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: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, keto, low-carb, pescatarian, plant-based, low-fat, heart-healthy, mediterranean, whole30, paleo, diabetic, low-sodium, sugar-free, low-cholesterol, clean-eating, high-fiber, anti-inflammatory, atkins, south-beach, weight-watchers, dash-sodium-reduced, raw-food, tlc, detox, renal, lectin-free, mayo-clinic, slow-carb, pegan, candida
Currently closed
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, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Fat
- Black Forest - $12.95: Cardamom whipped cream base, hot fudge, cherry rose ripple Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Carrot Halwa - $12.95: Carrots sautéed in ghee with a touch of cardamom Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber
- Chocolate Coconut Burfi - $12.95: Dairy-free chocolate sorbet swirled with cardamom spiced coconut fudge Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Cholesterol, Lectin-Free
- Coffee Cardamom - $12.95: Robust coffee flavor with granules and floral cardamom Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Lectin-Free
- Hibiscus Chaat Masala Sorbet - $12.95: Floral and fruity hibiscus with savory umami chaat masala spice blend Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol
- Lemon Cardamom - $12.95: Tart lemon with floral cardamom Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Lychee Sorbet - $12.95: Sweet, floral lychee with a touch of tang Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol
- Masala Chai - $12.95: Ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper inspired by classic tea Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Milk & Cookies - $12.95: Nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper ice cream with star anise chocolate chip and chocolate chili cookies Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Orange Fennel - $12.95: Citrusy orange with herbal, licorice notes of fennel Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Pineapple Pink Peppercorn - $12.95: Pineapple, coconut, white chocolate, and pink peppercorn Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Pumpkin Garam Masala Crumble - $12.95: Pumpkin ice cream, garam masala spices, black cardamom graham cracker Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Red Chili Chocolate - $12.95: Rich chocolate ice cream with Andhra Pradesh heirloom chilies Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Sea Salt Vanilla - $12.95: Vanilla ice cream with a touch of sea salt Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Lectin-Free
- Spiced Peanut Crunch - $12.95: Vegan spiced peanut ice cream, cayenne pepper, peanut chikki swirls Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Cholesterol
- Sweet Milk - $12.95: Condensed milk style ice cream Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Lectin-Free
- Tamarind Spice Sorbet - $12.95: Tamarind, cinnamon, clove, and a hint of cayenne pepper Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol
- Toasted Nutmeg - $12.95: Warm toasted nutmeg in a milky cream base Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Lectin-Free
- Tulsi Chocolate Chip - $12.95: Tulsi (mint-basil blend) with chocolate and cocoa nibs Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
Desserts
- Gulab Jamun Ice Cream Cake - $65: Ice cream cake featuring Gulab Jamun Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Add-ons
- Chai Masala Spice Blend - $12: Signature spice blend based on grandmother's recipe Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, Raw-Food, TLC, Detox, Renal, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Candida, Lectin-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.