SOMETHING SPECIAL TO DRINK: CHAIWALA

The daily ritual of chai is part of the fabric of India. ChaiWala co-owner Nikunj Vithalani recalls waking up to the smell of ginger and cardamom in his grandmother's house. Living in Queenstown for seven years and missing their daily chai, Nikunj and his wife Ekta were driven to make chai for themselves – if others happened to like it that would be a bonus. The good news for everyone is locals love it, and it also brings a satisfied smile to chai-deprived Indian tourists. What's not to like about having some warm spicy sustenance in hand to complement an autumnal walk along the lake shores or through the Queenstown Gardens? The couple's bright yellow mobile cart can be spotted from a distance on Queenstown's lakefront on weekends offering a simple chai menu including turmeric, saffron and dairy-free. But it's masala chai, New Zealand's gumboot tea equivalent, that flies off the shelves. To appease Kiwi taste buds, the chai is made with minimum sugar, but can be sweetened to individual tastes. 022 031 6680, on Facebook.