Chiya Chai Riverwalk

Where To Eat Along The Riverwalk

"This is the Riverwalk Marketplace stall of one of our favorite spots for South Asian food. While the menu is significantly more limited than the main Chiya Chai in Logan Square, you can still choose between nine different types of chai and a variety of chaat. Get a samosa on its own or topped with bhel, and try to fight off the birds angling for a piece of flaky pastry shell." - veda kilaru

Chiya Chai Riverwalk Review - Loop - Chicago - The Infatuation

Wherewithall Returns in Avondale and Four More Openings - Eater Chicago

"Popular Nepalese snack shop Chiya Chai is slated on Monday to reopen its outpost along the Chicago Riverwalk. The original Logan Square cafe has developed a following with delectable chaat, savory pies and curry bowls, and a great selection of South Asian chai." - aimee.levitt

Chiya Chai Tea Cafe Opens on the Chicago Riverwalk - Eater Chicago

"Chiya Chai, the acclaimed Logan Square Nepalese restaurant and tea hotbed, is now open on the Chicago Riverwalk. The new location offers seven chai tea flavors including mango coconut and blueberry lavender, as well as lassi drinks, coffee, lemonade, and South Asian food options such as samosas, masala chicken savory pies, and bowls. It’s located at the Riverwalk’s new Michigan Avenue Marketplace and is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily." - Daniel Gerzina

Vishal Shah

Google

What a pleasant surprise! Cool to see Indian street food finally making an appearance. We tried the vodka pani puri and some chaat, it was great, I would go back for sure

Niaz K

Google

I love this spot ❤️ They have a smaller menu but it includes my favorite chai and snacks. The gentleman at this locations is super sweet and knows my go-to order which is the pani puri and their caramel sea salt chai 😇 I highly recommend (hot and iced are both amazing) This is such a great place to stop by the river for a snack, especially in the summer ☀️

Faiz M. Din

Google

The samosa chaat and desi chai at this place were absolutely fantastic. The flavors were spot on, and the presentation was appealing. However, I noticed they could benefit from having more staff. The lady at the front was multitasking, taking orders, handling payments, and addressing customer inquiries all at once. While she managed admirably, additional staff would improve efficiency and customer experience. The standout of my visit was Sahil, the person who prepared the orders. He crafted each dish with great care and precision, almost like an artist. Every order he made was perfect, showcasing his skill and dedication to quality. Watching him work was a delight; he clearly takes pride in what he does, and it shows in the food. His attention to detail and commitment to excellence made my meal truly enjoyable. Despite the staffing issue, I highly recommend this place. The food is excellent, and the service, though stretched thin, is friendly and professional. Sahil's culinary artistry is a highlight, making each visit worthwhile. With a bit more help at the front, this place could enhance its efficiency and customer satisfaction even further. In conclusion, if you're looking for delicious samosa chaat and desi chai, this place is a must-visit. The quality of the food, combined with Sahil's exceptional preparation skills, makes for a memorable dining experience. I look forward to returning and hope to see them thrive with a slightly larger team to support their growing popularity. Don't miss out on this gem of a place; it's well worth the visit.

Preethi Venkat

Google

Tried the masala chai and it was just like chai tea latte and no way close to the Indian masala chai as advertised. I asked the person there and they offered to make one more but confirmed that it's just black tea and milk mixed together with a spice mix and not like the masala chai. Wish they didn't advertise is as masala chai as it's disappointing for chai lovers!!

Naveen Gupta

Google

I find it hard to write a negative review of a small business as I want them to succeed, but I had a less than good experience here and want the owners to take this as feedback. I'm not sure if this is specific to the Riverwalk location. I'll have to give the Logan Square spot a try next time I visit Chicago. -We ordered the following: 2x Ginger Cardamom Chai, iced 1x Coconut Cream Chai, iced 1x Mumbai Cutting Chai, iced (???) 1x Pani Puri I tasted all 3 of these and all of them tasted like milk mixed with cinnamon. There was no distinction in taste and neither of them tasted like they had tea leaves in them. It almost tasted like horchata. The powderiness of the cinnamon ruined my drink and I didn't enjoy it. I'm also not even sure if the coconut cream chai was made separately as it didn't have any taste of it. Re: Mumbai Cutting Chai - This should not be served in multiple sizes, nor should there be an iced option. The term cutting refers to a small (typically 4 - 5 oz portion served in a small glass). "Cutting" comes from the idea of cutting down a normal 7 - 8 oz serving of chai by some amount. This is shown in the picture, but doesn't translate to what is presented to you. It's served hot and you'll see people holding it from the top of the glass to prevent their fingers from getting burnt. See picture for reference The only thing that was decent was the pani puri. I hope they improve on their recipes and/or train their staff better

gandham bhavani

Google

I ordered bhel puri. It was amazing. Highly recommend this place for street style food. While on river walk, you can grab one and enjoy. There is seating too but is very limited.

Jose Soto Jr

Google

I walked on the riverwalk last Thursday afternoon and I found this place interesting. There was no line at the counter. I was greeted by Adele. I asked him for a drink recommendation and he enthusiastically recommended the coconut iced chai latte. He prepared the drink fast while asking me about my day. The drink was very delicious. I would recommend this place for anyone passing by.

Ricardo J

Google

The Coconut Cream Chai is delightful! Hit up the Pani Puri, if you're looking for a refreshing and flavorful bite on the Riverwalk.

Penny B.

Yelp

Quick and easy Indian snacks place. We tried the bhel and chai and they were good. The bhel was spicy which I loved!! The service was quick. It's just a little walk-up shop on the river. I would go here again if I'm in the area wanting a little snack.

Mikki E.

Yelp

I'm a lover of anything Chai! When I stumbled upon Chiya Chai, I had to give them a try. I ordered the Ginger Cardamom Chai iced because I heard it's highly rated. The service was quick and accommodating. We grabbed a seat to take in the beautiful fall weather and just enjoyed the gorgeous architecture of downtown Chicago. The drink had some strong flavors, and you can see the grounds settling on the bottom of the cup. It's was good and soothing. I'm sure the hot Chai tastes better! I definitely recommend this if you can appreciate authentic Chai flavors.

Charisma H.

Yelp

What a solid little spot! They serve Indian street food and because it's in the riverwalk marketplace, it definitely has a street food kind of vibe. We got the masala chai and pani puri. Chai was excellent! Way better than other hyped cafes we've had in NYC (if you know, you know). The pani puri was also really satisfying- a refreshing mix of sweet and tart. Chutneys were solid. When we saw the container for the pani, we were a little concerned it wasn't going to be enough but it ended up being the perfect amount. It's a minor quibble, but I wish they served the pani puri one at a time like they do in India (or Jersey). Their location is perfect for that experience.

Nisha C.

Yelp

I was so pleasantly suprised to find Chiya Chai on the river walk! I am familiar with the Logan Square location and was so happy to see Chiya Chai when I was in need of a little afternoon pick me up. I ordered the masala chai which tasted great. My friend and I also wanted a little snack and we noticed that they offered Pani Puri, which is a traditional Indian snack item that we were happy to see. We decided to try it and it didn't disappoint. The dish had the right amount of spice and seasoning and it was really nostalgic to be able to enjoy this while sipping on our chai. The service was really nice and speedy. It was also nice to find some seating out front where we could enjoy our snack and chai while looking onto the river.

Mayuri A.

Yelp

We always walk by chia chai and were excited to try the riverwalk location especially because we have tried the food at other locations. I am a big fan of their pani puri. Their bhel needs some work though. It gets soggy by the time they serve us and we all know that a soggy bhel is a no go. I am also a fan of their samosas and chai. Very authentic food and reminds me of home. I'd definitely recommend this place, especially the riverwalk location for the view. They have out some chairs and tables by their location on the river and it's a fun way to spend a summer or winter evening.

Khushboo V.

Yelp

Never expected Indian chai place at Riverwalk. Drink yummy tea with the river view. Service is token wise. Ate paani puri, bhej puri and tea with cadmium and ginger. Good location and service.

Inam R.

Yelp

Made my chi the way I like it desi chi hot with no masala and the bhel puri was to die for. Also made the way I like it with extra tamarind chutney! Highly recommend this place. Only wish I didn't have to go down steps to get to it

Meenu P.

Yelp

Hands down, the best bhel puri I have tasted in the US in the last 10 years! Service was quick and efficient. Quantity was perfect even for sharing. Definitely recommend their chats.

Zoe C.

Yelp

Delicious margaritas and super friendly workers. The view of the river is beautiful and it's in a fantastic location. Highly recommend!! :)

Where To Eat Along The Riverwalk

Chiya Chai Riverwalk Review - Loop - Chicago - The Infatuation

Wherewithall Returns in Avondale and Four More Openings - Eater Chicago

Chiya Chai Tea Cafe Opens on the Chicago Riverwalk - Eater Chicago