As the streets of Sydney’s Little India begin to shimmer with Diwali lights, the air carries more than just the scent of sweets, spices and marigolds - it carries that unmistakable aroma of freshly brewed chai. It’s the season when every corner buzzes with laughter, every shop window glows in gold, and every sip of chai feels like a tiny celebration in itself.
Welcome to a chai crawl through Harris Park, Sydney’s very own Little India, where spicy chai brews and crunchy snacks come together in the most delicious way. Whether you're a die-hard chai lover or a curious first-timer, this is going to be the tastiest walk of your week. You’ll find everything from smoky tandoori pours to Irani chai, all paired with snacks that crunch.
It’s the perfect time to join in the Diwali festivities with a cup of chai. Chai is more than a habit! For us, it's an emotion - a ritual of togetherness, a pause, a comfort that hugs your soul.
It’s the familiar clink of cups, the swirl of steam that carries stories, and the warmth that somehow tastes like home. For Indians, chai isn’t just part of the day, it’s part of our rhythm, woven into celebrations, conversations, and quiet moments alike.
And Diwali always glows a little brighter when shared over chai. Let the chai-venture begin with three killer chais of Harris Park.
First Stop: Indo-Chainese – The Tandoori Chai Experience
Home to Harris Park’s most dramatic cup of tea - the tandoori chai at Indo-Chainese. This isn’t your average chai. This is chai with theatrics. The clay kulhad is first fired in a blazing tandoor until it’s scorching hot, and then steaming masala chai is poured into it.
Steaming masala chai is poured into a clay kulhad, that has been fired in a blazing tandoor.
The result? A smoky burst of flavour that hits the senses before the first sip. Infused with the earthy char of the clay kulhad, this chai carries a deep, toasted warmth that lingers long after. Velvety in texture, bold and spiced generously with cardamom and cloves, it’s a cup that’s as dramatic in taste as it is in its making.
What to pair it with? Their golden, crispy onion bhajiyas fried with curry leaves or freshly made crispy and flaky samosas.
There are pairings, and then there are rituals. And chai with samosa or bhajiya is the latter - a cult favourite in Indian food culture. These are chai combos made in heaven. The ultimate chai-snack combination that just goes together and turns it into pure indulgence.
Second Stop: Chilli Bites – Kulhad Wali Chai
Next, make your way to Chilli Bites, a spot that doesn’t just serve classic Indian chai, it serves nostalgia in a cup. Here, it’s all about honouring tradition. This is OG kulhad wali chai in its most authentic form.
Classic Indian chai, brewed with crushed ginger and cardamom.
Brewed with generous handfuls of crushed ginger and cardamom, this is the kind of chai you’ll find simmering on stovetops of all tea stalls across North India. This is the real chai that’s aromatic, spiced, and lovingly made. The kulhad, that classic clay cup, doesn’t just hold the tea, it transforms it, adding a subtle earthiness and grounding warmth that no other mug can offer.
What to pair it with? Try their dal kachori, yet another OG chai combo. Crispy on the outside and stuffed with spicy lentils inside, dal kachoris are served with spicy mint and tamarind chutneys, and sprinkled with some crunchy sev. It’s the perfect snack to nibble on between sips of chai.
And if you like something sweet with chai, their house-made Indian-style cream rolls are a classic favourite — crispy, flaky, lightly sweet, and totally addictive. It’s basically the chai equivalent of a coffee and croissant combo.
Last Stop: Hyderabad House – Irani Chai
Harris Park’s chai crawl wouldn’t be complete without a stop for the legendary Irani chai at Hyderabad House. Hyderabad’s beloved Irani chai has a charm of its own. It’s brewed differently, with the tea and milk boiled separately and slow-brewed for longer before being blended together to perfection. That’s what gives it that deep caramel colour, rich texture, and bold, aromatic flavour that lingers long after the last sip. It’s smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet, with a strength that warms you from within.
Brewed differently, Irani chai has a bold, aromatic flavour that will have you coming back for more.
One sip, and you’ll understand why people say there’s no going back once you’ve tried Irani chai. And of course, it’s best enjoyed the Hyderabadi way with Osmania biscuits or simply on its own.
This Diwali, it’s chai time in Harris Park! Follow the trail of steaming chai and festive cheer. After all, every celebration feels warmer with a cup of chai.
