The Chai Wallah caravan . Raglan Wallis Street authentic chai
The Chai Wallah is one of Raglan’s most loved little institutions. A colourful caravan tucked at 6 Wallis Street where the smell of cardamom, cinnamon and ginger hits you before you’ve even ordered. In Hindi, a chai wallah is the maker and seller of chai, and that’s exactly what you’ll find here: hand-brewed authentic Indian-style chai poured slowly, with care, from a working caravan in the heart of Whāingaroa. It’s a community hub as much as a café. Locals catch up on the patio, travellers stop in for what many call the best chai of their lives, and the whole spot has the kind of unhurried, music-and-conversation atmosphere that defines Raglan at its best.
ABOUT
- Authentic Indian-style chai — slow-brewed with black tea, milk and a warming spice blend
- Cacao chai — a rich, indulgent blend of chai spices and cacao, a signature drink and one of the most-recommended cups in Raglan
- Chaicoffski — the famous coffee-and-chai combination that’s earned a cult following
- Coffee — espresso classics for those who want their caffeine the traditional way
- A rotating selection of sweet and savoury snacks to go with your drink
Good to know
- Cash or bank transfer only — there’s no card machine, so grab cash before you visit (the menu has bank account details if you’d rather transfer)
- No takeaway cups — in keeping with Raglan’s town-wide move away from disposables, drinks are enjoyed in proper cups on the patio
- Outdoor seating — the patio is the place to be on a sunny morning