Kolkata – the Cultural Capital of India is a heaven for foodies and especially for people with a sweet tooth. Bengali sweets are famous and certainly needs no introduction however; the spicy, tangy and absolutely mouth-watering dishes that Kolkata has to offer will leave you undecided on whether you like the spicy Bengali cuisine more or the melting flavors of the sweetmeats. Add to that the traditional Chinese and Tibetan foodthat are found here and you’re spoilt for choices.
Here’s a list of 20 places to enjoy the Kolkata Street Food experience
1. Vivekananda Park: For the love of Phuchkas – the king of Kolkata street food
Phuchka – king of street food in Kolkata
If there’s some place in Calcutta where each and every phuchkawallah makes a phuchka to die for, it is this. Among otherKolkata street food, the papri chat, dum aloo phuchkas and dahi phuchkas here are to die for! On a good day, you might be able to spot a Tollywood celebrity or two lined up for these tangy mouthfuls of heaven. Maharaja Chaat Centre, Southern Avenue is your go-to place here. Churmur, a cousin of the phuchka family is another delicacy too hard to resist. Combined with tangy masalas,tetul gola (tamarind pulp), mashed potato and broken papris, churmur is simply heavenly. Bhawanipore is another must-visit place for good, nay, GREAT phuchkas and street food.
2. Zaika, Park Street: Rolling in the streets!
Kathi Rolls (Source)
Did you know the now famous ‘Kathi Rolls’ were first invented in Kolkata? This shop called Zaika owns the credit to the delicious stuffing wrapped in thin roti that is now found in every city. Though there have been variations and twists as it found its way across cities, the original and authentic Kathi Rolls can still be found at Zaika. For more lip smackin’ rolls, try Nizam’s and Badshah in New Market and Kusum’s and Hot Kathi Rollin Park Street!
3. Fairlie Place and Stock Exchange, BBD Bag
Luchi and Alu Dom (Source)
Fairlie Place is the central business district of Calcutta and you can see people in formal attire pacing the street either on the phone or with a newspaper in hand. The street is filled with a string of stalls selling everything from chats to full meals. However, the most famous dish here is the Luchi – Alu Dom. Luchi is similar to the puris while Alu Dom is the Bengali rendition of Dum Aloo, and Fairlie Place makes it the best. You can also try Kachoris and Rice and Fish curry. Name any sweet, and the chances are that you’ll find it here. The Stock Exchange road is a great place to findChilla, Dal Pakori and Dahi Chaat.
4. Dacre Lane or Dacre Street : For all kinds of famous street foods you would want!
Ghugni (Source)
One of the most popular food of Kolkata,Dacre Street also known as Decker’s Lane has everything you would want to try. From Punjabi to Chinese and the trade mark Bengali dishes, you’ll find it all here. Chowmein, Schezwan chicken, luchi-alu dom, fish roll, Ghugni, Puchkas, Jhali Muri and the list just goes on. What’s more, the WHO has rated the food here to be one of the Best Street Foods in the World!
5. Anadi Cabin, Jawaharlal Nehru Road
Moghlai Paranthas (Source)
Rotis stuffed with generous amounts of Chicken Kheema or broken cutlets, onions and eggs, this is the speciality ofAnadi Cabin – Mughlai Parathas.Though you’ll find versions of the same in other places in Kolkata but Anadi Cabin serves some of the best and also cheaper Moghlai Parathas. These paranthas add a totally different flavour to the Kolkata street food cuisine!
6. China Town, Tiretti Bazaar
China Town Source
Once home to 20,000 Chinese has now drastically declined in number however, it has not lost its food culture yet.Authentic Chinese with all the traditionally cooked food lures people from all over- especially during the Chinese New Year, when the place is decorated with Chinese hangings and little dragons on the shops and houses. Chinese Breakfast consisting of rice dumplings and soup is the most sought after Chinese preparation while one can also find the Indian version of Chinese. However, you’ve to be an early bird for this one. Visit the place no later than 5.30 AM, stocks last till about 6.30 or 7 AM. You do know that thing about how offers last only until stocks do, right?
7. Lord’s More
Right opposite South City Mall, are a slew of eateries that will take your breath away. Whether you talk about the local phuchkas, chaat, momos, sweet and savory shops, bakeries, or shacks selling Chinese food, there’s nothing to not be loved. Watch out for a certain Dragon Chicken from the smaller establishments while you’re on this stretch.
8. Tiwari Brothers, Burrabazaar
Samosas (source)
If you prefer tea over coffee, then head to the Tiwari Brothers for some ‘specialchai’ and hot piping samosas only they are Singaras here. Nonetheless, it’s a fitting combo for the evening and tastes just as delicious.
9. Ganguram’s
Ganguram’s (Source)
If you’re in Kolkata, your Kolkata Street Food experience will be incomplete if you don’t have Kochuri! The Kochuri orRadhabollobi, is one of its kind at Ganguram’s. To finish, simply wash it down with some amazing Mishti Doi, or treat yourself to their sweet nothings!
10. Rabindra Sadan Metro Exit
Momos (Source)
The Tibetan cuisine has always been a favorite in Kolkata, and Rabindra Sadan Metro Exit is one of the best places to have these amazing dumplings. Momos here are served with a piping hot soup and the perfect sauce for accompaniments – the very definition of comfort food! A line of little establishments dot this area and they are always flocked by students and office goers in large numbers. The momos here are breathtaking, and the low prices will leave you amazed and craving for more!
11. Kalika Mukhorochok Telebhaja, College Street
Telebhaja (Source)
An almost 50 year-old shop has made its name of selling the best Telebhaja in the city. Telebhaja is deep fried snacks and you can find everything from brinjal fries to fried fish, egg chops to mutton chops and all of these sell out in a couple of hours. They are open only in the evenings from 4 PM to 8 PM and has people fighting to place orders, if you go after 7.30 PM chances are you’ll have very less options to choose from. Gariahat and Fairlie Place are other favorite destinations for the Bengali’s favorite telebhaja!
12. Balaram Mullick & Radharam Mullick, Bhawanipore
Bengali Sweets (Source)
The dripping Roshogolla, thick Misti Doi, innumerable varieties of Sandesh, mouthfuls of Rasmalai, unmatched Rajbhog and the sweet Payesh; it is impossible to come to and not head for a sweetshop. Though these sweetmeats are found practically everywhere in Kolkata, Balaram Mullick and Radharam Mullick are nothing short of a brand when it comes to sweets in Kolkata. You’ve not Kolkata Street Food until you’ve visited this amazing sweet shop. The fusion sweets, along with the traditional crowd favorites are ones to die for. Besides this, KC Das, Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Nandy are worship places for Mishti when it comes to Kolkata!
13. Balwant Singh Eating House, S.P Mukherjee Road
Balwant Singh Eating House
Kolkata’s culture of Tea can be aptly observed by just one visit to this historical place. While their tea, which comes in different “bhaanr” (earthen cup) sizes is the absolute best, this isn’t the only reason why Balwant Singh Eating House is so well loved. A unique offering called the doodh cola is available here, which is cola married to milk in a most joyous union. One of a kind!
14. Mayaram’s, Lord Sinha Road: Paaavvvv Bhaajjiiiii… Slurpp!
If you have a pav bhaji craving while you’re in Kolkata, this is where you should be heading to! Mayaram’s makes one of the best pav bhajis in all of Kolkata. If you’re crossing the shop on your way, I assure you, you can’t go on without surrendering to the charms of a plate of the most fragrant, paradisaical pav bhaji!
Note: While you’re on Lord Sinha Road, try the gola, or chuski, as it is more fondly known and the soda shikanji. They are served in sizeable earthen glasses and are absolutely great on a Kolkata afternoon, before and after those shopping sprees.
15. Mitra Café: For the best non-veg street food in Kolkata!
Kabiraji Cutlet
(Source)
(Source)
Like non veg food? Head to Mitra café. Period. The Mutton Kabiraji cutlet here is to die for. Literally die for. It’s a filling of minced mutton wrapped in an egg net and deep-fried and is the very definition of a foodgasm for any non-vegetarian foodies! Moghlai Parathas, Fish chops, Fish fingers, you name it. Rolls of every kind that you can think of are available here and NONE of them disappoint. Heed my advice, go here with an empty stomach and walk back full, because you’ll need to burn off some of all that you stuffed!
16. Fruit Kulfi, Camac Street:
Did you really think Kulfis come in a regular shape, taste and size? Then you surely haven’t visited Camac Street’s most amazing Kulfiwallah! This person, who is found on Camac Street, somewhere between Pantaloons and St. Xavier’s, has the most low key establishment and he keeps a box of dry ice near his basket of yum to stuff his delectable kulfis in. The close proximity to a lot of colleges ensures a steady flow of yummy street food at all times. We pick the Mango, Sitaphal and the Cheeku kulfi to be our favorites.
17. New Market:
Food hopping? Missed New Market? Kolkata Street Food hopping isn’t complete! Both the vegetarian and non vegetarian street food here is awesome, with a little smattering of branded retail food joints like the Cream and Fudge Factory, KFC, Dominos and WOW Momos being present on either side. The phuchka and chat are drool-worthy, desi Chinese food like Chopsuey and Schezuan chicken (questionable spellings, awesome taste) and not to forget the delightful bakeries around. Try Nahoum’s for a few bites of heaven in the form of baked goods! Try the lassi, the ice-cream that costs Rs. 6 (Yes! That exists!), the south Indian fare and the various kinds of milkshakes and juices. New Market is a haven for cheap food and a truckload of joy.
18. Chilla, Daal Pakori, Vardaan Market:
Camac Street Source
Vardaan Market, being at the heart of the business district of Camac Street, is home to some of the best vegetarian delicacies that you can find in Kolkata. Try phuchkas from vendors near Westside and Pantaloons and Marwari delicacies like the Chilla, Daal pakori etc. at Vardaan Market!
19. Fish Fry, Golpark Crossing:
Golpark Crossing Source
Fish Fry is one specialty of Kolkata that I’m still wondering why Gourmet cuisine hasn’t discovered yet. At Golpark 5-point crossing, on the Gariahat Side, is a small shop that sells the most amazing fish fries ever. Try their butter fish fry, which is a specialty, and you will be a fan.
20. Ghoti Gorom, Princep Ghat:
Ghoti Gorom, Princep Ghat Source
The honest-to-God, awesome union of chanachur, lemon juice and onion, is the Kolkata Street Food to have when you’re at Princep Ghat, walking along the river in all its serenity. That said, tea and all kinds of snacks at Princep Ghat are to die for and not to be missed.
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