Best Desi Chai in London: Cafes Worth Visiting
London’s streets hum with many accents, cultures, and rituals. Among them, one comfort is quietly winning hearts — desi chai. Strong, milk-boiled, and spiced just right, this South Asian classic feels worlds apart from the syrupy café chai many people first encounter. Across the city, small tea shops and chai shops in London are bringing back the authentic experience, one steaming cup at a time.
If you’re searching for Indian chai London locals genuinely love, this guide will help you find the right places — and order the right cup.
What does desi chai mean in London
In London, desi chai usually refers to tea brewed the traditional way: loose tea leaves boiled with milk, ginger, cardamom, and sometimes cloves or black pepper. The result is bold, comforting, and slightly caramelised. Unlike modern café chai, this tea is about warmth and rhythm, not presentation.
Many long-standing tea shops in Southall, East London, and market areas have served this style for years. Recently, a newer wave of chai shops in London has made it more visible — and more accessible.
Best places for desi chai in London
Charista — Shoreditch
📍 29 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Charista focuses on Bengali tea culture, using traditional techniques and regional sweeteners like date molasses. Their chai feels calm and thoughtful, making it ideal for slow afternoons in East London. It’s a modern space with a deeply rooted flavour.
Chai Guys Bakehouse — Portobello & Spitalfields
📍 Portobello Road Market, W11
📍 Spitalfields Market, E1
Chai Guys started as a market stall and grew into one of the most recognisable chai shops in London. Their masala and karak chai are robust but balanced, often paired with South Asian–inspired bakes. It’s a great introduction for anyone new to desi chai.
Amala Chai — London Markets
📍 King’s Cross, Broadway Market, Greenwich (pop-ups & stalls)
Amala Chai operates mainly through markets and pop-ups, making it a favourite among commuters and weekend explorers. Their ethically sourced tea and spice-forward brews show how traditional chai can fit into modern London life without losing its soul.
Chaiiwala — Southall
📍 South Road, Southall UB1
Southall remains one of the best areas for authentic Indian and Pakistani food, and Chaiiwala fits right in. Expect strong, no-nonsense chai served the way it’s meant to be. Among traditional tea shops in West London, this one consistently delivers comfort and value.
Financial Times — Where to find London’s best chai
What to order for the best experience
If you want to enjoy desi chai the right way, keep it simple:
- Kadak masala chai – strong and balanced
- Doodh patti – richer, milk-forward
- Cardamom chai – aromatic and clean
- Gur chai (date molasses chai) – popular in Bengali tea culture
Before ordering, ask whether the chai is brewed with milk and whole spices. That single question often separates real chai from shortcuts.
Why desi chai is growing in London
Londoners are embracing desi chai for the same reasons they love sourdough, filter coffee, and loose-leaf tea: authenticity and comfort. Younger generations are rediscovering family recipes, while non-South Asians are seeking drinks that feel grounding rather than rushed.
This shift mirrors broader UK tea culture, too. If you’re curious about how traditional and modern British tea habits coexist, you might enjoy reading British Tea Brands: A Guide to the UK’s Most Loved Teas, which explores how Britain’s tea identity continues to evolve alongside global influences.
From tea shops to home brewing
Many people discover desi chai in small tea shops, then try to recreate it at home. If you’re heading in that direction, exploring different blends and techniques makes a big difference. Articles like Types of Indian Chai help explain how regional variations affect taste, strength, and aroma — and why no two cups are ever quite the same.
Final sip
Desi chai in London is no longer hidden. From market stalls to quiet neighbourhood cafés, it’s becoming part of the city’s everyday rhythm. Whether you grew up with it or are tasting it for the first time, the right cup offers more than caffeine — it offers connection.
Sometimes, all you need is a small cup and a moment to pause.
