Mitra Cafe - Sovabazar — Restaurant in Kolkata

We went to this place on a Sunday in the last week of September on the eve of Mahalaya. We went there at 7pm after paying a visit to Kumortuli artisans showcasing their works to photographers and tourists alike, but at 4pm we passed by this place and it was empty with very few online food delivery executives in the cafe.

But at 7pm, it was filled with people(Hatibagan pujo-shoppers mostly) and we had to wait in queue for 15-20mins. There are two sections in the cafe, the outer non-AC section and inside AC section each accomodating 8-10 people each. But they don't charge extra in the AC section.

We ordered Diamond Kabiraji, Chicken Kabiraji, fish roll, mutton kasa(1/2 plate, 5 pcs) with lachcha paratha. Fish roll stands out of the lot. A deeply fried roll with a thin, crispy outer coating and minced fish inside with a hint of raisin. It tasted very delicious and warrants repeated visits only for this. The other items tasted well. The Diamond Kabiraji and the Chicken Kabiraji was oily and tasted so-so. I could not distinguish between the two, taste wise (lol). All the starters were served on the side of salad and kasundi. The kasundi was very pungent and not for the faint-hearted. The mutton kasa and the hotly served laccha patha was also a good combination. The mutton pieces were quite decent and they provide extra gravy when asked. But, the mutton kasa was slightly bitter in taste and would go quite well had they put in a little sugar while cooking.

Overall, the ambiance is very moderate and newspaper excepts of its praise adorn the walls of the cafe while the roof gives a vintage vibe. Space cramp is an issue here but the efficient management is on its toes to make sure the wait time is minimal. Cleanliness and hygiene is well maintained here. But the thing that stands out the most is the hospitality and polite demeanor of the staffs. They are very convivial towards the customers, unlike many old eateries where the staffs are allegedly arrogant.

Because of all these, many loyal customers flock to this place like flies and all their items are selling like hot cakes. Even I could not try many items recommended by Foodka, like mutton brain chop and pudding. By 7:30pm, they had to turn down many iconic dishes to other customers. Pocket pinch for 2 people will be less than 1000 rupees. I had a very good experience here. This brand has expanded its horizon to Siliguri and Digha, and I wish them all the best.

Unfortunately, the next day, I had food poisoning and was bed-ridden. Very surprisingly, my friend did not show any signs of...

Mitra Café in Sovabazar is not just a food joint—it’s a piece of Kolkata’s culinary history. Nestled in the heart of North Kolkata, this legendary eatery has been serving iconic Bengali snacks for decades, and I finally had the chance to try their famous Fish Kabiraji.

Let me say right away—it lived up to the hype.

The Fish Kabiraji was beautifully crisp on the outside, with the delicate lacework of egg batter encasing a thick, flavourful cutlet. The outer layer was golden and perfectly fried, with no trace of excess oil, which is rare in deep-fried dishes. The texture was light and crunchy, adding a satisfying contrast to the softness within.

The fish fillet inside was tender and flaky, marinated with a mildly spiced mixture that let the flavour of the fish shine through. It was well-seasoned, not overly spicy, which made it enjoyable even for those with a more subtle palate. The cutlet was generous in size and had the unmistakable freshness of good quality fish—something Mitra Café has always been known for.

Served with a dollop of kasundi (Bengali mustard) and a side of salad, the overall presentation was simple yet nostalgic. The kasundi, sharp and pungent, perfectly complemented the richness of the kabiraji, cutting through the oiliness and adding an extra punch.

As for the ambience, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a heritage North Kolkata eatery—modest, old-school, and bustling with loyal patrons. Don’t expect plush interiors or modern décor—this is a place where the flavour is the hero, not the furnishing.

Final Thoughts: Mitra Café’s Fish Kabiraji is not just food; it’s an emotion for many Kolkatans—and I now understand why. Whether you're a local or a visitor, tasting this dish here is like taking a bite out of Kolkata’s food legacy. Delicious, comforting, and deeply satisfying. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates authentic Bengali snack fare in its most...

📍 Mitra Café – Sovabazar Branch (MahaSasthi, 28th Sept 2025)

Today, I had one of the worst and most unhygienic dining experiences at the so-called heritage brand Mitra Café during Durga Puja.

Google shows their opening time as 3 PM, but when I enquired at 1:40 PM, their security assured me it would open at 2 PM, gave me a coupon, and promised AC seating.

After keeping customers waiting for more than 1 hour, the café actually opened around 2:50–3 PM. To top it off, I was denied AC seating, forced into the non-AC section, and even asked to share a table with strangers despite the earlier assurance.

The biggest shock: In my Chicken Kabiraji, I found HAIR inside the stuffing. This wasn’t just on the surface—it was embedded, meaning I may have already consumed some unknowingly.

When I raised this, the staff’s response was outright rude and dismissive: “ইচ্ছা করে কেউ চুল খাবার দেবে না” (“No one puts hair in food intentionally”). Instead of apologizing, they brushed it off.

Adding insult to injury, they refused to remove the dish from the bill and shamelessly charged me for eating unhygienic food with hair in it.

This is absolutely unacceptable from any restaurant—let alone a name as old as Mitra Café. Serving contaminated food and then charging for it is not only unethical but also a serious public health violation.

👉 I have attached photos and videos as proof. 👉 Tagging here for attention: @FoodSafetyAndStandardsAuthorityofIndia (FSSAI), @Kolkata Municipal Corporation, @WestBengalTourism.

⚠️ I strongly urge everyone to think twice before visiting Mitra Café Sovabazar. If this is how they treat customers during Puja, both in terms of hygiene and basic courtesy, then the brand is failing its own legacy.

#MitraCafe #DurgaPuja #FoodSafety #UnhygienicFood...