Why everyone is vying for a slice of these Kolkata paras – Times of India

Sample this. A quaint cafe, lip-smacking food and a beautiful green corner. No, you don’t have to revisit your vacation memories or gape at picture postcards for this. Youngsters in Kolkata are already living this dream, thanks to the growing number of cafes in neighbourhoods across the city. From Hindustan Park to Southern Avenue and Lake Road, every evening cars make a beeline for the several F&B, apparel and handicrafts establishments mushrooming in these localities – bringing cheer to business owners, who are cashing in on the demand. CT spoke with them and the residents to understand how the trend has impacted these neighbourhoods.

Fact file

Neighbourhood Stretch No. of establishments
Hindustan Park 3KM (approx) 25 (approx)
Southern Avenue 2KM (approx) 22 (approx)
Lake Road 1.2KM (approx) 31 (approx)

Hindustan Park – the go-to place for a soiree

‘No good or bad thing about the changes here’
Sonika Dey, who opened a cafe in Hindustan Park in October, thinks it’s the right decision. “With work from home trending, people are not willing to spend more time at home. So, hopping into a nearby cafe for work, meeting or leisure is what people are looking forward to. They have as many options here as Park Street,” she said. The cafe is situated in a part of the landmark house – Bhalobasha – where Navaneeta Dev Sen used to reside. Antara Dev Sen, who grew up there, and who now lives and works in Delhi, is aware of all the changes taking place back home. “It is now very different from the place I grew up in. It’s nice to stay in a lively locality. There isn’t a good or a bad thing attached to this change,” she said.

For people like me, who want to sit at a quiet place without loud music playing in the background, these neighbourhood cafes provide the perfect ambience for leisure.
– Ditipriya Roy

Southern Avenue – the food hub in south Kolkata

‘It’s not as if people party till the wee hours at the cafes. Besides, the place looks better now’
The owner of a popular cafe, Anirban Sengupta, thinks it’s the greenery of Southern Avenue that works its natural charm to make this a favourite hood for many in the city. “It is the greenest part of the Kolkata and perhaps the least polluted and that’s a big plus for business owners. With Covid still there, open-air places are better options,” he said. Sunny Ray, film director, who lives on Southern Avenue, is happy to adapt to the change. “This has not disturbed me. It’s not as if people party till the wee hours. Besides, the place looks better now,” he said.

Since I am a resident of this locality, going for long walks along Southern Avenue is a must every evening. I often stop by the cafes for a lemon tart or some hot chocolate.
– Anusha Viswanathan

Lake Road – the hotspot for big brands

There are plenty of options to choose from when one is in south Kolkata these days. The cafes in this neighbourhood are ideal places for long conversations — be it work or leisure. I frequent them.
– Rwitobroto Mukherjee

What business owners are saying
Nishant Sinha, who owns a popular cafe along this stretch, says that it’s a plus that these neighbourhoods now have a thriving business going on. “People don’t always have to look for conveyance or take their car out to Park Street. They can lounge at a nearby cafe without stressing on the need to dress up,” he said.
Raina Talukder, manager-restaurants, of a cafe and boutique store, thinks it’s important to blend well with the
neighbourhood culture than stick out like a sore business establishment. “It’s best to work together as a unit and
maintain decorum. We try to keep the basic essence of these buildings intact even as we redo parts of it to make the cafe look inviting,” she said.
Bappaditya Biswas, who owns a handloom-work apparel boutique, feels it’s the current change in landscape that
makes people want to visit these neighbourhoods more. “People can try out a lot of food and clothing boutiques if they visit us. It’s quite similar to what utility malls serve,” he said.