Next week, Raleigh will finally get a taste of one of North Carolina’s most acclaimed restaurant groups. The new Botiwalla by Chai Pani will open Tuesday, June 2 at Raleigh Iron Works.
Botiwalla brings the James Beard-winning flavors of Chai Pani to the Triangle, serving up the Indian Street food concept from owners Meherwan and Molly Irani. It’s the counter-service cousin to the sit-down sensation of Chai Pani, which won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in the Country in 2022. The first Botiwalla opened in Atlanta in 2016, born out of the demand for some of Chai Pani’s most popular dishes, like okra fries and masala smashed potatoes.
“Chai Pani was meant to be snacky street food, but within the first six months it was clear we couldn’t run it as a counter service restaurant and had to turn it into a sit-down spot,” Irani said. “So with Botiwalla we took the greatest hits of Chai Pani.”
Botiwalla will be open daily for lunch and dinner, serving fast-casual Indian Street food. The Raleigh restaurant is the brand’s fifth location, following Atlanta, Charlotte and two in Asheville. Beyond snacks like okra fries and Gobi 65, look for kebabs and skewers and lamb burgers. On the drink side, diners will find boozy slushies, warm chai and chilled lassis.
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