Caramelle (Ballygunge)

Caramelle Interiors

Kolkata has many cafes where you can grab a cup of coffee anytime. Similarly the latest addition being the “Caramelle” (Le patisserie Cakewalk: A bakery specializing in French pastry) at Jhowtala Road in Ballygunge (near Syed Amir Ali Avenue crossing) which is a perfect gateway for today’s generation. The café aims to introduce a European-styled bistro culture to the city. The owner of the shop has put together two page beverages, three page vegetarian and five page non- vegetarian menu.

Chowman (Tollygunge)

Chowman Interiors

This Chinese & Thai restaurant, Chowman, located in Tollygunge area (walking distance from both South City Mall & Golf Club), at Prince Golam Mohammad Shah Road to be exact is quite outstanding and overtly popular in South Kolkata. Most people avail the Home Delivery & Take Away facility though because of its small space consisting of only 4 tables and one could just eavesdrop into the conversation of the nearby table very easily. In spite of the tininess of the place, they have made it quite cozy. The wall décor has abstract Chinese paintings & wall hangings. They play soft, delightful Chinese instrumentals in the background which makes anyone feel that they have been virtually transferred to a small town in China. The Red & Black cushioned chairs have an uncanny resemblance to Haka restaurant outlets. The tables are all laid out well always with proper matching red hand napkins, Chinese style bamboo table mats, chopsticks, Chinese tea pots (Aladdin Genie Lamp) containing sauces apart from the regular Salt and pepper shakers.

Bawarchi (Kudghat)

Dry Chilli Chicken

Bawarchi is one of the famous Chinese restaurants located near the Jadavpur 8B bus stand. It’s a very popular restaurant which serves good Chinese and North Indian cuisine. There are many take away shops of Bawarchi across the city which offers exactly the same menu (provided below) which is available in the family restaurant. Similarly one joint is located near the Kudghat area. This joint is basically famous for rolls and Chinese items but north Indian dishes are also quite good.

Mango People (Golpark)

Mango People Interiors

Finally an economical restaurant located in the prime area of Golpark (Gariahat Road), Mango People, which serve decent food to “Aam Aadmi” [Mango People] of South Kolkata. It offers Chinese, Fast Food, Continental dishes and mouth watering delights. However the place is very small (4 tables for 15 persons in total) and you will be quite fortunate to get a table in busy hours. The table cloth, divan, cushioned chairs all are red in color with matching red cotton napkins as well. There is live cooking within an open kitchen separated from the dining area by transparent glass walls. Mostly college students and youngsters turn up in large numbers at this place. The waiters are courteous to make suggestions while taking orders from customers and also serve a complimentary bowl of chips when the food is being prepared.

Hatari (Golf Green)

Mixed Fried Rice

Hatari is a multi cuisine restaurant located at Triangular Park. The name Hatari was taken from the 1962 American film “HATARI” directed by Howard Hawks. It has opened many small takeaway branches like the one located at Golf Green. It offers Chinese and North Indian dishes and other mouth watering delights. Their menu is exactly the same like the one they have it in the main restaurant. Everything is available in this joint be it a pork or lamb. Wondering where to order food for guests who have come unannounced? Don’t worry, because if you are living near Tollygunge, Jadavpur or Garia, you can order to this branch of Hatari.

The Tea Trove (Sarat Bose Road)

The Tea Trove Interiors

If the saying goes –”a lot can happen over coffee”…then certainly “a lot can happen over tea” too!! Yes, ’The Tea Trove’ located at the Sarat Bose Road gives one the opportunity to freshen up with their various types of ‘tea’, one of the common beverages of this country. People have always preferred ‘hot tea’, but The Tea Trove paves one to a new road, where one is welcomed with brand new tea delights coupled with ice!! ’Tea’ has got an opportunity to expose itself in a totally different style, through this very young, cool, amazing vegetarian tea parlour. Situated in a very busy street, it attracts the school and college crowd and of course the young generation.

India Restaurant (Kidderpore)

Murgh Peshwari Kebab

On a cloudy July afternoon, me and two of my friends set off on a trail to taste one of the best and authentic kebabs in Kolkata. Our destination was khidderpore, an area known for goods available in cheap prices. It is a muslim locality hence most of the restaurants serves authentic mughlai cuisine. We chose the Indian Restaurant for trying out kebabs. The restaurant is quite spacious with separate A.C and non A.C sitting areas. Even in a normal weekday afternoon, there was a constant flow of customers. Since we had only kebab in mind, we straightaway dived into the kebab menu.

Go Lebanese (Sarat Bose Road)

Go Lebanese

The gastronomic capital got another addition to its family of diverse culinary destinations. Go Lebanese brings to Kolkata the taste of Middle Eastern delicacies. The small outlet remains busy with constant flow of customers throughout the day. It has got such a good reputation that most of the days they are completely sold out. The reason for this is that the Lebanese cuisine identifies it with the Mughlai and Indian dishes that are available here with the exception of being less oily. Thus, it is high on taste and low on cholesterol.

Harvey’s World Cuisine (Kasba)

Harvey's Interiors

Though it is located at a very unusual place of Kasba at Nabapally bus stop just a km away from Ruby, Harvey’s has the right World Cuisine that Kolkata needs with a blend of North Indian dishes and an array of Continental fare. An extensive glass showcase displays a vast collection of imported wines just at the entrance to the restaurant on second floor. The interiors have venetian blinds, wooden finished floors, ceiling air conditioning systems, faux flowers, wide cozy white sofas and marble-top tables. Through the transparent glass façade one can view the Rashbehari – EM Bypass connector. A lavish buffet spread was neatly placed at the centre of the restaurant with each dish on top of induction heaters set at the correct temperature.

Flame & Grill - South City Mall

Flame & Grill (South City) Interiors

In spite of the hot, humid and sweaty weather of Kolkata, people love to utter the words "Flame and Grill". It instantly reminds one of 'KEBABS" and various sumptuous Indian dishes. Flame and Grill is one of the finest restaurants serving amazing kebabs and yes of course a never-ending delicious buffet!! Flame and Grill is in the topmost floor of the hugely popular South City Mall, a perfect place to attract the crowd! The ambience of the restaurant gives you the rejuvenated feeling of getting ready to indulge yourself in the pool of kebabs and many more items. The entire decor has a dark and wooden look!! The restaurant can comfortably accommodate more than 50 persons and the entire atmosphere makes one feel composed and active simultaneously! The restaurant has an interesting work of art, also used as a partition! It stretches from the ceiling till the floor in the form of a grid with each square containing a bottle of spice, herbs or masala!! To talk about the sitting arrangement, the tables, which are low in height along with wooden long chairs accommodating 2 people atleast! The most interesting fact about the table is its attatched "hot wok" (personal grill chamber)!!

Ta'aam (Rashbehari Avenue)

Ta'aam at Priya Cinema Hall, South Kolkata

Ta'aam (meaning ‘food’ in Arabic) is the city's newest addition to the Mughal-Frontier cuisine (North Indian Cuisine) segment. This restaurant, situated within the same building of Priya Cinema Hall beside the ticket counter, has the impressive ambience of the Mughal era. Its brightly lit, very nicely and neatly decorated with Jhoomars and tall mirrors. One of the walls is fully decked with Persian clay plates. This restaurant has the welcoming feel to it with the perfect blend of music. The restaurant has classy interiors with a huge space which can accommodate 75 persons at a time. As we were seated at a sofa the server moved away after filling up our water glasses and giving us the menu cards. A small bar counter at the far end, now serves only a variety of mocktails on the cards, till they get a bar license.

Hong Kong (Prince Anwar Shah Road)

Hong Kong Interiors

Located just near to South City Mall, on the opposite side of Prince Anwar Shah Road, this small air-conditioned Chinese Restaurant has been there for a long time. It has four-seater tables with both way sitting sofas. On a hot day, you might like to sit inside their cool chamber, and enjoy a meal, however the decor is below average and the ambiance is dull & shabby.

For appetizers you may try Prawn Wafers, Fried momo, Gold Coin Chicken, Fried Dry Chilli Chicken, Drums of Heaven along with soups like Lung Fung or Chicken Sweet Corn.

Krystal Chopstick (Hindustan Park & Gariahat)

Krystal Chopstick Interiors

Krystal Chopstick, located in Hindustan Park (just off the bustling Gariahat Market) is extremely popular in South Kolkata for its Chinese and Thai food. Its interiors are pretty much interesting with red and white being the wall color. It’s decorated with different kind of Buddha’s masks and paintings. It has cushioned iron chairs and glass tables laid inside. The place is dimly lit to give cozy kind of ambience. It’s one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in South Kolkata which is visited by some of the most famous names in city.

Wow! Momo

Wow! Momo outlet at City Center (Salt Lake)

Wow! Momo is a fast food restaurants chain based largely in Kolkata, which offers mainly momo, a dumpling originating from Nepal & Tibet and thukpa. It was established in 2008 by Sagar Daryani and Binod Homagai, alumni of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. It has spread across to the cities of Chennai, Pune, Bangalore and Coimbatore. As of end 2011, it has expanded to more than 20 outlets in India.

The Flying Monk (AJC Bose Road)

Potato Basket with chicken

The Flying Monk, the name instantly catches anyone by surprise! Situated near AJC Bose Road, at Woodburne Park, this Oriental restaurant specializes in South-East Asian (Japanese, Singaporean, Korean, Malaysian, Indonesian, Thai) cuisine. It mainly targets the sophisticated upper class of South Kolkata who would not mind to spend some extra to taste innovative food from the South-East Asian countries which are rarely available in stand-alone eateries (not 5-stars). The theme of the restaurant revolves around Chinese puzzles or Tangrams and gives the ambiance a funky feel. 

Jimmy's Kitchen (AJC Bose Road)

Jimmy's kitchen interior

Well there are very few in Kolkata who haven't heard about Jimmy's Kitchen. Serving one of the best Chinese food for more than a decade, it is a favorite haunt for young and aged both. Situated near Kala Mandir on AJC Bose Road, it remains filled up in weekends and in most weekday evenings too. The Decor is simple and easy on the eyes. Sitting arrangement is pretty good with comfortable sofas and chairs. They also serve alcoholic beverages and the collection is quite varied.

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.

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.

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!