Kolkata Local: Eating Out During Durga Puja – Outlook India

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Durga Puja in Kolkata is synonymous with feasting with family and friends. In between pandal hopping, catching up with friends over endless hours of ‘adda’, everyone enjoys a sumptuous repast.

Topping the list of favourite things to eat is of course the ‘bhog’, the special food offering made to the gods and later distributed among everyone.

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Roadside stalls spring up even in the remotest of by-lanes, food courts can be found in many of the parks where Durga Puja is held, and of course no restaurant – from budget to five star – sits idle.

During the five days of the puja, expect to see long queues in front of restaurants.

One of the most interesting thing about eating out during Durga Puja is that people are not loathe to try every kind of cuisine. From Bengali to Indian, Oriental (including Kolkata Chinese) to Continental to Mediterranean, every cuisine is par for the course.

Here is our list of Kolkata restaurants where you may drop in in between pandal hopping or for a sumptuous feast.

Aminia
This popular restaurant serving Awadhi and Mughlai cuisine is over 90 years old. Apart from its outlets in Kolkata, it has also extended its business to Siliguri and other district towns. They still believe in retaining the old recipes for their signature dishes such as the mutton or chicken biryani, mutton rezala, chicken chaap, etc.
6A, SN Banerjee Road, Kolkata 700087; tel: +91 8100 666 444

Blue Moose
This recently opened restaurant with chic décor and spacious feel has merrily joined the Durga Puja bandwagon with a varied menu. A good option for a large group with diverse food preferences. Highlights include Butter Garlic Chicken, Gondhoraj Fish Finger, Chicken Lollipop, Pasta Al Alfredo, Chicken Hakka Noodles, Grilled Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce, Baked Doi, Chocolate Firni, Gulab Jamun Cheese Cake and more.
12, SR Das Rd, Mudiali, Kolkata 700026; tel: 9198303 36579

Burma Burma
Take a dive into the land of Irrawady at this restaurant which specialises in Burmese cuisine, with some of the dishes adapted to suit a variety of tastes. Treat yourself to Samosa Soup, Kachin Dried Mustard Soup, Lotus Root Salad, Pyajoo Kari Chaat, if you are looking for a light meal. Or, try the Mandalay Curry Noodles – a hearty bowl of flat noodles in a mild, freshly squeezed coconut milk curry with green tomatoes and shallots, topped with crispy fried noodles; or Shiitake and Pok Choy Burmese Ramen, an umami broth of shiitake with crumbled tofu, greens, and rice noodles served with roasted chili and red bean relish. They serve only vegetarian food.
18 M, Ground Floor, Stephen Court, Park Street, Kolkata 700071; tel: 7506061460

Monkey Bar
The class décor matched by a sweeping view of the city skyline, this gastropub never misses to put out a special fare for every occasion, from social to sports. To name a few of their special dishes – Murgir Cutlet – a Bengali-style minced chicken cutlet, served with pickled chilli, pineapple and khejur chutney; Kosha Mangsho sliders – where pulled kosha mangsho (spicy mutton curry) is packed in milk buns with pickled cucumber, and served with house-made potato chips, green chilli and mint mayo; Malai Chingri Fuluri where the prawn (chingri) is marinated, panko crusted and deep-fried, and served with gondhoraj lebu mayo and raw papaya chutney.
#901 A, Fort Knox, 6 Camac Street, Kolkata 700017; tel: +91 8420309813

MQXT
This quick service restaurant takes pride in promoting farm to table food menu. This Durga Puja, they have a mixed menu on offer, ranging from Indian to Lebanese with bits of continental thrown in. For those on the move, their combos (bake dish + fajita rolls + a soft beverage, to name one) are the best bet.
200, Sarat Bose Rd, Lake Terrace, Kolkata 700029; tel: +91 62921 46633

Oudh 1590
The restaurant will take you back to the Lucknow of yore, to the time of the Nawabs both with its décor and dishes. Menu highlights include Paneer Sugandhi Kabab, Paneer Korma, Chicken Qalmi Kabab, Mutton Galawati Kabab, Awadhi Sugandhi Mahi, Raan Biryani, Awadhi Handi Biriyani, etc. They are at multiple locations in Kolkata.
23/B, Deshapriya Park, Kolkata 700026; tel: +91 7604035764

Pinkk Sugars
The Vatican inspired pandal in Salt Lake (Kolkata’s eastern neighbourhood) is a huge draw this year. And if you are looking to escape the crowd, then head to this brand new artisanal café and bakery which is offering a diverse spread of dishes, such as Burrata Caprese, Pinkk’s Mezze, Quatro formaggi fondue platter, bagel burgers as well as desserts such as rose pistachio tres leches, choux au craquelin, etc.
AD-37, AD Block Sector 1, Biddhannagar (Salt Lake), Kolkata 700064; tel:

The Corner Courtyard
For those who want to start early for pandal hopping in south Kolkata, then head to this quaint café in a restored heritage building which opens at 8am. Apart from their breakfast platters, you may also try the Cottage Cheese Steak in Cilantro Sauce served with Garlic Herb Rice & Veggies, NZ Lamb Chop, Tempura Prawn, Spinach Crostini, etc.
92, Sarat Bose Rd, Hazra, Kolkata 700026; 

Social Hideout
This insta-friendly restaurant has many dishes on offer. But go for their combo offers, which include Fulko Luchi (Bengal’s own version of the ‘puri’) Combo, Maach (fish) Combo, etc.
8B, Maharaj Nanda Kumar Rd, Lake Market, Kolkata 700029; tel:

Warehouse Café
An instant hit with the millennials no sooner than it opened its doors, it offers vibrant interiors, trendy music and a long list of food and drinks. This pujo, you may try their Nuclear Naan, Bang Bang pork chilli, Keema Ghotala Karari Roti & Kosha Mangsho Cigar Roll.

Note: The timings of the cafes and restaurants vary from normal days; many remain well into the night. To save time, check if the restaurant of your choice is accepting advance reservation.

Source: https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/72018/kolkata-local-eating-out-during-durga-puja