Warm up with a cup (or three) of chai

When chai is made well, it hits the spot every time. Derived from the Mandarin Chinese term ‘cha’ meaning tea, this spiced black tea is a guaranteed way to warm your soul. 

The HUNTERhunter team is very fond of a flavourful, well-spiced chai, so we found the best chai in Newcastle and popped them in this handy guide for you.

Autumn Rooms

Autumn Rooms pours The Tea Collective's gingerbread chai and chocolate coconut chai, both of which are robustly spiced and served in their own little chai pots. The Gingerbread Chai in the cafe's iced chai with soy milk and agave is a game changer on sweltering days where a piping hot drink just won't do.
Where: 127 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Bolton Street Pantry

Warm up with a chai latte at Bolton Street Pantry. Sip away while you devour Bolton Street Pantry's indulgent French toast.
Where: 45 Bolton St, Newcastle

Bowie 

An absolute favourite cafe spot along the Beaumont Street strip, Bowie is always bringing new creations to the table, including chai iterations!
Where: 79/81 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Corner House

Swing by this cosy Cooks Hill cafe spot for either a delightful chai latte, iced chai, or get your caffeine hit with a dirty chai or iced dirty chai.
Where: 29 Union St, Cooks Hill

East End Hub

East End Hub brews local business Bon Chai's Indian spiced and vanilla rose blends on water, then warms the tea with milk. It all comes together in the pot with a side of honey, ready to be sipped (preferably at an outside table in the sunshine).
Where: 3/3 King St, Newcastle East

Equium Social

Mayfield favourite Equium Social knows what's up when it comes to chai. Try the chai latte created with house-made chai syrup, or a pot of the herbal chai and sticky chai for your tea fix.
Where: 1-5 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

The Kiosk Newcastle Beach

Made from Chai Me tea, The Kiosk at Newcastle Beach serves up an excellent chai, chai latte, and dirty chai. Better yet, it's made on your choice of milk, so you can order your chai to suit you. Best enjoyed sitting on the steps as you soak up the beach views.
Where: 42 Shortland Esp, Newcastle East

Local Customs

Local Customs does a cracking chai, perfect for when the weather is chilly and you need warming up. Choose from gingerbread chai or pot of Masala chai – both served hot or iced with honey for that extra touch of sweetness. Pair it with one of the cafe's scrumptious meals and you've got yourself a treat.
Where: 513 Glebe Rd, Adamstown

LOLAs

The two-storey spot on the corner of Darby and Bull Streets in Cooks Hill is a great spot to sip on a warm cup of chai. Treat yourself to a chai latte, iced dirt chai, pot of Prana chai, or go all out with a chai cacao latte.
Where: 171 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Mockingbird

Bon Chai is brewed to perfection at Mockingbird in Hamilton, featuring in the cafe's chai latte, dirty chai, and iced chai latte, as well as on its own. There's four alternative milks on offer, if full cream isn't for you. Don't miss the cafe's stand-out food menu while you're at it.
Where: 131 Beaumont Street, Hamilton

Momo Wholefood

Momo Wholefood takes chai seriously. Its offering is brewed the traditional way by simmering whole spices and black tea until fragrant – think spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and fresh ginger. Enjoy a hot Momo chai or sip on their iced chai complete with coconut nectar.
Where: 227 Hunter St, Newcastle

Morning Market Coffee

With three locations to choose from (Warners Bay, Whitebridge, or Newcastle West), Morning Market Coffee is a great spot to pick up your chai fix – whether it’s a chai latte, dirty chai, or a iced chai latte, the Morning Market Coffee team have you covered.
Where: 472 The Esplanade, Warners Bay | 142 Dudley Rd, Whitebridge | 6 Stewart Ave, Newcastle West

Paper Run Espresso

The former newspaper spot in Merewether has become a favourite local haunt for coffee, eats, and, of course, chai! Just your usual chai offering with chai latte, dirty chai, iced chai, and iced dirt chai available.
Where: 59 Ridge St, Merewether

The Pocket Mayfield

The neighbourhood favourite is a go-to for many – whether for coffee, toasties, and even chai! Dine in or takeaway a chai latte or dirty chai.
Where: 223 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

Praise Joe

Praise Joe has you covered no matter what variety of chai you fancy. Grab a dirty chai or a chai latte at either the Tighes Hill or Kotara locations. Don't forget to pick up a sweet treat to accompany your drink!
Where: 8/20 Elizabeth St, Tighes Hill | Westfield Kotara, Northcott Dr, Kotara

The Press Book House

The Press Book House might just be one of the best places to enjoy a chai in Newcastle. The cosy cafe and book store is ideal for making camp on a rainy afternoon (or any afternoon for that matter) in the city, armed with a chai latte or dirty chai for those looking for a hit of caffeine.
Where: 462 Hunter St, Newcastle

Slingtown Espresso

Slingtown Espresso may be known for its coffee, but its chai deserves acclaim too. The housemade chai latte is a delight for the senses.
Where: 3 Beaumont St, Islington

Talulah

Take your pick of Talulah's honey chai or the real chai latte, both brewed on your milk of choice and both equally as delicious. We also love Talulah's iced chai, especially when the weather starts warming up.
Where: 52 Glebe Rd, The Junction

The businesses featured within this article have not paid to be featured, the content has been curated by the HUNTERhunter editorial team. We only promote businesses we love and think our readers will love too! 

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