Chayakada

Yesterday we had a real feast! We ordered their Christmas feast, it was very authentic and tasty. Thank you so much for the quality and quantity of food. We ordered for two people but it was enough for 4 people to share🎁🥳 The cafe is amazing, great place to enjoy with family and friends. We are pleased with their wide array of teas and coffees.

Heard about this place from our friends so had to try it out. The place has a very welcoming ambiance. Spaced out seatings with a game area which has carrom and foosball. The menu has a lot of items on it. We tried almost all of the savory snacks. Everything was very yummy. Specially the chicken cutlet and puff. It reminded me of the bakeries back in India There is ample parking nearby. Will definitely visit again.

Disclaimer: I am Keralite. This place serves authentic kerala food. The beef fry was just about perfect. Cutlets tasted good. Just that it was served a bit too hot. Portion size is good. Ambience is cafe style which is great for hanging out with friends. Sulaimani needs a lil more spices i felt. Sharjah shake was not great considering the taste I have acquired from kerala bakeries. Biriyani rice was well spiced and perfectly cooked. I guess the porottas are frozen ones heated up. But they did an amazing job making it layered

South Bay definitely needed a place like this for chai lovers!! They have a unique selection of cutlets and sandwiches. We tried their masala chai and Saffron chai - both amazing but masala was better. Veg Puff was good too, we tried cutlet last time but I found puff to be better. Service is quick and they serve cutlets hot and fresh (do not keep them premade which is great), location and the seating is amazing. Perfect spot to hang out with friends and come for a date

I was here with my friends to grab tea, and we ended up buying their freshly prepared savories. Very cool, and beautiful ambience to spend time by yourself or with your friends and family. I missed seeing the 'chenda' picture on their wall along with all other beautiful art and nature of the place that it re ok represents. It was a hot day so I ordered a shahajahan drink, pazyampori, and unnakaya - a malabar savory. The service is great and the servers will prepare your tea and coffee as per your preference if you have any. The staff is really very friendly and accommodating. My friends ordered Chaya, coffee, strawberry milkshake, puffs and chicken cutlet. We shared to taste each one and enjoyed the delicious freshly made savories. The beauty of it is that you get the experience of Kerala right sitting in San Jose. I will highly recommend and yes it's a women owned place and I highly support them. Must visit.

Amazing pazhampori, egg puff and cutlet. All the items were amazing! 5/5 rating for all the sides. Only the main dish of egg rice bowl, probably a little more variety like Karikku with mor curry, olan, red chammanthi, etc. But everything was amazing indeed and in San Jose only!

Chayakada in San Jose is an absolute hidden gem in the Bay Area. From the moment you walk in, the warm, inviting space and friendly staff make you feel right at home. Their puffed and fried pastries are easily the best I’ve ever had—light, crisp, and perfectly made to pair with their excellent chai and coffee, both crafted with genuine care and attention.I loved the little touches that make this place special: they announce your order by name, offer thoughtful details like toys for tots, and even made me hot water from their espresso machine with remarkable warmth and enthusiasm. Chayakada is more than a café; it’s a local treasure built on heart and hospitality. I only hope they expand into Sunnyvale and throughout the South Bay so more people can experience the same joy and outright delishous cuisine.

I saw this place featured in the paper, so always looking for cool spots to work, I gave it a try. This place hits all of my MUSTS for a coffee hangout: strong wifi, lots of seating, good coffee, parking, outlets, food, friendly staff, and the vibes. I had the Kirala Chai AND the Masala Chai — both Iced and both were yummy. I also had the chicken puff and it was delish. I almost ordered another one, but I resisted. The person at the counter was super helpful and friendly, and she welcomed me and everyone else into the place. The crowd seemed very local, which is always a good sign that the business is connected to the community. Five Stars, no question. I think the only thing I would change is that, while they did use compostable products, I wish the "here" option used real plates, glasses, and utensils. I know it's an expense, but real dishware always gives a place that extra umph. Overall, an excellent place, and I will definitely add this to my workspace rotation.

Heard about this place from our friends so had to try it out. The place has a very welcoming ambiance. Spaced out seatings with a game area which has carrom and foosball. The menu has a lot of items on it. We tried almost all of the savory snacks. Everything was very yummy. Specially the chicken cutlet and puff. It reminded me of the bakeries back in India There is ample parking nearby. Will definitely visit again.

Ok how do they have so many things on the menu and do it all so well??? I stopped by on a Friday evening for a quick snack but that was a mistake - I didn't realize they do a full service dinner with biryani, rice bowls, kizhi Parotta and so much more. I only had room for a chicken roast sandwich so I couldn't try all the different treats. The sandwich itself was bomb and came with masala fries. It wasn't overpoweringly spicy or oily - just right. Can't wait to come back and try all the other amazing things on offer!

I broke the mold and had a wonderful oatmilk latte! Great chicken pastry and quick service. Highly recommend!

I was there on a Saturday for lunch. The place was not crowded. Pazhampori and chicken cutlet were my favorites here. Pazhampori was made from sweet platains and fried nicely. Chicken cutlet was crispy and flavorful. Beef had nice flavors with pieces of coconut. Kizhi porotta was lamb was excellent with flavors of plantain leaf. Ghee rice was flavorful. Chicken curry was ok. Kerala tea came steaming hot. In my hurry, it burned my tongue. Once food was over, it cooled to the right temperature and was the right sweet combination that washed down the spices.

Grand opening and welcome banners everywhere :) a happy vibe calls you in! Spacious interiors and outdoor seating in the shade were both equally tempting. Lots of free parking in this lot so super easy to get here. In $42, we got: - masala chai 3/5- brewed fresh and they customize it the way you want it. First i found it too foamy to be a chai and second it was not hot. I went back and the guy fixed it to be extra hot. Then it was good :) next time i will try the "glass" glass - strawberry milkshake - 4/5- as promised, it was blended fresh strawberries with milk and thats it. No sugar unless requested. Perfect! - Kerala paratha with chicken curry - 5/5- this was the real deal for me. Good portion size. Comes with 2 parathas and greasy but yummy boneless chicken gravy. Not too spicy so it can cater to many. - scrambled paneer sandwich - 5/5 - freshly panini pressed and yummy! I wish the portion size was bigger for the price. I wish it came with a side salad or fries at that price. Clean restrooms and good board games. I also saw some games for kids and fuse-ball / carom board at the back. Definitely coming back for more :) Deducting 1 star for being too pricey. I wish they increase the portion size that can justify the price for becoming a weekly stop. For a self service place, it seemed expensive!

This café is tucked away in a rather unusual spot, far from the South Bay; so it's not the most convenient choice when you have to drive miles to get there. That said, once you arrive, it checks all the boxes for a great hangout spot with friends. The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for sitting back and chatting. We tried all their puffs, including the butter croissant, and they were absolutely on point - flaky, flavorful, and fresh. The chai, on the other hand, was just okay and could have been much better. Our friends were disappointed with the sharjah shake. Improvement needed on drinks. As the crowd picked up, the staff seemed to get a bit chaotic and lost track of a few orders, which slightly disrupted the otherwise pleasant experience. Still, thoughtful touches like the Malayalam-themed board games gave the café an authentic, well-curated charm that stood out.

South Bay definitely needed a place like this for chai lovers!! They have a unique selection of cutlets and sandwiches. We tried their masala chai and Saffron chai - both amazing but masala was better. Veg Puff was good too, we tried cutlet last time but I found puff to be better. Service is quick and they serve cutlets hot and fresh (do not keep them premade which is great), location and the seating is amazing. Perfect spot to hang out with friends and come for a date

Had chicken puff, veg puff and masala chai, everything was fresh and delicious. Loved the ambiance as well. Will keep coming.

This cute, new cafeteria serving tea, coffee and delicacies from India (probably from Kerala, India with influences from few other regions?). It's spacious, clean with very friendly service! Ample parking available!

Stoped by for their grand opening today. It's in the same parking lot as my physical therapy. Located in the lucky shopping center off of Bernal Rd and Santa Teresa Blvd. They have a nice menu of coffees and teas, pastry's, snacks and sandwiches. They are very welcoming and kind. I decided to try the chicken puff, veg puff, meat puff, chicken cutlet, veg cutlet and meat cutlet. All were to take home. And I ordered a saffron chai for my husband. My husband really liked the tea, but the only negative was that it was so small for $4.99 price. I think if they have a larger portion, it would be worth getting again. The puffs were all delicious. I warmed them up in the toaster oven for a few minutes. My favorite was the chicken. It had such a wonderful savory flavor with a bit of heat. The cutlets were okay. The beef and chicken were good. The veg cutlet was very mild in flavor and not as savory as the other two. The inside is nicely decorated and there are many options for seating. Overall, I would definitely come pack for the puffs and maybe try some other menu items next time. It's definitely worth checking out.

Aleena, the owner, has great passion and attention to detail that makes Chayakada Cafe warm and inviting. She really cares about customers having a great experience. Chayakada Cafe is impressively spacious. There is a room in the back if you're looking for a quiet spot to work or study. The cafe also has games and books for entertainment at all age levels. Aleena told me she wants Chayakada to be a space for the community to come together, and she is doing a good job of making that happen. The decor is aesthetic with a pleasant green nature theme, and there are signs about Kerala and India. I love cultural cafes, and this is my first time at an Indian cafe. I really liked the banana and date smoothie and the egg sandwich. I've never had a date smoothie before, and it did not disappoint. Aleena made the egg sandwich on the spot, so it was fresh, hot, and flavorful. The salted caramel latte was a little sweet but still refreshing. Also, really appreciate that Chayakada Cafe accepts my reusable glass cup! A win for sustainability.

My mom and I came to this outdoor mall to Staples and after our shopping trip, we spotted this new Indian restaurant/bakery. The cashier said that it has been opened since June 1, 2025. The pastries at the counter behind the glass looked delectable, and they had a special menu for Friday and Saturday. I ordered the chicken puffs, beef puffs, masala chai, my mom ordered a latte. For the meal, we ordered the delicious Malabari Mutton Biriyani and the Thalassery Chicken Biriyani. If you're interested in trying out some delicious Indian food and pastries, be sure to check this new bakery restaurant out, you won't be disappointed!

My wife and I visited around evening 4pm Saturday 22nd November. Not too much crowd. First the good things. Great ambience. Its rare to find an indian comfort food shop to create a nice vibe. Lot of space and very family and kids friendly. The food is fine. I ordered cutlet, veg puff and veg sandwich. They were good. Service was ok. Now the not so good thing. I ordered Kerala chai. I found it just ok and nothing close to a real chai you experience in Kerala. It was very hot the way I like it and that's a good thing. I hope they get it right with a little more focus.

I was here with my friends to grab tea, and we ended up buying their freshly prepared savories. Very cool, and beautiful ambience to spend time by yourself or with your friends and family. I missed seeing the 'chenda' picture on their wall along with all other beautiful art and nature of the place that it re ok represents. It was a hot day so I ordered a shahajahan drink, pazyampori, and unnakaya - a malabar savory. The service is great and they prepare your tea and coffee based on your preference if you have any. A very friendly staff. My friends ordered Chaya, coffee, strawberry milkshake, puffs and chicken cutlet. We shared to taste each one and enjoyed the delicious freshly made savories. The beauty of it is that you get the experience of Kerala right sitting in San Jose. I will highly recommend and yes it's a women owned place and I highly support them. Must visit.

I saw this place featured in the paper, so always looking for cool spots to work, I gave it a try. This place hits all of my MUSTS for a coffee hangout: strong wifi, lots of seating, good coffee, parking, outlets, food, friendly staff, and the vibes. I had the Kirala Chai AND the Masala Chai -- both Iced and both were yummy. I also had the chicken puff and it was delish. I almost ordered another one, but I resisted. The person at the counter was super helpful and friendly, and she welcomed me and everyone else into the place. The crowd seemed very local, which is always a good sign that the business is connected to the community. Five Stars, no question. I think the only thing I would change is that, while they did use compostable products, I wish the "here" option used real plates, glasses, and utensils. I know it's an expense, but real dishware always gives a place that extra umph. Overall, an excellent place, and I will definitely add this to my workspace rotation.

I went here today for lunch. The whole staff was super friendly and recommended to me the roasted chicken sandwich. It was very tasty and cooked nicely. The fries also tasted good. Next time I'll ask for it but without the cheese. I will bring my wife and little daughter for lunch here. There is plenty of parking and this is great local Indian cuisine. This area needs more Indian restaurants like this one !

The food is exceptional. The cafe is very beautifully designed and clean. As someone who grew up eating Kerala cuisine, I was genuinely impressed by the flavors here. The rice bowl, in particular, was a complete standout--comforting, well-balanced, and reminiscent of the homestyle meals I know and love. The spices were authentic without being overwhelming, and the textures came together beautifully. Kudos to the Chayakada team for bringing Kerala cuisine to our community!

The embodiment of Kerala is here! With my first sip of Chaya I was taken back to the misty hill stations, cool crisp mornings, Waterfalls worth a million words, strolls through spice patches, eagles, sipping fresh coconuts, and taking in the rich history. If you don't think that something as small as a cup can do that- you've gotta try it! I had the chicken puff- the Masala was on POINT! It spicy, and the flaky pastry was crisp but fluffy. I'm so glad to see a chaya shop here in San Jose! For sure- God's own Country has come to town!

Love the new addition to the neighborhood! Had Indian filter coffee, veg cutlet and veg puff! Everything tasted delicious. The ambience is also pretty nice. Adding this to my list for going to for a treat on weekend mornings or after work pick me ups.

This is a one month old place in south San Jose specializing in Kerala style Indian food. Stumbled into it while in the area with my wife . Great open ambiance, friendly ladies at the counter and authentic tasting Kerala specialties in the menu . Very clean and good interior. Since we went after lunch, couldn't try any of the entree items . Tried cutlets, parippuvada and pazampori with saffron chai. Everything was super tasty. Overall 5 star on customer service and food quality. Plan to return for lunch soon. I hope they do well and add more items to the menu.

We visited Chaayakada today and absolutely loved it!!! Plenty of space to sit and enjoy a meal We ordered paneer and egg sandwich with options like chillies. Both were great. Aleena the owner came around and chatted with us, asked us how the food was and told us something about herself. Excited to have this amazing new cafe close to home. Plenty of Parking in the shopping mall.

Amazing Food, Service, and Ambiance. They have a variety of chai's, puffs, snacks and small food plates. So happy I don't have to go all the way to Fremont anymore for this kind of food and chai

This cafe is cute and spacious. The food looks good and they also have a cabinet of board games. The people working there seemed nice. However, I did not see power outlets anywhere so it may not be a good place to work or study on a computer. It has good vibes so I will be back if my goal is to hang out without devices.

Very good Kerala food, great ambience and pleasant service Must check this place out, no matter what your favorite cuisines are

Chayakada Cafe is one of those places you walk into and instantly feel at ease. The puffs and cutlets are honestly amazing. I went four times already and tried their fish curry rice bowl and beef sandwich and the cucumber cheese sandwich. So damn good. It legit reminded me of meals back home in Kerala--flavorful, comforting, and just the kind of food that makes you feel taken care of. Aleena, the owner is super warm and friendly, and you can tell she's created this space with so much love. She's the kind of person who remembers your name and makes you feel like you're part of the place. The vibe is super chill--lots of space to just lounge around, and if you've got kids, there are books and games to keep them busy while you enjoy your chai. It's the kind of spot you can hang at for hours without realizing where the time went.

Brand new cafe with treats from Kerala. Since my husband is from Kerala we are always looking for a place that reminds him of home. Aleena is a friendly owner who is eager to provide the best experience and it shows through her decor, service and tasty food! We had lots of chai and really enjoyed it! We will be back, just wish we lived closer.

We love this place! The puffs, the chai, the coffee- everything awesome! Its a great place to hangout with friends and family! The service is quick! I am glad that this place opened up in our neighborhood!

Amazing place....best authentic kerala tea outside of Kerala :) Had tapioca and fish curry...amazing. also enjoyed the beef and ney choru. Sajin was an amazing host... cant wait to take my friends here next tim

Amazing food and service! I tried the pazhampori, fish cutlet, and the egg puff, and they were all incredibly delicious. The fish cutlet had an absolutely amazing mild spice, and the pazhampori was the real highlight--it was wonderfully nostalgic and tasted exactly like the ones I had back home in Kerala! Plus, the indoor vibe was chic and fun.

I love this place. All their puffs and cutlets are chefs kiss! The ambience is inviting and refreshing. Really nice people working here as well. It's such a nice, chill spot. They have a carom board in the corner that was fun to play. I keep thinking of this place since the first time I went. I need to go back and try some of their other menu items.

the strip mall seems a little empty and unassuming but stepping into chayakada feels like stepping into a different world. lovely aesthetics and decor, comfortable cozy chairs, absolutely incredible food! chayakada has everything you need to eat well and stay a while with your friends. we tried a bunch of things and everything was SPOT ON. so tasty! we tried the cucumber cheese sandwiches (simple, cooling and refreshing), the chicken puff (possibly my favorite order, one bite and it took me right back to standing outside college and eating a hot puff from a roadside stall.. it was perfection), chicken kizhi parotta (incredible incredible taste, perfect texture), veg cutlet and fish cutlet (also spot on in taste and texture), beef roast sandwich (very very good with fresh crispy fries), egg rice bowl (liked it a lot, especially the avial style side, it's not avial, don't know what it's called but super yummy).. and last but not the least, the tea and coffee that were the cherry on the cake on this wonderful meal and experience. they were out of unnakaya and ela ada which i was desperate to taste but it only means i'll be back again thank you so much to the owners, chefs and staff for an absolutely top tier meal and experience.

Unique restaurant. The food was very tasty, huge flavor. Very generous with serving sizes. The tea was delicious. The building is unique and memorable. I only wish I could have tried more items on the menu.

We drove 30 minutes south on a Saturday evening to visit the much-hyped Chayakada, but unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. After waiting about 25 minutes behind just three parties, it became clear that the ordering process with the cashier was painfully slow -- not due to the guests, but to an inefficient system. When we finally reached the counter, we were told that the kitchen was now "pausing" orders because it was overwhelmed. No prior notice, no sign, and no proactive communication meant that everyone in line had waited in vain. When questioned, staff said we could place an order if we were willing to wait another 45 minutes for food. While it's great that Chayakada is popular, operational planning and better communication are key to managing that success. Other equally busy restaurants like Zareen's manage to keep things running smoothly without turning customers away mid-queue. The food may well be worth the hype, but the process needs serious attention before the experience matches the reputation.

The chicken puff was delicious and the service was friendly, quick, and informative! The atmosphere was clean and it's a great place to gather with friends for a snack. There's also a game corner. I liked the chicken puff because it's perfectly simple. Just flavorful chicken inside a puff pastry. 10/10 recommend

I visited Chaayakada today and absolutely loved it!!! It's everything one could wish for in a cafe - Fantastic Chai, Variety of Snacks and Meals, Beautiful ambience, Spacious, Books/Games, Plenty of space to ready and work I got saffron chai and ordered a number of items for take out - smoothie, chicken puff, chicken bowl, sandwiches, everything was done to perfection ... tasty and also felt healthy I had a lovely chat with the owner Aleena and her passion and love for having a communal space oozes through I don't know any other place in Bay Area that does what they are doing!! Excited to have this amazing new cafe close to home

Loved the ambiance of the place. The chaya and the veg puffs not so much. My friend and I both got the Kerala chaya. We were expecting an authentic chaya experience in a glass tumbler, with tea made from tea leaves, the way it is made and served in Kerala. The news article about this place shows a woman making the tea the traditional way. Our tea was made from tea concentrate and milk steamed in an espresso machine like Starbucks, and served in paper cups. The tea was not strong, and it was not hot. The tea did not taste authentic. We can get this kind of experience at Starbucks. I got the veg puffs to have as a snack with the tea, expecting an authentic tasting snack as we used to have in India. This one had absolutely no flavor, no spice whatsoever. Totally disappointed. My friend and I made the long trek to support this business after reading about how authentic the experience was, and left very underwhelmed and disappointed. We will not be back.

This place has delicious Indian food! I highly recommend their egg puffs and mutton biryani. The biryani has a lot of meat unlike other places that give more rice and less meat. The flavor was authentic too. They have several Kerala snacks and drinks

Loved this cafe! Incredible food and service :) enjoyed the veg puff, and sandwiches were amazing!

plantain fritters and meat puffs.. soooo good. I've had these so much growing up and so nice to see this place serves authentic versions of these.

The owner seems warm and welcoming. Probably first authentic south Indian restaurant in the area. Tasted safrani chai and bunch of snacks. Chai is probably not as rich as one of the Hyderabadi chai places in Fremont but it is good. Starters taste pretty good.

Had tea, puffs and a sandwich. Teas were good. Puff and sandwich - mediocre. Felt things were overpriced.

I appreciated the paratha combo, but felt the overall quantity of food was insufficient considering the price point. The presentation could also be improved, particularly with the use of disposable plates. Additionally, the serving of fries with sandwiches was small, and the Kerala tea could be stronger. Hopefully, these aspects can be reviewed for future enhancements.

Ambience nice spacious and open. Chicken puff was tasty and authentic. Masala Chai was aromatic. Recommend this hidden gem.

The food was so good must order the chicken roast sandwich (kids fav) and beef roast reminds you of back home

Stopped by today as I saw it was a new place in the area and it did not disappoint! I was amazed by the egg puff! It was flakey, flavorful, and packed really well with half a hars boiled egg, onions, and spices. The lady at the counter was very welcoming and open to our questions about the cuisine. I also loved the space, it was open and seems like a good place to grab a bite or play a board game (they have some stocked to the right of the counter). Looking to coming here more in the future!

Awesome place and great ambience to hang out with friends and catch up. The food is awesome and takes up back to our home . Will definitely come here again.

I literally woke up this morning and said to my husband how I wish there was a chayakada in the Bay Area. For fun he looked up chayakada and lo & behold this place came up! We went right away and the place did not disappoint. Amazing chicken puffs, payampori & chai! I've already made plans to come back with friends.

WOWOWOWOWO I can't believe I'm so close to this cafe. They have the best chai and chicken puff, and the environment is so sweet. I love the workers and the people here, and the fact that they have so many games to play, tables to study, and couches to just relax. I have never left a review before but I need everyone to come try the food and support this place because I will be coming here forever. This is my favorite place to do work and hang out now. We need spaces like this in San Jose, thank you!! I'm excited to try more food and update this review after.

I LOVE the newest addition to this area. Lovely Indian Cafe and Teahouse shop! I am so grateful for it being so close to home. I have never visited a bakery like this neither. Soon as you enter, you notice how spacious and cozy it looks, yet modern & aesthetic with lovely ambiance. I ordered the Salted Caramel Latte, Iced, Less Sweet and it was TDF! Honestly, some of the best coffee & latte I've ever hard. One of the employees was kind enough to bring it to the table I was sitting at, that was so kind of him! Staff was a bit short, but everyone was in great spirits and luckily they weren't busy when we stopped by @ 3PM today. Not to mention--i LOVEEE their Chicken Puff and Fish Cutlet so much ! My daughter did too, so we'll definitely be coming back often and look very forward to trying other things on the menu. I strongly recommend giving this place a try, it will NOT disappoint, 100% guaranteed satisfaction!