Durga Puja in Kolkata, is as much about food as it is about pandal hopping. After walking through crowded streets, standing in queues and visiting one puja mandap after another, a filling roll can be an easy way to take a break.
The appeal of Kolkata’s roll is simple. A crisp paratha, often coated with egg, is packed with kebab or meat, sliced onions, lemon, green chilli and sauces. It is filling, easy to eat while walking and available in countless combinations.
If chicken and mutton are your preferred fillings, these seven addresses are worth keeping in mind while planning your Puja food trail.
Nizam’s and Badshah remain New Market favourites
Nizam’s, New Market
Few names are as closely associated with Kolkata’s kathi roll as Nizam’s. The New Market institution has been serving rolls since 1932 and is widely associated with the early history of the kathi roll. The restaurant is known for wrapping kebabs inside paratha, with the later use of skewered kebabs giving the roll its familiar name.
The egg-chicken kathi roll is a good place to start. Those with a bigger appetite can try the double egg-chicken or egg-mutton roll. An egg-aloo roll is another option. Rolls start at around Rs 100, and during Puja, Nizam’s remains open until late at night.
Badshah, New Market
A short walk from Nizam’s is Badshah, another long-standing name in the New Market food circuit. The restaurant is particularly known for its mutton kathi roll, with the Badshahi mutton kebab roll being one of its popular choices.
There are plenty of alternatives for chicken lovers too, including double chicken cheese, chicken tikka and chicken reshmi rolls. Prices start from around Rs 70, while the Badshahi mutton kathi kebab roll costs Rs 265, according to the source.
Kusum Rolls, Park Street
For many Kolkata food lovers, Park Street’s Kusum Rolls is almost synonymous with kathi rolls. The shop has been serving rolls for around 55 years and offers a wide selection.
Chicken, mutton, paneer, mushroom, cheese and even liver can be used as fillings. The menu has roughly 20 to 22 varieties, with prices ranging from around Rs 50 to Rs 250. During Puja, the shop stays open till midnight, making it a convenient stop after evening pandal hopping.
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From Bagbazar to Park Circus, these rolls are worth a stop
Nilachal, Bagbazar
North Kolkata has its own roll favourite in Nilachal. While the restaurant is known for dishes such as fish kachuri, its rolls have a following too.
The mutton shami kebab roll and Afghani roll are among the options worth trying. Nilachal also serves a fish roll made with vetki filling. Chicken-egg, chilli chicken, butter chicken and hot garlic chicken rolls are available as well. The mutton shami kebab roll costs around Rs 240, while the vetki fish roll is priced at Rs 199.
Bedouin, Gariahat
For those exploring South Kolkata, Bedouin is another familiar name. The Gariahat outlet is known for its egg rolls and offers around 10 to 12 varieties.
The mutton galouti kebab roll is one of the choices, while the egg-fish tikia roll is a more unusual option. It is particularly suited to those who want something different from the usual chicken or mutton filling. The shop remains open from morning until past midnight during Puja.
Aminia, Jessore Road
Aminia may be better known for biryani, but its rolls also attract food lovers. Among its different outlets, the Jessore Road branch is particularly noted for its roll selection.
The mutton roll is a popular pick, while the menu also includes egg-mutton kathi, egg-chicken kathi, double mutton and paneer rolls. Prices range roughly between Rs 50 and Rs 200.
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Zeeshan, Park Circus
End your roll trail at Park Circus with Zeeshan’s egg-mutton boti roll. The restaurant is also known for options such as egg-mutton brain fry, brain roll and double egg-mutton tikia roll.
The egg roll starts at around Rs 40, while most other varieties remain within Rs 150. The Park Circus outlet stays open until around 2 am, making it an option for those returning late after Puja pandal hopping.
So, whether the Puja plan takes you through New Market, Park Street, Bagbazar, Gariahat or Park Circus, there is likely to be a roll waiting somewhere along the route. Just remember to leave some room in your food trail for one more bite.