Weekend grub: Chai Chowk serves the best brew in Islamabad
We are a nation of tea drinkers but, oddly enough, this isn't really proportionately reflected in the choices available to us at most cafes.
The standard menu of lattes and cappuccinos are a dime a dozen; maybe you’ll find a doodh patti or two here and there. However, if you want to move away from the mainstream, try something new this weekend and head over to Chai Chowk.
Where to go: Chai Chowk
Open for business since June, it’s a tiny but cosy space, and a couple of the tables are set up with board games like ludo and chess. There’s not a lot to choose from in terms of food, but the selection of teas more than makes up for that. Another plus point is that the WiFi always works, which is more than I can say for a lot of other cafes in town.
When to go?
Mid-morning to early afternoon are the best times to go if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. If hustle and bustle is your thing, evenings are when this cafe tends to get busier.
Having organized a successful open mic night a few weeks ago, Chai Chowk plans to make this a regular weekly event after Muharram, so stay tuned for updates on their Facebook page.
What to order?
Other chai flavours available include cardamom, ginger, lemongrass and saffron. You can also request a custom blend and have two or more of these flavours mixed together with your tea to create your own preferred flavour combination.
Other unique options include the Mango and Green Apple iced teas, the Detox green tea (a custom blend of herbs and green tea), the RoohAfzah chiller, and the Masaledar Limbooz (a non-carbonated cross between a lime chiller and limu soda).
No standard teabags are used in the making of chai and green tea. Loose-leaf tea is imported from Sri Lanka and blended to create the unique flavour you’ll only find at Chai Chowk.
Damage on the pocket?
Prices range from Rs150 to Rs400, with most options available for about Rs200.
Pro tip: Chai Chowk offers a 15% discount on days when it’s raining out!