Sienna Store & Cafe
This popular, 16-seater that aims to source local ingredients, has an eclectic menu that includes pastas, paninis, burgers, salads, and desserts along with a host of beverage options. Think Mushroom, Parmesan Gobindobhog & Black Rice Risotto, Spicy Avocado, Crumbled Feta with Black Rice Salad, Pulled BBQ Pork Burger, Roast Chicken with Honey Mustard Panini among others. The menu keeps changing and there are weekend specials too. With a cosy ambience, Sienna is a great place to chill all by yourself as well as with friends. No wonder those signature blue tiles, the quaint cafe front and louvered windows have made it to many Insta feeds since 2015. In picture is one of the favourites from the cafe’s menu — Principal Trunchbulls Decadent Chocolate Cake
Timings: 12.30pm to 8.30pm (Monday to Thursday), 12.30pm to 9.30pm (Friday to Sunday)
Meal for two: Rs 1,000-plus
Roastery Coffee House
Originating in Hyderabad, the brand forayed into Calcutta in 2019 and soon became a hotspot. With coffee as it’s core, Roastery Coffee House serves single estate coffee sourced from southern Indian regions as well as states like Odisha. The range includes Pour-Over, French Press, Aeropress, Cold Brew among others. There are nibbles and mains as munch options to complement the coffee. Think salads, nachos, fries, sandwiches, burgers, pastas, flatbread pizza, burrata-based dishes and delectable desserts from Colocal.
With a bright and cheery courtyard that serves as the outdoor section, or the more subtle indoors, Roastery is for all age groups.. In picture is the brand’s Insta Pour speciality coffee that comes in easy-to-use sachets.
Timings: 8am to 10pm
Meal for two: Rs 800-plus
Bunaphile
This old world-meets new space is a 60-seater that wears a traditional Bengali look. Chandeliers and dark wood furniture are part of the scheme. There’s an indoor section, a small porch as well as a verandah with seating arrangements. The menu includes good old sandwiches, fries, breakfast platters as well as more experimental dishes like Asparagus in Wasabi Cream (in picture), Dessert in Pot, Shrimp on Fire and others. Tiramisu Cappuccino, Pomegranate Cold Brew, Cucumber Ice Tea and vegan coffee are some of the sip options on the menu.
Timings: 7am to 9.30pm
Meal for two: Rs 1,000-plus
Marbella’s
This Instagram-worthy 60-seater with bright and tasteful interiors, has a feel of Europe. You can soak in the natural light during the day, or enjoy a more romantic setting with warm lighting in the evening, while digging into pizzas, potstickers, skewers, fries, salads and more. Think Pesto Roasted Mushroom, Fish & Chips, Pesto Charred Bocconcini & Sun-dried Tomato Pizza, Hummus Platter, Shrimp Potstickers, Chicken Mexican Bowl among others. In picture is a sinful Biscoff Shake that comes with an earthy-caramelly flavour.
Timings: 10.30am to 10pm
Meal for two: Rs 800-plus
Pancham Er Adday
This retro-themed cafe that opened in 2019 pays tribute to the late music maestro, RD Burman and has both indoor and outdoor sections. The decor is in sync with the theme and includes a relaxed seating. There’s a small section inside the cafe that sells merchandise too. The 55-seater adda spot has pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and a variety of other options on the menu like Chicken Cordon Blue, Shrimp Tempura, Fish Orly, Salad Nicoise, Deep Fried Calamari Ring and others. On the beverage menu are mocktails and coffee. The simplicity and homeliness is it’s USP. In picture is Watermelon Shake with dollops of whipped cream and tutti frutti.
Timings: 11am to 9.30pm
Meal for two: Rs 650-plus
Cafe Koffee Kotha
The 33-seater that opened doors in early 2021, is a cute little spot that’s spread across the ground floor and a mezzanine floor. While the Lamb Pizza (in picture) is what the cafe recommends, other options include Fried Chicken, Kolkata Mutton Stew, Mutton Singara, Egg Devil and Ghoogni. There’s coffee, tea, shakes and mocktails as beverage options. The bright interiors make it perfect hang-out for your girl gang.
Timings: Noon to 9.30pm
Meal for two: Rs 700-plus
Bread Box
This 16-seater cafe that launched in the second half of 2021, is housed inside an art gallery. Beautiful one line drawing adorns the ceiling of the cafe. Choux pastries, Benedict, sandwiches, salads, cakes, pastries, puffs, coffee, tea and shakes on the menu. In picture is one of the must-haves from the menu— Caramel Choux Pastry.
Timings: 11am to 8pm
Meal for two: Rs 1,000-plus
Also…
lByloom Canteen, located on the same premises as the boutique store, Byloom. The food here is simple, laced with nostalgia, like Luchi O Cholar Dal, Luchi O Mangsho, Porota Platters and others.
lWise Owl — The Coffee Shop, is known for it’s adda-friendly ambience. The white fence and potted greens have been witness to many conversations. On the menu are soups, sandwiches, starters, pastas, burgers, pizzas, salads, as well as separate breakfast options.
lPotboiler Coffee House, which moved locations in August 2021, has a bigger indoor section and a smaller outdoor section. With a soothing decor, the cafe serves salads, eggs, sandwiches, pancakes, burgers and desserts. There’s a winter-special menu with options like Glass Noodles with Stir-Fry Veggie, Not A Thukpa Soup and Brownie & Strawberry Skewers.
lThis list can’t be complete without 8th Day Cafe & Bakery. Credited for introducing single estate coffee to Calcuttans, the 800sq ft outlet opposite Vivekananda Park, serves a mix of coffee, including nitro coffee and butter coffee, as well as tea and other beverages. Bakery and all-day breakfast dishes, as well as seasonal options, make up the menu.
Pictures: B. Halder