The Chai Spot

The interior of The Chai Spot is lovely and offers a refuge for customers, especially during this bitter cold! My friend and I bought a Coconut Rose to share on a Saturday morning, around 11 am. The drink was slightly sweet and rich. There were not many people inside when we got there. We grabbed a cushion inside and relaxed while escaping from the cold outside. The Chai Spot is a nice third space to hang with friends.

Most mediocre, overpriced chai I’ve had. As other local reviewers have mentioned, I wanted to like this place, the concept is great, a percentage of profits go towards Pakistan. The reality was very different. I had the traditional chai, which indeed tastes like cardamom flavored water, and my companion had the coconut rose chai, which was admittedly gross and watery. The bohemian vibe at the back is unclean at best. I don’t know what is going on with the playlist but it seems like some college dorm fantasy. The only saving grace was that since it’s early January the place was mostly empty. Sure, come for the IG hype and live your “authentic” experience or maybe you’re tired and need a place to chill. In any case, Chinatown is filled with too great places to come to this one to buy bad chai. Want some good chai? Try the myriad of other places with decent chai.

Chai Spot is the ultimate third space, and one of my favorite places in NYC. I am a frequent flyer here. I come all the way from Brooklyn. Every time I have come to do work, create, or savor a delicious homemade chai with a friend, I have always found a seat in the back. I appreciate Chai Spot's intentional atmosphere. Soft music and soft lighting create a soft atmosphere, where friends sit comfortably and enjoy quiet conversations. I cannot say enough positive things about this hidden gem in Lower Manhattan. One of the city's best kept secrets (selfishly, I hope it stays that way!)

Cozy tea spot near Chinatown. A great place to chill, enjoy tea or Turkish coffee and step away from the city madness. An unexpected experience when in the city. Worth the visit.

We’ve been coming here since COVID and genuinely used to love this place. The vibe was warm, the service was attentive, and it quickly became one of our favorite local spots. Unfortunately, over the past couple of visits, we’ve experienced consistently poor service and disappointing staff behavior. When we raised our concerns, we were told that they “have enough customers,” which was especially disheartening to hear as loyal patrons. It’s sad to see such a positive place decline in this way. We truly enjoyed supporting this local business, but unless there’s a change in attitude and service quality, we’ll likely stop coming here.

Very disappointed with my experience here. The chai tasted off and the milk was clearly curdled, but when I raised this with the staff, they were dismissive and rude instead of addressing the issue. There was no effort to apologize, replace the drink, or even listen to the concern. Would not recommend based on both quality and customer service.

This was such a lovely surprise I found while walking around. The traditional cardamom chai was delicious and perfectly spiced. The atmosphere is divine and such a cool place to hang out. If I lived in the city near here, I could imagine coming here many a times.

Very nice cozy and comfort spot, good for a friendly hangout or even a chill date. The atmosphere is pretty down to earth and they sometimes have a nice music selection I like to sing along to occasionally. The seats are very comfortable and the rugs give that familiar foreigner vibe.

Great concept at this cafe: low couches and rugs in the back room for you to sit and enjoy your chai. Sitting on the ground with cushions and shoes off is more traditional for village-areas in India. The doodh patti wasn't very tasty but the traditional cardamom one is close to the masala chai you can get in India. Note that at busy times the wait may be 20-30 minutes (they run a tiny kitchen rather than brewing in big pots and ovens). Price also reflects location.

I like this place a lot. Real opium den vibes. Like place to lay down and read. Ambient lighting. Tea was delicious. Would love to try out different teas on the menu. Bathroom on site. No shoes in the seating area

Ever want to go to a place to lounge around and sip some chai? Then this is the spot for you. With the colorful carpets and cushions, I feel like I'm hanging out in my own living room. I can be here all day sipping some chai and a good book. Also, this is a great spot to hang out with friends. Although , I was a little disappointed that the drinks weren't served in paper cups tho.

It was a nice place to just talk and hang out with friends! They also had games and books for you to read while you lounge in their carpeted and cushion area. With the the Christmas lights strung up on the walls, it really felt like you've stepped into someone's living room. It had very homey cozy vibes to it. People are required to purchase a drink or food item in order to enter the carpeted area, and everyone has to take off their shoes before they get onto the carpet area (there are shoe racks). We tried the rose (tasted like lychee?), mango (mango flavor overpowered the lemonade) and regular lemonade (a bit sour which is a given). But I liked that there wasn't really a time limit on how long you could chill there. My friends and I ended up spending about 2 hours playing a board game and chatting away.

This is such a cute and unique spot. After ordering your chai and snacks, you're asked to take off your shoes and get comfy on the couches around the room. There's books and games available, making this a fun and cosy handout spot. The traditional cardamom chai and the veggie samosas were both great. Will be back someday for sure!

I recently visited The Chai Spot with a friend and left eager to return to explore more items on their menu. Upon entering, you're greeted by a marketplace of handicrafts and clothes on one side, with the ordering counter on the other. The variety of chais was impressive. My friend chose the coconut rose vegan chai, while I opted for the traditional cardamom chai. We also picked up a pack of Parle G Glucose biscuits to enjoy with our tea. I found my chai a bit milkier than I prefer, but I'll need to visit again to see if that was just a one-time occurrence. The spacious seating area, complete with mattresses, cushions, ottomans, and Kashmiri rugs, makes it a great spot for a relaxed conversation. The overall experience is fairly priced, contrary to what some other reviews suggest. I'll definitely be back soon to try more of their chai and snack offerings.

so comfy and so cozy. I love it here and will definitely be back. also the chai was exquisite.

We went on an early, rainy Saturday morning so the cafe was still pretty empty. This spot felt very cozy and casual. Once you step into the cafe, you can order in the front. Then as you go in further, you can take off your shoes, and enjoy your chai in the comfort of lots of cushions which is quite refreshing/relaxing compared to typical chairs and tables. There are some books available and board games to play like connect 4 and uno. The samosas were hot and had a nice crunch. The iced chai was pretty strong. Defs recommend if you want to check it out for the vibes or just a place to comfortably chill and sip chai. There was a good mix of people working, studying, or just catching up here. FYI: The butter chai has (a lot of) pistachio/cardamom bits in it.

Very cozy spot for chai. My chai was a bit sweet and not very hot at all. Great spot to read a book and chat with friends over tea.

I came on hot July day, and this cozy place was the perfect sanctuary from the crazy heat outside. I got a cold chai, so refreshing. Really great authentic chai. Very comfy relaxing seating area, the staff were super sweet. Over all a great experience. Hope to be back soon.

Loved the coziness of this cafe! The indoor lounge area was very spacious and comfy, with ample couch seating/cushions and colorful rugs lining the entire space. They also had books and games available. Definitely a great place to hang out, relax, or get work done. The bright fluorescent lights did kill a little bit of the vibe for me (though that's a personal preference), and I feel it would've been cozier with dimmer, more ambient lighting. In terms of the drinks, I ordered the traditional cardamom chai, which was good, but felt overpriced at $6.50 per cup. However, 50% of their profits do go to charity, so at least you know you're contributing to a good cause!

Cute gourmet teas on Mott a great area to relax from shopping in the cold try the coconut rose tea and chill in the back so bohemian no shoes allowed though....

3.5 stars. Much like their chai, my feelings for this place are somewhat lukewarm. They have a good variety of chai, and I did like my double tea (doodh patti) with organic milk, black tea, and jaggery sugar, which had a strong tea flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. My friend got the vegan coconut rose and it was lighter and sweeter. The problem is, the teas are quite pricey at $6.50-10 for a small cup, and considering they're not even made to order, the quality doesn't really justify the upcharge. They do have a pretty cool seating area to relax and drink your tea, with comfy nooks filled with blankets and pillows. You have to remove your shoes before entering. Our seats felt a little damp and musty, which got my skin crawling a bit since I was wearing shorts, and it made me wonder how often they cleaned their furniture and blankets. It wasn't quite as spacious and removed from other groups as I thought it'd feel. They also have a few games and books. We played Uno but the cards were all withered and stuck together which felt a bit icky. We would've sat outdoors if those spots weren't taken when we arrived, but that area also looks cozy, with an added bonus of fresh air and steering clear of other groups. I saw some negative reviews about the bathroom, but for what it's worth, it looked clean when we went. Overall I'd recommend coming if you're looking for a place to lounge for a bit, but if you're seeking really top notch chai, this might not necessarily be your spot.

I wanted to love this colorful, boho paradise of beaded cushions, and if I were rating this place on lounge quality, it'd be an easy 5 stars. But a cafe called The Chai Spot had better deliver on the chai, and this place sadly did not. The Traditional Cardamom Chai tasted more like liquid shortbread and was missing any spices that I could discern. Cardamom is my favorite spice--trust me, I could pick it out if it were mixed with dog doo. The fact that I couldn't taste any in the Traditional was just sad. The Butter Chai was a bit more flavorful, but still pretty bland. And the Coconut Rose Chai was great for two sips, then way, way too sweet.

Nice vibes and good samosa and chai but way too overpriced for what you get. If folks back home knew I was spending 20 bucks on two chais and samosas....

Utter disappointment. Used to serve really good chai 4-5 years ago. I think the servers are clueless how to make chai. It's like sugar water. Been there twice in the last 4 months, asked for tea with no sugar and was told will take forever to make so no. Waited 30 mins and the tea was cold. Politely pointed out and the server invented a NY state law that the tea cannot be hotter beyond this. After much discussion, they agreed to make it again only to tell us 15 min later it's going to take forever so no, take your refund. Almost comical. Not sure if management is aware.

Absolutely love this the colorful vibe of this place. Its soo comfortable. You take off your shoes and sit on the wonderful low to the ground couches that make me want to take a nap. The chai is expensive in my opinion, but its accurate in terms of its taste. I dont really see a reason I should be paying 6+ dollars for a cup of chai, but outside of that, its absolutely great. There is wifi and a bathroom making this a great place to study, sit down, and catch up with your friends. You do need to take your shoes off before you enter. The murals, decor, and mirors are stunning, and its quite the lounge spot that sometimes just feels like home. The drinks and food are brought out to you in a timely manner so you dont have to get up. The butter chai in my opinion was too sweet and overpriced, but as a place to sit down and relax, absolutely love this place. Part of me wants to gatekeep it so it does not get too crowded.

The chai was authentic. The ambiance was colorful, unique, chill, and inviting. The music was very Bollywood. The service was excellent. My friend even learned some Bollywood dance moves from some friendly customers.

We stopped by here as we waited over an hour for our hot pot dinner at a nearby restaurant to be ready. I'm not sure what the vibe is. Like others, I thought the brightness of the fluorescent lights like you're in an operating room clashes with the comfort of the mattresses sprawled across the entire floor. It's hard to feel relaxed or cozy when it's scintillatingly and sterilely bright. The brightness really emphasizes the dirty spilled chai tea marks left on the mattresses and pillows. I was a little uncomfortable sitting on the mattresses especially after the whole bed bug scare in Paris. The chais were good, but on the more expensive side but some of the proceeds go to a charity. The service was very cold, abrupt and not super welcoming. Thus, we left this place confused as to who they are trying to attract and what vibe they're trying to create.

I went with a group of friends (5 of us) and we had a few different drinks. The Butter Chai is deliciousssss. The pistachio pieces in it are so yummy! I love how cozy the sitting area is as well! I appreciate that there were so many ways we could sit down so comfortably!

The butter chai Kashmiri is great, but a bit steep at $8 for a tiny cup (8 oz). Depending on when you arrive and the time of day, the fresh chai can take up to 10 minutes to brew. The back room is spacious and plush, although they don't clean or wash the carpet often (or at all). I wouldn't sit here with exposed skin if you are dust-sensitive.

I came here since it was humid (it's 2024 now but...typing this up now) and my friend and I wanted to chill. I took us here since It's been on my list (per usual) and it looks pretty cool. There's a few chai spot around LES but I saw how they have a big space, so gave it a shot. When we went in, it wasn't like a warm and friendly welcome but. Whatever. The front was kinda of small and cramped. But we ordered two iced chai and then we were told we can go in if we plan to stay but to read the rules. It was indeed a big space; filled with pillows and cushions. There's a space in the middle with low tables and you can sit on the rug. No floor space was left uncovered. There were also mirrored walls! We found a space and sat down. Although, we wondered how often they clean the space/cushions and all. Not that we found anything nasty (thank god) but just wondering cause you know, you wonder about these things. once our drinks were ready, we had to quickly put our shoes on and grab them at the front. The chai were...not for me. I guess this is how it is? I had chai before but theirs were very strong and spice-d. Let's just say my friend and I barely touched the drinks. The space was cool though, and I would go for that. Maybe I'll try another drink next time.

Yes, it's a bit pricey but you're not just paying for the drink but for the experience of being around like-minded creatives and lounging in a comfy space with pillows and carpets. Also, the samosas were really good. Not many places like this left in the city. Bring some yarn to crochet or whatever your vice is.

This place has authentic Desi chai flavors and is an interesting concept- a significant amount of their proceeds go towards woman and children in Pakistan. The interior has a ton of rugs and to enter the back area you have to take your shoes off- kind of an "exotic" vibe though im not sure that's the best word to describe this place. Service is solid, prices are a little high but worth trying as this is a more authentic chai place and has a strong social mission!

We went there to try the cardamom tea. It is their best seller. It tasted really bad like sugar water made with old milk. The atmosphere and decor was run down. Do not recommend going there. The photographs on Google and Insta paint a very false story. Do yourself a favor and get tea from some other place.

Amazing chill place to hangout and lounge with your friends. The place is unique with their cushions on the floor. A lot of folks come order chai, have their samosa and just relax there. We played some card games.

This place is cute. I had only wished i had gotten there quicker as the inside was full around 5:15pm. It was so full that we had to go and sit on their outside area. The sad part was that i wanted to visit this place to relax and play board games but we couldn't take a board game outside. We ordered thw coconut rose chai and an order of their veggie samosas. The veggie samosas were good but had a bit of a spicy quick to it which did not oair well woth the chai tea as it did not compliment each other. If i return i do not think I'll order the samosas. Hopefully i aldo arrive early enough to be able to sit

A truly unique cafe supporting some good causes! Came here with a friend on a weekday so, there was literally no wait and plenty of space to choose from. You do have a variety of chais and snacks to choose from: I ordered a butter chai, my friend ordered a traditional chai and we split a veggie samosa. The seating area is shoe free (truly authentic) and it is so cozy and colorful! I believe during peak hours, you are limited to 2 hours in the seating area, so do keep that in mind. But it does look like there is also outdoor seating available as well. The chais themselves were delicious. The butter chai was creamy and sweet, with a hint of salt which was quite lovely. My friend enjoyed her traditional chai. And the samosa, really is there ever a bad samosa? I do wish the coriander sauce had a bit of heat to it. But all in all, a wonderful array of eats to catch up with a friend. 5 stars because a portion of the profits go do charity. And what better way to support charity then chai in a cozy space with a friend!

A+ for comfort but B for the chai. This fun spot is great for chatting and sipping on tea, or even alone curled up with a book. The pillow seats are very comfortable. There's a no shoe policy so I do wonder how they keep everything hygienic though. The chai was a bit disappointing. I was hoping for some stronger proper chai flavors but overall it was a bit flat. Still nice to sit and sip on a rainy day.

Food: 3/5 Cardamom Coffee in a French Press is strong but not too flavorful and probably one of the few options, such as Turkish style coffee, that isn't pre-sweetened. While the price of $6.50 plus tax isn't necessarily a bargain, supposedly 50% of the profits go towards Pakistani women charities. Service: 3/5 This is your typical no fuss counter service barista. Depending on what you order, it can take upwards of 15 minutes for your order to be ready. If you stay in the lounge areas, someone will bring over your beverage when it's ready. If you ask nicely for more hot water, they will fulfill your request but will also let you know they don't typically provide hot water refills. Ambiance: 3/5 The carpeted benches in the outdoor shed has a nice warm vibe for dates whereas the larger indoor lounge area in the back has more immaculate bright white fluorescent lighting for family and friends.

I love this spot mainly for the lounge area in the back. When you walk in, there is a counter to place your order for drinks, then you can walk to the back area which has seating and free wifi. You're required to take your shoes off before entering, and there are some cushions and rugs laid on pallets to sit on. There are also a few short coffee tables around, but you go in and sit on the cushions or rugs. It's an extremely cozy space! Their wifi is also super stable and they have late hours, so I love to come here to work sometimes. It's a very relaxing space. As for the drinks, they are pretty pricey for what you get, but I prefer chai/tea to coffee, so I'd come here any day.

The Chai Spot seemed like a popular neighborhood haunt, as I waited in line on a Saturday afternoon with some friends. They served up some pricey chai, but they are a cafe with a social mission as half of their proceeds go towards supporting education for women and children in rural Pakistan. I really wanted to try their Kashmiri chai but unfortunately they do serve it with almond/cashew milk and they make everything in batches so they could not accommodate for substitutions, so I ended up with their traditional chai ($6.50). They have a lovely and very colorful lounge area in the back that patrons are welcome to sit in for as long as they desire, as long as they remove their shoes at the entrance. It's a great place to hang out with some people and sip some chai and eat some snacks and the cafe even provides books and board games too. Personally, I wasn't totally wowed by the chai as I thought the spice blend just wasn't speaking to me, but I would be interested in trying out some of their other nut-free chai options. I love the cafe's mission and message and the lounge area as well, so I'll give Chai Spot an extra star. Stop by and unwind a bit!

Friendly and nice place to hangout The drinks are pretty good Has outdoor seating and big seating area in the back.

Amazing amazing amazing! The chai is so good!! The inside is absolutely beautiful and cute! The staff are very nice and super speedy! The chill zone in the back is absolutely fantastic! They also donate proceeds to a charity. This place is so awesome prices are great just support the hell out of this business! AMAZING CHAI!

This place had so much potential but fell short in my opinion. Came across this cute shop and the outside setup is what drew me into check the place out. We ordered the coconut chai, original cardamom chai, and the butter chai. After we ordered and paid I checked into Yelp and there was a free chai with an order of 3 we mentioned it to the person that helped us which was Devonte and he declined and told us that it was suppose to be done at the time of the transaction he didn't even try to help us nor accommodate us at all. For first timers this doesn't want to make me come back nor does it want me to have this place be a meeting point to meet friends. Why offer it when you're not going to honor it? Besides that there's another room In the back with coaches, pillows, and cute decor to lounge around. Teas run about $6 each and come in a little 8oz mason jar cup.

First impressions: SO FREAKING CUTE! I saw the outdoor sitting area and took a peep inside and saw the indoor sitting area with all the colorful pillows and HAD TO go inside, have a chai and hang out The Noms: Traditional cardamom-good but too plain for my tastes, especially for the price of $6.50 I would expect more Coconut Rose- absolutely delicious! Light and sweet. I could smell the rose and I absolutely love this one. It was worth the $6.50 price tag Butter Chai - it was a close one but I think that the Butter Chai is my hands down favorite. The $10 price tag was a bit steep, but I enjoyed it enough to say I would 10/10 buy it again In Conclusion: I enjoyed my teas and I enjoyed the indoor seating area... what I didn't enjoy was that once I checked in and saw that there was a Yelp reward (but 3 get one free) and I tried to redeem it, the guy at the counter said I can only redeem it at point of sales. Super disappointing. The Yelp coupon itself didn't say that it had to be redeemed at the point of sales. It doesn't make sense because I don't check in and review until AFTER I've tried the food/drinks so I wouldn't have been able to use it until after I made my purchase. I don't like checking in at the counter because I feel like it would be super rude. I would hope that this policy would be changed in the future because it sucks. If it's free (versus a discount) then why do I have to present it at point of sale?

One of the best places in the city, I've been coming here for years and I can safely say they have upped there game, the drink options have increased, the samosas are really good and the place is just lovely overall! The employees know me on first name basis and are a caring bunch! Also free wifi ? And no restrictions on how long you stay what else do you need in the big Apple ? My biggest trigger used to be there seating but if your a germaphobe like me you can ask them to give you information on there cleaning process, they have a pest control document and get sprays all the time and if you stay till closing or come during opening time you can get a peek on how they do there methodical cleaning they sanitize all surfaces throughly, Vacuum, steam clean and etc , which justifies the shoe removal. Overall love this place and cannot recommend it enough!

This is a gem of a place. This is exactly what New York is all about. Places that are charming and bringing a new culture and perspective to the city. I encourage that everyone read the mission on the website because this place truly is spectacular. 30% of proceeds go to charity (before it was 50%). They sell clothing and pillowcases and vests made by women and children in Pakistan. The style is very much like a casual lounge you'd find in Pakistan with lofi music, books, and board games. Literally the perfect place to study or relax with friends. The Yelp check in offer is buy three teas get one free so bring friends and get a fourth on the house. The gentleman working at the register was very considerate during our visit. Will be back.

This is a small cute cafe to gather and socialize as there is a back room lounge area as well as a patio to drink chai and catch up with friends. They have a vegan option using coconut milk which I appreciate. The area is a little small so it can get packed relatively easily on the weekends.

This place was SO nice. Such a good spot to relax after walking around NYC all day. The chai was delicious and you can stay for 2 hours in the AC and enjoy chatting with friends or sitting peacefully. Hidden gem that we will be coming back to again when in NYC. I will say the cups were kindof small, but its NYC. The service was hands off, but I really appreciated the privacy and peace of not being bothered continually.

Loved it! I'll get the disappointment out of the way. Did not like the suleimani because it was pre made and I could not opt out from the sugar. My assumption is you cannot customize anything because they are all pre made. Samosas were nothing to rave about either :/ Regular chai was amazing and so was the one with coconut milk and rose. Both were dairy and non dairy options, respectively. They were well made. Wish they were hotter. The hang out place is perfect with the divans and and the gorg rugs. The mugs are so cute. Try their cumin biscuit - so tasty! Very Desi vibes. Loved it and will visit again

Great tea and an even better ambiance. It's New favorite place to study with my laptop. I wish they had a few more sweet treat options though.

I think this is more of a 4.5, but I'll err on the side of being nice because they are bringing more traditional chai to the city. The environment inside is super fun, conducive to either working or chatting; I love that even if it may not be fully, it feels authentic. My iced chai was a bit too sweet, but since I like sweeter things generally, I'm not complaining; it was quite pricey at around $10, so know that going in. It's so close to my home, so I'll definitely be back to bring a friend (or just work on my own, but I think there are better environments to be productive). Good luck to this business! They have a great outdoor spot, but the indoor is so chill and enjoyable.

Cool place with lots of seating. The back is cool- no shoes allowed and seating is on the floor. I got the cold brew which had some spice flavor so almost like a chai + coffee had a baby. Staff were not welcoming but it gets pretty busy so I get it.

This place is incredibly cozy and has delicious chai! Bookmarked this place in preparation for a weekend in NYC and I'm so glad I got a chance to visit! The traditional cardamom chai is rich with spices, creamy, and so delicious. For people who want a non-dairy option, the Sulaimani chai is great! The vibe is very cozy and great for catching up with friends in an intimate setting. There is an outdoor patio in front of the cafe, and a very comfy seating area full of colorful cushions and rugs and mirrored walls inside. When you enter the cushioned area, there is a shoe rack where you're asked to take off and place your shoes. There is also a shelf with books and games that you can borrow!

The Chai Spot is very cute but definitely a lot cuter on Instagram- then again, isn't most things. My friends and I had the butter chai which was really good. However for $10 it is a hefty price to pay albeit some of it (I forgot how much) goes to charity which is never a bad thing. The prices for other things such as samosas and Parle-G are what I think are quite unreasonable, especially if you compare the prices to places nearby. All in all, glad I went but wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Great, cozy go-to spot to get some chai or whipped coffee with friends. Or just to do work. And half the profits go to a good cause! Though taking off a star because my friend and I thought the rose chai was a little weird - could be an off batch. There's books and board games there (but the pieces are all over the place haha). If you're looking for a cafe with a comforting and homey vibe, this is the place to be :)

I'm in my chai era and The Chai Spot is definitely a great place to get your chai on. The drinks are expensive (it is Manhattan after all) but the interior is welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of outside. It's nice to just curl up on the beds and rugs in the back and enjoy the AC! I normally get the iced chai with coconut milk (or whatever the non dairy one is) and it's always consistent! My friends have tried a mix of other drinks and they're always happy with their choices.

Love the chai here! Authentic home flavors. The space is cute too but the seating space inside is a little untidy. Lots of people lounging on large pillows on the floor. They also have fun Indian biscuits and chips. Service is great!