Hey foodie friend 👋 — if you're heading to Kolkata, come hungry. This city isn't just about temples and trams — it's a full-on feast for your tastebuds.
From spicy snacks on the street to melt-in-your-mouth sweets and legendary biryani, Kolkata’s food scene is bold, flavorful, and unforgettable. I’ve walked the lanes, stood in long lines, and eaten way too much (no regrets!) to bring you this delicious list.
💡 Want to make your trip tasty from start to finish? Explore more things to do in Kolkata with our full travel guide!
If you want to taste Kolkata’s soul, head to the street.
The city is famous for its puchka (that’s what Bengalis call golgappa or pani puri), but that’s just the beginning. There’s kathi rolls, telebhaja (fried fritters), jhalmuri (spicy puffed rice), and chicken kabiraji with that crispy egg net.
🌶️ Where to go:
Vivekananda Park – for puchka with tamarind water magic
Park Street – for the OG kathi rolls at Nizam’s
College Street – for budget-friendly eats and student favorites
Why try it?
Because real Kolkata flavor lives on the roadside, served hot, fast, and wrapped in newspaper.
Some restaurants in Kolkata are more than just eateries — they’re cultural icons. Places where people have been eating for decades and the recipes haven’t changed one bit (thank goodness).
🍽️ Top Picks:
Peter Cat (Park Street) – for the famous chelo kebab platter
Mocambo – vintage vibes and buttery prawn cocktail
Arsalan or Shiraz Golden Restaurant – see below for… the biryani 🫶
6 Ballygunge Place – pure Bengali thali joy
Why go?
To eat where the locals eat — and leave with a food memory you’ll still talk about weeks later.
Let’s be real. You can’t talk about Kolkata famous food without talking about biryani. And yes, it comes with a big fluffy aloo (potato) — don’t question it, just enjoy it.
🍛 Where to find the best biryani in Kolkata:
Arsalan – spicy, rich, and always satisfying
Shiraz Golden Restaurant – iconic since forever
Oudh 1590 – for Nawabi-style biryani in a royal setting
Royal Indian Hotel (Chitpur) – for old-school mutton biryani lovers
Pro Tip: Order “special mutton biryani” + a side of chaap. You’re welcome.
Why try it?
Because Kolkata biryani is not like Hyderabadi or Lucknowi — it’s uniquely soft, lightly spiced, and hits a comforting note like no other.
💡 Hungry for more? Our Top Kolkata Attractions Guide pairs food with fun things to do nearby.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth (or even if you don’t), Kolkata’s dessert scene is something magical.
Start with the classics: rosogolla, mishti doi, and sandesh. Then explore fusions like baked rasgulla, chocolate sandesh, or mango mishti doi in summer.
🍬 Sweet Stops to Bookmark:
Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick – best mishti doi ever
K.C. Das – home of the original rosogolla
Nobin Chandra Das – the OG of OGs
Putiram (College Street) – old-world charm with every bite
Why go?
Because every meal in Kolkata deserves to end with something sweet — it’s tradition!
Kolkata’s famous food is an adventure in itself — spicy, sweet, fried, slow-cooked, rolled, and served with love. It’s not fancy, it’s not always Instagram-perfect, but it’s the kind of food that tells stories and makes you feel at home, even when you’re just passing through.
So go ahead. Get your fingers messy, try that weird-sounding snack, say yes to more biryani, and definitely save room for mishti.
💡 For more foodie-friendly finds, pair this post with our Explore Kolkata: Top Attractions, Parks, and Cultural Sites
