Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal, is known for its rich cultural heritage and delicious food. With influences from both Indian and British cuisine, Kolkata offers a unique dining experience that you won’t find anywhere else. From iconic bakeries to traditional Bengali cuisine, here are ten must-try restaurants in Kolkata.
Flurys :
Since 1927, Flurys has been pulling in crowds with its hearty English breakfast, cream cakes, sandwiches, and other light meals. Locals love to wash it all down with pot after pot of Darjeeling tea. Favorites include rum balls, chocolate boats, strawberry cubes, and chicken patties.
Mocambo :
Mocambo, a beautiful restaurant, has been serving the same menu since 1953. This epicenter of the infamous Calcutta Continental food is renowned for its oversauced prawn cocktail and devilled crabs, Chateaubriand steaks, rich buttery chicken tetrazzini, and splendid Baked Alaska.
Fire and Ice Pizzeria :
As the city’s oldest pizzeria, Fire and Ice can still be counted on to serve up its best hand-tossed pizzas and pasta. A glass of wine, pepperoni pizza, and insalata mista would be the perfect picks for a great lunch with friends.
Mrs. Magpie :
Mrs. Magpie, tucked down a side road off Southern Avenue, offers cupcakes and more cupcakes. They come in regular and tiny sizes, and you should try the sandwiches and a pot of Darjeeling. Order the afternoon tea: cupcakes, scones, petit sandwiches, and petit fours—the whole shebang! The lemony white-chocolate cupcakes are irresistible.
Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick Sweets :
Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick Sweets is a chain that has almost single-handedly changed the face of Bengali sweets. The Mullick dynasty, which is over 150 years old, has not only updated age-old recipes but also innovated some new treats. Try the baked rasgulla, nolengurer soufflé, mango mishit doi, and the amazing selection of Sandesh.
Oh! Calcutta :
Oh! Calcutta is the flagship of the Bengali restaurant that has brought good traditional cooking to tables across the country. The fish fry here is the best you’ll find anywhere, and the mocha (banana flower) chop is one of the most interesting items available on any Bengali menu.
Kewpie’s Kitchen :
Kewpie’s Kitchen, owned by Rakhi Purnima Dasgupta, is something of a culinary royal. Her mother, Minakshie Dasgupta, wrote the Bengali cookbook that has become a staple of every trousseau and is now in its 20th reprint. Bengalis swear by it. Try the doi potol (pointed gourd in a spicy masala), dhokar dalna (a lentil preparation), chorchori (a mix of vegetables in gravy), and jackfruit paturi, which comes wrapped in leaves.
8th Day Café & Bakery :
8th Day Café & Bakery is a casual spot for anyone craving bagels, brownies, banana bread, cinnamon rolls, healthy salads, and good sandwiches. Try a cream-cheese bagel or a quiche with caramelized onion, mushroom, and Gruyère for lunch. Finish with an ice-cream sandwich and wash it all down with a signature pour-over coffee or tea sourced from the Glenburn
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, these iconic restaurants offer a true Kolkata experience that you won’t want to miss. So, grab a bite and experience the flavors that make Kolkata truly unique.