Allen's kitchen (Sovabazar)

Prawn Cutlet

Stated just opposite Mitra cafe in Sovabazar, a few steps walk from sovabazar metro station, Allen's kitchen is one of the famous food joints famous for its fried finger foods. Allen Kitchen was founded by Jibonkrishna Saha, a Bengali chef, in the late nineteenth century. It used to be a desired destination for many well-known Bengali citizens including Uttam Kumar. Specializing in cutlets and fries, it has a legacy of more than 75 years. Regular customers swear by its Prawn cutlet fried in pure ghee and fish cutlet. The aroma of burnt ghee adds to the cozy environment, churning up the hunger even more. The fish fry is a real delight prepared with original and fresh Bhetki fish cooked to the perfection.

Nizam's Restaurant (Salt Lake)

Nizam's (Salt Lake Branch) Kolkata

Nizam’s Restaurant, Salt Lake Branch is located just at the Connector of EM Bypass & below the VIP Road Flyover at Salt Lake – Ultadanga gate. This restaurant has no seating area as it only serves customers through the Take Away counter and Home Delivery Facility. Like the Original Nizam’s of Esplanade (New Market), it not only serves different types of Kathi Kebab Rolls, but also all Indian / Mughlai dishes like Kebabs, Chap, Rezala, Korma, Tandoor Items & Biriyani.

Calcutta Club Dining Hall (Rabindra Sadan)

Bekti Veronique & Chicken Mont Blanc

Dining Hall Interiors

Calcutta Club is a social club located on Lower Circular Road in Kolkata. It was established in 1907 and the first president of the club was H.H. The Maharajah of Cooch Behar. Although not the oldest private members club in the city, it is notable because it was formed at a time when the existing Bengal Club only admitted whites as members. Lord Minto, the Viceroy of India at the time, had wished to invite Rajen Mookerjee to dine at the Bengal Club and, when the discriminatory policy was thus exposed, a decision was taken to form a club with a membership policy not dictated by race. The Calcutta Club remains a popular social hub for the wealthy in the city. Ironically, despite its origins as a reaction to discrimination, the club has historically restricted membership to men. However, this was changed in 2007 and the club started admitting women members.

Mehak-e-Punjab (Axis Mall - Rajarhat)

Mehak-e-Punjab entrance

After a long spell of shopping at the Axis Mall of Rajarhat, when your feet are tired and you are hungry, go to Mehak-e-Punjab beside the food court. This multi-cuisine restaurant is very spacious and has two separate siting areas. One for the non alcohol consuming crowd and another for those who wants to have alcoholic beverages along with the food.

The bar cum restaurant section has much more comfortable sitting arrangement compared to the normal restaurant section. The decor is soothing with couches and chairs to sit upon.

The Blue Poppy (Salt Lake)

Pepper Chicken

Located just opposite to the Inox side entrance of the boisterous City Centre, you just need to walk through the gigantic hallway of Gorkha Bhawan to reach Blue Poppy. This is the second outlet of this Tibetan momo joint turned Chinese Restaurant after its immense popularity of Maidan outlet (Middleton Row – Sikkim House). Not to mention it’s pocket friendly prices in both the outlets. One could get fried or steamed momos (8 pcs served with homemade red chilli sauce & Soup) at Rs. 80 inc. taxes which I doubt any other AC restaurants would offer. The menu offers Original Nepali Thali & Thukpa and also Bhutanese dishes apart from the regular Chinese section which is available in every Chinese joint that crops up at every crossroad of Kolkata.

Mitra Cafe (Sovabazar Crossing)

Mitra Cafe entrance

Carrying on the legacy for more than 100 years, this quintessential bengali food joint is a place you should not miss. Located near Sovabazar metro station, Mitra Cafe is always crowded and one have to wait for at least 10 to 15 minutes before getting a table. The takeaway counter also gets a long queue, thanks to the consistent assembly of regular customers who does not fail to grab their daily share of fried delicacies like fish fry, fish cutlet, chicken kabiraji, egg devil, veg chop and many more. Right from the afternoon the crowd starts pouring in.

The Basement, Hotel Samilton (Sarat Bose Road)

Chicken Reshmi Kebab

The Basement, Hotel Samilton

This 2 star boutique hotel maintains a furnished air-conditioned restaurant called Pepper Chino, and a tea bar called Camillia Tea Bar. It also has a pub / discotheque named The Basement, which is one of the most popular ones in South Kolkata. It possibly derives it’s name from its site, it is actually located at the underground basement of the hotel. This 60-seater has a glass-door entrance from the

Aminia (Golpark)

Aminia Entrance Door & Waiting Area

Aminia Ground Floor

Aminia First Floor Entrance
to dining hall

The renowned Aminia of New Market (Esplanade) now has a branch in South Kolkata - Aminia South, near Golpark. In fact, it had opened several years back, but was closed due to some problem. It re-opened in 2012 and South Kolkata citizens can now get a taste of everyone’s favourite Aminia special foods like Mutton Biriyani, Rezala, Pasinda Kabab, Chicken Chap, Tandoori Roti and Firni.

Aminia (New Market, Esplanade)

Aminia Interiors

Aminia New Market Entrance

This massive restaurant, which has been like a heritage eatery in Kolkata, extended over two floors post-renovation, has been drawing most of the shoppers, office crowd, tourists and visitors in and around New Market (Esplanade) for the past many decades. It has always been a target for college goers because of its location and economic meal. Not many know that Aminia came into the being on the day of India's independence and soon became the byword for Mughlai khana.

Naba Malancha Restaurant (Hatibagan, Sovabajar)

Menu of Malancha restaurant

Fish kabiraji @ Malancha

If you ever happen to walk by the busy streets of north kolkata, you will unfailingly notice the numerous snacks counter lining the road side shops selling all kind of fried delicacies. Almost 80 years old, Malancha restaurant in Hatibagan is one of the oldest and well known establishment, catering to the needs of the Bengali palate. The interiors are not swank and clean like the eateries we see in other part of kolkata, but the old kolkata charm gives a different kind of feeling and when the food is good, one barely notices the old tables and worn down paints.  Though they serve a wide variety of items from biriyani to noodles. 

Chicken Cutlet @ Malancha

The more known and sought after items are on the starter list. Which features cutlets, fries, fingers and more. The spicy chicken cutlet is a must have along with a fish item. It may be the huge fish kabiraji or the crispy fish fry. All of these fried beauties are served with mustard sauce and green salad of cucumber, onion, carrot and beetroot. For those who look to fill their stomach in a limited budget, mutton afghani with butter toast is a good option. The afghani is a big chunk of minced mutton fried in batter and dipped in a spicy gravy.

Foods @ Malancha

Malancha has got both take away and sit n eat option. The prices are cheap compared to other eateries and since the quality of food is great, it seems more reasonable. These restaurants believe in customer retaining and thus concentrates more on quality food and prompt service than a glitzy outlook. Rather than having a full course meal it is better to go for evening snacks, since they are more famous for that, and come out with a smile on your face.

Location:   102A, Aurobindo Sarani, Hati Bagan, Below State Bank of India, Kolkata – 700006, West Bengal

Contact No.: (+91)(33) 25333250

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Indian Coffee House (College Street)

Albert Hall of Indian Coffee House

The Indian Coffee House has four branches in Kolkata, namely the College St. branch, Central Avenue branch, Medical College branch & Jadavpur branch. These are one of the most favourite hang-out places among friend groups of students and youngsters, although one can see several old-timers frequenting the coffee houses on a regular basis. Today its crusty high ceilings and grimy walls ring with deafening student conversation but despite the dishwater coffee, it’s perversely fascinating. It was born in the 1940s, when the Coffee Board set them up. In the 1950s, when the Coffee Board shut down it was reopened by worker cooperatives who were backed by professors of Presidency College & Calcutta University. The history of the Coffee House at College Street can be traced to Albert Hall, which was built in April 1876. Later, the Coffee Board of India decided to start a coffee joint from the Albert Hall in 1942. Notable citizens, including Rabindranath Tagore and Subhas ChandraBose, were frequent visitors to the place. In 1947, the Central Government changed the name of the place to "Coffee House". The place became a meeting place for poets, artistes, literati and people from the world of art and culture.

The Funjabi Tadka (Southern Avenue, Rashbehari)

Funjabi Tadka Entrance

Tandoori Anda

If you want to have "fun" with some "punjabi food", just move into this amazing restaurant, "The Funjabi Tadka". The brand is a take-off from Chef Harpal’s show ‘Turban Tadka’ of the “Food Food” channel. This 3000 sq. ft. premium fine dining outlet is located in the upmarket area of Southern Avenue, an area where all can get a good glance of it. Inspite of several punjabi restaurant dotted all over Kolkata, The Funjabi Tadka is a little different in the aspect of, obviously the taste of the food, the decor and yes, the price as well. To start off with, it’s the decor which catches your eyes. The "desi" look of the interiors attracts your attention completely!