Best Places To Try Authentic Bengali Cuisine in Kolkata

The city of Joy is rich in art, culture, tradition and festivities. As there’s a proverb in Bengali “ Baro mash-e tero parbon”  (Abundance of festivities throughout the year) Calcuttans are obsessed with good food and Bengal has a wonderful cuisine to boast about. Bengali cuisine always makes it to the list whenever there is a conversation about delicious food. Bengali Cuisine has a strong mark in the world for its method of preparation, spices, aroma and taste.

Food defines the people of the region. Bengali cuisine has also changed with past events in history. The Mughals, Nizam, and Britishers who had come and stayed in West Bengal in the past were also very fond of this cuisine. The partition of Bengal in 1905 had impacted a lot in the food industry but with time, the amount of love and respect Bengali cuisine has been getting is amazing. Previously, eating Bengali food outside the home was not very common, but with time and the popularity of the cuisine, several traditional Bengali restaurants in Kolkata are flourishing.

Just so you know, to preserve the subtle flavours — vegetables and fried items at first, followed by fish and then meat.

Here’s a list of the best Bengali restaurant in Kolkata-

16 Ballygunge Place

If you are in Kolkata, then this place is a must-visit. It’s a paradise for foodies. The restaurant serves the best Bengali cuisine in Kolkata. This restaurant is located in the South Kolkata area. The vintage building gives an old Kolkata feel. This restaurant first started in 2003 when no other restaurant served authentic Bengali food. One of the most interesting facts about this place is that they follow the recipes of famous Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s household. 

The most iconic dishes which are worth trying are Bhapa Ilish, Daab Chingri, Kosha mangsho, Pabda macher jhal, Bhetki Paturi, aloo posto, luchi- cholar dal, baked sandesh, mishti doi and nolen gur er ice cream. For the perfect feast, go for the buffet which offers an extensive selection of top dishes.

Average Cost for 2 people: 1,800/- (approx.)

2Saptapadi

Bengali households are incomplete without movies. The name of this restaurant is derived from one of the most iconic Bengali movies released in 1961 starring the iconic duo Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen. The decor, vibe and ambience of this place reflect the theme of the movie. It’s one of the best Bengali restaurants in south Kolkata. Movie stills and portraits of the stars are featured in the decor. Soft Bengali music from that era plays in the background, adding to the mood. It’s one of the best Bengali thali restaurants in Kolkata. This restaurant serves some interesting fusion dishes such as Korai-shutir Mozzarella balls, Vetki chingri Popcorn and traditional dishes such as  Vetki Paturi, daab chingri, etc. 

Average Cost: 1,000 for 2 people (approx.)

3Bhojohori Manna

“Ami shri shri bhojohori manna” the name of this restaurant is derived from a very famous song from the 70s by Manna Dey. They serve amazing home-style Bengali Cuisine and have many outlets around the city of joy. It’s one of the best Bengali cuisine restaurants in Kolkata. They serve authentic Bengali dishes ( both vegetarian and non-vegetarian) at a very reasonable price.

You have to try out their Luchi with kosha mangsho, Pomfret paturi, bhetki roll, and mishti doi. 

Average cost: 600/- for 2 people (approx.)

4Oh! Calcutta

One of the finest restaurants with multiple chains across India serves delicious Bengali cuisine for a very long time. The restaurant focuses on presenting authentic dishes that are being served for generations. The menu of this restaurant has a unique combination of Bengali, Nawabi and colonial cuisine as well. The restaurant won several awards for its ambience, food and service.

The most iconic dishes which are worth trying are Bhapa ilish, Dhakai fish tikka, bhapa sandesh and of course, payesh.

Average cost: 2,000/- for 2 people (approx.)

5Kasturi

Established in 1994, the award-winning restaurant Kasturi pioneered Dhakai Bangladeshi Cuisine in the city of Joy. It’s inexpensive yet serves mouth watering delicacies. The most iconic and worth-trying dish is kochu pata diye chingri bhapa, chittol mach er muittha, and chicken-dak bungalow. 

Average cost: 600/- for 2 people (approx.)

As George Bernard Shaw mentioned, “ There is no love sincerer than the love for food.” it’s perfectly depicted if you ever visit Kolkata. The city of joy is a paradise for foodies with varieties of options and mouth watering delicacies. For more amazing and interesting content, follow us on Instagram @things2doinkolkata and our website www.things2.do

by Sneha Chatterjee

Content Writer at Things2do