MESMERIC SIKKIM  PACKAGE TOUR

Places to Eat

Kolkatta - Darjeeling - Pemayangtse - Gangtok

Kolkatta

Kolkata was famous for having the best restaurants long before Indians in other cities learned to eat out. Many of the restaurants that line the streets in the Esplanade area have been around for more than a hundred years. Flury's on Park Street was once considered the best English bakery in all of Asia.

But the joy of food in Kolkata is in its Indian foods. Nizam's, in New Market, is credited with the invention of the famous Kati Kebab roll and still serves up the best of the best. Street vendors selling egg rolls/chicken rolls abound and their freshly prepared kati rolls are safe to eat and enjoy. Mughali Paratha (a paratha stuffed with minced meat) is a Calcutta speciality and can be found in various 'cabins' off Chowringhee Road. 'Chops', a sort of deep fried ball stuffed with beet and veggies is another peculiarity that you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Bengali sweets are famous all over India. They're cheap but should be eaten fresh:

Rasagolla - cheese balls dipped in a sugary syrup
Pantua - a fried variant of the same
Rosomalai- the same cheeseballs dipped in creamy sweetened milk
Mishti Doi - sweet yogurt

Kolkata is also the home of Indian Chinese food. Chinese restaurants are everywhere so you'll have no trouble finding a restaurant to sample this wonderfully spice fare.

Bengali food is centered around fish. Macher jhol (fish in curry gravy) is a watery fish curry available everywhere and goes well with rice. But don't miss the Hilsa fish (shad), lightly marinated in mustard and steamed - considered one of the best fish dishes in the world.

"Oh! Calcutta!" at the Forum Mall serves authentic Bengali food. The specialities are the boneless Hilsa Fish fillet, steamed in a bannana leaf and served with a Mustard Gravy. Many expats, yuppies and affluent Kolkattans frequent this restaurant.

Kewpies - authentic Bengali food - served on terra cotta plates with banana leaves

Darjeeling

With a heavy Nepali and Tibetan influence, Darjeeling is a wonderful place to explore for new food experiences...you'll be hooked on momos after the first one. There are momo shacks all over - tiny and cramped and wonderfully Tibetan.

Glenary's Bakery and Cafe - a good place for cakes, pastries, the ubiquitous Darjeeling cuppa, sizzlers and North Indian fare. Offers nice views of Mt Kanchendjunga on clear days

Hot Stimulating Cafe - a little cozy place with pictures of Bob Marley covering one whole wall. The Momos here are awesome!

Hotel Lunar - the best vegetarian food with great service and wonderful views

Hotel Chanakya - authentic Bengali food - veg/non-veg

Kunga's - an excellent Tibetan place - tiny but worth the wait

The Park - Thai and Indian

Keventers - awesome western delicacies and fantastic view

Golden Tips Tea Cosy - finest collection of Darjeeling Tea in loose (estate) & packaged. Sit-in service with good snacks and 75 different teas served. Tea paraphernalia like silver tea sets & pots, strainers, infusers, spoons, tea cosies, etc on sale

Boney's Snack Bar - very good grilled sandwiches, pizzas, burgers and pasta

Pemayangtse/Pelling

The Melting Point - Indian cuisine

Gangtok

There are many great and cheap places to eat in Gangtok. You'll have no trouble locating them. Here's a short list:

Parivar's - serves some of the best food in town and is very popular with locals.

The Roll House - serves momos & hot chapatis with various fillings (paneer, egg, veggies). This place is always packed with both tourists and locals and deservedly so.

Quick Bite and numerous other sweet shops up and down MG Marg, serve up everything from samosas to momos

Tangerine Restaurant - stunning food, some unusual options, excellent value

Agarwal's - South/North Indian food

Porky's - amazing sizzlers and momos

House of Bamboo - authentic Tibetan and Indo-Chinese fusion cuisine