Masala Mantra - The Indian Bistro

My wife and I absolutely love Masala Mantra Indian Bistro — it’s hands down the best Indian food in Southwest Florida. We’ve been coming here regularly, and everything we’ve tried has been amazing. I especially enjoy the Chana Masala — it’s full of flavor and always perfectly cooked. Their weekday lunch buffet is a great option if you want to try a little bit of everything, and the service is consistently excellent — always friendly and attentive. Our only gripe is that prices have gone up noticeably over the past year, but honestly, the food and experience are still worth it. We’ll continue to be loyal customers. Highly recommend!

Wow! We had the best introduction to Indian food here. First time for us. Ordered the staples..Chicken Biryani, Chicken Vindaloo, Indian Inferno (Phaal), and Tandoori Chicken & Bullet Naan. Food is impressive with layers of flavors in every bite. Bold, but gentle spices that carried our attention through the aromatic spices from authentic Indian foods. The Tandoori is perfect. I really appreciated they do not put Red Dye #40 into their version to keep it truly authentic without the red coloring. Atmosphere was great, and we were greeted perfectly. Waiter educated us and made solid recommendations to us. Very accessible for wheelchair users. But the pathway to bathroom is easier for a manual wheelchair.

This is a Family business with an authentic Indian cuisine. Excellent customer service and the waiters represent the culture. The food is delicious and the buffet that’s from 11:30 to 2:30 has a great selection and variety of traditional food.

One of my favorite places to eat! I come here often. 😋 The food & service are always great. The owner Bobby is very kind and you can tell he truly cares about his customers. I personally love the Gobi Manchurian to start, followed by Tikka Masala & Garlic Naan. & don’t forget to wash it down with a Mango Lassi! Yumm.

Loved everything about Masala Mantra! Sagan was pleasant and kind during our visit and suggested a great moscato mango wine. The food was phenomenal oh my! The spice level was amazing! Morrison and Sanjay were the chefs tonight and my Chili naan was Perfect. Will be visiting again and suggesting this Indian cuisine to my friends!

Ganesh took excellent care of us. Very professional, amazing service, very attentive. Food was over the top amazing as always. Best Indian food in the area. Must go! No questions. You'll thank me after.

I was seriously impressed by the ​chicken Manchurian. The chicken had ​t​he perfect crispy exterior, even after being tossed in the sauce—no sogginess here. The flavor was​ sharp, with a great balance of garlic, soy, and just the right amount of chili heat.​ Th​e chicken Jalfrezi was full of flavor. The chicken was tender, but ​the vegetables are what really stood out​. They were just charred enough to bring out the flavor alongside the tomato-based sauce. It wasn't heavy at all, which I loved. A great choice if you're craving something bold but not too rich. ​The butter chicken was everything I wanted it to be​: rich, creamy, and flavorful without being too sweet. The sauce was silky and luxurious, and the chicken had that slightly smoky flavor that brought everything together. It’s the kind of dish that makes you slow down to savor every bite. Absolutely perfect with warm naan straight from the oven​. Egg curry doesn’t always get the spotlight, but this one ​should. It felt home-cooked, with the right mix of spices and smoky finish. The ​garlic naan was some of the best I’ve had​. It held up well ​with all the curries and had​ a great ​crumb on its own.​ 10/10 The lamb rogan josh was tender and cooked perfectly. The sauce wasn’t overly spicy, but rich and layered. You can taste that it was slow-cooked. The chicken phall is not for the faint of heart. The heat was intense, but it was more than just intense spice. Beneath, there was a smoky, tomato-chili flavor that kept me hooked. Every bite sure packed a punch, but it didn’t take over the other flavors. Make sure you’ve got a cold drink nearby! The gulab jamun were warm, juicy, and soaked in syrup. The texture was soft and melt-in-your-mouth, not rubbery like some versions I’ve tried. A classic done right! The rasmalai was light and refreshing. The paneer was soft but structured, and the chilled milk was just sweet enough to complement the paneer. It was a creamy, floral finish to the meal. Honestly, I’d come back just for this dessert.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Indian Mantra Masala in Cape Coral, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience! The Sunday buffet was simply amazing, offering a delightful array of authentic Indian dishes that catered to every palate. The flavors were vibrant and the presentation was beautiful, showcasing the rich culinary traditions of India. From savory curries to fragrant biryanis, each dish was an explosion of taste. I particularly enjoyed the freshness of the naan, which was the perfect accompaniment to the curries. What truly stood out was the level of service. The staff was exceptionally kind and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed without being intrusive. Their genuine hospitality made our dining experience all the more enjoyable. Overall, I highly recommend Indian Mantra Masala for anyone looking to indulge in a delicious Indian feast. Whether you're a fan of Indian cuisine or trying it for the first time, this restaurant is sure to impress! I can't wait to return for another visit.

Yesterday we decided to go to the Indian Lunch buffet at Masala Mantra. The restaurant has been updated and lovely. The restaurant is clean and spotless, as well as the restrooms. We opted for the buffet. I accidentally ordered Chai Tea, not being a milk lover. David loved it and the cardamon flavors. He also got a bunch of different sauces for our table, onion, yogurt and persimmon. The food was fresh and hot and there were a lot of different dishes than I remember. I couldn't resist the breaded eggplant, even though I'm limiting my carbs lol. There was a different version of chili fish, nice and spicy! A lovely tofu in a flavorful sauce with lots of veggies, chicken tandoori and a mushroom dish. I decided to try the long beans dish-ever since I saw them cooked on Beat Bobby Flay! There was Caesar Salad and lots of fresh fruit. Lastly, there were small dishes of mango mousse! There was also naan bread and chicken biryani which I forgot to mention. What a delicious feast with friendly servers and owners! We shall return!

We thought of doing Indian food during our stay in Cape Coral. We were told we didn't need a reservation, so we walked in around 730 in a weekday. We were able to get seated in a small table near the back. We had onion bhaji (8 dollars) for appetizer, which had a generous amount of the fried onions in batter. However, I didn't taste any herbs or spices, making it quite bland for me. My mom didn't enjoy it either, but my dad said he liked it. For the entree, I shared the butter chicken (17 dollars) with my dad. It had a good amount of tender chicken, but it looked like it had bones as well. The sauce was quite sweet as I was informed they added sugar to it, but it was still enjoyable. My mom's vegan mantra (15 dollars) also had sugar, but I did enjoy it more as it had some heat as we requested the spice level to be medium. There was also tofu, eggplant, and potatoes in a coconut curry sauce. We also had garlic naan, which had the right amount of garlic. The rice included was fine. Our server did a good job and was helpful when we needed him. The atmosphere was casual, and there was a good amount of crowd when we ate there. The dining area was ample, and I believe I saw a bar as well, but didn't recall seeing any outdoor seating. The restaurant is located in a strip mall not too far from the Cape Coral bridge. The prices are quite reasonable, especially being in a tourist area. I would eat there again for good Indian food in Cape Coral.

This is my favorite place to eat out! The service is always so friendly and impeccable, especially Sagan! Our table of 6 ordered 3 tandoori mixed grills, 2 tandoori lamb chops, 1 mango curry. Plus the very delicious garlic naan for the table. Again every thing was so tasty it's really hard not to overeat. The portion sizes are generous and we took home quite a bit of the mixed grills. I'm determined to come back SOON to try their lunch buffet so I can taste some of the other types of curries and sauces. Come here if you want amazing Indian food for a nice meal out!

There's misconception that Indian food is overwhelmingly spicy. Certainly some dishes are -- my favorite appetizer, gobi Manchurian packs a punch -- but not all. Samosas, fried dumplings stuffed with potatoes and peas, may be worth a try instead. The affable hands-on owner (whose name I didn't catch) goes from table to table to ensure his guests are pleased with their meals. The folks seated behind us were clearly unfamiliar with Indian cuisine. The owner took time to review the menu, making recommendations for mild dishes, which this party preferred. (Note that when ordering, you're asked to specify the spice level. We generally opt for medium.) Masala Mantra does an excellent job with sauce/curry -- which is why I'd like to return and sample their lunchtime buffet (something that usually doesn't interest me.) Most dishes can be prepared with lamb, chicken, goat, shrimp, paneer or vegetables. Your choice. They have a wine list that starts with affordable -- $22/bottle -- house white and red. The place has ambience, sometimes lacking in Indian restaurants. When you walk in, you're hit with the most delightful aromas wafting from the kitchen. Without a reservation Saturday night we were seated quickly, though most every table was filled. Masala Mantra has an excellent reputation amongst locals.

We had a really good experience at this restaurant. We had a party of 8. They were accommodating even without a reservation and patient when we had to wait for the final 2 people to arrive. The service was quick and attentive. We had a huge range of dishes. My Neice got a goat curry, one got lamb korma, one got vegan vindaloo that was super spicy etc. we had lots of naan and paratha. The food was good and everything was pleasant. We will definitely be back.

Unexpectedly Amazing Experience! I don't usually go for Indian food, but Masala Mantra in Cape Coral completely changed my mind. I had the Chicken Manchurian and the Samosa Chaat--both were absolutely delicious. The flavors were bold and layered without being overwhelmingly spicy. Every bite was packed with taste, and the presentation was beautiful too. The service was friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even better. Definitely coming back--this place is a gem!

My first time at this restaurant. The decor is amazing and we were greeted with a smile. Server was very helpful to choose the right dish for me. The food was delicious.

Had the Lunch Buffet, and it so wonderful, Love Indian Food and the Mantra is the reason why chicken curry will always be my favorite food in the world, thank you

The food is absolutely outstanding. The portion sizes are bigger than your typical Indian restaurant. Prices are very reasonable. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside iis very clean and contemporary. Sagan, our waiter, was fantastic.

Great food! Service was awesome. Nice spot if you're craving some Indian cuisine. We'll be back for sure.

Absolutely love this place. Great food Great staff Great service, Extremely comfortable and a must visit.

Excellent food and wonderful atmosphere and service. I tried the samosas, lamb khorma, kashmiri naan and porratta. Loved all of it.

Great food, excellent service, wonderful remodeled environment. Highly recommend this place. Ask for Bobby, the owner, he is a nice guy!

Excellent little Indian restaurant. Great service. Great food. Quiet place but holds about 30 people

Best Indian food!! Great service and atmosphere, would highly recommend. Ruben is so friendly and kind as well.

Everyone loved their food! It was flavored spectacularly, and for our kids they enjoy not spicy and they were able to accommodate. Although it wasn't hot in spice, it was still full of flavor. Everyone was really nice as well and was a great experience for us going there for the first time.

Excellent food! Every single dish we ordered (and there were multiple) was outstanding. The service was friendly and the food came promptly. I love Indian food, and this place certainly did not disappoint- very highly recommend.

Wow!! We love Indian food... but this place has set a new bar. Clean. Friendly. Outstanding service. Excellent choices for us Gluten Free folks. But, the flavors!! I'll be back!

I have been wanting to try this restaurant & finally did & was not disappoint! The service was excellent & the food tasted amazing. Such a beautiful space, made for a very relaxing evening with my friends. We will definitely be back again.

From the reviews, we expected a WOW experience but didn't get it. Entree price was as expected. The food had some heat, but was lacking the deep, layered flavors we love so much about Indian food. The butter chicken was spicy, but lackluster, not very flavorful otherwise. The bullet naan was soft but the flavor was more chili than garlic and the balance was odd. The madras curry paneer tasted a bit "muted." We ordered thru a delivery service so we can't comment on the restaurant itself.

We SO enjoy Friday and the weekend buffet. (11-2:30) also open evenings till 9 We come often to savor the flavors in a delightful atmosphere. The vegan options are excellent, along with fish nd chicken (3 ways). Close in parking, music background, caring staff. This is a major plus for Cape Coral.

This review is long overdue. This was also promised to the owners. So here goes - I've never had better Chicken Tikka Masala. The sauce is amazing enough by itself over rice. Hits the spot every time! However, if you're craving some bold, exquisite flavors, I gotta say their Madras (either Goat or Lamb) is definitely my favorite. Their Tandoori Chicken is tender, juicy and delicious. Don't miss out on their garlic naan. It's delightful. Dip it in Tikka Masala sauce?! It's over! The consistency and quality of food, service and the cleanliness of this restaurant is always on point. I understand why it's a locals favorite!

The food was absolutely amazing!! We had a party of 6 and everyone was EXTREMELY satisfied with the food itself, super flavorful!! The service was just as great, and our waiter was super patient and attentive! We will definitely be back!! Overall, an amazing experience with an amazing tea

The food was just out of this world and if you like spice love the heat they have. I ordered my door dash so can't comment on service but the packaging was great. Also can't comment on ambiance because I have never been. I am planing to go in one to to dine in and can't wait!

The absolute best FRESH INDIAN food in SW Florida. The flavors will knock you over. Every menu item can be modified for your spice level. service is a family affair. Every dish is unique with its own flair and flavor. What are you waiting for???

Always had their takeout and it is delicious. Everything we've gotten from there has tasted great especially their Chana Masala Butter Sauce. They're always helpful with good recommendations.

Some of the best Indian food I have had! Friendly service and great ambiance!! If you are in the area and want some awesome Chicken tikka masala or Butter chicken, THIS IS THE PLACE!

We ordered the food to be delivered and the Only reason I gave it 4 stars was due to the small portion of the Biriyani. The food was so flavorful and the Biriyani had a nice kick. We ordered the lamb Biriyani and like mentioned above, the portion was small, when ordering out, not enough for 2. We ordered the Manchurian gobi- so good! Next time we go to the actual restaurant!

Staff are soooo nice - especially the owner! Food is also reallly good even for vegetarians!!! 10/10

First time here, everything was excellent! I had the Tikka Masala & the garlic Naan bread, OMG sooo good. I ate 1/2 & ate the other 1/2 the next day. This will be my new go to or take out.

Excellent Indian food in Cape Coral area! Variety of curries available with different proteins at the spice level of your liking. Very good quality and value for the price. They have beer and wine available too. Very good and attentive service.

First timer to this restaurant. Great experience, the food quality was execellent, and service, and environment were up to par with the food. Cleanliness was great too. Had Tikki Masala, and my wife had the Biryani Lamb dish and both were very good. I definitely say this was a good value experience and had plenty of take-home left over. Go check it out

Great place! It was completely full, but the food was delivered swiftly and it was delicious to boot. A nice ambiance - relatively lively but not exceedingly so. It allows for nice conversation. Our server was very amiable and answered any questions we had. Overall completely recommend if you want a quaint place with tasty dishes. Will be coming back!

Busy restaurant that is clearly popular amongst the locals. Service was prompt. Efficient staff. Elegant decor, easy parking. Meal was tasty, though my party felt two of the dishes were too overcooked, as if they had been reduced in the pot to a little overwhelming taste and thickness. Maybe it was just a what we chose. For this reason though, cannot justify a four rating in this particular review. The naan was delicious.

love this place with all my heart. service is so welcoming, food is top tier. i recommend to everyone. the ambiance feels classy but very calm. 10/10!!

I love trying Indian cuisine in remote places.. this was a good experience.. great ambience and service. The food was served quickly and was delicious too. Especially liked the dal fry and bullet naan. It was a treat to have goat in these parts- not the best quality of meat I've had; but was prepared very well..

Amazing Food we have been eating there for about 4 years and this restaurant keeps getting better and better. The food is exquisite, the service is wonderful, the staff is excellent, and it has a pleasant vibe with its the ambiance! Cape Coral is lucky to have this restaurant the food is real authentic Indian from of and even better than NYC! Bravo Masala Mantra for the experience! You do not disappoint!

When I first walked into this restaurant I could tell it was popular. There was a lot of people inside. The inside is pretty nicely decorated. We ordered the tikka masala and saag paneer. To be honest, I was pretty disappointed by the chicken tikka masala, it was extremely sweet for some reason. The pieces of chicken in it were way too large as well. The portions of the food were very small compared to the price. I didn't feel as though it was completely authentic Indian food if I am being completely honest. The owner of the restaurant served us, and he was very kind so I hope they do well!

I (JH) have exactly one prior experience with Indian food in my life and it was about a year ago at Masala Mantra so I'm not exactly well versed in Indian cuisine. However, Masala Mantra's lunch buffet is fantastic for someone like me who wants to try Indian food but has no idea where to start or what I might like. My first plate was my favorite with the Basmati Rice, Traditional Chicken Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala, Naan bread and Tandoori Chicken. While I couldn't tell you if the flavors are authentic due to my lack of experience, I can tell you the entire plate was delicious. On my second go-around I tried the Fish Molly and some of the vegan options they offer. If there's meat available, I'll be eating it so anything vegetarian or vegan isn't my cup of tea, but if it's yours, there are a few options for you. I (JD) had the same thing as Josh. The chicken tikka masala is so good. Definitely my favorite thing on the buffet. The veggie curry was tasty and a good vegetarian option, if you're into that sort of thing. They also have an entire pan of naan, and you can't go wrong with that. The buffet is great, especially if you're not very familiar with Indian food. Like Josh, I don't have a lot of experience with Indian food, but this was absolutely delicious. The staff was courteous, attentive and made sure our drinks were always topped off. One thing I really appreciated was when we were paying, the server stepped away from the table to give us some space when it came time to tip. So many servers these days stand over you while you're tipping, it makes it very uncomfortable, but this server did the complete opposite and it really stuck out to me. This is a great little spot in south Cape that is worth enjoying.

Let me start buy saying I am new to Indian cuisine. I have only had chicken tikka masala once. I am in town and looking for someplace new. This place is a 7 min walk from my house, and had great reviews. I talked my parents into going to the weekend lunch buffet. They have never had Indian cuisine, and a buffet is a great way to try it. There are plenty of choices on the buffet. It was absolutely delicious. My parents also both enjoyed it. I will definitely be recommending to my vacation renters, and look forward to eating there when I'm back in town.

Parking is tough at dinner time, small lot. It stays pretty busy for dinner but boy oh boy is the food worth it. I can't wait to go back. One thing they could improve on is writing down a list of walk ins. It gets a little crazy and two other tables tried to be seated before me when I was first in. I ordered the tikka paneer and the flavors were wonderful. My partner ordered Butter Panner and felt the same.

We came here for the lunch buffet. Everything was good. The sauces were kind of watery. I don't know if they do that because it's held on heat maybe. Also I like my Indian food with a little more heat but again maybe they keep the flavors tame because it's a buffet. Good selection. They had 3 meat and 1 fish choice among a couple vegetables and fruit. It was around $15 I think. I'd go back.

I was so excited to try this restaurant, I finally Ordered tonight on bitesquad. We ordered the garlic naan which was so delicious, the Manchurian cauliflower, the samosas, and tandoori shrimp. I must admit that is my first true Indian meal, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The cauliflower was so good. The tandoori shrimp was too spicy for me, and was $20 so kind of a waste of money for me, so I had to give 4 stars. To others who are used to these flavors, they may love it. I would recommend trying.

My beautiful bride, Silvia, and I have never had Indian food for a dinner date. I based our decision on which place to go based on Yelp ratings, of course, and this place had 5 stars. Plus, Veteran owned. We tried the Masala Mixed Grill and the Korma with lamb, over rice. We both loved the Korma and are anxious to try other curry dishes. The mixed grill is a sample of various dishes and very tasty. The staff is friendly as well. They were patient and explained our dishes to us. We had so much food left that it's going to be lunch tomorrow. We will be back.

I am so torn because these guys are the nicest folks and were so happy! However, we did not enjoy it! Why the not you ask? Let me explain. We were greeted by the friendliest gentleman and seated immediately. The last vacant table too, I might add, which is another reason for the high grade. The menu was standard Indian fare so we were excited. Being totally indecisive I just ordered the same as my man, chicken tikka masala. The naan was delicious, fabulously fresh, large, fluffy and covered in garlic. Our main issue was the entree. The chicken tikka masala was... SWEET! I kid you not and not just a little, it was super sweet like sugar or honey or somesuch had been added with a very heavy hand. We couldn't finish sadly. I know this is purely a personal taste preference but as many CTMs, as we have had around the world, we're pretty used to it, even the different nuances and flavors that are added from time to time but sweet is not one we can get behind I'm afraid. The chicken was quite dry as well which was a definite first for an Indian restaurant and not in a good way. It's almost like it was overcooked in the tandoor and then thrown into the sauce last minute. It was also extremely mild even though we did ask for the spiciest level. If you like mild, sweet, dishes, this one is for you. Once again, the men were super friendly, efficient (it was packed) and caring so I feel guilty about docking one of the ruby reds but sadly, it must be done.

Excellent food and service. Wonderful food and service! Staff is very helpful if you are not familiar with the cuisine.

Terrific food. Very authentic. Beautiful food made in the authentic style. I love their Vindaloo!!! Amazing food

Amazing, fresh cuisine. Service is on point, and the wine list is good. Try the Taj Mahal Premium Lager if you're into beer. I'd recommend a specific dish, but no need- everything on the menu thus far is perfection. One vegetarian in our party, and the veggie options as well as meat options are out of this world. Oh- step out of your comfort zone and order the chili naan. It's not overly spicy, but delicious! Will be back again and again!

One star...should be half a star... for nice place and ok service. The food took away all the stars. I see it is not geared toward people who know indian food...and that's fine. But just know this is sub standard and not complementary to indian cuisine. Everything was sweet! It was so off putting to have sweet Rogan Josh and sweet goat biryani. Even the fish special had an unsavory flavor. I asked for onions and lime which is common with Indian food. I was served a plate of white onions and charged $2.50 for " indian onion salad' !!?? One star fits for the naan but EVERYTHING else was neither accurate to indian tastes...even if you are from Kerala...or fresh...the goat was in a wet curry but dry?. Beware...unless you like this sort of thing.