Bengalis are famous for their love of sweets. If you stroll around Kolkata in the evening, you will notice long queues outside various Bengali sweet shops - ranging from prominent and renowned names to smaller, local favourites. In Kolkata, a typical high tea includes a cup of Darjeeling or Assam tea paired with some mishti, like sandesh or malai chom chom. If you plan to visit Kolkata, here are some iconic sweet shops that cater to the discerning Bengali sweet tooth and have defined the Bengali mishti.
The legendary shop, which dates back to 1844, is known for its makha sandesh served on a sal leaf. They use thousands of liters of milk to make batches of chana or cottage cheese, which is then slow-drained and transformed into sweets. Despite the shop being no more than a hole in the wall, the locals who line up at the window know that this is where they can find some of the finest sandesh in Kolkata. Check out their website here.
Address: 56, Ramdulal Sarkar St, near Bethune college, Hedua, Kolkata, West Bengal 700006
This renowned sweet shop, known for its traditional sweets, has multiple outlets throughout the city. It was established in 1885 in Bhawanipur. Balaram offers a variety of classic sweets such as the delectable makha sandesh and the refreshing narom-pak jolbhora. In addition, they also serve some exciting new creations like the baked rashogolla and the amrita paturi sandesh. Their Korapak and Nolen Gur creations have been favoured by eminent Kolkatans such as Ashutosh Mukherjee. Check out their website here.
Address: 2 Padda Pukur Road, Bhawanipur, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700020, India
This iconic sweet shop still stands in its original location in Bowbazar. Despite the passage of time, some of its classic sweets, such as the paradise sandesh, are still as popular today as they were more than a century ago. Perhaps the most famous sweet from Bhim Nag is the deep-fried, syrupy ledikeni that was created for Lady Canning when she arrived in Calcutta with her husband in 1856.
Address: 5, Nirmal Chandra St, Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700012
The roshogolla is a sweet delicacy from Bengal which has been certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. You can find it in many shops, but Chittaranjan, a Shyambazar shop established in 1907, is renowned for being the roshogolla specialist. Known as the ‘Roshogolla Wala of Kolkata’, they are famous for their spongy, and delicious sweets and are among the 71 certified in Kolkata to sell this GI product.
Address: AV School, 34B, Shyam Bazar St, near to Hati Bagan, Hati Bagan, Shyam Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700005