Chai Pani

The lunch that I had at Chai Pani was one of the best I've had in a while. The restaurant is bright and vibrant. I came specifically for the lunch buffet and although they were very busy, I didn't have to wait too long. Parking was a bit hectic, but it's free if you can get in the lot.The buffet didn't offer as many dishes at other Indian buffets I've been to, but everything I had was absolutely delicious. I cannot remember the names of everything I had, but the butter chicken was very tasty and the lamb dish was excellent. The mango lassi was delicious as well. Everything was replenished in a timely manner. I seriously cannot wait to go back to this Decatur gem!

Indian fusion street eats type of place. The ambiance was good and you felt like you were eating an Indian Wedding the whole time but the food was otherwise ok, especially for the price you're paying. This is definitely not a place for cheap yummy street eats. Its street eats dressed up in fancy ambiance. I liked the okra fries (chip like to be fair bc sliced thinly)- an interesting take on fries that introduces both fun, fresh flavor, and aesthetics to a table. The service was prompt and folks were pleasant for service. There was barely a wait time even on busier evenings. I don't know if I would come back in the future. Even though the food was heralded as authentic in previous reviews, having Indian neighbors who bring me true Indian food has changed my perception of Indian cuisine. I think this food is more fusion than it appears. for example, we ordered samosas and dal like soup. I think of Samosas as an entirely dried pastry perhaps with dipping sauce. This was a deconstructed type of thing with samosas swimming in a pool of Dahl sauce. The flavor was good but the textures were a little bizarre. I am not sure if this dish works- I would not order this dish again. I thought their sauces and chicken (dry) was also not memorable. I would stick to their snacks and street eats and avoid main entrees. They also have good tea and alcohol drinks, so come here for socialization for sure. If you're looking for authentic and lighter fare that sticks more to traditional fare, then I would recommend elsewhere. that being said, most Indian buffets are over salted, over oiled, and too much sugar. However, their samosas, roti, crepes tend to be alright in buffets. It's the sauces, meat dishes, and rice dishes that tend to be too heavy. So perhaps, this is indeed the better option to go to to have fresher flavors and a better atmosphere.

Opening in 2013 in Decatur, while original location is was started in Asheville, Chai Pani quickly became a local favorite. The group is headed by Chef Meherwan who certainly brings some uniqueness to the Indian restaurant scene. For starters, the menu is more condensed than most restaurants and focused on highlight dishes. Secondly, the dishes that are there are pretty unique for American market, such as Vada Pav. Concepts like Panipuri being made in a small cart at the entrance are also incredibly entertaining.The environment is pleasantly casual and colorful. The patio could use some real plants to separate it from the parking lot. While it's not the worst patio in Atlanta, Atlanta is also not a great city for patio dining. While it's understandable that some of the fake marigolds add color and character, it would be nice to see the restaurant augment the patio with some real greenery and flowers. Maybe even Georgia native plants.Butter Chicken is certainly one of the best in the city. Vada Pav is wonderful. Chili Chicken is an unusual preparation and may not be for everyone.As a whole, a great establishment and it's easy to see why it earned its place in Atlanta's dense Indian restaurant market.

Went in to Chai Pani for a Saturday night date night. It was our first time going. The hostesses at the front were super friendly. We were seated within 7-10 minutes. Our wait time was 10 mins. We tried a few different dishes. Gobi 65 and Samaosa chaat as appetizers and Butter chicken and Daal of the day as entrees. Plenty to share between 2 ppl. We also had gulab jamun and one iced chai and hot chai as dessert. Chai was AMAZING! The entrees also were great! Service was pretty quick and our server was nice and checked in on us. Overall a great experience. Parking is a bit of a pain for this location great ambiance for families and bigger parties. They also have a fun outdoor patio area as well.

Amazing food. I had the disco bhel, vada pav, and OMG the kheema pav And all of them were amazing!

Yes, yes, yes! A great place to try out amazing Indian food if you're wondering if you're a fan or not. A wide variety of vegan and vegetarian options too. The buffet is a great way to explore popular dishes in India. The decorations are top tier and it's a very colorful place to witness. We go here about once a month and it's always incredible! It's never disappointed

A solid Indian spot in Decatur! I've heard many good things about Chai Pani, and I wanted to give it a try. I ordered delivery and waited patiently for it to arrive-- despite taking over an hour, it was well-worth it in the end.I got butter chicken, saag paneer, samosa chaat, and naan. Everything was delicious and flavorful, and with a decent spicy kick! I especially loved the saag paneer; the butter chicken was a tad on the dry side, but still had a nice, creamy, and tomato-based flavor that I enjoyed.Chai Pani is up there in terms of quality Indian food. Also appreciated the cheeky message on my receipt from the restaurant! Definitely worth a go while in town!

This is my third time at this restaurant but this time had to be the best experience I've had so far. It's such a beautifully decorated restaurant which captures your attention even before you walk in. I came here with a friend and was seated pretty quickly considering it was a Saturday evening. The server was amazing! She explained the menu very well and helped us decide on which Chaat(appetizer) we should do. We decided on the Disco Bhel which so amazing! So happy we decided to listen to her. For my entree I got the Butter Chicken which was very delicious. My friend got the Bengali Fish Fry Sandwich which he really liked. Overall the place is a must visit. The neighborhood is lovely as well.

Oh my gosh. This place is amazing and rightfully busy! My friend and I went on a Friday, just the two of us, so the wait was about 20 minutes. It didn't feel that long before we were seated. Our waiter was very kind in giving us time to take the menu in before we ordered. I got the kheema pav, which I'm not familiar with Indian food so it was my first time trying it and OMG WAS IT WORTH IT! It was absolutely delicious. Every single part of it! My mouth is drooling thinking about it. I forgot the name of what my friend got was, but it was like a sweet potato dish which was also delicious! As for the decor, my friend and I really loved the marigold decorations they had. It added a nice pizzazz to the place. Would 100% recommend!!

Amazing food! I've driven past the restaurant several times and it was always packed. So glad to finally try the food. The paneer is very nice. My husband loved the Kati roll and fish sandwiches. The restaurant is very pretty. Definitely worth a visit, can't wait to return!