"The miracle of your absence is that I found myself whilst searching for you"

- Rumi

Our Mission: Pink Tea Café brings joy, inspiration and a moment of magic, celebrating the authentic chai culture of South Asia in the heart of London. 

The signature drink, Pink Tea (also known as Kashmiri Chai), is rarely found because of the skill and time it takes to cook. Organic green tea leaves undergo a unique two hour brewing process which founder, Tabassum, describes as both ‘a science and art’ to achieve the velvet consistency and naturally pink colour.  Also on the menu is an array of fresh artisan parathas, and homemade classic cakes with a sophisticated twist - they are for more than just a selfie! Fancy a cardamom scones with clotted cream?

Tabassum left 12 years of Investment banking behind to pursue her passion. She first discovered Pink Tea on a trip to the Himalayas and promised herself to bring it to London. 

“Pink Tea warms the soul through its blush pink appearance, rich aroma, delicately sweet taste and unforgettable buttery texture. This chai is a symbol of hospitality, a customary divine drink that brings people together and fosters deep conversations. In line with our mission: to bring joy, inspiration, and a moment of magic, a core part of our offering are regular ‘Chai Chat’ events, Qawwali music nights, and poetry evenings.”

There couldn't have been a more perfect setting for the launch of this fine chai concept. Mercato Mayfair is housed in the stunning St Mark’s Church, which went through a two-year, £5 million restoration. 

Imagine the sweet, spiced aroma arousing the senses as the Tea Chef theatrically aerates the chai from heights above the pot, in a majestic setting with opulent furnishings and traditional floor seating.

And you will begin to think about the number of wondrous things there are in this world that you still have to discover. But for now, check out Pink Tea Café (Instagram: @pinkteacafe)
 

 

The Elephant in our Logo: Elephants were trained to break down trees and transport tea through dense jungles in India, and they were the only reliable method of transportation during the monsoon season. Were it not for this incredible animal, the journey of tea and the creation of chai would not be possible. The elephant is core to the journey of chai through time. After the design of our logo, we also learnt that elephant is a keystone species in the ecosystem:

 "A keystone species is an organism that helps hold the system together. Without its keystone species, ecosystems would look very different. Some ecosystems might not be able to adapt to environmental changes if their keystone species disappeared." (Source: National Geographic)

We see tea in a metaphorically similar way.