Aloo Gobi (vegan)
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Nizam's Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Nizam's Restaurant, established in 1937, is famed as the birthplace of the iconic Kathi roll and offers a taste of authentic Mughlai cuisine.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

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CrowdLow
Aloo Gobi (vegan)

Nizam's Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Nizam's Restaurant, established in 1937, is famed as the birthplace of the iconic Kathi roll and offers a taste of authentic Mughlai cuisine.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Nizam's is an iconic spot that truly lives up to its legendary status with mouthwatering Mughlai flavors."

TIP

Visit on Weekdays

To avoid crowds, it's recommended to visit on weekdays.

Try the Double Roll

Consider an egg double mutton roll for a fulfilling and flavorful experience.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10:30PM

Cuisine

Mughlai

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+91 70447 23222

Address

23 & 24, Hogg St, near Axis Bank Atm, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087, India

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Legendary Kathi Roll

The Legendary Kathi Roll

Nizam's is credited with inventing the Kathi roll, a delicious wrap of spicy meats, onions, and chilis in paratha.

The Top 10 Restaurants In Central KolkataA local’s guide to eating in Kolkata, India22 Restaurants In The City You Must Visit+3
Authentic Mughlai Biryani

Authentic Mughlai Biryani

Savor aromatic biryani with tender, succulent meat and perfectly cooked rice, a true taste of Mughlai tradition.

Google Review+3
Creamy Saffron Firni

Creamy Saffron Firni

Indulge in a sweet ending with this creamy, chilled firni delicately flavored with saffron and cardamom.

Google Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Visit on Weekdays

To avoid crowds, it's recommended to visit on weekdays.

Try the Double Roll

Consider an egg double mutton roll for a fulfilling and flavorful experience.

Don't Miss the Firni

The Zafrani Firni is a highlight and a must-try dessert.

Ask for Spice Level

Request your food to be spicy if you prefer an authentic Indian kick.

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit on Weekdays

To avoid crowds, it's recommended to visit on weekdays.

Try the Double Roll

Consider an egg double mutton roll for a fulfilling and flavorful experience.

Don't Miss the Firni

The Zafrani Firni is a highlight and a must-try dessert.

Ask for Spice Level

Request your food to be spicy if you prefer an authentic Indian kick.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Nizam's Restaurant is a historic eatery celebrated for its authentic Mughlai cuisine, particularly its legendary Kathi rolls, which are widely considered a Kolkata delicacy. While many praise the flavorful biryani and delicious desserts like firni, some reviews mention concerns about hygiene and inconsistency in food quality and service. Despite these points, the restaurant's legacy and rich flavors continue to draw diners seeking a taste of Kolkata's culinary heritage.

"After five years in the USA, my biryani cravings were at an all-time high, so during my Kolkata visit, I headed to Nizam’s Restaurant, a place steeped in history since its establishment in 1932. Their biryani was a revelation—much like my other experiences in the city, it was pure perfection. The mutton was succulent and so tender it fell off the bone with ease, while the potato, the true essence of a Kolkata biryani, was cooked flawlessly, bursting with rich, authentic flavor. The spices were subtle yet spot-on, delivering that classic biryani taste I’d been dreaming of. On top of that, I tried their kathi roll, and it was just as impressive—packed with flavor and downright delicious. Nizam’s gave me a meal that was both a nod to tradition and a treat for the senses, and I can’t wait to go back!"

Prasenjit Saha

"• Nizam's Restaurant in Esplanade is one of Kolkata’s most iconic eateries, famously known as the birthplace of the Kathi Roll. With a legacy dating back decades, it draws crowds for its old-school charm and Mughlai-style delicacies.

• 📍 Located near the busy New Market area and just a short walk from Esplanade Metro Station, the restaurant is easily accessible via metro, bus, or cab. It’s tucked along Hogg Street, right in the middle of the city’s shopping and heritage zone.

• I had heard a lot about Nizam’s over the years and finally got the chance to visit yesterday. We chose to sit in the non-AC section as we were in a hurry. While the space carries a classic, old-world vibe, I must say the cleanliness was severely lacking, both in the seating area and visibly in the kitchen. For a place with such a reputation, hygiene should be a top priority.

• We ordered the Egg Chicken Kathi Roll (₹105), Murgh Malai Kebab (₹305 for 6 pieces), and Zafrani Firni (₹90). The roll was satisfying — flavorful, generously filled, and definitely value for money. Sadly, the kebab didn’t live up to the hype. It lacked the essential smokiness and the malai coating was overly sweet, making it feel out of balance and overpriced.

• The Zafrani Firni stole the show. 💫 Chilled to perfection, delicately sweet with a fragrant touch of saffron — it was pure bliss. Easily the highlight of the meal and something I’d return just to have again.

• The staff were polite but clearly lacked professionalism. Our initial cutlery was poorly cleaned, though they did replace it promptly when we pointed it out — without any fuss, which was appreciated. Still, basic cleanliness and service standards need serious improvement.

Overall: A historic restaurant with potential, but the current state — especially cleanliness and food consistency — needs attention. Come for the legacy and that heavenly firni, but manage your expectations."

Soumik Ghosh

"Although it's the invention of kathi rolls but still I find it overrated .Other places made kathi rolls far better . According to the price the quantity was not enough in case of main course and biriyani . You can get much more at other places at that price. So it was okay okay . It consists of both menu prices according to AC and Non AC . The AC sitting area's menu card has a different price compared to Non AC."

Kahini Maity

What People Like

The legendary Kathi rolls
Authentic Mughlai biryani
Delicious firni dessert

What People Dislike

Hygiene concerns
Inconsistent food quality
Service can be lacking

Frequently Asked Questions

Nizam's is most famous for inventing the Kathi roll, a delicious wrap of spicy meats, onions, and chilis in paratha.

Visit Kolkata: A Travel Guide to India

Besides Kathi rolls, diners often rave about the biryani, kebabs, and the sweet firni dessert.

Google Review+3

Yes, visiting on weekdays is recommended to avoid crowds.

While the focus is on meat, some reviews suggest options like paneer or potato fillings for rolls, and the Aloo Gobi dish is noted.

The ambiance is described as old-school, no-frills, and authentic, with a nostalgic feel.

Google Review+1

Reservations are not explicitly mentioned as required, and the restaurant can get busy, suggesting walk-ins are common.

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Nizam’s need no introduction to the people of Kolkata: this local gem is nothing short of an institution. Over many long decades, their Kathi rolls (meats and spice wrapped in a paratha) have kept generation after generation coming back for more. The succulent Seekh Kebab is a timeless taste of heaven, wrapped in fresh, hot parathas with a generous sprinkling of raw onions and chilies.

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Nizam’s (24 Hogg St, New Market; opened in 1932) signature dish is essentially skewer-roasted kebabs (above) topped with raw onions, spices, lemon juice and chilli and all wrapped in a crisp fried paratha (wheat flour flatbread). There are several varieties available; the kebabs itself could be chicken, mutton, paneer or potatoes. You could opt to have your paratha fried with an egg or even ‘upsize’ your order into a double-meat, double-egg roll – it may burst at the seams but is double the deliciousness.

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Nizam's has been selling outstanding kathi rolls in Kolkata since 1932, combining spicy meats with light, golden-brown parathas. Nizam's crispy paratha, stuffed with wrapped kebabs, onions, and a squeeze of lime, was popular with Britishers who didn't want to smear their fingers. It is said that Nizam's still use the same 185 kilogram tawa from the day it opened to make their mutton rezalas and parathas.

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Nizam’s has been open since 1932 and is credited for inventing the kathi roll, a famous Indian street food that has its roots here in Kolkata. In its original form, a kathi roll is a skewer-roasted kebab wrapped in paratha bread, but the term has expanded to include similarly styled wraps using different ingredients. Pictured below are my chicken and mutton kathi rolls (about INR 100 each) with egg.

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They have been in business since 1932 and are well-known for their kathi kababs. Nizam's is also credited with inventing the kathi roll, and the quality is closely preserved to this day. What you get here are a few pieces of slightly chewy (and that's the beauty of it) kebabs wrapped in a flaky parantha, with slices of onion and green chilies seasoned with lemon juice.

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The best rolls are found in Nizam (off New Market), Badshah (one of the original creators of the roll), Hot Kathi roll and Kusum (Park Street). The South has also evolved as roll hotspots with Campari (Gariahat), Bedwin and Bawarchi (at Gariahat crossing). Competition in Rolls is probably the toughest in the Kolkata Gastronomic circuit.

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15 Best Biryani Places In Kolkata According To Locals

Nizam’s is primarily celebrated for its kathi rolls, but they also excel at offering delectable Kolkata-style biryani. Their chicken and mutton biryani features fragrant rice and well-spiced meat. Nizam’s biryani is known for its consistency and traditional preparation, catering to the tastes of both locals and visitors.

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Speaking of the best kebabs in Kolkata, the list would be incomplete without the mention of Nizams. This popular joint serves a variety of kebabs- from Chicken Seekh Kebab to Mutton Galauti Kebab. Some must-try kebabs are Peshwari, Reshmi and Afghani kebabs in both chicken and mutton variants.

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This restaurant serves various cuisines, complementing every part of India. The iconic dish of Nizam’s, the Chicken Peshawari and Afghani Kebab, is a must-try if you visit this place. It would be best to try the Mutton Seekh Kebab, the Murg Hariyali Kebab, and the Nizam Special Kebab.

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But, Nizam’s is the best as many believe them to be the inventor of the Kathi rolls. Here, they put the spicy meats with onion and lemon juice wrapped in a paratha. Nizam’s is located in the famous shopping area called New Market in Kolkata.

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A paradise for meat lovers, Nizam’s is famous for its Kolkata-style Kathi Rolls. Bite into their succulent chicken or mutton rolls and experience the explosion of flavours. Are you a meat lover?

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Started in the early 1930s by SK Hasan Raza, Nizam’s invented the kathi roll and still rules the roost when it comes to this typical street delicacy.

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It’s the perfect snack to grab on the go and you can customise how spicy you want it as they only cook to order.

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