Heading to Kolkata – What to Expect!

For the first time I’m visiting Kolkata and I’ve scoped out a week of best spots to eat, see, do and stay to share with you! But I also want to know if I’ve missed any must sees, must dos or must eats!

Kolkata is the second largest city in India. The home of the East India Company and the British Capital for around 139 years, it’s full of historic Victorian Architecture. Artistic, cultural, chaotic and congested, Kolkata is also considered the centre of Bengali Cuisine, rich in seafood and sweets. There’s great markets, Chinatown and alley ways to explore. Ride the ferries on the Hooghly River, visit the artisans around the Kalighat Temple and take a Calcutta Photo Tour.

Where to Stay in Kolkata

It’s a bit of a special trip to I’m heading to the best! The Oberoi Grand! Heritage charm and a great central location.

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Where to Eat in Kolkata

Nizam’s for Kathi Rolls -especially chicken

Oh Calcutta!  for seafood. The Bhapa Hilsa (steamed Hilsa  (or Ilish) fish with poppy seeds) and Smoked Bhetki (smoked Bhekti fish) are legendary, Daab Chingri (prawns), Bhekti Maacher Paturi (fish steamed in banana leaf with mustard sauce), Chingri Malai Curry (prawn curry with coconut),  Ilish cooked in a broth of green mangoes or puree of crab and prawns with coconut steamed in banana leaves.

Kewpies is very good for the The traditional Bengali thali (platter) served on a banana leaf as well as Ranch Poran 5 Spice Prawns, Shorshe Chingri(Mustard Seed Prawns), Spiced Poppyseed Chicken

Bhojohori Manna for the Kosha Mangsho (spicy mutton curry) and Daab Chingri (coconut and mustard prawn curry), Echorer Dalna – green jackfruit curry, thali, jumbo prawn curry, bekti rongpuri – fish fry and when manghoes are in season Aam Doi (or Bhapa Doi or Mishti Doi)

6 Ballygunge for Pabda Macher Jhal (spicy fish curry, prepared with mustard paste and poppy seeds.)

Arsalan – for Biriyani – mutton especially

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KC Daas – for sweets made from paneer – rasagulla or sadness and also mishti doi

Nahoum’s Jewish Bakery (New Market)

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Dacres Lane  – for Street Food especially the Kachori (fried pastries with green peas) and chai in clay cups

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Indian Coffee House – for tradition

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Fairlawn Beer Garden

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Park Street

Don’t Miss Eats

Chai in clay cups

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Sandesh – a sweet made from paneer (cottage cheese)

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Misti doi (Sweet curd set in terracotta pots). Also try Bhapa doi (steamed sweetened curd and evaporated milk woth cardamom or saffron – like cheesecake)

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Rasagulla (KC Dass)

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Cooked Barramundi fish (Bhetki)

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Hilsa (Ilsa) fish with poppy seeds paste, green chilli and yoghurt

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Pantua -deep fried cottage cheese balls soaked in syrup

Malpua – syrup soaked pancakes

Biriyani

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Kati Rolls

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Lucchi Chholar Dahl (traditional Kolkata breakfast – puffed wheat breads and chickpeas cooked with coconut, spices and a little sugar)

Chops or cutlets – Raj style cuisine – a patty made from mashed meat, chicken, fish or vegetables and coated in breadcrunbs and fried.

Where to Go in Kolkata

Victoria Memorial

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Dalhousie Square

Writers Building

Kalighat Temple

Park Circus Produce Market

Hogg Market

New Market

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Bara Bazaar (on the way to Mullick Ghat Flower Market and Howrah Bridge)

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Fruit Market (in Bara Bazaar)

Flower Market

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Howrah Bridge

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Hooghly Ferries

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Maiden

Kumartuli Idol-makers

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What to Do in Kolkata

Calcutta Photo Tours

Calcutta Walks