Step into Indore’s Masala Code and you will find a wall with 78 spices in glass jars on one, a bookshelf with culinary books on another, a Japanese-inspired bar, a wall adorned with Indian wines with masala dabbas right next to it. There’s a small stage, a bread cart, and a merch corner as well. And, there’s also some wall art that Head Chef Vedant Newatia, who is also the owner, will tell you animatedly about. The interiors are done by his friend Karan Gandhi. As soon as you are handed the menu, you hold an elaborate Indian culinary postcard in your hands, and it becomes amply clear what the restaurant’s theme and philosophy are.
Indore Gets Its First Pan-Indian Restaurant — Masala Code
Touted to be Indore’s first pan-Indian restaurant, you will find that Indian recipes take centre stage here. Designed like a coffee table book by Noshly Studios, perusing through the beautifully curated menu with 175 main dishes is a great way to utilise your time learning about India’s diverse dishes and cuisines till your order arrives. Be it the history of chaat, the origins of Chicken 65, the tandoor anecdotes or preserving heirloom recipes from the farthest corners of the country, the team has taken on the mammoth task of tracing Indian food’s rich history, and it shows.
As we are welcomed to “Indore, the clean city of India” by Vedant, who launched Atelier V next door in 2024, he introduces Masala Code. After studying culinary arts in Switzerland and working as a stagiaire at Michelin-starred L’Oustau de Baumanière, and trainee at various restaurants across France, Chile, the United States and Switzerland, Vedant returned to Indore with a vision to change the way Indoris dine.
Savour 29 Regional Indian Cuisines With Curated Cocktails
Aimed to be a multi-generational dining space, the food shines a light on Indian food with emphasis on micro-cuisines; 29 regional Indian cuisines to be precise. Newatia says, “It is not just your typical North Indian food. We have dishes from Bengal, from the northeast, from south of India, from west of India, and are hoping to cover the whole of India.”
Next, Karan Dhanelia explained their cocktail program philosophy of “India in a Glass”. Designed beautifully again, this one maps cocktails inspired by 12 states, and their key ingredients make appearances in the glass. You see kahwa, lemongrass, betel leaf, jamun, green chili, tamarind, and more ingredients mixed with spirits like vodka, scotch, gin, mahua, etc. Of course, the larger menu also has the usual poison of your choice. I tried two cocktails and both were good on the nose. The Madhara did take some time to settle on the palate, but Coorgil was smooth sailing.
Coming to food, the whole experience was threaded with comfort and showcased various cooking techniques. The Rildok Soup (from Ladakh) was a warm hug, and the Palak Patta Chaat was crunchy and creamy. The Fara (from Uttar Pradesh-Chattisgarh region) was interesting in its layers; the Keema Samosa was okay. Chicken 65 brought Tamil Nadu to the conversation, and Malai Chicken Tikka brought its Punjabi essence.
Dishes like Chicken Patiala, Uttarakhandi Kadhi, Nalli Nihari, Chingri Malai Curry, Dindigul Biryani, served with garlic naans, parathas, and more, made us pig out big time, and we were giving in to gluttony gleefully!
Being a local, Vedant knows what his patrons like — good food. And to elevate the soul of the dining scene in his city, he came up with Atelier V and now Masala Code. There’s also a speakeasy in the works, right next door. So, diners making their way to the C21 Mall have options to pick from The House of V.
Don’t forget to down a banta from their curated banta cart that boasts flavours like Keri, Jamun Masala, Masala Chaas and more; all made in-house. And, end the meal with their take on paan, a must-have.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.9/5)
Where: G8 Satguru Parinay, Opp. C21 Mall, AB Road, Scheme 54, Indore
When: 12.30 pm to 11 pm | Closed on Mondays
Cost: Rs 2,500 for two
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