What distinguishes Kolkata biryani from other types is the rice, which is mildly spiced and slightly greasy, and includes potatoes or eggs in addition to the meat. The city adores its Awadhi and Mughlai-influenced biryani, as evidenced by the numerous biryani restaurants that are dispersed throughout the city. Here is a list of eateries in Kolkata to sample Calcutta-style biryani.
Royal Indian Hotel, Park Circus, Bara Bazar
Serving delectable Mughlai food since 1905, Royal Indian Hotel is renowned for the combination of mutton chaap and mutton biryani. Their menu features Lucknowi-style mutton and chicken biryani as well as a variant with potatoes. For sides, order a Reshmi, Barra or Seekh kebab from the tandoori section.
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Address: 24 A, Syed Amir Ali Ave, Lower Range, Park Circus, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal
Zam Zam Restaurant, Park Circus and multiple outlets
The restaurant offers a brief menu consisting of biryani, rolls, gravy items, and desserts. If you’re a fan of beef, Zam Zam serves beef biryani in addition to mutton, chicken, and egg biryani. Chicken Chaap, Beef Stew, and Mutton Masala are other items you can pair with the biryani.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Fridays
Address: 28A, Syed Amir Ali Ave, Lower Range, Beck Bagan, Park Circus, Kolkata, West Bengal
India Restaurant, Kidderpore
Indian Restaurant has a selection of biryani offerings with Awadhi, Daryabadi, and Kacchi biryanis that stand out. While Daryabadi biryani, a slightly sweeter version, is an acquired taste, their Mutton Kacchi Biryani is a must-order. Vegetarians can order the veg biryani here.
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Address: 34, Karl Marx Sarani Rd, Khidirpur, Kolkata, West Bengal
Arsalan Restaurant, Park Street, and multiple outlets
The restaurant has a varied selection of biryanis including Hyderabadi and Lucknowi. The chicken biryani that comes with a generous portion of chicken leg, rice and a perfectly cooked potato is a meal by itself. If you prefer something lighter, go with the biryani rice and a fish, chicken, mutton, or vegetable kebab.
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Address: Marina Garden Court, 191, 7 Point, Park St, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal
Shiraz Golden Restaurant, Park Circus, and multiple outlets
The restaurant specialises in "Dum Pukht" style cooking with dry fruits and other rich ingredients and has culinary roots tracing back to Awadh. Alongside their selection of meaty biryanis, you can order an extra egg, potato, or mutton boti piece, or go for the Chicken Chaap, Rezala, or Kassa for something more substantial.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Address: 135, Park St, behind NeuroScience Hospital, Park Circus, Beniapukur, Kolkata, West Bengal
Zeeshan Restaurant, Park Circus, and multiple outlets
A wide variety of kebabs, mutton and chicken in gravy, Calcutta-style rolls, and select vegetarian options are on the menu. The Mughlai restaurant also serves a Hyderabadi version of the biryani that is available on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to the veg, egg, and meat biryani that is served with a portion of potato and egg.
Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Address: 9/A, Syed Amir Ali Ave, Park Circus, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal
Aminia Restaurant, Rajarhat Main Road, and multiple outlets
The iconic biryani joint has outlets spread across town and is a favourite of many locals who hold memories of this place and the food. The Mughlai restaurant offers special chicken and mutton biryani as well as a Handi biryani counterpart. The Aminia special mutton curry and mutton Galouti Kebab are other must-tries here.
Timings: 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Address: Rajarhat Main Road, opposite Karnataka Bank - Rajarhat (Kolkata) Branch & ATM, Chinar Park, Sukanta Pally, Baguiati, Kolkata, West Bengal
Haan ‘D’ Biryani, Taltala
The light biryanis served by Haan 'D' Biryani are renowned for being easy on the stomach. Without sacrificing on flavour, the biryani is made with whole spices and sunflower oil. Among the shahi dum biryani options, the chicken tikka biryani stands out. You can also choose from their famed butter chicken options.
Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays
Address: 55, Ripon St, near Ripon Nursing Home, Dharamtalla, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal
Karim’s - original from Jama Masjid Delhi 6, Hatibagan, and multiple outlets
Karim’s serves diverse Mughlai preparations with Mutton Handi Lazeez, Mutton Nihari and the Rezala being the top picks. Choose from the Gosht Dum or Murgh Dum biryani, both of which are served in earthen pots, for a Calcutta-style preparation, or order a Keema, Raan, or Murgh biryani Anarkali to try something different.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Address: 84, Aurobindo Sarani,Hatibagan Near Radha Krishna Temple (Golak Behari Jiu, Kolkata, West Bengal
Zoya Biryani, Machuabazar
If you're looking for a hearty lunch or dinner that won't break the bank, head over to Zoya Biryani. It offers a limited menu with chaaps starting at INR 70 and biryanis starting at INR 60; non-vegetarians can order the mutton, chicken, or egg biryani, and vegetarians can go for the aloo biryani.
Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Address: 49, Bidhan Sarani Rd, Vivekananda More, Simla, Machuabazar, Kolkata, West Bengal
Hanglaatherium Lake Gardens, Jodhpur Park
With options in chicken, mutton, fish, and tikka, as well as non-meat varieties like aloo and veg biryani, the biryani options at Hanglaatherium, will satisfy biryani lovers of all types. They also have combo offers that pair a biryani with chaap or kebab for a filling meal.
Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 11:55 p.m.
Address: 188, 3/1 A, Prince Anwar Shah Rd, Opposite - Venus Gym, Lake Gardens, Jodhpur Colony, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata, West Bengal
Himani Sona
I’m a Bangalore based Culinary Chronicler who finds joy in food storytelling and photography. I like to research and document food narratives through writings, illustrations and photographs. When I’m away from the lens and pen, I’m mostly hiking in the woods.
