Growing up in a city like Kolkata, food has always been on my mind. Food will always be. Before even the festival arrives, I’m deciding what to eat on what day. Ramadan, the month of fasting and introspection, comes to a conclusion on Eid, which means "festival" in Arabic. Muslims in West Bengal and in Kolkata celebrate the holiday with a great deal of devotion. Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are the two main Eids celebrated in Bengal. The "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid-ul-Fitr, is observed after Ramadan when the new moon is visible. It is a day of community feasting, prayer, and charity. Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," honours Prophet Ibrahim's dedication and places a strong emphasis on compassion, generosity, and faith.

Mass prayers are held in famous locations such as Park Circus Maidan, Tipu Sultan Mosque, and Nakhoda Masjid to start the day. Dressed in clean white kurtas and embroidered topis, thousands of devotees assemble to offer prayers, creating a breathtaking scene of unity and devotion. The streets come alive with "Eid Mubarak" greetings as the prayers come to an end, and candy stores and restaurants are bustling. With their alleys brimming with freshly baked sheermal, kebabs sizzling on charcoal, and the perfume of biryani filling the air, Zakaria Street, Chitpur, and Park Circus are must-visits during Eid. Travellers may experience Bengal's ethnic beauty by visiting Kolkata during Eid, when people from all walks of life participate in the festivities.

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As everyone has ever mentioned in conversations and in passing, Kolkata is a potpourri of different cultures. And it’s best experienced through the cuisines it offers at every corner. As Bengalis, we always say a phrase, ‘12 maashey tero parbon’, which translates to the Bengali calendar having thirteen festivals in a year. But if you take into account every single community that makes up the city of Kolkata, then we’ll have to say that we celebrate more than 13 for sure, with lots and lots of food that are either really classic ones or have been in our families for generations. Apart from a lavish feast during Poila Baishak, Durga Puja, Eid is also a huge celebration which is not only celebrated by the muslims in the city but everyone who knows and has spent years in the city has had Eid memories, all the way from Zakaria Sreet to even Chitpur, everything comes alive. Eid fairs, also known as melas, are held in several parts of Bengal and include food vendors, music, and handicrafts. These get-togethers become places where people from different communities get together to celebrate happiness and delicious food. Bengal's past is closely linked to its cultural and culinary legacy. One of the most exquisite manifestations of Bengal's multifaceted personality, the celebration transcends religion because of the impact of Nawabi culture from Murshidabad, Mughlai culinary customs, and Bengali hospitality.

The celebration creates a magnificent feast that is difficult to forget by fusing Bengal's Mughlai heritage with regional flavours. Kolkata biryani, a hallmark dish from Bengal's Nawabi cuisine, is unquestionably the main dish. It is aromatic rice topped with soft meat and the renowned potato. Dishes like korma, rezala, haleem, kebabs, and rumali roti are served alongside biryani on both dining tables and the streets. During Eid, sweets are just as significant. Every home prepares sheer khurma, firni, shahi tukda, and seviyan and lovingly serves them to guests. Travellers can enjoy a sensory adventure through busy restaurants as they explore native cuisine in West Bengal during Eid. Some of these restaurants have been there since the British Raj and beyond. Eating at these places during Eid is a must-try when in Kolkata. 

Nizam’s Restaurant, New Market

Established in 1932 by Raza Hassan Saheb in the bustling New Market area, Nizam's started as a popular spot for connoisseurs of Mughlai food. The restaurant became well-known over the years for its kebabs, which were presented with unparalleled authenticity. The restaurant is a popular place for both residents and guests since it has a timeless capacity to provide tastes that have stayed constant since colonial times. Nizam’s is also the restaurant that introduced kathi rolls to the palate of the city. The restaurant introduced this innovation to meet the needs of its patrons, especially British officials, who found it challenging to eat greasy kebabs on the go. By wrapping the succulent kebabs in flaky parathas, Nizam's created a portable yet delicious snack. With Nizam's reputation as the official place for a real kathi roll experience, this modest creation became Kolkata's gastronomic trademark. It remains a simple, no-frills eatery that has managed to retain its authenticity over the decades. The ambience may seem understated, but the food more than makes up for it. The smoky aroma from the kebabs grilling on skewers adds to the sensory experience as you approach the restaurant.

Address: 23 & 24, Hogg St, near Axis Bank Atm, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 70008

Timing: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Price: INR 400 for two

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Aminia, Zakaria Street

Originally a small shop on Zakaria Street, it has expanded into a chain of stores all around Kolkata, both a resident and visitor favourite. Aminia’s history began in 1929, when the late Abdul Rahim opened the first outlet in Zakaria Street, Kolkata. His goal was to bring authentic Lucknowi Awadhi cuisine to the city. Kolkata’s fondness for biryani, influenced by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah's introduction of potatoes into the dish, cemented the city's relationship with Mughlai food. The must-try dish is their signature Kolkata Biryani, cooked with tender mutton or chicken, fragrant rice, and the iconic potato. The Mutton Rezala, a subtly spiced, creamy dish, is another crowd favourite. The Aminia Special Curry, featuring mutton shanks in a rich, scarlet gravy with potatoes and onions, is a dish that has stood the test of time. For those seeking variety, the Lahori Chicken and Mutton Pasanda are popular choices, offering classic Mughlai flavours. Aminia became a trailblazer over the years in forming Kolkata's Mughlai cuisine. It is run today by the third and fourth generations of the family, who keep broadening the brand while preserving its classic recipes and distinctive tastes. 

Address: 8, Zakaria Street, Bara Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073

Timing: 12 PM - 11:59 PM

Price: INR 700 for two

Zam Zam, Park Circus

They have a milder version of biryani with incredibly rich meat. The flavourful but not spicy biryani is something you will truly enjoy about Zam Zam at Park Circus. We also love the way they prepare their meat, you can tatse the time and effort they have put into it.We suggest you try their beef biryani and beef malai if you're going to the restaurant during Eid celebrations. Many people have doubts about beef dishes. If you're an avid foodie, Mughlai beef dishes by Zam Zam are a class apart and a must-try. This restaurant used to serve its famous biryani to the Indian cricket team. During the 2023 ODI match in Kolkata, the well-known restaurant supplied its renowned delicacies to the Pakistani team too. 

Address: 28A, Syed Amir Ali Ave, Lower Range, Beck Bagan, Park Circus, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017

Timing: 12 PM - 12 AM

Price: INR 500 for two

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Royal Indian Hotel, Chitpur

Since 1905, the Royal Indian Hotel in Chitpur, close to the Nakhoda Masjid, has been a symbol of Mughlai cuisine in Kolkata. Ahmed Hussain, a native of Lucknow's nawabi cooks, opened a small restaurant in 1905 that served just three dishes: Khushka, a type of yellow pulao, Mutton Chaap, and Mutton Qalia. Mehboob Ali, the son of Hussain, invented biryani in the 1940s. It had succulent mutton wrapped in long-grain Basmati rice with a mixture of spices and saffron. For many years, the biryani at the Royal Indian Hotel adhered to Lucknow's custom of not using alu. The alu didn't enter its Park Circus branch until 2017! Did you know that fictional and real-life legends like Feluda and Uttam Kumar have had a fondness for Royal's Mughlai cuisine? Due to the long-standing closeness between the two families, even Chef Imtiaz Qureshi had a "royal" connection. The menu has grown to include a variety of meals, such as Royal Lagan Chicken, Mutton Pasanda, and Mutton Raan Mussalam, but the Royal Mutton Chaap is still the standout dish. Another popular choice is the Sheermal Paratha, which goes well with Galawati Kebab. Finish with their Shahi Tukra. Their Haleem is well-known during Ramadan. 

Address: 4, Tarachand Dutta St, Kolutolla, Barabazar Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073

Timing: Open 24 hours

Price: INR 800 for two