Masala Times
Greenwich Village, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Masala Times is a practical Bleecker Street pick for casual dining, especially when takeout or a low-pressure meal makes more sense than a reservation-driven night. Use it for flexible Village plans, solo dining, or a quick group stop; choose Minetta Tavern instead when the occasion calls for more ceremony.
About Masala Times
Masala Times is a New York City venue with casual dress and broad daily hours. Plan around its schedule: it opens at 11 AM daily, runs until 12 AM Sunday through Thursday, and stays open until 4 AM on Friday and Saturday.
Use it for a casual New York City plan, not a dressed-up night
The casual dress code makes Masala Times a direct option when the plan calls for an informal stop rather than a more dressed-up evening. If you are comparing it with another New York City venue, Minetta Tavern is a useful reference point.
Keep the decision practical. Choose Masala Times when its New York City location, casual dress code, and late operating hours fit your plans. For broader comparisons, other listed options include Denino's Greenwich Village, Maestro Pasta, and Pappas New York, but Masala Times should be judged on its location, casual dress code, and hours rather than on extra assumptions.
Better for flexible timing than heavily detailed planning
The hours are the strongest planning tool: Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 12 AM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 4 AM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 12 AM. Those hours make it easier to consider Masala Times for a casual visit at many points in the day. Check ahead for booking policies, room layout, group suitability, and service format.
If the night is more about exploring New York City than committing to one specific venue, use the key details for Masala Times and check anything else directly before you go. For broader planning, city guides are more useful than forcing this venue into the wrong role: start with Our full New York City restaurants guide, then branch into Our full New York City hotels guide, Our full New York City bars guide, Our full New York City wineries guide, or Our full New York City experiences guide.
For readers comparing other New York City dining options, useful reference points include Denino's Greenwich Village, Maestro Pasta, Pappas New York, Minetta Tavern, and sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Bowls and Plates.
Planning details
- Location
- 194 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
- Website
- masalatimesgreenwichvillage.com
- Phone
- +12129955100
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Masala Times reads as a forward-looking Indian kitchen that treats the menu as an argument: the meal itself is the point. Set on Bleecker Street, the restaurant positions ambitious, composition-driven cooking within Greenwich Village’s layered dining history. The copy draws deliberate comparisons to tasting-format leaders, signaling a modern, sophisticated posture rather than a legacy banquet approach. The room favors attentive sequencing over scattershot coverage, so the overall impression is focused and purposeful—a downtown address that marries the neighborhood’s historic context with a small-kitchen intensity and a refined sense of culinary progression.
Best For
This is a spot for diners who come to be led by the kitchen—people who appreciate curated progressions and composed plates over à la carte scatter. It suits dinner crowds seeking a thoughtful evening: couples on date night, diners marking a special occasion, and food-literate locals curious about where Indian cooking can push form and sequence. The tone and comparisons to tasting-format restaurants make it less of a quick lunch stop and more an exploratory, sit-down experience best enjoyed at dinner when the kitchen’s sequencing and composition are most in evidence.
Ordering Tips
Treat the menu as a sequence: look for the kitchen’s suggested progression or any tasting-format options rather than assembling a patchwork of single plates. Start with lighter, sharply spiced items that set the stage—the Spicy Paneer Bhurji Roll is named among the signatures—and move into composed boxes such as the Chicken Tikka Masala Box or the Lamb Korma Box for more substantial courses. Vegetarians should note choices like the Paneer Bhurji Pav. Opting for the restaurant’s curated flow will reveal the compositional logic the kitchen emphasizes.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant and cozy with pink mirrored walls, Bollywood posters, and a bustling street food atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Counter Service
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- Spicy Paneer Bhurji Roll
- Chicken Tikka Masala Box
- Lamb Korma Box
- Paneer Bhurji Pav
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 194 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Denino's Greenwich Village, Notable alternative
- Maestro Pasta, Notable alternative
- Pappas New York, Notable alternative
- Minetta Tavern, French Steakhouse, Steakhouse, $$$
- sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Bowls and Plates, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares in New York City
Masala Times is the easier, lower-commitment choice when the priority is a casual Village meal or takeout-friendly plan. Minetta Tavern is the stronger pick for a special occasion or steakhouse night, but it carries a $$$ signal and asks for more planning.
For nearby casual alternatives, Denino's Greenwich Village makes more sense when the group wants pizza, while Maestro Pasta is the better cross-shop for a pasta-focused meal. Pappas New York is another same-city option for diners comparing easy New York meals without leaning into a higher-spend format.
sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Bowls and Plates is the utility play for salads and bowls, not a sit-down evening. Pick Masala Times when the plan needs more character than a chain-style lunch but less commitment than a full dinner reservation.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Masala Times guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Masala Times
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masala Times | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Denino's Greenwich Village | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Maestro Pasta | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Pappas New York | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Minetta Tavern | New York City | French Steakhouse, Steakhouse | $$$ | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1092025 World's Best Steaks 50 Best Steakhouses in North America · #302025 World's Best Steaks 101 Best Steak Restaurants · #632025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2102025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1382024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #105Pearl Recommended Restaurants |
| sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Bowls and Plates | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
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How Masala Times New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Masala Times?
For booking, check directly with the venue. Masala Times is in New York City, has a casual dress code, and is open 11 AM to 12 AM Monday through Thursday, 11 AM to 4 AM Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM to 12 AM Sunday. For another New York City comparison, Minetta Tavern is a useful reference point.
Is Masala Times good for a special occasion?
Masala Times has a casual dress code, so it is better framed as an informal New York City option than as a dressy special-occasion venue. Its hours are broad, including opening until 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. If you want to compare it with another New York City venue, Minetta Tavern may be useful.
Is Masala Times good for solo dining?
For solo dining, base your decision on the basics: Masala Times is in New York City, has casual dress, and keeps long daily hours. If you are deciding whether it fits a solo plan, check current venue details before going.
What are alternatives to Masala Times in New York City?
Other New York City options to compare include Denino's Greenwich Village, Maestro Pasta, Pappas New York, Minetta Tavern, and sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Bowls and Plates. Masala Times makes the most sense to evaluate by its casual dress code and late hours.
