Sweets, more popularly mishtis, are in the heart and soul of every Kolkatan. No wonder, at every one-kilometre stretch in the ‘City of Joy’, you’ll definitely notice a sweet shop. While many new players have come up, some age-old sweet makers in the city hold their legacies to date and still ace the game with their iconic mishti varieties and signature tastes. Let’s take a look at some of the most distinguished heritage sweet shops in Kolkata.
Here Are Kolkata’s 6 Heritage Sweet Shops
1. Nobin Chandra Das & Sons, Shobhabazar
Nobin Chandra Das was a 19th-century confectioner and a cultural icon in Bengal. He is popularly known as the founder of Bengali rosogolla. Bengalis often call him the Father of Rosogolla or Columbus of Rosogolla. In 1866, he set up the sweet shop, Nobin Chandra Das in the Baghbazar-Shobhabazar area. Here one can try out the most authentic Kolkata rasgullas, Kheer Kadam, Talsansh, Jolbhora Sandesh, Kalakand, Rasmalai and many more. Other than sweets, the shop also makes sumptuous kachoris, that are served with cholar dal.
Where: 77, Jatindra Mohan Avenue, Shobha Bazar, Kolkata
When: 7 AM – 10 PM
Price: ₹100 for two people (approx.)
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2. Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick Sweets, Bhowanipore
Though there are multiple outlets of the shop in the city now, the one at Bhowanipore is still deemed to be the best. The brand dates back to 1885 and now it has its online store as well. Some must-tries out here are Kalojam, Pantua, Langcha, Magic Laddu, Jalbhara, Mousumi Sandesh and definitely Baked Doi, Baked Rasgulla.
Where: 2A, Paddapukur Road, Bhowanipore, Kolkata
When: 7 AM – 11 PM
Price: ₹250 for two people (approx.)
3. Bhim Chandra Nag, Bowbazar
Bhim Chandra Nag is a small shop in Bowbazar, Kolkata with a huge brand value. Paran Chandra Nag had set up this sweet shop in 1826. Bhim Chandra Nag was the inventor of Kolkata’s popular sweet Ladikeni, that got its name after Lady Canning, the wife of the British governor Lord Canning. Also, when at Bhim Chandra, do try out their Sonpapri, Kosturi, Labanga Latika, Talsansh, Rasgulla and Mishti Doi.
Where: 5, Nirmal Chandra Street, Near Bow Bazar Market, Bow Bazar, Kolkata
When: 8 AM – 10 PM
Price: ₹300 for two people (approx.)
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4. Adi Haridas Modak Mistanna Bhandar
This no-frills sweet shop dates back to nearly 1780 and serves some heavenly Kalakand, Chanar Jilipi, Moti Pak and Kheer Kadam. The heritage sweet shop in Kolkata is also known for its delicious Bengali breakfast with Luchi Tarkari ( Bengali-style Puri Sabzi). It is nestled near the bustling streets of Shyambazar. At this shop, one can try out various kinds of sondesh in their authentic flavours.
Where: 220, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Shyambazar 5 Point Crossing
When: 8 AM – 9 PM
Price: ₹100 for two people (approx.)
5. Sen Mahasay
Located close to the shopper’s lane in Hatibagan, Sen Mahasay serves sweets like Kesar Bhog, Chitrakut, Malai Chop, Chom Chom, Darbesh, Kheerer Chop, Manohara, Kanthal Sandesh and more. Sen Mahasay was set up in 1897 by Sri Asutosh Sen. One can also try mouth-watering Radhaballabis out here. Radhaballabhi is a sweeter version of puri, made with urad dal and aromatic spices. Alternatively called Bengali staffed puris, they are a bit larger and fluffier than the usual puris.
Where: 1/1C, Shibdas Bhaduri Street, Shyam Bazar, Kolkata
When: 7 AM – 10 PM
Price: ₹100 for two people (approx.)
6. Putiram, College Street
Whoever has spent a major part of childhood around Kolkata’s famous book market College Street has a strong emotional connection with this centuries-old misthti shop. The shop dates back to 1852. Located adjacent to the City College of Commerce, Putiram is a very simple sweet shop that serves Stuffed Gulab Jamuns, Rasgullas, Danadar, Kalo Jam Malpoa and more. City peeps also flock to this shop to try the signature Hing Kochuri and doi Kochuri.
Where: 12A, Surya Sen Street, College Street, Kolkata
When: 7 AM – 9 PM
Price: ₹200 for two people (approx.)
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7. Girish Chandra Dey & Nakur Chandra Nandy
If you are new to Kolkata and looking for that one heritage sweet shop serving the best sondesh, head to Girish Chandra Dey & Nakur Chandra Nandy. This is one of the city’s oldest sweet shops known for being a crowd-puller. Some of the must-try sweets here are Kacha Golla, Karapak Sondesh, Chocolate Sondesh, and Malai Roll.
Where: 56, Ramdulal Sarkar Street, Hedua Park, Hatibagan, Kolkata
When: 7 AM – 10:30 PM
Price: ₹100 for two people (approx.)
8. Chittaranjan Mistanna Bhandar, Shobha Bazar
Known for being one of North Kolkata’s most legendary mishti’r dokan, Chittaranjan Mistanna Bhandar has continued to serve soft and lip-smacking sweets for over a century now. From Doi to Roshabesh to Madhuporko, you will find a unique variety of options here.
Where: 34B, Shobha Bazar Street, Close to Lal Mandir, Shobha Bazar, Kolkata
When: 8 AM – 8 PM
Price: ₹100 for two people (approx.)
9. K.C. Das
A list of heritage sweet shops in Kolkata can never be complete without the inclusion of K.C. Das. Founded in 1864, this shop in Kolkata is visited by customers from neighbouring places too. Head to any of its outlets to gorge on great-quality sweets, starting from Rosogolla to Rajbhog.
Where: Multiple outlets
When: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Price: ₹100 for two people (approx.)
10. Makhan Lal Das & Sons
Long back in the 1820s, Moira Ramchandra Das came to Kolkata from Bardhaman-Khandagoshi’s Debrajhat village and opened the historical Makhan Lal Das & Sons. From Mishti Doi to Sondesh, this shop holds a special place in every foodie’s heart for its incredibly diverse and delicious sweet spread. The legendary shop has always been iconic for its mouth-watering variety of Sondesh.
Where: 313, Rabindra Sarani, Seth Bagan Ln, Natun Bazar, Jorabagan, Kolkata
When: 6 AM – 10 PM
Price: ₹100 for two people (approx.)
11. Gupta Brothers
It has been over a century since Gupta Brothers has been serving delectable sweets to customers. Renowned for Chom Chom, Strawberry Kacha Gulla, and Nolen Gurer Sondesh among more yummy options, the doors to this heritage sweet shop in Kolkata opened in 1912.
Where: 82A, Sambhunath Pandit Street, Elgin, Kolkata
When: 7:30 AM – 11 PM
Price: ₹450 for two people (approx.)
Which of these iconic mishti shops are your favourite?
With inputs from Suchismita Pal and Shreya Ghosh
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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