Kolkata is known for being a melting pot of different cuisines and superlative food. One of the most popular dishes in Kolkata is biryani, which drew inspiration from the kitchen of the Nawab Wazid Ali Shah, the exiled nawab of Awadh, who spent his last days in the city. Kolkata biryani is recognised for its delicate flavours and the use of potatoes (sometimes served with a boiled egg too), which lends a unique aspect to the meal. The debate over how the potato got added to the biryani in Kolkata still rages. And nobody is sure why some places add the egg. But overall, it is a filling meal and a festive favourite. The menu of many of the restaurants also includes dishes inspired by the Mughal cuisine.
This World Biryani Day, we bring to you six places where you can have a taste of the unique Kolkata biryani.
Manzilat Fatima draws her lineage from the royal family of Awadh, and runs a restaurant out of her home in Kolkata, Manzilat's. It has been visited by the likes of author Arundhati Roy, Australian chef Gary Mehigan, and Jhulan Goswami (former captain of the Indian National Women's Cricket team).
Address: Rubi Enterprise, Plot-1 Phase-3, Kasba Industrial Estate, Anandapur, East Kolkata Township, near Bank of Maharashtra, Kolkata, 700107
Kolkata does not like its biryani without a fat chunk of potato which soaks up the flavours. But Royal Indian Hotel, founded in 1905, for a long time, had the confidence to serve up biryani without potatoes. The biryani is quite strongly yellow/saffron hued. Have it with a plate of their famous mutton chaap. They have two outlets. The first outlet is located near the Nakhoda Mosque in central Kolkata and is a tad difficult to reach. Those in the city for a quick visit may go to their Park Circus outlet in south Kolkata. You are likely to find the typical Kolkata Biryani at the second outlet.
Address: 24 A, Syed Amir Ali Ave, Lower Range, Park Circus, Ballygunge, Kolkata, 700017
One of the most popular biryani joints in Kolkata, Shiraz located at the intersection of Park Street (the far end of the road if you are coming from Chworinghee) and Mullikbazaar the restaurant has its dedicated crowd who come here to sample some of the best Kolkata-style biryani. Started in 1941, they specialise in the 'dum' style of cooking. They are known to get the perfect balance, with spices complementing the scent of the rice, and tender meat falling easily off the bone. Do try the double mutton biryani with a plate of decadent mutton pasinda.
Address: 135, Park Street, behind Neurosciences Hospital, Park Circus
This popular restaurant with several branches in and around Kolkata (and other cities) opened in 1929. They still believe in using traditional recipes for their famous dishes like mutton or chicken biryani, mutton rezala, chicken chaap, and so on.
Address: The restaurant has multiple outlets across the city. One of the easiest to reach is located at 6A, SN Banerjee Road, New Market area, near Dharmatala, Kolkata 700087
Everyone in Kolkata has their own list of favourite biryani places which differs according to taste. But Arsalan features in most lists. This cult favourite has several outlets, but their original Park Circus one is where you should go. Their mutton biryani is a tasty tribute to Awadhi styles cooking.
Address: Marina Garden Court, 191, 7 Point, Mother Teresa Sarani, Ballygunge, Kolkata, 700017
Ask the office-goers in Central Kolkata about their favourite lunch spot and it is probably going to be New Aliah or Aliah Hotel, as it is known. New Aliah, one of the city's oldest eateries, has been offering some of the best Kolkata biryani for decades apart from a choice of Mughlai dishes. The biryani served here, according to connoisseurs, has a particular flavour, similar to that served at a Muslim wedding - slightly spicy and low on oil.
Address: 31, Bentinck St, Mission Row Extension, Esplanade, Chowringhee North, Lal Bazar, Kolkata, 700069