Basanta Cabin — Restaurant in Kolkata

53 College Street, Kolkata 700073… Mention this address to an old timer of the city and you will find their eyes lighting up. Notice the wide smile on their face. We all know that bookworms from all over the city flock to College Street. But College Street is not just about books, it is also about heritage and has witnessed several revolutions. There are even some eatery joints, that are gems of Kolkata and have still held on to their old-world charm and flavour.

Basanta Cabin is one such treasure. It has survived the aggressive gnaw of changing times with its untarnished glory. The cabin concept that Kolkata brought, is still seen in this eatery. Basanta Cabin, has held on to that timeless aura, and still serves as a quintessential hideout and paradise for book lovers. The journey of Basanta Cabin began when Basanta Kumar Roy started it in 1931 in the middle of the College Street pavement. This place has been mentioned in various Bengali films for all the right reasons. It was also patronized by Uttam Kumar and Basanta Chowdhury. After the death of Basanta Kumar Roy, his son Ambar Roy took charge. And now the responsibility of the cabin has passed on to his wife Jamuna Roy and son Ambarnath Roy. A lot has changed over the years, but the cabin has been able to stick to its age old set up.

As you walk by, the warmth of the workers of Basanta Cabin screaming, “Dada ki lagbe?” will allure you to go inside and feel the essence of the remnants of the bygone era. The delectable taste of Basanta Cabin’s wondrous creations - Mughlai Paratha, aloo dum, chicken cutlet, chicken kasha, fish fry have remained the same. The mouth-watering Fish Kabiraji and Fowl Cutlet in this eatery will keep you asking for more. Prices are still reasonable, with Rs 200 you can have a hearty meal. No wonder all round the day, you find crowds of professors, students, shopkeepers or young lovers at...

If walls could talk, Basanta Cabin in College Street would probably recite Tagore’s poems, freedom movement whispers, and countless adda sessions fueled by cutlets and cha. This century-old eatery, established in 1918, is one of Kolkata’s last-standing “Cabin” restaurants, where time moves slower, and the atmosphere is always marinated in nostalgia. Once a favorite haunt of revolutionaries, intellectuals, and students, Basanta Cabin still serves up piping hot Mughlai Parathas, Dim-er Devil, and Fish Fry, though, truth be told, the taste isn’t what it used to be. Some dishes are merely average — perhaps outshined by the legacy they carry. But hey, what it lacks in gourmet brilliance, it makes up for in charm! What’s Special? A Walk Through History: This place has been around since pre-Independence India, serving revolutionaries alongside hungry students. Mughlai Paratha Legend: Their flaky, egg-filled paratha is still a Kolkata icon — greasy, indulgent, and unapologetically old-school. Affordable Nostalgia: Despite its historic status, it remains easy on the wallet, unlike many modern cafés. Fun Facts: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and other freedom fighters were rumored to have discussed politics over tea here. One of the last surviving Cabin eateries in Kolkata, where privacy meant wooden partitions and whisper-soft conversations. The interiors remain frozen in time, with wooden benches and faded posters adding to its retro charm.

Verdict: If you’re chasing authentic nostalgia with a side of history, Basanta Cabin is your place. Just manage your expectations on the taste, and let the old-world charm do the rest. Because in Kolkata, sometimes the vibe is the...

The origins of cabin culture in Kolkata trace its roots back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the zenith of the British Raj. Inspired by the European café culture, cabin restaurants have separate seating arrangements considered elegant at that time. The old cabins offered semi-private enclosures, adorned with wooden partitions or curtains and softly glowing lanterns, ensuring an intimate and exclusive setting for families. This dining concept appealed to the women of the time who were able to enjoy food away from public view. It also became popular among freedom fighters, writers and intellectuals who would meet and dine in secrecy.

Not to be confused with a plush restaurant, these rustic eateries, with bare-minimum amenities, served pocket-friendly street food and snacks that satiated the Bengali tastebuds. They were a place to meet up with friends and family for adda (essentially a political or sports debate over cups of tea, chops and cutlets). Something that happens even today. The ambience may not match up to your regular cafes, but for a Bengali, they are an emotion. The ingredients for the best cabin restaurant in Kolkata, I feel, are its legacy, consistent taste, traditional items and old-world appeal.

Personalities like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Shibram Chakraborty and Sunil Ganguly were common visitors to these heritage eateries. Several famous old Kolkata cabins have also been featured in Bengali films and were frequented by iconic Bengali superstars like Uttam Kumar, Soumitra Chatterjee, Satyajit Ray, Prasenjit Chatterjee...