Kolkata, often called the Cultural Capital of India, is just as famous for its rich culinary heritage as it is for art and literature. Here’s a list of the Top 10 Famous Foods in Kolkata that locals and tourists absolutely love:
TOP 10 FAMOUS FOOD IN KOLKATA
Table of Contents
1.Kathi Roll
Kathi Rolls (also spelled Kathi Kabab Rolls) are arguably Kolkata’s most famous street food, loved across India and beyond. These flavorful wraps are quick, filling, and bursting with spicy goodness!
- What: Skewered meat or paneer wrapped in a paratha with onions and sauces.
- Where: Nizam’s (New Market), Kusum Rolls (Park Street)
- Skewered and grilled meat (usually chicken, mutton, or paneer)
- Egg coating (optional, often beaten and fried directly onto the paratha)
- Sliced onions
- Green chilies
- Chaat masala, lime juice, and sauces
2. Macher Jhol (Fish Curry)TOP 10 FAMOUS FOOD IN KOLKATA
- What: Traditional Bengali fish curry made with potatoes, tomatoes, and mustard.
- Where: Any Bengali household or places like 6 Ballygunge Place or Bhojohori MannaTOP 10 FAMOUS FOOD IN KOLKATA
3. Shorshe Ilish (Hilsa in Mustard Gravy)
- What: Hilsa (ilish) cooked in pungent mustard seed paste.
- Where: Aaheli, Oh! Calcutta
4. Puchka (Bengali Pani Puri)
TOP 10 FAMOUS FOOD IN KOLKATA
Puchka, also known as Bengali Pani Puri, is a popular street food in Kolkata, West Bengal. It’s a variation of Pani Puri, with a distinct flavor profile and slightly larger, crispier puri. The key ingredient in Puchka is the “pani” (chilled tamarind water) which is tamarind-heavy and flavored with roasted cumin, black salt, and other spices.
- What: Hollow, crisp puris filled with spicy mashed potatoes and tangy tamarind water.
- Where: Vardaan Market, Lake Market, Gariahat
5.Chingri Malai Curry (Prawn Coconut Curry)
- Type of dish:Â Curry
- Associated cuisine: Bangladeshi cuisine, South Asian cuisine
- Alternative names:Â Prawn malai curry
- Region or state:Â Khulna
- What: Tiger prawns cooked in a rich coconut milk-based curry.
- Where: Kasturi, Bhojohori Manna
6. Mutton Biryani
Tender marinated mutton chunks are roasted along with a host of authentic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, jaiphal, star anise, ginger, garlic, cumin, clove, then layered with saffron-milk infused long grain basmati rice in a deep potted clay vessel called handi.
- What: Awadhi-style biryani with soft mutton, fragrant rice, and a boiled egg and potato.
- Where: Arsalan, Royal Indian Hotel, Zam Zam
7. Misti Doi (Sweet Yogurt)
“Misti doi” in English translates to “sweet curd” or “sweet yogurt”. It’s a popular Bengali dessert made by fermenting milk and adding sweeteners like sugar or jaggery. The “mishti” part means “sweet” in Bengali, while “doi” means “curd” or “yogurt”.Â
- What: Fermented sweetened yogurt with a rich, creamy texture.
- Where: Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick, Ganguram
8. Rasgulla & Sandesh
The mix of chhana (cottage cheese), kneaded into a paste, and sugar in sandesh lends itself to all kinds of experimentation, unlike the porous chhana-sugar combo in rosogolla. Kora paak, norom paak, mixed with crushed chocolate or mango pulp
A matter of friendly rivalry between West Bengal and Odisha, but Kolkata popularized the spongy white version we know today, thanks to Nobin Chandra Das in the 19th century.
- What: Soft, spongy cheese balls in syrup (Rasgulla) and delicate milk-based sweets (Sandesh).
- Where: K.C. Das, Nobin Chandra Das, Bhikharam Chandmal
9. Telebhaja (Deep-Fried Snacks)
“For Traditional Bengali Delicious Deep Oil Fried Snacks come to my shop. Be it monsoon or summer we have all kind of seasonal cuisine!!”
- What: Fritters like beguni (eggplant), alur chop (potato), peyaji (onion).
- Where: College Street, Gariahat roadside stalls
10. Mughlai Paratha
- Minced meat (usually chicken or mutton)
- Beaten egg
- Chopped onions
- Green chilies
- Sometimes a bit of spices and coriander
- Anadi Cabin (Esplanade) – A heritage eatery famous for its mutton and chicken Mughlai paratha.
- Royal Indian Hotel (Chitpur) – Adds a more regal touch to the dish with rich stuffing.
- Sabeer Hotel (Park Circus) – Known for juicy and spicy versions.
- Indian Coffee House (College Street) – Offers an old-school experience with your paratha.