What to see, do & eat in Kolkata, India — A 2025 cultural & culinary tour

Belur Mathю Photo from https://www.facebook.com/rkmbelur

We begin our journey across Kolkata with an enriching and spiritual experience at Belur Math. Situated on the western bank of the Hooghly River, it is the official headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission — an organisation for the followers of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The spot was founded by Swami Vivekananda, a 19th-century saint who is regarded as the Prophet of the Modern Age. The highlight of this temple is that its architecture fuses the artworks of Hindu, Islamic, and Christian faiths as a symbol of unity among all religions.

The sprawling complex is visited by people from all over the world, regardless of their beliefs, for a deeper connection with the divine. The main building houses a museum and an educational institution specializing in the teachings of the guru, or for someone yearning for a break from the urban chaos. There is an aarti (Hindu prayer meet) taking place every day at 5:30 pm, for everyone to join in the praise of Sri Sarada Devi and Sri Ramakrishna. Unlike other worship locations, there are no flowers or sweets offered, just blessings.

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After your spiritual experience at Belur Math, visit the nearby Dosa Coffee outlet for an authentic Southern dining adventure. It is a chain restaurant started in 2019 by restaurateur Siddhant Dalmia. The purpose of the place was to introduce traditional South Indian cuisine in Kolkata, but they never imagined the success it would have. The first eatery quickly gained popularity and expanded into three dozen establishments today that have also reached the capital of India.

Take a seat in their minimalistic and inviting dining hall, made up of woven wicker chairs, brown tiled floors, and diffused light fixtures, and begin your meal. Diners can sample scrumptious items like garlic dosa (savory crêpes) with coconut chutney, steamed idli (gram flour discs) in spiced curd, coconut rice with papadam (fried crisps), wok-tossed lemon vermicelli noodles, onion uttapam (roasted savory pancake), and crispy vada (fried gram flour donut) in sambar (lentil stew). Do not miss out on tasty desserts, such as gulab jamun, saffron halwa (semolina), and kheer (rice pudding).

Average bill — $5

Jorasanko Thakur Bari. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/incredibleindia

Jorasanko Thakur Bari is one of the most revered heritage structures in the state of West Bengal. Located in the lanes of Rabindra Sarani in Kolkata, it was the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European person to receive the Nobel Prize. He was a multifaceted poet, artist, and philosopher known worldwide for his literary works. Today, the complex spreads over 36,000 square meters, and its brick-red façade embodies an architectural splendor like no other.

The interiors feature a museum dedicated to the Nobel laureate and his brothers. Witness over 700 paintings in the galleries, read the original manuscripts of the poems, marvel at the antique decorative items, and learn about the contributions made by the Tagores to the world of literature. There is also the Rabindra Bharati University inside the compound, which happens to be a premier institute to pursue courses in Indian Classical Fine Arts. The central area is adorned by the archetypal rounded verandah, which is used for performances of natya manch (a theatre of the people).

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Similar to the historic feel of Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Calcutta Retro is a fine-dining establishment that transports its visitors to a British-era Kolkata mansion. It specializes in traditional old Bengali cuisine served in a space with a period-specific decor. Upon entry, a long corridor welcomes you with a lone phuchka stand (pani puri shop). Inside, the hall is adorned with green color accents, park benches with soft cushions and pillows, lights covered in colorful paper cones, monochromatic tiled flooring, intricate wall design, and a vintage gramophone.

The kitchen team presents an appetizing local menu along with a few continental dishes, made using regional ingredients. You can expect to find creations such as mutton seekh kebab in mint chutney, double onion ghee roast chicken with tandoori naan, spicy jumbo prawns with steamed rice, velvety chicken curry cooked in coconut milk, paneer (cottage cheese), and chicken tikka masala. In desserts, sample their baked rosgulla (sugar-soaked dough balls) and kheer with luchi (deep-fried puffed bread).

Average bill — $21

Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066901283093

Let's get away from the bustling streets of Kolkata for a peaceful walk in the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden (AJCB). Locally called the Botanical Garden, this sprawling green paradise spreads across a total region of 274 acres. Established in 1787, the place owes its inception to an enterprising East India Company officer called Colonel Robert Kyd. Today, the property is under the protection of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and is a pure delight for nature lovers.

The spot features over 12,000 perennial trees, thousands of dried plants collected across the globe, hundreds of varieties of orchids, and other multicolored flowers. The major attraction here is the Great Banyan Tree. It happens to be over 250 years old and is the second-largest canopy extension on the planet, occupying a space of about 1.65 hectares (4 acres), as per the Guinness Book of World Records.

Fun Fact — The famous Indian tea leaves that grow all across Assam and Darjeeling and are supplied all over the globe were first cultivated in the AJCB Park.

A little distance away from the AJCB Botanic Garden lies a quaint musically themed restaurant called Jam House. Nestled in the vibrant Elgin neighborhood, it has become a premier dining destination for lovers of Indian, Chinese, and Mediterranean cuisine. The space boasts a cozy and chic decor, created using wall graffiti, leather-furnished sofa banquettes, refurbished wooden box tables, plank flooring, diffused Edison lights, and a black and red color tone. They also offer a small upstairs mezzanine seating and an open stage for live music performances.

Every day, the place hosts an amazing lineup of singers, who mostly focus on Bollywood-themed melodies, so people can expect some wonderful renditions of old Hindi film songs, retro music, and latest hits. Some of the exquisite dishes to enjoy here are honey chili potatoes, creamy chicken malai tikka, mutton seekh kebab, pan-fried chicken momos (dumplings), Tex-Mex tacos with salsa, meatball pizza, wok-tossed chili garlic noodles with garlic chicken, and penne pasta in spicy tomato sauce with vegetables. For the complete experience, order from their signature beverage menu, composed of smoothies, lemonades, milkshakes, and fruity mocktails.

Average bill — $16

Birla Planetarium. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/BirlaPlanetariumKolkata

If you are a fan of astronomy and space, then the Birla Planetarium on Chowringhee Road is a must-visit destination for you. The largest observatory in Asia and the second-biggest in the world is situated within the proximity of Victoria Memorial. Designed like a Buddhist stupa, the family-friendly attraction was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on 2nd July 1963. The structure regularly holds astronomical shows and educational programs in various languages, including Hindi, English, and Bengali.

Besides the main hall, there is a gallery that displays a collection of paintings, pictures of famous astronauts, spaceship models, and photos of celestial bodies taken with a Celestron C-14 telescope. For young adults, they offer an electronics laboratory where guests can try their hand at advanced engineering work, and maybe look at a future in the aerospace industry. The best part about this place is that they are constantly upgrading their technology to keep pace with modern times. For instance, in 2017, they added the latest Carl Zeiss Hybrid Projection System for their shows.

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Housed inside the Kenilworth Hotel, Aromas is a quaint coffee shop that doubles as a buffet restaurant. It specializes in Indian, Asian, and Continental cuisine with a large focus on barbecues. The interiors are regal and beautiful in atmosphere, complete with parquet flooring, marbled tables, contemporary lighting, a semi-open kitchen counter, and a ground-to-ceiling glass façade. They also feature a shaded outdoor seating area surrounded by lush greenery. The outside is the perfect spot to enjoy the warm, sunny Indian weather.

Indulge your taste buds in gastronomic delights such as bhetki (local fish) in a spiced gravy, prawn in a creamy cashew curry with roti (flatbread), chicken quesadillas, pan-seared chicken in peppercorn sauce served on a bed of mashed potatoes, and murg biryani (slow-cooked lamb in aromatic rice). End your meal on a sweet note with signature dessert items like eggless apple pie with mascarpone cream, berry tiramisu, and mini gulab jamun with vanilla ice cream.

Average bill — $19

Sonajhuri Forest Homestay. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/sonajhurifhs

A stone’s throw away from the Kolkata city centre lies a tranquil forest by the name of Sonajhuri. It is considered to be one of the cleanest woodlands in India and offers an amazing weekend retreat for travellers and locals alike looking to be close to nature. The name of the place translates to droplets of gold, as in winter, the yellow shedded leaves from the trees resemble fallen scattered gold on the floor. The area has been untouched by industrialization and boasts a myriad of flora and fauna. The animals you can see here include jackals, elephants, foxes, monkeys, and spotted deer.

Since there are no dangerous wild beasts, people can freely roam the picturesque green oasis while being surrounded by blooming flowers. Every Saturday, a vibrant curbside market is set up here where visitors can purchase ethnic clothes, homemade handicrafts, and indulge in street food with music. Another great attraction nearby happens to be the Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a haven for kingfishers, parrots, ducks, and woodpeckers.

Our last stop takes us to a one-of-a-kind establishment called Bonne Femme. The place is the brainchild of restaurateur Sudip Mullick, whose family has been in the business of sweets for a long time. The restaurant serves a unique menu of international fusion foods elevated using Indian flavors. It possesses a Mediterranean ambiance with some French and Greek influences. Residing inside a vintage bungalow, the area has been decorated using teal tiles, hand-picked local artworks, floral upholstery on the furniture, iron chairs, and a dessert display counter at the entrance.

They also feature a few outdoor balcony seats surrounded by greenery. Relish delicious specialties, including pepper mushroom rice with fish in oyster sauce, creamy hummus with pita bread served withpickled vegetables, crispy chili baby corn with kaffir lime dressing, tandoor malai broccoli, crab meat stuffed kulcha (Indian flatbread), and raw mango fish tikka. Satisfy your sweet cravings with mudpie flambé with vanilla ice cream, hazelnut mousse, and baked blueberry cheesecake.

Average bill — $18

Sitting pretty on the banks of the Hooghly River, Kolkata is a traveller's spot of culture, tradition, historic landmarks, and amazing culinary delicacies. The City of Joy has been mesmerizing visitors for many years with its innumerable attractions and friendly vibe. The place has so much to offer that we could not cover everything in this piece alone. Do check out the other guides on the same subject:

Discover ancient marvels and recipes of Kolkata, India

An honest experience of living in Kolkata: Everything you need to know

10 Essential Indian Dishes You Must Try in Kolkata

Get to know the flavorful soul of Kolkata, India