Chai House — Restaurant in Kirkland

The phrase "storm over a cup of tea" perfectly captures the lively conversations and passionate debates that often unfold over a simple cup of chai. After 14 years in the USA, I remain a devoted tea enthusiast, starting each day with a ☕️. Visiting friends just for tea is second nature to me. Yet, what I've missed most is the tradition of going out specifically for tea—not just to a coffee shop or an Asian tea spot, but a place with an array of chais where friends can linger, chat, and enjoy snacks well into the night.

In cities like Houston, Chicago, Dallas, or New York, such spots are common, but Seattle has long been waiting for its turn. Finally, it's here—right inside Kabab House, a separate space called Chai House. It’s more than just a tea spot; it’s a place that captures the spirit of an "adda" 🗣️, where friends gather to gossip, laugh, and relax. The variety of chais, traditional South Asian cold drinks, and snacks that are essential to tea culture make it stand out. The décor is thoughtfully designed to reflect the rich tea-drinking traditions of South, Central, and West Asia , adding to the authenticity of the experience.

During my visit, I sampled:

• Kashmiri chai (pink tea)

• Regular chai

• Cold drinks: Rooh Afza , Shikanjabeen (sweet mint lemonade with pink salt) , and mango lassi

• Snacks: Vegetable samosas and chicken puffs

The Kashmiri chai was a standout—rich, creamy, and fragrant, with a perfect balance of spices and nuts . It’s the first time I’ve encountered this in the Pacific Northwest, and it did not disappoint.

The Shikanjabeen was another highlight, offering a refreshing burst of lemon and mint 🌿, with a delightful blend of salty sweetness. The chicken puffs were lovely, and the vegetable samosas were packed with flavor, pairing beautifully with the chais.

I've always had a soft spot for Rooh Afza with milk, but this time I tried the regular version, and while it was good, I might stick with my usual choice next time. The staff mentioned that nearly all their spices are made in-house, even the mango puree for the lassi, which adds a special touch to the offerings.

They’ve just had a soft opening, so I’m excited to see how they refine their menu. A few tweaks—like more frequent batches of fresh chai, freshly baked puffs 🥐, and using filtered water for ice to avoid any lingering taste from Washington’s tap water—could further elevate the experience. They’re also working on a separate entrance, which will add to the charm.

Overall, Chai House is an exciting new spot that’s bringing something...

Im not happy to write this but being honest the chai sucks and its literally milk steamed on a coffee machine/automatic milk frother + pre made chai. What kind of Pakistani restaurant serves chai in this manner? First time I've seen this in my entire life. On top of that the prices are INSANE, chai is FIVE DOLLARS. Rooh afza + milk is SIX DOLLARS. These are prices for a coffee house, which I think this place is desperately trying to be. When they've removed hot drinks from the restaurant menu and integrated chai house into the dining menu then they cant charge coffee house prices anymore. You leave restaurant patrons with no choice but to pay $5 for a burnt milk chai, when chai at Pakistani restaurants is a few bucks at most.

This place seems like a GREAT idea that is just poorly executed. The couple that owns the restaurant + chai house seems sweet. I dont know if this is an idea from their kids who convinced their parents to do this or what the case may be, but they have completely missed the mark. What really gets me is that they charge outrageous prices and prep it in a way that is just disgraceful to Pakistani chai. There's no passion for serving a quality cup of chai, and at these prices thats the...

Great ambiance. good girl serving foood, but the chai quality is subpar. Prior to my ordering, I asked about different chais and rose petals to the girl. She told me about different options. Looks like they were spying on cam and an old woman showed up enquired in Urdu believing that I tried to hook the serving girl, although I was just asking her about chai. That old lady gave a different look at me although that girl was literally saying “he was asking...