Momo Steamers, Linen Saris, Tailors & Cane Furniture: A Guide To What You Can Get In Gariahat Mkt

Need a tailor to stitch the perfect dress? Looking for cosy lampshades or a momo steamer and some exotic vegetables to cook up a storm? Or someone who will make the best cotton mattress and comfy pillows? Head to the Gariahat KMC market – it has everything under one roof.

The building is home to several tailor shops who will sew up a dress for you in a jiffy {or alter one}. We heard from someone that Asha Tailors is the go-to stop for excellent stitching and finish.

The shops also stock a huge variety of laces, borders, buttons, needles and even small sewing frames {if you are into embroidery, you will love these}. The tailors charge about INR 200-250  upwards for a simple kurta.

The crowning glory (and a hidden gem) of this innocuous market building has to be the Tantuja outlet on the third floor. It has a good collection of Bengal handlooms and not just sarees but an excellent home furnishings range. We came across  handblock printed bedspreads with motifs like umbrellas, flowers and paisleys. For INR 1,005, they are an absolute steal. They also have a collection of striped bed linen and the cotton is super-soft and lasts ages. They stock every kind of Bengal handloom – tangails, muslin jaamdanis, resham matka and linen sarees, cotton shiboris,  and a range of silk Baluchari wedding sarees. Men can choose from a range of shirts made from handwoven cotton and linen ones.

If you are going for a cosy look in your home, we suggest you pick up furniture from the shops in the basement. Pair a couple of cane chairs or moodas with printed lampshades and a wrought iron mirror, and you have a greta look under a budget.

Have a wedding coming up? Or a kid’s annaprasan? The cards shops here have you sorted. They charge INR 15 to INR 150  piece (depending on the design) and take seven days to do about 500+ cards. You can also pick up colourful paper flowers to decorate the wedding space for INR 20 (for a packet of 12).

The crockery stores here stock everything for your kitchen needs. Kadais and pans made of iron, steel, aluminum, and non-stick materials, momo steamers, cookers, glass electric kettles. and even cutlass wine glasses {set of six for INR 3,200}.

Just outside the main entrance are several stalls selling pickles (tamarind, mango, garlic, and the famous Bengal kooler acahar made with local berries), and condiments. You must pick up a bottle of the legendary kasundi (Bengal’s special mustard sauce served with fries and stir-fried saag) and a bottle of Jaina Shilpi Mandir’s jowan bori (a digestive made with ajwain). People also come here to stock up on chooran. 

The bedding stores on the second floor will make you better mattresses (for INR 1,800 for a king-size) than those big brands in stores. Many new grandmas head here to get special pillow made for their newborn grandkids – filled with mustard seeds or the special cotton – simui tulo (INR 450). And if, like all good Bengalis, you cannot sleep without a paash balish (bolster pillows – INR 750), this is the place to come to.

Gariahat Market is known for an amazing variety of fresh vegetables and fruits – from local produce like gourds, potol, and pumpkins to broccoli, bok choy, celery, parsley and oyster mushrooms. The fish market here is one the best in the city. You also get poultry and desi chicken and goat meat here. And the kirana stores stock everything for your daily needs including some great pasta and olive oil.