Located in the heart of Harbord Village, Elchi Chai Shop is your one stop shop for Chai on-the-go and authentic Indian Cuisine. THE ELCHI CHAI SHOP STORY by The Curious Society the tale of an urban chai cafe serving Indian cuisine in the Annex, downtown Toronto. Chai tea meet Chai. Toronto has a Chai Shop catering to all Chai fans.
Elchi Chai Shop doesn't serve your typical Starbucks Chai Latte, it serves the real deal! The misconceptions surrounding chai have taken away from the entire experience of drinking chai. Forget having to settle for those watered-down, sugary concoctions that chain cafs pass off as "chai tea".
Elchi Chai Shop doesn't serve your typical Starbucks Chai Latte, it serves the real deal! The misconceptions surrounding chai have taken away from the entire experience of drinking chai. Forget having to settle for those watered-down, sugary concoctions that chain cafs pass off as "chai tea".
Services
Elchi Chai Shop was born out of a passion for real chai and mom's feel-good cooking. We are sister-duo who love chai! We were inspired to open Elchi Chai Shop because we saw a need for authentic chai in the city, and chai-tea just didn't cut it. Our focus is to reclaim chai as we know it. The best compliment to Chai are Parathas, so we mastered our Mom's famous Paratha recipe & roll them out everyday!
Reviews (22)
Pravesh Vir Siddhu
Dec 29, 2021
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This is one of a kind store exclusively focusing on tea lovers. Great ambience, nice outdoors and wonderful hospitality. The dual seating patio is fabulous.
What to order? Masala chai and elaichi chai were the best.
What they have to work on? Kashmiri chai. It wasn't even close to what kashmiri chai tastes like. This is only reason why I took one star away (I will give it another chance though and might change the rating)
Prices are optimum. They have certain food items too which I am yet to try.
They also serve coffee.
Tea is made fresh. Please work on kashmiri chai and rest all was scrumptious
What to order? Masala chai and elaichi chai were the best.
What they have to work on? Kashmiri chai. It wasn't even close to what kashmiri chai tastes like. This is only reason why I took one star away (I will give it another chance though and might change the rating)
Prices are optimum. They have certain food items too which I am yet to try.
They also serve coffee.
Tea is made fresh. Please work on kashmiri chai and rest all was scrumptious
Denise Lee
Nov 26, 2021
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DorothyDandridge
Nov 18, 2021
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Jatinder Singh
Nov 15, 2021
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We ordered a couple of items. The main thing that I was looking for was chai. It was nice with great flavours with authenticness. We also order some parathas usually Indian paratha is stuffed one but turns out it was with gravy it was very regular plain frozen paratha which you can get at any grocery store and in total it was $65-70 which I don't care about. But was very disappointed about the food
Abdirahman Warfa
Oct 09, 2021
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Visited here for the first time with my wife. The shop was very cosy and the staff made us feel very welcome.
Now to the food. We ordered tandoori chicken in a paratha wrap which was absolutely fantastic along with masala chai. The menu has a good variety of food to order so you won’t feel limited at all! The chai was delicious, authentic & perfectly made.
Will definitely be visiting again
Now to the food. We ordered tandoori chicken in a paratha wrap which was absolutely fantastic along with masala chai. The menu has a good variety of food to order so you won’t feel limited at all! The chai was delicious, authentic & perfectly made.
Will definitely be visiting again
Tanya Sachedina
Sep 11, 2021
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As someone who doesn't eat dairy I usually can't have masala chai at restaurants so I was thrilled that they had a vegan option and it was really good!!
We ordered a bunch of wraps and they were fresh, delicious, not too spicy and had that homemade touch to them.
My favourite though were the masala fries, they were soooo good and a must have in future- much better than the standard masala fries you get elsewhere.
Service was great, this is a family run place and should be supported for the hard work, effort and love that they put into their food :)
We ordered a bunch of wraps and they were fresh, delicious, not too spicy and had that homemade touch to them.
My favourite though were the masala fries, they were soooo good and a must have in future- much better than the standard masala fries you get elsewhere.
Service was great, this is a family run place and should be supported for the hard work, effort and love that they put into their food :)
Fariya F.
Aug 31, 2021
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Khoi Pham
May 13, 2021
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Mike M.
Jan 23, 2020
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This is a great little teashop. I'm an Indian tea snob and this place makes some of the best chai you can get in Toronto. It's authentic. Their food is good too. I've tried the Qeema (ground beef) with Parothas and they were delicious. You can just have Parotha (it's a pan fried, flaky Indian bread) with their teas. I've only tried the classic tea and loved it every single time.
Now, about the seating. This place is long and about 80% of the space is taken over by their kitchen in the back and the counter area. So the seats are kinda squished together all in the front
Now, about the seating. This place is long and about 80% of the space is taken over by their kitchen in the back and the counter area. So the seats are kinda squished together all in the front
Zahid C.
Jan 15, 2020
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Rahul Bagdai
Nov 21, 2019
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The Elchi Chai Shop is amazing! It has such an authentic Gujarati vibe (a state in the West of India), and it's first of its kind! It brings the desi Gujarati chai and parothas with a modern take! The samosas are delicious but could be slightly more flavourful. The parothas (parathas in Gujarati) on the other hand are so authentic. I'd like to see more vegetarian variety in parothas though.
That's all, keep it up guys! I loved the vibe and the experience.
That's all, keep it up guys! I loved the vibe and the experience.
Sam D.
Nov 07, 2019
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I've been here quite a few times so I was surprised I haven't written a review. They do traditional and innovative paranthas and chais. I always try something different when I visit. It is a great place to visit in winter as it's really nice and warm and the food helps you be nice and warm too. The location is cozy and probably fits less than 20 people. There are a couple steps so not accessible. This is on our list of usual places we visit around the city for food. I wish their hours were longer! The biggest problem is choosing what to order because everything is so good.
Grace L.
Oct 31, 2019
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Mahsa N.
Jul 11, 2019
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If you are a chai person, this the place for you! You have a range of chai options available, along with delicious snacks such as parathas and masala fries. The place is small but not crowded so good for meeting up and catching up with friends during the day.
We got the masala chai and paratha with honey butter, both of which were really good. Definitely recommended!
We got the masala chai and paratha with honey butter, both of which were really good. Definitely recommended!
K. M.
Feb 16, 2019
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I had to come out of hibernation to post this review, if only to thank the gang at Elchi for warming my cold bones in this wretched winter.
The quality of chai and tisane teas that they offer here are truly one of a kind. Without fail, I come by at least once a week, rain or shine, to have a Masala Chai and an Elixir Tea. Their incredible masala chai is out of this world with flavour. I wish I could do it justice by using words to describe how good it tastes, but the most I can emit is a very loud moan of ecstasy when I drink it. It's made fresh every day and boiled with spices like cardamom
The quality of chai and tisane teas that they offer here are truly one of a kind. Without fail, I come by at least once a week, rain or shine, to have a Masala Chai and an Elixir Tea. Their incredible masala chai is out of this world with flavour. I wish I could do it justice by using words to describe how good it tastes, but the most I can emit is a very loud moan of ecstasy when I drink it. It's made fresh every day and boiled with spices like cardamom
Imran N.
Dec 19, 2018
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Jacqueline Mak
Aug 06, 2018
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I don’t often get a chance to try Indian Cuisine, so I decided to visit this cute little Indian fusion cafe. I enjoy the variety that they offer, from Chai, to smoothies also known as Lassi, a yogurt based drink originating from India and to traditional Indian dishes like Tandoori Supreme which consists of Tandoori Chicken and Potato Medley served with Parotha similar to a roti but better!
The wall decor is very creative, the overhead hanging lights bring a modern touch, and their menus are written out on rolling sheets. The overall atmosphere of the cafe and the menu are worth checking out
The wall decor is very creative, the overhead hanging lights bring a modern touch, and their menus are written out on rolling sheets. The overall atmosphere of the cafe and the menu are worth checking out
Tim H.
Aug 01, 2018
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Real Chai, But Not The Best Chai.
I am 100% in favor of there being more 'authentic' chai shops in North America to combat the fake, chai concentrate that have become so popular at coffeehouse and cafes.
So I was really excited to try Elchi and its assortment of numerous authentic chais. I had the house "Elchi Chai" and it was good, but not mind-blowing. I've had better chais at various Indian restaurants and I was hoping to be equally wowed -- perhaps that was an unfair expectation from me.
I guess my main issue was that I had to customize the drink. It was rather
I am 100% in favor of there being more 'authentic' chai shops in North America to combat the fake, chai concentrate that have become so popular at coffeehouse and cafes.
So I was really excited to try Elchi and its assortment of numerous authentic chais. I had the house "Elchi Chai" and it was good, but not mind-blowing. I've had better chais at various Indian restaurants and I was hoping to be equally wowed -- perhaps that was an unfair expectation from me.
I guess my main issue was that I had to customize the drink. It was rather
Elvis A.
Jun 23, 2018
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OK I am not a connoisseur of Chai but am quite familiar with the taste profiles. First thing first I am used to freshly made version and not the one they sell here. Even at roadside spots they always have a pot brewing and you get it right from the stove after ordering. The version offered here is in hot beverage dispensers. The classic version I tried here wouldn't rate above a bagged version or dare I say a powdered version being sold nowadays (I keep one for guests and all one has to do is pour boiling water!)
The setup itself isn't very nice IMO. Tight seating and the cups seemed
The setup itself isn't very nice IMO. Tight seating and the cups seemed
Nora T.
Dec 14, 2017
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I am reluctantly giving this place 3 stars, with hopes of updating this in the future. I was looking forward to this place. I've had my share of masala chai at home and random places, but I was really looking forward to something so cozy as Elchi Chai Shop.
When I walked in, it wasn't busy, but about three others came in right after me. I ordered a masala chai, and the kebab balls. There was only one person taking the orders, and making the food in the kitchen (second person was on break I think), so service was a bit slow at start.
They were out of the masala chai, they were making
When I walked in, it wasn't busy, but about three others came in right after me. I ordered a masala chai, and the kebab balls. There was only one person taking the orders, and making the food in the kitchen (second person was on break I think), so service was a bit slow at start.
They were out of the masala chai, they were making
Hafsah H.
Jul 22, 2017
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For those of you who aren't lucky enough to live close to your mom who can make you comfort food - this is an excellent spot to replicate the "just like home" feeling.
Upon walking in to the cute brick storefront, the girl up front smiled and welcomed me. I knew exactly what I wanted and she quickly took my order and went about making my food. I ordered the masala chai and the potato paraontha.
The aroma of the food was intoxicating! I couldn't wait to eat. The food arrived fresh and warm; perfect for a rainy day. The chai was excellent; definitely made me a little less
Upon walking in to the cute brick storefront, the girl up front smiled and welcomed me. I knew exactly what I wanted and she quickly took my order and went about making my food. I ordered the masala chai and the potato paraontha.
The aroma of the food was intoxicating! I couldn't wait to eat. The food arrived fresh and warm; perfect for a rainy day. The chai was excellent; definitely made me a little less
Adil D.
Jun 04, 2017
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Saw this cute little place driving by and had to stop by this morning. The owner was very nice and friendly. They just opened a month and I see a lot of potential in a place like this.
I got samples of the Elchi and Masala chai. Both were delicious and I had a hard time deciding. Went with masala and it was smooth, creamy, and delicious!
I got a parotha with butter and jam. Simple and tasty. I hope to come back before we go back to the states.
Wish we had a place like this in San Francisco!
I got samples of the Elchi and Masala chai. Both were delicious and I had a hard time deciding. Went with masala and it was smooth, creamy, and delicious!
I got a parotha with butter and jam. Simple and tasty. I hope to come back before we go back to the states.
Wish we had a place like this in San Francisco!
