Chai Paani — Restaurant in England

Good friendly service, good varieties, we been only twice since it opened in Leicester, on our first visit year ago we ordered chana masala & bhatura/big sized puri, I requested for extra spicy, and it came in no time, surprised me, it wasn't spicy at all, I called for staff and told me that food is prepared in advance, seems not freshly cooked at all, I explained him that I ordered extra spicy, he went in kitchen and came back with few fresh chillies in plate...I said what's this ?....he put me off, no apology from staff, recently went back with my guest from abroad and ordered masala Dhosa, again I ordered extra spicy for me, and mild for others. Waiter made a note of extra spicy for me, but when served, it was no spicy at all, I called waiter , he said it is extra spicy sir, anyway I carry on eating my dhosa, but on my last bite of dhosa, I noticed big lump of ground chilly paste in corner, I showed to my guest too about big lump of chilly paste....no wonder it was tasteless as not mixed with main spices,...very disappointed, won't go again, all this restaurants full with unexperienced staff, cooks, chefs waiters with typical mentality, thinking, specially students, no apology from manager on counter when Bill paid, sorry Chai pani...please give proper in-house training to your staff....same issue again. 😡😡 plus washroom is upstairs, Qs there...atleast wash basin should be on same lavel as tables,instead all...

We literally stumbled into this place. We were stood outside looking at the menu, when one of the owners popped out and asked us to come inside, take a seat, look at the menu. The family took a table whilst I went to the washroom. From the outside it looks like a little cafe, quite deceptive, it's actually two floors of seating. The upstairs has a bar area and dance floor.

The food all vegetarian much to my husband's dismay. The children and I enjoyed what we ordered thoroughly. We had chilli fries, which was basically fries in coated in a hot chilly sauce. Quite a big portion. We also had pani puri.. the water and puri filling was delicious. Spicy, full of flavour without the heat. The paneer samosas were quite unusual but tasted delicious the sauce that came with them was equally delicious. The Masala Dosa.. was absolutely lovely,the portion of the potato filling was quite substantial. Usually the filling is over powered with mustard seeds and curry leaves. This filling was subtle, aromatic and full of flavour. The coconut chutney where cool and fresh tasting the Sambar spicy without heat. We enjoyed our impromptu lunch. Chai Pani has been awarded The best vegetarian restaurant of the Midlands for the past two year.. An award I feel it...

Very disappointing as a restaurant. Overall a cheap feeling... plates were plastic and still are after many years we asked for water and were given plastic glasses to drink from And the water doesn't seem particularly good to drink. we were squashed onto one long table (15 people with almost no elbow room). but the most disappointing part is the food itself, the portions are a little smaller than expected. Most of the food tasted like garlic and of not much else. This 'chinese spring dosa' is noodles in a dosa wrap that is already chopped into 4... dont get it, it will be disappointing. chili paneer had no chili in it what so ever... we got schezwan paneer which actually had chili in it but visually looked odd. rating the food alone, i wouldnt mention this place. They did have a child seat for us to use.

the food arrived suspiciously fast considering there were a lot of people. almost like a fast food restaurant but the prices do not reflect this idea.

Large loud parties can be overpowering, i could barely hear conversation being made at our table and everyone is making glances at the loudest people. I think the food is now more acceptable than before, but this is much better than indigoes further...