Chai in India isn't a drink—it's a lifestyle. At other joints, the cup is accompanied by a complimentary dose of sarcasm, theatrics, or attitude. Throughout India, there's a new generation of chaiwallah-turned-actors, roastmasters, and social media personalities who are rebranding the tea stall experience.
From bandits on the street corner who troll customers for sport to irreverent tea houses that make ordering a joke, drama is all part of India's tea culture. Let's visit these cute chai stops where the showmanship is on—and so is the dopamine.