Chai Pani is a Decatur staple and for good reason. Amazing options ranging from Indian street food to more indulgent dishes like butter chicken or saag.
The SPDP is a must. We always start out with an order and oftentimes pair that with the Gobi Pepper Fry or the Samosa Chaat.
Recently tried the Vada Pav which was spicy and delicious. Also tried the KFC sliders which are a new favorite.
Great spot to try Uttapam, their naan is solid, and their bowls like butter chicken are consistently tasty. Chicken Kathi Roll might be my favorite though.
Gotta try their cocktails here as well, especially any with some spice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stan Cherian
Was looking forward to eating here as the location in DC is impossible (currently) to get reservations. Unfortunately I had a cold and couldn’t taste most of the dishes but enjoyed it regardless. We went on a Friday evening and managed to park behind the restaurant. The noise level is high, primarily due to families with young children. The masala chai comes with refills and a Parle-G!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
parker brantley
such a fun little restaurant! the food was incredible, the staff was so sweet, and the atmosphere/decor is beautiful. food was out super promptly and the fried kale is a must have. will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kate
Came for the lunch buffet right when it opened and had high hopes for this place! The service was friendly and the ambiance is very fun and festive and the food looked legit. However, I wasn't wow'ed by it. It might've just been that day, but the curries weren't all that flavorful or spiced, which is usually what I'm looking forward to with Indian food.
The butter chicken is on the sweeter side, which was interesting, but the aloo tikka chaat was pretty good! The hot chai for that day was watery unfortunately. Maybe coming early in day is not the right move, so I'm willing to try it again!
Lunch buffet prices (Oct 2025) for weekdays is $17 and for weekends is $21. There's some parking in the back, so when it's not busy it's okay.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Brian Weiss
Absolutely fantastic. Such a vibrant place and everything had incredible and unique flavor. I can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Venkatesh Kini
I’ve been here many times. The food is always outstanding. As close to the authentic experience as you can get.
My favorite is the SPDP, but their Amritsari fish and Kathi rolls are also great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shaila Thorat
Pani Puri is a must try. Extremely busy place on a Friday night. There was loud music as well which was lil annoying for my family. Food was great. Quick service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vmudgil
Great experience going first time with friends. Food was also good and delicious. Tried saag paneer, sweet potato chaat, gobi, butter naan and jal jeera and everything came out good. A bit crowded on seating and parking to begin with for a weekday but worked out well in the end
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shahzad Irani
Used to go with friends and family every weekend when we were in college in Atlanta. The pani puri, vada pav, sloppy jai (minced lamb sandwich), the Parsi chicken sandwich, and so many other items on the menu were absolutely delicious. Miss this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Abid S
For $18 per person, I think there should be more choices. Buffet only had 5 mail dishes and white rice..
Food was bombbbb. Cute lil spot. Our server Kimmy was a rockstar she surprised us with free fried okra bites. Love her down. I will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
pushpalata kayastha
Me and my husband were visiting there for the weekend. One of the best Indian food I had since I moved to USA. The pani puri counter was the highlight of the evening. The vadapav was delicious. There are stings both inside and outside. Great ambience and the service was really good. Would love to be again if in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Saeid
2/5 stars - cool vibe, but overpriced for what you get.
We went to Chai Pani in Decatur on a Friday night, hyped up by all the buzz about their Indian street food. Honestly? It felt like a letdown for the price. Things we ordered, pakoras, okra fries, some chaat, was so fried and insanely salty. Like, I needed a gallon of water after every bite. The textures were greasy, not the crispy I was hoping for. The bill came out to over $70 for three of us, and for small plates that left us bloated and unsatisfied, it just wasn’t worth it. I get that it’s going for that chaotic street food vibe, and the place was packed with a cool crowd, but the seasoning was way overdone, and the portions didn’t justify the cost and that just screams overrated to me.
Is that how all Indian cuisine is? Nah, not even close. I’ve had Indian food elsewhere that’s lighter, more balanced. It seems like Chai Pani’s take is just one style, heavy on the fry and salt, the way American would leave no complaint. Maybe it’s a hit for some, but for me, I’d rather spend on something less overhyped and more flavorful without the sodium overload.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ali Wilson
Love Chai Pani! Our go-to take out option and it never disappoints. Would love to see the sweet potato chaat back on the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samrat Kundu
Excellent quality of food in proper Indian atmosphere in USA
Chai Pani is a Decatur staple and for good reason. Amazing options ranging from Indian street food to more indulgent dishes like butter chicken or saag.
The SPDP is a must. We always start out with an order and oftentimes pair that with the Gobi Pepper Fry or the Samosa Chaat.
Recently tried the Vada Pav which was spicy and delicious. Also tried the KFC sliders which are a new favorite.
Great spot to try Uttapam, their naan is solid, and their bowls like butter chicken are consistently tasty. Chicken Kathi Roll might be my favorite though.
Gotta try their cocktails here as well, especially any with some spice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was looking forward to eating here as the location in DC is impossible (currently) to get reservations. Unfortunately I had a cold and couldn’t taste most of the dishes but enjoyed it regardless. We went on a Friday evening and managed to park behind the restaurant. The noise level is high, primarily due to families with young children. The masala chai comes with refills and a Parle-G!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
such a fun little restaurant! the food was incredible, the staff was so sweet, and the atmosphere/decor is beautiful. food was out super promptly and the fried kale is a must have. will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came for the lunch buffet right when it opened and had high hopes for this place! The service was friendly and the ambiance is very fun and festive and the food looked legit. However, I wasn't wow'ed by it. It might've just been that day, but the curries weren't all that flavorful or spiced, which is usually what I'm looking forward to with Indian food.
The butter chicken is on the sweeter side, which was interesting, but the aloo tikka chaat was pretty good! The hot chai for that day was watery unfortunately. Maybe coming early in day is not the right move, so I'm willing to try it again!
Lunch buffet prices (Oct 2025) for weekdays is $17 and for weekends is $21. There's some parking in the back, so when it's not busy it's okay.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Absolutely fantastic. Such a vibrant place and everything had incredible and unique flavor. I can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been here many times. The food is always outstanding. As close to the authentic experience as you can get.
My favorite is the SPDP, but their Amritsari fish and Kathi rolls are also great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pani Puri is a must try. Extremely busy place on a Friday night. There was loud music as well which was lil annoying for my family. Food was great. Quick service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience going first time with friends. Food was also good and delicious. Tried saag paneer, sweet potato chaat, gobi, butter naan and jal jeera and everything came out good. A bit crowded on seating and parking to begin with for a weekday but worked out well in the end
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Used to go with friends and family every weekend when we were in college in Atlanta. The pani puri, vada pav, sloppy jai (minced lamb sandwich), the Parsi chicken sandwich, and so many other items on the menu were absolutely delicious. Miss this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
For $18 per person, I think there should be more choices. Buffet only had 5 mail dishes and white rice..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was bombbbb. Cute lil spot. Our server Kimmy was a rockstar she surprised us with free fried okra bites. Love her down. I will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Me and my husband were visiting there for the weekend. One of the best Indian food I had since I moved to USA. The pani puri counter was the highlight of the evening. The vadapav was delicious. There are stings both inside and outside. Great ambience and the service was really good. Would love to be again if in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
2/5 stars - cool vibe, but overpriced for what you get.
We went to Chai Pani in Decatur on a Friday night, hyped up by all the buzz about their Indian street food. Honestly? It felt like a letdown for the price. Things we ordered, pakoras, okra fries, some chaat, was so fried and insanely salty. Like, I needed a gallon of water after every bite. The textures were greasy, not the crispy I was hoping for. The bill came out to over $70 for three of us, and for small plates that left us bloated and unsatisfied, it just wasn’t worth it.
I get that it’s going for that chaotic street food vibe, and the place was packed with a cool crowd, but the seasoning was way overdone, and the portions didn’t justify the cost and that just screams overrated to me.
Is that how all Indian cuisine is? Nah, not even close. I’ve had Indian food elsewhere that’s lighter, more balanced. It seems like Chai Pani’s take is just one style, heavy on the fry and salt, the way American would leave no complaint. Maybe it’s a hit for some, but for me, I’d rather spend on something less overhyped and more flavorful without the sodium overload.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Love Chai Pani! Our go-to take out option and it never disappoints. Would love to see the sweet potato chaat back on the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent quality of food in proper Indian atmosphere in USA
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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