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.

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.

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.

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.

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.