Direct answer
Vancouver’s best Indian chaat spots include Samosa City (Main St.), Chaat Adda (Commercial Dr.), Palki (Punjabi Market), Indian Food & Grocery (Jaswant Plaza), and Bombay Sweets & Co. (South Granville). For fresh, authentic pani puri and sev puri, Samosa City and Chaat Adda are top choices.
Why these places
- Samosa City (Main St.) — Known for lively, fresh chaat: pani puri, sev puri, aloo tikki chaat, and chole bhature. Consistently good spice balance and crisp textures.
- Chaat Adda (Commercial Dr.) — Specializes in street-style chaat: bhel puri, pani puri with mint-tamarind water, and dahi puri. Great for vegetarian options and quick-service authenticity.
- Palki (Punjabi Market / various) — Traditional north-Indian chaat like papdi chaat and chole kulcha; solid for heartier chaat plates.
- Indian Food & Grocery (Jaswant Plaza / Surrey & Vancouver-area counters) — Famous for ready-made chaat snacks and pani puri kits; good for take-home or late-night cravings.
- Bombay Sweets & Co. (South Granville / Punjabi Market) — Sweet-and-savory balance; try their sev puri and samosa chaat plus sweets to finish.
Practical tips
- Best time: early evening (5–8 PM) for freshest chaat; some places sell out quickly.
- Customization: ask for spice level and less coriander if you dislike it; many places offer tamarind and mint chutney on the side.
- Pani puri: eat immediately after filled—don’t let them sit or they’ll go soggy.
- Dietary: most chaat is vegetarian; ask about oil used if vegan concerns (some use ghee).
- Ordering: call ahead for larger groups or check DoorDash/Uber Eats for delivery availability.
Want a tailored recommendation? Tell me your neighbourhood, preferred chaat type (pani puri, papdi, sev puri, aloo tikki), and whether you need veg/vegan options, and I’ll suggest the nearest best spot.