Kebabs, Biryani & Beyond: A Guide to Zakaria Street Food
Zakaria Street, a culinary sanctuary in the center of bustling Kolkata, is a haven for foodies. This little street becomes a bustling street food haven during Ramadan, especially on this tight lane. The aromas of sumptuous biryanis, sweet desserts, and sizzling kebabs fill the air, and it’s known as Zakaria Street food.
With mouthwatering kebabs and smooth haleem, Zakaria Street provides a delectable gastronomic experience for everyone.
To make the most of your visit to Zakaria Street, it’s essential to have a guide who knows the ins and outs of this vibrant food hub. A knowledgeable guide can navigate you through the bustling lanes and help you discover hidden gems that may otherwise go unnoticed. Someone who is coming from outside Kolkata and planning to stay can find cheap hotels in Zakaria Street, Kolkata.
What is Zakaria Street famous for: The best time to indulge in some of the tastiest delights is during Ramadan! Indulge yourself on Zakaria Street Kolkata food, a paradise for kebabs, rolls, biryanis, faloodas and more, which offers a wide selection of kebabs, fries, biryani, falooda, and other delicious foods. Your taste buds will be enticed just by the sights and fragrances. So take advantage of this unique month and indulge yourself!
Zakaria Street Location: India’s Central Kolkata is home to Zakaria Street. It connects Chittaranjan Avenue (Central Avenue) with Rabindra Sarani.
How to reach Zakaria Street by metro: Both MG Road and Central Metro Station are easily accessible by foot from Zakaria Street. Please refrain from bringing your own vehicle because there is no parking.
Best time to visit this place: Visit streeNakhoda Masjid during nightfall for Iftar, avoiding afternoon heat. Arrive between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. to avoid crowds. On eve of Iftar, visit this place at 530 p.m., leaving at 7:30 p.m.
Iftar at Zakaria Street: The metropolis is expected to experience a “foodgasmic spring” during Eid and Iftar events, with the popular delicacy, halim, being eagerly awaited by both Muslims and Hindus.
Some of the famous mouthwatering dishes of Zakaria Street:
- Biryani: Kolkata is renowned for its flavorful biryani, and Zakaria Street offers some of the best varieties. Whether it’s chicken, mutton, or even beef biryani, you’ll find aromatic rice cooked with tender meat and a blend of spices.
- Kebabs: From seekh kebabs to shami kebabs, Zakaria Street is dotted with stalls selling a variety of succulent grilled meats. These kebabs are often served with mint chutney and sliced onions.
- Phirni: A popular dessert made from ground rice, milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom and saffron. Phirni is a must-try sweet dish available in many shops along Zakaria Street.
- Haleem: A rich and nutritious stew made with meat, lentils, and pounded wheat, seasoned with spices and garnished with fried onions and lemon. It’s a traditional Ramadan dish and is especially popular during iftar (the breaking of fast).
- Sheer Khurma: Another traditional Ramadan dessert, sheer khurma is a sweet milk pudding made with vermicelli, dates, and dry fruits. It’s creamy, fragrant, and indulgent.
- Samosas: These deep-fried pastry pockets filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat are a favorite snack among locals and visitors alike. You’ll find vendors selling them hot and fresh along Zakaria Street.
Distinguished Zakaria Street Food Stores:-
Some of the best restaurants in Zakaria Street are listed below:
1. Royal Indian Hotel
The well-known Royal India Hotel offers fiery platters of Mutton Chaap with Rumali Roti, Pasinda Kebabs, and yep, the same Kolkata biryani sans the potato. The hotel is also responsible for creating its own unique take on the dish.
Location: 147, Rabindra Sarani, Bortola, Barabazar Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073 Mutton Chaap with Roomali Roti, Pasinda Kebabs and Biryani.
Famous for: Mutton Chaap with Roomali Roti, Pasinda Kebabs and Biryani (Kolkata style biryani without the piece of potato).
Pocket Pinch: Rupees 900 for 2 people approx.
2. Dilli 6 Zakaria Street Bara Bazar Kolkata West Bengal
The traditional North Indian Mughlai food served at Kolkata’s Dilli 6 restaurant is well-known, especially for its delectable curries, kebabs, and biryanis. It is renowned for its traditional dishes, large quantities, and fresh ingredients. Dilli 6 offers a wide variety of Mughlai dishes, prepared using traditional recipes and spices. Their biryanis, in particular, are highly praised for their aroma, flavor, and texture.High-quality, freshly-sourced ingredients are used in all of the restaurant’s dishes, which adds to their flavor.
This restaurant is renowned for its large portions, which guarantee that you will be full when you leave the restaurant. The eatery is a favorite with patrons of all budgets since it provides tasty food at a reasonable price.
Location:16, Zakaria St, Kolutolla, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
Famous for:Changezi Chicken (available only during Ramzan), Chicken Tandoori Butter Gravy, Afghan Chicken.
Pocket Pinch: Rs.200 for 2 people approx.
Image Source:https://shorturl.at/goxLZ
3. Adams Kabab
The “Suta Kebabs” and “Boti Kebabs,” in particular, at Adams Kabab on Zakaria Street are known for its melt-in-your-mouth beef kebabs. Meat minced so finely for these kebabs that it must be secured with thread in order to stay on the skewers while grilling. The store has been operating for more than a century and is well-liked by both residents and visitors.
Suta Kabab is made by wrapping spices and beef meat mixture around iron skewers, then tying it off with a suta or cotton thread. If not, the meat on the flat-laid charcoal bed will slide off when being grilled. Beef chunks are skewered and wrapped into boti bababs. Put simply, they are the juiciest, softest kebabs you’ll ever taste.
Location: Phears Ln, Colootola St, Tiretti, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
Famous for: Boti kebab, Sutali kebab (all beef)
Pocket Pinch: INR 100 for 2 people approx.
4.Bombay hotel Zakaria Street
Near Nakhoda Mosque, visitors can enjoy authentic Mughlai cuisine at Bombay Hotel. The competent staff, fair prices, and spectacular atmosphere make it a top choice for dining, with a Google 4.1 rating.
5. Sufia Zakaria Street
Zakaria Street Sufia Restaurant is known for its Nihari, a slow-cooked stew made with cow or mutton bones, and Daleem, a lentil and beef stew popular during Ramadan, known for its unique spice combination and warmth.
Location:shop No.2, Zakaria St, Kolutolla, Ward Number 43, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
Famous For: Beef Bhuna, Khiri kebab, Haleem (Only during Ramzan), Tandori roti (the softest in the city), Beef Nihari, biryani.
Pocket Pinch: INR 200 for 2 people approx.
Image Source:https://shorturl.at/dns59
6. Al Baik Zakaria Street
Al Baik on Zakaria Street in Kolkata offers affordable, delicious Afghani kebabs and rolls. Known for its unique spice mixture and textures, it attracts both locals and tourists. Despite being a newcomer, Al Baik’s distinctive menu and friendly staff have earned it a loyal customer base. The clean, contemporary environment and frequent lines outside the store reflect its popularity.
Location:54, Phears Ln, Kolutolla, Tiretti, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073.
Pocket Pinch: INR 250 for 2 approx.
Best Picks:Gulab Jamun, Gajar Ka Halwa, 32 Halwa (Battish Ka Halwa), and Malai Laddu
Image source: https:http://surl.li/qnyic
Unveiling Zakaria Street’s Beverage Tapestry
One of the most popular iftar beverages on Zakaria Street is also fruit juice. Popular thirst quenchers include sugarcane, watermelon, pineapple (bel) sharbat, and seasonal juices.
There’s a great fruit juice stand at Phears Lane and Chuna Gali, where the juice is made with real fruit pulp, not syrup.Plain Roohafza, a delicious beverage to start the day with, is also visible close to Zakaria street Nakhoda Masjid. Together with milkshakes, you can also enjoy rich, creamy lassi there. Around Dilshad Laziz Kebab, some of the best milkshakes are served.
Exploring The Sweet Sensations Of Zakaria Street
Zakaria Street sweet shop offer a unique dining experience with a wide variety of sweet treats, including exotic treats like malpua and jalebi, as well as classic Bengali treats like rasgulla and sandesh. The store’s halwa-puri, a deep-fried puris, is a popular choice during Ramadan. Other popular treats include falooda, firni, and shahi tukda, which are made with pure ghee and malai. The store also sells Arabic, Kimia, and Ajwa dates, RoohAfza, khus syrup, and other dry fruits, with most being imported. The store’s brightly colored sidewalks and long queues attract customers during Ramadan.
Kolkata’s Zakaria Street offers a diverse array of delicious street food options, including famous Nizam’s Kathi Rolls, spicy kebabs, and fragrant biryanis, making it an ideal destination for culinary enthusiasts.
Also read: https://bloggercap.info/kolkata-street-food/