Chai Pani DC in Washington, DC

4.2(445)$20–60Washington, DC
Good value

Rated 4.2 stars based on 445 reviews.

  • Family-friendly
  • Budget-friendly
  • Quick service

Best for / Not ideal for

Best for

  • Families
  • Large groups
  • Budget dining
  • Quick meals

Not ideal for

  • Fine dining seekers
  • Romantic dinners
  • Quiet atmosphere

At a glance

Washington, DC • Price $20–60 • 4.2★
Chai Pani DC is an Indian buffet located in Washington, DC's H Street Corridor. This establishment has a rating of 4.2 stars based on 445 reviews. The price range for dining at Chai Pani DC is between $20 and $60. They offer dine-in and takeout service options. The restaurant's website, phone number, and hours are available. This buffet provides a dining experience in the nation's capital.

Good to know

  • Chai Pani DC has a listed address in Washington, DC, so visitors can confirm the exact location before going.
  • The page includes a 4.2-star rating from 445 reviews.
  • Website and phone details are available for checking current menu, hours, or availability.
  • Service details include takeout.
This family-friendly Indian buffet welcomes diners of all ages. As a budget-friendly option, this buffet offers affordable dining.
Address
1325 5th St NE Ste A, Washington, DC 20002, H Street Corridor, Washington, DC
Phone
(202) 516-5080
Today
11 AM–2:30 PM
Price
$20–60
Rating
4.2 (445 reviews)

What stands out

🍽️Delicious food

Multiple reviewers praise the taste and flavor

👥Friendly service

Attentive and helpful staff

🌟Nice atmosphere

Pleasant and welcoming environment

Quick service

No long waits

View reviews →

Before you go

🍽️Dine-in available

Eat in the restaurant

🥡Takeout available

Order to go

Not the Fastest

Score 42/100 · 4 positive signals
Quick bite score42/100
Speed signals
10/30
Grab-and-go
0/25
Budget-friendly
12/20
Time commitment
15/15
Convenience
5/10

What works

  • Fast service
  • Budget-friendly pricing
  • Moderate pricing
  • Ideal for quick meals

Keep in mind

  • No takeout option

Scored from service speed, takeout options, pricing, meal format, and lunch availability.

Trusted Rating

⚖️ 4.2 weighted · 445 reviews
4.2weighted · raw 4.2 from 445 reviews
Needs More Reviews
Review volume vs. city median445 / 593 median
02,965 (Rock Solid threshold)
Rating spread on Yelp
5
4
3
2
1

Relative share of Yelp ratings by star — bar length shows how ratings skew, not exact counts.

The trusted rating blends this place’s raw score (4.2) with the city average (4.26) using a Bayesian formula. Places with fewer reviews are pulled toward the city mean; places with 2965+ reviews carry their rating at nearly full weight.

Photos

1 photos

Hours & Location

Status: Hours available

Regular Hours

7 days
friday
11 AM–2:30 PM
monday
11 AM–2:30 PM
saturday
11 AM–2:30 PM
sunday
11 AM–2:30 PM
thursday
11 AM–2:30 PM
tuesday
11 AM–2:30 PM
wednesday
11 AM–2:30 PM

Pricing

Price range $20–60
Price range$20–60

Amenities & Services

Accessibility, service options, and dining details

Accessibility

Wheelchair, parking, and more
 Wheelchair accessible entrance Wheelchair accessible restroom Wheelchair accessible seating Assistive hearing loop Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Amenities

Available facilities and features
Vegan optionsLimited vegetarian optionsADA-compliant restroomQR code menus availableValidated parkingWaiter service

Atmosphere

Ambiance and setting
 Casual Cozy TrendyHipsterGood for groups

Service Options

Dine-in, takeout, delivery
Dine_inTakeoutReservationsDeliveryOutdoor SeatingHeated Outdoor Seating

Takeout service is available. Delivery service is offered.

Payment Methods

Accepted payment types
 Credit cards Debit cards N F C mobile payments

Highlights

Special features
 Fast service Great cocktails Great tea selection

Planning

Reservations and groups
 Lunch reservations recommended Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations Usually a wait

Popular Dishes

16 dishes reviewers mention most
  • Butter Chicken$26.4031 mentions
  • Disco Bhel$16.8015 mentions
  • Vada Pav$19.2013 mentions
  • Gulab Jamun$8.4010 mentions
  • Sloppy Jai$19.2010 mentions
  • Parsi Shrimp Patia$32.409 mentions
  • Chilli Chicken$21.608 mentions
  • Kfc Sandwich$19.206 mentions
  • Cheese Uttapam$21.606 mentions
  • Aloo Tikki Chaat$18.005 mentions
  • Wild Mushroom Uttapam$21.605 mentions
  • Desi Tres Leches$14.404 mentions
  • Pav Bhaji$20.404 mentions
  • Desi Salad$18.003 mentions
  • Summer Veg Uttapam$21.603 mentions
  • Methi Malai Muttar Paneer$30.002 mentions

Dishes most frequently mentioned in Yelp reviews.

Full Menu

28 items with prices
  • Disco Bhel$16.80

    Poori, puffed rice, boondi, corn poha, sev, onion, cilantro, roasted peanuts, tamarind chutney, green chutney, bhel mix, green mango. A sweet, spicy, salty, tangy party in your mouth. (vegan)

  • Okra Fries$15.60

    Julienned "okra fries" tossed with salt & seasoning, served with a lime wedge. Okra like you've never had it - one of our signature dishes. (vegan, gluten-friendly)

  • Desi Salad$18.00

    A hearty bowl of shredded green & red cabbage, carrots, scallions, & roasted cashews topped with toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, & crunchy chickpea noodles (sev), with a cumin-lime vinaigrette. (Vegan) Contains: Sesame, Tree Nuts (Cashews)

  • Sabudana Vada Tots$15.60

    Crispy tater & tapioca tots seasoned with green chilies, curry leaves, cumin, & ginger. Served with Maggi hot & sweet ketchup. (vegan, gluten-friendly)

  • Aloo Tikki Chaat$18.00

    Spicy potato fritters served on cholle (chickpea stew) topped with tamarind & green chutneys, sweetened yogurt, and sev. (vegetarian)

  • Corn Bhel$16.80

    Fresh roasted corn, cucumber, cilantro, mint, heirloom tomato, onions, corn poha (Indian corn flakes), cumin-lime dressing. (vegan, gluten-friendly)

  • Chilli Chicken$21.60

    Indo-Chinese classic originating in the kitchens of the Hakka-Chinese community in Kolkata. Battered boneless chicken tossed with onions, bell peppers, curry leaves, in a ginger-chilli soy sauce.

  • Cheese Uttapam$21.60

    South Indian rice and lentil pancakes top with onion, green chili, ginger, and melty mozzarella cheese. Comes with coconut chutney and ghee-podi, a spiced lentil powder topped with clarified butter.

  • Summer Veg Uttapam$21.60

    Sweet corn, summer squash, peppers, tomato oil, onion & cilantro. Served with coconut chutney & ghee-podi. (vegetarian, gluten-friendly)

  • Vada Pav$19.20

    The OG. Spiced potato dumplings fried in curried chickpea batter topped with mint & tamarind chutneys. Served on two griddled pav with fried chilies. (vegetarian)

  • Sloppy Jai$19.20

    Spiced lamb hash simmered with tomatoes, ginger and aromatic spices. Garnished with onions & cilantro, green chutney, sweet yogurt and served on two toasted buns. The most awesome Sloppy Joe ever.

  • KFC Sandwich$19.20

    Kashmiri Fried Chicken sandwich - chicken breast brined in buttermilk, mint & chili on toasted, buttery buns with Maggi mayo & sweet pickles.

  • Pav Bhaji$20.40

    The infamous Maharashtrian street food! Spicy & buttery vegetable hash served with griddled pav, chilies, onions, cilantro, and lime.

  • Butter Chicken$26.40

    Marinated & seared chicken tikka in an oh-so-over-the-top tomato-cream-butter sauce with jaggery, roasted garam masala, and aromatics.

  • Methi Malai Muttar Paneer$30.00

    Fresh paneer (Indian farmer's cheese) in a decadent cashew-cream gravy with fenugreek, green peas, and cardamom. Served with jeera rice. (vegetarian, gluten-friendly)

  • Parsi Shrimp Patia$32.40

    Parsi shrimp curry from the Indo-Persian kitchens of Gujarat. Tangy & sweet with tamarind, jaggery, tomatoes & cilantro. Served with jeera rice. (gluten-friendly)

  • Suva Daal$18.00

    Homestyle mixed yellow daal stewed with fresh dill, garlic, green chili, curry leaves, and lime. Served with basmati rice. (vegetarian, gluten-friendly)

  • Jeera Rice$8.40

    Fragrant, aged basmati rice scented with cumin seeds.

  • Veg Raita$7.20

    Cooling yogurt side dish with mint, cilantro, tomato, onion, & black salt.

  • Naan$6.00

    Flatbread brushed with ghee (clarified butter) & cooked on our griddle. vegetarian

  • Spicy Plate$4.80

    Homemade masala hot sauce, hot mango pickle, fried thai chilies.

  • Gulab Jamun$8.40

    Condensed milk dumplings fried in pure ghee and soaked in rose-cardamom syrup.

  • Gajar Ka Halwa$12.00

    "Thick carrot-based pudding with khoya, sugar, cardamom, and cashew. Served with rabdi (sweet, thickened cream)."

  • Mango Lassi$8.40

    refreshing chilled yogurt drink with sweetmango pulp and cardamom.

Menu sourced from Yelp; items and prices may change.

Reviews

445 reviews

Reviews

Customer reviews available

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers about this buffet

What is the rating of Chai Pani DC?

Chai Pani DC has a 4.2-star rating based on 445 customer reviews.