Kolkata has always been passionate about its food and this is represented in its myriad restaurants that serve everything from local specialties to cuisines from around the world. Situated in the New Market area in the city center, Ralli's is a 84 year old eatery that every local is aware of. A wide entrance takes you inside the restaurant which is just a small room with closely packed tables and chairs, and most of them are taken at any given time. After you have found a place to sit, Indian Fast Food is what you should go for; Chaat, Dahi Wada and Pani Puri are just few of the recommendations. Ralli's is especially famous for its sherbat (a refreshing beverage) that comes in various flavors, lassi (sweetened yogurt-based drink) and Kulfi (popular frozen dessert). The service is super-quick and the food is ultra-cheap. With a number of hawkers making their sales pitches right outside, the market area commotion continues inside Ralli's. Adding to that is the restless chatter of the hungry customers at Ralli's who can hardly wait for their food to reach the table!
While shopping in New Market, one is bound to feel the hunger pangs at some point of time. New Karco situated right at the entrance of the closed market is a perfect stop if you're looking for some mouth-watering 'Indian-Chinese' at budget prices. Try the Chicken Momo, Chicken Chowmein or the Prawn Schezwan noodles. There are also a number of Indian specialties on offer and snacks like Chicken Cutlet and Fish Pakora are quite popular among patrons. The ambiance of the restaurant may not be much to speak of, but after shopping under the hot Kolkata sun, this restaurant proves to be quite a blessing!
The minute you step into the entryway of the Waterside Café at the Hyatt Regency, you are greeted by the aroma of freshly baked breads and confectioneries. The Bakery specializes in homemade chocolates and cookies, and its signature pastries will leave you asking for more. In addition, it takes cake orders for special events and occasions. The Bakery is a great stop over when visiting the hotel and promises a sweet time.
Cafe Mezzuna is a part of the well-known brand Speciality Restaurants Ltd. It has spread its presence in a number of places like Kolkata, Pune and Bangalore. The restaurant serves Mediterranean, French, Italian, Moroccan and Asian flavors. Pastas, pizzas and crepes are some of their delicious items on the menu. They also have desserts and a variety of beverages to choose from. Café Mezzuna is proud to have bagged the Times Good Food Award for its legendary thin crust pizza. Also, the Pune outlet has received the Best All Day Dining Café award. Traditional recipes are used in all its items so that there is a balance between eating tasty and eating healthy.
Oudh 1590 is a replica of the Mughal Palaces and is filled with beautiful paintings and wood work. It is very easy to get a feel of the Awadhi culture and brings back the memories of Wajid Ali Shah. Started in 2011 by the Chowdhary Brothers, this place offers good food, lovely ambience and an insight into the historical past of India. Each and every aspect in the restaurant is meticulously planned keeping in mind the culture of the ancient era. The menu is also full of Afghani delicacies featuring Shahi Tangri Kabab, Jheena Biryani, Paneer Qurma and lot more. This place aims at keeping alive the old Lucknowi taste by offering them the best of Lucknow.
One of the oldest names in the Park Street row of restaurants, Bar-B-Que is one of those places that you can order food, eat, chat and walk out with utmost satisfaction. Serving Indian, Continental and Chinese Cuisine, the restaurant stays extremely crowded, especially over the weekends. Although it is best known for its Chinese specialties, don't go expecting the real thing; what you get here is a localized version of the cuisine. Authenticity aside, the food here can be considered tasty by most standards and you can always try the north Indian and Moghlai specialties on offer. The most popular dish in the menu is the chimney soup which is really big on quantity. With well-decorated interiors and ample seating space, Bar-B-Que mostly caters to large family gatherings and is known for the long queues during the Durga Puja season. Flurys or Mamma Mia, situated a few steps away, are good options if you want to indulge the sweet tooth after your meal.