Masala & Curry
Nestled in historic downtown Glenwood Springs, Masala & Curry is a casual, cozy dining spot perfect for those craving freshly made, richly spiced Indian and Nepalese cuisine. Conveniently located just a four-minute walk from the Glenwood Walking Bridge — and an 11-minute walk from the Glenwood Hot Springs — a stop at Masala & Curry is the perfect way to refuel after an afternoon soaking in the rejuvenating springs, hiking one of Glenwood’s numerous scenic trails, or browsing the local shops downtown.
Each entrée is cooked from scratch using local products and a rich array of classic Indian and Nepali spices like green cardamom, black cardamom, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Those who are “hangry” might consider munching on a starter or naan while waiting for their made-to-order meals to emerge from the kitchen. This freshly made philosophy was born out of care for Masala & Curry customers and a desire to offer delicious, healthier dining choices made from locally sourced ingredients.
Starters include papad — crispy, baked lentil wafers — and samosas, stuffed with an aromatic, flavorful filling of spiced potatoes and green peas, wrapped in a carefully crisped fried pastry shell. Guests can also whet their appetites with a wide variety of naan, including garlic naan, filled with finely minced cilantro and garlic; cheese naan; and keema naan, stuffed with ground lamb. Other bread options include whole wheat flatbread, served plain, buttered, or stuffed with spiced potatoes.
Favorite signature dishes include the tikka masala and kawab, each of which can be ordered with chicken, lamb, or shrimp. The chicken tikka masala is one of the restaurant’s most time-consuming dishes to prepare, according to Masala & Curry owner Oscar Clinton and dhananjaya Airee. The generous portion is served in a silver bowl with a side of basmati and jasmine rice. The moist, tender chicken — swimming in a creamy tomato and caramelized onion sauce — takes around 24 hours to marinate and about two hours to roast in a clay oven.
“We cut the chicken, marinate it in yogurt and spices overnight, and then cook it in the oven, then cut and cook it again,” Clinton explained. Each chef at Masala & Curry has their own technique when it comes to cooking temperatures and timing, creating perfectly tender, delicately charred, and spiced meat that customers rave about.
Other popular dishes include the chicken kawab, served sizzling with perfectly charred chicken, peppers, and onions on a cast iron skillet. The restaurant’s steamed Nepali dumplings — momo, available with chicken or vegetable filling — are one of Clinton’s personal favorites.
Since opening in Glenwood Springs in 2016, Masala & Curry has become a hot spot for local vegetarians, earning the 2025 Locals’ Choice Award for Best Vegetarian Offerings. The menu includes over a dozen vegetarian options, from veggie korma to traditional veggie curry. Better yet, many of these dishes can be made vegan and are also gluten-free.
For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant offers several treats, including peshwari naan — a sweet naan filled with almonds, cashews, and raisins — and the mango lassi smoothie. This rich, cooling drink captures the sweet, bright flavor of a perfectly ripened mango and is the ideal way to end a delicious, satisfying summer meal at Masala & Curry.
