Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen

    4.5 (185 reviews)
    ModeratePakistani, Indian
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen Takeout or Delivery

    Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen Photos

    Business Info

    MALIKA PAKISTANI CHAI CANTEEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    You might also consider

    More like Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen

    Recommended Reviews - Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen

    Mango lassi.
    Jennie D.

    If you've never tried Pakistani or Indian food, this is a great place to start. The menu is small enough that you won't feel overwhelmed, and the staff couldn't be nicer about answering questions or helping you decide what to try. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much since it's located inside the mall, but I was completely wrong. This place blew me away. I dined alone and ordered the "Queen's Road" from their Signature Thalis section. It came with Chicken Tikka Masala and Lohori Cholay, and both were outstanding. The Chicken Tikka Masala was rich and creamy with tender pieces of chicken simmered in a tomato and spice sauce that's equal parts comforting and addictive. The Lohori Cholay, a classic chickpea curry from Lahore, was deeply spiced and full of flavor, with just enough heat to make you keep reaching for more. The meal came with a big bowl of fragrant basmati rice, cooling mint raita, and a bright onion chutney that tied everything together. I added a side of buttered naan (fluffy perfection) and a mango lassi that was sweet, smooth, and refreshing. Everything about the meal was impressive, from the flavors to the generous portions. I left happily full and already planning my next visit.

    Chicken pakora (GF)
    Kris G.

    That Fried Chicken Pakora, though... Get you some Chicken Tikka and dip those babies in the Masala sauce ... I wonder if they serve that sauce on the side, if not... They totally should! Or serve the Pakora as an entree with rice and the sauce off side. The vibe is always great when you enter... Vibrant colors greet you with the smiling staff. You can get in and out in time for a movie!

    Makenzie L.

    This is such a nice addition to Mt. Pleasant's not so diverse food scene. Malikas was my first Pakistani food experience and I must say it was a treat. The service was great and I'm so glad we made a reservation because it was packed. The serve was very knowledgeable about the menu and helped with several recommendations. The appetizer Dahi Puri were little explosions of flavor! I weirdly expected them to be hot so the cold app caught me off guard but I've never had such a small bite have such intense flavors! I ordered the chicken tikka masala and again the flavor was so rich and wonderful. The burger was also great if you have someone in your party who is a little less adventurous. The burger still is different and full of flavor. The naan bread obviously can't be beat and I'm pretty sure I could eat an entire tub! Can't wait to go back and try the Pakistani chai!

    Jeff H.

    I've been here a couple times when in the area and every time I'm pleased with rich, delicious food. It's kinda like an Indian and Pakistani fusion of culinary. Even though the two nations do not get along, this place has combined two great food cultures. It's a bit pricey, but what isn't in Mount Pleasant these days. Highly recommended!

    Mango Lassi
    Scotty C.

    I've always loved dining in at Malika, but never thought to get it to go. I have to say that the experience was equally as excellent. We recently did a to go order for chicken pakora, garlic naan, chicken tikka, chicken biryani, and even mango lassi in a bottle. The packaging was great, the portions were large, and everything tasted just as good as sitting down at the restaurant.

    Gustavo S.

    We were at Town Center this past weekend and got to stop into one of our favorite spots, Malika! They have a sister restaurant, downtown called Ma'am Saab (equally as amazing) and got to enjoy a quick lunch before our movie. I love some good portions and it's a perfect place to split a bunch of food and enjoy real Pakistani food. My wife and I split, the Chaat Papri - a chickpea dish, that comes with yogurt, onions, cilantro, and chutneys, and those crisps were the perfect finishing touch - DON'T SLEEP ON THIS DISH! For the main, we split the Chicken Tikka Masala, a great portion for 2, make sure you also order - garlic naan bread (nothing beats dipping it in that sauce)! We also love drinking, their mango lassi, which helps cool down any spicy food. If you are ever around Mount Pleasant and want some flavor-bomb food, head to Malika Canteen, they will take good care of you, enjoy!

    Lahori Cholay
    John B.

    The owners have opened up a more high-end shop downtown, but I actually like this one better. This strip mall joint is a little more casual, but the food quality is high. They've expanded their menu options a bit over time, and the thali I ordered offered a nice variety of tastes and textures. Notably, they have some of the best chickpeas I've ever had, and even the little thali portion was vigorously spicy with fresh peppers and julienned ginger on top. There are several vegetarian options, and while Pakistani cuisine tends even more towards dairy than other South Asian styles, there are some vegan menu items. The sign on the door says chai, and while they have a robust drink menu, I would not skip the chai. They import some special Pakistani tea and it has a distinctive taste that really balances the sweet and spicy elements of the drink. I've had it iced and hot, and I prefer it hot, but either way it's a winner. If I were to say anything against them, the portion isn't huge; I was offered a bread with my thali which seemed like it shouldn't be necessary but I ended up wondering whether maybe it was worthwhile. And their menu could still use some expansion; it puzzles me that they do not have dal or okra. But the difference in flavor here versus an ordinary restaurant is clear to me, and I'd be happy to come back for a tikki burger or something.

    Street Burgers & Rolls - Beef Kabob Roll
    Jenny S.

    Food bursting full of flavor, and amazing customer service! How cool is it that Malika is the first and only Pakistani restaurant in South Carolina?!?! We ordered quite the spread, and there were so many layers of flavor in each bite. We got everything our waitress recommended - from the drinks to the food, and even the kids meals. Here's what we ordered: Drinks: Iced Chai, Mango Lassi, Aperol Spritz, and a couple of Cokes in the glass bottle. Appetizer: Chaat Papri Lunch: Street Burgers & Rolls - Beef Kabob Roll / Signature Thalis - Jahangir's Feast / Curries, Kabab & Rice - Paneer Tikka Masala w/ a side of Garlic Naan / Kids Menu - Cheesewalla Naan, and Chicken & Rice Plate. Don't forget to check out the gallery wall too! So cool to see all the pictures from the owners. And kids eat free all summer long, Tuesdays and Thursday from 11:30am to 2pm.

    Chicken Tikka Masala
    Alexandria E.

    for me, i really enjoyed this. my food was delicious, very cheesy and rich, our server was nice, and the overall vibe was appealing! my fiancé said his chicken was a little dry but his meal (the chicken tikka masala) was very flavorful so it wasn't a huge blow to him. i thought all of the flavors were rich and worked extremely well together. we will absolutely come back.

    Iced chai
    Haley S.

    I really enjoyed my burger and the loaded fries. They also had a great stew with rice. My friends loved the naan. Very funky vibe. Great for before or after going to the movies down the street!

    Delhi Gate
    Jessie P.

    We were so impressed with Malika! My husband said he doesn't like this kind of food and just went for me. He ordered the chicken biryani and raved about it afterwards! I loved the mango lassi and my paneer tikka masala. My cocktail was really good too and the garlic naan was incredible. I was not expecting the dahi puri to be cold but it was sooooo flavorful and unlike anything I've ever had. Our waitress was attentive and helpful with her suggestions and very friendly!

    Biriyani and Chicken Tikka Masala

    The food is top notch! A Mount Pleasant gem. I recommend the biriyani, keema or their wraps. The tikka masala is okay - you can get that anywhere. The place is also nicely designed. Would definitely recommend!

    Menu as of March 18, 2023
    Amy Lauren S.

    Malika Canteen was my first experience with Pakistani food. I have no idea if it is "authentic" as I have never been to Pakistan. As far as I know, Malika is the only option for Pakistani food in the Charleston area. My husband and I visited for a date night after shopping at Mount Pleasant Towne Center. On the outside, Malika looks like any other Towne Center restaurant, but the inside sticks out from the usual upscale, preppy, vibe of Mt. P. It's is bright, colorful, and has tons of pictures on the wall. The servers are bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, unique hair Gen Zers who and take orders with handheld POS systems at your table. That speeds up the ordering process so you get your food quickly. The servers pronounced and explained the menu, so if this is your first experience with Pakistani food, you won't feel overwhelmed. For our app, we had the Dahi Puri. This dish had a combination of flavors and textures- with savory, chilled, and crunchiness from the shell. We went with the Thali dishes for entrees, which I recommend because you get two choices (meat or vegetarian). I had the aloo gobi and the paneer tiki masala, and the paneer was my favorite. The aloo gobi is a cauliflower dish and a bit spicy, but the yogurt on the side helped cut the spice without compromising the flavor. My husband's Thali was the tawa queema, which is a beef dish and palak paneer. The Thali dishes are a sampler, great for folks new to Pakistani food, and the portions are large and filling (we had a snack for later). The only thing I didn't care for was the garlic naan, which had an aftertaste. I'll order the buttered naan next time, as naan is a must to complete your meal. If you're looking for a culinary adventure to escape suburbia- without actually leaving suburbia- give Malika Canteen a try.

    Malika!

    See all

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marcus L.
    2
    187
    309

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Malika C.

    Malika C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jeff H.
    291
    745
    2288

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Malika C.

    Malika C.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Malika C.

    Malika C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Malika C.

    Malika C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessie P.
    164
    30
    59

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 106
    Thanks 12
    Love this 100
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Malika C.

    Malika C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Malika C.

    Malika C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyle D.
    412
    1083
    1836

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Great good! We ordered to go and it was given to us fast. One order of tikka masala served my husband and I. So big portions!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adrian B.
    143
    47
    32

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Opal D.
    217
    2331
    249

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen

    Do they have mango chutney? Any chutney? May I bring my own.?

    Hey there - we don’t :-(

    View All 3 Questions

    You might also consider

    Al Madinneh Halal Meat & Grocery Market

    Al Madinneh Halal Meat & Grocery Market

    4.0
    (6 reviews)
    93.7 mi

    After my grocery run at Viet Huong, as I was backing out of my parking space, at the corner of my…read moreeye, I see "Halal" across the way, further down the strip of the complex. What?! So I backed out, drove over a few spaces down and then pulled back into another parking spot. When my kids and I walked in, we were immediately greeted by a man as he was sweeping the store. That's one thing of the first things I noticed that it was really clean and organized. I asked him if the store was new and if it had just opened. I have been to Viet Huong quite a few times, as well as visiting the countless other businesses in that complex and this was the first time I had noticed Al Maddineh Halal Meat & Grocery Market (AMHMGM). No, he said, we have been open for about a year and a half now. Whoa! Really?! I have never noticed it before! - What you will find - I found the "Shan" brand that I have previously seen it at an Indian grocery store. It seems to be a variety of boxed spice mixes for various dishes like Kofta and Vegetable Masala. I actually bought a couple of them at the Indian grocery store upon that owners recommendation on Tandoori chicken, but I have yet to try them. Anyway, they have quite a variety of flavors of that brand. They also have bulk spices, dried pastas, canned goods and pita breads. They have a milk section as well as a refrigerated section where I found Labna!!!! It's probiotic and it's so good with really any fruit. I had some figs so I scooped out some labna and drizzled maple syrup because (a) Canadian side and (b) I didn't have honey. I am so glad I found this gem here! And of course the Halal Meat. There was a customer there at the time of our visit and the butcher was working away at cutting it the way she requested. The meat looked fresh and I've included the price list (see pics). They don't have any meat displayed in glass fridge cases, so I am assuming they butcher the meat upon request? There is also a small section of prayer mats and scarves there as well. I love discovering ethnic grocery stores and finding cool new food items to try. I also love seeing the different packaging of the same products we get here! Note to self for future - try some of the cheeses.

    The closest source of Indian spices in the Downtown area. Compact and clean. I thought I was…read moregoing to walk into a butcher shop, but it is more of a grocery store. A good selection of Middle Eastern and Indian dry spices. My hunt for turmeric is over. I would like to return to purchase lamb. They butcher whole animals so you generally will not see much in the display case.

    Photos
    Bulk spices
    Bulk spices
    Close up of Labneh!
    Close up of Labneh!
    Labna (Middle Eastern yogurt spread)

    See all

    Labna (Middle Eastern yogurt spread)

    Malika Pakistani Chai Canteen - pakistani - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...