Chai Guys Bakehouse
Sector
Hospitality
Location
Notting Hill, London
Size
600 sqft
Value
£250,000
Client
Chai Guys
The first permanent outlet for Chai Guys on Portobello Road creates a dedicated home for a brand built around the ritual of authentic masala chai. Having previously operated from market stalls at Spitalfields and Seven Dials, the project gives Chai Guys a physical space in which the making, serving and drinking of chai can be experienced more fully.
The design draws on the colour palette of the existing brand, a contemporary interpretation of traditional chai culture informed by the sights, smells and tones of its spices. Set against the energy of Portobello Market, the interior acts as a calm refuge from the street, combining low timber datum panelling with bouclé and leather seating to create a warm and welcoming place to linger.
A low, tiled counter reveals the theatrical process of serving chai, placing the performance of tea-making at the centre of the customer experience. Beyond, views are drawn through the space towards the bakery at the rear, where pastries are produced throughout the day. The atmosphere shifts from a light-filled café and bakery during the day to a more intimate setting in the evening.
The first permanent outlet for Chai Guys on Portobello Road creates a dedicated home for a brand built around the ritual of authentic masala chai. Having previously operated from market stalls at Spitalfields and Seven Dials, the project gives Chai Guys a physical space in which the making, serving and drinking of chai can be experienced more fully.
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Photography by:
Pierce Scourfield