- Flurys, Kolkata
This legendary café opened in 1927 and will celebrate its centennial in just 9 years. To last that long, a restaurant’s food and service must be exceptional. That is exactly what we are told by the locals. Almost everyone in Kolkata has visited a Flury’s outlet at least once and has a story to tell about their time there eating their famous cream cakes or sandwiches. Chicken patties, rum balls, and strawberry cubes are among the best dishes on the menu, and there’s always a pot of Darjeeling tea to be had!
Location: Multiple locations
Timings: 7:30 AM – 10:45 PM (varies from outlet to outlet)
Meal for two: Approximately INR 1350
- Aminia, Kolkata
If you enjoy simplicity, you will enjoy the Aminia restaurant chain. The interiors of these restaurants are minimalistic; there is sober cutlery on the walls, creating a homely atmosphere, and the food only adds to that sentiment. The best part is that this restaurant is very affordable, making it an ideal place to eat delicious food! Some of the most popular dishes at this restaurant chain include Mutton Reshmi Butter Masala and Chicken Cheese Kebab.
Location: Multiple locations
Timings: 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM (varies from outlet to outlet)
Meal for two: Approximately INR 750
- 6 Ballygunge Place, Kolkata
6 Ballygunge Place, one of Kolkata’s most popular buffet restaurants, is synonymous with the Ilish Festival. Chef Sushanta Sengupta creates a one-of-a-kind menu of mouthwatering delicacies just for the festival. The festival would be incomplete without tasting what 6 Ballygunge Place has to offer, which coincides perfectly with the seasonal availability of fish. However, for fish lovers, the festival is not the only time to visit this restaurant. The menu features unusual dishes such as the Kacha Aam Diye Ilish Macher Roll, Begun Ilish Jugalbandi, and Pur Bhora Morich Ilish, among others. It is a pescatarian’s paradise and a must-see for all fish lovers visiting Kolkata!
Location: Ballygunge
Timings: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 1000
- Peter Cat
Despite the English name, this place is as Indian as they come. Waiters wear turbans and tails, reminiscent of Mughal times, as they serve the never-ending line of local foodies. The food served at one of Kolkata Park Street’s most popular restaurants is second to none. Recipes passed down for centuries transport you back in time with each bite of the infamous Chelo Kebab platter. Similar restaurants in Delhi have been closing down over the last decade, but Peter Cat has stood the test of time. And our taste buds are extremely grateful!
Location: Park Street
Timings: 12:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 1000
- Zeeshan, Kolkata
The aromatic combination of cardamom and coals burning is the first thing you notice when you walk around this restaurant. Apart from the fact that it is located on one of Kolkata’s busiest streets, next to the Park Circus, this is the main reason why the tables fill up quickly. People are drawn in by the aromas wafting from the restaurant and end up having a memorable meal. Zeeshan’s kitchen serves some of the best Tandoori chicken and Mutton in Kolkata, so don’t miss out on this hidden gem!
Location: Syed Amir Ali Ave, Ballygunge
Timings: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 400
- Mocambo, Kolkata
Mocambo, another classic restaurant on Kolkata Park Street, is an important part of the city’s food culture. It is also one of the city’s oldest establishments and is owned by the food-royalty of Kolkata, the Kotharis. According to locals, the menu hasn’t changed much since 1953. The Old Calcutta was famous for its take on Continental cuisine, which is best represented on the menu at the Mocambo. This cult restaurant is one of a kind, with items like the over sauced prawn cocktail and devilled crabs.
Location: Park Street
Timings: 11:00 AM – 11:20 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 1100
- Rendezvous, Kolkata
This restaurant, appropriately named, is ideal for a business or personal meeting. It appears that the atmosphere of the restaurant itself lends a sense of importance to whatever discussion takes place there. As a multi-cuisine restaurant, the menu ranges from traditional Punjabi, Kolkati, Indo-Chinese, and Bengali dishes to Continental fare. Lunch and dinner are also served with an all-you-can-eat buffet!
Location: Monotel, Salt Lake
Timings: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 1200
- The Corner Courtyard, Kolkata
This restaurant, located within a colonial-era hotel, was completely renovated by a young entrepreneur named Megha Agarwal. Despite having to renovate the space, she was able to keep the vintage vibe, and it shows in every detail. And, like the ornate furniture, the menu is delectable. The menu is quite interesting, catering to tastes from all over the world! The chef’s specialties include potato wedges in cheese fondue and honey-glazed grilled chicken!
Location: Sarat Bose Rd, Bhowanipore
Timings: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 1500
- Oudh 1590, Kolkata
When in Kolkata, you should undoubtedly experience the magic of Mughlai cuisine, as the famous saying goes. Kolkata, one of the Mughal empire’s central hubs before being taken over by the British, has preserved many Mughal-era recipes. And the Oudh 1590 is one of the best places to get a taste of it. With the décor matching the times, one almost feels transported back in time. Regular customers highly recommend the Nehari Khaas and Raan biryani!
Location: Deshapriya Park west
Timings: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 1200
- Jam House, Kolkata
Contrary to the images of toast slathered in various jams that come to mind when reading the name, “Jam” in this context refers to music! It is one of the more promising newly opened restaurants in Kolkata. This restaurant serves a meal menu and is a haven for young rebels who want to get lost in their guitars and pianos. The delicious falafel wraps, pan-fried momos, and banana shake complement the incredible music played in this restaurant. If you enjoy music, you will find your ilk jamming to some heady tunes at the Jam house!
Location: Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Rowland Row, Ballygunge
Timings: 12:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 950
Best Fine-dining Restaurants in Kolkata
- Aaheli, Kolkata
Another chain restaurant, this one makes the list for its incredible fusion of two very different cultures, French and Indian. The dishes are Bengali in nature, but they are influenced by French cooking techniques and flavours. Serving both thalis and a la carte, it is a one-of-a-kind experience to see two seemingly unrelated cultures blend so seamlessly. If you go to this restaurant, order the Zamindar thali!
Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Road, New Market Area
Timings: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM – 11 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 2,000
- Alfresco, Kolkata
Alfresco is an upscale restaurant with all the trimmings you’d expect from a fine dining establishment. The atmosphere is refined, with sober seating arrangements that provide privacy while not isolating you completely. The buffet here is to die for, with several tempting offers; the ala carte menu is rather pricey! The biryani, kosha mangsho, and pulao are some of the best dishes served here, so don’t skip them!
Location: The Lalit, Old Court House Street, Dalhousie Square
Timings: 24 hours on most days with Sunday Brunch being served from 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 3500
- La Cucina, Kolkata
La Cucina, one of the few Italian restaurants in Kolkata, knocks it out of the park with its extensive menu! It was expected to be par excellence because it is located at the Hyatt Regency, the highest tier of Hyatt hotels, and it certainly delivers. Sunday brunch at La Cucina is a staple of the average Kolkata intellectual’s day, and for good reason. The menu is quite stellar, with jaw-dropping pizzas, pastas, and everything with cheese, veggies, and chicken in it! So, if you like Italian food and have some cash to spare, a Sunday brunch at La Cucina sounds just about right!
Location: Salt Lake City, Next to Stadium
Timings: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM and Sunday Brunch from 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 2500
- Asia Kitchen by Mainland China, Kolkata
When attempting to describe this kitchen, three words come to mind: hospitality, humility, and delicious food. The best Chinese food in Kolkata can be found at the aptly named Asia Kitchen. Some flavorful dishes, such as the Chicken Nasi Goreng and the classic Stir-Fried Rice, distinguish this Chinese restaurant. Kolkata is the epicentre of all things Chinese in India, so this is saying a lot. It serves the best Chinese food in India in some ways because it is the best Chinese food restaurant in Kolkata, and that is only one of the many reasons why you should eat here when visiting the City of Joy!
Location: Acropolis Mall
Timings: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 1800
Best Streetside Eateries in Kolkata
- Sree Hari Mistanna Bhandar, Kolkata
Sree Hari Mistanna Bhandar, located in South Kolkata, should not be confused with any other sweet shop. Not the most exciting urban decor, but this is a place that will transport you back in time. Kalojam (Gulab Jamun), Danadar, and the largest ever Langcha are all available here at reasonable prices. Not only that, but the restaurant serves a delicious breakfast of kachuri and halwa. Be there before time runs out because it ends in seconds.
Location: Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road, Bhawanipur
Timings: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 100
- Vien, Kolkata
Do you have a sweet tooth? This is the location you must visit. There are several sweet shops in the city that serve sandesh, but this one sets the standard. Also, when you come here, your breakfast is taken care of. Yes, their Luchi Cholar Dal is out of this world. So, what exactly is cholar daal? It is to Punjabis what dal makhani is to Indians. Luchi cholar dal is a Bengali-style chana dal that is a staple on the menu at feasts and celebrations and is typically served with kachuri (or kachori) or luchi (softer version of poori).
Location: Theatre Road
Timings: 7:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 100
- Mitra Cafe, Kolkata
Mitra Cafe, located in Sobha Bazaar just outside the metro station, was founded in 1920 and has since served everyone, including Indian film legends Satyajit Ray, Uttam Kumar, Anjan Dutta, and the list goes on. The legendary food has been passed down through generations, and the entire journey can be seen on the screens installed in the cafe.Fish Kabiraji should be your first choice when you arrive. If you don’t like fish, try mutton or chicken kabiraji instead. It is a traditional dish that should not be overlooked. Serve it with white kasundi, which locals claim is the best in town. Other options include vegetable chop, prawn afghani, and fish fry.
Location: Jatindra Avenue, Shobha Bazar
Timings: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Meal for two: Approximately INR 600
If you’ve made it this far, you should be! These are just a few of Kolkata’s many popular restaurants and eateries; there are hundreds more just waiting to be discovered. Kolkata, a city that has heavily invested in its cuisine, is a foodie’s Mecca! So, whether you’re just passing through or a local, this list has something for everyone! Simply hop in a car, train, or plane, depending on your location, and head down to Kolkata’s bustling lanes! Good luck, or should we say, Good Eats!
