Kolkata restaurants ride Durga Puja rush, stay open well past midnight

People outside Peter Cat restaurant at Park Street, Kolkata

Kolkata, October 16: Kolkata is in full festive mood, and a grand culinary experience is an integral part of its festivities. The city’s restaurants are witnessing maximum table occupancies. Renowned eateries have already started staying open well past midnight, as the Durga Puja crowd makes a beeline to savour their sought-after dishes.

Legendary restaurants Peter Cat and Mocambo have been witnessing an uptick in occupancy since the last two weeks.

“The festive mood began earlier this year, with exceptionally strong crowds. We are doing maximum capacity. With the weekend coinciding with Puja days, we expect a major surge in footfall,” Nitin Kothari, founder of Peter Cat and Mocambo, told businessline.

Peter Cat, the iconic restaurant at Kolkata’s Park Street, is celebrated for being a culinary institution. Its best-selling dishes include its signature Chelo Kebab and chicken steak. “Our restaurants do not change their menus for Puja times. They focus on preparing their regular and best-selling dishes well rather than experimenting during peak footfall,” Kothari said.

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Oudh 1590, which serves Awadhi cuisine, is facing huge crowds and has decided to remain open till 3 am during Puja days to cater to the sharp rise in footfall.

“Our restaurants are doing pretty good. Yesterday (Thursday) we kept our outlets open till 3 a.m. During this weekend, footfalls are expected to increase significantly,” said Shiladitya Chaudhury, founder director of Oudh 1590.

On Sasthi, which marks the beginning of the greatest Bengali festival, people waited for hours to savour popular dishes at their favourite eateries across the city.

Ambuja Neotia Group’s Sonar Tori, a boutique restaurant serving Bengali food, expects around 3000-3500 footfall during Puja days.

“Durga Puja is incomplete without the comforting flavours of Bengali cuisine. With its focus on regional specialities and the familiar tastes of a Bengali celebration, Sonar Tori offers families and friends an opportunity to come together over a memorable festive meal. The specially curated Roshonai Sarodutsav thali brings the spirit of a traditional Bengali feast to the table,” said Sourav Chatterjee, Vertical Head – casual and smart dining (CSD) Restaurants, Ambuja Neotia (Hospitality Vertical).

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Chatterjee said The Orient, a specialty restaurant that offers cuisine from South East Asian countries, is expecting around 4000-4500 footfall during the festivities.

“For those planning a break from pandal hopping or looking to gather over a special meal, The Orient brings a distinctive flavour to the celebrations with its signature Asian-inspired approach to festive dining,” he added.

Published on October 16, 2026