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.

Pantaloons Food Court (Kankurgachi)

Mango Smoothie and Cold Coffee

Another self service food court in North Kolkata; Pantaloons Food Court is situated on the uppermost floor of the Pantaloons Shopping Centre of Kankurgachi area. After spending a lump some time on a shopping spree at one of Kolkata’s most popular brands, Pantaloons, and you are starving, you can get yourself some fast food, snacks, desserts or coffee here. This smallish food outlet is right beside the Food Bazaar (grocery store of Pantaloons) and has a few tables and even fewer food counters as compared to other shopping mall food courts.

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.

Garam Tawa (Shyambajar 5 point crossing)

Garam Tawa at Shyambazar

Garam Tawa is quite popular in the Shyambazar region for Take Away Food. Situated close to Golbari, it serves both North Indian and Chinese cuisines. The interior of this multi-cuisine restaurant is very small with a handful of 3 or 4 tables without any air-conditioning system. There is a take away Roll counter too which serves Kati Kebab Rolls. Popular orders are Fried rice, hot steamed momos with clear soups, chicken bharta, mutton rogan juice, Chicken Shahi Butter Masala, Chicken Reshmi Butter Masala, Tikka Butter Masala, Kebabs, Tandoori Chicken.

Mehfil (Salt Lake)

Mehfil (Salt Lake City Centre)

Situated opposite to City Center (Salt Lake), right beside Le Coffee Crème, this branch of Mehfil specializes in serving fast foods like Kati Kebab Rolls, Biriyani, Kebabs, Tandoori items, apart from regular Mughlai dishes of Rezala, Korma, Chap, Kasha (both Chicken & Mutton). The shop is very small with seating arrangement of just 2 tables inside. However they have placed few chairs outside on the footpath to handle City Center crowds during weekend evenings! They make rolls and other dishes right in front of the customers which is visible through the glass panes. The Rolls have a price range of Rs. 25 – 100 and are pretty heavy & filling in comparison of evening snacks. They prepare using their kebabs very well for the rolls.

AB's Dilli Durbar (Ultadanga)

Tandoori Chicken

AB'S Dilli Durbar is an air-conditioned multi-cuisine restaurant situated in the Uttarapan shopping complex in Ultadanga. The décor is very simple with couches & cushioned wooden chairs. The tables are covered with ordinary plastic table covers. The only thing worth mentioning is the glass façade on two sides of the hall that gives a glimpse of the teeming streets of CIT Road and buses & trams hustling through it. And since the noises do not enter the eatery, it’s quite a spectacular view.

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.

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 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.

Lazeez (Elgin Road)

Navratan Pulao

Lazeez means "delicious" in Urdu.... and the name is pretty appropriate given the quality of food they serve. Located in Elgin Road, this restaurant is a good family eating place for any occasion. With a lot of sitting space, it can accommodate at least 100 people at a time and in spite of that you may have to wait to get a seat in festive occasions. The cuisine is both Indian and Chinese though the Indian part scores over the Chinese in the field of taste. The menu is well divided and you may take your pick from starters like kebabs and tandoori items, various type of rotis, rice items like biriyani, pulao or simple plain rice.

Dhania Murg

In this section the navratan pulao stands out, with a mix of exotic vegetable and fruits topped off with cheese it will make you feel like a king.
The side dishes are very tasty and compliments the main dishes. There are chicken, mutton and fish items in the non veg section while the veg section has got paneer and other items. The fish begum bahar is an outstanding dish and you should make it a point not to miss it if you ever visit this place. As decorative as the name, it contains a large fillet of fish stuffed  with cheese and nuts served in a tasty gravy of Indian spices.

Chicken Reshmi Masala

In the chicken section the dhania murg and chicken reshmi masala are praiseworthy. Dhania murg, as the name suggests, is made of coriander as the main spice. Succulent pieces of chicken dipped in a green gravy makes a mouthwatering dish. The chicken reshmi masala is as good as in other quality restaurants. Green salads or raita's goes best with these type of dishes. If you want you can also opt for cold beverages like fresh lime soda, mocktails and soft drinks.

Fresh Lime Soda

Pineapple Raita

 

Lazeez also serves alcohol, so you can also grab a drink or two with your meal. With very reasonable price and good service, this restaurants surely scores high on the list of restaurants with average to low food cost. A meal for two will cost Rs.500 approximately without Alcohol.

Location: 83, Chowringhee Road, Near Elgin Road, Kolkata
Contact No.: (+91)(33) 22233254, (+91)(33) 22231684

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Opium (Sector 5 Salt Lake)

Opium Interiors

Located in the busy IT hub of Sector V, Salt Lake, Opium has a massive bar that reserves a wide selection of liquors. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after a hectic day at work. With Linkin Park, Bon Jovi, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley posters around and reasonable prices of drink, it is a favorite haunt for an evening out drinking with friends. The interior lights are dim and the black leather sofas are large and comfy. There is a large lcd screen that usually shows live matches on sports channels. Rock music plays in the background after 6 pm that sets up the mood for party revelers.

Only Alibaba - Sector 5 Saltlake

Only Alibaba outlet at Sector 5 Saltlake

Butter Chicken

Feel like tucking into some Mughlai food? Only Alibaba is a good option. It’s a very small and simple restaurant; pretty much the ideal place to grab a quick & cheap meal with friends or colleagues in the busy IT sector. Only Alibaba was born on 24th September 2008. Like Alibaba who took on the combined might of 40 thieves, ONLY ALIBABA took on the might of the Mughalai food business in its very own food district of Park Circus in Kolkata. The discerning pallet of the people of Kolkata has given Only Alibaba a unique standing. Since the world has become health conscious, the oil, the basic ingredient of all cooking, used here is of the best quality and is refined oil only. No dalda and animal fat is used in the kitchen. The interiors are not that fancy. Just ordinary glass tables and metallic (steel) chairs with reddish colored interiors. There are wall plasters falling off at some places. There is no toilet facility, only wash-basin. Parking is a big problem in that busy location. Still the place can be very crowded sometimes because of its affordable and delicious good; and the food items especially the biriyani gets finished on most days! Their signature dishes are Chicken and Mutton Biryani and Alibaba Special Masala Prawn. The other items on the menu are given at the end.

Badsahi Murgh Biriyani

Biriyani and kebabs tastes good and is very popular. The chicken of gravy items was very hard. The service is not that good as they take a lot of time in serving order. On an expansion mode always, they now have eleven outlets in Kolkata and therefore it is possible for them to do free home delivery anywhere within the city limits within 55 minutes of placing the order, 365 days in the year from 10 am to 10 pm. For more information check their page at http://www.onlyalibaba.com/home.aspx

Location: Block EP & GP, Sector-V, Saltlake City, Kolkata- 700091

Contact No.: (033) 4021-2222 (Home Delivery for any location in Kolkata)
 
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Nizam's Restaurant (New Market Esplanade)

Nizam's Main Entrance

Nizam’s was started in early 1900 by Sk. Hasan Reza by the blessings of a Sufi Saint Hazrat Hasan Waris Shah of Lucknow. Reza who came to Kolkata from Benaras, started as a peon at the Corporation, then decided he would be better off feeding hungry office workers and shoppers and so he started making Kathi Kababs and Parathas from a very small stall. Just because the Englishmen did’nt like the oil to touch their hands, so he stuck upon a novel idea of wrapping up the Kathi Kabab and Parathas into a fine piece of Paper and that’s how rolls came into existence. Reza shifted his stall to a bigger place in 1932 in front of Calcutta Municipal Corporation where the present day Nizam’s lies. It was named after Reza’s son Sk. Nizamuddin; now the restaurant is run by Mr. Irshad Alam & Sons with the blessing of Hazarat Shorab Ali Shah.

A Kathi Kabab roll is so called because the meat (or paneer in the veggie version) is first grilled on a skewer (kathi) until it is soft, then wrapped, along with spices, onions, green chillies, salt and a splash of lime juice, in a fried, crisp and light paratha. The meat could be chicken, mutton or beef; traditionally it was the beef roll that made Nizam’s a name. The whole is wrapped neatly in a square of greyish paper and there you have it, Kolkata’s answer to the sandwich. Made in a jiffy while you wait and watch, easily eaten on the run, this is Mughlai-a-go-go.

Preparing kathi kabab rolls at Nizams

Nizam’s are the inventors of Kathi Kabab Rolls. Ultimately in a roll you should get the taste of kababs and after eating one, you should get the feeling of having another. Nizam’s was the first to introduce bamboo sticks (Kathis) because it was hygienic and good for health instead of iron skewers which get rusted. The kababs are maintained in secret herbs and spices and goes through three levels of processing before coming on to your plate. Living testimony bears that Nizam’s is the only exponent of the art of the roll and fast food.

From fashionable ladies shopping at New Market, cinemagoers and tourists to office-workers and students, Nizam’s welcomes them all. Even today, with prices starting at Rs 20 for a basic egg or aloo roll, there is a large-hearted hospitality to diners of every budget. And the factor that really makes the difference at Nizam’s is the attitude of the staff. Neatly dressed in green shalwar kurtas, they will guide you through the menu and talk at length about Nizam’s with the magisterial air of chhota Nizams. They will introduce you to the delights of ‘tumtum biryani’ (biryani with tomatoes in it), reputedly created in the 1970s to please the manager of Elite.

Chicken Roll served on table

The restaurant was closed for 29 months and re-opened in 2006; with its new plaster-moulded ceiling, tiger-stripe sofas and prolapsed LED lights isn’t exactly stylish, although everything is spotlessly clean and the marble underfoot is spectacular. The list of rolls that they sell includes Chicken Roll (Rs. 30), Mutton Roll (Rs. 32), Egg Roll (Rs. 20), Aloo Roll (Rs. 20), Paneer Roll (Rs. 25), Paneer Aloo Roll (Rs. 30), Egg Chicken Roll (Rs. 35), Egg Mutton Roll (Rs. 37), Egg Aloo Roll (Rs. 25), Double Chicken Roll (Rs. 53), Double Mutton Roll (Rs. 56), Double Egg Roll (Rs. 30), Double Egg Single Chicken Roll (Rs. 40), Double Egg Single Mutton Roll (Rs. 42), Double Egg Double Chicken Roll (Rs. 63), Double Egg Double Mutton Roll (Rs. 66), Single Egg Double Chicken Roll (Rs. 58), Single Egg Double Mutton Roll (Rs. 60), Egg Chicken Aloo Roll (Rs. 40), Egg Mutton Aloo Roll (Rs. 42). The main restaurant now is ‘no beef’, while the Nizam’s Mughal Gardens next door is the ‘beef’ section. The Tandoori / Kabab menu serves Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Reshmi Kabab, Chicken Tangri Kabab, Chicken Boti Kabab, Mutton Bara Kabab, Mutton Seekh Kabab, Paneer Tikka Kabab, Murg Harli Kabab, Kathi Kabab. Don’t forget to try firni from the dessert section. The cost for a complete meal for two persons is Rs. 250.

Must eat dessert - FIRNI

Perhaps due to competition from KFC & McD, one section of the restaurant is now made air-conditioned. Even though malls have taken away most dedicated of shoppers of New Market and falling profits have softened people’s attitudes to change; Nevertheless, a little band of aficionados, in which I must include myself, know that New Market has a secret the malls will never have: its magic name protects it from ever being old. You might park your car in the brand new automated parking plaza, as I did, have a coffee in its attached underground mall, but you’ll still want to go to Nizam’s for your kathi roll.

Location: No.23 & 24, Hogg Street, BBD Bag (Dalhousie Sc), Beside New Market, Kolkata- 700013

Contact No.:  (+91) 9831073534, (+91) 9836194669, (+91)(33) 32928340
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Nizam's Restaurant - Salt Lake
Read more about Nizam's Outlet at Salt Lake which has Take Away Counter / Home Delivery Facility and also serves similar Kathi Kebab Rolls, Biriyani, Chaps, Kebabs, Rezala, Korma, Firni & more..

Shiraz Golden Restaurant - Park Circus

Shiraz Main Entrance

Biriyani

Shiraz is one of the most renowned restaurants in Kolkata that is well-known for its exceptional biryani. That is not to say that it’s not known for chaaps, kebabs and Tandoori Chicken; they are as famous as the Kolkata Biryani that they make. Kolkata's biriyani is different from its Lucknowi or Hyderabadi cousins! But as a hard-core food addict, I swear by Kolkata's Biriyani to be the tastiest amongst the 3 cousins. Blame it on my palate or partiality towards Kolkata - but for biriyani, I would rather wait for a seat at Shiraz Kolkata than at Abid's or Paradise at Hyderabad. A very contentious topic in Kolkata "where to get the best BIRIYANI?". Kolkata Food lovers swear by their favourite joints and very often, this becomes a topic for a heated argument. I know many other Kolkatans would instantly think of some of its closest competitors like Arsalan, Nizam’s or Aminia being better that Shiraz, but I am a die-hard fan of Shiraz when it comes to biriyani! The rice used in Shiraz's biriyani is slender, smooth and unbroken. And then when you take a spoonful of its mutton or chicken biriyani, it almost melts in your mouth! Legend has it that biriyani was never made with chicken - only recently has the modern Bong demanded the "lesser evil" chicken over mutton - and hence we have chicken biriyani.

Sarson - South City Mall

Sarson Interiors

Welcome Drink and papad

Sarson Starters & salads

Sarson, the brainchild of Amitabh Rai, serves classic Punjabi cuisine in the City of Joy. Sarson sprouted at the second floor of the South City Mall in 2010 and serves lip smacking Indian food in quite an upscale ambiance. Plush Indian-themed interiors, Punjabi to be precise, gold inlays, warm lighting and jhula seating. It operates from 12:30 PM TO 11:30 PM. The menu is quite optimistic and fancy and the wine list displays fancy vintage. One striking feature which makes it special is their unlimited supply of welcome drink (usually pineapple mint) along with crisp Papads (Popadams) which sets it apart. The food is predominantly North Indian, with a sprinkling of heritage pan-Indian delicacies like Kolkata Beckti, Patrani Machhi and Burrah Kebab. Enjoy piping hot Paranthas oiled with Desi Ghee and Butter, delicious Kebabs, a variety of Dals (lentils), Sarson ka Saag (Mustard Curry) and Makki ki Roti (Bread made of Corn), Biryani, Pulao, Raita, Amritsari Macchi (type Fish Fillet specialty from Amritsar), Jhingri Mehrunsina (Tandoori Prawns) and a fantastic choice of Indian breads like Romali Roti, Laccha Paranthas, Stuffed Paranthas, Amritsari Kulcha and like. There is not just Punjabi food at Sarson. You can also savour some flavours of Bengali cuisine though Punjabi fare is the highlight, definitely. Their signature dish Sarson ka Murgh unexpectedly comes in a regular dipping of a master sauce. Premium Indian Whiskeys like Blender’s Pride and Signature 30 ml comes at Rs. 190 and soda at Rs. 50. You would spend about Rs. 1500 (inc. taxes) for a meal of two inclusive of beverages and desserts. The way they serve the food and specially the Indian breads, they are fresh and warm for longer period of time. The lunch buffet is priced at Rs. 440, plus taxes and the dinner buffet costs Rs. 495, plus taxes for one person (dinner buffet cost comes to Rs. 587 adding all taxes). The buffet is priced at Rs. 265, plus taxes for kids below 8 years. The buffet has the following items:

Sarson Kebabs

Zombie Pineapple mint drink, dakshini murg tikka, bhatti ka murg, mutton shikampuri, masala fish fry, chickn biriyani, subj ka gosht, stire fried fish, aloo pudinawala, paneer tikka, beet root ki tikka, aloo chana salad, hara moong salad, subj e sangam baked, aloo simla mirch, paneer methi malai, yellow dal tadka, polao, fresh green salad, mixed raita, kulcha, laccha paratha, mango kheer, malai chum chum, tiramisu, choco sandesh, chocolate ice-cream.

Sarson Main Course

As I had visited this place, on the occasion of a relative’s birthday, the chef made us a complimentary cake, made of only Sandesh, (picture shown) which was absolutely unique. The buffet is a great option for non-vegetarians only. Choices for vegetarians are quite limited though both are priced same. However, Sarson is a great choice for Punjabi food dining in Kolkata. It has place for about 92 people which makes it ideal for family and large group dining. It makes one wonder about the fine-dining expectations of the clientele.

 Location: S224B, 2nd Floor, South City Mall, 375 Prince Anwar Shah Road, Kolkata- 700068
Contact No.: (91)-(33)-40643003

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Sarson Dining

Choco Ice-cream

Sarson Desserts & tiramisu

Sandesh Cake

Sarson Entrance