Cha Sha Ilford — Restaurant in London

The ambience was great, the little tea cups were super-cute too! I don’t drink chai but was told it was nice. The Belgian chocolate kulfi was absolutely delicious! The prices are quite low and portions very decent.

I don’t normally post reviews if I don’t enjoy food, but I thought I needed to share this for 2 reasons.

Their loaded fries (huge) were something I couldn’t take more than 3 bites of. It’s the simplest dish on the planet not sure how people can get this wrong. The chicken tastiest a little off and the sauces just didn’t marry together whatsoever, IMO.

We went there to discuss a very pressing emergency issue with a couple of celebrities (to spread awareness). They were advertised to arrive at 7pm. We waited, with 2 young children (who fell asleep in the car & we had to wake up), until 9:30pm but no one arrived. They kept telling people “just 5 mins”. 2.5hrs of excuses - and we weren’t there “for fun” we had real issues to talk about. I mean I wouldn’t have minded had they just told us the truth: they either were running exceptionally late (3-4hrs) or had cancelled, or possibly this was a marketing gimmick to get people in.

Overall, I would never go here for food ever again. My partner felt the same way, although my brother said he would go for the chai and to try more items. The only great thing, imo, was the chocolate kulfi. In total, we ordered: • Samosa chaat (again, for Ilford Lane it was definitely below par) • Chicken cheese paratha (probably the better item of the menu) • Kachori - this is NOT a kachori. It’s more of a bigger/thicker gol gappa. The mint sauce with this tasted good with the paratha. • Loaded fries (please see picture) • Chai...

A Great Desi Spot in Ilford – A Must-Visit!

Cha Sha Ilford is a hidden gem for anyone who loves authentic desi vibes and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the rich aroma of Karak Chai and traditional snacks, setting the tone for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

The Karak Chay here is truly kamal – bold, flavourful, and brewed to perfection. It’s served hot in traditional glassware, adding to the overall charm. Definitely one of the best I've had in London!

The ambience is another standout feature. With comfortable seating and a thoughtfully designed waiting area, the place is well-suited for both families and small group meetups. Whether you’re catching up with friends or spending time with loved ones, the setting is calm, clean, and culturally rich – a perfect blend of modern casual and traditional comfort.

Their menu is quite diverse – you’ll find everything from piping hot samosas to satisfying pizzas and other fusion-style snacks. It's the kind of place where everyone can find something they like, whether you're in for a full meal or just a quick tea break. The portion sizes are generous, and the taste consistently delivers.

Pricing is relatively fair, especially considering the quality and the portion sizes. It's not the cheapest place, but you get what you pay for in terms of experience, presentation, and taste.

Overall, Cha Sha Ilford is an excellent spot to unwind with a cup of chai and a bite to eat. Great service, good food, and that unbeatable desi vibe make it a place I’ll keep coming back to.

Highly recommended for families, friends, and...

The decor was really nice, like we had been transported to another country altogether. It was very busy with it still being open to the public as well as bloggers being around but the staff were being so accommodating even with all of the hecticness.

Here is what we had:

⭐️The chicken loaded fries were yummy! Filled with different flavours and textures it just tasted so good mixed altogether and I think this would be our go to item here.

⭐️The samosa chaat was sweet and savoury which is what you want from a chaat. The colours were so vibrant too!

⭐️ Kachori with aloo - the kachori was nice and crisp and the texture of the potato curry complemented it well. I think a little more hint of spice would make it better, but this is perfect for people who don’t like spice.

⭐️ Paneer roll - I am not a fan of paneer and had one bite, everyone else on the table seemed to enjoy it. If paneer is your thing, then you would like this. I did like sauce in the roll with the paratha so if there was an option for a different filling, I would have gobbled that down.

⭐️ Teas - we tried the Cha Sha and Matka tea. They were both quite similar, milky with hints of spice. For me, the Matka tea tasted better as it was sweeter and had less of a spice kick. For anyone who likes a creamy, spice filled tea, the Cha Sha version is the one for you. I love that you can keep the cups, but they’re mad...