Introducing Otepotea, your new go-to for authentic masala chai (tea) at the farmers market right here in Otepoti! Founded by Abinesh, originally from Tamil Nadu in Southern India, Otepotea bursts with bold spices and rich flavors. The chai is crafted from premium tea leaves infused with a special spice blend, offering numerous health benefits and prepared using the traditional SAMOVAR and double boiling method.

Each cup is like a warm hug, invigorating your senses and delighting your taste buds.

Stop by the Otepotea stall and experience the magic of India's favorite brew made the traditional way.

The sweet smell of spices & Holy Cow milk simmering in pots over gas at the Otepotea stall early Saturday morning is a wonderful thing!  Owner Abinesh, his friend Aloysius and other friends & family enjoy serving Otago Farmers Market customers the crowd favourites of masala chai– their signature tea (made in a samovar using the double boiling method with all the theatre of prep that it brings) & a traditional healthy Indian breakfast of dosa (using a recipe from his home city of Tamil Nadu in the southern India) & other delights like soft & fluffy idly served with handmade chutney. Two decades of working in hospitality managing restaurants & bars internationally, including a Dubai hotel chain and now managing the Black Dog Kitchen & Bar in Dunedin, it is obvious Abinesh enjoys hospitality & chatting to his customers.  He is also very proactive in using reusables and provides fresh mugs from our OFM cup library over the morning including plates and cutlery for his customers and encourages them to BYO cups also. Otepotea also have a variety of plant-based milk options with oat being most popular and have introduced a customer loyalty card.

Abinesh enjoys the ideology of the Market and the green and freshness there.  It also gives him exposure to what the city is about. Find the Otepotea stall every Saturday morning up on the railway platform.

Join us on Saturday at Otepotea—where every cup tells a story.