Rice. The rice was light, fluffy, and wonderfully aromatic, with the distinct flavors of saffron and subtle spices. It paired beautifully with the robust flavors of the Nehari, making each mouthful a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. The rice was cooked to perfection, each grain separate and perfectly seasoned, enhancing the overall dining experience. To complement our meal, we ordered Mango Lassi. This traditional yogurt-based drink was refreshingly delicious, striking the perfect balance between sweetness and tartness. It was thick, creamy, and packed with the natural flavor of ripe mangoes. It served as an excellent palate cleanser, soothing the heat from the spicy dishes and providing a sweet contrast to the savory items. However, not everything was perfect during our visit. We decided to try the Keema Cheese Nan, expecting it to be a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. Unfortunately, this dish was a letdown. The nan bread itself felt undercooked, lacking the typical crispness on the outside and fluffiness on the inside. The keema filling was sparse and did not contribute much in terms of flavor, and the cheese seemed almost nonexistent. This dish felt bland and underwhelming, especially in contrast to the vibrant and well-executed flavors of the other dishes. Despite this hiccup, the overall experience at Shahi Masala was enjoyable. The simplicity of the decor does not detract from the quality of the food. In terms of pricing, Shahi Masala offers a fair deal. The prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity of food served. Considering the meticulous preparation and the flavors that burst forth in each dish, I found the pricing to be quite justified. It's clear that a lot of thought and care goes into both the food and the dining experience as a whole. In conclusion, Shahi Masala offers a delightful culinary journey with a few minor bumps along the way. The Chicken Tikka, Lamb Nehari, and Pilau Rice are standouts that should not be missed, and the Mango Lassi is a perfect accompaniment. While the Keema Cheese Nan did not meet expectations, the overall experience, coupled with fair pricing, makes Shahi Masala a worthy destination for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine. I look forward to returning and trying more of their extensive menu, hopeful that the keema cheese nan was just an off day in an otherwise exemplary kitchen.

The restaurant itself looked nice inside. Staff seemed friendly. I ordered a lamb biryani and maybe its more authentic Indian food than im used to, but it was served with just a sauce and not a vegetable curry, there was just so much rice which was very dry, not enough sauce to mix in. My partner ordered a meatball dish which had just 4 in it..and pilau rice which didn't resemble pilau rice. Lime I say maybe this i s more like the real Indian dishes, but it wasn't what we were expecting. Disappointed 😞

Daal Makhani wasn't Daal Makhani. It was a mix lentil daal with no makhani to it. But everything tasted great anyway.

Chops were not cooked properly….. the onion Bhaji was flat….. king prawn was cold ….. definitely not value for money ….. will not be ordering from here again

Average India cuisine, with very little service. The restaurant look very dark and a bit dirty

I had chicken biryani and fish fry. Fish fry was too plane and not spicy eniugh.And the lemon with my sides was not but chicken biryani was tasty and value for money

Just had a fantastic meal here. Everything was spot on.

Went on a saturday with family the place was ok at most. It wasnt too busy which was good. The prices are ridiculously high £10 for curry and you get in a tiny pot but the food itself was ok. The atmosphere was not bad but the restaurant lacked some nice lighting. The seating layout was weird. The waiter customer service was good. But the food took forever to be served overall it wasnt a good experience.

Excellent food and lovely service.

I really like this restaurant. Excellent food and service. Very friendly staff. Ample parking.

Mossam was lovely and a nice driver

A basic curry house, but with good quality food.

The food: delicious The service: meh When me and my family got the menu cards it was a bit confusing. When the staff came with our drinks they explained to us that we had to order a dish and rice and/or bread. My family and I are from Denmark and was having a little difficult time communicating with the staff, but not terrible. I had the butter chicken with mushroom rice and naan. I was verbally enjoying it. I was even doing a little happy dance in my seat. Just because it was my first time here (maybe last because we don’t travel to Manchester a lot) it was a little confusing but when we started eating it was good and it was easy to share our dishes with each other. (I didn’t want anyone else’s because I was loving my butter chicken)

Chicken Biryani Disaster The chicken biryani was a complete letdown. Dry, tasteless chicken paired with bland, undercooked rice made for a truly disappointing meal. A Desi Disappointment When you hear the name Biryani, you start imagining fun, but this chicken biryani defied all expectations. Dry, tasteless and tasteless chicken, uncooked rice during the day, and the lack of spices have broken human hearts. Don't waste money, and keep it away from useless biryani. The name of desi flavor is lekar, this food is not worthy of praise at all.

Great food great atmosphere friendly staff would definitely recommend and would return again

Food was terrible and basic Nan looked like a tortilla never seen a tandoori oven curry served in something the size of an egg cup if it wasn’t the company card I wouldn’t have paid 37 pound for curry Nan and rice 2 beers 😡🤮

Ordered a Bhuna and a Karahi, was literally the same curry, but one with chilli added. Worst dips ever as well for the papadoms. Not great. Probably okay for a quick curry fix, but if this place was in another location it wouldn’t survive. Shame as would have been a regular otherwise. If you’re a proper BIR fan, give it a miss.

Great food Nice place Good people

Always enjoy coming here. The food is amazing and the staff go above and beyond! Butt is fantastic! Stay in or take away it really is the best around!

Been to this place twice in a week. Food is phenomenal! The best Indian food i have ever tried. Really it’s proper authentic! Must try!

Been to this place twice in a week. Food is phenomenal! The best Indian food i have ever tried. Really it’s proper authentic! Must try!

Friendly staff and excellent food. Good selection of dishes available and very reasonable for the location.

Food was piping hot and delicious as always. Can’t fault this place for eating in or take away

Beautiful food as always! First time I’ve tried the Special Biryani and it was amazing! Delicious!!!😀👌👌👌

Nothing outstanding and only just worthy of the cost.

A nice curry with good starters and main course and great naan’s. The spice ratings are fairly accurate which is helpful when wanting to have a bit of spice but not too much. The service is excellent, attentive but not too much, quick and polite.

Beautiful tasting food, delivered hot and on time. Will definitely order again.

Lamb tikka was awful not sure what lamb it was but didn't taste like it and had mushy coating spat it out couldnt eat, chasni was like mango chutney sauce, chips were horrible, aloo matar peas were hard, not 1 thing was enjoyable will never order again.

A very disappointing meal. I ordered a sizzling dish with onions, peppers & chicken tikka & expected all of those ingredients on a sizzling skillet with that lovely caramelising darkening at the edges with the aroma & flavour etc. What I got was chicken tikka on a bed of onions, no caramellisng & no peppers. The waiter realised I was not happy & probably about to leave when he went away & came back with a plate of wet looking peppers, I was not touching them so he took it away & within a couple of minutes was bring it back this at least all on a sizzling skillet but obviously not for long enough to caramelise the vegetables which wee soft. The peshwari nana bread was very hard & thin, probably whole grain flour but wholly unappetising. I didn't even manage 50% of the underwhelming meal but it still cost me almost £39 for one person which seems much more expensive than I expected. Needless to say, I will not be returning.

Really nice authentic food. Good portion sizes (we could have done with half as much rice). Garlic roti was amazing. Fresh tasting Spices. Staff were lovely and helpful. Don't go if you don't like curry as there are no English options (not a complaint but for groups it may be an issue). Slightly annoyed by the automatic addition of a 20% gratuity: we'd discussed tipping anyway but it seemed a bit presumptuous. Definitely will visit again though.

The restaurant is amazing beautiful food and the service was outstanding… The waiter moroof super kind and nice wish you all the success to this restaurant lift

The food was really amazing, it was a 10/10 experience their bone lamb karahi and the lamb chops were really delicious. The staff had really good customer service especially the guy Maroof. He just won the hearts.

Delicious as always order once a week

I walked in to ask if they had mango sauce, and if it was possible to purchase it. The guy at the front desk went back and got me a full tub and offered it to me free of charge. It has made a lasting impression

The food was very good and the service was very good. The staff were very friendly and polite. We order chicken karhi and Garlic Nan it was very nice.

Must visit Shahi Masala, one of the best ever restaurant in Salford Quays I recently had a fantastic meal at this restaurant the food was delicious and beautifully presented. The customer service was outstanding, and the food was exactly what I was looking for. I was so pleased with the service and very impressed from the Manager and Waiter staff behavior they are very polite and understandable. I was very impressed with the quality of Food and service I received. Thanks Shahi Masala

I would give 4 or even 5 for food quality, but i seriously asked to make it mild. It was crucial! But it was still spicy, as if they never read the request.

If I could give zero I would.went last night had food chicken pakora was slimey since last night been constantly going toilet and this morning never will I go back and we are regulars there. This has put me right off main was bland might aswell had mince and mash before you Finnish the staff grab the plates. Never again you have lost 3 customers that come in regular but you won't care as long as your getting paid doesn't matter I can't run my shop today as too poorly off to Dr's this afternoon

Staff very rude food was very plain wife got food position really bad And the curtains omg dirty horrible place never go again food was disgusting like the staff I should of gone tesco better better staff definitely hygenine IF YOUR READ THIS PLEASE DO NOT GO

Well, absolutely awful, where do i start? Food, SLIMEY CHICKEN, gave food poisoning, half of it being cold or under cooked. Atmosphere, everyone was basically told to sit in silence, and if you had a bit of confidence to speak up, you would be strongly disliked . The state of the place was unbearable, curtains were stained, and the floor was awful, surprised how no one said a word about it. The STAFF, they said to their colleague, “sort that white man out” like they are belittling us? Like were the wrong ones? Were paying customers and overall i found that place absolutely awful and if you read this fully, DO NOT AND I REPEAT ❌ DO NOT ❌ CONSIDER GOING TO SHAHI MASALA 0/10 ON EVERYTHING

Best Indian food in Salford! Highly recommend

Yesterday i visited Shahi Masala . It was the perfect name of Hospitality and the staff was very efficient and quick . I ordered their chef’s recommendations and they were absolutely delicious and fresh. I am visiting again soon. The food quality of this place feels like a home away from home . Worth the money

The app gave me completely different information from what was actually happening. So when my food was delivered, the app told me it was being prepared at the restaurant. I was at the shop when the driver arrived with my food and he waited for me kindly. But if your app doesn't function, that's a problem isn't it?

Not fine dining at all. I was really disappointed with the service as well. There was a large group of tourists, us and another single person. That's all. The food took a very long time to come. The curry was underwhelming if I'm being very generous. For a self-claimed upscale restaurant, food quality and table service should be better. The glasses and plates were not super clean. None of the mains come with any sides. You purchase very small sides that are not really enough for one person. I really hope they make their portions a bit larger at least for the price point. I definitely will not be visiting again. I do think there are much better options at the same price range.

I was visiting the Restaurant withmy family and the taste of food very authentic and tasty. Staff and all the crew give us excellent service. It was wonderful experience if u want authentic indian food i would say that must try Shahi masalaa. Chicken tikka and lamb chop are vey juicy and yummy.

A seafood haven! Delectable dishes, chic ambiance, and attentive service make it a top pick. Perfect for a delightful evening out.

Great little restaurant, food was nice and the prices were very reasonable for the quality of food

It was the most lacklustre curry I’ve eaten for a long time. King prawn dhansak, with tinned pineapple. What’s that all about. The sauce was a creamy concoction with no lentils, no flavour and no spice. It maybe what locals like, but it left me mentally scarred! Absolute muck!

SEVERE FOOD POISONING. My partner and I visited Shahi Masala in Salford Quays on 20/01/24 and both received severe food poisoning. We ordered naans, madras and tikka massala and rice. I have reported this restaurant to Food Standards Agency as it's a risk to public safety. DO NOT VISIT.

It doesn't taste like Indian food at all sadly!

SEVERE FOOD POISONING. My partner and I visited Shahi Masala in Salford Quays on 20/01/24 and both received severe food poisoning. We ordered naans, madras and tikka massala and rice. I have reported this restaurant to Food Standards Agency as it's a risk to public safety. DO NOT VISIT.

Food very bland samosas weren’t nice at all and tasted funny and the curry itself was very bland. No taste at all

Amazing food and wonderful staff. Very polite and friendly. Deffo recommend

Amazing food and wonderful staff. Very polite and friendly. Deffo recommend Thank you for providing such a great service as we came back after taking one meal.

Had a great time staff could not do enough for us,twenty of us in our party , and the for was great

Last visted January 2024 Service was good. Being of Asian origin, the items on most restaurants don't reflect home style indian cooking. I asked for something that is more home cooked than normal dishes. He suggested one of the meat dishes that was one the bone. Cooking with the bone tends to improve the flavour of the sauce/soup. He did not disappoint. The food arrived and from just dishing it out, I knew it was the right choice. Try this at your restaurant. They should know what you're taking about.

Right on our doorstep, always excellent, hospitable, a wide range of authentic Indian dishes, really excellent value for money.

Taste was not good. Paneer cubes were less.

Food - Spent £70 and food was scarce. Sizzler and starters were tasteless and had no spice whatsoever. Jalfrezzi was alright but nothing special. Naan was probably the best thing we had. Service - Guy was rude and abrupt. We had to wait an hour for (at best) mediocre food and only to be asked, 20 minutes into our food, "are you done yet?" We were also asked if we were sure we ordered food by the same waiter who took the order Atmosphere - Cold new years day, no heaters or nothing. We all (including a 4 year old) were freezing

Small portions looks like I’ve been served scraps from bottom of the pan. Dreadful quality of food.

We have visited on weekday, The starters taste and quantity is worst, chicken pulav taste is a bit better but not worthy. Not recommended for friends and family

Pilau rice is excellent, Tikka masala is kinda meh. I expected more flavour from the sauce, and a less chewy lamb. Overall, I liked it, thanks :)

We came here for Champions League match against Bayen Munich. We were in a rush but Aky made sure we had the best meal with the lamb jalfrezi cooked to prefection. Although my lamb tikka was hard rock difficult to chew, Aky explained they are usually cooked with the back strap! So it should be tender! I suspect it was either overcooked or warm up a few times. My other half have to spat it out as not able to chew. Without Aky with over 25 years of F&B service I suspect the restaurant will struglle a little.

2nd visit, food was lovely and staff wete so friendly and welcoming. Pur new restaurant of choice when we're on Manchester.

Was pretty quiet but was a Monday evening. Food was ok. Was working away so thought I'd try it. Service was very good.

Food is alright but there is better out there for the price aswell

Your food is tasteless. I’ve just had to offer my husband your prawn Karachi and he added salt to it and spices, he then tried it again and now he has left the food. This tasted horrible and we had to put it in a microwave. Your prawns taste nothing like prawns, please explain what this curled rubbery thing is that you added 6 to the curry. We paid money for a meal and now we’ve just ordered something else from somewhere else. The only thing that was good was the delivery time

We ordered a take away in August 2022 when we moved around the area. Utter disappointment with the taste of what we ordered. That was the first and last time we ordered from here.

Incredible food as always and great service by Butt. Easily place to come for a curry in the Quays!!

Enjoyed the food, cost a £1 to park but no trouble getting parked right outside the door.