Kolkata's love affair with Italian cuisine deepens

Move over pizza and pasta, city foodies are embracing authentic and experimental Italian delicacies, enjoying dishes with a desi tadka. Here’s all the delish deets

Beyond the basics: Kolkata’s growing appetite for Italian cuisine, with a twist
Chinese cuisine is a staple for Kolkatans, but Italian isn’t far behind, atleast that’s what the latest survey by National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) suggests. Over the years, the city has seen a significant rise in the number of pizzerias, cafes and restaurants that offer Italian delicacies, and the menus are no longer limited to just pizzas and pastas. Restaurateurs and chefs talk about what makes Italian the crowd favourite at the moment.

Farm to plate
Most restaurateurs are of the opinion that fresh ingredients can add a touch of authenticity to the dishes. Rajendra Prasad Pal, Raj’s Spanish Cafe says, “We used to source our cheese from other states, but now we get it locally.” Somnath Banerjee, manager, Serafina said, “We import all cheese from Italy . We use the best quality cheese from Italy. Kolkata people are well travelled and like the authenticity of our food. Italian cuisine is very simple and has the perfect balance of nutrients"

Desi tadka for some fun
City restos are now creatively infusing desi flavours into Italian dishes. While Bony Das of Beanshot Café terms chicken tikka pizza as one of their best-sellers, it is dosa pizza for Desi Videsi Cafe, says owner Bhuvesh Mirchandani. Nikhil Chawla of Marbella’s feels, locally produced cheese can easily create an authentic flavour profile.

Adding a desi touch, like a Pyare kebab topping, or using locally produced cheese with a similar flavour profile helps provide a familiar taste to the patrons
– Nikhil Chawla

Why Kolkata loves Italian food
>Can be easily customised
>Has familiar ingredients & flavour
>Available in bite-sized & sharing portions


Kolkata's fave Italian classics
>Bruschetta

>Salads
>Risotto
>Tiramisu
>Cheese boards
>Burrata


Italian, with a twist:
>Pink sauce pasta
>Bruschetta with tandoori toppings
>Caprese salad with Indian seasoning
>Calzone with tikka fillings
>Palak paneer and masala dosa pizza



‘Youngsters tend to be more experimental’
Thanks to the internet, youngsters now have the exposure to global trends. Harsh Sonthalia, co-owner, Pepe Rosa says, “Italian cuisine has always had a presence in Kolkata, but the popularity has notably surged in recent years due to wider availability of options. The demand for Italian cuisine is driven by a growing appreciation for genuine, high-quality food. We frequently receive orders for Risottos and Bruschettas” Raajiv Nathany, co-owner, LMNOQ points out how people have also learnt to appreciate the cuisine beyond pizza and pasta.