The seasonal drink menu is awesome! I ordered the Chai-der which was made with Schutt's apple cider and the chai guy tea base along with cinnamon. I love the partnership with another local business! The drink itself was so delicious. It tasted like fall. The cafe was decorated festively and felt very inviting. Lots of seating and an overall warm friendly atmosphere. The barista was upbeat and bubbly. Loved the vibes! read more

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Didn't think there could be so many variations of chai but I'm glad there is. I just got a basic iced chai which satisfied my craving. Full of spice and not too sweet. Just due to the location it can be difficult to find parking and there's no wifi so not a great place to work but definitely the number one choice for chai read more

Stopped in to The Chai Guy's location on Park Ave. today for the first time in a while. Grabbed a "Chai-der" (one of their current seasonal specials made of Schutts Apple Mill Cider, along with chai and cinnamon) for myself and a friend, as well as a pastry for each of us as well. I love the seasonal options from TCG, as well as the selection of pastries available (including a smaller display of gluten free & vegan treats). The shop is cozy and offers a couple tables and chairs - nothing fancy, but delightful if you're stopping in when it's not busy and just want a quiet spot to read or do a bit of work. The menu offers a choice of hot or iced, a choice of tea base (original, decaf, or 'super chai' containing ginger and turmeric), your sweetness level (regular, 50/50 - which is half sweet - or unsweetened) where honey or agave are also available as sweetener options, and your milk (whole, skim, chocolate, vanilla almond, chocolate almond, coconut, soy, and oat). After that, you can choose your extras, including espresso shots or flavorings (vanilla, cinnamon, masala spice, etc). Besides chai, there are some basic coffee/espresso options available as well. If you don't have much of a sweet tooth (like me), I definitely recommend minimizing down to at least the 50/50 sweetness level. IMO, the drinks can run a bit sweet. The chai mixture is really enjoyable, and you can tell that a lot of care goes into it. Service here has always been friendly and helpful. It's a lovely experience (even if I do sometimes grumble about having to find parking in the area during more busy times - haha). read more

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as always, chai guy is a must stop location when I'm in Rochester. It's a true tragedy that chai guy doesn't have the iced eggnog chai year round, because that's the best iced latte in the world. No one can convince me otherwise. This time, I got the chocolate almond chai which was pretty good! I was also very pleased to see that they have a load of gluten free and vegan treats, so I was also able to pick up a pastry before I went on my way for the day. The staff is always so nice here and they have amazing Rochester recommendations. Also in this area are a lot of Rochester staples such as cafe sasso, pearson's, stever's, red fern, and Parkleigh. Theres even a pittsford dairy location right next door! If you're doing a coffee crawl like I've been doing, this is the perfect stop to hit up! read more

I cant say enough good things about this place! I've been a regular here since they opened in 2020 and I am always impressed! The menu board offers assistance in figuring out how to order the perfect chai (I personally recommend making it a super!) and the staff are always friendly and eager to help as well. The seasonal drinks are always a delight - the apple chaider in the fall and lemon chai in the summer are my faves! For those who love eggnog, don't miss out on their winter special, either! The Chai Guy offers the only real and true source of authentic chai in Rochester - you should talk to the owner sometime about his time abroad learning how to make the perfect blend! Their collaboration with other local businesses for pairing the perfect baked good with your chai is the icing on top! I am a huge fan of having a chai cookie with my chai drink, but you can't go wrong with the muffins, danishes, and cronuts either. The cafe space is pretty small inside, offering only a few tables, but it feels extra cozy in the winter. Limited outdoor seating is available as well. Be aware that they currently only offer one size for drinks, but they will allow you to sample a drink before committing! read more

Pat has always been a ball of energy and extremely friendly and attentive ever since we met when he first opened at the Rochester public market. He has clearly instilled these characteristics in his family and staff at his park ave location as well. It is always a great experience to go to The Chai Guy Cafe and I always bring friends there as well. I enjoy the Chai Guy Chai so much that I drive an hour to get some. Best Chai ever!!! Thanks Pat and company. read more

Time to knock out 1 review today from my Rochester, NY trip. My next review, which I'll write another day also on the trip will be one of the most negative reviews I've ever written, but Chai Guy FIVE STARS! My girlfriend & I traveled to Rochester for a wedding on April 8, 2024, the day of the Total solar eclipse. On that Monday night, we noticed Chai Guy and were like that'd be a cool place to try. The next morning we were going to going over to Niagara Falls & Buffalo with the group. There were 17 total, but we were going to cart 2 or 3 people in my girlfriend's car. Chai Guy was only slightly out of the way to pick them up at their AirBnB, so we decided to go there for a dirty chai and breakfast. We were very impressed with the warmth and friendliness of the owner, who was interacting in a friendly manner with everyone in the line. We both got a dirty iced chai and spinach croissant waffle texture pastry, which I looked up is called a Croffle. Omg...the dirty chai was AMAZING. My g/f & I loved it. It was amongst the best I've had. There's a great chai near my g/f work in the Baltimore area that we have both been although ironically haven't ever been there together, but Chai Guy is better than that one by a good margin. The spinach croffle was excellent too. Although we had kind of hoped for a bagel, his food options are very limited, muffins & croffles, that croffle didn't disappoint. Ironically, the friends we were picking up 6 minutes from Chai Guy texted my g/f saying that they rode with someone else. We had driven in the opposite direction of Niagara Falls in the end for Chai Guy, but it was still worth it. And further we are both happy that we enjoyed Chai Guy putting us in a good mood to start the day, and further in a better mood that the two of us could drive in peace alone the 80 or so miles to Niagara. The next day, Wednesday, 4/10, we had to check out of our AirBnB by 11 AM. We went to the friend's AirBnB and decided let's do Chai Guy again, but we had arranged to eat brunch/lunch with the group. So, this time we only got the iced Chai. I needed a double espresso as we had gone to bed really late and I had woken up early and couldn't get back to sleep. This time there was no line and got our iced chai to go. He was friendly again saying you decided to come back, and we said that we really liked it, which he thanked us saying it meant a lot. Chai Guy was one of many highlights of the Rochester trip! If I ever end up in Rochester again, I would definitely try to visit Chai Guy again. read more

Omg, this is place is so bomb, it's right down the street from Vern's which is wicked awesome in itself. The chai guy was started by a guy (Patrick) who lived in india back in like 2005-06 and learned how to make bomb ass chai while he was there! The chai he makes is wicked awesome highly recommend it! 我非常推荐这家chai馆，真的太666了！这家店的老板曾经在印度生活过几年，在那里他学会了如何做非常非常棒的chai! 所以如果你没事情干的话，赶紧过来尝尝这家，你绝对不会后悔的！哈哈哈 I love mixing the chai w a little espresso and really getting funky! Haha If u have yet to try this spot out, come on over and give them a shot! read more

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Heard from several friends that it's a must to try here and visit Park Ave. we took time and enjoyed their chai! So good. A cool store.

Had the chance to stop into this new Chai Guy location today! Currently enjoying my iced chai with espresso and pumpkin spice. Is there anything better than sipping fresh chai in the morning? I don't think so! This location is lovely, clean, bright, and convenient. There is a bench to sit and enjoy your chai, along with both indoor and outdoor tables. You choose hot or iced, level of sweetness, add ins, dairy, and BOOM - you'll be on your way. Beverage sizes are on the larger size and I was in and out super quick. Parking available on the street if you're going in the morning, and this is a great stretch to take a walk and sip your chai while taking in the sights. Go check out this new spot along with continuing to support the Chai Guy at the Public Market! read more

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My Chai was so good. While I could have had it stronger, it was delicious nonetheless. I got the iced super chai (Tumeric & Ginger) with soy. Flavors were great, but next time I'd get less milk and more chai. Fun little spot with chai lemonades and frozen chai's which I will have to try next time around. They have a nice little outdoor seating area as well. read more

The Chai Guy - Super Chai, Half Sweet with Soy. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Rochester, New York

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My mom and I came here to try out the chai after hearing great things. I ordered an iced chai with pumpkin, and my mom got a regular hot chai. I did not really enjoy my drink as it tasted very watery and did not taste much of pumpkin. My mom on the other hand really enjoyed her drink. I think I just picked out the wrong drink. I would like to come back again in the future to try out a different chai. read more

One of my favorite spots to come! The chai is so good and they make it so quick. The customer service is always amazing all around. read more

The Chai Guy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Rochester, New York

My favorite not so hidden gem (anymore) of a homemade chai cafe. I love that they support other local bakeries. Service is always spectacular and they offer suggestions of different chai combinations as well. Ambiance is quaint and minimalist. I love the outdoor sidewalk seating in the summer time and the cozy window seating inside in the winter. Great spot to catch up with friends or enjoy a beverage on your own read more

My chai was okay. I got an iced chai, regular sweetness with oat milk. Honestly thought it was a little too milky for my taste + with the ice melting it got pretty watery. I also tried one of the almond croissants they had available. Those were delicious! You can get them warmed up as well. The interior of the shop is super cute. The staff is friendly as well. read more

Tried a few different goodies and really enjoyed them all. Super Chai, Chai-der, Samosas. All great. Also a quaint option if you may need a spot to work from for a bit. read more

Stopped by the Chai Guy for anything with caffeine, and was SUPER impressed with the entire shop! I am a BIG fan of chai, but find when I don't make it myself it lacks flavor. The owner of the shop explained that they don't use mixes, and it really shows when you take the first sip. They have so many different options, even if you're vegan or dairy free. I got the frozen chai with oat milk and on a hot day I will definitely be getting this again. They also have coffee if chai isn't your thing. and the gluten free and vegan cookies. OMG. I got the coffee one and it honestly was one of the best cookies I've ever had. Plus the shop smells like heaven. Will definitely be back! read more

Pretty solid chai. Personally I recommend choosing less sugar. The default is decently sweet but I'm also not a huge sweets person. The shop is super cute, and there's some outside seating. Pretty large chai, 20oz, from what I saw it's one size. They have several milk choices and flavoring options. I recommend regular cows milk, I very rarely drink cows milk but when I tried the chai with oat milk, to me the flavor of the chai changed enough that I wasn't crazy about it but that's me. read more

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I was having the worst day today, and the person working was so sweet and kind, it cheered me up and the chai was amazing. Thank you guys for what you do!! read more

Favorite chai and favorite chai guy - so happy to see this new business flourishing on Park Ave! Many of you already know Pat and his authentic chai teas from years at Public Market, but if you're new to Chai Guy, you are in for a treat! Pat, the owner, traveled in India, and learned first hand how to blend spices into the perfect balanced chai tea drink. Working with only the highest quality teas and spices, Pat offers his standard original chai, as well as a 'Super Chai' (revved up with turmeric and ginger, perfect for cold and flu season), plus a variety of dairy (regular and chocolate) and non-dairy milks (oat, coconut, almond, soy), additional flavorings and spices, and shots of espresso to make dirty chai. AND you can even personalize your sweetness level with 'regular,' '50/50,' and 'no sugar added' options. Since opening the Park Ave locale, he has also added fun merchandise like cork-bottomed chai mugs, t-shirts and bags, plus home-brewing kits, and he is also stocking a wide variety of snacks like croissants, pastries and muffins, many of which are vegan. For me personally, I am a fan of a 20-oz super chai, 50/50 sweetness with coconut milk, added marsala spice and a shot of espresso. It's an awesome treat that gets me through tough afternoons, and I am super excited I can get it made 'my way' any day of the week. I highly recommend you check out Chai Guy! read more

The smell as you walk into the shop alone is worth five stars. But the service was also excellent and the tea was fantastic. I also got an apple pastry, of course. ::chef's kiss:: read more

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Ok I'm partial to Pat's fabulous Chai.. I remember meeting him over 5 yrs ago when he started. I think he started out of the back of his car.. I'm not sure ask him. He than got a space at the Rochester Public Market he's been a one-man show for a while. Than his space expanded, other local outlets have his Chai. Even at a spot at the airport.. he's got staff at the Public Market and today he was at his brick and mortar space. It was great to see him and he has other people working with him..family and etc. As always he carries treats from Amazing Grain's Bakery yes the Salty Bread, assorted crossants and etc. His Chai (tea) is fabulous and he got inspired from a trip he took to India. You can try it sugar free or with added flavors. The inside is warm and inviting with colors of light gray and blonde wood. He's got seating inside and a bench like seat in the back that has a lot of throw pillows on it. I believe he's got Wi-Fi but ask. He also has some seating outside. Due to Corona please be kind and wear a mask inside. I think he's a great addition to Park Avenue. Please give him a visit. Yes you can use Apple Pay and the like for touch less payment. Parking is Street it's Park Ave kids. Cheers! read more

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So glad Patrick opened his spot on Patk Ave, even during these crazy times. Given that it's Park Ave, you'll want to walk over or be prepared to search for parking. He has a few tables inside. Lots of options for Chai - cold, hot, sugar free, spice add ons and more. I look forward to using all his wi-fi when I need a mobile office spot! read more

What a sweet spot. Offering chai with a fun array of available add ins or opportunity to mix in espresso, The Chai Guy is probably going to become my go to Saturday AM caffeine spot. The owner developed an appreciation for chai during his time in India, per their website, and started the business with his wife as a result (just wanted to make a note of this, as I recognize that there may be a question of authenticity/appropriation). The space is small but has some seats inside as well as out front. The staff are friendly and service is quick. The drink itself tastes wonderful - I recommend adding a shot of espresso for an extra pick me up! read more

I finally got a chance to stop in to the new storefront on Park Ave yesterday. The space inside is cozy and has window seating and tables inside. You can currently stay in with masks on, except for while seated/eating. I got an iced chai with chocolate almond milk to go and an apple spice muffin. Obviously, the chai is what shines here, but they did have a case of other delicious looking baked goods. The banana bread muffin comes highly recommended (and it's vegan). Anyway, the chai: so good! It was refreshing and was nice and spicy and one of the better chais I've had in Rochester. The combo of the chocolate almond milk added just enough chocolate flavor. I'm excited to try their hot chai once the weather gets cooler with some of their flavor shots. read more

Love their iced chai! Flavors are great and so refreshing. Only downside is there is no wifi in store- not ideal to come to get work done or study (unless you don't need internet). The regular size is bigger than your standard small cup but it was also almost $6. Staff was really friendly and kind- overall good experience! Would go again read more

The Chai Guy - a cup of coffee on a table - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Rochester, New York

I wanted to love this place, as it's in a great location and has vegan baked goods. And I love chai. As the menu has loads of unique options, on my initial visit I asked the barista to help me put together an order, walking me through the details. She did not tell me about the sweetness levels, and the option to reduce sugar/sweetness. The full sweet was nearly undrinkable, and I had to throw most of it away. I've never had a chai that sweet at any cafe. When I mentioned this to her as I was leaving, she said, "oh yeah I can't drink full sweet at all!" Some guidance to a first-time visitor would have been helpful here. Also, this place charges the dreaded plant milk tax of $1 per drink. One star off. Finally, no wifi for customers. Odd and disappointing. This place could easily improve by fixing these issues. It's a cozy spot that offers something different from the usual coffee only place. PS - I didn't mark down for this, but cozy sit-in cafes should have non-disposable cups for a better drink experience and for the environment. The Chai Guy only had disposable drinkware. read more

I worked 4 shifts at Chai Guy before I was told I "Wasn't a good fit for the team". I found the owner to be rather patronizing. I am not in any way exaggerating when I say he told me the same thing about 50 times. Pat is very specific about customer service and asks employees to have rather forced interactions with customers. I wondered if he thought I wasn't listening or understanding the information? I put my feelings aside because I know the owner has put his blood, sweat, and tears into his business and wants things done a certain way. I have two college degrees, and years of experience in customer service. I also worked as a case manager for a year. The last several years I have worked in extremely busy, fast-paced coffee shops as a barista, and done it extremely well. I am an incredibly competent and capable individual. This place has a very different idea of "busy" than I do, so I couldn't understand why they were treating me like I was incompetent. Pat let me know he thought I was doing great and could work without his supervision. During my second 8-hour shift, the employee I was working with was extremely rude and condescending when asking me to do/not do certain things. I'm not sure if specific examples are warranted, none of the "issues" raised were life or death and his tone was shocking. It seemed the male employees were no less patronizing and nit-picky than Pat, despite none of them knowing how to use the espresso machine. It's important to understand that they do things very differently than I am used to as a seasoned barista. There are many things that are standard across coffee shops, that the team at Chai Guy does not do. I was trying to re-wire my brain and how I was used to making drinks. I was shocked by my co-worker's tone and attitude despite my kindness and professionalism. Another co-worker straight up asked me how I afford to live in the area I do. Weird vibes all around. When the second shift person came in, the owner's young son, he absolutely harped on me about every little thing, and I was growing frustrated. I politely and professionally let him know that I was feeling overwhelmed due to being told different standards of practice by different staff members, and that I needed to clarify some things with Pat. He said I should just listen to him as the owner's son. Shortly after, he brought up some sort of cross contamination issue at the bar, I simply stated that I had made about 3 drinks that day and couldn't have caused the issue. (I decided to just take orders due to the nature of my interactions with the staff). He snapped back by saying I "definitely made more than 3 drinks". I said I had had enough snarky comments for one day and let him know about my experience with our other coworker and set a firm boundary for how I would be spoken to at work. Unsurprisingly, he did not respond or speak to me for the rest of the shift and told me to go home early. Most men have the backbone to treat you like crap, but not to deal with your confrontation about it. I thought you were the big man going to tell me how things are done around here? This morning I received a message from Pat that I am not a good fit for the team. THIS IS NOT A WORKPLACE FOR EDUCATED, CONFIDENT YOUNG WOMEN. The drinks at Chai Guy are great, but there are so many women owned/run small businesses in Rochester with a much more diverse staff, and frankly more balls, that deserve your support! read more

We just love this place! The drinks, whether hot or cold, are always delicious. Pastries are yummy, many vegan options. Staff are always helpful. read more

I finally got to try it out because I was near Park Ave. I almost never buy beverages when I'm out and about so visiting the chai guy was absolutely intentional. I got the super chai fortified with ginger and other spices. I went with 50/50 for sweetness and picked whole milk. The portion was huge... And I was VERY full after I finished it. The flavors were well-blended and the ginger and spice notes were subtle though discernible. I don't know how it tastes like compared to the chai made in an Indian household but I liked it. I wish they offer smaller size cups though! read more

Enjoyed a hot chai made with chocolate milk. Delicious and decadent. I also bought a few samosas to bring home for lunch. They were delicious and spicy! I will definitely stop by to try another chai soon. read more

Chai latte was really good. The gals behind the counter were sweet and kept themselves busy on a slow day. The place was spotless.

Iced chai with Carmel and a shot of espresso!! If you aren't a coffee drinker then you need to try !!! read more

The Chai Guy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Rochester, New York

I'm pretty new to chai, but I really enjoyed my drink from Chai Guy! They only do one size (it's very large) and you get to customize your milk, sweetness, and choice of added espresso or flavor shots. I tried mine with whole milk, 50% sweetness and vanilla. Such a great winter drink to walk around Park Ave with and checking out the other shops. Staff was also super friendly. Definitely recommend giving them a try! read more

My first encounter with The Chai Guy was at Roc Village. I ordered a Chai Nog; half chai and half eggnog. I was hooked! It was absolutely delicious. When I was out in the community with a co-worker, she wanted to stop in for a drink. The shoppe is small and so cute. Perfect coffee shoppe sized. They have a very easy menu. Either hot or iced, your style of chai, decaf or regular, milk, and flavoring. They also have a large pastry display for a bite to eat as well. I ordered a cronut. It is a donut made out of crossiant dough. AMAZING. I cannot wait to stop back in for chai and breakfast. read more

Finally tried out the new location earlier this month as I was running some holiday errands. I chose a 50/50 almond milk peppermint chai. I love how much you can customize your drink! The shop is very cozy and I could definitely envision hanging out here when we're able to stay indoors again. I didn't get any of the pastries, but they looked delicious. Great customer service too. I look forward to returning again soon! read more

Pros: great atmosphere, comfy Good for lounging, reading a book Plenty outlets Warm chai is solid Good customer service Cons: Coffee is not tasty Iced chai can be a bit watery No WiFi (last I checked in November) Overall, worth a try! read more

The Chai Guy is an amazing little spot (at the Public Market and on Park Ave) that I know will be delicious every time I have it. My go-to order is an iced Chai with regular sweetness, oat milk and a cinnamon stick. Each time I order it, it tastes exactly the same, which I love and isn't always the case for most coffee shops. The chai is flavorful and unlike any other iced chai I've ever had. Definitely stop by when the owner is working, he is so fun and enthusiastic. Don't like Chai? Don't worry! They have coffee and baked goods too. read more

Great chai, great service, great location. The chai is non-syrupy and the customization is straightforward and accessible. The Chai Guy himself has an infectiously good attitude. read more

Service was great and the Super Chai is the very best I've ever had. Be careful, it's highly addictive!!