Chefs like Katie Button of Cúrate, Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani, and William Dissen of The Market Place have established Asheville as a culinary destination, blending regional traditions with inventive flavors. Asheville’s farm-to-table movement began long before the concept was trendy, with Mark Rosenstein opening The Market Place in 1979 as one of the pioneers. In 2009, chef William Dissen took over the restaurant, maintaining the ethos of working with local purveyors—and the restaurant was nominated for a James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant this year, its 45th year in business.

Chai Pani forever changed Asheville’s dining scene when it began serving Indian street food dishes like chaat, pakora, sloppy jai, and uttapam back in 2009. The owner, who grew up in Ahmednagar, India, helped popularize Indian street food throughout the American South, and has since expanded with an Atlanta location and a retail shop Spicewalla (which you can find down the street). Be warned that there’s no reservation system and the line regularly creeps halfway down the block, so you’ll probably have to plan your day around getting a table, or at least an hour to secure takeout.

Molly and Meherwan Irani took home the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant, and there’s usually a huge number of people waiting for a table at Chai Pani. At the pair’s Indian street food restaurant, order chaat—a category of savory, vegetarian street snacks served across the subcontinent—that’s at once crunchy, a little spicy, and a bit sweet. The Pav—a sandwich that originally fed textile workers in Mumbai—is zhuzhed up here, the lightly griddled brioche-style bun filled with spicy lamb or vada, potato dumplings fried in curried chickpea batter.

In 2022, this unassuming storefront Indian street food eatery stunned the culinary world by winning the James Beard Award for Most Outstanding Restaurant in the country. Fortunately, the accolade hasn't changed the laid-back delightful experience of dining here. Chef-owner Meherwan Irani draws inspiration from his hometown near Mumbai in dishes like bhel puri (crispy puffed rice with a tamarind sauce) or chicken pakoras (savory fritters).

If you're too late to snag one of these hot reservations, looks to places like Chai Pani, a small space serving Indian street food dishes in the Battery Park neighborhood with several outdoor tables, or Jettie Rae's Oyster House, a relative newcomer with tons of outdoor space and a menu that ranges from oyster shooters to fish and chips.

Chai Pani, home to arguably the best Indian food in Asheville, offers several ways to save. Go for its street snacks menu to enjoy the savory Indian goodness that Chai Pani is known for at prices starting at $6.99, or split one of its traditional Thali meals as they are hearty. To-go rice and curry are also affordable options.

Vegan-friendly Chai Pani steers diners away from the wedding banquet cuisine of more classical Indian restaurants toward the colorful, texture-rich delights of Bombay street food. “We never changed the food, we changed the presentation,” says brand director Michael Files.

Literally ‘tea and water,’ chai pani refers more generally to inexpensive snacks. Hence the ever-changing array of irresistible street food at this popular, no-reservations downtown restaurant. Fill up on crunchy...

Chai Pani has won all kinds of awards for its incredible Indian street food, and because so much of the frying that is done in Indian street food involves chickpea flour, either instead of or in addition to any wheat, many of the dishes will have less gluten than at other restaurants. However, because there is no dedicated fryer and multiple reviewers have mentioned that some trace amount of gluten caused them trouble, it’s probably best to assume most of the items marked gluten-free will be a perfectly good option for sensitivity but could be dangerous for people with celiac disease. If you do stop by, some of the flavorful options that are made nearly gluten-free or entirely so are on a special, amusing menu, which conveniently helps you not have to comb through the full menu just to find the things you would like to eat.

Like Button, Meherwan and Molly Irani have worked hard to lead Asheville’s culinary community toward its post-Helene recovery, and I still dream about the dinner I had at their restaurant Chai Pani, which offers creative but loving versions of Indian street food. I couldn’t stop reaching for more okra fries, shatteringly crisp slivers of the vegetable tossed with exactly the right amount of salt and spices, while the succulent beef bihari kebab, marinated with green papaya, red chile and yogurt, disappeared from my plate alarmingly fast. And the spring-green uttapam special—a pancake made from fermented rice and lentils, stuffed with ramps, rapini and other local vegetables—was a seasonal delight.

Whether it’s zingy bhel puri, addictive matchstick okra fries, or hearty butter chicken, a meal at Chai Pani—2022 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurant—is guaranteed to be mouthwatering and memorable. The menu at Chef Meherwan Irani’s cheerful Indian street food concept revolves around chaat, India’s boldly flavored, crunchy snack dishes. Along with the selection of shareable puris (dishes with puffed flour crisps), pakoras (fritters), and salads, there are also sandwiches like vada pav (spicy fried potato dumplings with green and tamarind chutneys on a toasted bun) and two types of thalis (individual meals featuring portions of several dishes).

Helmed by five-time James Beard-nominated chef and restauranteur Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani is a buzzy Indian street food hot spot that has won approval by everyone from us to the New York Times to Bon Appetit magazine. They serve an amazing gobi manchurian (crispy-tangy fried cauliflower), as well as pav bhaji (zesty vegetable curry served with soft, sweet buns), butter chicken, and other classic Indian street food staples right in the middle of downtown Asheville– across from the Grove Arcade and next to one of Asheville Bee Charmer‘s two locations. The colorful, casual restaurant interior is also part of the charm.

You didn’t think you traveled to the middle of western North Carolina to eat blow-your-mind Indian street food, did you?. Well, now that you’re here, take your place in the queue so you can see what the culinary fuss is about, then go home raving about the selection of chaat (“snacks”) like corn bhel (a vegan power mix) and aloo tiki chaat (crispy potato fritters served on garbanzo stew), followed by a uttapam (crepe) or thali (a try-everything combo platter). Here’s a pro tip if you find you can’t decide what to eat because you want it all: You can order the snacks in half portions to maximize the flavor experience.

Chai Pani, the award-winning Indian chaat restaurant from Meherwan Irani, has officially relocated to the South Slope, opening its doors on May 21 in the former Buxton Hall location on 32 Banks Avenue. The new restaurant, described as "Bollywood wedding meets Bombay Gymkhana meets Tata truck parking lot," will offer three times the seating capacity (120 people) as its former location and four times the kitchen space. MG Road, a legendary party bar below Chai Pani, will be reborn as "MG Mini" in the mezzanine upstairs, where guests can grab a cocktail before being seated.

Opened in 2009 by chef Meherwan Irani and his wife, Molly, Chai Pani was named Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation in 2022 which has made it an even more popular spot. The name Chai Pani translates to “tea and water” and is slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” In Downtown Asheville, it means groundbreaking, fun, affordable, delicious, and “mind-blasting” Indian street food that’s changing the perception of Indian cuisine in America. There are no reservations accepted here, so be prepared to wait!

Taste and sample Indian street food like you’ve never had before at this critically acclaimed Asheville restaurant, where James Beard Award-winning Chef and Owner Meherwan Irani crafts delectable… read more. Taste and sample Indian street food like you’ve never had before at this critically acclaimed Asheville restaurant, where James Beard Award-winning Chef and Owner Meherwan Irani crafts delectable dishes for locals and visitors!. Chai Pani relocated to 32 Banks Avenue in Asheville's South Slope — the former Buxton Hall Barbecue space — on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

The James Beard Awards named Meherwan Irani's Chai Pani as 2022's Outstanding Restaurant, and for good reason. Irani's homage to Indian street snacks and thalis is a rollicking way to sample the wide diversity of the country's cuisine — especially when paired with a creative menu of cocktails, wine, beer, and nonalcoholic drinks. Like Chai Pani, Buxton Hall BBQ, created in partnership with pitmaster Elliott Moss, is underpinned his bold and brilliant Spicewalla blends, but features meticulously crafted versions of North Carolina's signature barbecue dishes.

Chai Pani has been named as one of the top Indian restaurants in the country, owned and operated by three-time James Beard Award nominee Meherwan Irani. The restaurant, which was opened in 2009 and is named for the Indian words for tea and water, offers two hip locations in downtown Asheville and Decatur, Georgia, lauded by international publications such as The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and New York Magazine. Menus focus on Indian chaat street food, including chicken and kale pakoras, okra fries, and vegan corn bhel.

It had become just too hard to get into Chai Pani until this Asheville mainstay moved to the South Slope into the former Buxton Hall Barbecue space. The vibrant new location looks like the set of a Bollywood wedding, a perfect display for the always colorful and deeply flavorful Indian street food served here. It’s impossible to go wrong with anything Chef Meherwan Irani is cooking, but grilled cheese skewers, a new item since the move, and sloppy jai, essentially Indian sloppy joe sliders, are highlights.

While we tend to find that a lot of Asian cuisine in AVL is largely lactose-free – like Thai and sushi – there are quite a few Indian restaurants that are dairy-heavy, including Andaaz and Mehfil. For delicious Indian food that’s more dairy-free in Asheville, head to James Beard award-winning Chai Pani. Located in Downtown Asheville, this is one of those restaurants that lives up to the hype, which also means that you should visit during non-peak hours and seasons; they do not take reservations.

For dinner, you could go to one of the interesting and not very expensive “second tier” restaurants in the area such as Sunny Point in West Asheville, Early Girl, Tupelo Honey, Mela, Gan Shan Station or Chai Pani Day 3: Finish up the Asheville part of your visit by exploring in more depth whatever interests you. For example, if you’re into craft beer, you can do a self-guided or guided brews cruise. There are 25 craft breweries in Asheville and another 25 around Asheville.

I’ve never been to India and had Indian street food, but after tasting several dishes at Chai Pani I think I’d enjoy eating my way through India – we’ve already spent over one year in Southeast Asia and love Asian cuisine. Chai Pani has received accolades from the Washington Post to Fox News for its cuisine, and the brightly colored walls and murals are the perfect match to the vibrant flavor diversity of its dishes from thalis, to uttapam, street burgers and snacks.

Chai Pani – I love this Indian street food so much, I’ve also eaten at their Botiwalla restaurant at Ponce City Market in Atlanta twice. Their chef has been nominated for a James Beard Award four times and is also the brains behind MG Road, a great cocktail bar on the backside of Chai Pani, and one of the founders of Buxton Hall BBQ (see below). This is a great downtown stop for a full meal or just to snack on some chaat.

Cousler, along with Meherwan Irani and Katie Button, the chefs behind James Beard award winners Chai Pani and Cúrate, and Morgan Owle-Crisp, the owner of the Native American 7 Clans Brewery, was named as one of the minds behind Asheville's shifting dining scene. Irani was tapped by Food & Wine to their 2023 Game Changers List, which recognizes only 15 people and companies changing the way we eat and drink.

Chai Pani is a great Indian street food joint located in the heart of Downtown. The testament of every country’s “taste” is defined by street food, and Chai Pani takes it on in awesome fashion. Not only can you try more exotic Indian street dishes like Bhel Puri and Vada Pav, but you can also enjoy the comforting and delicious home-cooked style dishes like Thalis (a traditional Indian family meal).

Chai Pani is where you go for your delicious Indian Street food that has been raved about from the Washington Post to Fox News!. The brightly colored walls and murals are the perfect match to the vibrant flavor diversity of its dishes from thalis, to uttapam, street burgers and and snacks. I’m not an Indian street food expert, but I have taste buds enough to say its worthy of the accolades.

Chai Pani Asheville has laid-back dining experience with some luxurious Indian chaat (Indian street snacks) and thalis (homestyle Indian platters). Located in downtown Asheville, it is a good decision to stop by for some tasty bites, snacks, or just a little something to get you through the day. Although the prices may seem cheap, the quality of food is certainly rich and authentic.

Chai Pani offers a fresh take on Indian street food in the heart of Asheville. Run by chef Meherwan Irani, this popular restaurant serves dishes like chicken pakoras, okra fries, and bhel puri, blending traditional Indian flavors with a modern twist. Chai Pani has earned national recognition for its inventive menu and vibrant dining experience, making it a top spot for foodies.

The bottom line: Yes, we have a few Indian cuisine restaurants in town, and aside from Chai Pani, to be honest, I don’t think the quality of food is there. So Andaaz is just what has been needed and I honestly can’t wait to get back. Every dish sampled was really well done and if you’re going for lunch, the $15 price tag is an exceptional deal for the amount of dishes offered.

The most outstanding restaurant in America, according to the James Beard Foundation, is an Indian street-snack spot in Asheville. Chai Pani is dripping in orange marigolds and is inspired by the chaat shops that make up a typical Indian street food scene. The kitchen, helmed by five-time James Beard-nominated chef Meherwan Irani, excels at weaving together texture and spice.

Of course, if I’m covering the best vegetarian restaurants in Asheville, I’ll have to delve into Asheville’s tremendous selection of Indian fare. Chai Pani stands out especially, as its relatively small menu boasts some positively astounding vegetarian selections; spicy potato dumplings fried in chickpea batter, paneer tikka rolls, and saag paneer curry, just to name a few.

I don't know if I would have had the courage to open this place anywhere other than Asheville," says Chef Meherwan Irani, who opened Chai Pani in 2009 with his wife, Molly. While Irani had no prior professional cooking experience, his innovative, playful take on Indian cuisine soon took off. And by 2022, it was awarded Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation.

While solidly an omnivorous ode to Indian cuisine, you can rest assured that you won’t accidentally get a dish with meat or ghee. Ask for the separate “special diets” menu to get a confidently plant-based meal, with plenty of gluten-free possibilities built in as well. Take advantage of unique offerings you won’t find anywhere else, like the incredibly crisp okra fries.

Chef Meherwan Irani’s “ chaat house” is a bustling haven of Indian street food in downtown Asheville, and has become a must-stop foodie destination. The distinct offerings here have light, fresh touches of local character. Take the okra fries, for example: a crispy, North Indian-inspired rendition of a vegetable most often associated with the American South.

James Beard awards and street snacks don’t usually go hand in hand, but at Chai Pani, that’s just what you’ll find. Bright, colorful, and adorned with tiger artwork and exposed brick, this low-key eatery is a homage to the crave-worthy street snacks of India. Chai Pai is slang for a tasty bite, and that’s exactly what you’ll uncover in downtown Asheville.

Chai Pani Asheville opened in 2009, and immediately struck a chord with the public. The menu is made up of classic street snacks from India, along with home style thalis, presented in a fun environment that brings the vibrancy of the Indian street into the restaurant space. Menu items like the sloppy jai, kale pakoras, and okra fries were immediate hits.

Specializing in Indian Street Food, Chai Pani offers a variety of traditional Indian cuisine. This downtown spot has been praised by New York Magazine, calling it “a star in downtown’s dining scene”. In addition to dine-in services, Chai Pani offers to-go family packages, as well as Curry To-Go, so you can enjoy food on site or in your home.

In Asheville, Chef Katie Button, of Nightbell and Cúrate, and Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani, have both been nominated for Best Chef Southeast. Leah Wong Ashburn of Highland Brewing Co. has been nominated in the Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional category, and David Bauer of Farm & Sparrow has been nominated for Outstanding Baker.

If you find yourself at the threshold of Chai Pani, you’re in for a real treat. This Indian restaurant in Asheville famously serves Indian chaat (street snacks) in addition to more traditional platters called thalis. The vibe is both funk and laidback, and Chai Pani is one of the best restaurants in Asheville to dine with kids, as well.

For fans of Indian street food, Chai Pani is the place to go in downtown Asheville. Try the chicken tikka roll, which comes wrapped in hot, buttery naan, or the Kolhapuri lamb thali in a rich curry sauce. The menu includes plenty of items that are easy for kids to eat, including the crispy chicken pakoras and the sev potato dahi puri.

Meherwan Iran’s Chai Pani, based in Asheville, North Carolina, serving Indian street food, has won the James Beard award for the Best Restaurant in the U.S. The awards were presented on June 13 by the James Beard Foundation in Chicago. The title of the Best Chef in New York state went to Chintan Pandya of Dhamaka in Manhattan.

If you can’t give up your love for Indian street food, Chai Pani is an ideal dine-out place for you. Savour the taste of their chicken tikka roll wrapped in sizzling buttery naan or go for a tummy-filling dinner with the saag paneer. The menu also has ample choices for your little one, including dahi puri and crispy chicken.

Cuisine Type: South Indian Restaurant, Mexican RestaurantLocation: 22 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801Website: Chai Pani. Chai Pani is a unique restaurant that combines the flavors of South India and Mexico. Their menu features a fusion of Indian and Mexican dishes, creating a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

This casual eatery specializes in Indian street food, with dishes like samosas, bhel puri, and chicken tikka rolls. The colorful, lively atmosphere and flavorful food make Chai Pani a standout in Asheville’s diverse culinary scene. Asheville's culinary landscape is as rich and diverse as its scenic surroundings.

Chai Pani often tops most lists of where to eat in Asheville and for good reason!. Ever since Chef Meherwan Irani set up shop in 2009, he’s been introducing locals and visitors to the incredible flavors of Indian street food. Irani mixes both Indian spices and Southern ingredients to create truly unique dishes.

Chai Pani makes Indian street food with local produce—okra skinny fries. Then there’s Gan Shan Station, by Asheville-born chef Patrick O’Cain, who trained at Xiao Bao Biscuit in Charleston. On the indie-Mex front, Bandidos, where Fleer held his first staff Christmas party, competes with White Duck Taco Shop.

Chai Pani, an Indian restaurant in North Carolina, has been voted the most outstanding restaurant in the United States. It has made its name in the country for the affordable Indian street food that it serves. The eatery won its award on Monday in Chicago at the James Beard Foundation Awards.

It’s slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.”. In Downtown Asheville (and now in Downtown Decatur) it means innovative, fun, affordable, and delicious Indian cuisine. If you love Indian food this restaurant is not to be missed!

Indian street food at its best: that's the intriguing concept behind Chai Pani. And I promise the fare here will not make you feel bloated and 'nap-ready' as happens at so many other Indian restaurants in the South. The husband-and-wife team behind Chai Pani work with…

Many consider Chai Pani as Asheville’s best Indian restaurant. Judging by the number of awards and accolades they have received with each passing year; it seems to be justified. Chai Pani was honored with the James Beard Award in 2022 for being the most outstanding restaurant.

Chai Pani – Chai Pani translates to “tea and water,” but it’s a misleading name for a restaurant whose food steals the show. It’s a low-key establishment serving up top-notch Indian street food, from chaat to sandwiches and more. The uttapam in particular blew me away!.

That’s one of many things that makes Chai Pani unique among these Asheville places to eat. From four-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani is whimsical yet affordable. You won’t find your standard butter chicken and tikka masala at Chai Pani.

Chai Pani is a wonderful Indian restaurant specializing in authentic street fare. This place is a bit different than your typical Indian restaurant as there is no lunch buffet. Chai Pani translates into tea and water, which in India is slang for going out for a snack.

What to order: Matchstick okra fries and the vegetarian or non-vegetarian thali. #SpoonTip: Listed as #3 on Eater’s “The 38 Best Restaurants in the South” so, yeah, it’s that good. Also, lunch is usually seat yourself, but look for the hostess to be seated for dinner.

A beer and a taco hardly make a meal, so we headed to Chai Pani, which is known for Indian street food. And it very well might be the best cheap-eats place in the city. Four dishes, enough to fill three or four individuals, cost less than $40, including a healthy tip.

At Chai Pani, you are in for a surprise, and your tastebuds for a good time. Chai Pani Indian in downtown Asheville serves traditional Indian cuisine with innovative twists. Look out for their daily specials, including Thali, nimbu Pani, spicy Chaat, and much more.

This popular restaurant serves Indian street fare (Chai Pani is Indian slang for “going out for a snack”). Chef Meherwan Irani has been nominated 5 times for a prestigious James Beard award. This place is trendy and busy, so arrive early to ensure timely seating.

Chai Pani literally means “tea and water.” It’s slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” In Downtown Asheville (and now in Downtown Decatur) it means innovative, fun, affordable and delicious Indian cuisine.

Both O’Cain and House favor All Souls Pizza and Taqueria Munoz, while other restaurants that make the chefs’ day-off eating list include All Day Darling, Rocky’s Hot Chicken, Table, Chai Pani, Rise Above Deli, 828 Family Pizza, and Copper Crown.

Chai Pani has been praised by the likes of GQ Magazine and The New York Times. It’s the perfect place to go for light snacks, lunch, dinner, or take-out!. Guests can enjoy traditional Indian dishes with plenty of vegan/vegetarian options.

Chai Pani, in the lively downtown area, is your spot for casual Indian faire. From tasty chaats to hearty thalis, the menu shows off the diversity of Indian cuisine. Don’t skip the kale pakoras or the spicy Sloppy Jai for a fun fusion twist!

You will be stuffed at this point but don't leave Asheville without stopping at Chai Pani. Chai Pani is the most unique and delicious Indian restaurant you will ever eat at!. This is another restaurant owned by a James Beard-nominated chef.

For lunch, you can try White Duck Taco, Haywood Common, S&W Market (it has multiple options as a food court and is in a cool historic building downtown!), or Chai Pani for Indian street food (whose chef just won the James Beard award!).

James Beard award-winning Chai Pani brings Indian street food to Asheville. The decor is spectacular, the food is delicious and the location is in the middle of the South Slope which makes it an excellent stop over on our beer walk!

Embark on a culinary journey to India at Chai Pani, where you can sample an array of Indian street food and chaat dishes bursting with bold flavors and aromatic spices, all served in a lively and colorful setting.

Located in Downtown Asheville, Chai Pani is a James Beard-awarded restaurant serving the best Indian comfort food. The restaurant’s chef, Meherwan Irani, is also a five-time James Beard award nominee.

22 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801Phone: 828-254-4003 Visit Website. A post shared by Chai Pani (@chaipani). Chai Pani is near the Asheville Pinball Museum and the Woolworth Walk.

Sovereign Remedies Downtown — The pimento cheese puffs are food places near asheville nc as food places near asheville nc. Strada Italiano Downtown — Tons of fresh, gluten free pastas.

Chai Pani: Indian street food chaat—crunchy, spicy, sweet, brightly flavored snacks and homestyle platters. Won James Beard Award in 2022. No reservations, lengthy wait times.

Chai Pani Offering Indian Street Food, Chai Pani is a unique take on Indian cuisine. Located downtown near the Grove Arcade, this funky, unique restaurant is a great find.

Salsa's is a Mexican & Caribbean bistro that serves up large plates of authentic Latin food. Chai Pani is Indian street food and is a James Beard Foundation Award winner.

The traditional family meals highlight India’s amazing culinary diversity. They have received press from GQ, The New York Times, Huffington Post, and more.

A favorite with tourists, this 2022 James Beard Award-winning Asheville restaurant is steeped in the varied and distinctive flavors of Indian street food.

Known for Indian street food in a laid-back environment, Chai Pani should definitely be on your must-do list in Asheville if it wasn’t already.

In 2022, the New York Times included Leah & Louise in Charlotte and in 2021 featured Asheville’s Chai Pani and Davidson’s Kindred.

Chai Pani: Experience flavorful Indian street food with an array of Halal options, from spicy chaats to delicious curry dishes.

It’s one of the two Chai Pani locations in the United States, famous for its dishes highlighting India’s culinary diversity.