Hit Up These 5 Places In Kolkata For Amazing Kebabs

Kolkata is a melting pot of different culinary cultures and superlative food. Eater, the award-winning media brand dedicated to food which publishes a list of the world's best culinary destinations every year, featured Kolkata in their 2023 list. Known for having one of the richest street food cultures in India, Kolkata is a treasure trove for gastronomes from around the world. The culinary scene reflects the melting pot influences of various cultures, from the British and Mughal eras to the Chinese community. One of the most popular dishes is the Kolkata biryani, recognised for its delicate flavours. Then there are the many varieties of delectable kebabs you get in the City of Joy. Here are some places known for kebabs that you must sample on your next visit.

Nizam's

They have been in business since 1932 and are well-known for their kathi kababs. Nizam's is also credited with inventing the kathi roll, and the quality is closely preserved to this day. What you get here are a few pieces of slightly chewy (and that's the beauty of it) kebabs wrapped in a flaky parantha, with slices of onion and green chilies seasoned with lemon juice. The original flavour of the meat is preserved.

Address: 23 & 24, Hogg St, near Axis Bank ATM, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata

Oudh 1590

Oudh 1590 is Kolkata's favourite Awadhi cuisine and serves up a variety of what is known as 'Mughlai' dishes like kakori kabab, murgh qalmi kabab, nalli nehari, and Awadhi handi biryani. But the dish they are most known for is the galawti kebab, melt in the mouth kebabs made with mutton mince, spice paste, kewra water and other ingredients. They have multiple outlets in the city.

Arsalan

The Arsalan chain is well-known for its biryani. However, most people are unaware that they also make good kebabs. Try the Arsalan Kebab, which is coated in cheese and comes in mutton, chicken, or fish variants. This cult favourite has several outlets, but their original Park Circus one is where you should go. 

Address: 191, 7 Point, Marina Garden Court, Mother Teresa Sarani, Ballygunge, Kolkata

Manzilat's

Manzilat Fatima draws her lineage from the royal family of Awadh, and runs a restaurant out of her home in Kolkata, Manzilat's. Her customers include author Arundhati Roy, Australian chef Gary Mehigan, and Jhulan Goswami (former captain of the Indian National Women's Cricket team). She makes amazing chicken boti kebab and beef handi kebab.

Address: Rubi Enterprise, Plot-1 Phase-3, Kasba Industrial Estate, Anandapur, East Kolkata Township, near Bank of Maharashtra, Kolkata

Peter Cat

People throng this iconic restaurant in Park Street for their cello kebab dish. Also known as chelow kabab, this Iranian dish consists of buttered rice, kebabs, and fried egg. Nitin S Kothari of Peter Cat brought this dish to Kolkata after an encounter in Iran in 1971. The restaurant also offers a sizzler version with gravy.

Address: Stephen Court Building, 18 A, Mother Teresa Sarani, opposite KFC Restaurant, Park Street area, Kolkata