Explore Shyambazar And The Heart Of North Kolkata

The Calcutta Bungalow blends the personality, warmth, and friendliness of a Bengali family with hotel-quality amenities. You are drawn in by the decor's amazing attention to detail. In a historic, quirky city like Kolkata, you would expect to find such a unique, exquisitely renovated location. Along with bedside tables and patio furnishings that complemented the subdued colour scheme, the louvred windows, known as khorkhoris, were revitalised. Each room has a portable typewriter that guests can use to write letters.

Timings: Open 24 hours

Price: INR 14,000 per night

Contact: 09830184030

Instagram: @calcuttabungalow

Facebook: Calcutta Bungalow

Google Rating: 4.3/5

There is a unique Heritage Tram ride that travels from Maidan to Esplanade, passing by all of the sites, such as the Tipu Sultan Masjid, the Church of Christ the King, the Victoria Memorial, the South Park Street Cemetery, St. Teresa's Residence, Birla Mandir, and Sacred Heart Church. For this ride, tickets must be booked. Heritage tram rides come in two varieties—a standard tram ride and a tram ride that also leads to the Calcutta Tramways Museum. The tickets include snacks and food.

Timings: 7 AM

Price: INR 5,400 per ticket

The Law family constructed four homes for their sons and other companies 175 years ago, but none of the four baris were present. Despite being Laha Baris, each of them has a unique style that makes them stand out with their green windows and red-brick homes. The first is indicated by "Bechu Chatterjee Street", the second by "Pasteur", which indicates a business on the property, the fourth by "Ulto deekay Durga Charan", which indicates the premises across from "Pasteur", and the fifth by "Kailash Bose". The Laha Bari on Bechu Chatterjee Street makes up the setting and foundation of beloved movies like Piku, Parineeta, Love Aajkal and Barfi.

How To Reach: You can take a bus or a taxi to the area, and then walk to the address.

Kumartuli, Kolkata’s potters’ colony, has been churning out clay statues and idols by the dozen round the year. The area’s name is derived from the Bengali ‘kumhor’ or potter and ‘tuli’ or small space. It is as old as the city of Kolkata, which was created by the East India Company by building settlements in a few scattered villages. The winding lanes are filled with more ramshackle workshops flanked by countless figures and statues. The artisans here have been in this profession for generations, carrying on a 300-year-old tradition of craftsmanship since the days of the East India Company when the city was created and areas divided according to workers from different professions and industries. The potters’ workshops get orders from all over India and abroad. It has become somewhat of a tourist hub now and a spot for photographers in the city who want to light up their Insta feed. During Durga Puja, the workshops churn out close to 4,000 idols.

How To Reach: Take a metro train that goes to Sovabazar Sutanuti Metro Station.

After 250 years in the city, this famous sweet shop is captivating Kolkatans with its mouthwatering treats. Constructed circa 1780, the shop was renowned for its exceptional kochuri and torkari, making it the only breakfast attraction in North Calcutta at the time. Some of the most tasty meals prepared by Haridas Modak are jibe gaja, chanar jilipi, kalakand, kheer kadam, and kalojam. Famous Bengali luminaries such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Abanindranath Tagore, Girish Ghosh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rani Rashmoni, and Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa regularly stopped by this store or placed orders for breakfast and dessert.

Timings: 6 AM - 10 PM

Price: INR 100 onwards

Contact: 07278801469

Google Rating: 4/5

LBB Tip: The kamlabhog is the star of the sweet shop. Don't miss it!

A charming little restaurant with a view of the bustling junction is located in the older part of the city that has already seen its heydays come and go. The New Punjabi restaurant, or Golbari, as we Kolkatans affectionately refer to it, is the name of this small restaurant. Golbari is well-known for its delicious meat preparations, and when I say delicious, I mean among the best!

Timings: 11 AM - 11 PM

Price: INR 350 for two

Contact: 07604033356

Google Rating: 3.8/5

Traditional Maach er Kochuri in North Kolkata is a culinary gem from Neelachal, Bagbazar. Combining fish and spices in a crispy kachori, it has become a local favourite. With a rich history and intricate preparation, Maach er Kochuri is a must-try for those exploring Kolkata’s food scene. Neelachal, a local culinary institution since 1982, is famous for its distinct flavour and rich history. Uday Das started this shop with the goal of making a popular street snack from an unusual homemade recipe. In modern times, Neelachal's Maach er Kochuri represents the storied culinary history of Kolkata. Das, experimenting in his kitchen, created a unique recipe by mashing fish chops and stuffing them inside plain maida kochuris. Initially a catering exclusive, its popularity led to its commercial introduction in Neelachal. The shop's establishment in Bagbazar turned Maach er Kochuri into a local favourite.

Timings: 11:30 AM - 2 PM and 4 PM - 11 PM

Price: INR 300 for two

Contact: 09830407805

Google Rating: 4/5

A distinguished clothing store in Kolkata that specialises in men's "punjabi"—which are worn at a variety of Bengali cultural ceremonies. Customers can choose from a wide variety of products in the store. The "dhoti and Punjabi" ensemble was popularised by Kingbadanti long before festive couture was a thing, and it became ingrained in Bangaliana culture. Kingbadanti was the first to offer dhotis in a variety of colours and is now a popular choice among celebrities during Kolkata festivals. Isn't that amazing?

Timings: 10:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Price: INR 470 - 50,000 onwards

Contact: 03325556389

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Banarasi Sarees are crafted from exquisite, high-quality fabrics that are carefully stitched. And Banarasi Niketan is the place that most upholds the art of making authentic brocade sarees because so many people adore it. These sarees from the store have a more than thousand-year history that is connected to our mythology. These sarees are a marvel of skilful stitching combined with genuine gold and silver brocades. Georgette, Shattir, Organza, Kora, Katan, or pure silk. If you’re looking for six yards of pure grace for the upcoming festivals, the best option is Banarasi Niketan, which offers the most upscale designs.

Timings: 10:30 AM - 8 PM

Price: NR 1,650 onwards

Contact: 03325556389

Facebook: Banarasi Niketan

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Silver jewellery, which includes bracelets, necklaces, rings and more, is quite popular because it is elegant, adaptable, and always in trend. If you are worried about the rates, don't fret. According to what I was told by my aunt, who grew up in Shyambazar, Fariapukur is the biggest wholesale silver jewellery market in the city. So if you’re looking for those dainty, minimalist or even over-the-top silver jewellery, this is the lane to be!