Chai Pani
★ 4.2 · 498 reviews Washington, D.C. Opened September 2025
Indian street food under Union Market
Chai Pani arrived at Union Market in September 2025, in the space below the part everyone photographs. Okra fries, tamarind-glazed ribs, a Kashmiri fried chicken sandwich with mint, chilli, Maggi-mayo and pickles.
The okra fries are non-negotiable. They come out as a heap and disappear before the mains land.
What guests say
Reviews by Google-
R Nair 70 reviews · Local Guide 22 June 2026
I love Chai Pani. One of the all around great restaurants from food to service to atmosphere, you get it all. Amazing bhel, sev, pani puri dishes. It is completely fine to be vegetarian here and get a delicious meal. The atmosphere is vibrant and fun. People are taking pictures all over the restaurant. And finally the service is friendly and fast. Our waiter spontaneously apologized for not being attentive enough but I found the wait staff to be incredibly responsive and pleasant for such a busy restaurant. One of the best restaurants out there.
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Maria Tascon - Realtor - Keller Williams Realty 91 reviews · Local Guide 17 June 2026
From the moment you walk in, the vibrant decor and cool atmosphere match the incredible energy of the original location. The service was fantastic, keeping things fast, friendly, and welcoming. Because we are huge fans of their traditional chaat, we decided to push our boundaries and try a few menu items we hadn’t had before. Every single dish delivered: Tomato Chaat: This was our very first time trying a tomato-based chaat, and it absolutely did not disappoint. It was a perfect blend of savory, tangy, and crunchy elements. Disco Bhalle: Another first for us, and we completely fell in love with it. It’s incredibly flavorful and an absolute must-order. Okra Chopsticks: Crispy, perfectly seasoned, and highly addictive—the ultimate street food snack. Paneer tikka masala& Butter Chicken: Pure comfort food done right. The paneer was beautifully tender, and the butter chicken was rich, creamy, and packed with flavor.
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Swapnil Sharma 139 reviews · Local Guide 23 May 2026
Finally got reservation to this hyped restaurant!! Good decor!! Little loud music and lively vibe.. of course food is more experimental and not authentic Indian but more of hybrid Indian food for international taste buds.. sabudana pops was my fav.. vada pav was good too.. little less on mainstream options which was also nice!! Will visit again
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Seema Sree 38 reviews · Local Guide 14 May 2026
Finally visited Chai Pani and absolutely loved the experience! The place has such a vibrant and energetic atmosphere that instantly puts you in a good mood. The menu is full of creative Indian street food dishes with bold flavors and beautiful presentation. Every dish felt fresh, flavorful, and comforting at the same time. The chaat items were definitely the highlight — crispy, spicy, tangy, and packed with authentic taste. The staff were welcoming and helpful even though the restaurant was quite busy. Service took a little time during rush hour, but the food and overall experience made it worth the wait. A fun spot for anyone who enjoys Indian street food with a modern twist. Great place for friends, family dinners, or even trying something different in DC. Would definitely visit again!
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Nancy Milad 51 reviews · Local Guide 4 May 2026
Finally got a chance to eat here! The space is BEAUTIFUL! Very thoughtful and intentional with the design. You walk in and it smells delicious, getting you ready for an amazing meal. Definitely recommend making a reservation. We walked in and got lucky to have two seats at the bar available for us, but don’t risk it like us. We ordered the aloo tikki chaat and disco bhel to start. The aloo tikki chaat was amazing! So flavorful. We then shared the lamb which was incredible. The meat literally fell off the bone. I had a mango lassi on the side to balance the spice, which I recommend. And to end the night, we had to order the gulab jamun. Amazing!!! Ugh the warmth and sweetness is exactly what we needed. Amazing meal, can’t wait to come back and try more from the menu!
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