It is a well-known fact that West Bengal is famous for its worldwide reputation in sweets like sweet yoghurt, rosgulla, Sandesh etc. However, few people are aware that Kolkata is also famous for its street food. Here you will find both old and new eating joints that specifically cater to an astoundingly different range of customers, tastes, and preferences. With Phuchka, Papri-chaat etc., Kolkata’s street food scene is also rapidly changing and becoming quickly famous to give competition to traditional places which are well known for street food.
So let’s go on a mouth-watering trip around the myriad alleys and streets of Kolkata!
#1. Esplanade/ New Market in Kolkata: Esplanade is a neighbourhood district in central Kolkata in West Bengal. It has a rich traditional background as it was the soccer-playing ground for the Britishers in colonial times. Esplanade all the more looks beautiful as the river Hooghly flows quietly by its side and in the evening it is a perfect place to hang out for people of different age groups and backgrounds. Esplanade is most famous for its variety of mouth-watering chaat corners. The street vendors nestled just in front of the big showrooms and shopping complexes give strong competition to big brands and eating joints around it. This is one of the places that you should pay a visit to when you are in Kolkata.
#2. Chaat Bazaar in Kolkata: This is located in Kolkata’s South City’s Food Court at Prince Anwar Shah Road. Now if you are looking for a sophisticated street food joint; then is the right place for you. The first thing you will notice here is the ambience and also the staff is quite welcoming. Here you can find tangy, mouth-watering chaats like aloo-tikka chaat, Raj Kachori etc. The most famous of chaats that are available here are Delhi Papri Chaat, Corn Chaat, Garam Tawa Aloo Chaat, and Delhi Tikka- Chaat. Another significant aspect of this place is this along with the ambience the food served here is quite hygienic.
#3. Vivekananda Park in Kolkata: This has been described as a place where you can get the king of street food, i.e. ‘phuchka’ in Kolkata. This place is all the more famous as it is home to numerous street vendors selling all kinds of phuchkas. In addition to the famous phuchka, other street food like papri-chaat, dum-aloo phuchkas, and Dahi-phuchkas are also very famous here. Another interesting thing here is that many times it has been noticed that celebrities have been observed frequenting this place for the same reason as other people. So if you want to enjoy good quality street food and chaat in particular, then this is the place you should pay a visit to. Who knows you might catch a glimpse of your favourite Tollywood celebrity.
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#4. Fairlie Place and Stock Exchange BBD Bag in Kolkata: This is located in the central business district of Kolkata. Here you will professionals milling around the streets in proper formal attire and the atmosphere is all business-like. This street is lined with several street food stalls and vendors selling all kinds of street food; also you will find many of these eating joints serving full-course meals. The most famous street food in this place is ‘Dahi –Chaat’. Here you will find people milling around at all times of the day. You can also find other famous street food like kachoris and dal pakodis.
#5. Bandana Chaat Centre in Kolkata: This is located at Girish Park, Kolkata. If you are specifically looking for a place to have a unique experience in chaat; then this is the place for you. You can try out the various kinds of chaats available here. For instance, Cholaa-Chaat, mixed chaat, papri –chaat etc. The most appealing part of this place is that prices are quite affordable and also it has an online delivery system. So if you are unable to make it there, you can order online and enjoy the various kinds of exquisite chaats delivered to your doorstep.
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#6. Dacre Lane Kolkata in Kolkata: This place has a special historical significance. It is said that a certain English gentleman, Mr Philip Miner Dacre and his friends used this place as a meeting and eating place on various occasions during colonial times. That is why it has been named Dacre’s lane in his honour. According to historical records, this place was also the place where the first newspaper in Asia was printed. This place is now a place where you can find street food of all kinds and cater to a multitude of tastes and preferences.
Especially, this place is famous for full-sized traditional Bengali meals and chowmein. However, this is also famous for its chaats, more significantly
#7. Ghugni-chaat in Kolkata: This is a traditional Bengali delicacy that is made from peas and a mixture of spices. This particular kind of chaat is so famous all across Kolkata, and even beyond; that you will special shops that are only engaged in making this kind of chaat. Other equally famous street foods and snacks include Kachoris, Phuchkas, and Fish Fry etc. This is one of those places in Kolkata where you will find the streets filled with people at all times of the year.
#8. Haldiram Food City in Kolkata: Haldiram is famous worldwide for its delicious, mouth-watering snacks and street food. It is also well known as a place where you can a variety of dishes according to your preference. Haldiram in Kolkata is located at Ballygunge and is a famous place for all kinds of delicious chaats. It would be ideal to say that that chaat scene in Kolkata would not have been complete if Haldiram had not been there. Some of the chaats that you can get here are Papri Chaat, Dahi Phuchka, and Kachori-Chaat etc. So the next time you are looking for a nice and cosy restaurant and also want to have some eclectic street food; then Haldiram is the right choice for you.
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