Every locality in the city has a parar dokan that sells countless rolls, night after night, because, in Kolkata, these heavenly batons fit every bill. They’re a scrumptious snack, a hearty meal and sometimes, a bone of contention that splits families right down the middle with the Kusum’s versus Nizam’s debate.The tender parathas, filled with spiced meats and/or vegetables, with onions, chilli sauce and a generous drizzle of lebu, has a special place in every Kolkatan’s heart. So naturally, as Kolkatans step out to pandal hop this festive season, a roll (or a few) is definitely on the cards. My Kolkata brings to you the best roll shops in the city that will keep you rolling and munching right through this festive season.
SOUTH KOLKATA
Jai Hind Dhaba
Ever tried a roomali roti roll? Head to Jai Hind Dhaba on Sarat Bose Road, where they whip up fat-free veg and non-veg rolls — there are a number of options to choose from. The filling is wrapped in a roomali roti, making it lighter and more delicate than the usual paratha roll and maybe even, a tad bit healthier! We recommend the Tandoori Aloo Roll (Rs 130) or the Chicken Tikka Roll (Rs 130), apart from the usual must-tries.
Location: 41/1A, Sarat Bose Road, Paddapukur
Pocket-pinch: Rolls begin at Rs 130
Must-tries: Paneer Tikka Mushroom Roll and Chicken Tikka Egg Bhurji Roll
Campari
With a host of pandals in the area, Campari in Gariahat is a hotspot this festive season. And they rustle-up chicken rolls that are unmatched! Apart from their chicken rolls, devour the fish roll which is as succulent as the chicken concoction and has made many a maachh lover’s day.
Location: 155B, Rash Behari Avenue, Dover Terrace
Pocket-pinch: Rolls begin at Rs 70
Must-tries: Campari Special Chicken Roll and Tandoori Fish Roll
Bedouin Restaurant
Another gem in Gariahat is Bedouin Restaurant. They serve the quintessential picks like chicken, egg and mutton along with a range of special rolls that will take you by surprise. The Chicken Reshmi Butter Masala Roll (Rs 180) at Bedouin Restaurant is unmissable — it takes the yum yum reshmi kebab, chicken butter masala and paratha, and combines them into a real delight.
Location: 47B, 1st Floor, Leela Roy Sarani, Near Gariahat
Pocket-pinch: Rolls begin at Rs 70
Must-tries: Campari Special Chicken Roll and Tandoori Fish Roll
NORTH/CENTRAL KOLKATA
Hot Kathi Roll
A stone’s throw away from Asiatic Society is Hot Kathi Roll — an underrated gem. It is best known for its thick parathas and specialty mutton roll (Rs 110). These crowd-pleasers have all the markers of a good roll — they’re thick, tasty and easy on the oil.
Location: 1/1, Park Street, Park Street Area
Pocket-pinch: Rolls begin at Rs 50
Must-tries: Single Egg Double Mutton Roll and Double Egg Roll
Kusum Rolls
Kusum’s on Park Street is an all-time favourite with rolls that never go out of style or disappoint. It's one of the few roll shops in the city that people come back to year after year for a dose of nostalgia. You’ll spot generations of families (all with the same order of onions, sauce and chillies) standing by the street shop gulping down their rolls. The options at Kusum’s are never-ending. We’d recommend the OG Double Chicken Roll (Rs 120) and Double Paneer Roll (Rs 130) this festive season.
Location: 21, Park Street, Park Street Area
Pocket-pinch: Rolls begin at Rs 60
Must-tries: Cheese Roll and Double Chicken Double Egg Roll
New Arafat Restaurant & Caterer
There are very few shops in the city that cater to beef cravings as New Arafat Restaurant & Caterer does. Located on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road (approximately 1 km from Allen Garden), this streetside shop sells a legendary beef roll. It comes with the spicy green chillies and succulent beef kebabs, all enveloped in flaky parathas. A roll at Arafat may include a detour, but they’re definitely worth it.
Location: 75B, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Wellesley, Kolkata
Pocket-pinch: Rolls begin at Rs 50
Must-tries: Beef rolls!
Nizam’s
Saving the best for the last? Nizam's in New Market is Kolkata’s OG roll shop, that may indeed have invented the kathi rolls Kolkata is famous for. If you’re heading towards Esplanade, mark Nizam’s as a stop! Try their egg rolls, mutton rolls or aloo rolls — they’re all equally tasty.
If you’re looking for some rolls filled with smokey kebabs, head to Badshah at the other end of New Market. The little eatery has a stellar lineup of rolls that are as succulent as from anywhere else.
Location: 23/24, Hogg Street, New Market Area
Pocket-pinch: Rolls begin at Rs 45
Must-tries: Bachchan Special Aloo Roll and Mutton Tikia Roll
