South Kolkata
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South Kolkata is a posh and new area of Kolkata. It is less congested and more modern than most parts of the city. You will find more apartment blocks and green patches here.
Understand
South Kolkata consists of the southern "mushrooming" parts of the city that has been continuously developed over the years. Although the northern part of the district was developed during the British rule, the rest of South Kolkata was developed mainly after the partition of India 1947, when millions of refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) squatted in the district. Although there are still slums here and there, most of these now sport a brighter look.
Orientation
This district covers the neighbourhoods south of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road (AJC Bose Road, previously Lower Circular Road) and west of Sealdah South lines (up to Jadavpur) and Raja SC Mullick Road. The major neighbourhoods in South Kolkata include Alipore, Ballygunge, Behala, Bhowanipore, Dhakuria, Garden Reach, Gariahat, Rajpur Sonarpur, Jadavpur, Kalighat, Kidderpore, Majerhat, Park Circus and Tollygunge.
Most of South Kolkata was once part of three separate municipalities, namely Garden Reach, Jadavpur and South Suburban. They became part of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in 1984. However, the area is still often called "suburbs" (শহরতলি shahartali) by the locals and Behala (once part of South Suburban) is still often considered a separate community with its own cultural values. Most people of Behala call themselves "Behala residents" (বেহালাবাসী bēhālābāsī) rather than "Kolkata residents" (কলকাতাবাসী kalkātābāsī).
Get in
Map of South Kolkata
South Kolkata can be easily reached from Central Kolkata easily by bus, taxi or metro railway. From North Kolkata, the number of buses is slightly low, but the metro and tram are always an option. There also are bus links with East Kolkata.
By bus
A large number of bus routes from other parts of Kolkata and outside Kolkata ply into this district. Air-conditioned buses have also started plying, for example from Sulekha to Rajarhat and New Town and from Tollygunge to Kolkata Airport. There are many long-distance buses from southeastern places to the Northern Suburbs which avoid the city crowds and travel via the EM Bypass.
Garia has three bus stands. Garia No. 5 handles buses coming along Raja SC Mullick Road. The second bus depot handles buses coming along NSC Bose Road. There is a bus stand in Patuli, handling 45 no. private bus. The Garia-Gol Park autos leave from opposite the No. 5 Bus Stand. Garia No. 6 handles buses coming along NSC Bose Road. Buses travelling south of Garia are handled by either the No. 5 or No. 6 depot depending on the direction they are coming from. Autos on the Garia-Tollyguge route leave from near this bus stand. There also are autos for Boral.
By metro
The North–South Line 1 of the Kolkata Metro runs over Ashutosh Mukherjee Road, SP Mukherjee Road, Deshpran Shasmal Road, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Road and the Adi Ganga, with stops at Rabindra Sadan, Netaji Bhavan, Jatin Das Park, Kalighat, Rabindra Sarobar, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar (Tollygunge), Netaji (Kudghat), Masterda Surya Sen (Bansdroni), Gitanjali (Naktala), Kavi Nazrul (Garia Bazar), Shahid Khudiram (Dhalai Bridge) and Kavi Subhash (New Garia).
The Purple Line 3 , locally known as Behala Metro, runs over Diamond Harbour Road/NH 12 with stops at Taratala, Behala Bazar, Behala Chowrasta, Silpara, Thakurpukur and Joka.
By train
South Kolkata can be reached by the Circular Railway and Sealdah South lines. The Circular Railway stations are at Park Circus, Ballygunge, Lake Gardens Tollygunge, Majerhat, Remount Road and Khidderpore while other stations in South Kolkata are Dhakuria, Jadavpur, Baghajatin, Garia and New Garia. Beware of the work hour rush. Cycle rickshaws are available at all stations for local travel.
See
- 1 Alipore Zoo (আলিপুর চিড়িয়াখানা Ālipur Ciṛiẏākhānā), No.2 Alipore Rd, Alipore, ☏ +91 33 2479 1150, director@kolkatazoo.in. F–W 9AM–5PM, aquarium 10:30AM–5PM. One of the most famous zoological gardens in Eastern India. It was once notorious for its cross-breeding experiments between lions and tigers to produce strains like tigons, ligers and litigons. It was home to Advaita, the longest-lived animal in the world, who died in March 2006. The other success story of the zoo was a live birth of the rare Sumatran rhinoceros in 1889. The lakes within are a favourite retreat for migratory Siberian birds. Zoo ₹20, aquarium ₹5, video photography ₹250 per hour.
- 2 Agri Horticultural Garden, 1, Alipore Rd (south from National Library, 0.8 km (0.50 mi) from Remount Road railway station), ☏ +91 33 2479 1713. 7–11AM and 1:30–5:00PM, closed on W upto 11AM and Th. Founded by William Carey in 1820, it is a lush environ owned and managed by the Agri Horticultural Society of India. The venue for exotic plant and flower exhibitions, it is spread over 21 acres comprising main lawns and informal gardens and children park, and has many rare and tropical plants.
- 3 Indian Government Mint, Alipore Mint Colony, Taratala (south of Majerhat railway station), ☏ +91 33 2401 4132.
- 4 National Library of India (জাতীয় গ্রন্থাগার Jātīẏa Granthāgār, previously Belvedere House), Belvedere Rd, Alipore (near Alipore Zoo, 1.3 km E of Netaji Bhavan 1 ), ☏ +91 33 2248-7831, +91-33-2479 1382, +91-33-2479 1383, +91-33-2479 1384, +91-33-2479 1385, +91-33-2479 1386, +91-33-2479 1387, +91-33-2479 2467, fax: +91 33 2479-1462, nldirector@rediffmail.com. M-F 9AM-8PM; Sa Su, holidays: 9:30AM-6PM. This is a stately mansion. Once home of the British Viceroys, Belvedere House is now the National Library. The oldest library in India with a huge collection, including some rarities. It houses over a million books and is the biggest in India.
- 5 Nirmal Hriday (নির্মল হৃদয় Nirmal Hr̥daẏ, Kalighat House for the Dying), Kalighat. Mother Teresa's home for destitutes is just next door to the Kalighat temple.
- 6 Nizam Palace, 234/4, AJC Bose Rd. A heritage building constructed in 1933.
- 7 Port of Kolkata (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port). The only major riverine port in India. There are several attractions within the port area, including the BNR House (headquarters of the South Eastern Railway or SER) and Indenture Memorial.
- 8 Rabindra Sarobar (রবীন্দ্র সরোবর Rabīndra Sarōbar), Southern Ave (Dr. Meghnad Saha Sarani), Dhakuria (local: Lake Gardens Circular Sealdah South ; metro: Rabindra Sarobar 1 ). A large open lake and park area housing boating clubs, an open air theatre and eateries. The rowing regatta events are held here.
Museums
- 9 Alipore Museum (previously Alipore Central Jail), 17, Judges Court Rd, Alipore. A museum dedicated to the Indian independence movement. It was used to be a prison used by the British to arrest freedom activists in India, including Sri Aurobindo and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
- 10 Birla Industrial & Technological Museum, 19A, Gurusaday Rd, ☏ +91 33 22877241, +91 33 22877242, +91 33 22877243. Daily 10AM–5:30PM. Inaugurated in 1959 as the first popular science museum in Asia. It is a modern museum with lots of interesting artefacts, shows, events and activities, primarily popular with school-going children. Its collection of old gramophones, sound recorders, telephones, steam engines, road rollers, and other industrial machinery of the period 1880–1950 is very significant. It also actively organises summer camps, awareness programs and astronomy observations for school children. The exhibitions, many of them demanding you to take an active part, can compete with one you could visit in countries like the United States. ₹15; special presentations are charged extra.
- 11 Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Sunny Towers, 43 Ashutosh Chowdhury Ave (close to the Birla Temple), ☏ +91 33 2485-8509, +91 33 2485 8717, cima.gallery2011@gmail.com. M 3–7PM, Tu–Sa 11AM–7PM. A small museum showing modern artworks. Free.
- 12 Maulana Azad Museum, 5, Ashraf Mistry Ln, Ballygunge (near Ballygunge Military Camp Gate), ☏ +91 33 23356623. M–F 11AM–5PM. Closed on Sa, Su and national holidays. The former home of the Indian freedom activist and the first Education Minister of India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Maulana Azad's work interpreting the mystic Sarmad of Prince Dara Shikoh's court is also a cornerstone to the secular tradition of India. The museum is replete with narrations of his life, times, work, personal archives and belongings. Free.
- 13 Netaji Bhawan (নেতাজি ভবন Nētaji Bhaban), 38/2, Elgin Rd (Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani), Bhowanipore, ☏ +91 33 2486-8139, +91 33 2486 8070 (fax). Tu–Su 11AM–5PM,. A heritage building maintained as a memorial and research centre to the life of the Indian nationalist Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. ₹20 (adults), ₹10 (children).
- 14 Sabarna Sangrahashala (সাবর্ণ সংগ্রহশালা Sābarṇa Saṁgrahaśālā), 67/3 Diamond Harbour Rd, Barisha, ☏ +91 33 24473550. 10AM–noon and 5–7PM. Closed on Th. The only family museum of Kolkata. It was established in 2005 by the Sabarna Roy Choudhury Paribar Parishad and is a popular tourist attraction, especially for those who want to know more about the history of Kolkata. It is also a research institute in the making. The museum possesses some of the rarest Kabulatipatras, documents and articles of historical importance besides several artifacts dating back to the 17th century. The museum is dedicated to students for creating an awareness of history, heritage, and culture of the land. Every year in the month of February, the museum organizes the International History and Heritage Exhibition which is only of its kind in Eastern India. Free.
- 15 State Archaeological Museum, 1, Satyen Roy Rd, Behala (metro: Behala Bazar 3 ). 10:30AM-4:30PM. Closed on M and Tu. The museum has a wide collection of antiques from the bronze age and various artefacts collected from excavations across West Bengal. ₹5.
- 16 Tram World, Gariahat. A museum showcasing the 150-year-old heritage of the tram system in Kolkata.
- Gautam Sen Memorial Boardgame Museum, Ballygunge Circular Road. Entry is by invitation or prior appointment only. A collection of ancient and modern board games, ranging from the oldest boardgame, The Royal Game of Ur, to current games such as Settlers of Catan and Grizzled.
Religious attractions
- 17 Bhowanipore Cemetery, Debendra Lal Khan Rd, Bhowanipore.
- 18 Birla Temple (Radha-Krishna Temple), 2 Queens Park Road, Ashutosh Chowdary Ave (Ballygunge Phari Bus Stop). 5:30-11AM and 4:30-9PM. The most modernly-opulent in Kolkata and worth a visit. The adjoining tree-lined lane Queen's Park is the most exclusive and fashionable address in the city and is worth a stroll through. Some of the biggest names in the city call it home. A close second is Sunny Park, running parallel to Queen's Park on the other side of the Birla Temple.
- Dwadash Shiva Temples, 166, Sabarna Para Rd, Barisha. Twelve at-chala temples built by Santosh Roy Choudhury.
- 19 Kalighat Temple (কালীঘাট মন্দির Kālīghāṭ Mandir), Kali Mandir Rd, Kalighat. Houses Kolkata's patron deity. According to the legend, when Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati’s body was cut up, one of her fingers fell here. Rebuilt in 1809, this is one of the 51 shakti pithas.
- 20 Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid, Tollygunge (at the crossing of Deshaparan Sasmal Rd and Prince Anwar Shah Rd). Replica of Esplanade's Tipu Sultan Mosque built by the Waqf Committee at Tollygunge.
Do
- 1 Durga Puja of Sabarna Roy Choudhury's family, Barisha. Sabarna Roy Chowdhury's jagirdari family has been celebrating Durga Puja since 1610 in their ancestral home at Barisha. It is the second oldest bonedi (family) Durga Puja in West Bengal and possibly the oldest organised festival in Kolkata.
Cinema halls
- 2 Asoka Cinema Hall, 905/2, Diamond Harbour Rd.
- Priya Cinema, 95, Rashbehari Ave (beside Deshapriya Park), ☏ +91 33 2464 1313.
- Menoka Cinema, 5, Sarat Chatterjee Ave (near Rabindra Sarobar Stadium), ☏ +91 33 2466 0417, +91 33 2466 3080.
- Basusree Cinema, 102, SP Mukherjee Rd (near Kalighat metro station), ☏ +91 33 2455 4808.
- Bijoli Cinema, 39, SP Mukherjee Road, Patuapara, ☏ +91 33 2455 5382.
Clubs and stadiums
- 3 Calcutta Club, 241, AJC Bose Rd. An iconic landmark in Kolkata, representing the elite (babu) Bengal with rich history and culture.
- 4 Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, 19/1, Gurusaday Dutta Rd, Ballygunge. Founded in 1792, it is the second oldest cricket club in the world after Marylebone Cricket Club. It has arguably the most picturesque cricket ground in Kolkata.
- 5 Calcutta Cricket Centre, ~107, Southern Ave, Lake Terrace (on the northern lakeshore of the Rabindra Sarobar).
- 6 Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Moira Street, Hindustan Park (Sarat Bose Southern Ave Crossing Bus Stop). Multi-use stadium. Can accommodate 40,000 spectators.
- 7 Royal Calcutta Golf Club. The oldest golf club in India, established in 1829. Exclusively for members and guests.
- 8 Tollygunge Club, Tollygunge (metro: Mahanayak Uttam Kumar 1 ). Exclusively for members and their guests. This club, founded in 1895, spread over a hundred-acre campus, is acknowledged as one of the top clubs in the world. It offers facilities for golf, tennis, squash, indoor and outdoor swimming, riding and amateur equestrian sports.
Parks
- 9 Park Circus Maidan, Suhrawardy Ave (local: Park Circus Circular Sealdah South ). Park Circus Maidan becomes a focal point during the winter—especially in December and January—as it becomes home to circus companies and kids all over the city flock to the maidan to watch circus.
Learn
- 1 Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, ☏ +91 33 2464 1307, rmic@vsnl.com. Houses a bookstore and a library, among other amenities, with Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature. It has an auditorium and a well-maintained guest house.
- 2 Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Jadavpur (local: Jadavpur Sealdah South ). It was founded in 1876 by Dr. Mahendralal Sarkar and is the oldest research institute in India. Sir C. V. Raman worked here during 1907 to 1933 on various topics of physics making the discovery of the celebrated effect on the scattering of light in 1928, which bears his name and that brought many accolades including the Nobel Prize.
- 3 Jadavpur University, Jadavpur (local: Jadavpur Sealdah South ). It was established by the National Council of Education in 1906, with the objective of challenging the British grip over education by offering education to the masses 'on national lines and under national control'. It was given the status of a university in 1955.
Buy
Bazaars
- 1 Bijaygarh Bazar, Jadavpur.
- 2 Charu Market, 54/1 Charu Chandra Ave, Tollygunge (local: Tollygunge Circular Sealdah South ; metro: Rabindra Sarobar 1 ). A private roadside market spread across 0.66 acres (2,700 m2). Vegetables, fruits, betel leaf, fish, meat, egg and grocery are available.
- Diamond Harbour Road. Diamond Harbour Road is dotted on both sides with shops and eateries. Clothes, jewellery, electronic items, sports goods, books and footwear can be found in a multitude of stores all along the stretch from Taratala to Manton. The pavements of Behala are crowded with hawkers selling everything from toothpicks to bedsheets.
- 3 Fancy Market, ~22, Karl Marx Sarani, Kidderpore. Consumer goods market - lots of foreign goods. Fancy items, fancy prices. Beware of fakes.
- 4 Gariahat, Ballygunge. Spread along Rashbehari Avenue, Gariahat Road and the lanes in the area, Gariahat is one of the largest markets in Kolkata, where one can find shops ranging from branded showrooms and malls to numerous smaller shops. The shops sell a variety of saris, clothes, jewellery, electronic goods, furniture and whatnot. The makeshift shops along the footpaths, popular as hawkers, sell everything – crockery, cutlery, decorative items and utilities. It has numerous eateries and street food joints. Vegetables, fruits, flowers, betel leaves, fish, eggs and meat are the main groceries available. You can buy branded and non-branded clothing from Western like tees and jeans to traditional Indian such as dupattas and sarees, along with bags and purses.
- Garia Bazar.
- 5 Jadu Babu's Market, 31, Asutosh Mukherjee Road. Vegetables, fruits, betel leaf, fish, meat, eggs, etc., available
- 6 Lake Market, 104, Rash Behari Ave. One of the largest markets in Kolkata. Vegetables, fruits, betel leaf, flowers, fish, meat, eggs, etc., available. It is the best place in South Kolkata for flowers, flower bouquets, floral rings etc.
- 7 Lansdowne Market, 65/1 Sarat Bose Rd. Vegetables, fruits, betel leaf, flowers, fish, meat, eggs, etc., available. Old market, popular for both variety and fair prices.
Malls
- 8 Forum Mall, 10/3 Elgin Rd. Tu-Sa 10AM-9PM, M 1-8PM, closed Sunday. There is an appealing range of upmarket shops housed across six floors. Forum is a centre of fashion and there are many beautiful clothes, accessories, and shoes to choose from. For those with nostalgia about things foreign, can find shops selling Belgian chocolates, English biscuits and so on. Restaurants include Oh! Calcutta (☏ +91 33 22837161, mains from ₹150, excellent Bengali food). Ar-Han-Thai (Lebanese & Thai food), Spaghetti Kitchen (Italian food), Starstruck (Chinese, Continental, North Indian, Mughlai).
- 9 Lake Mall, Kavi Bharati Sarani (off 104, Rash Behari Ave). Highend shopping mall, branded shops, food court and restaurants, multiplex, offices and hotel.
- 10 Merlin Homeland Mall, 18B Asutosh Mukherjee Rd, Bhowanipore. Homeland Mall is one stop mall for house building materials and interior decor items. E Zone Electronic Mall is next to it.
- 11 Quest Mall, 33, Syed Amir Ali Ave, Park Circus. Luxury retail, largest apparel store, fine dining, six-screen insignia class multiplex. Restaurants and bars include Chili's and Irish House.
South City Mall
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- 12 South City Mall, 375 Prince Anwar Shah Rd, Jadavpur (Taltala Bus Stop). It has a food court on the third floor with a number of restaurants. Most of the restaurants have bars. The restaurants are splurge/mid-range. Apart from restaurants at the edges, there is a big open space in the middle with seating arrangements. This area is served by KFC and other outlets serving food ranging from South Indian to kebabs. The open-space food outlets are comparatively less costly. Spencer's also has a food zone within their outlet in the basement. Car parking is available @ ₹25 per hour.
- Fame - South City (Watch films).
- Flame & Grill, Shop No. 310, 3rd Floor, ☏ +91 33 24228503. Variety of Kababs served hot
- Mainland China Restaurant, Shop No. 313, 3rd Floor, ☏ +91 33 64578361. Innovative Chinese food.
- Pizza Hut, 3rd Floor, ☏ +91 33 40653061.
- Subway, Shop no. 306, 3rd Floor, ☏ +91 33 40643116.
- Zara The Tapas Bar and Restaurant, Shop No. 309, 3rd Floor, ☏ +91 33 32568055. Mediterranean food
Shops
- 13 Dakhsinapan Shopping Complex, Dhakuria. Tu-Sa 11AM-7:30PM, and Mondays after 2PM, closed on Sunday. An excellent place to buy Indian handicrafts and artefacts. There are many Indian state government emporiums there, stocked with fixed price goods from all over the country. It also has clothes shops, eateries et al.
- 14 Machhli Baba, 24A, Lake View Rd, Ground Floor. Different varieties of fish starting from single piece to large quantities
Eat and drink
Major chain restaurants include Domino's (1/432, Gariahat Rd S ad 62/7, Ballygunge Circular Rd) and Haldiram's (58, Chowringhee Rd and 24, Ballygunge Park). For places to eat in Tangra, see Kolkata/East, for the Park Street area see Kolkata/Central.
- 1 Chakhna Shakna Punjabi Dhaba (Flavours of Punjab.), 259-B, Lake-Gardens (near Rammohan Mission School), ☏ +91 9002107890, +91 9474453800. Specialist in Punjabi, tandoori & North Indian cuisine. Free home food delivery or sit'n'dine service.
- 2 Don Giovanni's, 1/114 Jodhpur Park, ☏ +91 33 40007830, +91 33 24133243. Supreme pizza, momos, fried rice chicken, burgers, Margherita pizza.
- 3 Fiya the Zayka, 44/1 Adi Ganga, Bansdroni Post Office Road, Bansdroni (opposite of Surya Sen Metro), toll-free: +919748079337, fiyathezayka@gmail.com. 3-10:30PM. Cooking the Royal Biryani is the profession of Fiya the Zayka’s; they serve Mughlai food, developed under the patronage of the Mughal Kings and Queens using the spices of the Mughals' adopted Indian homeland. ₹25/₹100.
- 4 Tandoor Park, 28/4 Gariahat Rd S (near Jodhpur Park Post Office), ☏ +91 33 40007588, +91 9836370051, +91 9831458972, +91 9830006647. North Indian and Chinese cuisine. Specialities - mocktails, shawarma, murgh musallam, masala kulcha, keema naan, murg reshmi kabab, manchow soup. Try their mixed kabab plate. Hard drinks served.
- 5 Suresh Mistanna Bhander, Shop 7, Sarat Ghosh Garden Rd, Dhakuria, ☏ +91 9836876365. All sorts of sweetmeat with unforgettable taste
- 6 Hungry Tide, UBI Dhakuria Branch Bldg, 32/12A, Gariahat Rd S, Dhakuria, ☏ +91 33 3099 1262. Noon-10PM. Chinese, Continental, North Indian, etc.
- 7 Lokaahar, 533, Jodhpur Park, ☏ +91 8420170529, +91 9007980125. 9AM-10PM. Tasty and varied Bengali dishes - mocha chingri, mochar ghonto, mutton kasha, dhokar dalna, posto bora et al. Must try bhetki fry. Special menu during the Poila Baisakh week, but beware of the crowds it attracts, because it is a small homely place. They also serve Continental, Chinese and Thai dishes. Drinks not served.
- Bhojohori Manna, ☏ +91 33 24663941, +91 33 24667686. Authentic and traditional Bengali food. Fish and vegetarian speciality - shukto, mochar ghonto, chital macher muitha, chingri macher malaikari, kankra (crab), et al. Mutton Dak Bungalow has become a trade mark. No hard drinks.
- 8 18/1A Hindustan Rd.
- 9 9/18 Ekdalia Rd. Mostly for takeaway service. Food also served.
- 10 23A Priyanath Mallick St (near Hazra More), ☏ +91 33 24545922.
- 11 Chinese Pavilion, P 21 Old Ballygunge Rd (at Ballygunge Phari crossing), ☏ +91 33 2283 3093, +91 9836627306. Noon-10:30PM. Chinese and Thai cuisine. Drinks not served.
- 12 The Dhaba, Ballygunge Phari, ☏ +91 8017779607, +91 9903000353. 11:30AM-11PM. North Indian and Chinese cuisine. Try out the Punjabi speciality;makka di roti and sarson di saag
- 13 Krystal Chopstick, 71 H, Hindustan Park (opposite Basanti Devi College), ☏ +91 33 4060 3022, +91 9831526118. Noon-10:30PM. Chinese cuisine. No drinks.
- 14 Mirch Masala, 49/2 Gariahat Rd (near Pantaloons), ☏ +91 9830644484, +91 33 24618900. Great Punjabi food, also has a Chinese restaurant. Drinks served.
- 15 6 Ballygunge Place, ☏ +91 33 24603922, +91 99 03975614. Bengali & North Indian cuisine. Buffet lunch ₹375 (Monday to Friday), ₹425 (Saturday). No drinks.
- 16 South India Club Canteen, 70 B, Hindustan Park, ☏ +91 33 24640927. Budget restaurant. The place is not posh but has tasty food.
- 17 Padmaparer Rannaghar, 26/4 Gariahat Rd, ☏ +91 33 2419 8916. Noon-10PM. Bengali and South Indian cuisine.
- 18 Tero Parban, 49C Purna Das Rd (Near Gol Park), ☏ +91 33 2464 0199, +91 9830432175. Noon-10:30PM. Bengali cuisine with the ambience of a traditional Bengali home.
- 19 Mitra Cafe, 23/37 Gariahat Rd, ☏ +91 90076 95923. 11AM-11PM. North Indian fast food. Speciality - fish kaviraji, mutton chops, rolls, pakoda, mutton kaviraji, chowmein, pudding.
- 20 Kasturi Restaurant, 13/6B Anil Moitro Rd (near Patha Bhaban Montessori School), ☏ +91 33 2440 0039, +91 8334922228. 11:45AM-11PM. Dhakai cuisine. Speciality - bhetki paturi, biryani, mochar ghonto, kochu pata chingri bhapa, jhuri alu bhaja, mutton kosha, kosha mangsho.
- 21 Kwality, 2A, Gariahat Rd (near Ballygunge Phari crossing), ☏ +91 33 2460 9982, +91 33 2460 7079. Noon-10:45PM. One of the earliest posh restaurants in South Kolkata. Authentic North Indian delicacies. Continental and Chinese also served. Drinks available. Payment in cash only.
- 22 Mainland China, Uniworth House, 3A, Guru Saday Dutta Rd, ☏ +91 33 2283 7964, +91 9330627506. 12:30-3PM, 7-11PM. Innovative Chinese food. Grand buffets. Drinks served.
- 23 Azad Hind, 12/1, Ballygunge Circular Rd, ☏ +91 33 24866475, +91 33 24864742. Virtually open round the clock. North Indian cuisine, street food. Popular items: chicken bharta, tandoori chicken, tandoori aloo, butter naan, dal tadka, rolls, panneer butter masala. No alchohol.
- 24 Banana Leaf (A unit of Komala Vilas), 74-75, Rashbehari Ave (near Lake Market), ☏ +91 33 24641960, +91 33 24640941. South Indian vegetarian snacks and thali meal. Great food. Authentic South Indian taste - very different from the road side stalls catering to Bengali taste.
- 25 Khawab, 166A, Sarat Bose Rd (near National High School For Girls), ☏ +91 9836033337, +91 9874246629, +91 33 24669695. Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani, Mutton Rogan Josh.
- 26 Kurry Club, 176 Sarat Bose Rd, ☏ +91 33 24661979. Mexican, Italian and other cuisine.
- 27 Tamarind, 177 Sarat Bose Rd (near Deshapriya Park), ☏ +91 33 66343960. South Indian Non-vegetarian. Snacks like idli and dosa are not available. Specialised main meal dishes. Enjoy Keralian food, Coorgi dishes et al.
- 28 Zeeshan, 187 Sarat Bose Rd (near Deshapriya Park), ☏ +91 33 2464 4224, +91 7604066539. 11AM-11PM. Great Mughlai food, take away only.
- 29 Oudh 1590, 23/B, Deshapriya Park and also at P-562, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Sarani (behind Vivekananda Park). Period dining experience - try it out.
- 30 Prema Vilas, 63/1, Lake Market, ☏ +91 33 2463 1961. South Indian vegetarian.
- 31 Maharaja and Maharani, Sarat Bose Rd (near the Rashbehari Ave crossing). These are two separate kachori shops, near each other. The footpath in front of the shops is always crowded. Their early morning stocks often get exhausted by around 9AM. They also serve later in the day. Anyone going that way must give it a try. Don't miss the jalebis/malpuas after the kachouri-sabzi. The location shown on the map here is that of Maharani, and Maharaja is a little down the road towards the lakes.
- 32 Marco Polo, 205 Sarat Bose Rd (near Southern Ave crossing), ☏ +91 33 2463 0909. 12:30PM-11:30PM. Continental and North Indian cuisine. Drinks served.
- Bijoli Grill, ☏ +91 33 4003 6606. Seafood, Chinese and Bengali cuisine.
- 35 Fung Shway, 122A, Southern Ave, ☏ +91 33 4065 9510. Thai, Chinese, etc. Drinks served.
- 36 The Coastal Macha, 55, Southern Ave, ☏ +91 33 3099 1254. Indian seafood, South Indian, Keralian, Maharashtrian.
- 37 Sangu Valley Restaurant, 6A, SP Mukherjee Rd, ☏ +91 9831361928, +91 8583962171. 11AM-10PM. North Indian, Chinese cuisine.
- 38 Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick, 2, Puddapukur Rd, Bhowanipore, ☏ +91 33 2486 9490, +91 33 2454 0281, balarammullicksweets@gmail.com. 9AM-10PM. Offers a wide range of sweets and snacks. Famous for its baked rosogolla.
- 39 Pepper Chino, 37 Sarat Bose Rd (opposite Lakshmi Narayan Temple), ☏ +91 33 6555 2051, +91 7004985103. Noon-4AM. North Indian Continental and Chinese cuisine. Drinks served.
- 40 Tangra Kaizen, 33B, Sarat Bose Rd, Paddapukur, ☏ +91 33 2474 4358. 11AM-11PM. Chinese and Thai cuisine. Drinks served. Only cash payment.
- 41 Subway, Merlin Homeland, 18B, Asutosh Mukherjee Road, ☏ +91 33 4004 7412, +91 33 2454 2234. 11AM-10:30PM. Healthy food, salad, fast foods. Popular items: Sandwiches, Chicken Wrap, Chicken Tikka Sub. No alcohol.
- 42 Balwant Singh's Eating House, 10B, Harish Mukherjee Rd, ☏ +91 9903975361. 4AM-3AM next day. North Indian vegetarian cuisine. Popular items: Tea, lassi, paneer tikka, samosa, dudh cola, kesar chai. No alcohol.
- 43 Ganguram, 84A, Shambhunath Pandit St, ☏ +91 33 2455 2357. 6AM-10PM. One of the oldest sweet meat sellers in Kolkata, with a chain of outlets across the city. It is a revered name in the arena of Bengali sweets. Take away only.
- 44 Gupta Brothers, 82A, Shambhunath Pandit Rd, ☏ +91 33 2455 6328, +91 33 2454 8716. 9AM-10:30PM. Sweets and casual dining. Popular items: vegetarian thali, gulab jamun, dahi vada, dhania dosa, kulfi, mango lassi and idli.
- 45 Arsalan, 28, Circus Ave, ☏ +91 33 22844010, +91 33 22848556. They have seven branches: 1. Chinar Park, 2. Anandapur (opposite Calcutta International School), 3. Hatibagan, 4. Park Street Area (Muzaffar Ahmed Road), 5. Park Circus 7-point crossing, 6. New Alipore, and 7. Jessore Road, Bangur.
Biryani and Mughlai food. Popular items: firni, mutton kosha, mutton boti kebab, chicken chatpata, mutton biryani, egg chicken roll. - 46 Only Alibaba, 28A, Syed Amir Ali Ave, ☏ +91 33 4070 1109. Noon-4:30PM, 7-11PM. Biryani and Mughlai food. The food has a good taste in the main shop but in their fry king outlet at Baghajatin some items are bad and unpalatable.
- 47 Zeeshan, 17 Syed Amir Ali Ave, ☏ +91 33 22806842, +91 9903611112. 7AM-midnight. Zeeshan has several outlets mostly for takeaway customers: 1. Deshapriya Park, 2. Kidderpore, 3. Garia, 4. Lake Market Area, 5. Ballygunge, 6. Tollygunge, 7. Esplanade, 8. College Street.
Biryani and Mughlai food. Popular items: biryani, rolls, firni, murg reshmi kabab, mutton tikka, mutton chaap, tandoori chicken. - 48 Amrit National Hotel, 43 Diamond Harbour Rd (Mominpur Bus Stop), ☏ +91 33 66343401. Budget restaurant. Biryani and Mughlai food.
- 49 Upper Crust, 17/1 E, Alipore Rd, ☏ +91 33 2479 3667. 9AM-9PM. Bakery, desserts, fast food. Serves non-vegetarian items also. No alcohol. Some popular items: vegetable burgers, vegetable pizza, chocolate pyramid and pineapple pastry.
- 50 Drop In, Ground Floor, Ideal Towers, 57, Block A, Diamond Harbour Rd, ☏ +91 9073309928, +91 9073309929. 7:30AM-11PM. Vegetarian restaurant. Indian and Chinese cuisine. Popular items: lassi, naan, paneer tikka masala, roti, thali.
Sleep
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under ₹1000 |
| Mid-range | ₹1000 to ₹3000 |
| Splurge | Over ₹3000 |
Budget
- 1 Fern Hotel & Restaurant, ☏ +91 33 24407797, +91 9831477704.
- 2 Hotel Komala Vilas, 74&75 Rashbehari Ave, ☏ +91 33 24641960.
- 3 Park Inn, 10/1 Tal Bagan Ln. US$20 for standard double bedded room.
- 4 Sharani Lodge, 71/K Hindustan Park, Gariahat, ☏ +91 33 24635717, +91 33 24641999, +91 33 24644971.
- 5 Gariahat Inn, 19, Garcha Rd, Dover Terrace, Ballygunge, ☏ +91 72589 86668.
- 6 Sadhana Guest House, Jodhpur Park, ☏ +91 70440 83334.
Mid-range
- 7 The Best Inn, 1B, Sushil Sen Road (off crossing of Chowringhee Road & Elgin Road, near Rabindra Sadan Metro Station), ☏ +91 33 24549101. Amenities include air-conditioning, telephone, internet connectivity, TV (Cable), laundry service, housekeeping, room service, continental breakfast. Deluxe Suite (King size Double Bed)/Deluxe Queen (Queen Double Bed)/Deluxe Twin (two single beds) rooms with attached bathrooms. ₹2,000-3,000.
- 8 Casa Fortuna Hotel, 234/1A, AJC Bose Rd, ☏ +91 33 4021 8000, resvn@casafortunahotel.com. Deluxe single ₹5,000, Deluxe double ₹6,000.
- 9 Central Bed & Breakfast, 7th Floor, Lansdowne Court, 5B, Sarat Bose Rd (near Minto Park), ☏ +91 9836465400, j@centralbnb.com. Check-in: Noon, check-out: 10AM. 10-minute drive from Park Street and 1 minute from Minto Park. It’s on the 7th floor of a residential apartment. 4 bedrooms with free WiFi, attached bathrooms, common kitchen. All rooms are air-conditioned. Owners live in the same building. Great location, safe, and 24/7 security. Recommended for backpackers. ₹2,699.
- 10 Hotel Samilton, 35A, Sarat Bose Rd. ₹3,000-4,500.
- Mrs. Dam's Guesthouse, near Ballygunge (near Ice Skating Rink), ☏ +91 33 2290 4533. Modern, prettily furnished rooms with attached bath, air-con, TV, etc. in a quiet, safe neighborhood. Helpful owner lives in the same building, and is a handy source for tips on what to see/where to go in Kolkata. They also have a great cook, so make sure you try a home-cooked Bengali meal when you're there. ₹2000.
- 11 New Punjabi Hotel & Restaurant, 394 Diamond Harbour Rd, ☏ +91 9874661256.
- 12 The Red Carpet, P-399, Keyatala Ln, ☏ +91 33 40086847. ₹2,500.
- 13 Blue Chip, 99/5/13, Dr Amiya Bose Sarani, Ballygunge, ☏ +91 33 2460 3983. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM.
- 14 Basera Guest House, 128C, Southern Ave, Golpark, ☏ +91 90515 66883. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon.
Splurge
- Bodhi Tree Boutique Guesthouse, 48/44, Swiss Park, (Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station-Swiss Park), ☏ +91 33 2424 6534, fax: +91 33 2424 1598.
- 15 Hotel Hindustan International, AJC Bose Rd (near Minto Park). From ₹5,000.
- 16 Taj Bengal, 34B, Belvedere Rd, Alipore, ☏ +91 33 2223 3939, +91 33 6612 3939, +91 33 2223 1193, fax: +91 33 2223 1766, bengal.calcutta@tajhotels.com. A deluxe hotel and is amongst the top hotels in Kolkata. The luxurious restaurants are also open to non-residents. The hotel has 200 rooms and 29 suites, with terracotta statuary and palm-covered atrium lobby. It has fine dining restaurants such as Cal27, Sonargaon, Souk, Chinoiseire and The Chambers, along with an al fresco area and banquet halls.
Connect
- 4 Kolkata Metropolitan Library, 2, Ballygunge Park Rd, ☏ +91 33 2287-2004.
- 5 Sarat Bose Road Post Office, Raja Basanta Roy Rd, Southern Ave, Ballygunge, ☏ +91 33 2466 3126.
Cope
Ambulance
- Wochhardt Medical Centre, 2/7, Sarat Bose Rd, ☏ +91 33 24754320.
Hospitals
- 6 AMRI Hospital Dhakuria, 4-5, Gariahat Rd, Dhakuria. A well-known trauma centre in Dhakuria, the hospital also has excellent set up for 'Golden Hour' support in Cardiac Sciences, along with facilities for advanced treatment procedures. The cardiac emergency department at AMRI Hospital Dhakuria provides support across the board, from paediatric to geriatric.
- 7 Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI), 7/2, Diamond Harbour Rd, Alipore, ☏ +91 33 30903030, +91 96968 86688.
- 8 SSKM Hospital, 244 AJC Bose Rd, ☏ +91 33 22041101.
- 9 Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital, 8/5, Alipore Rd, Alipore, ☏ +91 33 40337000.
Police stations
- 10 Alipore police station, ☏ +91 33 24791021.
- 11 Ballygunge police station, ☏ +91 33 24543179, +91 33 24542100, +91 33 24862601.
- 12 Behala police station, ☏ +91 33 23967350.
- 13 Bhowanipore police station, ☏ +91 33 24558092, +91 33 24541100, +91 33 24862711.
- 14 Gariahat police station, ☏ +91 33 24863702.
- 15 Charu Market police station, ☏ +91 33 24249900.
- 16 Jadavpur police station, ☏ +91 33 24730146.
Go next
| Routes through South Kolkata |
| END ← | N  S |
→ Jaynagar Majilpur → Bakkhali |
| Esplanade ← Maidan ← | N  E |
→ East Kolkata → Far North Kolkata |
| North Kolkata ← Central Kolkata ← | N  S |
→ END |