Indian Classics, Inventive New Dishes Coming To NoVA

RESTON, VA — Masti Indian Restaurant will open its doors Thursday in the heart of Reston Town Center at 1825 Discovery St. Nestled within the Hyatt Hotel, the restaurant offers views of the center’s covered plaza and seasonal ice skating rink.

"Masti," which means "fun" in Hindu, is the latest venture by Chef Ram Thapa, the restauranteur who operates the two Indochen restaurants in Alexandria. This time around, he's teamed up with co-owner Kumar KC, who is heading up the project.

Here's how Masti is described in the official press release:

Located in a 3,915-square-foot space, Masti offers seating for 136 guests indoors, including 10 bar counter seats, six high-top seats, a welcoming lobby lounge, and a 16-person communal table overlooking the open kitchen. Two private dining rooms, each equipped with its own AV system, cater to private celebrations, corporate gatherings, and intimate dinners. An outdoor patio seats an additional 40 guests.

The restaurant’s design, created by SYN Engineer, is a feast for the senses — a vibrant, colorful space infused with Indian cultural motifs. Rich peacock feather patterns, shimmering gold pendant lights framed in green, and warm wooden textures merge tradition with modern elegance. Golden accents nod to India’s cultural symbolism of prosperity, blessings, and good fortune, creating an atmosphere that is both celebratory and welcoming. AHL Construction built the restaurant.

The Menu: Guiding the kitchen is Co-owner and Chef Ram Thepa, who also oversees the culinary programs for IndoChen and IndoChen Old Town. The menu at Masti offers a dynamic blend of beloved Indian classics and inventive new dishes. Guests can enjoy a variety of chaats, curries, and tandoor specialties, alongside bold reinterpretations such as Chicken Sekuwa, chef’s take on a Nepalese staple, prepared with tender boneless chicken, Nepali spices, mustard infused oil, all cooked on a skewer and Jackfruit-Paneer Kofta in a creamy cashew sauce.

Drawing on his Nepalese heritage, Chef Ram brings a deep appreciation for traditional flavors and cooking techniques, infusing them into Masti’s eclectic menu. One highlight is the momo — steamed Himalayan dumplings filled with seasoned ground meat or vegetables and delicately spiced with ginger, garlic, coriander, and other aromatic herbs. Another is Hakka noodles, a beloved Indo-Chinese stir-fry tracing its roots to the Hakka Chinese community in Kolkata, blending Indian and Chinese flavors into a satisfying, wok-tossed dish.

Masti also offers a weekday “create your own bowl” lunch special featuring salad, basmati rice, and your choice of protein, catering to quick yet flavorful midday dining. The beverage program is as lively as the menu, with highlights like the Indian Mule — mango vodka, lime, and ginger beer — and the Masti Aged Manhattan, a barrel-aged mix of bourbon, Carpano Antica, Heering cherry liqueur, and Angostura bitters.

Masti is located in the heart of Reston Town Center at 1825 Discovery St. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m on weekends.