In Dubai, a good cup of chai is never far away, but finding the right “Chai Wala” can be confusing. Search the name, and Google shows several cafés with almost the same name, in Al Quoz, International City and Bur Dubai, plus two big chai brands with similar names.

This guide sorts them out. It starts with Chai Wala Cafe in Al Quoz, the one most people mean, and then covers the others, so you can find the right Chai Wala Cafe in Dubai near you.

Chai Wala Cafe, Al Quoz: The One Most People Mean

Chai Wala Cafe is on the ground floor of Al Ameed Mall in Al Quoz 4, near Credence High School. It’s a proper family café-restaurant with family seating and parking, and it’s much bigger than a roadside tea stall.

  • Timings: roughly 7–8 AM until midnight, daily. Listings vary slightly, so check before a late visit.
  • Style: Mumbai street food, with grills, tandoori, Indo-Chinese, curries and biryani

What to order

  • Chai: the ginger chai is the house favourite
  • Snacks: vada pav, keema pao, Russian cutlet, mutton cutlet, chicken lollipop, spring rolls and dahi wada
  • Kebabs: foil chicken seekh, Lucknowi kebab, chutney kebab and hungama kebab
  • Mains: the signature seekh paratha, biryani, butter chicken and Indo-Chinese Schezwan rice
  • Dessert: malpua or kheer

It also runs daily specials through the week, such as Mumbai khichda, mutton yakhni pulao and chicken 65 gravy. Ask what’s on the day you visit.

Chai Wala Cafeteria, International City: Karachi-Style Chai and Snacks

If you want a taste of Karachi rather than Mumbai, head to Chai Wala Cafeteria in the Russia Cluster, International City (Warsan 1). It’s smaller and more casual, and it’s the place for chai with street snacks.

  • Timings: early morning until late night
  • Try: zafran chai or special karak, an egg bun kebab, samosa chaat, pakoras with chaat masala and gur sharbat
  • Also on the menu: burgers, sandwiches, falooda and biryani

It’s a favourite with Pakistani families on the east side of Dubai, especially in the evening.

Chaiwala Cafe, Al Fahidi: A Quick Chai in Old Dubai

Near the old souq in Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai, there’s a small Chaiwala Cafe on 21A Street. It opens very early, and it’s handy for a fresh milk tea with an egg paratha before work, or a shawarma later in the day. It’s a simple stop, not a sit-down restaurant.

Similar Names: chaiiwala® of London and Project Chaiwala

Two popular brands often come up in the same search. They’re separate businesses from the cafés above.

  • chaiiwala® of London is a UK chai chain with outlets in Business Bay (Bay Avenue Mall), Barsha Heights and Dubai Hills. It’s known for karak chai, desi breakfasts, wraps and samosa chaat.
  • Project Chaiwala is a homegrown Dubai brand with several outlets, including one in Cinema Akil at Alserkal Avenue. It’s known for its saffron karak and its relaxed, arty setting.

Which Chai Wala Cafe in Dubai Should You Visit?

  • For a full meal with family, go to Chai Wala Cafe, Al Quoz.
  • For Karachi-style snacks and chai, go to Chai Wala Cafeteria, International City.
  • For a quick early chai in old Dubai, go to Chaiwala Cafe, Al Fahidi.
  • For a trendy café stop, go to Project Chaiwala or chaiiwala of London.

Tips for Chai Lovers in Dubai

  • Say “karak” if you want it strong and milky, Gulf-style.
  • Ask for less sugar, because most chai here comes sweet.
  • Order chai with a snack. Samosa, bun kebab or paratha is how it’s meant to be enjoyed.
  • Go in the evening, when the weather is cooler and chai cafés are at their liveliest.

Missing a Peshawari kehwa after a heavy meal? Read about the traditional food of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For more desi food in Dubai, see Karachi Darbar near me, Karachi Grill restaurant and Pakistani food near me in the UAE.

Send Something Sweet to Family in Peshawar

Zarrasha doesn’t deliver in Dubai. However, if your family is in Peshawar, you can send them a treat from the UAE in a few minutes:

  1. Open the Zarrasha app, or message us on WhatsApp at +92 334 0724724.
  2. Choose food, a cake, mithai or a gift.
  3. Share your family’s Peshawar address and contact number.
  4. Confirm, and we’ll deliver it in Peshawar. Gifts can also be delivered in Islamabad.

For more, see send gifts to Peshawar from the UAE.

FAQs About Chai Wala Cafe Dubai

Where is Chai Wala Cafe in Dubai?
The best-known Chai Wala Cafe is at Al Ameed Mall in Al Quoz 4, near Credence High School. There’s also Chai Wala Cafeteria in International City and a small Chaiwala Cafe in Al Fahidi.

Are all the Chai Wala cafés in Dubai the same chain?
They don’t appear to be. Chai Wala Cafe in Al Quoz, Chai Wala Cafeteria in International City and Chaiwala Cafe in Al Fahidi are listed as separate businesses.

What is Chai Wala Cafe Al Quoz known for?
Mumbai-style street food like vada pav and keema pao, kebabs, the seekh paratha, biryani and ginger chai.

What time does Chai Wala Cafe open?
The Al Quoz café opens at around 7–8 AM and closes at about midnight. Check before you go, as timings can change.

Is chaiiwala of London the same as Chai Wala Cafe?
No. chaiiwala® of London is a UK chain with its own Dubai outlets, and Project Chaiwala is another separate brand.

Disclaimer

Zarrasha is an independent food delivery service based in Peshawar, Pakistan. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Chai Wala Cafe, Chai Wala Cafeteria, Chaiwala Cafe, chaiiwala® of London, Project Chaiwala or any other business mentioned on this page, and we don’t deliver in the UAE.

The locations, timings, menus and other details in this article are collected from publicly available sources and may be out of date. Any prices shown are for information only and are not an invoice.

For the latest menu, prices, timings or delivery, please contact each café directly.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR