Jaipur is witnessing an explosion in café culture. The term café brings up images of the ones lined up along the streets/ piazza/ squares in Paris, Milan and elsewhere in Europe. However, the café in Jaipur are not on those lines. The ones that we have here in Jaipur are styled with casual interiors and a dose of quirkiness. Garage look is really in! There’s immense creativity but none of them differs to offer new concept; they all are patterned on the same theme! As a breather, tea culture is catching up fast with a host of tea café springing up in Jaipur with names like Tapri Central, Chaisa, Tea Tradition and so on! So what makes these tea café in Jaipur so popular? Which are the best Tea café in Jaipur?
Here are few images of café in Jaipur thriving on quirkiness and offbeat décor!
India is a tea-drinking nation and therefore tea is the most popular drink. You can find a tea vendor at every nook and corner. South India is an exception where Filter Coffee is more popular.
Tea café started appearing in Jaipur some 7-8 years ago as an affordable alternative to the cafe’s serving coffee. Catering to the young crowd especially students with affordable prices and Indian menu, the concept was an instant hit. With Chai cafés in Jaipur, there is a new dimension to the booming café culture. The atmosphere in the tea house is casual and relaxed.
Most famous Chai Places & Cafe in Jaipur
The following places serve the best tea in Jaipur. If you love Chai then visit these places.
- Tapri Central – Tapri realized the potential of untapped business through upmarket tea house at posh locations. It offers a huge assortment of tea from the usual Masala, Ilaichi, Tulsi Chai to a variety of green tea; drinking tea is no longer considered as downmarket. Tapri Central was conceived as a hybrid model offering best of east and west, affordable tea cafe and coffee brewing cafes. Serving popular Indian and International menu allowed them to cater to a variety of customers.
Probably, a safe bet, to mitigate any loss-making situation. Imagine a scenario where Grandpa prefers Masala Chai with Parantha whereas grand daughter’s choice is a Latte with cheese garlic bread; no one has to compromise and it’s a win-win situation. This new niche was a runaway success. The business was so good Tapri opened many outlets in Jaipur.The most popular tea in Tapri is Adrak and Cutting Chai. The latter is regular milk based tea while the former has a strong flavor of ginger. - Gulab Ji Chai – This place sells only one variant of tea and it is Masala Chai. Some like like it, others don’t. But the long wait does prove its popularity. Originally, the outlet was at MI Road, opposite Ganpati Plaza. Later, Gulabji moced to Ganpati Plaza. The owner of Gulab Ji served free tea to the poor and homeless people every morning. Sadly, he passed away in 2020. The new generation has started a new and buzzing outlet in Bani Park near Collect-orate. The affordability factor coupled with consistent taste ensures a steady flow of patrons.
- Chaisa – Originally, started in Lal Kothi, the new outlet in C-Scheme is even more popular. Lik Tapri, they serve many variants of Chai including Pudina and Kesar.Affordability is a big USP when it comes to students. Outstation students in Jaipur need a place to hang out. A place where they can chill, exchange notes and catch up with friends! Affordable Chai café or tea house fits the bill perfectly!
Chaisa, Jaipur. A very popular chai cafe among students
- Tea Tradition runs a couple of outlets in Jaipur. The most popular are the ones in Mansarover and C-Scheme.
- Sahu Chai is a very old shop selling tea in Chaura Rasta. It doesn’t have a seating facility and can best be classified as roadside Thadi. This shop has regular patrons. It serves only tea and rusk tea biscuit.
What makes Tea Houses & Chai Cafe popular?
I think familiarity of our own food (read food habits) and culture provides some kind of comfort. Tea is part of Indian culture and also part of our routine & habit. Same holds true for Aaloo Parantha. Say what you may, we all feel at home with our own food. I’m sure on a rainy day, most of us will prefer Adrak Chai with Pakora than a coffee with French fries.
In the past, Chai was associated with the roadside vendors which were referred to as Thadi. Students would gang up with their friends at these roadside tea stalls. In recent years, chai cafe’s are offering a better option for those who love Chai and a place to hang out.
Tea house or Tea Cafes like Tapri Jaipur or Chaisa offer a break from the predictable menu and ambiance of the “me too” café. If you are visiting Jaipur do visit these tea café which makes for a differentiated experience and atmosphere.
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