photo by Tim Robison
From a press release:
“Chef Meherwan Irani will bring his James Beard Award–winning Indian street food to Washington, D.C. (from Asheville, N.C.), opening in the bustling Union Market District later this summer.
1325 5th Street NE, WDC, 20002 (Union Market District) Opening August 2025
photo by The Vannah Co.
In Asheville, Meherwan and Molly Irani created a totally new genre of Indian restaurant in America, by showcasing everyday Indian culture and its underestimated street food with their downtown chaat house, Chai Pani. It changed the perception of Indian food in America. Thirteen years later it was named the country’s most Outstanding Restaurant by the Beard Foundation and later this summer it debuts in the nation’s capital helmed by two of the South’s most influential chefs — and best friends.
Chef Vishwesh Bhatt, the James Beard Award–winning chef currently of Snackbar in Oxford, Mississippi, will helm the kitchen at Chai Pani D.C. Meherwan and Vish have a deep friendship – what Meherwan called an “instant brotherhood” when they met 15 years ago. This alliance is the culmination of many culinary collaborations, from their cult-followed Brown in the South dinner series to spice blends and inspiring travels to India.
At Chai Pani D.C., expect exclusive menu items, inspired by Vish’s upbringing in Gujarat and decorated tenure at Snackbar, as well as “mindblasting” Chai Pani greatest hits including craveworthy chaats like Okra Fries, Sev Potato Dahi Puri (SPDP), Bhel Puri, and Kale Pakoras, as well as Meherwan’s signature Sloppy Jai, Vada Pav, and homestyle thalis.
Botiwalla — Chai Pani Restaurant Group’s fast-casual concept with four other locations — will also debut in D.C. at Upton Place.
At Chai Pani, we are obsessed with traditional Indian street food, what we believe to be the most democratic, egalitarian, approachable, affordable and pan-Indian cuisine of India. We don’t aim to present a Westernized or deconstructed version of a dish but to create the absolute best version. We believe the everyday cuisine of a billion people, Indian street food and homestyle meals, represent the greatness of India.
While we’re staying firmly in our street food lane, Chai Pani D.C. menu will feature Gujarati snacks and small plates, American South–meets–Western India dishes reminiscent of Vish’s Snackbar menu, as well as an expanded sigri (grill) section. Vish’s commitment to sourcing local and seasonal produce will shine through the entire menu.
The 4,000-sqft space in Union Market will be no exception to the happy chaos and prismatic palette Chai Pani interiors are known for. Our spaces represent, celebrate, and share Indian culture with the world. We aim to transport guests to a street stall in Mumbai with storytelling that defies stereotypes and brings the liveliness of the streets of India into Chai Pani.
Meherwan describes our Asheville space as “Bollywood wedding meets Bombay Gymkhana meets Tata truck parking lot.” The space in D.C. is being conceptualized by Chai Pani’s Art Director Michael Files who designed all of its other spaces and Spicewalla brand identity.
Seating Capacity: 150ppl // 4,000 square feet (1,500–square–foot kitchen)”