About Us

At Shir Chai, every cup of tea carries a journey—a journey built on family, tradition, and the relentless pursuit of doing things right. Our café isn’t just a place to eat. It’s a space that was built, brick by brick, with real work, real heart, and real intention behind it.

The story starts years ago at Silk Road, a family-run restaurant where, believe it or not, I wasn’t even allowed to make the chai. I had my own ideas about what it could be, but back then, no one was listening. It wasn’t until I visited Afghanistan that I truly understood what real chai was supposed to taste like. One sip over there, and everything changed. I realized it wasn’t just a drink—it was part of who we are.

In 2018,

I opened Hills of Herat in Martinsville with family, finally getting the freedom to create chai the way I believed it should be. I spent endless nights testing recipes—adjusting spices, timing every boil, doubting myself, starting over. There were moments it felt like chasing something I might never catch. Then one day, I made a batch for my wife—someone who knows chai better than anyone I know. She took one sip, looked at me, and said, “Don’t ever change this.”
Since that day, the recipe has stayed exactly the same. It’s the one thing on the menu that became more than just a drink—it became part of the experience people came back for, again and again. And now, with every cup I pour, I’m chasing that same feeling of joy and connection, one customer at a time.
Later, I was approached to help start another tea-focused venture in New Brunswick. While it found success, I ultimately stepped away to focus on building something that fully met my own standards.
And that’s how Shir Chai was born.

Why We Built Shir Chai

I didn’t open Shir Chai because it was easy. I opened it because it was needed. For too long, chai has been treated like an afterthought—watered down, sugared up, and thrown on the menu next to the coffee. That’s not what we grew up with. That’s not what it deserves.

Shir Chai is about bringing real chai back to the center of the table, giving it the respect, time, and craftsmanship it deserves. Every batch is made the right way—no shortcuts, no compromises. The same goes for our food. Our halal brunch is built on the same standards: top ingredients, traditional techniques, and pride in every plate.

This isn’t a trend. It’s the revival of something real.

Built for Community

Where I come from, taking care of your guests isn’t something you think about—it’s just who you are. In Afghan culture, when someone walks into your home, they are family. And that’s the feeling I wanted to build here.

Shir Chai isn’t just a café. It’s a place where people gather after a long day, where friends meet to catch up, where someone finds a quiet corner to read, and where every person who walks in feels like they belong.

We’re here to create a space that feels honest. A place that feels like home. A space that’s been missing for too long—and one that was built the hard way, with patience, passion, and persistence.

Welcome to Shir Chai

Where every cup, every plate, and every visit is made with care. Real chai, real food, real people.