Pratik Tea Centre

Pratik Tea Centre is located at 19 Bhadbhuja Ghati. It’s a bit of a climb up the slope, and the street is quite narrow, but that doesn't stop people from finding us. We start early in the morning, usually while it’s still a bit dark out. The first thing we do is get the water boiling and start crushing the ginger and cardamom. The shop is small and can get very hot with the big stove going all day. There are always tea glasses clinking and the sound of the milk being poured. We have a few small benches where people can sit, but most just stand around and talk. It gets really crowded during the morning rush when everyone is heading to work. We don't have a menu or anything; people just know what they want. Sometimes we run out of snacks by midday if it's been a busy one. The walls are a bit stained from the steam and the tea, but it’s a clean enough place. We’ve seen kids grow up and start coming in for their own tea over the years we’ve been at this spot on the Ghati. It’s noisy, it’s busy, and my clothes always smell like tea leaves at the end of the day. We just keep the pot going and serve whoever walks through the door. It’s a simple life, but we like the talk and the company.