Free Bird Chai

Really nice and friendly barista, delicious chai. They make it in house and it’s not too sweet. In other words, perfect! Convenient location as well, I just walked over.

We stopped in during late morning and there was a small wait but nothing too bad. The barista was soft-spoken and lovely to talk to! I just had the regular black tea but the blend was delicious. If you're lucky there will be gorgeous handmade mugs available for sale :) definitely a local gem!

A fantastic hidden gem. Wonderful coffee and chai! My partner always orders mochas, and I always order chais, and both were wonderful and unique. It was great to have multiple options for sweet, or spiced, or unique chai. Loved the atmosphere, lots of house plants and local goods for sale. We bought a chai blend to take home with us. Top tier customer service. The owner clearly has a big heart. We went out of our way to visit, and it was more than worth it! Absolutely coming back next time I'm in Lake Tahoe!

I feel so lucky to have found this gem in South Lake Tahoe! I stumbled across Free Bird Chai while on a camping trip a week ago and stopped by here again today to bring my friend! I got the 'Roots' chai, which is the perfect amount of spice and blend of coconut, turmeric, chai, and yumminess. My friend got the 'Ruby' which is a roobios tea, caffeine free and delicious. I'll be looking forward to my next visit so I can try something else on the menu!! Also, it was so lovely to be greeted by a friendly face, Aaron, who stewards this wonderful place :) Thank you for being so welcoming and making fantastic beverages!

Free Bird Chai is tucked inside the Red Hut Cafe in South Lake Tahoe. While parking is a breeze, thanks to the strip mall location, the indoor seating is very limited. Ordering was easy - they offer 12oz and 16oz for most drinks, with some exceptions like macchiatos and cappuccinos having an 8oz option too. Bonus points for offering almond, soy, and oat milk alternatives at no extra charge! Unfortunately, the star of the show - the chai - was a bit of a letdown. I went for their classic chai with spices, black tea, and milk. The spice blend was way too heavy-handed, drowning out the tea and leaving a lingering bitterness. The tea itself was also very watered down. After a couple of sips, I had to call it quits and head elsewhere for a decent cup. On the bright side, the barista was friendly, and the service was super fast. It wasn't busy at all during my visit, with only one or two other customers. Overall, Free Bird Chai "might" be a good option if you need a quick coffee fix with alternative milk options (I don't drink coffee so I can't comment on that), but avoid the chai unless you're a spice fiend.