The City of Joy recently found a spot in Eater&rsquos list of &ldquoWorld&rsquos Best Food Destinations,&rdquo and deservedly so. Although the cafes and restaurants located in the more happening hubs of south Kolkata have gained many fans across the city, the small, old joints crowding the narrow sleepy lanes and busy streets of north Kolkata have attained legendary status. Ask anybody in Kolkata, and they&rsquoll tell you so, not without a generous dollop of nostalgia. Despite the crumbling facade and cramped spaces, these food joints continue to serve as spaces where each day&rsquos happenings are exchanged as adda.
To truly understand why Kolkata, of all places in the country, made it to the sacred list, you must visit one or all of these classic, old-school joints.
Adi Haridas Modak
The best way to set out on this epicurean journey is to leave early in the morning and head to this 254-year-old sweet shop for the city&rsquos most loved breakfast, kochuri and aloo&rsquor torkari (kachori with aloo subzi). Even though this is a pan-India dish, the flavours are more distinct and subtle than most versions. Grabbing a bite early morning here is also the best way to catch up on the day&rsquos news.
What to eat Kochuri and aloo&rsquor torkari, kalojam, chhanar jilipi
Address 220, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Shyambazar 5 Point Crossing
Golbari
This iconic eatery, located in Shyambazar, is a year shy of completing a century. It has since been dishing out the city&rsquos best Kosha Mangsho&ndasha dish close to Bhuna Mutton. Although their kosha enjoys somewhat of a cult status among food lovers in Kolkata, their cutlets and chops are enticing.
What to eat Mutton Kosha, Mutton Cutlet, Fish Chop
Address Acharya Prafulla Chandra Rd, Shyambazar, Fariapukur
Mitra Cafe
Not very far from Golbari lies another loved century-old eatery, Mitra Cafe. A Google search may lead you to Mitra Cafe elsewhere, but the one in Haatibagan is the real deal. The old yellow and green interiors and no-frills attitude of servers declare that as soon as you set foot inside. Folks from all over the city flank this particular branch to relish their classic cutlets and Mughlai preparations.
What to eat Fish roll, brain chop, mutton kabiraji
Address 3A, Bhupendra Bose Avenue, Hati Bagan, Shyambazar
Lakshmi Narayan Shaw & Sons
Also located in Hatibagan, this small eatery has been in the same place for ages. Even the great Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is believed to have frequented the place for telebhaja (fritters). Therefore, don&rsquot be surprised if you overhear patrons ordering the famous &ldquoNetaji piyaaji&rdquo or onion fritter.
What to eat Aloo chop, fuluri, beguni and piyaaji
Address 158, Bidhan Sarani, Hatibagan
Girish Chandra Dey & Nakur Chandra Nandy
A food trail across north Kolkata is incomplete without mentioning the area&rsquos most famous sweet shop, which has been around since 1844. Despite its roaring popularity for making the best sandesh in the city, the shop continues to operate out of its original space.
What to eat Jalbhara sandesh, monopuli, malai roll, karapak talsash
Address 56, Ramdulal Sarkar Street, Hedua Park, Hatibagan