Chai Pani DC
Indian restaurant · Capital City Market ·
James Beard Award-winning Indian street food with vibrant decor
James Beard Award-winning Indian street food with vibrant decor
"You don’t have to look too hard for goodIndian foodin DC.Rasikahas the fine-dining market cornered,Pappeis great for takeout, andDaruserves things like chicken tikka tacos that you won’t find anywhere else in town. Chai Pani in Union Market is the latest addition to this bustling scene." - Jonathan Smith
"A color-soaked, 4,000-square-foot ode to Indian street food, this D.C. outpost from James Beard Award winner Meherwan Irani lands at Union Market on Friday, August 29 with fellow winner Vishwesh Bhatt helming the kitchen, channeling the bustle of the subcontinent through a menu anchored by seven chaats. Kale pakora chaat layers fritters with sweet yogurt, tamarind, and green chutney plus sliced grapes, melon seeds, and green mango powder, while matchstick okra fries come tossed in a special seasoning and served with a lime wedge. Pav sandwiches include the famous Sloppy Jai, a spiced-lamb take on the sloppy joe, and the KFC Sandwich, a Kashmiri fried chicken number with mayo and sweet pickles. Unique to D.C., a new sigri section—simple charcoal grilling rather than tandoor—turns out beef sirloin, blistered okra skewers, paneer, and green peppers, alongside classics like butter chicken, baingan bharta, and masala curries. Specials from Vish show up in the Everything Daal, a homestyle lentil dish with seasonal vegetables and a crunchy potato-chip finish, and a Chesapeake-minded Kingfish tawa fry pan-fried in ghee with red onion, green chile, and curry leaves. Drinks lean street-side, from house-made nimbu pani and daily mango lassis to cocktails like a cardamom Old Fashioned (Indian and rye whiskeys, jaggery, cardamom bitters) and the Kaapi martini with sweetened South Indian filter coffee and chai masala. The space doubles down on nostalgia and maximalism—marigolds on the ceiling, yellow pom-poms, dramatic drapes, dangling florals, and a mural celebrating the dishwasher—with contributions from 13 artists, a vibrant bar framed with Indian artwork, and a happy host stand surrounded with cookbooks, T-shirts, and spices for sale. Born in Asheville in 2009 (Atlanta followed in 2013) and crowned Outstanding Restaurant in America in 2022, the brand arrives ready to make Chai Pani D.C. feel like your restaurant." - Lulu Chang
"The original Chai Pani revolutionized the dining scene in Asheville by giving the star treatment to Indian street food. It’s since expanded to become one of Atlanta’s best restaurants as well. Now a second offshoot is slated to open at the foot of an apartment complex in DC. Even though it’s in a neighborhood that’s now practically overflowing with new, buzzy restaurants, we anticipate this one is still going to draw long lines for its okra fries and kale pekoras." - allie conti
"The original Chai Pani revolutionized the dining scene in Asheville by giving the star treatment to Indian street food. It’s since expanded to become one of Atlanta’s best restaurants as well. Now a second offshoot is slated to open at the foot of an apartment complex in DC. Even though it’s in a neighborhood that’s now practically overflowing with new, buzzy restaurants, we anticipate this one is still going to draw long lines for its okra fries and kale pekoras. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Allie Conti
"The James Beard Award–winning Indian standby from Asheville and Atlanta is opening a Union Market location; chef‑restaurateur Meherwan Irani flew up to serve one of his hit sandwiches, the Sloppy Jai: open‑face pav topped with a spicy lamb hash, sweet yogurt, and green chutney—an aromatic bite that pairs perfectly with an ice‑cold beer. The restaurant group is also expanding elsewhere in the District, with a Botiwalla fast‑casual branch slated for Tenleytown." - Emily Venezky