Ultimate Chennai Tea Shop List: 15 Best Spots To Sip
If you thought Chennai was all about coffee, think again. The city is quietly brewing a tea revolution — with vibrant chai cafés, nostalgic tea stalls, and creative tea lounges popping up across every neighborhood.
Whether you’re a student looking for a late-night chai break or a connoisseur chasing single-origin blends, this Chennai tea shop list is your map to the best cups in town.
Grab your kettle, folks — let’s sip our way through the best tea shops in Chennai!
1. Mom’s Tea – Thiruvanmiyur
If comfort had a flavor, it would taste like the chai at Mom’s Tea. This cozy Chennai tea shop is known for its traditional South Indian brews served in clay cups that bring back childhood nostalgia. Locals say their ginger-cardamom blend feels like a hug in a cup.
📍 Location: Mada St, Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041
💡 Try this: Authentic Ginger Chai with a crispy vadai on the side
2. Tea Talkies – Anna Nagar
Vibrant, aromatic, and full of energy — Tea Talkies makes every chai feel like a celebration. With over 20 tea varieties, from chocolate-infused blends to spiced masala chai, this café is one of the best tea shops in Chennai for social chai lovers.
📍 Location: no y, 33 old, 1st Main St, Y Block, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
💡 Try this: Sulaimani Tea and a plate of cheese-loaded fries
3. Chai Cup – T. Nagar
Small space, big heart. Chai Cup has quietly earned a name among T. Nagar regulars for its strong, well-brewed tea and friendly service. It’s the perfect pit stop between shopping sprees and evening walks.
📍 Location: Madley Rd, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
💡 Try this: Masala Chai and butter biscuits
4. Teaelai Café – Velachery
If you’re around Velachery and craving a kadak masala chai, Teaelai Café is your go-to spot. Known for its strong, authentic flavors and homely vibe, this café is always buzzing with locals and students.
📍 Location: VGP Seetapathi Street, Dr. SEETHABATHI NAGAR, Velachery, Chennai.
💡 Try this: Classic Masala Chai with samosas
5. ATTE Glocal Café – Besant Nagar
Where global café vibes meet desi chai soul — ATTE Glocal Café offers everything from spiced milk tea to turmeric-infused lattes. Just a short walk from the beach, it’s perfect for evening chai by the waves.
📍 Location: 4th Main Rd, R Block, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Iced Masala Tea or Turmeric Chai Latte
6. Black Pekoe – Navalur
A hidden gem on OMR, Black Pekoe blends calm ambiance with strong brews. Its Sulaimani Tea is among the best tea in Chennai, perfect for late-evening conversations or solo chai sessions after work.
📍 Location: Opposite to Marina Mall, Egattur, Navalur, Tamil Nadu 600130
💡 Try this: Sulaimani Chai with banana fritters
7. The Purple Tea – Vadapalani
Trendy, colorful, and full of creativity — The Purple Tea is more than a café; it’s an experience. The place serves spiced, herbal, and fruity teas, making it ideal for those who like to explore beyond the basics.
📍 Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
💡 Try this: Hibiscus Tea or their signature Purple Masala Chai
8. Lighthouse Coffee – Santhome
Don’t let the name fool you — Lighthouse Coffee serves one of the city’s most balanced chai brews. With minimalist interiors and sea breeze nearby, it’s the calmest cup of chai you’ll sip in Chennai.
📍 Location: Nochi Nagar, Santhome, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Ginger Chai with carrot cake
9. Chai Waale – Adyar
When convenience meets flavor, you get Chai Waale. This Chennai-born brand has mastered the art of everyday chai, offering consistent quality across its outlets. Affordable, quick, and full of warmth.
📍 Location: 3rd Cross St, Kasturba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Cutting Chai and pakoras
10. Chai Kings – Ekkatuthangal
A local favorite turned city-wide chain, Chai Kings redefines convenience for chai lovers. Their menu covers everything from traditional masala to lemon ginger tea, all brewed with signature consistency.
📍 Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Ekkatuthangal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Cardamom Chai with bun maska
11. Lamcy Café – Royapettah
A go-to for late-night chai cravings, Lamcy Café is famous among night owls and college crowds. The strong tea, paired with crunchy snacks, makes it an instant refresher any time of day (or night).
📍 Location: Bharathi Salai, Padupakkam, Royapettah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Plain Tea and Chicken Roll
12. Tea Kingdom – Tharamani
Simple, affordable, and always flavorful — Tea Kingdom brings comfort to the city’s tech zone. The cozy setup and steaming cups make it ideal for evening breaks after long work hours.
📍 Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Thanthai Periyar Nagar, Tharamani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Ginger Tea and butter toast
13. Tea Armor – Thoraipakkam
This underrated Chennai tea shop has quietly built a following for its spiced chai and buttery snacks. The name “Tea Armor” fits perfectly — because their tea protects your mood like a charm.
📍 Location: Customs Colony, Jothi Nagar, Thoraipakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Strong Masala Chai with toast
14. Atti Café – Sholinganallur
With a minimalist vibe and homely service, Atti Café is a cozy corner for chai lovers near Sholinganallur. Perfect for unwinding with a warm cup and light bites after work.
📍 Location: Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Sholinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Ginger Tea and crispy vadai
15. Mulberry – Porur
Modern, calm, and elegant — Mulberryoffers a unique mix of Kerala style snacks and tea pairings. It’s a quiet retreat for those who enjoy quick tea bites.
📍 Location: Karpaga Vinayagar Colony, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
💡 Try this: Pazampori with tea
Why Chennai’s Tea Culture Is Thriving
Chennai may be known for its filter coffee, but the younger generation is making chai its new comfort ritual. The rise of small, aesthetic Chennai tea shops reflects a cultural shift — tea is now not just a drink but an experience.
From OMR techies sipping evening chai to students unwinding by the beach at Besant Nagar, these cafés and stalls prove one thing: the best tea in Chennai is wherever there’s heart, conversation, and a steaming cup.
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☕ Final Sip
Each of these 15 spots represents a small but flavorful part of Chennai’s growing chai culture. Whether you like your tea strong, sweet, or spiced with stories — this Chennai tea shop list is the perfect starting point for your next tea adventure.
So the next time you crave warmth in a cup, just remember — the best tea in Chennai might be waiting right around your corner.
