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wow i am yearning for the day i can come back and try more from this menu! this place is always booked and busy so my brother and i made a visit first thing they opened for lunch. our server was amazing and his recommendation for the kale pakora chaat for an app and the bhapa doi for dessert were 10/10. a party of 2 is not enough people to fully explore the menu. we were so stuffed after sharing an app, 2 entrees, and a dessert. i am so excited to come back. it's so cute in here and i had such an amazing time.
The atmosphere here is 10/10. If you are having a bad day, make a reservation here, and your mood will instantly be lifted. The vibrant colors and music are tastefully intense. Indian street food is one of my favorite cuisines. I fell in love when the first wave of this type of restaurant hit the West Coast -- Bollywood Theater (Portland) and DOSA (SF- RIP). Chai Pani is a more Gen Z version of those restaurants. The menu has all of the classics, and you'll want to order everything (but don't, because the food is very rich). We enjoyed all of the chaats we ordered, the Disco bhel being my favorite. The one main we shared, lentil dahl, was so spicy it was hard to eat. It was absolutely local Thai or local Indian spicy. I've lived in Asia and eaten all the street foods, and this was in the top 10 spiciest things I've eaten. The carrot halwa dessert was fantastic, so don't skip dessert even if you're full. While I didn't think the food was leagues above similar options that are already available, the vibe of the restaurant makes it worth a visit!
I'd honestly rate chai pani at a 3.5/5! I would definitely come back and get the disco bhel, summer veg uttapam, vada pav & mango lassi. my friends really liked the paneer entree & gulab jamun as well! definitely recommend making a reservation as it can get busier, especially close to dinner time! there's a decent amount of sitting inside and the decorations are so cute!! the SPDP was good and unique but a bit too yogurt-y. the chili chicken was definitely a miss as it was overly salty and lacked the "indi chinese" flavor. the uttapam was amazing but definitely heavy on the corn, so would not recommend if you don't love corn. our waitress was nice, but she didn't check up on us and kept having to flag her down to order items or get the check which was a bit odd as it wasn't overly busy!
There's no other way to say it... this restaurant SLAPPED! I absolutely loved our experience here and would highly recommend it. Starting off with the best part of the night: the service! Our waitress Ariana was kind, attentive, and hilarious. She gave great recommendations and kept us laughing all night. The food rocked! I loved the kale chaat, the kfc sandwich, and the parle g ice cream. Some of the dishes, like the butter chicken and paneer, were good too - pricier than what you'd get at an Indian takeout place, but still tasty if not a tad bland. The interior is GORGEOUS! I love the flowers everywhere. Check this place out!
Just walking up to this place, it was absolutely adorable with all the flowers and charming atmosphere. Inside, the music wasn't too loud, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the experience. I definitely recommend making a reservation. We didn't have one, so we were offered a seat at the common table or outside. Since it was a beautiful day, we chose to sit outside. Our server was training someone, and they were both fantastic. They gave great recommendations and were attentive throughout the meal. The food came out at the perfect pace, and everything was delicious. We shared two small plates, along with the fried chicken sliders and the butter chicken. The butter chicken had the perfect amount of spice and was incredibly flavorful. There were two of us, and sharing four dishes was just the right amount of food. We had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back!
When I first laid eyes on Chai Pani, which is located right next to Union Market, I knew I had to go. The space is so colorful and vibrant, it beckons you in. We made a lunch reservation on OpenTable and made our way to the highly anticipated Chai Pani. Once we were seated, the waitress greeted us and asked if we had dined at Chai Pani before. Since it was our first time, she gave us an overview and explained that the dishes are great for sharing. They also had some specials - the magic masala tomato chaat and grilled swordfish were being featured. We started with the kale pakora chaat ($15) and SPDP ($13). We loved the kale pakora chaat! My standard for a kale chaat is Rasika's signature palak chaat. Chai Pani's kale chaat holds their own. This chaat is more frittery than loose kale pieces, which made it easier to serve and share with the group. The flavor and texture were on point. The addition of the grapes and melon seeds gave the dish more sweetness, freshness, and great presentation. I would definitely order this again. The SPDP (puffed puris) were yogurt-laden, which made them less appealing. When they were brought to the table, the waiter instructed us that they are meant to be eaten in one bite. I appreciate the instruction, but the puris are a little big (it would be easier to eat in two bites). I didn't really taste the other ingredients other than the puri shell overloaded with yogurt. For the entrees, we ordered the butter chicken ($22) and lamb kala masala ($34). Both came with a small bowl of jeera rice. The lamb shank was excellent! I've had the lamb shank at the Michelin-rated Rania, and Chai Pani's lamb shank is better! The meat was tender and moist. It fell off the bone - always a sign of great cooking. The butter chicken was solid but was not a standout dish. This curry definitely had some heat to it, but the portion felt small for the price. It had a smoky flavor to it and used white breast meat, so it was on the dry side. We also got a side of naan which was pretty standard but great for sopping up the curry. Service was kind and bubbly. It started out strong, but it waned as the meal went on. We were checked on when the starters came out, but not necessarily checked on when the mains came out. She was knowledgeable of the menu and did check if we wanted to order any more drinks. The table was set with a water carafe, so we were able to take care of our own water cup refills. Bottom line - I would come back here again. I think the chaats and street food dishes are where Chai Pani really shines, and the lively, upbeat ambiance adds to the enjoyment. Chai Pani is a lovely addition to the Union Market neighborhood - definitely check it out!
Had dinner here while visiting DC. I was very surprised at how good everything we ordered was and that it had a great taste. The butter chicken was particularly good. We had reservations which are highly recommendeded and got seated immediately. The drink and food menu selection is great, and service is friendly and fast. Dine in area is nice with colorful decor. Overall, we had an excellent experience.
The ambiance and decor is truly breathtaking, from the outside to the inside! Food is absolutely amazing and is served family style, a great way to try multiple things. Service was also great, our waitress was super friendly and gave us suggestions! Definitely a must visit, I'll be back!
Upscale, elevated Indian street food with some fusion twists. The menu is varied and there's a little something for everyone. I had the lamb chop which was a very sizable portion! Servers were nice and helpful with the menu, although another staff member bringing drinks to a nearby table accidentally spilled one all over my friend's foot. No harm done but they also didn't acknowledge the accident and barely offered to help until we asked for some napkins.
Very cute restaurant. Lots of indoor seating. ADA accessible with ramp. Vibrant decoration of Indian culture (beautifully done). The prices for food were slightly higher. The food was good. For someone who doesn't handle spice well it was a good amount. The butter chicken my friend ordered had more lemon than tomato acidity. The pan puri had so much yogurt we could barely taste the other ingredients... They took while to bring us naan. Don't think I'd come back though. The service was sweet.
My husband & I stopped by Chai Paani in the Union market area during our trip to DC. The restaurant is conveniently located in the middle of a bustling neighborhood. We were promptly greeted & seated since we made a reservation prior to showing up at the restaurant. However, walk-ins do have to wait for a bit before being seated (because of how popular and crowded this restaurant is). I cannot say enough good things about the food, it took me right back to my time in India. All the flavors were authentic & hit the right spots! I wish I lived in DC so I could come here often!!!!
Finally got a chance to eat here! The space is BEAUTIFUL! Very thoughtful and intentional with the design. You walk in and it smells delicious, getting you ready for an amazing meal. Definitely recommend making a reservation. We walked in and got lucky to have two seats at the bar available for us, but don't risk it like us. We ordered the aloo tikki chaat and disco bhel to start. The aloo tikki chaat was amazing! So flavorful. We then shared the lamb which was incredible. The meat literally fell off the bone. I had a mango lassi on the side to balance the spice, which I recommend. And to end the night, we had to order the gulab jamun. Amazing!!! Ugh the warmth and sweetness is exactly what we needed. Amazing meal, can't wait to come back and try more from the menu!
In-FREAKING-credible! You may have read my poor experience at an Indian restaurant the other day, but this restaurant more than makes up for it. My friend and I dined here after abandoning two other Indian spots in Noma as options. This place was eye-catching from a block and half away, humongous, like a warehouse, tall, festooned with color and visual tour de force. The service was phenomenal. The host, our server, the other servers, the food deliverer--every single one happy, friendly, conversational, and warm. They seem to love their job and want to share their energy with guests. The appetizer was a large portion of the sabudana vada tots, which were deep-fried tapioca root vegetable pearls with green chiles, served with a delicous tangy-sweet dip. SO SO AMAZING. Not a 5/5, a 10 of a 5. I can't explain my logic. We were also thoroughly impressed with the two utthapams we ordered: one mushroom and one cheese. The portions were huge, every bite as amazing as the last. The dipping sauces (coconut chutney and cilantro chutney) were described when delivered and tasted fabulous. The vibe. The ambiance. The food. Chef's kiss. Home-freaking-run! I will come back a thousand times. You oughta too.
Such a fun India restaurant! The decor is beautiful, with street vendor vibes- they have an adorable gol gappa stand at the entrance and Bollywood music playing in the background. They also have numerous vegetarian small plates, and even a few vegan options. And I loved the desserts- I don't have a sweet tooth, so I appreciated that they had a yogurt dessert that was only mildly sweetened. I will say the main novelty of this place is the vibes/decor- the food itself is not really unique. But I loved the environment, and would totally come back for a special event! read more
No words can describe how amazing Chai Pani is! This is my 3rd Chai Pani (I had the good luck of trying Asheville and Atlanta and also Botiwala in Ponce City Market) and it did not disappoint. Some of my favorites were the sabudana vada, the vada pav and the Chai. The server was so fun to talk to and the ambience is spectacular. 100% recommend this place for yummy authentic Indian street food read more
9 months ago
A wonderful date night! So good I had to come back to yelp to share it! Food/drinks: Fantastic and a lot of food for 2! The sweet potato chat was chef's kiss. The mushroom package dish was out of control flavor. The lamb was very tasty. The bagain bharta was good, spicy, and veered closer to a salsa IMO -- but the papadam was the best I've ever tasted. The salad was also quite good, but unnecessary given everything else we ordered. My cocktail (golden pineapple?) was fab; I'm amazed I cut myself off at one. Service: Pretty good! The highlight was how they worked with my dietary restrictions. Gluten free? No problem. Poultry free? No problem. Dairy free? Workable (but note: the lamb is marinated in yogurt). Ambiance: Very cool. They have a free (non GF) app while you wait. The authenticity comes across. And there's a modern almost kitschy charm that works. Family friendly: Probably but can't say. I saw one toddler and one baby, but not sure if they have high chairs or booster seats. There are also lots of nuts on the menu if your kiddo has allergies. read more
There's been a lot of hype in D.C. around this Asheville-born, award-winning Indian restaurant behind Union Market. Reservations go quickly, so I was happy to have snagged a table for four for my wife and two friends for a Saturday dinner double date. Here's our experience. 1) Food: The entire menu looks delicious so it's hard to resist not ordering everything. Our server let us know the food is meant to be shared and comes out once it's ready. With that mind, we ended up ordered the right amount to fully feed four adults. Here's what we ordered organized with our favorites at the top. -Kale Pakora Chaat- it's eaten like nachos and every bite is an explosion in the mouth with the sweet yogurt, chutney, tamarind, and more. We almost ordered it again! -Chili Chicken- it's boneless chicken with lots of delicious flavor. -Cheese Uttapam- it's like an Indian pancake with the texture of a Korean one. The cheese is hot and gooey. -Lamb Kala Masala- I don't like lamb, but this was excellent. It's not very gamey and falls off the bone into the curry. -Butter Chicken- if you're used to creamy, nor sweet butter chicken, this isn't it. It's dark and doesn't taste like butter chicken from other places. We wouldn't order this again. -Naan- it's a thicker texture than the fluffy naan found at other spots. For dessert, we ordered the Gulab Jamun and it as delicious! It comes in a serving of three. 2) Drinks: Each cocktail was excellent, but I especially liked the tamarind margarita. I ordered two and then a chai for dessert, which was worth it. They also sell Indian beer and other drinks. 3) Service: For being busy, our server was attentive and came with good energy. She guided us through the menu flawlessly. 4) Space: Its beautiful from start to finish. There's a large outdoor area where you'll find a pani puri cart to snack on as you wait. There's dining room is smaller than expected, but it works. The decorations are beautiful and they sell swag in the indoor waiting area. 5) Neighborhood: It's near Union Market so come prepared to fight for parking. Luckily, there are three parking garages in newer buildings that offer free parking for three hours. Another option is walking from the NoMa Metro. read more
An extremely cute and vibrant restaurant in DC that I was so excited to try!! The restaurant welcomes you with Indian music playing throughout the speakers even outside the restaurant. When you walk in, you are greeted by beautiful florals and a pani puri cart (unfortunately I didn't try it). My friend and I were seated at a tiny 2 top that honestly, I was surprised was even for actual dining. The table seemed more a part of the bar area and I feel like would've been better for just drinks, but luckily we had a little ledge next to us that we placed our drinks on to make room for our food. For drinks I got their version of an espresso martini, which is made with South Indian filter coffee and some chai. It was absolutely delicious and I loved the warm, cozy spice of the drink. Baingan bharta- not your typical baingan bharta (our server even warned me about this). It's more of a cold eggplant dip. I really enjoyed it though! It was bright and tart. Tamarind glazed spare ribs- my absolute FAVORITE dish we got. The ribs were so tender they were falling off the bone. The sweet tamarind-based sauce was so delicious. Parsi shrimp patia- perfect shrimp dish for a cold night. The tamarind, jaggery, and peppery flavors of this dish almost remind me of rasam. So so tasty! Butter chicken- I'm a sucker for a basic dish like butter chicken at an Indian restaurant. This dish, however, is why this place falls just short of 5 stars. I wanted to love the butter chicken but unfortunately it was too salty. The chicken was nice and soft though. Really really enjoyed this spot and honestly wish I could've tried even more items on the menu. Highly recommend!! read more
It took a week, but I was able to snag a reservation here after my friend discovered it the week prior. This place is hard to miss as the colors in the restaurant and on the exterior are very warm and vibrant. I appreciate that they have a pani puri cart right outside the entrance so if you just want a little snack after you've been barhopping, you can I as trying to get reservations are a little tough. The staff that works here is very nice and very helpful. While we waited for our table to be cleaned, my friend and I got drinks. I got a Jeera cup and she got the gin rickey. For dinner, I got the butter chicken with a side of naan, and she got the Bihari kabob. To finish, we both got mango lassi (not pictured). In terms of the drinks, my jeera cup was delightful in conjunction with my meal as it is a savory spiced lemonade, which was a new experience for me. My friend said she really enjoyed her gin rickey. I'm terms of the food, the naan here is soooo good. It was light, fluffy and buttery. Dipping it in the sauce for my butter chicken was so delightful. The butter chicken was nicely cooked and seasoned. This dish was so flavorful and the chicken was cooked just right. The sauce was so smooth and savory. I would eat this everyday if I could. My friend appreciated that her Kabab was well seasoned but wished that it came with a side outside of the onions that it came with. She ordered a side of rice which made this dish more filling. The mango lost you at the end was a very pleasant, cool, and sweet finish to this experience. I highly recommend going here for dinner. Reservations are recommended and your best bet is reserving a week out. They also have a waitlist, so if you're going to be in the area, put your name down and go bar hop (waits can be as long as 3 hours) as they will text you when your table is ready. read more
11 months ago
Drinks-only review: We stopped by randomly on a Saturday for some cocktails. We wanted to sit at the bar, but the host told us there were no seats available. The restaurant and bar looked surprisingly empty, and we noticed those same barstools stayed open the whole time we were there -- oh well. We grabbed a small cocktail table outside instead. The drinks were actually pretty enjoyable! I especially liked the raspberry one (can't remember the name). The real standout, though, is the decor -- colorful, fun, and a great addition to the Union Market area. I'd definitely come back to sit inside next time and maybe try the food. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let us order any appetizers since we didn't have a reservation or space for us, which was a bit of a bummer. read more
Ok so Chai Pani DEFINITELY lives up to the hype!! I've been so excited to try this since they opened, as I've been to the Atlanta location and loved it. We got there right when they opened at 5:30 (as we didn't have a reservation) and were able to get seats at the bar. The bar manager was great and very friendly. I got a raspberry lime Rickey (non alcoholic) and it was so refreshing and perfectly balanced. We started with the SPDP which are a MUST TRY. Seriously, get them. Then we got the aloo tikki chaat which was also so good. The chickpea stew is amazing all on its own. The subadana vada tots were unlike anything I've ever had before and the tangy dipping sauce was perfection. We split an order of butter chicken, which comes with rice, and an order of naan. Everything was delicious and I'm already planning my next visit. read more
Between Marcus DC and this spot, Union Market is really winning in the culinary scene right now. I only discovered Chai Pani because I'd planned a date at the Umbrella Arts Fair not realizing it had moved Downtown with this restaurant taking it's place. The aesthetic is so, so good with vibrant colors, great music, and cultural iconography throughout. We didn't have reservation on a fully booked Saturday evening, so the wait was about an hour. There's a front area and merch store for you to pass the time while you want. There's also great vibes outside if you're looking for a photo op. For food, we ordered the chicken appetizer, ribs, lamb shank, and tandoori chicken. Eveything was absolutely delicious with great balance of authentic flavors. The menu was super diverse in terms of protein, vegan and vegaterian options, so there's definitely something for everyone. Hospitality of service staff was awesome. I can't remember our server's name, but she was super funny and attentive. Would highly recommend Chai Pani for dinner night, dinner with friends, or a celebration. read more
5 months ago
Have been to the original Asheville location a couple times, it's pretty good so was excited to try the DC new location! Made a reservation for 6 to celebrate a birthday for a Sunday brunch - we were seated on time in a nice large booth. The decor is stunning! Really colorful, fun, and true to Indian style, not in a fake way. The food was good as well for the most part - the DPSP was as usual a hit and even the bhel puri was surprisingly well done. The sabudana vada were an unexpected winner, crispy on the outside and chewy and flavorful inside. However the drinks were a bit of a let down, and they were out of the tandoori chicken that my FIL wanted. Overall a great one time experience for a special occasion - Indian food that's not not typical for Indian restaurants in America. read more
Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the union market. From inside out the restaurant is visually stunning and the aroma of food hits you from the doors. We opted to sit at the bar for our meal and they were able to accommodate seating my friend and I together. We started with the tamarind cola and jal jeera, both non-alcoholic beverages that were well balanced. To start we ordered okra fries and ALOO TIKKI CHAAT. The okra fries were so addictive well balanced and the perfect bite. The Aloo Tikki chat left me wanting more potato fritters than just two, but they were delicious and the chickpea stew provided a great balance. For mains we ordered the TAMARIND-GLAZED SPARE RIBS and the LAMB KALA MASALA. The spare ribs were a flavorful symphony in my mouth, a nice sweet savory balance. The lamb was probably my least favorite item of the night, while tender the meat itself was a bit bland, while the sauce overtop had a little kick and was delicious. We ended our meal with chai and they provided some complimentary biscuits/cookies. Overall check this place out. I know I'll be a regular. read more
10 months ago
This was such a fun dining experience. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful. It's not only colorful but there was such detail and consideration put into every single visual moment. The menu length is appreciated. It's not long and covers several restrictions. My friend and I ordered several items and enjoyed everyone. My only criticism is that the puri (spdp) felt too large and full, it felt like such a large bite and was hard to swallow from prior experiences. The paneer and tots were my favorite, the sauce for both were just fantastic pairings. The mango sorbet was the perfect meal ending. To tie out our perfect meal was phenomenal service. It was a very busy lunch hour over a holiday and our server did not miss a beat, he continued to check on us, followed up when plates were not yet delivered, and was on the mark with boxes and checks. It was a 10 experience! I will say I'm not typically impressed with union market spots, but I will definitely be back! read more
5 months ago
Looooved my first experience at Chai Pani! Gorgeous and colorful decor, great service, and excellent food. We got the kale pakora chaat , butter chicken, naan with ghee, and the bhapa doi. The kale pakora chaat was my favorite but I enjoyed all dishes. The mango lassi was also the best I've ever had! Definitely recommend making a reservation, two of us walked in on a Wednesday night and had to wait 45 minutes for seats at the bar. read more
Highly recommend making a reservation even on a random week day because this place is popular! And for good reason. Some friends and I made a reservation for a Wednesday evening and basically wanted to order the whole menu. My faves were the SPDP, wild mushroom uttapam (so good!), and the gulab jamun. The spicy plate of hot sauce, mango pickle, and Thai chillies is also a must if you like to experiment with some heat. We went the small plates route so we could try a bunch of different things but I'll be back to try some of the entrees! read more
The atmosphere is immersive and beautiful with upbeat music to add to the ambiance. The service was prompt and the food is amazing. This is definitely one of our new favorite places to eat in DC. It's been 2 days and I'm still thinking about the okra fries. So light and crispy. Absolute perfection. Don't believe the guy who docked a star and said he didn't need them again. They are perfection. read more
Amazing addition to the Union Market area. Chai Pani reservations open up 2 weeks in advance and fill up quickly, so highly recommend making a reservation! Our server was excellent, he checked on us frequently, and even provided a special menu indicating which items were dairy free or could be made dairy free (for our friend with a dairy allergy). As for the food, I went with a large group so we were able to order a bunch of items to try! There is nothing we tried that I wouldn't recommend. Highly recommend the SPDP, disco bhel, kale pakora chaat, okra fries, ribs, and the lamb. read more
10 months ago
This new spot is 100% all it's cracked up to be We started with their original Vada Pav, which are street sandwiches that were created for textile workers in Mumbai! The classic is a spicy potato dumpling, fried in a curry chickpea batter, and they are SO GOOD. I could have eaten a dozen of these single handled Our second course was a classic paneer tikka with the yummiest paneer ever. Followed by their Parsi shrimp patia Our last of the mains was by far the best, their self-proclaimed iconic kale pakora chaat kale fritters served with sweet yogurt, tamarind, sliced grapes, melon seeds, and pomegranate seeds We wrapped our gluttonous evening with a desi tres leches cake, which is possibly the best I've ever tasted due to its ginger and cardamom spices, and soaked in a saffron-rose milk read more
My husband and I had been to the one in Asheville and we absolutely loved it. One of my favorite restaurants in the US. When we found out that they were going to open one in DC (our primary residence), we were thrilled. My husband fell sick so I got my friend to come with me who had been waiting to try their food. We arrived 10 minutes early. Took some pics of their beautiful interior and exterior. Ambiance is 4/5 as I was hoping for something more original like the one in Asheville. The one in Asheville felt like I could walk in wearing shorts and t shirts but this one felt so much fancier. When I hear street food, I want to connect to ambiance of some sort of street food vibe. Anyways, great ambiance for people who haven't been to the one in Asheville. Let's get to the service - 3/5 unfortunately. We walked in and checked in. We were told they are running behind. It was already 9 pm slot. We were both very hungry. We waited 15 minutes to get our table. And then 10 to 15 minutes more to get our water. The waiter was apologetic but did not feel authentic. We noticed other tables being offered complimentary food, but nothing was offered to us. Not a great look especially since we waited so long to even put in our order. Let's get to the food and drinks - I ordered tamarind margarita and my friend ordered jaljeera. The margarita was very mediocre and way overpriced. Jaljeera was good. I would absolutely stick with mocktails here. 4/5 for drinks. For food, we ordered vegetarian uttapam, okra fry, Bihari kabob, Dahi puri, and chilli chicken. Everything tasted delicious. Bihari kabob, veg uttapam and Dahi puri were our favorites. Coconut chutney with the veg uttapam has to be one of the best chutneys you will have in the US. Very original and the gun powder with ghee was absolutely delicious. However, for the quantity of food, everything felt overpriced. If you're going to larger groups, you may want to order some of these items twice just for everyone to get a nice portion. $26 for small portion of the Bihari kabob is outrageous. Food 4/5, price 3/5. Overall, the experience was 3/5 for both of us. We were actually planning to come back here in a week to celebrate our friends going away dinner, but don't think that's going to happen here. I really wish they could price it accordingly and kept it simple. This one felt like we are walking into a fanciest Indian restaurant to try Indian street food. read more
I've been wanting to go to Chai Pani for months now and finally snagged a reservation! They fill up on the weekends so I don't recommend trying to walk in unless it's earlier in the week. I ordered the gin rickey but honestly did not taste any alcohol so may have received the regular rickey?? It was very refreshing and flavorful. We got a bunch of dishes to share and everything comes family style. We tried the heirloom tomato chaat special and the disco bhel to start which were both solid. I enjoyed the fresh tomatoes and the mix of spicy/tangy flavors! We also ordered the sloppy jai, pav bhaji (veg), and spring veg uttapam. The uttapam didn't really wow me which is a bummer as someone who is always a fried pancake fan! The sloppy jai and pav bhaji were my favorites! The lamb in the jai was so tender and delicious and the rolls were soft and buttery. The pav bhaji was more of a sloppy joe texture than the lamb but enjoyed both. Service was solid with consistent water refills and check-ins! read more
Super vibey spot, beautiful decor, lively (slightly loud) atmosphere, great for some fun drinks and bites. My husband brought me for my birthday and staff was really kind! Food was pretty good, nice variety of different items to share, although nothing was piping hot which was my only gripe (of the things that should be hot). Would be great for out of town friends or family to see. Tables are close together, so wouldn't recommend for huuuge groups but would come back! read more
Chai Pani is one of my new favorites in the DMV! And you won't miss it behind Union Market because it draws the eye (in a good way). I went twice in a week and hope to go often. Majority delicious vegetarian friendly choices, every bite is packed with flavor, portions are well sized for sharing, vibes are festive and colorful, staff is so friendly (shoutout to Bhakti). I have no complaints! So far my fave dishes are the desi salad, kale pakora chaat, and paneer tikka. read more
We arrived around lunchtime and there was a 30 minute wait but we got in in 10 minutes. The weight staff was attentive and near the menu really well. They gave really great recommendations! Not to mention the decor is absolutely stunning! Everything is shareable, which is great for date night or dinner with friends. I will be back to this place over and over again. Everything was a ten!! We ordered the pani puri yogurt sauce in the middle (SPDP) , Disco bhel, and spareribs, The Pani puri was amazing. I didn't think I would like the yogurt filling as much as the traditional watery yet flavorful filling, but this was absolutely amazing. It was sweet and light. The disco bhel had so many flavors in textures. Every bite was different and enjoyable. The spareribs were extremely tender and fell off the bone. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more
UM I don't want more people to take up reservations here but I need to describe how good the food was. Seriously authentic Indian street food!!!! Came here as group of 5 and got to try a bunch of plates: - spdp: 9/10. Still don't know what this stands for but it's pani puri one biters. Eat these quick! They are delicious, could maybe be a tiny bit spicier. - vada tots: 10/10. Full of flavor! Maggie sauce hits with this. - disco bhel: 10/10. So tasty, hard to stop eating! - kale pakora chat: 12/10. Need more immediately. Rivals Rasika's famed palak chaat. - matchstick okra fries: 10/10. I didn't think I'd like these but they're super crispy, not slimy at all. And almost feel healthy like they've been air-fried. Addicting for sure. - chili chicken: 7/10. Good but not mind blasting. It's like indo-chinese style chicken. - tamarind glazed ribs: 9/10. These were finger licking good and fall off the bone tender. I wish they had a beef version. - baingan bharta: 10/10. Loved that it came with some papad to dip in the eggplant dip. The dip was almost like a salsa - very tomatoey and fresh. And the eggplant was a bit smoky. Delish! - paneer tikka: 8/10. Pretty good! Came with 4 big pieces of paneer and some veggies. Would be better if it tasted more grilled or smoky or something. - cheese uttapam: 8/10. Never had uttapam before but they're like savory pancakes! I could tell how authentic they were from just the way the sauces looked. Would love to try again. - lamb kala masala: 7/10. Was good and a huge portion but could have been even more flavorful in my opinion. - nimbu pani: 8/10. This was like a lemon water drink. It's like a salty Gatorade. Pretty refreshing! - chai: 8/10 perfect amount of sweetness for me. Had notes of spices in there like cardamom. - bhapa doi: 10/10. It's so authentic it's even made in the clay pots like they do in Bangladesh. The pistachio and the saffron really makes the doi unique. Perfect for sharing! Service was AMAZING. Our server was insanely sweet. Made sure our friend with a dairy allergy was super taken care of. Really made us feel at home here. I can't wait to return!! read more
21 days ago
Stumbled on this spot during my recent DC trip. Great vibes, cordial staff and service along with some really good food. The place has a hop modern decor and vibe. Tried a few things off the menu and everything hit the mark, definitely coming back when I'm in town next time. read more
Really great! The food, drinks, decor, hospitality, and overall vibes felt so authentic. Had the opportunity to come here and try several dishes. Everything was great with standouts being SPDP, disco bhel, sabudana vada tots, and veg uttapam (very unique with the corn and squash). Also tried the paneer tikka, okra fries, and kale pakora chaat. Had the nimbu pani to drink which was perfect - the right amount of lime and sugar. All the plates are great for sharing, although a couple of those appetizers I could have eaten all on my own hehe. Our waitress was super sweet. And they even have a pani puri stand in front of the restaurant as an amuse-bouche while you wait! (Although not free of charge). I thought the prices were very reasonable for the amount and quality of food you get. Highly recommend you won't regret it! read more
17 days ago
Okay! I was super excited to go here! But unfortunately they are booked solid for the next month or so, but we assumed it was a Tuesday and who goes out to eat on a Tuesday? Big mistake! There was a 2 hour wait for just the bar seats. Which does serve food. You can put your name down and wait in the lounge area, where you can order drinks. So we ended up having Chai and Pani ( tea & water) The Chai was a 10/10. Plus the decor of the space is GORGEOUS! Looking forward to getting a table soon! read more
I came here today and this was a fantastic addition to the Union market area. The restaurant is wonderfully decorated. It's huge with decorations everywhere and Indian music played in the background. They even have merch you can buy and some fun spices. We were seated promptly with some people waiting to be seated. It's to be expected as this place is still fairly new. Service was wonderful! We were promptly asked what we needed throughout our time there. We even noticed our own waitress brought table and chairs outside for another table who seemed to want to sit outside (note while their outside area is huge, they don't have seating for outside although the windows do open up. My friend and I shared several dishes: Bihari kebab, okra fries, vada Pav, naan with ghee and Baingan barta. We also shared the desi tres leches. I loved the Bihari kebab in particular and my friend loved the baingan barta. We both also loved the okra fries - they re so uniquely made and well spiced. We shared the desi tres leches. I didn't love this. It seemed like it was definitely pre-made. Overall, definitely check this place out! I'm definitely coming back for the pani puri cart! read more
1 year ago
Been here twice now and had different reactions and experiences from both. The first time we came was on opening day, and everything from service to food was 5/5! We were immediately greeted and seated. The decor and ambiance is beautiful and so vibrant. We ordered the SPDP, chili chicken, lamb Kala masala, KFC sandwich, sloppy jai, and kingfish. We loved everything, especially the lamb Kala masala. It was some of the best lamb I've had with tender pieces and a really flavorful curry. We loved our experience so much we immediately booked another reservation to come a couple weeks later. Our second experience wasn't as impressive as the first. While service and ambiance were still great, we felt the food quality already went down. The lamb Kala masala we raved about ended up being a disappointment this time around. While the lamb itself was still tender, the flavor was seriously lacking. We also tried the Parsi shrimp patia this time, which resembled a similar taste to rasam with shrimp added. The KFC sandwich and SPDP were still great for us, but sad to see the one dish we loved not hit the same. I'll still recommend this to all who are looking for a way to experience Indian food in a fun and unique way, and there's still lots of delicious options to try from. read more
6 months ago
What a beautiful restaurant! I felt like I was instantly transported to Bombay. The service we had was wonderful from checking in for our reservation and all throughout our meal. The food was great and super flavorful! The drinks were very tasty as well. read more
Whoever decided to put saffron rose milk in a tres leches deserves a raise. The Desi Tres Leches was one of the best dessert items I've have in D.C. Chai Pani is the latest example of a restaurant with modern takes on Indian food, similar to that of Daru and Tapori, which are also in Northeast D.C. Chai Pani probably offers the most colorful decor of the trio with a vibrant ambiance as you enter. The food lives up to the restaurant's aesthetic. In addition to the tres leches, I also ordered the Sloppy Jai, which is like a spiced lamb version of a sloppy Joe slider. It's a little spicy but offers a combination of sweet and tangy flavors with every bite. I also ordered the tamarind cola to drink. The service was fantastic and I look forward to exploring more of the menu. read more
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