Chai Pyala slipped into the Lakewood scene in February, and the cozy Indian chai cafe and bakery has already become a low-key stop for spiced tea and sweets. The counter-service spot brews chai to order and fills its pastry case with Indian-inspired treats like a gulab jamun doughnut and an orange-cardamom bun. Drinks skew dessert-forward, with specialty lattes crowned with rose petals and saffron that blend South Asian flavors with classic bakery technique. With weekday-friendly morning and early afternoon hours, it is quickly turning into a convenient stop for nearby workers and neighborhood regulars.
Owners and origins
According to The News Tribune, every cup of chai at Chai Pyala is brewed to order in a stainless steel pot, using a recipe owner Honey Batth learned from her mother in Amritsar. The paper reports that Honey and her husband, Guru Batth, opened the bakery in February after moving to the South Sound, and that Guru previously worked as an analyst in the army. The couple told the outlet they want to honor family recipes while still playing around with dessert-inspired drinks and pastries.
Where to find it
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber lists Chai Pyala at 3810 Steilacoom Blvd SW and includes contact details for the business, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. State vendor records show the cafe operating under Authentic Creations LLC, doing business as Chai Pyala, in a database of veteran-owned businesses maintained by the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. Local business directories mirror the address and phone number, suggesting the shop has settled into its Lakewood storefront spot without much fuss.
Menu highlights to try
The News Tribune calls out several early standouts, including a masala chocolate-chip cookie, mango mulai and a planned samossant, a savory twist the owners say they intend to add. The same write-up notes that the orange-cardamom bun has already emerged as a customer favorite. On the drink side, the menu leans spiced and floral, with classic masala chai, rose-topped lattes and saffron-accented creations built on house syrups. The bakery is set up to take special orders and host small events, something the owners hope will keep the counter busy beyond the usual grab-and-go morning rush.
Neighborhood fit
For Lakewood diners craving tea and pastries that nod to Indian street-food culture, Chai Pyala adds a compact but focused option to the morning lineup. The owners plan to expand the menu modestly while keeping the overall scale of the bakery small, aiming squarely at neighborhood customers and catering for nearby events. Anyone looking to check current hours or place a special order can find the shop’s contact information through local business directories and the regional chamber listings.
