We Indians cannot do without our cup of chai. From our childhood, we have seen our parents and the elderly of our family grab a cup of chai with the morning newspaper and sit back savouring their morning tea with the morning newspaper. With time this morning ritual hit us too, and now we cannot do without our daily cup of tea. When it comes to chai, why just end it with one cup? Who will not jump up at the idea of having a cup of chai with pakodas on a rainy day? And a wintery morning can only begin with a warm cup of chai in our hand. Whatever it is, be it depressing weather or a hard day at work, when the aroma of a freshly brewed cup of tea hits our senses everything heals. And what can be more rejuvenating than a long chat over a cup of chai during one such day?
Here are some of the best and the most sought-after places for a good cup of chai in Delhi and NCR:
1 Chai Point
‘India runs on chai.’ With about 16 outlets in the Delhi NCR, this is one of the ‘to be’ places for a good cup of tea. They may not have a long list of chai varieties, but this outlet is budget friendly. You can be here for a simple masala chai, ginger chai, lemon chai or the range of iced chai on a hot summer day. One can also grab a quick bite from the breakfast meal menu.
Address: 44, N Block, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 200
2 Chaayos
The place has a nice ambience with some crafty ideas seen around. They have a range of options to choose a cup of tea from many of which are with a new and experimental flavor. One can also customize and make his cup of chai. This place is a must visit for one who likes to experiment with his cup of chai. Kulhad chai with bun maska is a must try here. There are 35 outlets in New Delhi
Address: F – 14/15, Mezzanine, 1st Floor, F Block, Inner Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 500
3 Jugmug Thela
You can choose from a wide range of chai including masala chai. Iced tea and the flower tea are the best in this place. This place has a calm and peaceful natural ambience with an old school feel. For the lovebirds who would like to talk over a cuppa, this place has a very romantic environment with its outdoor and a backyard seating.
Address: Shed 4, Khasra 258, Behind Kuldeep House, Lane 3, Westend Marg, Saidulajab, Near Saket, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 550
4 The Tea Place by Manjushree
This place is a perfect blend of good ambience and taste. With a sophisticated environment, this place can bring the peace of mind that you need on your solitary day out. You can choose a book from their wide collection and enjoy it with the perfect brew. The beverages are well presented. Prices are in the mid-range, and you can choose from a host of options to experiment with your cup of tea. From Darjeeling tea to white tea the list is long.
Address: 8, Ground Floor, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 700
5 Teasta – The Tea Shop
One of the oldest tea stops in the NCR region, this place is more famous for its iced tea. However, you can also go here for a freshly brewed cup of tea, for which too you will have a range of options. An added advantage of this place is that certain outlets also allow customers to buy some of the various types of tea present in the shop.
Address: 16, Godawari Complex, Sector 37, Noida
Cost for two: INR 200
6 Mister Chai – Shangri- La’s – Eros Hotel, New Delhi
The place is a bit high on the budget but one that any chai lover will not want to miss out. This place is very tastefully done and can be a good nook for any business meeting over a cup of fresh brew.
Address: Shangri – La’s Eros Hotel, 19, Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 1300
7 Tpot
You can opt here for a cup of kadak chai to kick start your day or a cup of kulhad chai over the evening gossip. The choice is yours. Its low budget prices and range of options to grab a quick bite makes it a perfect place to hang out.
Address: NIFT, Near Gulmohar Park, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 400
8. Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge
Ever thought of having your tea with ice cream? This place can give you a range of options on that. Also, it serves the usual hot brews and iced teas with many options to decide from. With its beautiful interiors and staff that are always on their toes, this place is a must visit. There are 5 outlets in New Delhi.
Address: L – 7, Outer Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 650
9 The Tea Lounge – Taj Palace
With beautiful interiors and a peaceful environment, this place is one you would want to sip your evening cup of tea in after a hectic day. From around the world tea varieties, there are many options to choose from for your cup of tea. A bit high on the budget, this place is one you would want to be in for a relaxing evening.
Address: Taj Palace, 2 Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 1500
10 The Tea Room From Blossom Kocchar
From it’s all day long mains to breakfast menu, everything about this place can lure you into it at any time of the day. Low on the budget, this place has a pocket-friendly menu for everyone.
Address: Part One, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 650
11 Elma’s Bakery, Bar and Kitchen
The place has British themed classy interiors and a delectable range of desserts from which you can choose. You can have a cup of green tea or herbal tea with your favourite pastry or have a hearty breakfast meal. This place is a bit pricey.
Address: 31, 2nd Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 1900
12. Kunzum Travel Cafe
With its walls lined with bookshelves and the range of travel books, this place is the perfect tea joint for a traveller. One can be here if he needs a break and a peaceful day or to read a book in a nook sipping a perfect cup of tea.
Address: T – 49, First Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 200
13. Techies Time to Tea
One can choose from a pocket-friendly combo meal; a cup of tea with his her breakfast or customized ‘aap ki chai’ or a cup of tulsi or kulhad tea. One with a bit of firangi taste can try the oregano tea instead. It has 4 outlets.
Address: C – 98/27, 2nd Floor, Jain Road, Sector 41, Noida
Cost for two: INR 350
14 Sancha Tea Boutique by Aap ki Pasand
Located in Chanakyapuri, this is the perfect place to be for every tea lover. Famous for its oolong tea, black tea, and masala tea, this place also has a huge collection of tea for sale. One can sip his favourite flavoured tea or choose to buy from the assortment available.
Address: Shop No. 3, Santushti Shopping Complex, NWC Airforce, Lok Kalyan Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
15 Too Mikki Tapas
A small place with an outdoor sitting arrangement, this place has a lovely ambience. Light on the pocket; it has a range of options in herbal tea, milk tea, and soda based iced tea. If you want to have your chai with a bit of twist in flavours, this is the place to be. However, the snacks and breakfast meals are a bit on the moderate range.
Address: Opposite Taj Hotel, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 700
16 Chaiyum
Located in Sector 10, Dwarka; the place has an outdoor seating arrangement. The tea here is served in cardboard jugs with kulhads. Simple in presentation and high on the taste along with a range of tea options to choose from, this place is for those who want to have more options in choosing their cup.
Address: Ground Floor, Pinnacle Mall, Sector 10, Dwarka, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 550
17 United Coffee House
It is one of the oldest places with an ambience that will remind you of the early days. It serves herbal tea, iced tea, as well as tea with a unique blend. The place is great for hanging out with friends or for having a business meeting.
Address: E – 15, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 2500
18. Chaibubble
Famous for its bubble tea, the place also serves good cutting chai. It has a lovely ambience and good service with a mid-range pocket-friendly budget. If you want to relax at a place with a good cup of chai and some crispy pakodas, this is the place to be.
Address: M – 22, Ground Floor, M Block Market, Greater Kailash 2 (GK2), New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 650
19 Mucchad Di Chai
A small place located in Saket. It is one of the cheapest if you are looking for a good cup of chai but are on a low budget. It is well known for its kulhad chai.
Address: Mehrauli Badarpur Road, Saidullajab, Saket, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 200
20 Cha Bar
The place has an in-house library which makes it a must visit for all bookworms who like to have a range of books to choose from, then sit back, and relax with their books along with a good cup of chai in their hands. The place has a calm and peaceful ambience with a variety of tea amongst which you can choose. From bubble tea to iced tea to herbal tea, they have a wide range to offer.
Address: N – 81, Oxford Bookstore, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Cost for two: INR 500
