So glad Berkeley's finally got some dank chai. Their Karak Chai has powerful cardamom notes and any flavors you add (lavender, rose, etc) are great complements. Love the seating area as well. Lots of spaces for stretching out for such a small shop. Not many charging stations, which is probably good so people aren't chillin the whole day. I rec it for anybody coming through downtown. Read less read more

Really cool coffee shop! The ambiance was great and I loved my rose latte/ pistachio loaf. I was really craving a matcha but they only have coffee and chai. There is quite a lot of seating but the tables are really close together. They also have free wifi but my laptop kept telling me the connection was unsafe and wouldn't let me connect. I ended up using my phone's hotspot. I don't know if that'll be an issue for anyone else! Another thing is that I didn't see any outlets so make sure all your devices are charged before coming! read more

Traditional chai. We had the karak and the seasonal masala chai.. both were great. Disclaimer: I grew up on chai and make it at home. It seemed We tried the elaichi bun which was really lovely and the loaf which was okay. The place had plenty of seating and a lovely patio area off to the side but all the seats were taken with students on their laptops ‍ service was efficient. I would only recommend some savory options since that is what is usually eaten along side some good hot chai. read more

Cute cozy place with a very chai focussed menu. There are really no distractions. Their point is clear that they want give the best chai experience. And they are delivering on it. Their karak chai is the best that I have had so far. Its constantly heating in these kettles and then per order the server pours it in the glass with the correct way how its done, to aerate that chai. Just wonderful. Very friendly staff. The pastries are good too!!! read more

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Stopped by Friday morning around 10 AM and it wasn't too busy, the interior is cozy with plush pillows on the benches. I got a hot karak chai and the pistachio loaf cake, and I enjoyed both. I did think the chai would have a bit more spice flavor to it, but it wasn't too sweet and it was warming to have on a cloudy and windy day. The pistachio cake was great warmed up, I enjoyed the glaze on it. read more

elaichi co. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Don't go if you don't want 12 grams of sugar running in your body per cup you order here. And they are all premade super sweet syrup chais. This is pretty much desert shop. Also this review makes sense to the people who shop at Whole Foods who watch out nutritional facts before they add to the cart. Also this review is applicable to the people who have sugar intolerance. I asked the front desk and they clearly said they cannot avoid sugars because it's premixed. This is not like an Indian chai that you get in the restaurant where we are given the sugar on the side to put in the tea cup. read more

They have great wifi and the inside is nice and cozy, perfect for studying. I got a hot dirty chai and loved the strong taste and energy it gave. read more

I love this cute cafe. Nice hangout spot! A good vibe in Berkeley. Their chai and the way they pour it.. love it! And I love all the cakes and pastries! Wish they had savory stuff too! Nevertheless nice spot for a date or with friends! read more

elaichi co. - Oat milk Chai and pastries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Now that Starbucks is forcing people to pay for the privilege to sit in their stores, more people should support their neighborhood coffee & tea houses like Elaichi that is welcoming & serves better coffee & chai. When i am in Berkeley i make it a point to come here for a cup of the delicious Oat Chai. Elaichi is often packed but outdoor seating is available & fresh air is preferable especially since we have been blessed with beautiful weather read more

This is my go to spot for a good chai! The vibes are super cozy and there is both indoor and outdoor seating. The atmosphere is perfect for studying and relaxing. read more

An incredible cafe in Berkeley with a beautiful story and high quality chai. What stood out: - great customer service and efficient system - chai was some of the best I've had -cardamom buns are 10/10, bold in flavor and super soft - fast WiFi with no time limit -open 8am-10pm (very rare in the Bay) You must visit, you won't regret it! Hoping they expand to other locations, they have quickly outgrown this space ( no surprise given how easy it is to fall in love with them). read more

elaichi co. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Yummy chai spot in Berkeley. Street parking is available, sometimes hard to find. It gets crowded pretty easily so keep that in mind as tables and seats fill up quickly. Chai is so delicious and warming, especially during the colder months. They also have a prayer space in the back for all my Muslim folks! Absolutely love this place. read more

love love this place the staff is so welcoming. Whoever was working around 11am on a Friday was super friendly and full of energy! hope they had a great day. plenty of seating and nice ambiance. I got the latte with oat milk and elaichi syrup. it was so yummy that I still remember the joy of that first sip. Will be coming back soon for sure :) ALSO heard they have a prayer room? amazing. **edit: found it, and added a photo now. *parking is best after 6pm if you know you know Other things to note: *an extra .50 charge for decaf *syrups are .75 and milk is $1 (i believe) read more

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Paid more than $7 for a small latte. If you want a chai, it's all premade so nothing is adjustable. Tables are small and cramped like any other cafe, but there is WiFi! Music is loud and baristas are unfriendly. From what I can gather, the drinks and food are great, but everything else is not. read more

elaichi co. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Top notch chai - and I'm very particular about my chai lol - so this is in my opinion the best and most authentic chai in the Oakland Berkeley Area. Have already been here twice this week. The chicken puff and cardamom roll were both tasty. I wish they had more savory food or snack options and that the indoor seating wasn't so tough to find. I feel like people hang out there for hours with just one cup of tea so not much place for anyone else to sit down! read more

Salaam, Berkeley! Nestled in a side street in downtown Berkeley, is this lovely chai spot. I love how simple the menu is, and the oat chai was spot on, you taste the cardamom, the aromatic spices, and yes, the Chai. The dance music was a cool touch. Fyi I think the bathroom plays different music, Hindi maybe? Tea was ready promptly. Such a nice find in Berkeley! read more

This was a great place to send some time on a rainy day. It was packed, but they did have some standing tables in the back that were a nice place to put my stuff down and lean for a while haha! I had a cup of the Oat Chai and the Elaichi bun and both were okay. The service was super fast since both were premade. * Oat Chai - nice and warm with depth of flavor but not one of the best I've had or anything * Elaichi Bun (cardamom spice bun) - mild flavored, not very sweet; a bit dry (admittedly I was there around 4pm) read more

When I was in London recently, I fell in love with Omotesando Koffee and the super popular cardamom buns at the famous bakeries Fabrique (in SoHo) and Bagriet (in Covent Garden). Before anyone accuses me of "humble-bragging," just know that I'm only bringing that up because I felt the Elaichi Bun at Elaichi Co was as good - if not better! - than the ones from the best bakeries in London. And the vibe at Elaichi Co reminded me of Omotesando - sleek and chic and minimalist and modern with excellent, top quality coffee being served by friendly, smiling, capable baristas. I enjoyed the cardamom latte; my friends loved their karak chai. I saw a couple of people giving each other thumbs-ups after their first sips. I'm gonna be going back to try the oat milk chai since I saw so many customers complimenting that as well. The truth is that I thought my cardamom latte was excellent as-is, but I noticed that when I took a bite of hubby's moist pistachio loaf cake, the taste of my latte went to the next level. I think the flavors of the cake and the coffee just really complemented each other well...that was def a pleasant surprise! Nice to know that the pastries at Elaichi Co can compete with their drinks! My only "constructive criticism" (if you can even call it a criticism) is to get some savory items on the menu as well. The manager told me they're looking to expand their selection in the coming days and weeks. The playlist was edgy and cool, but I couldn't hear the music as well as I wanted because there were so many people in there. Everyone was chatting and laughing all over the place. I ain't complainin', only because it's a relief to know that this is a cafe where you can hang out late at night with your friends (especially if you're someone like me who doesn't set foot in bars and hookah lounges and nightclubs). The manager told me they also have plenty of outlets and wifi available for people who wanna stay in and work/study during the day - UC Berkeley students should be happy to hear that! I'm so thrilled that Elaichi Co is only a couple of blocks away from the BART station on Shattuck - my friends from SF should be able to come into the East Bay easily to meet up with me for a late night cuppa now! Wishing the Elaichi Co proprietors much luck, and looking forward to returning again and again! read more

chai is very good and comes out quickly. indoor seating is a bit hard to find sometimes but that is ok. read more

elaichi co. - very good - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

For my first time, the chai was really good. The menu is simple. The place is super clean and has a very minimalist vibe to it. There's a cute patio area outside that you can sit at if you don't want to be inside. I got my chai on the sweeter side but overall I really enjoyed it. read more

Found this place randomly walking through Berkeley and had to check it out. I came around 6:30pm which on itself is amazing if you need an evening pick me up. The space was pretty large with lots of indoor and outdoor seating and packed with students! I was greeted by a staff member who has a happy demeanor that was welcoming. I ordered the oat chai and the elaichi bun (warmed). The oat chai was a 3/5 as it didn't have a lot of the tradition chai flavoring to it. Next time I'd maybe ask for more of the tea spices they use. I would give the elaichi bun a 4/5 as it was pretty flavorful and really had the elachi flavor with the perfect amount of sweetness! The 2 paired pretty well together! Will definitely come back to try other drinks and pastries here! read more

elaichi co. - Oat Chai and Elachi Bun - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is a beautiful spot to study, however, it does get busy. The chai is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this spot. It's definitely one of the best in the whole bay! Their pumpkin chai base drink is the best thing I've had in my life. Please come here and support this awesome business! read more

great spot for studying, i truly love having two milk options for milk, you dont see that every day ! great workers and beautiful lighting and music pro tip: you have to come super early because it is always super packed, it might be hard to find a seat read more

Came here to do some work, the ambiance is nice, oat chai is good, friendly service, overall it's a nice cafe to get some work or studying done near campus. Also bonus for opening later than other cafes around the area read more

The chai here always hit the spot. Currently they have specials made with real mangoes. We always visit when in Berkeley

Omg I love their elaichi bun it's just so perfectly made we go there often whenever we feel like goi out and relax it's the best place to go and the whole vibe of the cafe is really calming and relaxing read more

elaichi co. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

The chai here is very good, unlike the chai in large pots that you get from Indian restaurants. Of course you're definitely paying a premium price, but it's worth it if you want that real chai flavor. They have a handful of pastries as well; we tried the pistachio cake which was dry (although it was late in the night when we stopped by so it may not have been the freshest) and the chocolate chip jaggery cookie which was pretty good. read more

okay the barista that helped me was soooo sweet! i got the chai oat latte and it was so cozy and delicious. i haven't tried many chai lattes but appreciate that it's made in the traditional way here. i love that it's a family owned business too. i can't remember what loaf i got and what it tasted like but i remember it was yummy. it's also very cute and aesthetic inside. the only tricky part is parking but what's new in berkeley. read more

elaichi co. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

This was so delicious oh my goodness! I was greeted with a welcoming smile + energy when I walked in. I also love the way the cafe looks and they have a lil outdoor seating too. The drink was a 10/10 - slight bitterness but I actually like it. read more

elaichi co. - Oat chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

The pastries were fresh, and everything felt thoughtfully made. The space has a cozy and welcoming vibe, making it a great spot to relax, study, or catch up with a friend over coffee. The service was friendly and smooth. read more

This might just be the best chai I've had find in the bay! They have delicious chai with whole milk and even have an oat milk option that's just as good. They also make all their pastries in house and are a nice treat to have with your chai. This place can be packed on the weekends, but they get you your drink pretty quick and there is some outdoor seating outside. Looking forward to coming back here! read more

The Karak chai and Oat Chai are wonderfully flavorful. Elaichi buns are a must-try for a unique sweet (but not too sweet) treat. The pistachio loaf is also excellent with the hint of orange and of course rose petals add to the taste and look beautiful. All of the employees were great. They were cheerful, welcoming and helpful. I'm excited to see this business grow. Hoping to see more menu items in the future to try. It's nice to have a place with authentic chai! read more

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We ordered Chai which was served unfortunately within secs from a pre made steel kettle (they had few lined up). It had a bitter over cooked flat taste. We also ordered cake which stale texture. There is serious problems with limited seating where college kids were "camping" with laptops and headphones in no mood to leave soon so we were told by the staff to take it outside in the cold rain. There is no free parking nearby so we basically paid for parking and then did a take away. I didn't find anything special in this place and won't recommend especially for someone driving to it from farway like we did. read more

Awesome and traditional taste in the bread and pastries they offer. Good spot by the UC Berkeley campus to chill and get some work done. read more

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I am obsessed. The most delicious coffee, the perfect assortment of sweet and savory foods, wifi, and great atmosphere. The baristas are all so kind and helpful. A must try! read more

elaichi co. - Karak chai and quiche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Nice and quaint chai place with chill and calm vibes. They play nice, hip and modern hip hop and afrobeats. The treats are good and tasty. I ordered the oat chai and elaichi bun. read more

The only real chai I've found in the whole Bay Area, aside from actual ashrams. Not the sugar water crap all the cafes serve. I probably shouldn't say this, since now the seating will be even harder to come by. People do their computer stuff here which is extremely annoying. Using seating as an office. Only docked a star because the business allows that. read more

The ambiance is welcoming and the refreshing scent of cardamom is evident when you get near the front door. If the plants look healthy, you know they care. If you don't want your chai sweet, get it at 1/4 of sweetness. Barista was very knowledgeable of the drinks and allowed my friends and I to sample a couple different ones before we made our final decisions. The place was clean and so was the bathroom! Love that a local artists' photography was on display- so nice to have this space. read more

Elaichi is a great spot for folks seeking an authentic chai experience!! The karak chai was fantastic!! read more

The ambience is chic and the staff is friendly. However, I went in expecting authentic chai taste with elaichi flavours. The chai seemed to be reheated multiple times and had a bitter taste to it. It had no flavour of elaichi too. (Elaichi is one of the ingredients mentioned). We ordered the pistachio loaf, nan Khatai and elaichi bun. We visited at 6pm and they were already out of the nan khatai and elaichi bun. The staff nicely apologised and asked us if we would like to get a refund or try something else. We decided to try the rusk. The Nankhatai and rusk were both very fresh and very tasty- the right amount of sweet. The menu is small and simple, staff is courteous and the location is very cute. There's street parking available and you can find a lot of college students doing homework in the cafe making it difficult to find seating easily. read more

elaichi co. - Nankhatai and karak chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

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