13, Dec 2023
Top 5 Must Visit Cafes When Visiting Kolkata
Somponno Cafe – as the name signifies means ‘Complete’ and is under HIDCO (West Bengal Housing infrastructure Development Corporation Limited). This multi-cuisine food haven is strategically located in posh Alipore near some of the major tourist sites such as the Zoo, National Library, Horticultural Gardens, Dhono Dhanya Auditorium, Uttirno Stadium and the Alipore Museum (at the former Alipore Central Correctional Home) and provides a great place for a much-needed coffee break or meal with your family and friends after a long day of sight-seeing. The café has a modern glassed exterior offering loads of sunlight, and has been styled with scenes from Kolkata including a much-beloved yellow taxi.
Somponno Café offers a variety of dishes that include among others soups such as (Asparagus, Cream of Chicken), salads (Roasted Chicken Hawaiian Salad, Classic Caesar), appetisers (Darjeeling Style Momo, Pan-tossed Fresh Mushrooms, Chicken Aglio Olio Peppercino), main course (Risotto Al-Fungi, Four Cheese Pizza, Grilled Stuffed Chicken with red-wine jus, Russian Chicken Stroganoff, Vegetarian Tetrazini) and desserts (Mango Cheese Cake, Daab Ice Cream, Chocolate Monte Carlo, Walnut Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream).
Its signature dishes include Tex Mex Bowl, Greek styled – Chicken Souvlaki, Kung Pao Bowl, Murg Tikka Makhani, Somponno Special Fried Prawn, Signature Gondharaj Fish Kebab, Cilantro Chili Chicken and the special dessert consisting of Misti Doi Millie Fullie.
Whether you’re seeking a quiet nook for focused work, a cozy corner for a tête-à-tête, or a communal table for a group gathering, this cafe effortlessly caters to diverse preferences. The carefully selected furnishings and attention to detail in every corner makes it more than just a place to grab a coffee or a snack – it’s an immersive experience, inviting you to linger, indulge, and savor the moment.
Address: 34A, Alipore, Kolkata – 700027
Flurys:
Located on Park Street in the heart of Kolkata, Flurys stands as an iconic establishment, epitomizing the city’s colonial charm. Established in 1927, the legendary Tea Room is a must for those hoping to capture the colonial charm of enjoying their eggs on toast with bacon and baked beans, or the iconic Flurys’ English Breakfast comprising of two grilled sausages, two rashes of crispy bacon, one poached egg, two slices of bread, one grilled tomato, mushroom, butter along with tea or coffee. They are also known for the pancakes, patties and grilled sandwiches.
Nevertheless, with an expanded menu you can order from their appetizers, mains, or their pastas and burgers; but what Flurys is renowned for are their multitude of pasties and desserts. From their peach melba to chocolate and almond cubes, from the mousse, velvet cakes to truffles, you cannot go wrong here. However, their signature Rum Ball and Black Forest Cakes are the winners, hands down.
Address: 18A, Park Street, Kolkata – 700016 West Bengal
The Roastery Coffee House:
Located in Hindustan Park has a wonderful black and white tiled outdoor seating area, perfect for the winter months, and an in-door restaurant which is generally full to capacity during the warmer season. The specialty of this place is their 15-page coffee menu. They have built an independent roasting unit with a brand-new roasting machine to meet the growing demand for their coffee in the city. Their signature coffee is the Cascara which is served, both, hot and cold and most ordered coffees are the Cranberry coffee and the Cappuccino. Even the milk coffees such as cappuccino or latte are now available in vegan options; the milk used is plant based and it retains the same taste and frothiness that the milk variety has.
They have included several healthy food options and gourmet Italian hand-made pastas in their menu too. However, their most ordered food choices are the Basque Cheesecake, Zucchini Fries, Sandwiches and Salads and their Breakfast Platters. Some of their more popular food items also include Grilled Chicken Salad, Veg Penne with Mixed Sauce, Farm Fresh Pizza and Twice-Baked Cake.
Address: 70B Hindustan Park, (Inside South India Club), Kolkata – 700029
8th Day Café & Bakery:
The first outlet is tucked away in a Central Kolkata lane, 8th Day Café & Bakery is a hidden gem for those seeking a tranquil retreat. Opened in 2015 by Grant Walsh, today it has 3 outlets in the city. The café at Jatin Bagchi Road opposite Vivekananda Park is always buzzing with Gen Z sitting with their open laptops, sipping on their favorite brew and bagel or chewy cookies and fresh salads and catching up on business meetings. Ranked #1 out of 109 places for Coffee & Tea in the city on Trip Advisor, 8th Day lives up to these accolades.
Some of their signature must haves include the Hummus Wrap, the West Range Omelette, their famous Chocolate Chunk cookies, and their Chicken Burgers and Cheesecakes.
Address: Arcadia, 6, West Range, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata -700017
Sienna Store & Café:
Voted the #1 Café in Kolkata and ranked #5 by Conde Nast Traveller’s Top 50 Restaurants in the country, Sienna Café does not disappoint!
You need to walk through the store (which has some lovely pottery, saris, scarves and blouses, all sustainable and funky clothing) to reach the café, which has additional seating on the first floor. A favorite place for those looking to gift something meaningful to their friends and family.
The café is a haven in a quiet lane in South Kolkata and has hosted music performances and sustainable pop-ups. It is always fairly packed with a number of ex-pats and travelers flocking here. From breakfast which includes a variety of eggs on toast to light bites of burgers with wafers and home-made dip, to soups, salads, hearty meals and sweet treats Sienna Café has it all. Their must-have items include avocado tortilla salad, pesto cherry tomato house made mozzarella platter with whole wheat bread (all made in-house), black rice salad with ginger honey vinaigrette, fried chicken with papaya salad, Sienna fries with their super spicy house special chili sauce, and the date and walnut cake as well as the hot chocolate.
Address: 49/1 Hindustan Park, Kolkata – 700029
- 0
- By Rabindra