There’s nothing like tea.
And then, there’s nothing like a good cup of tea – served well, exactly as it should be. While high tea is a fad that’s only recently catching up in the capital, Delhi has some of the best tea bars in the country. Do you know them all? Or, do you know some?
Well, whatever your answer is, here’s ixigo’s pick for the best of best tea places in Delhi and NCR.
Elma’s Bakery, Cakes and Tea Room
One of the best places in Delhi for that perfect English Tea. With muffins, croissants, red velvet cake and lots more, tea is more like an elaborate affair at Elma’s. Their range of teas include Assam, Darjeeling, Oolong, Lemongrass, English Breakfast, Nilgiri Black, Kali Zulf, Jasmine, Granny’s Garden, Hari Talwar, Nilgiri Frost and more.
The Tea Room Co, Gurgaon
Photo Courtesy – Ducklover Bonnie
Forget Green, Black or White tea, The Tea Room Co. at Gurgaon has a fascinating range of blends for a more than normal cup of tea. Try fruit blends, herbal fusions, scented brews, boutique teas, and more. Plus, there’s the High Tea spread that includes an unforgettable mix of desserts, panini, soup and more.
Cha Bar, Connaught Place
Photo Courtesy – blog.yummly
Cha Bar is a perfect place for lover of both tea as well as books. If that spells like the perfect brew for you, get ready to spend quite a good number of mornings here. Housed inside the Oxford Bookstore, there’s a good chance of you bumping into an author or two. The selection of teas at Cha Bar includes specialties like the “100 meel ki chai”, inspired by what the truck drivers on Indian roads love to have a cup of.
Everest Bakery Cafe, Paharganj
Photo Courtesy – pkshine.com
A hit with foreigners, Everest Bakery Cafe is right in the heart of all the buzz at Paharganj. While the tea menu reads common with Ginger Lemon Honey, Lemongrass, Jasmine and Darjeeling, the taste is real rich. By rich, I mean thin, fresh and rightly brewed. Lemon Cake and Masala Chai are must haves too.
Craft House, The Metropolitan Hotel
Photo Courtesy – David Wilmot
While this one is not a tea bar in the true sense of that term, it’s one of those secrets that are best kept by the tea lovers of Delhi. What you get here is the most amazing variety of whole leaf and blended teas, that is guaranteed to be handpicked from the world famous tea gardens of Darjeeling and Assam. Other than that the real secret lies in the whole variety of Ayurvedic teas.
Firdaus Mithai Shop, Old Delhi
Photo Courtesy – K.C. Tang
There is no “variety” of teas here. But that fact does not make it any less than any of its competitors. Here tea is served the old, good way – milky, strong and as awesome as an Indian cup of tea chai has ever been. This one is right by the old but still famous haveli of Mirza Ghalib.
Triveni Tea Terrace, Mandi House
Photo Courtesy – Asim Birjan.
Do not miss a visit to this one if you are anywhere near Mandi House. Plus, if you are also in love with the good, old Masala Chai. A whole lot of arty folks and students from NSD make for Triveni’s ardent fans for the reasonable price. And then, you will fall in love with its Shammi Kebabs and cups and cups of Masala Chai that accompanies those. Variety is not the buzzword here.
Passion – My Cup of Tea, Vasant Vihar
Photo Courtesy – Haneburger
Walk in here for an unforgettable tasting session, plus an amazing variety of tea that will leave you wondering. The lovely (yes, I love tea) menu has names as tealicious as Cardamon and Saffron Chai Latte, Hazelnut and Almond Chai Latte, Tisanes (Herbal Teas), Tea Liquer, Ch’a, Masala Chai and more.
So, while you head off for a perfect cup(s) of tea now, I’ll make myself a cup. Do write a comment or like us on facebook or follow us on twitter to let us know if we missed something.
Till then, happy travelling (for a cup of tea this time).
About the Author
Shikha Gautam loves to play with steering wheels, roads, words, flute and guitar among other things. Not necessarily in that order!
