Kolkata: Bengali Food Tour with 13 Tastings & Coffee House

Summary

Street food, old rickshaws and college debates in Kolkata

You’ll jump straight into Kolkata’s heart — riding the subway with your guide, tasting lassi on the street, sharing mutton curry in century-old joints, and ending up where university students argue over coffee. Expect laughter, stories, more than 13 Bengali tastings, and moments that stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember that first sip — the lassi was thick and cold, sweet but not too much, and the guy making it grinned when I tried to say “dhonnobad.” We’d just stepped out of Esplanade metro, into this swirl of honking and incense smoke, and our guide (Anirban) was already pointing out how people here debate everything from cricket to politics. It felt like the city was buzzing under my skin. I didn’t expect to start a food tour on the subway, but honestly it made sense — you get tossed right into real Kolkata, not just some touristy corner.

The mutton kosha spot was tiny — more like someone’s living room than a restaurant. The walls were yellowed with time and there was this smell of cardamom and something richer underneath. Anirban told us stories about Subhas Chandra Bose between bites (I’m still thinking about that curry). Then came prawns in coconut sauce at a place so busy we had to lean sideways to let people pass. At one point Li from our group tried to ask for more rice in Bengali; everyone laughed (her accent was wild), but they brought it anyway. The whole street felt alive — vendors calling out, rickshaw bells clanging, flashes of marigold garlands everywhere.

I’d never ridden a wooden hand-pulled rickshaw before. It’s bumpy and weirdly peaceful at the same time — you see the city from just above shoe-level, catching glimpses into temple courtyards or past old bookstores stacked to the ceiling. We stopped for onion bhajis (crispy as anything) and this gram salad that was tangy enough to make me blink. Somewhere along College Street, students dodged puddles while arguing about their favorite poets. The coffee house at the end looked faded but proud; ceiling fans spinning slow, waiters moving like they’ve done this forever. The air smelled faintly smoky (fair warning if you’re sensitive), but I barely noticed because we were all listening to two students debating Tagore versus Marx at the next table.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kolkata's iconic food spots

• Meet guide at Esplanade metro
• Take train to local food district
• Try exotic tropical lasse street vendor
• Eat mutton kosha at century-old joint
• Visit seafood restaurant for prawn curry
• Sample curried fish mousse in banana leaf
• Ride old wooden rickshaw through area
• Eat prawn kabiraji at historic kitchen
• Walk through peaceful district and temples
• Try famous onion bhajis and gram salads
• Visit College Street book sellers
• Drink coconut sherbet at local cafe
• Taste Bengali sweets at sweet shop
• End at colonial coffee house with students

Top questions

How many dishes do you try on this Kolkata food tour?

You’ll sample over 13 different Bengali foods during the tour.

Is transportation included on the Bengali food tour?

The tour includes a short subway ride plus a hand-pulled rickshaw trip between stops.

Where does the Kolkata food tour start?

You meet your guide outside Gate 4 of Esplanade metro station in central Kolkata.

Are vegetarian options available during this tour?

The reference doesn’t specify full vegetarian coverage; contact them for dietary needs.

Is this food tour suitable for children or prams?

No, it isn’t suitable for prams or very young children due to transport steps and walking.

Does the tour include drinks?

Bottled water and refreshing Indian drinks are included along with all tastings.

How big is each group on this Kolkata food experience?

The small group is limited to eight guests per tour for a more personal feel.

What’s special about the last stop on this day trip?

You finish at one of Kolkata’s oldest colonial coffee houses where students debate under whirring fans.

What’s included

Your evening includes meeting your local foodie guide at Esplanade metro station, all subway fares and rides between stops (including an old-fashioned wooden rickshaw), bottled water and Indian drinks throughout, plus more than thirteen Bengali tastings—think mutton kosha curry, coconut prawns, sweets—ending at a historic coffee house before heading back on your own schedule.