No matter how hot or cold, there is one beverage without which the day just would not kick start. Yes, we are talking about the world favourite Chai! Go around Dubai and you will spot cars lining outside the side of the streets, for an inexpensive cup of pipping hot chai. But have your tried the quirky ones? From Karak to gold chai, pink tea and biryani tea, here are 5 quirky chais every chai lover must try in Dubai.
Also read: Binge On Over 48 Varieties Of Momos At That Place Dubai
1. Tandoori Chai At Hot Sip Cafe, Meena Bazaar
Hot Sip Cafe in Meena Bazaar is the only place in town which serves chai in an earthen clay pot called Kulhad. Tandoori chai, as they call it is made using a clay pot, which is kept in a Tandoor for hours, after which chais is served in the same Kulhad. And now, who needs Tandoori chicken when you can get a steaming hot cup of Tandoori chai along with your favorite breakfast! Plus, the chai will just cost you AED 3.
And that’s not the only thing Hot Sip cafe is famous for. Head here for breakfast or to curb that 4:00 pm hunger and you will be spoilt for choice. Their Breakfast menu has a good mix of South and North Indian dishes ranging from Masala Dosa to Ghee roast, meethi paratha, koki paratha, cheese paratha, puri bhaji and much more.
Location: Opposite Dubai Museum, Bur Dubai, Meena Bazaar
Timings: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Cost: AED 45 for two
Contact: 0503346738
2. AED 1 Karak At Al Farwania Restaurant, Jumeirah
Dubai serves several variants of Karak. However, we discovered a 40-year-old restaurant in Jumeriah that has been a go-to for Karak lovers. So, what makes Al Farwania so special? Read on to know more!
Nestled in the busy lanes of Jumeirah is the Al Farwania, a no-frills restaurant that has been a favoutire for decades now. The restaurant is particularly famous for its flavorful karak chai, and has people queuing outside to get a sip of the beverage. The tiny teashop began in 1981 as a small family business and has served cuppas to everyone who stops by.
Make a quick pitstop here at 4 pm and you are sure to see cars cruise down the famous Jumeirah street. The are dozens of cars lined up to grab a cuppa. The waiter runs around the cars, taking orders and he doesn’t need a book to take down the order, his memory is that good- you’ll know. A few other waiters walk to and fro from the kitchen to the cars, carefully balancing the cups on a tray, ready to serve the customers. And it all happens so seamlessly, that you’ll hardly notice when the order even reached the kitchen.
Location: Umm SuqeimUmm Suqeim 2 – Dubai
3. Biryani Chai
Dubai loves its biryani, so much so that the flavor has now made its way into chai too. Al Hara, a hidden gem in Karama serves Biryani chai. The quirky tea is called so not because of the flavours in it, but the way it is assembled. The chai is made of different layers- including honey, ginger, mint leaves, ginger. The black tea is then poured over this, mixed and served hot. Besides, their club sandwich is very popular and in the evenings, the falafel is on demand.
Location: 12 8 B St – Al Karama – Dubai
Also read: 5 Restaurants That Serve The Best Biryanis In Dubai
4. 24-Karat Gold Karak At Food Ka Mood, Karama
All that glitters is not gold, but that’s certainly not the case in Dubai. Right from gold souqs to Gold coffee, Dubai is all about gold. And to add more glitter to the town, Dubai now has a 24-Karat gold flakes Karak. Yep, all you Karak Chai lovers its time to say hurray since Karak Chai is about to get better and sparklier. Infused with pure 24-karat gold flakes- this cup is a mixture of zafraan and Karak tea flavours. Food ka Mood – a new fusion cuisine restaurant serves a 24K gold tea for AED 51. Filles with rich spices and gold flakes, this cuppa is anything but ordinary.
Location: 19 Zaa’beel St – Al Karama – Dubai
5. Kashmiri Chai (Pink Tea) At Chai Shai, Ajman
Chai Shai in Ajman’s Industrial estate is a one-stop solution to all your desi cravings with a modern twist. The Pakistani-art inspired restaurant brings to Dubai-aites an amalgamation of Pakistani art, culture, and tantalizing food. True to its name, Chai Shai serves nine different varieties of chai, satiating every Chai lover. Apart from UAE’s favourite karak chai, the restaurant also serves Kashmiri Chai.
Also called Pink tea, Kashmiri chai is made of milk and has a dusty pink color. The tea is brewed with green tea leaves and baking soda, and then mixed with milk to give it a distinct pink color. The beverage is then finished off with crushed nuts.
Timings: Contact: +971 54 991 8626
