Great Chai, Great Energy, Great Alternative to Coffee Rating: Elaichi Co was absolutely buzzing, even on a Sunday. The space was packed, and the energy from both the staff and customers made it feel lively and welcoming. We ordered the oat chai and the Elaichi Bun. The chai arrived piping hot, so it was definitely something to savor slowly, and the Elaichi Bun was flavorful and delicious. A couple of things to note: the noise level can get pretty high since sound tends to bounce around the space, and seating is limited, so we had to wait a few minutes for a table to open up. That said, it's very easy to get to via public transit or Waymo, and the overall experience was well worth it. If you're looking for a great alternative to coffee and some truly excellent chai, Elaichi Co is definitely worth a visit. read more

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I enjoy chai so was excited to see this new spot pop up after walking by. I went in on a whim and bought a bag of chai which came with a hot karak chai. I perused the selection and brought it to the counter. The barista was stone cold and looked like he didn't want to be there. He also seemed impatient. It was honestly a disappointing experience. The chai had a good balance of spice, milk, and sweetness. The cardamom really came through. This is perfect on a cold morning. It seemed like a great spot to catch up with friends or get some work done. read more

elaichi co. - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was recommended the original elaichi co. in Berkeley at the beginning of 2025 by someone at an SF Social Club event when I mentioned I couldn't find any good chai in the city. That was one of the best recommendations I ever received. The chai at elaichi co. became my favorite overnight, and now I exclusively buy their chai. Nowhere else even comes close to comparing with elaichi's quality. Recently, I found out via my Yelp recommended for you page that elaichi co. opened a new location in SF, so of course I had to come check it out! I stepped out of the SF wind chill into the bright, welcoming café and was greeted by the nicest barista. It didn't take long to order, since the menu is straightforward with only one page. I got the dairy-free hot oat chai, which was ready within only a couple of minutes after ordering, and it was the perfect warming treat. I would've gotten an elaichi bun to go with it, but unsurprisingly, they sold out in the early afternoon. They're just THAT good from what I remember at the Berkeley location, so I can't wait to come back earlier in the day next time to get my hands on one. read more

elaichi co. - menu - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here a couple of times and I'm glad something like this exists in the city. I have tried the karak chai hot and iced and my favorite is the hot to enjoy while sitting there and enjoying the ambiance. Will totally be going back and maybe trying something else on the menu. read more

So glad I made it to the grand opening and opted for the oat chai. Delicious, creamy, and the cardamom was not overpowering. I really like that the dairy alternative did not compromise on taste. I am definitely looking forward to the next visit and trying their lattes along with the baked goods. read more

elaichi co. - Oat chai - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

This. Is. Great! Instead of visiting towards the East Bay and into downtown Berkeley, I would definitely come to the second location of Elaichi in SoMa. And instead of coffee, how about some karak chai for San Franciscans who haven't yet set foot in Berkeley? Of course, there's same cardamom pastries, some karak chai blend pouches, and some more merchandise. And this brand spanking new café space is bigger than its former. Same service like before, but contactless payment as always. I first made it there for a good cup of oat chai followed by a pouch blend during the grand opening. Hope even the Yelp elites can finally set their sights here at Elaichi in SoMa! (ÒwÓ)b read more

elaichi co. - Better here than expected. - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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As a chai lover I was so excited to see this cafe opening on Tik Tok. The space is beautiful and open. I enjoyed their seasonal banana chai, I think the banana came through just enough to still let the chai shine. I don't drink coffee so I did not miss it on the menu. The elaichi bun surprised me the most, it was probably my favorite part. It paired so well with the chai, I definitely recommend getting it warm. read more

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Got to try the Elaichi bun, chocolate chip cookie, and pistachio cake from Elaichi. All on the more dry side and would go well with coffee, but I wouldn't recommend on their own. The cardamom flavor comes through pretty strong if you are one to like that. read more

elaichi co. - Bun, cookie, pistachio cake - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Don't get me wrong, the chai was good. Creamy with lots of cardamom. But I'm leaving only 3 stars because as I was sipping my chai, I found myself chewing a mouthful of slimy milk skin. I think if I were sitting there sipping out of a mug or open cup, this wouldn't be an issue since I would have noticed the milk skin and fished it out or sipped around it. But, since I was sipping from a lidded to-go top, it was a really gross surprise. It was a particularly surprising mistake because chai is "their thing" and I wouldn't expect something like this to be a problem. I think this is probably something they could work out - agitate the milk more for takeout orders? Or use a different format of milk? Or I guess I could stick to oat milk to avoid this happening again. read more

Elaichi is part of downtowns new Vacant to Vibrant program located on 3rd St. Besides matcha, Chai is my second favorite tea choice and Elaichi delivers. Ordered their popular must try Karak chai, this classic chai features strong hints of cardamom. No sugared drinks passing as chai here! If you love chai or appreciate good tea, check out Elaichi! read more

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This Berkeley based chai spot has made it's way to SF! They have a menu of different chai options and pastries that pair so well together. The indoor seating is cute and fills up fast but the outdoor spots are just as cozy. They'll be having a grand opening event on May 2 so stop by and check them out then if you can. Service was very friendly! read more

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Really enjoyed my visit to Elaichi Co. in San Francisco. The space is beautiful and has a really welcoming vibe, the chai was genuinely excellent, and parking was surprisingly easy which made the whole experience even better. You can tell the ownership really cares about the experience they create for customers. Definitely a spot I'd come back to. read more

elaichi co. - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

The space itself is really nice and cozy, and I was excited to try their chai because the smell of the cardamom and spices was amazing. Unfortunately, the drinks and desserts were just way too sweet for my taste. I ordered a 16 oz chai and honestly regretted getting the larger size because I could only drink about a quarter of it. I really wish they offered a "less sweet" option. I also tried the pistachio cake, but again it was extremely sugary and didn't really taste like pistachio at all. We only had a couple bites and couldn't finish it. On top of that, my drink was forgotten at first while the staff seemed distracted chatting, and I had to go back to the counter to remind them about my order. Once I mentioned it, they made it right away, but it was still disappointing. Overall, cute place and great aroma, but the sweetness level and service made the experience miss the mark for me. read more

elaichi co. - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Room for some improvements - for here cups. We all need to do our part for the environment. Most of the customers are hanging out and drinking chai at the cafe. No need for mandatory throwaway cups. I know they're compostable. - another reason for glassware: the chai is extreme hot, as it should be. It's unbearable to hold the paper cup even with a sleeve - There's not enough space for incoming customers. This is why most cafes don't have charging ports unless they can accommodate a huge number of people. I walked in and all the seats were taken by laptops. No space to lounge for casual customers = not very welcoming read more

the karak chai was amazing, they usually have a great selection of snacks but we went a bit late so they were out, much better than any other coffee shop, the lady at the front was super nice, and the vibe of the place makes it a great place to work, there are tons of outlets. also one of the few places with late service which is great! read more

elaichi co. - iced karak chai and hot karak chai - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

The tea was super, super tasty, just like at the original location in Berkeley. That goes for both the oat and the regular! Obviously the tea is the star here, and it absolutely delivers. The cardamom (elaichi) bun was also good. The location is also quiet and polished, with nice outdoor seating right nearby. Keep this place going! read more

The chai is delicious, but it's not dissimilar to what you get for free at an Indian food restaurant.

Glad to see Elaichi open in San Francisco. Great chai and fantastic dessert options. The space is really spacious and has outdoor seating too. read more

Speaking wholeheartedly as a chai snob, this place is the best. Most places douse their chai's with sugar to make up for the lack of flavor, and this place is anything but that. It's obvious they've spent endless hours perfecting the taste, which is apparent when you see them in action behind the counter. Alongside offering the best complimentary food to nibble on, and an atmosphere that's fit for any mood or occasion, this has quickly become my favorite spot in the city. read more