Mahal Restaurant

Prama Datta

1 month ago

5.0

If you’re looking for a place where history, literature, and food come together beautifully, Mahal Restaurant is worth a visit. This charming old establishment is believed to have once hosted Byomkesh Bakshi and his wife(Fictional characters), adding a layer of literary nostalgia to the experience. What makes it even more special is that the original mess-style setting still continues, preserving its old-world character. The food is simple, authentic, and deeply satisfying—true Bengali flavours that feel both comforting and timeless. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience. A quiet step back into Kolkata’s cultural and literary past, served with a plate of delicious home-style cooking. Definitely recommended for anyone seeking something beyond the usual dining spots.

Ishita Dey

2 years ago

5.0

An age old pice hotel that serves authentic Bengali cuisine. Near about 100 years ago this building was called PRESIDENCY BOARDING HOUSE. Famous Bengali writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay and Jibanananda Das used to stay here. Now that Boarding house is closed. Only the restaurant remains in a small room of 20 accommodation. But food quality and hospitality is excellent. Staffs are very polite, generous and the service is real quick. We had • Rice • Moong Daal • Aloo Bhaja • Shukto • Tyangra Maachher Jhol • Aar Maachher Jhaal • Bhetki Paturi • Chicken Kosha • Mutton Kosha • Anarosher Chatni Every items are fresh, delicious and have a homely vibe. Will visit again and again. ❤

+3

Rupkatha

1 year ago

5.0

i had ordered for the first time from here through Zomato and was blown away from the quality quantity and taste of the food. the mutton curry was with less spice but 3 pieces(including one solid piece) and a well cooked potato. they had sent a full plate of rice that is enough for two people. the bhapa katla was superb. we had also ordered jhuri alu bhaja and machher dimer boda. finally, they had also sent lebu lanka and peyaj. superb bengali food totally worth the price!

Chandrima Chanda

1 year ago

5.0

Each and every food items were very fresh, well cooked and very tasty. The service was excellent and they make that extra effort to make sure we have the best experience. The atmosphere surely has the historic touch (with the character of Byomkesh being written in this very building). Overall if you crave for authentic and fresh homely Bengali food, this is the go to place.

Pratik Tarafdar

1 year ago

5.0

The Moog Dal, Shukto, Aalu Fulkopi & Aalu Bhaja were outstanding. Eating rice on the banana leaf inside a compact but legendary diner with fast & neat service was indeed an excellent experience.

Hridam Basu

9 months ago

5.0

Had rice, shukto, mochar ghonto, kochupata chingri, bhetkir paturi. Great food at good ambience and service.

Dibyajit

3 years ago

4.0

Mahal is a pice hotel near Amherst Street which is 30 years old, mich younger than the other pice hotels of the city. This pice hotel’s biggest plus point is the hospitality of the owner, Mr. Dutta and his staffs along with the taste of the food that they serve. I visited for a Saturday lunch and had : Rice, Shukto, Special Moong Dal, Jhuri Alu Bhaja, Phulkopi diye Chingri, Chitol Macher Korma, Chutney and Papad. They serve on banana leaves which is chargeable. The food tastes nothing less than home-cooked food and the quantity of each plate is enough for two people. They accept cash and UPO payments and they remain open on all days till 4 PM. If you are willing to taste varieties of fish, along with Chicken/Mutton, try to visit between 1 PM to 2 PM since these items tend to go out of stock a bit faster. Check out the snaps below and don’t forget to watch the reel at Instagram : kolkata.sen

Priyanka Paul

1 year ago

4.0

Taste was good but price is not reasonable. And I will not recommend bhetki paturi at all, it was almost fried and burnt inside banana leaf . The coating of the fish was too dry.

Sanjit Kumar Chatterjee

9 months ago

3.0

The so called famous Mahal Restaurant let me down badly. The food is extremely expensive. They even charge for kolapata or banana leaf. If so, this should have been informed beforehand or written on the menu. Serve in plates and do not do this. I have eaten in all pice hotels in Kolkata and elsewhere in West Bengal for over 15 years. The place is crowded. I had the mutton curry with rice and macher dimer bora or fish egg fritters. The mutton curry was priced at Rs.250. It had 3 small pieces which would make more around 125 gms to 150 gms at max. The 3 tiny fish egg fritters cost Rs.50. The rice costs Rs.20 and no it is not basmati but baskathi rice. My bill was Rs.325 just for eating this simple 3 items meal. People were ordering dishes right, left and centre and then while being asked to shelve a large 3 digit or 4 digit figure, upon billing, were getting utterly surprised and bemused. The taste is decent. The place is originally the once famous Presidency Boarding House. The famous writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay used to stay in this boarding house. While staying here, he started writing stories about the character 'Byomkesh Bakshi'. Also, the late renowned poet Jibanananda Das lived here for a long time.

Rajarshi M

2 years ago

2.0

The quality, ingredients seemed okay. But what we eat in the name of moog dal was totally inspid and bland . My friend, who doesn't prefer chilli ordered bhetki aloo phulkopi assuming it to be the typical light , sweetish bhetki jhol that we've always had at home. What was served turned out to anything other than that! A reddish jhol cooked in hot dry chilli powder!! He could barely eat the aloo , cauliflower and the fish which was alright in quality. And, even for me, who has no issues with chillies, found the jhol inedible!! Parhetic experience.