Malai – Indian
This artisanal creamery reimagines the classic scoop through a lens of South Asian heritage, where the air is thick with the fragrant warmth of toasted spices and floral botanicals. Velvety textures carry the deep, aromatic notes of masala chai and coffee cardamom, while vibrant sorbets like hibiscus chaat masala offer a bright, tangy dance on the palate. It is a sensory celebration that transforms traditional flavors like carrot halwa and coconut burfi into sophisticated, frozen masterpieces.
1407 T Street Northwest, Washington DC 20009 https://malai.co/Rating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, keto, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, soy-free
Diet fit at Malai
Dairy-Free at Malai
Malai in Washington has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Chai Masala Spice Blend. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Malai
Malai in Washington has 1 gluten-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Chai Masala Spice Blend. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Malai
Malai in Washington has 20 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Lychee Sorbet, Chocolate Coconut Burfi and Apricot Mace. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Malai
Malai in Washington has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Masala Chai. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Malai
Malai in Washington has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Masala Chai. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Malai
Malai in Washington has 1 vegan-tagged dish on its current menu, including Chai Masala Spice Blend. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Malai
Malai in Washington has 21 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chocolate Coconut Burfi, Apricot Mace and Pineapple Pink Peppercorn. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Malai
Malai in Washington has 2 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Masala Chai and Chai Masala Spice Blend. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Malai
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot Halwa | 177.4 g | 36.7 g |
| Pineapple Pink Peppercorn | 90.8 g | 22.3 g |
| Tamarind Spice Sorbet | 66.2 g | 15.2 g |
| Milk & Cookies | 44.3 g | 2.9 g |
| Black Forest | 4.2 g | 1.3 g |
| Masala Chai | 8.6 g | 1.1 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently open
Hours
- Friday - Saturday
- 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Sunday - Thursday
- 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
What diners are saying
Guests celebrate the outstanding food quality and fresh ingredients, frequently highlighting how every dish is perfectly cooked to order. Reviewers praise the cozy atmosphere and helpful service, noting that the warm and welcoming environment makes it a destination they are eager to visit again.
Menu
Ice Cream Pints
- Apricot Mace - $12.95: Light sherbet with tart apricot and sweet piney mace Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Black Forest - $12.95: Cardamom whipped cream base, hot fudge, cherry rose ripple Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Carrot Halwa - $12.95: Carrots sautéed in ghee with a touch of cardamom Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber
- Chocolate Coconut Burfi - $12.95: Dairy-free chocolate sorbet swirled with cardamom spiced coconut fudge Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Cholesterol
- Coffee Cardamom - $12.95: Robust coffee flavor with granules and floral cardamom Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory
- Hibiscus Chaat Masala Sorbet - $12.95: Floral and fruity hibiscus with savory umami chaat masala spice blend Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Lemon Cardamom - $12.95: Tart lemon with floral cardamom Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory
- Lychee Sorbet - $12.95: Sweet, floral lychee with a touch of tang Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian
- Masala Chai - $12.95: Ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper inspired by classic tea Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC
- Milk & Cookies - $12.95: Nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper ice cream with star anise chocolate chip and chocolate chili cookies Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Orange Fennel - $12.95: Citrusy orange with herbal, licorice notes of fennel Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory
- Pineapple Pink Peppercorn - $12.95: Pineapple, coconut, white chocolate, and pink peppercorn Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian
- Pumpkin Garam Masala Crumble - $12.95: Pumpkin ice cream, garam masala spices, black cardamom graham cracker Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Red Chili Chocolate - $12.95: Rich chocolate ice cream with Andhra Pradesh heirloom chilies Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Sea Salt Vanilla - $12.95: Vanilla ice cream with a touch of sea salt Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Spiced Peanut Crunch - $12.95: Vegan spiced peanut ice cream, cayenne pepper, peanut chikki swirls Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Sweet Milk - $12.95: Condensed milk style ice cream Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Tamarind Spice Sorbet - $12.95: Tamarind, cinnamon, clove, and a hint of cayenne pepper Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Toasted Nutmeg - $12.95: Warm toasted nutmeg in a milky cream base Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory
- Tulsi Chocolate Chip - $12.95: Tulsi (mint-basil blend) with chocolate and cocoa nibs Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Desserts
- Gulab Jamun Ice Cream Cake - $65: Ice cream cake featuring Gulab Jamun Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Add-ons
- Chai Masala Spice Blend - $12: Signature spice blend based on grandmother's recipe Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
Frequently Asked Questions about Malai
- What's the best way to experience this restaurant?
- Visit this cozy artisanal creamery to enjoy unique South Asian frozen treats in a warm, welcoming environment with helpful service.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- Malai is a moderate-priced ($$) artisanal creamery offering South Asian-inspired frozen desserts and treats.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- The provided restaurant data does not specify the total number of reviews for Malai.
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Popular menu highlights include Masala Chai, Coffee Cardamom, Hibiscus Chaat Masala Sorbet, Carrot Halwa, and Chocolate Coconut Burfi.
- Which diets does this restaurant support based on its menu?
- The restaurant supports numerous diets including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, plant-based, keto, paleo, and low-fat options.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- Customer reviews mention no major concerns, instead highlighting outstanding food quality, fresh ingredients, and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Diners seeking artisanal Indian-inspired frozen desserts with diverse dietary options like vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free will enjoy this creamery.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The menu features over 15 artisanal flavors including Masala Chai and Hibiscus Chaat Masala, catering to 34 distinct dietary preferences.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- Guests celebrate the outstanding food quality, fresh ingredients, cozy atmosphere, and helpful service that makes the environment warm and welcoming.
- How can I contact this restaurant?
- You can contact the restaurant by visiting their website at https://malai.co/ for further information and inquiries.
- Is Malai dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Malai has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Chai Masala Spice Blend.
- What can I eat at Malai on a dairy-free diet?
- Chai Masala Spice Blend carry the dairy-free tag, out of 1 tagged dish on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Malai have vegan options?
- Yes. 1 dish is tagged vegan on the current menu, including Chai Masala Spice Blend.
- Is Malai gluten-free?
- 1 dish is tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Malai?
- Carrot Halwa, at roughly 36.7g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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