Chaiiwala

You'll smell the cardamom and ginger before you even step through the door of this buzzing Indian café on Normanton Road. The bright orange and green décor might look like a chain operation, but the chai here is the real deal – properly spiced, milky, and served in traditional glasses that'll burn your fingers if you're not careful. The menu goes well beyond drinks, with samosas that arrive properly crispy, loaded paratha wraps, and biryani that's actually fragrant rather than the sad yellow rice you get elsewhere. Staff are genuinely chatty and know their way around the extensive menu. It's become the go-to spot for Derby's South Asian community, which tells you everything about authenticity. Open until 11pm every day means you can satisfy those late-night cravings when everywhere else has shuttered up.