Chaiwali

"Acclaimed Indian restaurant Chaiwali has called it quits. Chef Anita Trehan opened the restaurant back in 2015 inside of her home. She was met with local fanfare, even drawing praise from New York Times restaurant critic, Pete Wells. The last day of service is December 12." - Emma Orlow

"Chaiwali, an Indian restaurant located in Harlem, is closing after six years due to decreased foot traffic. The restaurant, opened by chef Anita Trehan in 2015, was praised for its eccentric decor and intensely flavored menu." - Luke Fortney

"Harlem’s Indian restaurant set within a two-story brownstone recently re-opened after an almost two-year renovation. The space at Chaiwali is largely unchanged: There’s plenty of seating both at the bar and at tables spread out over two floors, plus exposed brick walls, dark wood, and antique-looking lamps. The food was a little more hit-and-miss than the first iteration, but there are still some solid options like the pink anari beet bhel, a take on Indian puffed rice street food snack bhel with the addition of pureed beets and pomegranate seeds; and a butter chicken that replaces the typical tomato-based sauce with a carrot based one, making it feel just a tad healthier. This time around, Chaiwali is leaning more heavily into vegetarian options like the tangy achari gobi, a cauliflower dish with pickling spices, and a lush kale burger served with avocado, and fries that have turmeric in the batter." - Eater Staff