Some of us like our hot beverages with a little bit of spice. While Columbus has a stellar coffee scene (and a Coffee Trail to prove it), we also have multiple can’t-miss matcha and chai spots that are perfect for your fall and winter weekends in the city.
Chai, now extremely popular throughout the Western world, is rooted in medicinal use (or legends of ancient kings, depending on who you ask). Originating in India, chai gained popularity in Pakistan in the 1920s as well, and is often consumed daily in both cultures today. In fact, chai is the Hindi word for tea, stemming from cha – the word for tea in China. From masala chai to doodh pati, there are varying ways to prepare chai and chai lattes.
Store-bought concentrates and chai-flavored syrups can easily be dropped into your grocery cart, but there is something warm and intentional about sipping a house-made chai blend from a local shop. Columbus is home to many family-owned Indian and Pakistani restaurants that offer homemade chai and chai lattes on their menus, in addition to neighborhood coffee shops that have created a chai blend all their own.
Check out the Columbus spots below for the best and most uniquely made chai mixes that combine tea, spices, and a variety of flavors to make a comforting drink that you can’t buy at the store.
Taj on Fifth Bistro & Bar
1021 W 5th Ave.
Taj on Fifth is a modern Indian restaurant and bar with their own “Taj Masala Chai,” bringing ginger, cardamom, and cloves together in a warm beverage sweetened with jaggery and mixed with milk. Their special chai can be found incorporated in dishes throughout their menu as well, like their chai French toast or chai cake.
Taj Palace
3794 Fishinger Blvd., Hilliard
Ordering a chai at Taj Palace guarantees a freshly brewed masala chai instead of store-bought or batch-made, including cardamom, spices, ginger, and milk.
Neehee’s
6080 Sawmill Rd., Dublin
Neehee’s, an all-vegetarian and vegan Indian eatery, uses its own house-made chai recipe for its “Mumbai Cutting Chai,” a spice-forward blend.
Food Street
3373 N High St.
Clintonville’s Pakistani Food Street uses its own recipe for a traditional, street-style Karak Chai, straight from the streets of Lahore.
Makkah Restaurant
2260 S Hamilton Rd.
Makkah Restaurant’s chai is a local favorite, offering both a standard chai and “Pink Chai” on their menu.
Source: @atmaanis on Instagram
Maani’s
Mobile Cafe
Formerly known as Sufi’s Chai House, Maani’s mobile cafe pop-up can be found around Columbus with seasonal specials. The small business serves a traditional Pakistani chai, with no store-bought mixes or syrups included. The best way to catch Maani’s is by following them on Instagram at @atmaanis.
Qahwah House Coffee
189 E Main St.
Qahwah House’s Columbus location serves Yemeni coffee, decadent treats, and a variety of hot and cold crafted drinks, including their signature “Adeni Chai” mix enhanced with cardamom and nutmeg.
Nitro Milk Chai. Source: @eatatjoyas on Instagram
Joya’s
657 N High St.
Joya’s intimate breakfast and lunch offerings include house-made tea and coffee beverages, like its Joya’s Chai and Nitro Milk Chai that boasts a malty flavor.
Pink Pistachio Cafe
1072 Dublin Rd.
The signature house-named “Pink Pistachio Chai” at the Pink Pistachio in Grandview is their modern take on Kashmiri Chai, a traditional South Asian drink.
Brioso
329 E Long St.
53 N High St.
Brioso’s slogan “Mean Coffee, Nice People” also applies to their distinctive sweet and spicy house-made chai blend, perfect for sipping and strolling through downtown Columbus.
Two Dollar Radio Headquarters
1124 Parsons Ave.
In addition to operating as a local bookstore, publisher, community hub, and vegan eatery, Two Dollar Radio HQ slings their own chai latte recipe.
Kokomo Coffee & Juice Paradise
694 Parsons Ave.
The small but mighty Kokomo Coffee shop on the southside serves hot and iced beverages, including their own chai drink mix that rotates with seasonal flavors, like their “Coconut Rose Chai.”
Source: @moonbirdcoffeeco on Instagram
Moonbird Coffee Co.
1400 Holly Ave.
Moonbird’s friendly neighborhood coffee trailer serves a carefully crafted chai latte, made with their own special recipe.
Global Gallery Coffee Shop
3535 N High St.
Based in the heart of Clintonville, the Global Gallery shop has a small cafe attached, offering a house-made chai latte.
Florin Coffee
874 Oakland Park Ave.
Located in North Linden, Florin Coffee serves its own house-made chai mix made with black tea, spices, and your choice of milk – or add espresso to make it dirty.
Emmett’s Cafe
2571 Neil Ave.
744 S High St.
Both Emmett’s locations serve their beloved “S. High Chai” crafted from house spices, orange peel, rooibos, vanilla syrup, and milk or any milk alternative. Their chai can also be mixed with ginger beer and orange juice for a special cold house drink, the “Chai Ginger Fizzy.”
Community Grounds
Mobile Cafe
This southside staple brings vegan and vegetarian eats (not to mention ice cream) to the community, along with their super unique spice-forward chai blend. You can order Community Ground’s chai latte totally unsweetened, lightly sweetened, or with more added sweetness.
Whether you’re consuming tea for health, cultural reasons, because it’s a family tradition, or to try a new drink, a chai latte is the perfect seasonal beverage to weather crisp mornings while you experience fall adventures or winter in Columbus.
