The 10 Best Restaurants In Central Kolkata

Peter Cat is a legendary restaurant in Kolkata, standing tall after surviving both a fire and the simple passage of time; it remains as popular today as it was when it first opened in the 1960s. The dimly-lit interiors and the crisp Rajasthani red and white costumes of the servers will transport you back to this bygone era. Their delightful, cat-shaped menu offers a wide range of Continental and North Indian cuisine, and is famous across Kolkata for its delicious meat dishes. If it’s your first time in Kolkata, then this restaurant should serve your first meal.

The Blue Poppy

If you want great Chinese food that won’t empty your wallet, The Blue Poppy is the place to be. Its casual college-canteen-style seating, refreshing AC and welcoming smiles create a perfect setting for a slap up meal at low prices. Try the pork momos, the steamed chicken, or the chicken meifoon soup. Their tables are often crammed with college students and office workers, so be sure to get there early if you’d like a quieter meal. The Blue Poppy, 4/1, Middleton Street, Elgin, Kolkata, West Bengal +91 98303 76737

Kasturi

Head to Katsuri for a taste of authentic Dhakai fare at a comfortable rate. They prepare some of the finest seafood in the city, and their menu includes delicacies such as Bhetki Paturi (slow-cooked, steamed fish wrapped in banana leaf with mustard paste), Shorshe Hilsha (hilsa fish in mustard sauce), and the Ruhi Kaalia (a rich and spicy fish curry). After one dish of Katsuri’s fish, you’ll be hooked. End on a sweet note with a delicious dessert like the rasmalai (paneer balls in sweat creamy milk) or the misti doi (a fermented sweet yogurt). Katsuri, Plot No.7A, Marqius Street, New Market Area, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal +91 33 30990531

kung pao chicken | © Paola MENDOZA/Flickr

Edesia

A fresh face in town, Edesia offers sweet relief to locals who crave quality breakfast options. Inside you’ll find creamy white walls swirled with pink graphics, comfy couches and shelves packed with coffee mugs soon to be filled. Their impressive décor is backed up by an extensive menu that goes above and beyond with its traditional American-Italian fare: their cheese platter and their waffles are not to be missed. This worthy newcomer to the Kolkata food scene has injected an espresso-like shot into the local breakfast and brunch scene.Edesia, 6, Hungerford Street, The Regency Building, 1st Floor, Kolkata, West Bengal +91 33 2290 0908

Nizam’s needs no introduction to the people of Kolkata: this local gem is an institution. Over many decades, their Kathi rolls (meats and spice wrapped in a paratha) have kept generation after generation coming back for more. The succulent Seekh kebab is a timeless taste of heaven, wrapped in fresh, hot parathas with a generous sprinkling of raw onions and chilies. The quality ingredients in their delicious dishes, coupled with the warm and friendly service, have elevated Nizam’s to iconic heights in this city. To dine here is to fully understand Kolkata’s lasting love of food.