One of the two things I hear often about Kolkata is that ‘it looks right of a movie setting’ and the other is ‘the food is from heaven!’ Both the remarks about the city are correct.

What makes the Kolkata a paradise for food lovers is the sheer fact that food is everywhere, across budgets and in variety. Not only are people blessed with mouth-watering street food but also spoilt with cuisines from Indian, Chinese, Italian and Continental, and quaint bakeries in every corner.

If you’re wondering how to get around this metropolis and satiate your tastebuds, this guide will help.

“Kolkata comes right out of a movie setting”

Best street food:

Walking around Kolkata, I realised that the charms of street are unavoidable in any part of the city. Though College Square, Gol Park, Southern Avenue and New Alipore may confuse you with the best it holds, you are sure to find it in a corner nearest to your accommodation.

Puchkas, referred to as Golgappas in Delhi and Pani Puri in Mumbai, are probably the best here because of their added spices and distinct taste of tamarind. Another form of this is available as Churmur, which is essentially all the ingredients of Puchka mashed with an extra serving of the chutney. This is good for all those who like their snack soggy or messy.

Chops and rolls are bigger bites. Chops are stuffed either with chicken, fish or mutton, mashed potato, some seasonings and enveloped with bread crumbs to be fried.

Kathi rolls is a favourite filler, after office and before dinner here. Pieces of chicken or lamb, or just egg are wrapped around thick Mughlai rotis, which are generously blended with sauces and chillies. Be sure to tell the cook to moderate the chilli as per your taste!

Other favourites include jhaal muri- needs no introduction, ghugni- yellow chickpeas in gravy served with sweet and tangy sauce, and dimer devil- boiled egg within a chop’s ingredients.

Best seafood and fish:

Apart from the fact that fish is directly associated with Bengal, Kolkata does market very good quality of fish and seafood, thanks to the water bodies around the city. While fish curry in Bengali style is prepared in most households, if you do want to try some head to Kasturi or 6 Ballygunge Place or Fish Fish (all in Ballygunge), Bhojohori Manna (outlets across the city) or Aaheli (in Esplanade).

Most of these restaurants do serve seafood as well, though if you’re looking at something more experimental, try Mocambo around the corner from Park Street, one of the most renowned restaurants in the city. The Devilled Crab and the Chicken Paprika are must-try signature dishes. Hatari Restaurant, in Rash Behari Avenue, also does a good mix of shell fish with a Chinese twist

Best restaurants:

Apart from the specialised cuisines, Kolkata houses in some of the best restaurants which are either known for their signature dishes or they are all-rounders in food. This list include names like Bohemian (in Ballygunge) which is popular for its local preparations but with a continental twist. The Bekti dishes here are quite sought-after and in the desserts the Gondhoraj Soufflé is probably the best.

Nicknamed as Kolkata’s best Mughlai, Arsalan is tough to compete with, especially with its top of charts kebabs and biryani.

Durga Puja special:

While Pujas is the best time to see Kolkata in its fervour, it is also the best time to eat! During the festival, every eatery cart or restaurant is bustling and busy with hungry Pandal hoppers. While street food is rampant, don’t forget to try the Bengali sweets. Every sweet mart will have a special sondesh and flavoured delicacies.

Getting there:

Howrah railway station is the oldest intercity stations of Kolkata connecting all major cities of India. Kolkata and Sealdah railway stations connect destinations intracity.

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