Aaheli — Restaurant in Kolkata

It's my parents' Golden Anniversary today and I wanted to make the day big. A trip would have been hectic as a treat is thrown to kins on Sunday. The next option was an unforgettable lunch. We brothers reviewed the popular Bengali destinations as they suit the big guns. I visited a few too. Finally, we rested our trust in Aaheli.

Aaheli's name is not a quick name, even in its segment, is it? We had our apprehensions, won't lie. However, the more we learnt about the pet names, more we wanted to confide in Aaheli.

The booking guy, Pradipto, was inviting and accommodating, to say the least. His voice and words soothed our initial tension.

How luck betrays, the first downpour of this Autumn had to happen today. By the time it settled, it was one in the afternoon. We started hastily.

We got a follow up call on our way. We were awfully late.

At the gate, our car and we - both - were greeted warmly. It felt really good right away.

We entered the restaurant and were ushered to a pre arranged table. Flowers and a freshly baked cake appeared on our table. The beginning were ceremonial. Thank you, Pradipto and team.

Ujjal came to take our orders. He was patient, helpful, understanding, smart. I wanted different varieties of unique fish dishes. They started popping on our table soon enough.

We ordered Sugandhi Gobindobhog, Machher Matha Diye Moong Dal, Jhoori Aloo Bhaja, Chingri Posto Bora, Rajbarir Topshe Bhaja, Kolkatar Muchmuche Fish Fry, Bhetki Paturi, Daab Chingri, Dhumrogondhi Illish, Rasnagre Rabri.

There was want of desired crispiness with all the fries. That took away their charm. Moong daal could be lot better. The Chingri and Paturi tasted delicious. Boneless fillet of Illish was a wonder to me. Time is not on Ilish's side to expect first grade taste or aroma. We won't crib there. The Rabri had a tangy touch to it. That diluted it's authenticity. It was decent though.

A baby seat was placed next to our table. We requested for it and it proved to be a world of help. Thank you so much.

We would come back to Ujjal. He is good. He kept coming back, asked for anything we needed and came back with whatever little we wanted. He spoke well. In the couple of hours we were there, he mingled well with us. His contribution was key for our experience to be a flier despite the food being below par for such a price point.

Thank you, Ujjal and team Aaheli. Next time when I come, I'd surely like to ridk chewing my fingers with your fantastic...

"NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER " This is normally said when we see something bad on the outside. We don't think the object or the person is bad, but in the case of this restaurant, the inside is really dirty, no matter what, because a table reserve a few days ago for a good healthy meal. I had already done that and I already had that confirmation, not only that, but the restaurant authorities also gave me that confirmation. Arriving at the restaurant, I had to face another problem, I found out that some of the guests who had already registered for the table reservation had some names written down and some were not written down. That's Why my name was also not written on their reservation book.And it's up to them (Restaurant Authority)to decide whose name to write and whose name not to write And not just me, but some other people in front of me had to face the same problem. Then after waiting outside for 30 minutes the manager of the restaurant came and told me that the place was empty, so I went in, he immediately said that I have to stand a little longer, so I stood again for 10 minutes.Then I sat down at a table, As I was sitting, I saw a lot of dirt and grime on the chair and table mat. After making third time requests to the manager, a girl came and somehow clean that mat & chair. It was as if I was eating at a hotel on the Footpath. Then I ordered two Non -Veg thali, after a while they placed my order , but I was not really satisfied with the food because the portion of the food was correct and the taste was not disgusting but not a very good or tasty one.And at the end of my lunch I had to wait another 30 minutes to pay the bill because all their employees and managers were busy so after I said it again and again to the manager & staff they were unable to hear. And if you think this restaurant is right for healthy eating and healthy environment during this corona situation, then you are really wrong, Even a sidewalk hotel or restaurant pays a lot of attention to cleanliness at the moment, but I just didn't see the point of cleanliness when I went Aaheli...

An Unforgettable Vegetarian Feast at Aaheli, Peerless Hotel, Kolkata

We stayed at Taj bengal and manager there recommended to go to this restaurant for authentic Bengali vegetarian food. The team led by sanjib, kushal ,Tiyasha and chef avijit provided an exceptional dine in experience to my mom and I. If you’re looking to experience the true essence of authentic Bengali cuisine in its most refined and flavorful vegetarian form, Aaheli at the Peerless Hotel is the place to be. We recently had the pleasure of dining there, and it was nothing short of extraordinary.

The vegetarian thali was the highlight of our meal — a beautiful symphony of traditional Bengali dishes, each crafted with incredible attention to detail. From the subtly spiced shukto to the hearty begun bhaja and perfectly cooked chholar dal, every bite told a story. What truly amazed us was the complete absence of paneer — yes, this was the first time in the last 25 years we had a vegetarian meal that was this delicious and satisfying without a single paneer dish. And it was simply amazing.

Aaheli’s magic lies in their unwavering commitment to authentic, locally-sourced ingredients and time-honored Bengali recipes. No shortcuts, no gimmicks — just pure, soulful food made with love and tradition.

And the service was just as outstanding. The staff welcomed us with warm smiles, explained each dish with pride, and went out of their way to ensure we had a memorable experience. That personal touch made it feel less like dining at a restaurant and more like being invited to a Bengali home. Sanjib

Whether you’re a local or a traveler, Aaheli is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the true spirit of Bengali vegetarian cuisine. We walked away not just full, but...