The chai lounge

1-3 Westgate, Bradford BD1 2QL, United Kingdom
+44 7715 560767
$$$ Cafe
(50 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

The Chai Lounge sits tucked in the heart of Bradford’s Westgate, serving up more than just a quick caffeine fix. This cafe has quickly become a go-to spot for locals looking for freshly made, affordable deli-style food alongside a strong lineup of hot drinks, including a standout Karak chai and Ethiopian coffee that offers distinctive layers of flavor.

The atmosphere strikes a comfortable, no-frills note with ample seating that invites both quick takeaways and relaxed sit-down lunches. Frequent visitors often stop by during work breaks, making it a practical lunch spot with friendly, efficient service. The team is known for their welcoming attitude and a willingness to accommodate requests, like heating up sandwiches or offering new menu additions such as jacket potatoes and chicken tandoori paninis, which have been welcomed additions to their evolving menu.

While the cafe’s casual vibe fits well with the daily rhythms of the neighborhood, it also offers a quiet space for those who want to pause and enjoy a hot drink away from the bustle. Many patrons appreciate the freshly prepared biryani rice and a selection of snacks and cakes catering to a variety of tastes, making it a versatile stop from a quick tea run to a satisfying bite.

The Chai Lounge is especially popular among locals who appreciate good value, straightforward service, and genuine hospitality. Midday visits on weekdays seem to bring the most energy, with a steady flow of customers balancing takeaway orders and dine-in meals. In a bustling city center, this cafe provides a simple yet reliable spot that blends fast, friendly service with a menu that’s steadily expanding based on customer feedback.

Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
What they serve
Coffee
Quick bite
Best for
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Tuesday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Wednesday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Thursday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Friday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Saturday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

50 Reviews
Awais Hussain

08 Jan 2026

Since the opening day the food has always been nice and fresh, prepared on time. The staff have been very friendly and polite and giving instant service. The atmosphere is a nice comfortable seating area. Overall 10/10 cannot complain for a new business opening trials and errors are made however have been faultless in their service and food, The freshly made biryani rice is delicious. Thank you guys keep up the great work.

S S

28 Dec 2025

I tend to visit now and then on my lunch break. A great selection of food to take on the go/eat in with plenty of seating for all. Staff members and manager(s) are friendly. I'm still waiting for Food Express to do jacket potatoes and maybe custom paninis. Hopefully, the wait won't be long. Good luck! ***UPDATE 18/07/2024 LUNCHTIME*** Finally, the jacket potato is now on the menu. Delicious, but a bigger portion/potato is needed.

Habiba

08 Dec 2025

I recently had the pleasure of being assisted by a staff member who wears a hijab at food express. must say that her professionalism, dedication, and exceptional service truly stood out to me.From the moment I approached her with a question, she greeted me with a warm smile and a genuine willingness to help. Her knowledge about the services offered was outstanding, and she went above and beyond to ensure that all my queries were answered thoroughly. What impressed me the most was her patience and attention to detail. Despite the busy environment, she took the time to listen attentively to my needs and provided me with personalized recommendations that perfectly suited my requirements.I left food express feeling extremely satisfied with the service I received, and it was all thanks to the exemplary assistance provided by this staff member. Her dedication to her work and her commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction deserve high praise.In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to this staff member for her outstanding service and commend her for being a valuable.I look forward to returning to the establishment and receiving assistance from her in the future.

Shaahid khan

28 Nov 2025

I have visited this estabilishment a number of times and was suprised to see the Karak Chai at an affordable price. There are a number of deli style food options available, for which I have tried the chicken tandoori panini. Really nice!

yusef alanzi

05 Nov 2025

Excellent, a lot of options to eat something, and there are good hot drinks and coffee that they have Ethiopian has a lot of flavor, and a place for very good, cheap and reasonable prices as well. I recommend it and they heat up food if you want and a lot of snacks and cake

farah lunat

13 Oct 2025

Lovely new food cafe in the heart of Bradford town centre. Gives very halal desi Pret vibes, lovely food options, great customer service. There are options for everyone, curries, paninis, wraps, sandwiches, pastries, samosas, milkshakes, lassi and so much more. The karak chai is delicious and a must try!

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