Support Us Button Widget

Cheeni named NC Restaurant of the Year

Eater Carolinas released its 2022 Eater Awards.

Food on a marble countertop.

Try this: ThumsUp Indian cola drink.

Courtesy of @cheeniraleigh

Eater Carolinas released its 2022 Eater Awards earlier this month and Cheeni Indian Food Emporium won NC Restaurant of the Year.

The annual awards are chosen by Eater editors to celebrate the best restaurants, bakeries, pop ups, and stand out food businesses across the country. The chosen eateries have driven conversations within their communities over the past 12 months — and that certainly rings true for Cheeni.

“Winning this award is validation that an untested, risky concept can be recognized and embraced,” owner Preeti Waas said.

The new Raleigh concept, originally called Cheeni Chai + Coffee + Tiffin, was born in the Poyner YMCA, but the business later shifted over to the Hillsborough Street Alexander Family YMCA. After the cafe closed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Preeti set her sights on a new, larger venue.

In February 2022, Preeti expanded her original approach to a 2,700-sqft space in Falls River Town Center. The new location offers a playful American-adapted Indian food experience with its shopping bazaar and Indian snacks such as filter coffee, masala chai, street-style toast, puffs, and dinner menu. The emporium also features monthly cooking classes, pop-up dinners, and other events like jam tastings.

As for the future of Cheeni, Preeti believes that the concept can be successfully replicated... so stay tuned.

Two cocktails on a silver tray.

Cheeni recently released its first cocktail.

Courtesy of @cheeniraleigh

In the meantime, stop in to try the restaurant’s first cocktail, Jaam aur Jam, which was introduced last week. The drink is refreshing and festive, concocted with Crude “X” Bitters with cardamom and caramelized raisin, Indian tonic, and house-made cranberry chutney.

And don’t miss these six upcoming Cheeni events.

More from RALtoday
Dig into delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian fare in every corner of Raleigh.
From the floral backdrop to the customized ring — we’re dreaming of having our own viral engagement in Oak City.
The Pack is back in Carter-Finley on Thursday, Aug. 28 — here’s what you need to know while rooting for NC State football this season.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Have you ever thought “That’s an odd place for a bar.” Well in Raleigh, there is no such thing as odd for these spots around town.
After its March closure, a new team with ties to the former ownership group of 42nd Street Oyster Bar has expressed interest in reopening the Raleigh staple as early as February 2026. Read up on readers’ memories from this local gem.
Learn about the biggest industries and employers in Wake County with this guide to local business.
NC State’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are joining forces for their exhibition games against South Carolina + Maryland, respectively, ahead of promising seasons.
Our readers dogeared these parks for us while we dream of this concept founded in South Korea’s capital city.
Electric-assist bikes are coming to downtown Raleigh, and they can start and stop just about anywhere. Here’s what you need to know before you hit the road.