Chaiwale & Co., an Orange County cafe, is expanding into the Inland Empire.
The eatery specializes in authentic Indian tea, fusion sweets, small bites and socializing.
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Chaiwale’s third location opened at Riverside’s University Village last weekend. The address is 3740 Iowa Ave., Suite 104A.
And another is in the works at 233 E State St., Redlands, the former home of Village Candy Kitchen. It is preparing to open in early fall.
Chaiwale aims to offer an authentic tea experience, according to co-founder Daman Singh. It offers several kinds of chai, the word for tea in several languages.
“Our chais are from back home in India. We specialize in chai-making. Every cup is made to order,” he said during a phone interview.
“We have loose tea leaves that have different spices, depending on what chai you have.”
Steam rises off a fresh cup of Masala chai at Chaiwale & Co. new location in Riverside’s University Village in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
aiwale & Co, barista Azarely Bedolla makes Masala chai for a customer at the new Riverside University Village in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Customers enjoy conversation over chai and food at Chaiwale & Co, under a mural of Ranjit Singh, “The Chaiman,” at Riverside University Village in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Customers enjoy chai under a sign on the wall that says, “If you don’t like chai, we can’t be friends,” at Chaiwale & Co, in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Chaiwale & Co. offers a Chutney Sandwich at the new Riverside University Village location in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Chaiwale & Co. offers Kulfi Tres Leches Cake at the new Riverside University Village location in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Chaiwale & Co. is a great place to enjoy conversations over chai and food at Riverside University Village in Riverside on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Choices include karak chai, made with black tea, which is strong; masala chai, made with spices; cardamom chai, made with dried cardamom pods; ginger chai; and Kashmiri chai, which originates in Kashmir. Baristas make tea in boiling water and milk, strain it, and serve it in traditional cups.
“We’re focused on the experience,” Singh said. “We serve our chais in custom cups that are available overseas. Back home, they’re disposable because they’re made out of clay. The ones we serve are ceramic, but they give it the same feeling and texture and experience.”
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“Everything that we have, from our hammered kettles to our cooler cups to our utensils, is made overseas.”
Chai can be ordered with bun maska, bread and butter for dipping.
Chaiwale also serves matcha, coffee, mango lassi and specialty drinks such as Gulab Jamun Latte, inspired by the traditional syrupy dessert.
“We’re playing with a lot of nostalgic flavors, but giving fusion to it,” he said.
Traditional small bites include samosas and chutney sandwiches. But the menu also includes items such as burritos with fillings such as butter chicken, Saffron Laado Cheesecake and tres leches cake topped with pistachio and rose petals. Singh said everything is made in-house and proprietary.
Singh founded Chaiwale with his brother Sunny in 2024, briefly opening in Pasadena. But its flagship location is now 177 N Glassell St., Orange. The business is growing through franchising, with another location in San Diego.
“All of our franchisees were customers at the Orange location,” Singh said. “When they came in, they wanted to be part of the family.”
Other locations in the works include Valencia, Torrance, Dublin in the Bay Area and Folsom near Sacramento.
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The Riverside location currently opens at noon daily.
Information: chaiwaleandco.com