Chai Thali: Indian restaurant in Camden

I would like to avoid FOMO and the best way to do this is to try out new restaurants. Chai Thali is a new restaurant, starting from street food stall to now permanent location in Camden.

Voted Best Indian Restaurant by Resident Magazine 2017, meant that I was very happy that Oran suggested we try Chai Thali. A few more words below by the restaurant themselves to provide some background.


"From the chaotic streets of Old Delhi to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai and on south to the glittering seashores of Kerala, we scoured the sub-continent to bring you the very best of India’s street food. Rooted in tradition, bursting with aromatic spices and brought to you with a contemporary twist, Chai Thali is a nation of street food all in one place.

Blending the old with the new, Chai Thali is all about India’s traditional and modern street food cultures. Our authentic kerb-side snacks and sharing plates are delicious paired with a craft beer or one of our spice-infused signature cocktails."

As a restaurant the premise is small plates to share, but they do so larger mains which are ideal for feasting.

Curry club is all about sharing. Chai Thali offers this and the way we ordered and asked the restaurant to accommodate made this easier. So between the four of us we ordered:

• SPICY BULLET WINGS Chicken wings cooked in bullet powder
  
• LAMB KI CHAAMPE Lamb chops marinated overnight in spices & cooked in the tandoor, served with kachumber
  
• KURKURI BHINDI Thinly sliced okra fried in corn flour batter, sprinkled with chilli masala
  
• HYDERABADI DUM BIRYANI (CHICKEN) Chicken cooked in spices then layered with rice, garnished with caramelised dried onions & mint
  
• MAA KI DAAL Black gram lentils, chana daal & kidney beans slow cooked for 12 hours to enhance the flavour
  
• SAAG GOSHT (LAMB) Tender pieces of boneless spring lamb cooked with saag

Since I went to Chai Thali, a lot has happened in the month Mainly that I have become a father. Because of this, I have had to enlist the help of my fellow curry club people for their feedback as my memory is a bit hazy.

Here is some of there feedback below:

• The garlic naan was very nice - the thinner type - similar to Dishoom too... so the learnininnings of the story - until Dishoom opens a branch in Camden - go Chai Thali
• The chilli paneer and fried okra was very good too.....
• the dhal was very nice. creamy texture, similar to our good friends at dishoom (we did have dhal right?)
• Lamb chops were very good - nice char and succulent

Chai Thali is a restaurant I would definitely recommend. Slightly hidden away in Camden you will most probably get a seat. Go as a group or a couple, hell, go alone. Big a few dishes, be rave and I'm confident that you will be satisfied.

OMG: sharing is caring

WATCH OUT: I can't complain to be honest

GOOD TIMES: lovely lamb chops