The demand for places that offer food with fresh air and a fab view has seen a new high in the last few months. But even as the temperature soars, rooftop restaurants continue to be in demand, packed to the rafters during the evenings when the summer breeze cools things down. These hangouts are a tempting alternative, allowing us to let our hair and masks down in relative safety!
Here are some of Calcutta’s top rooftop restaurants and cafes.
Calcutta Bungalow Rooftop
A 100-year-old heritage bungalow in north Calcutta’s Shyambazar restored by walking tours company Calcutta Walks. Enjoy an immersive view of vintage Calcutta from the cosy rooftop of the B&B while tucking into yoghurt fruit bowls for breakfast, soups ’n’ salads and Continental and Bengali cuisine.
Open: 8am to 10pm
Vertex
Enjoy Sunday brunches with a view that includes the arch of the Kolkata Gate. This ‘liquid restaurant’ with alfresco seating and contemporary decor is located in Fairfield by Marriott in New Town.
Open: 12.30pm-midnight
The sky bar, located on the 20th floor of the boutique hotel in Ecocentre, Sector V, offers a panoramic view and a vibe that swings between #partytime and #hookahchill.
Open: Noon-11pm
Deck 88
Set against the iconic red-and-white backdrop of heritage hotel The Astor, you can sip on an Elderflower Mojito and puff on ‘3 Pan Rose’ hookah.
Open: 5pm-midnight (summer), 3pm-midnight (winter)
Salt House
Handcrafted cocktails, in-house bread and sauces, live bands and alfresco seating… what’s not to love about this European and modern Indian restaurant on Theatre Road?
Timings: Noon to midnight (Mon-Sat)
Cafe Offbeat: Up There
A rooftop bar and “sunset cafe” with a lakeside view from the house of Offbeat CCU. Located on the EM Bypass, it opened in the midst of the pandemic, making social gatherings “safer”.
Open: Noon-midnight
Aura - The Sky Bar
Lounge by the infinity pool on the rooftop of Aauris hotel on Robinson Street, with craft beer and a plate of Asian bao. If you haven’t been on vacation in a while, the palm trees will make up for beach vibes!
Open: 3pm-midnight (Sun-Thurs), till 2am (Fri and Sat), noon-midnight (Sunday)
Ozora
Located on the 20th floor of the Acropolis building, the Sky Deck at Ozora offers a breath-taking view of the city. Practice those deep breaths the way you did them in Zoom yoga classes and then sit back and sip on Black Diva, a vodka-based cocktail with activated charcoal.
Open: 4pm-midnight
Skai
Find yourself a secluded spot in the bustling Quest mall, at its cosy rooftop restaurant and lounge. Great cocktails with fusion food is how you can spend the weekend…
Open: 1pm-midnight
Terrazza, Unplugged Courtyard Kolkata
Sprawled across the terrace of Hotel Golden Park on Ho Chi Minh Sarani, the brand-new Unplugged Courtyard Kolkata offers an envious view of the Victoria Memorial skyline. Chomp on sushi to pasta, biryani to Korean BBQ Salad as you wash it down with a Typsy Bull (you gotta be tipsy to vibe with this name).
Open: 1pm to 4am
Also check out these outdoor nooks at…
Monkey Bar
This gastropub on Camac Street has an outdoor section from where you can gaze at a skyline dotted with Calcutta’s iconic landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral and Victoria Memorial. If it’s Karaoke Tuesday, even better!
Open: Noon-midnight (Sun-Thurs), till 1am (Fri), 2am (Sat)
Trapeze
This stunning new property on Russell Street, designed by Sussanne Khan, has an outdoor shisha section with puff-and-chill vibes. Munch on Edamame Tikki as you take in the view of the manicured Bengal Club lawns.
Open: 4pm-midnight (Sun-Fri), 1am (Sat)