“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”- George Bernard Shaw.

When the thought of delicious food comes into a conversation, there is always a mention of the Bengali food. Bengali food has made a strong mark in the world through its unique dishes, aroma, spices, method of preparation, and stories associated with it. Being situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal, the cuisine of West Bengal is heavily influenced by seafood. The humble fish is the favorite of every Bengali family. They skillfully prepare the fish dishes which not only enhance their flavor but also keep the freshness intact. Not to forget the iconic sweet dishes of West Bengal, they are the best.

The Bengali cuisine has also been changed a lot with the events of history. The lifestyle of  Nizams, Mughals, and Britishers who came and stayed at west Bengal was very much fond of the authentic Bengali food. Today’s Bengali food is highly influenced by the changes made by these rulers as well. The partition of Bengal in 1905 heavily impacted the food industry as well. But slowly and steadily, the kind of respect and love that Bengali food has gained through time has been outstanding.

Food defines the culture and taste of the people of a region. Whether we travel a place for business or leisure, good food is always on our mind. Many people visit Kolkata just to gorge into the delicious authentic Bengali cuisine. They plan for a special food trip altogether. Many foodie couples visit and stay at a couple-friendly hotel at Kolkata to try out the best of Bengali dishes. Many food bloggers also stay at a hotel on an hourly basis in Kolkata and travel around the city in search of the best of street food.

Though Kolkata is famous for its street food, fish delicacies, and sweet dishes, but imagine getting all of these served in a platter in front of you. Yes, I am speaking about the humble, delicious, and colorful Bengali thali/platter. It is one of the best things to have in your entire life. Many restaurants and hotels in Kolkata who serve authentic platter daily. Here, we have the top 8 places where you can find the best of authentic Bengali platter at Kolkata.

1- 6 Ballygunge Place

If you are at Kolkata for any reason, then this place is a must-visit. This is every food lover’s favorite place. The authentic Bengali cuisine served here is one of the best in the city. Situated in the south Kolkata area, this restaurant has a vintage feel to it. The place is a century-old building giving an old Kolkata charm vibe to the overall place. It was started in 2003 when no high-end standalone restaurants were serving such a large variety of authentic Bengali cuisine. The interesting fact is that it serves food from renowned cookbooks especially from the recipes written down by Rabindranath Tagore’s family. It serves both the Bengali buffet and Ala Carte. The iconic dishes worth trying are the Bhapa Ilish (steamed Hilsa fish in mustard gravy), Daab Chingri (prawns cooked inside a tender coconut), kosha mangsho (spicy mutton curry), Pabda Machar jhal (spicy fish curry), luchi, aloo posto, baked Sandesh, mishti doi and jaggery flavored icecream. You can always book a couple friendly hotel in Ballygunge in Kolkata and can go on with your food trip.

Cost- 1000 – 1200 for two people

Location- Ballygunge, Kolkata

2-Oh, Calcutta!

Oh, Calcutta! is a place where you can experience the complete Bengal at Kolkata at one go. Right from the décor, ambiance, food, and dressing style of the hotel staff, everything has a touch of Bengali culture in it. It has successfully grasped the essence of Bengal in it. The restaurant has bagged numerous awards for its traditional food, décor, and service. It has opened its chain in the top cities of the country as well. The menu of the restaurant has a unique combination of the traditional Bengali cuisines with Nawabi, Anglo-Indian, and Colonial cuisine as well. It serves the history of Bengal in a plate. The iconic dishes of the restaurant which are must-try are Bhapa Ilish (Steamed Hilsa fish), Smoked Bhetki, Dhakai fish tikka (tandoori marinated fish), Chicken cooked in Bangladeshi style, Bhapa Sondesh (steamed cottage cheese) and Paayesh (Rice pudding)

Cost – INR 2000 for two people

Location- Forum Mall, Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani, Kolkata

3-Bhojohori Manna

Named after a popular Bengali song in the 70s by Manna Dey, this famous restaurant is serving fresh home-style Bengali cuisine for years. It serves both vegetable and non-vegetable Bengali thalis at affordable prices. It has many outlets all around the city of Kolkata. Some of the iconic dishes of this restaurant are Lucchi with Kosha Mangsho, bhakti roll, stuffed egg chop, pomfret paturi, and misti doi. You can always book couple friendly hotel in Salt Lake area in Kolkata and get on with your food trip with your partner.

Cost- INR 600 for two people

Location- Branches at – Gariahat, Ekdalia Road, Hazra, Salt Lake Sector I & V, Hatibagan, Ruby and Esplanade

4-The Bhoj Company

This is a small restaurant opened in the year 2012 serving authentic Dhakai Bangladeshi Cuisine. In a few years, it has become one of the best restaurants in the city serving delicious and affordable Bengali cuisine. The music of some of the famous Bengali songs in the background and a traditional décor will give the feel of eating in Kolkata. Some of the iconic dishes of the restaurant are Kochu Pata diye Ilish Bhapa, Gondhoraj Chicken fry, pulao with Chicken Kassa, etc.

Cost- INR 400 for two people

Location- New Market Area, Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata

5-Saptapadi

Named after a 1961 Bengali movie “Saptapadi” starring Suchitra Sen and Uttam Kumar, this restaurant is serving both fusion and traditional Bengali cuisine for quite a few years. The décor inside the restaurant was also filled with framed pictures from the movie. It serves some interesting fusion dishes such as Kancha Lanka Pesto Murgi, Murgi Bhora Mousse with Tomato Tulsi Coolie, Rosogolla, and Gonghoraj Fricassee, etc. It has a separate traditional section as well where you can order dishes like Murala Chorchor, Misthti Pulao, etc. Soft romantic Bengali songs fill the air in the background as well.

Cost- INR 1000 for two people

Location- 49B Purna Das Road, Hindustan Park, Gariahat, Kolkata

6-Aaheli

It is the first-ever fine dining restaurant serving authentic Bengali food. It was started in the year 1993 by Mr. S K Roy to give Kolkata a specialty Bengali restaurant. Food is served in traditional metal plates and bowls and the hotel staff is all dressed up in traditional Bengali attire. This adds up to the overall experience. The most iconic dishes worth trying at Aaheli are Chingri Malaikari, Kosha Mangsho, Rui Macher Patishapta, etc. You can always book a couple friendly hotel near Esplanade in Kolkata and get on with your food trip with your partner.

Cost- INR 2000 for two people

Location- The Pearless Inn Hotel, Esplanade

7-Kewpie’s Kitchen

It is a family-run restaurant serving traditional authentic Bengali dishes from their family recipes. Though it just has a sitting arrangement for 50 people, their Bengali platters or thalis are most popular in the city. They serve the meals on terracotta plates, bowls, and banana leaves to keep the traditional essence intact. Some of the iconic dishes worth trying at Kewpie’s Kitchen are Bhetki fry, chingri malai, elish bhapa, doi began, dhokar dalna, etc.

Cost- INR 900 for two people

Location- 2 Elgin Lane, Kolkata

8-Kasturi

This restaurant has been serving authentic Dhakai Bangladeshi cuisine since 1994. Kasturi is the pioneer of serving this kind of food in the city and has bagged many awards in the past. Though the décor is not a fine dining type, the food is worth eating there. The iconic dish of Kasturi is Kochu Bhapa Chingri (Steamed prawns with taro root)

Cost- INR 600 for two people

Location- New Market Area, Kolkata. It has branches at Ballugunge and Hindustan Road as well.

Kolkata is every foodie’s ultimate heaven. Right from the vegetarian to non-vegetarian dishes, sweet to sour, the varieties are many. Traveling and staying at a hotel in Kolkata for food is worthy. The best place to plan a trip is by booking a hotel room near Kolkata airport. This will save you traveling time. if you are traveling by train, then there are many hotels near Kolkata railway station to look for. So, just plan it and make sure to enjoy every bite of these mind-blowing dishes. As said by Nikita Dudani,

“Eat, as nobody is watching. Enjoy food like that’s the only thing left in your world.”

Must read- 7 food outlets in Kolkata that are a must-visit