Bringing India’s Diverse Culture Together with the Comfort of Chai at Chaayos Café
What’s better than coffee? Chai! What’s better than chai? Meri Wali Chai!
In India, chai isn’t just a beverage; it’s a symbol of warmth, hospitality, and connection—an invitation to unwind, a bridge to home and habit. Chaayos, with its roots deeply intertwined in India’s chai culture, taps into this deeper meaning, offering more than just a steaming cup of tea. Working along Chaayos’ mission to ease the pressures of modern life using the timeless comfort of chai and snacks, Sync Design Studio took on the challenge of redesigning multiple café outlets to evoke this sense of familiarity and relaxation.
Their solution: a design concept that blends the coziness of a living room with sleek, modern aesthetics, all wrapped in the rich traditions of Indian heritage. A space where chai can be savored by families, couples, friends, or those seeking a quiet spot for informal meetings. The Chaayos outlet at Worldmark Aerocity, New Delhi, is a prime example of how this idea is brought to life.
Across Chaayos outlets, Indian arts and crafts take centre stage, reflecting a commitment to local artisanship and cultural heritage. In the Aerocity café, this vision comes alive through contemporary, tea-themed versions of traditional art forms done in collaboration with local artists. A simplified rendition of Phulkari weaves from Punjab, in vibrant greens, evoke the tea plantations on the hills of Darjeeling and Munnar. An artform from Rajasthan, a three-part Warli art offers an abstract depiction of tea collection and processing. In a Mughal miniature painting, royal subjects are imagined indulging in tea within palace courtyards. Chai thus becomes a unifying identity that celebrates the diversity of India and its culture.
The materials and labour used in the café were also locally sourced, reinforcing authenticity. The walls, textured with lime plaster in Chaayos’ signature green, feature acacia wood frames that stretch across the walls and ceilings, echoing the wood-paneled vernacular homes. The ceiling’s linear framing also serves to elongate the space, creating a seamless flow.
Like many typical Indian homes which are often mixes of various styles, patterns, and textures, the Aerocity outlet adopts an eclectic interior while maintaining cohesion through its earthy colour palette of browns and greens. Diverse furnishings—leather sofas, spline chairs, and Chandigarh chair-inspired dining seats—bring a distinct flavour to the space. These handcrafted chairs, reminiscent of old rattan cane-woven office seats, along with the earthy scent of brewing chai infused with the warmth of ginger and cardamom evoke memories of home.
The café’s layout, with soft lighting, natural hues, and carefully spaced furniture, provides a sense of intimacy. Seating is thoughtfully arranged to encourage eye contact, making the space feel as personal and cozy as a friend’s living room. Outside, the seating area feels like a garden verandah, with short shrubs providing privacy, reinforcing the idea of personal comfort amidst the urban hustle.
While the design honors India’s cultural traditions, Sync Design Studio integrates modern elements that cater to contemporary lifestyles. Acknowledging the rise of the “work-from-café” trend, the design incorporates practical features like bag hooks and charging points at every table, blending functionality with the cozy, inviting atmosphere. Acoustic ceilings ensure that conversations remain personal. Meanwhile, mirrors running alongside the counter expand the sense of space, amplifying the natural light that floods the interiors.
With the Chaayos redesign, Syn Design Studios has achieved to maintain a cohesive identity while allowing each outlet to express its own personality. In today’s fast-paced cities, Chaayos offers a sanctuary—a place that reminds us of the pleasure of slowing down. Sync Design Studio has embraced the concept of “slow luxury” in their design, crafting spaces that invite you to sit back, enjoy your chai just the way you like it, and savor the moment. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick cup or settling in for hours, the carefully designed environment ensures that every visitor feels a sense of belonging, with chai in hand and the warmth of home all around.