Chai Pani Decatur is a beloved Indian restaurant that transports diners straight to the vibrant streets of India. Located at 406 W Ponce de Leon Ave, it has become an institution renowned for its authentic street food, stellar service, and delightful ambiance. With a menu that highlights traditional chaat items like pani puri and kheema pav, each dish brims with flavor and creativity.
Customers rave about the pani puri, frequently described as the best in Atlanta, perfectly balancing sweet and spicy flavors. The Gobi 65 and Zucchini Uttapam shine as must-try selections, showcasing a beautiful interplay of spices. Service is generally attentive, though diners note that peak times can lead to slower service and crowded spaces—particularly around the popular pani puri stand.
The restaurant's lively atmosphere encourages sharing and communal enjoyment of food, making it ideal for gatherings. Patrons have expressed satisfaction with the delicious food, friendly staff, and unique cocktails, urging others to experience the charm of Chai Pani. This gem in Decatur is truly worth a visit, offering a flavorful journey into India's culinary heart.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Has all you can eat
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves halal food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Popular with university students
Planning
Usually has a wait
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Photos
Reviews For Chai Pani Decatur
Akhila Yennam
Jun 24,2025
Chai pani is an institution for great Indian street food. I am never disappointed with Chai pani I love their food and ambiance. The restaurant maintains the name and quality any time you visit they have great service and best quality food. I have been visiting chai pani for more than 6yrs never failed anytime. I love all their dishes and hospitality.
Anora Wilson
Jun 4,2025
Love the vibe & interior of this restaurant They offer a great selection of Indian food (with a focus on street eats) - great cocktails, chaat items, delicious menu options. Service can get a bit slow when crowded. The pani puri (sweet/spicy vegetarian snack very popular in India) stand in the entry area could use extra help as the line gets really long and blocks the entire area. Definitely recommend the pani puri & kheema (minced meat - lamb in this case) pav (bread) here.
Shreya R
May 29,2025
My first visit to Chai Pani surely won’t be the last. From the moment we arrived, the entire experience was unforgettable. The service was prompt and incredibly kind, and our waitress offered us a free token to try out the Pani Puri counter for the first time! Plus, the Pani Puri itself was delicious (though sorely lacking in aloo filling)! Every single item ordered was an absolute hit. We immediately adored the Gobi 65, which is dry-seasoned with the perfect spice blend that - I felt - was reminiscent of the “gunpowder” spice blend commonly served with dosa/idli. The Zucchini Uttapam is a celebration of South Indian flavors (with an unconventional twist coming from the zucchini slices), and served alongside the very filling uttapams were the most spot-on-tasting sambar and pointedly spicy coconut chutney. The mint chutney and tamarind chutney that came with the delicious Samosas (off-menu item) were equally delicious. The Basmati Rice was also cooked perfectly and salted so well, acting as the perfect vehicle to pair with any remaining sambar/chutneys from the other dishes. Overall, I know I’m coming back here for the experience, hospitality, and delicious fare. Definitely go with company - it’s a colorful, lively spot with food that’s meant to be shared among the table! (Additional Notes - I’ve also had food that was catered from here, which was just as delicious. The Vada Pav patty is perfectly fried and comes in such pillowy pav; the Chana Masala pairs beautifully with the rice and some raita; the Pickled Slaw complements practically everything. Never a bad dish from this place!)
Hanan D. Bryant
May 25,2025
Food was excellent! We ordered Desi salad , kheema pav and ‘Dal of the day’ it was delicious! We sat out on patio and the atmosphere was lovely! The parking might be a squeeze but not a problem compared to the food you’re about to experience. Pauline our server did an awesome job suggesting food and being a fun person; she made the experience even better. We’ll be back.
Shishir Gururaj
May 22,2025
1. I couldn't find any negatives except for their strange reservation system. There were a lot of empty tables but they made us wait 5 minutes. Its not a lot but I found that strange. 2. Okay to the good stuff now. Their Pani Puri is the best I've tried not just in Atlanta but probably in the US. Not top 3. Its the best. 3. Their Pani is perfectly balanced. For people who like sweet Pani in their Pani Puri - the sweetness complements the Pani very well. For people who like it even spicier, you can make the Pani spicier with the chillies. 4. Their service is quick and the staff are polite. 5. We tried their SPDP (Dahi Puri), Vada Pav, Dal of the day, Bhel, and a few of their drinks. They were all incredibly tasty. 6. I would definitely recommend their Pani Puri, SPDP, Vada Pav (which was unexpectedly good), and their beverage options. 7. Their deserts were good too. I really wanted to try their Falooda but I didn't have the space to. Highly recommend this restaurant. Its definitely worth a 45 minute detour/drive. At least. I would go once in 2 weeks even if it was a 2 hour drive. But be aware, the wait times can be incredibly long. Reservation (if they take it) is highly recommended.
Rujul Parikh
May 5,2025
We love coming for the weekend brunch/lunch. The food is warm and fresh, and delicious every time. My wife and I love the mini crispy uttapam with coconut chutney, the kale pakoras, the chaat station, and the punjabi entrees. The unlimited chai is a huge plus. Quality buffet at a reasonable price.
prathyusha patel bandari
May 3,2025
Whenever I visit Chai Pani in Decatur, it truly feels like home. The setup has such an authentic Indian vibe, and the food is absolutely delicious. I can never control my appetite when I’m here - everything is just too tempting!What’s impressive is that Indian food is cooked and served by Americans, yet the flavors are spot-on and never miss. The staff is always friendly, polite, and welcoming, which adds to the overall great experience.They offer a wide variety of food options along with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Their alcoholic desserts is a must-try! Also, don’t miss out on the Pani Puri - it’s a total winner!!
Anburaja Balamurugan
May 2,2025
Chai Pani Decatur is hands down one of the best restaurants in the Atlanta area. The atmosphere is vibrant and full of energy — it was packed when we visited. We tried the vada pav and green mango chaat, and both were absolutely delicious. Service was smooth and friendly. We’ll definitely be back to try more!
Reviews For Chai Pani Decatur