Excellent, authentic Chai. I ordered the Karak Chai with salted jaggery. I love the cardamom flavor coming through in the Chai. I would say that the service was a bit lacking. I was waiting for my order for a while, not knowing it was ready at the counter for me. No one called my name nor informed me that my order was ready. Despite this, I am looking forward to my next visit as I have never tasted better Chai in the Bay Area! Definitely a must-visit! read more

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

See all

One of my favorite cafes in Berkeley! They have great authentic chai, delicious pastries, and the best ambiance out of all the cafes I've visited in the area. I enjoy getting their karak or oat chai with their rose or lavendar syrups, but you can't go wrong with any of their drinks. I also love their jaggery chocolate chip cookie and pistachio loaf! Certainly a place to stop by for a drink or sweet treat in Downtown Berkeley! read more

I love their chai, story, and ingredient sourcing. Amazing chai, hours, and atmosphere. The chai tastes very rich and fresh. Customers can watch the chai baristas make the drinks. It's an amazing process. (also shoutout to Diaspora Co. - super cool amazing awesome sustainable supply chain spice company) Also, wonderful cafe space. Great natural light. Amazing booth seats with the comfortable pillows. Unfortunately, no chargers... so make sure you come with your devices charged. I'll definitely be coming back and you should check it out too! read more

See all

Traditionally brewed chai served in earthenware mugs? A walkable location with limited parking? A particularly dismal seating situation? You won't find a location that absolutely bellows "Berkeley cafe" more than elaichi co. Before we begin, the only real gripe I have with elaichi is the guilt of having to become a circling shark while waiting for one of their 5(?) tables with enough seating to study with a friend. We arrived earlier in the evening around 5 PM on a weekday to a packed house and multiple fellow circlers, who we luckily beat out for a seat in the back corner. Our order, a small cup of karak chai and an elaichi bun, was ready in around 10-15 minutes. The chai came out blisteringly hot (I burned my tongue) but cooled quickly within an hour of being served, with a thinner consistency and heavier herbal profile that I found preferable to every chai inspired beverage I've had to date. The elaichi bun also came warm, with a thick croissant-like shell that gave way to a very dense interior that wasn't particularly to my liking. Props to ensuring that the cardamom flavor was maintained throughout the entire bun, though. Water and wifi are provided that make for a very enjoyable study experience if you can get a seat. I'll be back if I'm in a patient sort of mood but it's definitely worth the wait. read more

elaichi co. - Karak Chai and Elaichi Bun - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Stopped by Elaichi Co ,didn't try the chai this time because I was really craving coffee. I ordered the orange saffron latte (less sweet) ...it was pretty good, though I found myself wanting just a bit more coffee flavor. The roast itself was nice, just not one I'd necessarily crave again. Overall, I approve the spot! It's a really cute location with nice indoor and outdoor seating and super friendly service. Would definitely come back to try more of the menu (maybe the chai next time!). read more

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

See all

A legitimate chai spot in Berkeley! We can't stop going back - the chai is true to form and is excellent. This place is located just a few blocks from campus and it's been hard to find space sometimes because there is a lot of footfall. (Annoyingly a lot of students camped out with laptops too, but hopefully that's good for business!) They have an interesting pastry collection too that fuses together Western favourites with South Asian flavours (e.g. elaichi bun, pistachio loaf cake, etc.). read more

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

See all

I've been twice and both times, the karak chai has really hit! 10/10 love to see the culture read more

Elaichi is the ultimate study spot serving delicious hot chai, perfect for cold weather. This quaint coffeeshop is tucked away in a corner of downtown berkeley, but inside hosts a wonderfully warm and inviting atmosphere full of students and lively music! They have free unlimited wifi and the ambiance is both cozy and comfortable --the best for a rainy or cold day in. I came here with a friend to study and we ended up staying for the whole night. At 5PM, you can expect it to be pretty packed and the chances of getting a table low, however, if you stay persistent one eventually opens up and I believe it's worth the wait! I loved the cups they serve their drinks it and the quality of their chai and coffee were top-notch. I definitely want to come back to study and to try their pastries! read more

See all

Amazing Chai! Great service and ambiance , bought a chai maid to use at home and it does not disappoint Have to try the food next time read more

Been here a few times and it is always full of people, but the line is never too long because it moves quickly. Staff are very friendly. The cafe is small but with a good amount of seats inside and a few outside too. The overall ambiance is very calming and welcoming. I had the Rose gingersnap cookie, which was delicious, very soft and chewy. For my drink I got the iced Roohafza Matcha which was great. I will definitely come back again. read more

elaichi co. - Roohafza Matcha & Rose gingersnap cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

大桌子、靠背椅、咖啡、糕点、WiFi，还有超长的营业时间，专为学生打造的自习胜地？但室内空间显然是太小了，而且停车有难度，不过客流量看起来一般般 咖啡豆来自Ritual，确实没什么想喝的欲望，烘焙品也做得普普通通，几款特色的香料药草饮倒是可以试一试 chai oat chai 【印度香料奶茶】 两个不锈钢水壶在炉子上持续加热着，冒烟烫嘴的温度或许只合适于伯克利的气候吧 燕麦和坚果的香气毫不掩饰地冲出来，入口先感受到甜，紧随其后的是坚果的油脂香与暖香料的苦，醇厚浓稠的同时，竟还留有一丝清新的后调，虽然整体的味道平衡恰到好处，但廉价红茶所带来的涩还是无法避免 seasonal roohafza matcha milk｜ceremonial-grade organic matcha｜south asian rose herb syrup 【玫瑰药草抹茶拿铁】 十分清爽的冰饮，糖浆的甜度比较淡，更多的是玫瑰和药草混合的回味，抹茶则直接隐身，唯独留下了没被扫开的渣质，使得口感不太顺滑 bakery elaichi bun flour｜milk｜eggs｜butter｜sugar｜cardamom 【小豆蔻面包】 小豆蔻的颗粒看着挺大，其实辛香味并不明显，外壳有些硬脆，内里的醒发也差点意思，属于没什么弹性的死面坨子，通过不断地咀嚼才能带出白面本身的香气 read more

See all

I got the iced karak chai and elaichi bun -- make sure to ask for it warmed up! Both were delicious. The karak chai wasn't too sweet. The indoor seating area can be busy on a weekday but there is outdoor tables which is really nice, and the wifi still reaches. Very cute interior with a lot of great drink and pastry options on the menu. read more

Tried their new spring menu today! Got the roohafza matcha which is matcha with rose syrup in it. SO GOOD. I had them make it less sweet for me because I don't like sweet drinks, so the barista put half the syrup in it. It was so good. Could definitely taste the rose. Sat outside because there were no tables inside but it was still super cute! read more

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

See all

I was excited to see a place with karak chai after loving it in London. Elaichi's tasted like chai at an Indian restaurant and nothing special at that. I was hoping for more interesting spices or for it to be a little spicy. After one sip I immediately regretted ordering it but then felt like tossing it would be wasting money. :( read more

Best chai ever! Elaichi is my guilty pleasure and I love everything on the menu! Especially the oat chai and rose pistachio bread!

This cafe is soooo chic! The chai is so bomb and the cardamom bun is delicious! Love what these guys are doing! It's def special!

I ordered an oat milk rose chai "for here" with a friend and after looking around to see that there was no seating, worried briefly that the decision was a mistake. The pillows and large tables were perfect for either getting work done or catching up with a friend, but it was PACKED on a Thursday evening. Even the standing tables were full, so we huddled for a few minutes to wait for something to free up. Due to the crowds (presumably associated with UC Berkeley being in session), I don't think I'd come back and set up camp again. I absolutely would pick up another chai sometime, though, because it was of the highest quality. read more

Hi my name is Noushin Jiwani I would like to give my review: We had a great time today At Elachi cafe. Best customer service, great atmosphere good food. I highly recommend my friends and family to visit the place. I came from San Ramon to celebrate my birthday. Love it read more

A friend of a friend recommended elaichi co. to me at a group dinner after I mentioned I hadn't found a solid spot for chai in San Francisco. I'm super grateful for her recommendation, as I've found my new favourite chai spot on the West Coast. Both the oat chai latte and elaichi bun I ordered were 10/10. This place is worth the trip from the City, and I can't wait to come back. read more

elaichi co. - elaichi bun and oat chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Why wasn't this open when I lived across the street as a student?!! (Maybe good thing it wasn't, for my wallet) I dragged my friends up to Berkeley to try this place. They have an extensive menu of chai, coffee, various syrup flavors like rose and cardamom, non-tea drinks like mango shakes, and non-masala teas like sparkling yuzu peach. They also offer several pastries like cardamom buns, pistachio cardamom cakes, and various other cookies. I ordered the oat chai (for my sensitive tummy). If you order hot for here, you get to drink the chai out of these beautiful hand made clay cups, which really adds another level to the experience. Tbh, I found the chai less spice forward than Kolkata Chai Co in NYC which was a bit disappointing but perhaps I can try the cold version another time, as sometimes flavors are muted when hot for me. The cardamom bun made up for it in it's perfectly cardamom, butter, and sugar forward flavor. Logistics: - indoor and outdoor seating; perfect place for a friend catch up, book time, people watching, or light work - limited street parking nearby, a few paid public garages in the area, plenty of public transit options - I don't think any of the pastries are GF but not 100% sure - OPEN LATE (for a cafe) !! For when I want a sweet treat after 3pm thank god read more

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

Back after soooo many months away! I've started alternating my morning coffee w chai to not get slapped awake every morning and elaichi.co is truly some of the best I've had in the Bay! Tried their Karak Chai which has whole milk, elaichi/cardamom, and other warm spices which makes the perfect not too sweet morning drink. They also have a variety of syrups to try with their drinks as well & they have all your standard espresso drinks too. Also tried the Elaichi Bun which was stellar and had whole cardamom grounds in it which was so flavorful! I'll definitely be back to try the rest of the drinks (and pastries hehe!) 5/5 experience for food and drink read more

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

See all

It's not every day you run into a Chai specialty establishment. In fact, most cafes in the Bay Area seem to confine themselves to the matcha and cafe worlds with little attention devoted to chai. I stumbled across elaichi co. on Instagram through their modest social media following and decided to try it with a few friends during our Berkeley visit. We ordered a few chai lattes and an americano (for me). Not sure what convicted me to order a coffee at a tea spot, perhaps it was my vice for black coffee or the need to pump caffeine into my bloodstream from the sleepless night before I'm not sure. Regardless, the americano was just alright for being five dollars including tip. The chai lattes were good according to my friends though. I'm not a huge chai person, so I can't say I'll be back for that. But, the pastries looked divine in their display case and also featured prominent Indian flavors. I've never heard of a paratha quiche before, but I appreciate the creativity it takes to invoke a classic French dish with a South Asian spin. The cafe was a bit loud so not entirely conducive to a study atmosphere, but it makes for a great place to enjoy tea and catch up with friends which is exactly the environment I sought today. read more

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

See all

A cafe that specializes in chai? I had to come try it. I got an iced karak chai. I loved the spices. I wished I got it warm, but it was a hot day when I was there. They make it in batches in house. One of the pots spilled over while I was there, and the aroma just wafted in the air. Solid place to come for a drink. read more

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

Was in the Berkeley downtown area and came across this spot. The aroma of cardamom and chai calls out to you where you walk past the cafe, can't not make a stop! Finally an upscale chai spot in Bay Area that serves authentic string India chai. Tried the karak chai and cake rusk and the nanikhatai. I love the way the way they pour the chai- just like a chaiwala and in a kulhad (cup) too!!! There is ample seating. Lots of students were studying. The decor is beautiful. The servers are so friendly. All in all.. a great experience! Wish they would open up somewhere on the peninsula as well read more

elaichi co. - Karak chai with tea rusk and nanikhatai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

Elaichi is a newer spot that I've added to my study rotation when I'm up in Berkeley. It is a relatively busy place, but it has quite a few spots to sit and study for a few hours. Their specialty is their chai, and they have an impressive way of pouring the chai from an ornate pot and creating a long stream of chai. The serving cups for dine-in have a wonderful homemade pottery vibe to them. They are sturdy and come with cupholders that really make you feel right at home as you dine. Elaichi is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the main street, and their high quality chai is a must-try. They also have games and books, as well as pillows on their benches - these small details are really wonderful. read more

I wanted to love this place, but maybe I came on an off day? I remember learning about Elaichi co. when they recently opened up at the beginning of the year. I brought the idea up to multiple friends and thought it would be a great idea to come with my best friend. The cafe is so homey and cozy! Right when stepping in, I liked the vibes to it. We came on a weekday and all tables were taken with students working--a hot spot for working. There's also a few tables outside, WiFi available, and a chill ambiance. The barista working was friendly and helpful, making our drinks relatively fast and interesting to watch--never seen tea poured into a cup that way at a cafe. I had the Oat Chai and I was expecting much more in taste but left yearning for more. Unlike other reviews, my drink was not creamy or spiced. It was quite diluted and there was no pronounced tea or cardamom flavor. My friend had the Karak Chai and we were both quite disappointed. They also offer coffee options and baked goods which sound good and if I wasn't too full I would've wanted to try one! Cal students flock to Elaichi co. for an all-day and night study and hangout spot. The cafe specializes in chai, other beverages, and baked goods; but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. Find them tucked off Allston Way with street parking and easy access on foot. read more

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

See all

This is the best coffee I've had since moving to the Bay Area! We came in to try the cardamom bun which was so delicious. But was so impressed by how cute the coffee shop is and very very impressed by how delicious my cortado was! The quality of the coffee was so good. Will definitely be back. Also the barista was very kind! read more

Finally! The strongest of chai tea drinks from the Arab world had made it here throughout the Bay Area, in Berkeley that is. My love for chai had guided me to Elaichi co., where we chai lovers gathered to try the best of the best. Now that my search is over, I was itching to try the Karak Chai, so that I'm willing to share how good this drink was. It's very bold with dominant hints of cardamom which made Karak Chai so authentic. I would definitely come back and have it again as a strong tea different from spiced tea (masala chai) I had from Curry Up Now. It's amazing to see top-notch pouring from a highly trained chai wallah. People who were a long way from home can be a good new addition to our communities throughout the Bay Area. Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are what creates hospitality. Though Elaichi co. didn't have charging stations, I still admire a tall interior space. I highly recommend Elaichi co. to those who love strong milk tea. read more

See all

Thursday, December 19th, 2024 14:00 Oat-milk Chai ($6.75) (12 oz, iced) with lavender syrup ($0.75) - strong masala Chai with light floral notes from the lavender chocolate chip jaggery cookie ($4.75) - I love that they use quality chocolate (from a brand called Dandelion Chocolate) - balanced flavor profile with sweetness from the chocolate and cookie dough, slightly bitter and umami jaggery, and salt on top read more

elaichi co. - Oat-milk Chai, chocolate chip jaggery cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I visited this place seeing all the hype it has on IG. I ordered the karak chai, pistachio loaf cake and elaichi bun. The karak chai was watery and not strong though the name said kadak. The elaichi bun was decent. Pistachio cake felt like normal vanilla cake with not much pistachio flavor. The ambience was nice though. Overall, I felt the place was over hyped and will not visit again read more

I came to elaichi co on a chilly day, perfect for a cup of chai. As other reviewers said, the seating was limited on a mid morning Saturday. I'm the ambiance was warm and the server was friendly. Parking was easy to find. My daughter said she walked by here frequently and hadn't noticed it before. We watched the barista pour two cups while holding the pot high in the air. The added show pour was a sweet extra flare. The menu had different selections of cafe items with two chai options. I went with the oat chi and she had the karak chai. We shared a slice of pistachio loaf cake. If you're not a fan of cardamom this isn't the chai for you. My chai had almost a fruity pebbles flavor and the cake was a bit too sweet. I enjoyed both and would com back for a chai to go. read more

elaichi co. - Oat chai and pistachio loaf cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

05/26/2024 Today's morning adventure is to find another coffee place. Hubby found this one just a couple blocks from the hotel we were staying at. This coffee shop was clean and cozy, located about a block from the university. Not very busy at 8:30 am on a Sunday and they offered free WiFi. My macchiato was flavorful but was warm. Not too happy about it since yesterday's morning coffee (the first one) was also warm. read more

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

See all

Spotted Elaichi on a visit to Berkeley and decided to give it a try. Was really glad to see cardamom all over their menu as it's a flavor I really enjoy. I got the karak chai which was pretty good (they also have an oat milk version)! Karak is actually supposed to be a stronger version of the regular masala chai so I wished it had a bit more of a kick for me personally but overall still good. Vibes were on point and if I went to Cal I'd probably be here all the time! read more

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

Lovely cafe to study! Wifi is available for those who need it. Seats and tables are available for those who are able to snag one! Your typical Berkeley street parking is available. ordered: - kashmiri chai w/ oat milk - haldi doodh (turmeric latte) w/ oat milk I've been wanting to show my partner this place for a while and had him try my usual go to, their turmeric latte and it didn't disappoint! Their new kashmiri chai was slightly sweet and tasted a bit floral to be which I liked. would come and get it again if I wasn't feeling turmeric read more

elaichi co. - new menu as of 3/16/25 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California

I am generally not in the area but had just read about Elaichi last week and by chance was in Berkeley over the weekend on a cold rainy day!! Best time to grab a hot drink! The tea shop is decent size but was packed with customers. I noticed most wear there for the chai which is their specialty! I opted for the chai as well. It is was an aromatic tasty tea and lovely with a delicate flavor. The staff is friendly and efficient, the setting is beautiful and inviting. When in Berkeley next time, I will for sure stop for another cup of tea... read more

See all

Love this place! First discovered it when a friend got some elaichi buns takeout and they were incredible. Came in late night recently - place is open in 11pm, very chill & non pretentious, and the chai is amazing. Elaichi buns are my favorite and I can't resist taking a bunch to go. They legit get it right. Would love it if they open in SF also!! But the drive from the city is not bad later in the night. read more

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

Summary: A way better HK milk tea (??) Details: Yeah, yeah, that's a ridiculous description, but having had some pretty solid HK milk tea recently, then having the chai at elaichi soon after, there's definitely a similar vibe. Silly comparison aside, this is some pretty delicious chai: nicely spiced and seasoned, and pretty importantly, not overly sweet. Probably one of the best milk tea variants I've had in recent memory in the Bay, and one I'd hit up SO much more often if I were local. The place is usually pretty packed, though there's mixed non-chair seating outside, or you can just grab and go. Buyer beware, their chai is served burning hot, so take it slow! Accessibility: Pretty spacious cafe with a variety of accessible seating, with the caveat that when they're busy (every time I've been), it can be pretty hard maneuvering around. read more

This chai is incredibly strong, a small cup will have me awake all day. I don't know what's their recipe, but it's entirely worth spending money here as opposed to making it at home. Currently this has replaced my need to purchase coffee outside of my home. The space is clean and nice and the service is good. I'm becoming a weekly regular and for good reason. read more

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

See all

I was thrilled to find some karak chai! Definitely tasted authentic. Loved the aroma of cardamom (elaichi). The chai shop was packed to capacity!! There wasn't a lot of room to wait inside. I guess that's what happens when the tea is great! ;) The chai does take a little while to be made. We waited about 15mins. Interesting to watch the process and the pour. It was worth the wait though. However the pastries were just ok. I tried the milk rusk and the pistachio loaf, which were both a little underwhelming. read more

See all

Brief Summary: - Really good chai tea - Coffee is not sour - Indoor and outdoor seating available - Customer's name is called when your drink is ready The cafe caught my attention when I was looking for a new place to sit down and have a cup of coffee. In this case, it was chai tea as the main character of this post-lunch experience. After having lunch, we like to relax and have a cup of coffee or tea. This is located on the righthand side of the Target store. The walk feels skeptical for a moment because it's a stretch of bare walls with emergency exit doors in between, but after exceeding half a block there is an opening that widens up to the cafe. When we went in, we were welcomed with a cozy and vibrant sounds of socializing and enjoyment, the sweet aromas of the chai tea, a stark contrast to the quiet walk to this cafe. On the menu, the first item on the list is chai and the following section is coffee. Seeing that, of course it prompted me to try the chai tea. There were two types of chai tea; one is a chai with milk and the other with oat milk. Today I was thinking of drinking the refreshing oat milk chai. We also got a cup of latte. Cups came in two sizes and for this round, since we just left from a big lunch, we ordered the smaller 8oz cup. Pastries lined along the right side of the counter. All looked appealing for me, and each one looked to have cardamon inside. The wait wasn't that long and we got our drinks. Students with laptops sat along seats near the windows. There were tables near one side of the wall, but these were the ones where one remains standing. For this round, we decided to take our drinks outside. I drank both of the drinks, and I believe the chai has a nice sparkle to the experience. If you are planning to come here I strongly recommend the chai tea. This doesn't mean the coffee wasn't good. The coffee was not sour and the coffee flavor mixed well with the milk. However the chai tea had a spark of "Delicious!" the moment I took a sip of it. I loved the floral flavor of the cardamon. Even my relative, who is not a fan of cardamon, preferred the chai tea over the coffee. It was a delicious experience and I would love to try here again. read more

elaichi co. - oat chai (8oz) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Berkeley, California