Kona Dukan — Restaurant in Kolkata

The shop is quietly behind the iconic Writers’ Building in Kolkata’s BBD Bagh area, Kona Dokan is a charming little corner shop that has earned a loyal following among office-goers, traders, and early risers alike. Steeped in old-world Calcutta charm, this humble tea stall opens its shutters as early as 5 a.m., serving warmth and simplicity with every cup.

The menu is refreshingly limited, and that’s part of its appeal. The undisputed highlight is the Malai Toast—crispy bread topped generously with thick, creamy milk malai. It's a nostalgic treat that instantly transports visitors back to simpler times. Complementing it perfectly is their saffron chai, rich in aroma and taste, served in classic bhaars (earthen cups), making the experience authentically Bengali.

Other favorites include butter toast, aloo samosa, and lassi, all priced very affordably. For under ₹100, one can enjoy a filling and satisfying breakfast or evening snack. The shop isn’t fancy—there’s no air-conditioning or designer decor—but it thrives on its rustic simplicity and friendly service.

What makes Kona Dokan special isn’t just the food, but the atmosphere. Surrounded by colonial architecture, the stall becomes a cultural pocket of conversation, laughter, and familiarity. Watching the city come alive while sipping hot tea here is a quintessential Kolkata experience.

Kona Dokan is not just a food stop—it’s a tradition, a meeting point, and a silent keeper of the city’s soul. A must-visit for anyone seeking authentic flavors and timeless vibes in the...

Kona Dukaan, located next to the Kolkata Stock Exchange, is a cluster of small morning eateries that come alive between 5:30 AM and 10:00 AM. Despite being in the heart of the city, the area remains calm and traffic-free in the early hours, making it a pleasant spot for breakfast. Yet, it’s bustling with locals who flock here for their morning fix of traditional street food.

Each eatery offers basic seating arrangements with plastic stools, which adds a level of comfort while still maintaining the typical street-side charm. The variety is impressive—you'll find everything from sandwiches and kachori-sabji to malai toast, idli, wada, lassi, fresh juices, tea, and coffee.

I visited this spot on a local friend’s recommendation, who also accompanied me—this helped immensely in identifying the best stalls and dishes to try. We ordered malai toast, kachori-sabji, idli, wada, kulhad tea, coffee, orange juice, and lassi.

The malai toast was easily the highlight of the meal—rich, creamy, and perfectly toasted.

The kulhad tea was a close second—strong, earthy, and served piping hot in traditional clay cups.

The idli, lassi, and kachori were average—nothing exceptional, but decent. The kachori felt more like regular puris.

Yes, it was a bit of a breakfast medley—a “cocktail in the stomach,” as I joked—but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. For anyone seeking an authentic, local street-food breakfast in Kolkata, Kona Dukaan is definitely worth a morning visit—especially with a local guide to help navigate...

The moment one enters the lane leading to Lalbazar, there are a bunch of shops on both sides of the street, all eager to serve customers. But one can't miss the guys from Kona dokan who are dressed in red tees with the name of their shop proudly occupying the backside of the tee. They lead you to the end of the land which is where this iconic outlet is located. The malai sandwich here tastes heavenly since both the bread and malai is fresh. I tried out their chili cheese toast, which they customized for me without capsicum. The cheese was tasty and the sandwich that came with ketchup and chilli sauce almost melted in my mouth. They hardly take 5-8 minutes to serve though every item is freshly prepared. I couldn't stop myself from trying out their singaras which tasted heavenly. Saw a few people eat club kachoris and a man order dosa too. They serve kesar tea, which tasted fab. There are a number of chairs for customers to seat in front of the shop and around it. I sat inside the car parked beside the shop and savored the food. However, the prices are slightly on the higher side compared to other iconic outlets in...