I've consistently gone to Hideout Chai for the past few years and always plan to stop by when I'm in the area. It has been my go-to for some of the best masala chai you'll get in NYC. All of the options on the menu are dairy-free since they use organic oat milk, which complements the tea very well. What stands out with the classic chai is the consistency of the spice blend; the flavors are always well balanced and it's never too sweet. They also sell bottled chai to go, and it tastes great after reheating on the stove. The owner is always really friendly and open to answering questions. The cafe itself has a minimalist aesthetic and gives you a sense of calm. The space inside is fairly small, with one large communal table toward the center and a few chairs with smaller tables along the sides. There's usually a mix of different patrons, from people doing work to others having side conversations. Definitely recommend stopping by if you're near the LES! read more

Delicious chai, I love the minimalist decor and the Barista was super friendly Will be back again and will recommend whenever I'm in the area read more

Nice cafe to do a little work or hang out for a bit. The chai I got was quite good! It's a small space so not for a bigger group. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

I came here one evening for some chai and it wasn't bad! The interior of the chai bar is inviting and there's a good amount of space to sit with friends or do work. The chai here is fragrant and made to order. Staff here was so friendly and easy to talk to. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Major side note- I am curious though if part of my issue here is the oat milk as I've never been a big fan of it so take my review with a grain of salt. I went to this chai spot earlier in the evening. It's a bit fancier than the usual chai place being a smaller cup with the closest thing price-wise being Qawah Valley though that of course is the Arabic Adeni style of chai so it's hard to compare. The basic chai, which is their take on an Indian masala chai, is $6.5 for hot, $7.5 for cold, or $9 for nitro (+ tax.) It is is listed as black tea (said chai,) cardamom, clove, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. Said drinks are only available with plant milk as they are vegan which is a little bit different/partially contributes to the rather egregious price point. The guy in front is friendly and the inside has a nice chill vibe and is aesthetically pleasing. I ordered an iced chai so it was a bit over $8. For the pros, it wasn't overly sweet and had a strong cardamom flavor which I don't mind as I don't like a strong cinnamon or clove flavor in my chai and it had a pleasant creaminess. However, I wish the clove and ginger flavor was more present and it was almost too strong from the cardamom. Speaking of being less present, the black tea itself wasn't that present or flavorful either presumably due to the oat milk so it was more of a cardamom oat milk drink than a masala chai. The quality here is better than some of the other chai places (The Chai Spot and Kolkata) but that's not really saying much. It's marginally better than some cheap chai found in some of the better Indian restaurants while also being 3/4 times the price and also pales in comparison to my favorite chai place; Ruhani in Brooklynl which is better balanced and has a stronger tea flavor. The guy is very friendly, it fills a fun niche, and is great for vegans. However for the price point, I expected the tea to have a better balanced flavor with a mix of spices and not be so cardamom forward. Will leave it as a 3 as it could have been a bad batch. read more

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Cute little cafe on Rivington St. They have a few tables and chairs. I got a regular hot chai. The prices are average - I've definitely seen chai priced higher elsewhere. The chai was very good! It comes with oat milk which is my preferred milk in my chai. The chai was one of the better ones I've had around Manhattan. It's not too sweet. There was one staff member and they were nice. The facilities looked clean. Unsure if they have a bathroom. The space is not ADA accessible as it requires walking down two small stairs for entry. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - My chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for a cup of chai as we waited for our reservation for a restaurant nearby. As an Indian American, I'm often suspicious of any kind of cafe that offers chai as a lot of them serve that Starbucks chai latte type stuff. This place is thankfully not one of those places, and in fact serves some super authentic spicy chai! It reminds me of the type of tea my family makes in Mumbai or what my mum makes. Very heavy on the spice and flavor, with just a bit of milk for balance. I ended up having two cups . The place inside is pretty cute, but seating is definitely limited. We got lucky and were able to sit as a group of people left just as we got our chai, but otherwise we were planning on taking ours to go. Overall, highly recommend as a tasty spot for chai. read more

This is a phenomenal cafe. Loved the tea flight. Never thought I would love the earl grey as much as I did. The chai was awesome and I also loved the Hojicha. Golden milk was also super flavorful. Would definitely recommend. Service was also awesome and I loved the vibe. read more

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Returned to try the iced houjicha, which was perfect. Hot chai also remains one of my favorites in the city. Will be back again and again! read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Hot chai latte with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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Really cute chai cafe near Chinatown! The space is small, but there's a large communal table, along with a few other scattered seats. The interior is very modern and minimalist, and there's free wifi for those looking to get some work done! I got the hot chai latte (note: all drinks here use oatmilk which was highly appreciated). The drink was delicious and fragrant and was very lightly sweetened, though I wish the cup was a bit larger for the price ($6). You can also grab a stamp card for a free drink after 10 visits! Great place overall, would come back again! read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Hot Chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Teas are made in batches and come iced or hot. I was lucky enough to sample the masala chai and hojicha. The masala chai was super flavorful and the ginger at the end was such a nice kick. I opted for the hojicha since I'm a sucker for the roasted nutty taste. On day two, I came back to try the owner's favorite, the early grey. The floral notes from the early grey were refreshing and the creamy oat milk made for a consistent and smooth drink just like the others. The best part about this shop? All drinks come with oat milk and there are no substitutes! The drinks are rich and the thick texture makes for a very silky smooth drink. I devoured my drink like it was water. Cheers! read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Iced Hojicha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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Chai, Matcha & other teas are my thing, I've never been into coffee so when I'm walking through the LES & see a sign that says "Voted Top Chai" I knew I would be stopping in. The space is sparse, no tables or anything, walk all the way to the back to order your drink. The day I went a local designer was showcasing some clothes & jewelry, she mentioned that she isn't there permanently so I'm thinking it changes a lot. On to the Chai. I died when I saw that all the drinks were already made with Oat milk. As someone who only drinks Oat milk, this was a great surprise. I thought it had a great spice level, not a deep color but very tasty! Very much enjoyed it! Wish the cup was larger for the price but would still come & order again. Next time I would like to pick up the pre-bottled chai's to have in my fridge. Love that they have that option! read more

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Went in randomly on a weekday WFH. Was looking for a cafe that was tea forward and this one popped up. They have free wifi and some larger tables which is nice when you're working with a laptop. The menu is pretty limited but everything they have is the real deal. I had an iced chai latte and it was creamy and delicious. It takes a little longer than your typical cafe but that's because theres only one person holding it down and they make the chai from scratch. Definitely expensive-- $6-8 per tea but if you're serious about tea would recommend! read more

Ambiance- minimal, simplistic decor. Cool place to study/read or a coffee date! They claim to have the best chai in town. I haven't tried many other chai places, but this place is solid! The chai was very good. We got the tea flight with hojicha green tea, chai tea, chai latte and golden milk. Hojicha was very light, green tea flavor was very subtle, almost tastes like water. The chai tho, I was a fan! Would definitely come back to get the full size next time! read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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Absolutely loved the tea flight! I thought we'd be getting four different types of chai tea, but it turned out to be Earl Grey, Hojicha (my favorite), Chai, and Golden Milk (tumeric). All the tea lattes were extremely well flavored with minimal milk which made it perfect for a flight. The seating is very limited but thankfully we were able to squeeze three people at a two person table. The ambiance is very minimalist and there are no bathrooms in the cafe. read more

I came here based on the high ratings that it got online, and got a regular hot chai latte to go. When you first walk in, there's a long, narrow hallway that has a really cool interior with lots of cool modern wall art and furniture. There's a limited menu, but they have solid tea options. The chai latte was flavorful and just what I needed! Their chai doesn't come pre-sweetened so if you're wanting a sweet chai latte, you're going to have to add sugar yourself. I would come again for a chai latte and maybe to try their tea flights! Their seating is a little limited though so it might not be the spot to pick if you're trying to meet up with a friend and stay for a while. read more

The perfect cozy spot for a warm drink on a rainy chilly day. The inside is minimalist yet still welcoming. There are different seating options although not a ton of space. Since it's not normally too busy you can find a spot to sit. The barista was very kind and brought us our drinks when they were ready. They have decaf options too which is really nice. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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Super flavorful chai and great ambiance. Great spot to read a book or catch up with a friend. Seating is decent and service is great. Will definitely be back. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Small chai bar, in an unexpectedly simple space. Friendly owner wins you over with the focus and care that he exhibits when brewing the chai. The menu features drinks that can be served either hot or cold. The minimalist design aesthetic is perfect, and there's enough space at the communal table to get some work done. I ordered the golden milk and fell in love with it, and my date ordered the chai. Both were perfect for the polar vortex days, and in fact we returned the next day with the same order. The owner remembered us and I was happy to tell him that we enjoyed our drinks so much that it warranted repeat visits. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed! Great for a casual date or for a solo hangout with a book or laptop. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - The golden milk is even better - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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The aroma that erupts from this place out into the storefront is powerful enough to pull you in to try one of their soul-warming chai lattes. I've walked by this place so many times that I finally had to just come in here and check it out for myself. The chai is being made on the stove fresh to order and you can really really taste the difference between an ordinary chai tea bag, you might get from the grocery store, and this warm, hearty, Nicely spiced chai that kind of just warms your soul on a cold day. Highly recommend. I have learned from my South Asian friends that chai on the stove is the only way to go. If you're looking for a place to get some work done on your own in a nice intimate space, and have some quality chai and you're looking to not have coffee for once this place is the place for you. Although, I believe they still do coffee drinks. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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This is such a cute hole in the wall cafe! I saw it on Google maps, decided to swing by, and it's now one of my favorite NYC cafes. The decor is very simple but chic-- there's a coat rack, outdoor seating, several mirrors, and chairs throughout the cafe. The barista was really welcoming and you could watch him brewing the chai with great care. The lattes are all made with oat milk and you can order them hot/cold. You can also order loose leaf teas and a tea flight (choice of 4 teas). I first ordered the hot chai latte (creamy, flavorful, and perfectly sweetened) and I went back for a hot golden milk latte (made with turmeric and very yummy if you like turmeric). I tried my friend's hojicha latte and it was earthy, nutty, and almost chocolatey. If you're ordering in, the barista will bring your order to you on a mug and a plate. It's small and cozy and is a lovely setting to sit and chat with a friend! read more

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It was a cold day, and I wanted something warming. The Hideout popped up on my search, and I'm so glad it did. I ordered a hot chai. The chai is aromatic. The spices were so comforting. The ginger particularly warmed me up. The tingle in my throat was a familiar, welcomed feeling. The tea is smooth and creamy. I love that the chai comes to you piping hot. However, the low design of the cup handle and the upward sloping edges of the plate, make it hard to pick up the chai without the heat being too hot on the back of my fingers. This is the perfect place to wind down and relax and have a good cup of tea. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

FLAWLESS chai. The interior is stark, but music plays and the chai is *spiced to perfection* with a gorgeous mouthfeel, and a velvety texture. I got the hot chai on a cold late afternoon and it warmed me right up! Some of the best chai I've had. read more

Came here to kill time before dinner plans and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere. There's a large table for groups, as well as smaller seating options. They have wifi, but unfortunately no bathroom that I could see. I came around 5pm on a Saturday and it got pretty busy. I was able to snag a stool at a small table though. I got an iced chai, which tasted great. You order at the counter and they bring it out for you if you're dining in. I would definitely come back if I'm in the area. It seems like a good spot to read a book, or catch up with a friend. read more

I came here for The Hideout Chai Bar x Berlu pop-up. The summer heat was turned up so obvi I had to order an iced chai to go. The chai is so smooth - there was absolutely no gritty substance with every sip. Plus, I truly appreciate them making it vegan - oat milk ftw! Thanks for the exposure with this pop-up. Def worth coming back for more chai! read more

Honestly, the chai flight was not pleasant at all it made my stomach irritated. I still drank it all out of politeness. Chai didn't taste like chai at all my throat was burning every sip. The atmosphere was a bit odd, random clothes and shoes out caught me off guard. Maybe it's the owners personality but they gave off a weird vibe to us. We were expecting a person with real cultural ties to be making this authentic "best" chai so that added to the disconnect. read more

Lovely WFH-friendly spot with lots of outlets and a thoughtfully decorated interior. My chai was rich and not overly milky. Service was great, they brought the drinks to our table which was pleasantly unexpected. Appreciate that they open later than most other cafes. Would recommend! read more

Honestly, one of the best chai spots there is. While walking there, you can smell the aromatic scents from their chai down the block. It's actually crazy how intense it was. I was literally drawn to this place. Chai is on point and this is definitely a place to try out for chai lovers. The space is small with limited seating. It's really popular on the weekends; however, it does clear out closer to the late afternoon. This is another really great spot to get work done when it's not as crowded since they also have wifi. The service here is A+. Staff members were extremely kind and checked up on me to see if I liked my drink or needed any water. Their friendly demeanor was a great start to my day. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Really well done Chai. Probably the best Chai I have ever had. Well spiced, perfect level of sweetness and temp was right on.

okay you'll really like this place if you enjoy REAL chai - this is not your neighborhood chai latte that tastes like a mix of cinnamon sugar (which is what i'm used to lol) the drinks: there's only one chai option and some teas (curious about the hojicha!) i personally did not like it but here are my reasons -- REAL chai is much more layered in flavor and actually hits your throat with a slight spice and all of the lattes here are made with oat milk. the food: got a tea cake and cookie, skip the cookie and go for the cake if you want a snack here! the space: cute underground space and they were playing d caesar's new album, which is always a good sign read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - a man sitting at a table with two plates of food and a cup of coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Bad chai. Maybe because I've had real chai in India, but this was almost awful. Way too sweat, chai taste not quite right, and weird dairy aspect. Also overly relaxed service. I only had a few min to grab and go and he continued to do other stuff. Then it's overpriced. Cute layout but will never try again. read more

We came here to wait out a dinner reservation in the area after being surprised that this place was open around 6 PM. Super pleasant surprise as we think we have just found THE best chai / rooibos tea in NYC. Hidden gem in LES Ambiance is super chill, small space but really has everything you need. Beautiful room. I wish I took a picture !! Not a ton of seating though but we were able to sit a full family at their long table inside. We got the iced chai / rooibos teas with oat milk. The chai was incredible, spicy and creamy with just the right amount of notes. It felt really "deeply" flavored in ways that other chai I've had in NYC and elsewhere hasn't been. The rooibos SLAPPED, the pepper note was unlike anything I've had, and I'd highly recommend to anyone who's into tea. The guy manning the counter (sir, are you the owner?) was very sweet and patient with our large party, including my parents and a teenager. Cannot wait to be back!! read more

It's cute. You walk downstairs into the small tea 'cafe'. The are several delicious teas to choose from, to enjoy in house, or to go. I really like Earl Grey tea but the Chai tea here is completely aromatic with a wonderful balance of spices. It's pre-made with oat milk which provides some sweetness. The tea is served pretty hot. My suggestion is to wait a few minutes and let the tea cool. For me, I could appreciate the flavors a lot more. The person serving the tea looks like the owner. He may not be, but he's totally invested in customer's happiness and his service skills are great. I tasted the Earl Grey tea, it's very good also. I suggest the hot tea, but on a hot day, cold could be more refreshing read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Cup of chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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This is a cute place to get some chai! The inside has a minimalistic design and there is nice attention to detail. They have furniture that is closer to the floor to make you feel grounded and would be a great place to chat with a friend, and they also have a large table if you wanted to get work done. The chai is spicier than I am used to, but it had a nice flavor. The guys at the front were also friendly. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Got a hot chai and cold chai. Both are good and the hot chai is better. Taste is great. Lots of spices and lightly sweetened. All drinks are made only with Oatmilk. No substitutes. There is some seating, but not a lot. Would be amazing if there was seating that's cozier and comfier. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Hot chai and cold chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Cute low-key spot with a pleasant vibe. Good tea. Great and welcoming customer service. read more

Really good chai--complex, creamy, and rich--in a very tiny cup. I nursed this chai for over an hour because it was sooo delicious and because...you just don't want an $8 chai to disappear too quickly. Tastes like ambrosia and priced like it too. The owner was working there on a weekend; he was super kind and also warms the chai right there. My drink came out super hot, to the point where it would have been painful to carry out, so decided to sit for awhile and read. The space is small but has a couple of chairs set up for couples, a communal table filled with the laptop crowd, and some chairs outside. Due to the price point, I would not make a habit of going here regularly (even for the six-serving bottled chai which is slightly more affordable), but could be a great option if you want to treat yourself or enjoy a special drink with another chai-lover. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

A modern yet cozy spot for a nice latte. I tried the chai and the golden milk, both hot. I love how strong the spices were, especially the turmeric in the golden milk. The chai I liked more after it cooled down, so maybe I would have liked that one better if iced. I love the cup that it comes in -- super unique. read more

The Hideout Chai Bar - Golden milk, chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Super tiny, just go in to the counter in the back and order your drink. Got an iced chai latte and it was ready super quickly. It was well spiced, not overpowering. Definitely enjoyed the slight kick of spice that lingers after each sip. Delicious. Definitely will come back. read more

The decor and aesthetics of this place caught my eye. It has a very clean, modern look. I got the hojicha oat milk tea which has a rich, creamy taste and strong hojicha flavor. Overall, the quality of the tea was great but I don't think I'll be returning due to the high price point. I paid around $8 after tax for a ridiculously tiny drink. read more

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