In November, World Vegan Month is celebrated worldwide, where vegans share their diet tips and recipes to replace meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives. This movement of eating plant-based products for a whole month started in the year 1994 by The Vegan Society of the United Kingdom. It was initiated to promote the adoption of a vegan diet to reduce animal cruelty and promote a healthier lifestyle. Indian cuisine also has various vegan dishes that taste super delicious and are prepared without any dairy-based products. The city of Kolkata, not to be outdone by other Indian cities' growing numbers of vegans, has its own vegan community. Plenty of restaurants and cafés offering vegan-only menus or dishes with vegan customisation options have opened up in the last few years. Here are a few of them that are offering vegan menus to celebrate World Vegan Month:
Paprika Gourmet
Having a bunch of health-conscious, hyper-allergenic to a million things, vegan friends over? Paprika Gourmet will take the headache off pleasing you with their nutritionally-balanced meals, which are packed with super foods, and can even be done in gluten-free varieties. Exotic foods like zesty quinoa salad, gluten-free fresh breads, gluten-free brownies, parmesan focaccia sandwiches, and feta ucchini pinwheels all make it to the menu. For a refreshing yet snug meal, consider the chilled, silky watermelon-tomato gazpacho with fragrant Turkish pilaf and a warm chickpea stew if you've been looking for a true vegan combination.
Address: First Floor, Surbhi Building, 8/1/2, Sir UN Brahmachari Sarani, Elgin, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017
Timings: 9 AM - 7 PM
Cost: INR 500 for two
Image Credit: Paprika Gourmet
Yautcha
Yauatcha, a Michelin-starred restaurant, is regarded as one of the world's top 50 greatest restaurants. Drink some lalou and citrus martini. Other meals that you need to take a bite of include Asian green with tofu and a virgin mojito they serve off-menu. Situated near Park Circus on the fifth floor of Quest Mall, the restaurant features chic layouts for seating, lighting, flooring, a wine cellar, and a bar counter. It is a destination for distinctive meals and real tastes. You can also go beyond and taste the vegetable crystal dumpling loaded with a crunchy, earthy mixture of vegetables, the truffle edamame dumpling with its creamy edamame purée and hint of truffle, and the braised tofu claypot cooked with mushrooms in a chilli and black bean sauce for a light yet filling spread.
Address: 5th Floor, Quest Mall Park Circus, 33, Syed Amir Ali Ave, Beck Bagan, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017
Timings: 12 PM - 11:45 PM
Cost: INR 2,500 for two
Image Credit: Yautcha Kolkata
Burma Burma
Burma Burma, founded by childhood friends turned restaurateurs Ankit Gupta and Chirag Chajjer, offers delectable vegetarian and vegan cuisine as a window into the history, culture, and khaana of the Southeast Asian nation. The restaurant has its roots in Gupta's Burmese heritage and serves authentic meals. For the vegan month, try the brown onion and roasted chilli steamed buns, which are soft, pillowy, and bursting with warm, spicy flavour, and the Samosa Hincho, which is served in the Burmese style in a tart soup with spring greens and roasted black chickpeas. The walls are adorned with elements and figures found in ancient Burmese tattoo art, and embroidered shawls have been used to upholster the furniture at Burma Burma; you’ll also find handicrafts from across the country perched on the tea bar. Expect lots of paper-mâché craft, lacquerware tiffins, and tea kettles that are unique to Myanmar.
Address: 18 M, Ground Floor, Stephen Court, Park St, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071
Timings: 12:30 - 4 PM and 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Cost: INR 1,800 for two
Image Credit: Burma Burma
Lucky Tigerr
An addition to Kolkata's thriving food and entertainment scene is Lucky Tigerr. It's a haven of tastes, inventiveness, and immersive experiences, tucked away in the famous Park Mansion on Park Street. This contemporary, vibrant club with roots in Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine guarantees visitors an amazing celebration experience. They have a vegan spread that is bursting with vitality. For a strong, comforting bite, try Fried tofu combined with seasonal vegetables, Sichuan chillies, and toasted almonds, or crispy shredded potatoes with chillies, coriander, and sesame.
Address: 57A, Park St, inside Park Mansion, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
Timings: 12 PM - 11 PM
Cost: INR 1,800 for two
Image Credit: Lucky Tigerr
Olive Cafe & Bar
Here, vegan recipes are allowed to grow, breathe, and express themselves rather than being treated as afterthoughts. The roasted tomato and bell pepper soup feels warm and rustic, cooked with slow-roasted tomatoes, peppers, and carrots blended into a comforting bowl, paired with crisp Melba toast, while the edamame, tossed with chilli, garlic, and lime leaves, turns a simple snack into a bright, aromatic bite. The space blends classic Olive elements with Kolkata’s cultural and architectural identity, positioning the restaurant as both a lifestyle space and a dining destination. The café's varied cuisine is curated by Chef Jyotika Malik, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate with experience at Michelin-starred restaurants in London. Small meals, salads, grills, desserts, and Olive's famous classics are all included. The options tend towards Mediterranean flavours with high-quality ingredients, while the lunch menu is influenced by international café-style comfort food.
Address: 6th Floor, 40, Shakespeare Sarani, Elgin, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017
Timings: 12 PM - 12 AM
Cost: INR 2,800 for two
Image Credit: Olive Cafe & Bar Kolkata
Pinkk Sugars
Sunlight streams through the glass windows and illuminates the pink that's splashed across the floor and walls. The menu is a tribute to Italian and Mediterranean flavours. While The Black Rice and Teriyaki Tofu Bowl at Pinkk Sugars leans towards bold, contemporary plant-based cooking—nutty black rice layered with silky tofu glazed in teriyaki, punctuated with edamame, and tied together with a punchy peanut miso and a hint of gochujang—the Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is a blend of fluffy quinoa, crunchy vegetables, and briny olives all tossed in a bright, zesty, and refreshing dressing. Pinkk Sugars has come out of your Pinterest board, with soft pink decor, an artsy wall, and a red telephone booth from London. It seems as though you are in Barbieland. Expect buttery croissants, hand-tossed pizzas, and delicious sourdough bagels from the restaurant's owner, Ayushi, who studied baking in Italy and London.
Address: AD-37, AD Block, Sector 1, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700064
Timings: 11 AM - 11 PM
Cost: INR 1,200 for two
Image Credit: Pinkk Sugars
Éloïse Bistro & Boulangerie
In South Kolkata, Éloïse Bistro & Boulangerie transports you to Paris. Owned by Anwesha Bhattacharjee and Rohit Chowdhury, the café is a must-visit because of its ambience and delectable food, such as their well-known Hot Chocolate, which can be made with soy or almond milk. Because the broccoli quinoa cakes are pan-seared to a crisp golden edge with a delicate, healthy centre, they seem to be the perfect combination of comfort and clean eating. They are little plates with surprising depth, offering richness, nuttiness, and a scorching kick in every bite when paired with tahini and a hint of Sriracha. Éloïse offers a vegan version of the traditional English breakfast without sacrificing its generosity. Multigrain toast anchors the plate while garlicky sautéed spinach, grilled mushrooms, baked beans, tomatoes, and crisp potato wedges round it out. Served with tea or coffee, it stays true to the tradition of a hearty morning spread.
Address: 21, Lake Terrace, Lake Market, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029
Timings: 12 PM - 11 PM
Cost: INR 1,500 for two
Image Credit: Éloïse Bistro & Boulangerie
Also Read: Éloïse Bistro & Boulangerie: Savouring The Magic Of Parisian Delights With Kolkata’s Warmth
Cal-On
Cal-On offers a wide variety of mouthwatering dishes and inventive drinks, creating a distinctive and dynamic milieu in Kolkata. Cal-On is the place to go whether you're looking to celebrate life's significant events, have cocktails after work, or just want to have a classy night out. The beers are worth all the hype, while the cocktails tell you to relax and unwind. They serve a variety of dishes and cuisines, including pizzas, salads, mezze spreads, sushi, cheese boards, fried appetisers, and more. The edamame green pea falafel platter is a fun, colourful take on Middle Eastern freshness. Together with pickled onions, beetroot hummus, and a chilli coriander sauce that brightens everything, the falafels are tender but colourful. Rounded out with soft homemade pita, it’s a lively, textured vegan platter meant for dipping, scooping, and savouring.
Address: 17, Garcha 1st Ln, Dover Terrace, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019
Cost: INR 3,000 for two
Timings: 5 PM - 2 AM
Image Credit: Cal-On
The Square, Novotel
The dishes which honour the spirit of Bengali plant-based delights promise an immersive experience with a carefully chosen buffet of authentic Bengali meals that have been vegan since their inception. The first is shukto, a delicate, bittersweet traditional Bengali dish made of bitter gourd, root vegetables, mustard, and panch phoron, all of which are cooked in mustard oil. It continues to be the first course of Bengali cuisine, providing diners with a sense of the region's past on a single plate while also being subtly sophisticated. The second dish is dhokar dalna, which consists of steamed and fried chana dal cakes that absorb a fragrant sauce made of ginger, cumin, and cashew or poppy seed paste. Executive Chef Vikram Jaiswal is overseeing the vegan month celebrations, using his skills to create a magnificent and genuine culinary experience.
Address: CF Block(Newtown), Action Area 1C, Rajarhat, New Town, Kolkata, West Bengal 700107
Timings: 12 PM - 3:30 PM and 7 PM - 11 PM
Cost: INR 3,000 for two
Image Credit: Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residencies