Mughlai food is a Calcutta’s ideal cuisine, especially Biryani. This list includes restaurants for all kinds of people. Whether it’s a college student craving some cheap but good biriyani and butter chicken or a fancy dining with assorted fusion Mughlai food.
1 Kareem’s
Kareem’s special raan biryani is a great dish if you go with a group of four. But the restaurant offers more than just good biryani! The Veg and Non-Veg Kebab Platters provide a variety of flavours. A rare dish is Murgh Stew, with a savoury taste which blends well with mutton. For vegetarians, Jalfrezi is the go to dish if they want to attempt something new. The ambience is good for a family or office dinner.
Address: PS Srijan Corporate Park, Plot G-2, Block GP, Retail Unit 2, Tower 1, Sector 5, Salt Lake, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 1250
2 Arsalan
This restaurant remains a favourite among Bengalis. The restaurant has the token aloo in the biryani which is how they prefer it. The chicken cheese kebab is something different, along with the Mutton Kassa for another who prefers mutton. One plate of biryani is enough for one person. It has 7 more outlets in Kolkata.
Address: 119A, Muzaffar Ahmed Street (Ripon Street), Mirza Ghalib Street Crossing, Park Street Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 700
3. Zam Zam
If you’re looking for good beef biryani or beef rolls, then Zam Zam located in Park Circus is the place to go. The place is extremely pocket-friendly. It is ideal for students and anyone trying avoiding a pinch in the pocket. The restaurant may look modest, but the food is thoroughly made. The menu doesn’t allow many options for vegetarians but other varieties of meat are available.
Address: 9/1, Noor Ali Lane, Entally, Park Circus Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 250
4 Oudh 1590
Even though it is relatively recent in the city, the diner has already made a mark in the city. The restaurant produces a variety of dishes which require at least four visits to cover the menu. The quality of food is definitely up to the mark. The Murgh Irani is a house special and one of a kind in the city. The decor and ambience of the place transfer you back to the Mughal times, and the serving style makes you feel Nawabi. It has 2 more outlets in Kolkata.
Address: 23/B, Desapriya Park(West), Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 1200
5 Royal Indian Hotel
It is one of the city’s oldest biryani junctions and it follows the Lucknowi method of making biryani, without the aloo! It’s one the legendary outlets of the city. Their mutton chaap is their signature dish, contrary to the general chaap, they actually make a dry version of the gravy which goes with a rumali roti. They recently opened their first new outlet in 20 years at Park Circus. It has 2 outlets in Kolkata.
Address: 147, Rabindra Sarani, Bara Bazar, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 500
6 Shiraz Golden Restaurant
The most delicious dish in this eatery is undoubtedly the Mutton Razala, with a stew made from cashew nuts. Their Tangri and Reshmi Kebab is juicy, while their Paneer Tikka Masala remains a delicious option for vegetarians. Shiraz is, moreover, one of the oldest biryani joints in the city and has expanded to several new locations. It has 5 outlets in Kolkata.
Address: 135, Park Street, Park Street Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 550
7 The Palms
Another newbie in town, but with a true menu to historic dishes which were never introduced to the city; Keema Naan, Roganjosh, and Khumb Bori Biryani. One of the few restaurants where the veg biryani can match up to their non-veg biryani. The diner is formal, and you should explore this place out before it becomes acclaimed across the city. To taste their food, you need to head to Southern Avenue.
Address: 1st Floor, 19A, Meghnad Saha Sarani, Southern Avenue, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 1100
8 Aminia
The first restaurant opened in 1929 in New Market and is always crowded till date. It is the oldest Mughlai restaurant in the city, but the menu and taste have remained the same. The first thing recommended is the Barra Kebab, which is the most ordered dish. Their recipe remains a secret, but the love for this dish is not. The food is heavenly. It has 11 outlets in Kolkata.
Address: 6A, S.N. Banerjee Road, New Market Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 500
9 Spice Kraft
If you’re looking forward to a new mix of flavours, then head to Spice Kraft where they include a new twist to classic dishes. They’re known for bringing out traditional flavours in innovative ways. Their Nawabi Dum Ki Murg with Zaafrani Sheermal comprise an extraordinary combination. They even have dishes & drinks made through gastronomy, which gives a little twist to your taste buds. It is a splendid place for dinner with friends or when you’re feeling bored.
Address: 54/1/2A, Hazra Road, BallygungePhari, Near Hazra Law College, Ballygunge, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 1200
10 Nizam’s
It’s the restaurant that brought Kathi rolls to Calcutta. Nizam offers an enriched experience with its old charm and savoury food. The Bamboo Shoot Biryani is something very unknown and unusual but Nizam has been serving it for over years. If you go with more than four people then you might have to wait in line.
Address: 23/24, Hogg Street, New Market Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 500
11 Zeeshan
One of the students favourite because of the quantity and price of the food. If you want to snatch a quick bite, you can order a roll instead! The mutton makhani is a must try, while the vegetarian section offers a remarkably good paneer butter masala. It has 5 outlets in Kolkata.
Address: 17, Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Park Circus Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 400
12 Kaafila
It is a fashionable dining area but their mughlai take on seafood is one of a kind. They cook in the handi and tawa, so they’re true to the traditional Mughlai cooking methods. Kaafila’s cocktails are made to go effectively with their savoury and buttery food. This restaurant additionally has the best Galouti kebabs in the city.
Address: 3rd Floor, Block B, City Centre 1, Sector 1, Salt Lake
Cost for two: INR 1500
13 Naushijaan
A theme restaurant; Naushijaan is a fascinating place to dine. All their dishes are uniquely presented. The decor also adds to the feel of a royal setting. Their menu is simple but their food melts in your mouth, especially their kebabs. If you feel like presenting yourself a fancy treat, this is the exact place for you! They deliver gluten-free options too.
Address: A4, Rajdanga Nabapally, Kasba, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 750
14 Mezban
If you’re looking to binge on Mughlai food without burning a hole in your pocket, then order from Mezban’s menu. The quantity and quality do complete justice to the price. The exceptional chicken butter masala tastes best with naan. Their signature dish is the Murgh Musalam, which is available in chicken and mutton.
Address: 6, Ripon Street, Near Triangular Park, Wellesley, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 450
15 Peshawari – ITC Sonar
A Mughlai buffet at ITC Sonar, the a la carte is at around 2500 per person. While the buffet is available at prices ranging from INR 1950 to 4500. It’s recommended to reserve a table beforehand at this luxury restaurant. It’s the largest buffet offered in Calcutta. Their Tandoori Lobster and Dal Bukhara are mouthwatering. If you appreciate exotic cocktails with your lunch then they provide a separate menu for it. Peshawari offers an experience like no other.
Address: ITC Sonar, J.B.S. Haldane Avenue, E.M. Bypass, Science City Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 2500
16 Aliah Hotel
It is a well-known restaurant situated in Esplanade and currently opened a small outlet in Park Circus. Their Nalli Gosht and Kashmiri Pulao are the most served dishes after their futon biryani.
Address: 14 sayed Amir Ali Avenue, Park Circus Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 600
17 Sufi Palace
Sufi Palace’s sufi primary menu is the best part about this eating experience. It’s a kebab platter for anyone who wants a break from naan and rice. The meat pieces are enough to fill one person’s stomach. The ambience is simple, while the decorations are simple.
Address: 113, Mahatma Gandhi Road, College Street, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 500
18 Rahmania
If you are health conscious and want to avoid oily food but absolutely cannot resist biryani, the Rahmania offers food which has lesser oil than most biryani joints. The place has provided the same menu since 1985. Their memorable mutton kasha offers five pieces with the optimal amount of chewy meat and their firni have been the perfect dessert after a joyous meal. The service is humble and people from all walks of life visit this restaurant. It has 5 more outlets in Kolkata.
Address: 56, Park Street, Park Street Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 500
19 Haan ‘D’ Biryani
Newly opened in Loudon Street, Haan ‘D’ is unknown but it has impressed all its visitors. Everyone who’s visited cannot stop talking about its mutton biryani. Their presentation and use of technology in serving is impressive; you feel unique with every bite of their dish.
Address: 8, AJC Bose Road, Circular Court, Beside ICICI Bank, Loudon Street Area, Kolkata
Cost for two: INR 300
