Amazing place! Got here on a Monday when it was about to close and the staff was super friendly. I got the iced oat milk masala chai. So refreshing!

If I'm in east village, I'm going to Kolkata Chai Co. It's a MUST. I absolutely adored the food; from the samosas to the sweet chai soft serve. I went with my family and after we all had our first bites of samosa, I ran over to the cashier to get us more -- they are THAT phenomenal. The staff were super friendly and have such fast service. My only issue with Kolkata Chai Co. is that it's not on every block, but in a way it makes visits to east village so much sweeter!!!

my favorite spot for a taste of home!!! the music is also always so good lol. thanks as always to rafi for the great energy!!

Chai was delicious as always, staff was kind and helpful. Love every chance I have to come here.

Rafi recommended the best drinks for my group! He was very knowledgeable of all the items on the menu

Safron Chai is the best. Must try. Samosa is also very nice.

THEIR FOOD IS AMAZING!!!!! THE SAMOSA SHAAT AND EGG ROLL ARE DIVINE. I WAS HAVING A BAD DAY AND THEY TURNED IT AROUND. SERIOUSLY SO DELICIOUS!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Their chai is a special house recipe with ingredients sourced directly from India. Seating is limited

Delicious chai selection in a tiny cafe at East Village! I recommend the cardamom latte.

very nice chai and samosa, cosy place, quick service, very nice girl at the counter.

Love the chai they serve, especially in the winter. The samosas are also very tasty if a snack is needed to accompany the chai. The Kolkata chai packages are now a staple in my pantry, it’s the best mixed chai I’ve found in the US to make at home.

Best chai place in NYC ..very authentic. The filter coffee was good too. Seating was limited but overall great experience.

Love this spot! Happy that they open in the morning now! The best authentic chai here. And I tried their samosas for the first time too. Soooo good. Soft in the inside and crunchy in the outside. Customer service on point too :)

Fav EAST VILLAGE spot. Authentic delicious chai. Lavisha and Rafi are incredible!

The service was extraordinarily accommodating, kind, and attentive, and the masala chai was excellent: the best I have ever had!

The saffron iced chai was amazing!!! I loved the flavor.

Hands down the best chai & coffee shop I've been to! Authentic foods & drinks, cultural vibes, showcasing lots of local & ethnic art that's authentic & beautiful. The man working was super friendly & knowledgeable in how they make all the different items on the menu. We had the dirty chai & anik omelette, 10/10 recommend!!!

Chai is love! So glad to see more chai shops are opening up in nyc. Enjoyed kesar and masala chai on a rainy day in the city.

+4

Great super super quick service! Store was clean too. Got a chai w coffee in it and rose syrup, tasted amazing!

+6

Defsssss the best chai EVER. You can taste the warmth, love and healing. So much flavor and texture that it elevates your idea of chai to the next level! Didn’t rate atmosphere because there wasn’t really one. So take it to go and enjoy it and the city together!

Amazing chai, great friendly staff! Great pricing, too. Note: seating is limited - only two stools inside for seating and some outdoor porch space.

The guy that works here was really helpful and gave me some samples. I went back a second time and bought the bag to make it at home. The chai is so good, I hope I can make it the same at home. He did tell me how and was encouraging me that I can do it.

Rafi was super knowledgeable and friendly. You should ask him his recommendations, he put me on to a coffee order that I never would have tried. Definitely check out the add ons

Such a cute atmosphere and as a punjabi chai lover definitely loved the chai here. 100% coming back Tried the kesar (saffron) chai & iced chai as well as the soft serve its delicious.

Love this place. Everytime I go into city I stop to get chai and samosa. Reminds me of the chai my Indian roommate in college use to make, that I still can not replicate on my own. She use to bring tea from India, so think that's the secret. They are super generous with the saffron here as well, like $10 worth in the bottom of my cup (see picture). The samosa is super flavorful, tastes like an Indian grandma made them. Nice balance of spicy, tangy, sweet and salty. The green chutney that comes with it tastes like cilantro and mint, very refreshing. Forgot to take picture cause ate it too fast, lol.

I ♥️ Kolkata! Their Chai is so delicious, not too sweet. The egg roll is my favorite. The paratha that it is wrapped in is perfectly flaky and tasty. The egg along with pickled onions and green chutney is soooooo good! The price is also fantastic. Whenever I go there the people working the counter are very nice. Sometimes they have special discounts if you buy a drink with food.

I'm not exaggerating... the best dirty chai I've ever had. So much depth and richness in flavor.

Lavisha was super sweet and helped us decide what to buy and it was delish!! Highly recommend the gulab jaman donut!

A cosy little joint in the east village. Will recommend the Chai Float. Thats my favourite. The egg kathi roll is yummy, the mint chutney is to die for. Just one feedback, the place next door has a space outside wish you guys could get similar space.

Delicious chai tea lattes and yummy street food style breakfast wraps—I recommend the egg roll. The service was exceptional! I didn’t catch the baristas name but they had incredibly white teeth and a kind demeanor.

If you want the best REAL chai in NYC, THIS is the spot. Their iced chai is perfection, and their egg rolls are so delicious! I could eat them every day for the rest of my life. They also sell DIY chai kits so you can brew at home too. Staff is very kind too. I can’t wait to go back again!

A hot chai on a cold and wet day in NYC hits different! Lavisha and Ravi at the store are both great and kind!

Best chai this side of the Yamuna!!!! Rich, flavorful and really strong flavor. Perfect thing for a cold, rainy, New York day. If you go, be sure to get it the way it is meant to be had; with whole milk and decent amount of sugar. Well worth it!

Best chai I've ever had! They use fresh lavender to steep and it just adds a more pronounced lavender taste as you sip

Awesome spot! Loved the chai and the egg roll with paratha was really well made. The shop smelled amazing too. Didn’t get a chance to buy the chai to take home but will on the next I’m there

Kolkata is a small cafe catering to chai enthusiasts with a focus on chai-based drinks. We particularly enjoyed distinctive and rich flavor of the black cardamom latte. The service is very friendly. Note with limited seating (around three seats available), their drinks are best suited for takeout.

+1

Had to make a stop here while driving through New York! Absolutely amazing service, food, and coffee. This is a must visit place if you’re in Manhattan! As a south Asian myself, it’s so cool to see a shop representing my culture. Can’t wait come back and see what new items they’ll have!

I've been following Kolkata Chai Co for YEARS starting during the pandemic but am rarely in the East Village. Was on my way to East River Park and needed to find a place for a quick snack before my workout- I was SO PLEASED to see that they were on the way. Ordered the oat milk iced chai and a samosa (on a whim) and it was the PERFECT reset. I don't usually like samosas but was so curious about the combo of potato and peach (the flavor they had today) and it was beyond delicious- very quickly devoured it 😅 I'm a fan of the oat milk iced chai- I'd love to come back and try their signature masala chai sometime. We're still in the summer so couldn't justify getting a hot drink 🫠

Some of the BEST chai I have EVER had!!! I’m not gonna lie, I was a little skeptical. As a huge chai drinker, when the barista was making my tea, the color looked OFF. But after taking a sip, IT WAS LIKE TASING HEAVEN!! It was so freaking delicious and rich! 😋 I had an iced chai with oat milk!

As someone from Assam, I can say their chai is among the best you'll find in the US. They clearly know what they're doing! The samosa, however, felt a bit lacking in flavor, perhaps adapted to suit the local palate.

Kolkata Chai Cafe is where you go if you’re into chai. but i am not really a chai guy, however i am a fan of the cafe menu. the cafe itself is really small but it really clean, colorful, and has a friendly visual vibe with nice touches of fun decor. there are a couple of seats at the window, but the majority of seating is outside, uncovered in front—it’s this open shed sorta of area. there is no formal kitchen—just a behind-the -counter setup where you can watch your drink or food being made. the cafe’s focus is the chai and coffee drinks, but the food menu is made up of 4-5 dishes. the eats are vegetarian comfort food options that are Indian / Bengali / South Asian influenced. the portions are more towards the solo eaters than groups unless you get the samosas. last time i was here…i got the “breakfast paratha” — two eggs, vegan sausage, amul cheese, and tomato jam all wrapped up in a thin fried flatbread aka paratha. i’ll be honest this was totally delicious. not heavy, flavorful, savory, satisfying fatty carbs all rolled up in a flaky ghee/buttered paratha. it was perfect as a light lunch and hit all those hangry stomach wants without weighing me down as i was on the move. the breakfast paratha is ~ $5-$6 + tip. the staff is chill and friendly. the food items do take a little bit of time to make because it’s cooked on a single cooking surface (not stove), so expect a little wait if there are food orders ahead of yours.

+6

Enjoyed our masala chai one with oat milk and one regular and they were both soooo good! Not too sweet and not overly milky. The masala was perfect! This place nailed it! I’d be back

This is my third time at this shop…. And I don’t like CHAI. My gf loves this place. She got the ice chai with oat milk and cardamom cold foam. I took a sip and that was delicious. I got the Chaat which was recommended by the staff. Chandani also recommended the soft serve which was an excellent choice. Thank you. Great food great vibes.

Came for the 2021 Diwali Pop Up — chai was truly delicious (we had the oat milk as they’d run out of the other chais and we were one of the last to get a cup)! Masalas within tasted super fresh and just like home. Will stop by again when in the area — definitely recommend

So my husband knows how much I’m in love with Chai tea. I’ve been craving and since he works in the city decided to stop by and bring me home a tea TO JERSEY lol! I take a sip and FELL FOR THIS AMAZING TEA! Last week he made it his business to order me a Kolkata chai tea kit with a strainer and a mug. Received it today and immediately put into action! Amazing tea! Would definitely purchase again! And I can continue drinking it (in small amounts during my newly just discovered and very awaited pregnancy!) THANK YOU Ayan and Ani Sanyal💕

I heard about this place on an instagram reel and had to try it. I made the journey from Brooklyn all the way to the East village and it was 100% worth it. I had an iced oat milk chi and a samosa with both the chutney and tamerand sauces. The samosa is potato and pea with the most perfect crunch of the outside and smooth softness of the potato inside. This place did not disappoint. I highly recommend for everyone to come and try it. They have other items on the menu like oat milk chi soft serve, samosa chaat, and a breakfast paratha which I want to try next time.

Cardamom iced latte was divine!! (It comes all the way filled, i had already had some) chai was excellent! They had oat milk which is perfect. Perfect for a stroll in East village

Flavors are on POINT! This is a must go for anyone looking for new flavors and those who want to return to old memories. I got the Vegan Samosa & Egg Paratha Roll Both were flawlessly prepared. This is good food. Thank You Kolkata!

Hands down the best and most authentic chai I’ve had in the USA. Being a chai lover I usually get disappointed with chai lattes served but this place was a very pleasant surprise with their spot on flavors. Highly recommend.

Stopped by and had the chai soft serve. It’s always hard to find good tasting dairy free ice cream options and this place did not disappoint. The flavors are incredible and I highly recommend anyone give it a try! My friends had the masala iced chai and that was delicious as well, but I think the soft serve was the star of the show.

This Lower East Side spot has phenomenal chai - offering both hot and cold options - with great outdoor seating. I got the oat milk masala chai hot, which I highly recommend. They have coffee drinks as well. They also have a rewards card where you can get a photo on their wall for getting 10 drinks. The staff is super friendly, and you can really see the love that goes into the store and the making of the chai. I recommend stopping by if you’re in the area!

Ever since I was introduced to the option of chai, it has been a favorite and something that I am very particular about. A family member introduced me to it, and I have been ordering it ever since! I make mine with oat milk instead of dairy. It is great with or without any sweetner. Also, got the measuring spoon and it is also a bag clip... Brilliant! I order through the website, have not been there in person, but wish there was a location near me...

We came once on a trip to NYC and then came back another day since it was so good. The saffron iced chai was great, really taste the saffron. The iced dirty chai latte a little less impressive but still good. The chai soft serve with oat milk is great - my usual issue with oat milk based drinks is that the oat milk overpowers. But while I did taste it in the ice cream the chai (and saffron) were front and center.

Chai tastes really good. A small place serving best chai in NYC. If you are chai lover you must try this place . Most recommended

I really like chai. It has a great flavor with a nice spiced taste, and the staff are amazing and very friendly.

Tried the masala chai, it was smooth with correct hints of flavors. The cute part is they sell biscuits like parle-g. Also tried their Samosa, which was okay, not on par with Indian taste but good enough. The prices are very reasonable, all my three purchases of chai, biscuit and samosa totaled less than $10.

+1

Ria Harrington

We got the rose hot chocolate, chai, and 2 samosas! The hot chocolate was especially delirious especially with the rose petals. Great service by the host too! Thank you!

Tried the oat milk masala chai today and it was sooo good. Perfectly spiced. The server was super sweet and welcoming. Made the whole experience even better ✨

Sue Jeong Ka

This charming spot has become one of my favorite coffee hangouts. Their chai is authentic and high-quality, as are the snacks. The staff is exceptionally friendly and genuine compared to more upscale, trendy places.

Riya

I come here all the time, and over the months I’ve gotten to know the whole team, they’re genuinely some of the kindest people around. What I love most is that anything they take on, they do it well, whether that’s perfecting a classic chai or dropping a fun new collab (obsessed with the Hasan Minhaj drink). It’s clear how much thought goes into everything they make. Shoutout to Rafi and Lavisha for always making the experience feel so personal, it’s one of those spots that just makes your day better every time you go.

Susan Degnan

BEST CHAI EVER! Both hot & iced! Kolkata Chai Co. , I finally made it to one of your stores after lusting after your amazingness for at least 3 years! Hanging in the area for the next 3 days. You are my go to! Kolkata Chai Co. !!!!!! Yummy yummy yummy Soft Serve! And the wonderful staff gave me some chai mix samples! I'm a lucky girl!

+6

Varun Kandadi

I've ordered from KCC for the last 4/5 days. I dined in on Friday, got take out on Saturday, ordered in on Friday. They were closed on Monday. I just ordered my morning Chai on Tuesday. Let's start with the 1 star reviews - I've been looking over these and I think people have such a sense of self importance with the way they review things. I can understand the chai not being your preference but to give them a 1 star is a little ridiculous. Maybe the service isn't great, or you had a bad one off samosa etc - I don't think it warrants a 1 star. My thoughts: A well thought out concept/store - In a world where "Chai Tea", "Chai" is overdone, it's nice to experience a well thought out, authentic, homey and cozy chai place. I had a wonderful experience talking to Lavisha(?) about the way they make their Chai. The thought and intention that goes into their process and how they test and maintain consistency. All of that is evident. The chai (5/5) itself has a fluid milky texture, not too milky and definitely not watery. It's a little sugary for me, but it doesn't bother me as it might if I was drinking other beverages. Maybe it's nostalgia? Maybe it's the quality? Maybe I'm arrogant in thinking I know quality? I don't know. Point is - the sugar is what helps add to the authenticity. The Hasan Minaj Coffee collab was again - sugary fire. (I loved it and I don't normally love sugary drinks). I'd go into depth here, but i'm running out of words and getting lazy. Dine in Friday 11:45 am - 5/5 (it was a little slower so I imagine it's easier to maintain consistency and quality) Take out Saturday 1:30pm - 4.5/5 (It was busier so I can understand the slight drop in "depth" of flavor) I tried the samosa on Saturday - what I LOVED: Authenticity of the "oily texture" the ones we get in India, but it didn't feel heavy or too oily. The potato filling was simple and had great flavor. It balanced out the oil texture. However you did it - well done. I also loved the chutneys. The samosa ended up being a great experience by itself. Delivery on Sunday 2pm - 4.5/5 (It's delivery - it's not their fault, but everything loses it's edge during delivery. The chai maintained it's flavor and it was still a wonderful experience.) I ordered 2 samosas and they were fire. Monday - I was Sad :( Tuesday - TBD Conclusion: It's great - you should ABSOLUTELY come here. You should bring your aunties, uncles, friends, your third culture friends, your Indian friends that maybe are a little too American and need some culture too? It's clear just how well thought out KCC is. It's hard to maintain quality, consistency (with some slight deviations) and authenticity and I think they've done an incredible job. I don't judge restaurants or food places from the "one off home run". I judge them for the quality and consistency, it's ultimately what makes me continue coming back for more. I'll continue ordering from them and I'm glad to call it a staple in my NYC experience.

Hanssraj

Rafi is super cool, and this place slaps: Gulab Jamun donut is especially delicious.

Sinjini Sikdar

We tried their chais - kesar chai and oatmilk masala chai. Both were good but I would recommend trying their oatmilk masala chai which has a unique flavor and tasted delicious! My husband tried their masala limca and he liked it! My only complaint is that they do not have enough seating area inside the cafe which is quite common in NYC. But it was too hot outside for having chai!

Amazing little chai cafe with delicious Chai tea and various pastries. The worker was friendly and talkative as well as being very helpful. I ordered three packages to make chai at home!! Please open a shop in Queens... how about Astoria?!! Bravo Kolkata!

Lindsay Masciana

My favorite chai ever and location! When I lived in the East Village I was there almost every day and looked forward to seeing Lin and Raffi's friendly faces and chatting a bit. The combo of the artisanal Chai, kind employees, and hilarious slogans really hits different. I love getting the chai with cardamom cold foam, and the lavender syrup as a treat, then taking it to the park across the street or Tompkins Sq. The gulab jammin donut is nice and the chai soft serve is so awesome during the summer! Not really an eat-in spot because it is small, though it's really nice to walk around the city with. Love this place sooooo much!

Aneesha Nanda

I stopped by Kolkata Chai today and was blown away. I ordered the cardamom coffee and it was honestly one of the best coffee drinks I’ve had in the city. It was perfectly balanced, fragrant, and amazing in the freezing weather! I also tried the breakfast roll, which was incredible and way more flavorful than your typical café pastry. My friend had the cardamom bun and said that was really good too! But the real standout was the service. We were helped by Rafi, the supervisor, who genuinely made the experience memorable. He was so welcoming and kind and he even gave us classic Indian biscuits to enjoy with our coffee and let us sample something that hasn’t even hit the menu yet. It felt like we were being hosted, not just served. The entire visit had that warm, personal touch that’s so rare. This place is a gem, and I can’t wait to come back. Highly, highly recommend!

Stefanie Maridueña

My go-to spot for authentic chai lattes. It isn’t sweet (like at other shops) but you can get sweeteners added or flavored foams which are always good options to have. The lavender chai is so delicious and the cardamom foam is also a great addition to the regular chai. They have regular and decaf chai which is also appreciated. The food is also extremely delicious although depending on what you order, it may take a bit of time to make. The Cardamon pastry and samosas are my favorites. They also have coffee. It’s a small spot, so not really a place where you can hang out but still highly recommend!

Jerry Yanis

Best chai I’ve ever had! Authentic, bold flavors with options you can’t find in a lot of places around the city. It’s nice to find chai that’s actually strong and not diluted or overly sweet! I always order the iced saffron chai with breakfast paratha, which has become a morning tradition on my days off. The entire staff is very pleasant and personable, especially Rafi, who provides exceptional customer service. Even though the shop is small with limited seating available, I try to get there early to beat the morning rush and it’s so worth it. Support small, independent businesses instead of large corporations!

Isabella Grandic

Super cute (small, 2 seats indoors) chai shop. They have masala chai, among others, Indian coffee, tons of breakfast specials, samosas, and overall great warmth. Free wifi too. Vegan options. Loved my chai!

+6

So good! The real deal - not that cloyingly sweet chai from a carton that you get at most coffee shops. Perfect mix of spicy, sweet, and creamy. I was impressed by the vegan oat milk version - still has such a rich flavor. Don’t go anywhere else for chai! Samosas are excellent as well. They also have a punch card with generous rewards. I haven’t tried the chai soft serve yet, but excited to do so once the weather warms up.

Nathalie Shushan

5 stars all around. My favorite cafe in the East Village for years and their offerings are constantly getting more refined. The chai is delicious - rich flavor, sweet and spicy. Their specialty drinks are always super unique and innovative. I mostly buy their signature chai mix to brew from home but their seasonal beverages keep me coming into the cafe regularly before they switch menus.

Archie Agrawal

Loved the classic Masala Chai. Unfortunately, they were out of whole milk, so we had to get Oat Milk Chai, which was honestly still pretty delicious. The host was sweet enough to give us a sample of classic one she had left over! The only thing is Chai was bit too thick/ creamier in consistency.

Landon Baker

best chai and breakfast rolls in the city! Rafi is so nice and personable. everything that we tried was delicious. we will definitely be back!

anna phann

Decaf chai with oat milk unsweetened was flavorful (I don’t like sugar) Samosas, needed at least two for myself - liked the flavor of the filling, and crisp of the pastry

Vegan oat chai soft serve - TO DIE FOR. I went a couple weeks later but it was too spicy this batch :( the ratio can be a little off.

Chai is just decent. Not something that reminded me of home. You can't customize the sweetness or spice levels - one size doesn't fit all sadly

This place got so hyped for me. On tik tok and Instagram. My mom is from Kolkata and I grew up in such an immersive Bengali culture I was like I have to check it out. Sadly, when I got there: the one thing I wanted to try was their soft serve but the machine broke so we couldn’t try :( we got the limica and the chai drink. And we didn’t like it :( my friend liked her limca drink maybe it’s because she likes spice in her drinks. We agree we wouldn’t go there again or go out of our way to go there but maybe to try to soft serve? The aesthetics and the designs of the cups were just amazing it has so much potential but maybe not a place for me!

+1

Eva Massey Wong

My wife and I come here all the time for their drinks and snacks - the breakfast kati roll is great and the samosa chaat is particularly amazing! The employees here are always wonderful but there’s always only one person working and with the amount of business the place gets it seems overwhelming and the service becomes slow. It would really benefit their customers and employees to have more than one person on shift, especially during busy times.

Much hyped place, very congested and crowded - teas were good but the filter coffee was pathetic. The only best part is it is organic.

+6

I had the dirty chai. I wanted whole milk but there wasn’t any available. The barista didn’t seem to interested in serving me. I had to ask and give myself an alternative for oat milk (I initially didn’t want Oatly because of its sugar content) Alas, I had the bev and it was tasty and just what I needed after having lunch and walking the chilly streets of NYC

Good masala chai. Feel free to add a boat load of sugar to make it more tasty and sweet. The prices are a bit high, but the location warrants the higher price tag. It's small and cute for a stop in.

+3

Evelyn Brown

Chai is really good, no question, but I feel like some of the food is hit or miss. My samosa was a little dry last time. Still worth stopping by for the drinks, though.

Ordered a to go drink. The barista took less than 1 minute to pour yet the tipping screen is mandatory 20% to start. No other options. If you leave me options to tip, I will tip. But if you leave me no choice, I’ll tip but I won’t come back.

I wanted this to be good, but unfortunately the best part was the ParleG I bought on the side. The chai was pretty standard, could get the same in any cafe these days. The most offensive part however were the toasts - at $10 for a single toast with cold paneer/chickpeas sprinkled on them. Good luck to them, but to me this felt more like a Soho-concept store than an East Village watering hole.

Was so excited to try Kolkata Chai Cafe! We'd heard a lot of talk about their chai oat milk soft serve, but unfortunately their ice cream machine broke so they weren't serving it. We ordered several drinks from the menu; an iced chai with oat milk, a dirty iced chai, and two masala limcas. I honestly don't think any of us liked our drinks. The dirty chai wasn't good, the regular iced chai tasted very thin and watered down, and the limcas were ok, but nothing amazing. Overall was disappointed with the way our drinks came out, but we still want to come back and try their soft serve and maybe some food as well.

The masala chai was not very impressive. Too watery and does not have enough spices. You’re better off making it yourself at home. However, the opposite can be said for their chai soft serve which tastes more concentrated in spices, but for $6 dollars, it is definitely not worth it.

Bella Duncan

The barista (I've been there 3 times now) always talks to me condescendingly and last time I was there she not only took my loyalty card but she also served me a FULL drink in a tiny cup with no lid and no ice.. I paid $8 for a water cup sized drink. I've never had a good experience there but the chai is pretty decent. I don't like that its pre-batched and only has the oat milk option.

For me, it was a bit too heavy on the spices, I prefer a more milky mild chai. I also can’t handle too much sugar in my chai. But overall, the atmosphere was nice and calm

Leena Kaur

ABSOLUTE WORST DELIVERY & PACKAGING. ORDER DELIVERY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

+2