A Kerala tea-house
& kitchen in East Ham.
Karak chai and Malabar porottas, unlimited Kerala meals, sizzling shawarma and a hall for the big celebrations — on High Street North.
Straight from the kitchen
Big flavours, plated properly
Coconut-oil fries, banana-leaf porottas and the unlimited Kerala meal that fills the table — the food our regulars keep coming back for.
The tea-house half
A proper chai — and a lot more besides
“Chai Kadai” means the tea shop, and it is one: samovar karak, sulaimani and mint teas pulled fresh through the day, next to boost, filter coffee and a counter of fresh mocktails for the evening crowd.
Private events & banqueting
Room for the whole family
Birthdays, receptions, communions and get-togethers — the team helps you run your own party in the hall, with the food laid on and an evening to yourselves.
The shop on High Street North
A South Indian tea-house in East Ham
You'll find Chai Kadai at 379–381 High Street North, its black-and-gold front and the chai-puller sign hard to miss between East Ham and Manor Park. Inside it's part tea shop, part kitchen — Kerala, Sri Lankan and Indo-Arabic cooking, from a quick karak to a full unlimited meal.
Come in for lunch, an evening feast, or just a chai and a snack on the way past.
Find us
Drop in on High Street North
On the A114 between East Ham and Manor Park stations, a short walk from Central Park. Free to walk in — call ahead for a big table or a party.
Chai Kadai East Ham
379–381 High Street North, London E12 6PG
| Monday | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Tuesday | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Friday | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00 – 23:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 – 23:00 |
Kitchen open noon–11pm, seven days a week. The pill above shows if we're open right now.
Good to know
Questions we get asked
Hours, the food, parties and finding us on High Street North.
What kind of food do you serve?
Chai Kadai is a South Indian tea-house at heart, with a kitchen that reaches wider. Expect Kerala signatures like Vizhanjam chicken fry, chicken pothi porotta, puttu and ghee rice; Sri Lankan and Chettinad curries; Indo-Arabic al faham and shawarma; and the tea-shop snacks — pazham pori, cutlets, pani puri and chaat — alongside fresh chai.
What are your opening hours?
We're open every day, from 12:00 noon until 11:00pm — including weekends. The kitchen runs through the day, so it's an easy spot for a late lunch, an evening feast or a chai on the way home. The banner at the top of the page shows live whether we're open right now.
Do you have a hall for parties and events?
Yes — there's a hall for private celebrations: birthdays, receptions, communions and family get-togethers, with the food laid on and the team on hand to help you run the evening. For dates, numbers and catering, give us a ring on 020 3976 4239.
Is there a vegetarian choice?
Plenty. Chilli paneer, gobi 65 and gobi Manchurian, paneer tikka, pani puri, chaat, masala Maggi, banana fritters and the veg samosa are all on the board, plus the full range of chai and coffee. If you've a specific requirement, mention it when you order and we'll point you to the right dishes.
Where are you, and how do I get there?
We're at 379–381 High Street North, London E12 6PG — on the main road between East Ham and Manor Park stations and a short walk from Central Park, with buses along the High Street. Directions are here, and the map above links straight to our Google listing.
Can I book a table, or is it walk-in?
Walk in any time we're open. For a larger group or a special occasion it's worth calling ahead so we can set the table — 020 3976 4239. You can also follow the day's specials on Instagram.