Get A Taste Of Old Calcutta At These Iconic Pice Hotels In The City

Established in 1928, Hotel Sidheswari Ashram was founded by Khudiram Sarkar and is known for the wide selection of fish dishes it offers every day. Kabiraji Jhol continues to be a superhit. It’s a healthy fish curry made with raw banana, potato, and papaya in minimum oil. The fish dishes are obviously to-die-for but you can also try other popular stuff like mocha (banana blossom) and kanch aamer chutney (raw mango chutney), machher mathar kalia (fish head gravy), and mutton. 

Another popular Pice Hotel, Tarun Niketan was established in 1915 by the late Eshan Chandra Deb and is known for its elaborate fish and duck egg dishes on the menu, which is written on a black board and displayed at the entrance just like old times. They’ve got several vegetarian options as well. The mutton curry is delicious too. Best part? Most of their dishes, except a few non-vegetarian ones, are prepared the traditional way without onion and garlic.

Located near Presidency College in College Street, Swadhin Bharat Hindu Hotel was established in 1927 and is known for its mouthwatering array of over 25 vegetarian dishes besides the regular dal, meat, and fish items. This Pice Hotel is also known for its fish curries made with rare freshwater fish like magur maach, koi maach, and more. Also, order Chitol Macher Muitha (fish balls cooked in spicy tomato onion gravy) and Macher Dimer Bora (fish egg pakoras) while you’re here.

Located beside Ghosh Cabin in College Street, Jagannath Ashram was established in 1952 and while the place has gone through several changes in terms of its decor and interiors, its menu remains unchanged even after all these years. The bhetki, ilish, and chital fish items are oh-so-good, as is the watery mutton curry and rosogolla. The eatery is the adda place for young students, academicians, and workers looking for a nice, home-cooked meal as well as legends like Mahasweta Devi and Manna Dey. 

Situated in Jadu Babur Bazar in Bhawanipore, Parbati Hotel opened in the 1960s and boasts of an extensive list of fish items on their menu, the quality of which might just be better than most upscale restaurants. The bhajas (fries), too, are finger-licking good! The Mustard Hilsa Curry is a must-have while you’re here. Even in today’s contemporary times, these hotels have not let go of the tradition of serving food in banana leaves.

One of the most popular Pice Hotels in the city, Mahal Restaurant is located on College Street and offers a delicious spread of good Bengali food including rice, dal, aloo bhaja, machher jhol, chutney, and papad, as well as sukto, kumro phool bhaja, and neem begun during the season. Also, find rare  dishes like ilish macher matha diye kochu shak (greens mixed with the head of a hilsa fish) and aloo’r khosa bhaja with posto (fried potato peels with poppy seeds). The meals are served on a banana leaf and make for a filling lunch or dinner on a budget.