Restaurant
Chai 'N' Chilli
181/183 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Chai 'N' Chilli
181/183 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Chai 'N' Chilli
Skip the standard curry house routine—this King Street spot delivers regional Maharashtrian comfort and Mumbai street snacks, all strictly vegetarian and built from scratch. Homesick expats head straight for crisp vada pav and toasted bun maska, while regional purists drop in for hot pithla bhakri and that sharp chili punch known back home as zhanzhaneet. The kitchen cooks everything to order, adjusting heat levels freely for mild palates, vegans, and strict Jain diners, with quirky wall art and 90s Bollywood tracks drifting over the tables.
- Maharashtrian Street Classics: Handcrafted vada pav, toasted bun maska, and thalipeeth made to regional Pune and Mumbai standards.
- All-Vegetarian & Inclusive: Strictly pure vegetarian kitchen offering easy accommodations for vegan and Jain diets in the CBD.
- Customizable Heat: Every dish is prepared to order, letting the kitchen dial heat levels up or down to your taste.
What's On at Chai 'N' Chilli
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Dine at Chai 'N' Chilli
From true-to-origin street snacks and made-to-order spice to heartwarming cultural hospitality, discover why diners trust Chai 'N' Chilli for genuine comfort.
Uncompromising Mumbai & Regional Maharashtrian Flavours
Diners find regional Maharashtrian dishes and Mumbai street snacks like vada pav, misal pav, pitla bhakri, and thalipeeth that taste remarkably close to home.
the food exceeded our expectations, as each dish tasted very close to what we get in Pune and Mumbai.
Sachin Jadhav Customisable Made-to-Order Spice Levels
The kitchen prepares dishes from scratch and happily accommodates individual heat tolerances, allowing guests to calibrate the kick from mild to intense.
We ordered everything mild which still had a kick but loved that they could alter the spice level to suit preferences.
Chasing Pastry Nostalgic Connection and Homely Comfort
Guests experiencing homesickness find immediate comfort in nostalgic dishes like puran poli and bun maska that evoke fond family memories.
The taste was incredibly nostalgic and instantly transported me back to my childhood days at my aaji’s place.
Shekhar Golwalkar Warm, Personal Cultural Belonging
Between friendly conversations with the owners and greetings in Marathi, the dining room provides a reassuring, warm embrace thousands of miles from home.
After such a long time, I finally got to enjoy authentic Maharashtrian food in Melbourne, and it felt like a warm hug from home
Nikki Oza Attentive and Welcoming Hospitality
Guests enjoy genuine hospitality, from staff explaining menu dishes to thoughtful touches that keep diners comfortable during vibrant meal hours.
The staff were very helpful and friendly, making sure customers felt comfortable.
nitin bhatia Cozy 90s Atmosphere and Nostalgic Ambience
The restaurant pairs its authentic regional cooking with a cozy, colourful space alive with classic 90s tracks that transport guests back to India.
ambience and constant 90's songs playing in the background. makes you feel at home.
Kalpak Shah
Most popular items
Authentic Maharashtrian street food and regional home-style classics
Misal Pav
The misal had the perfect spice kick, flavour, and freshness, and the pav was soft and delicious.
Nikki Oza Vada Pav
Their vada pav is spot on – soft pav, crispy vada, and the chutneys are full of flavour just like you'd find on the streets of Mumbai.
Sonali Singh Thalipeeth
The thalipeeth was beautifully cooked, wholesome, and tasted just like something you’d get in a Maharashtrian home kitchen.
Nikki Oza Sabudana Vada
Sabudana Vada with chutney — perfectly crispy and delicious
Aarti Mishra
Other favorites
Traditional sweets, digestive beverages, and spiced tea to complete your feast
Puran Poli
The highlight, without a doubt, was our all-time favorite Maharashtrian dessert — puran poli. The taste was incredibly nostalgic and instantly transported me back to my childhood days at my aaji’s place. ❤️
Shekhar Golwalkar Cutting Chai
I ordered a cutting chai because I wasn’t sure how it would taste but by the end of the portion, I was already craving more of it. Perfectly balanced chai to complement the food.
Rachayita Sidharth Sol Kadhi
the Sol Kadhi provided a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the meal.
Tammy Jha Payasam
The payasam dessert was really good with perfectly balanced sweetness.
nitin bhatia
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality, from chef table visits to bespoke spice levels—book ahead to enjoy genuine Maharashtrian warmth.
Personal Table Visits from Chef Sonali
Owner-chef Sonali and her family regularly come by tables to chat with guests about regional cooking and ensure dishes capture authentic home flavours.
Homelike Cultural Hospitality
Staff welcome Marathi-speaking guests in their native tongue and offer traditional hospitality, checking in attentively as diners dig into fiery misal.
Tailored Spice Level Adjustments
Dishes are prepared from scratch with made-to-order heat adjustments, accompanied by staff who guide newcomers through the regional spice profiles.
Attentive Dietary Customisation
The kitchen pays careful attention to strict dietary requirements, accommodating Jain and vegan diners as well as specific custom requests like sugar-free cutting chai.
Before you head over
Key tips to help you navigate heat levels, busy hours, and regional specialties—book your table now to secure your spot.
Calibrate your spice level
Dishes like the misal pav feature genuine Maharashtrian heat that can still pack a punch even when ordered mild. The kitchen prepares food from scratch and can adjust the heat level to suit your taste, so request your preferred spice profile when ordering.
Book ahead for evening rushes
The dining room fills up quickly with dine-in and takeout crowds on weekday and weekend evenings alike. Reserve your table in advance to sidestep peak-hour rushes and guarantee a table for lunch or dinner.
Ask staff to guide dietary choices
The sprawling all-vegetarian menu features vegan, gluten-free, and Jain-friendly choices alongside rare regional staples like thalipeeth and pithla bhakri. If the selection feels overwhelming, ask the staff for personalized dish recommendations.
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