Raj Restaurant — Restaurant in Kolkata

Dining at Raj Restaurant feels like stepping into a slice of classic South Indian hospitality. The ambience is unmistakably old-school, reminiscent of the tiffin centers that once defined the culinary heart of many southern towns. Its no-frills setting glows with nostalgia, making every bite feel anchored to tradition while still embracing modern conveniences like QR-based digital payments.

I began my meal with the Podi Cheese Butter Masala Dosa—a fusion that could easily go astray in less skilled hands. Here, however, it was executed with remarkable finesse. The dosa was crisp on the outside, yet pliant enough to fold the rich, buttery masala within. The podi’s earthy spice balanced the velvet melt of cheese, creating layers of texture and flavor that were at once bold and comforting. It was an elevated ode to a street-side favorite, transformed into something indulgent without losing its soul. The quantity is huge which can fill 2 heavy eaters easily.

To conclude, the Filtered Coffee arrived like a warm embrace. Brewed strong and poured with the perfect froth, it was aromatic and robust, carrying the caramel bitterness of roasted beans softened by just the right amount of milk and sweetness. A fitting finale that lingered long after the last sip.

The service deserves equal praise—attentive without being intrusive, with a kind of personal warmth that is increasingly rare in today’s brisk dining culture.

Raj Restaurant is not trying to reinvent South Indian dining; it is refining it. With food that surprises, service that comforts, and an ambience that transports, it makes a compelling case for why the simplest meals, when prepared with care, often become the...

This is the Holy Grail for South Indian food in Kolkata. This restaurant has been around since as far as my memory goes. To me, Raj Restaurant has been synonymous with South Indian food.

Their idlis are fluffy, dense and soft. The coconut (white) chutney is the right amount of sweet. The sambar has a great flavour that you will surely appreciate. A special orange chutney is available on request if it hasn't been exhausted. The dosas are huge and tasty. There is a huge variety of dosas. They make oil-free dosas on request.

A special mention had to be made of the dancing coffee. This is a beautiful beverage that is as aesthetic as it is palatable. The coffee served has two distinct layers of coffee and milk. Once you put something inside the glass, the layer of coffee at the bottom seems like it is dancing before it mixes with the layer of milk above it. That is how it get it's name.

There are other cuisines available but the South Indian food clearly stands out as a winner.

The restaurant is clean and the food prepared is hygenic. The staff is courteous and the food does not take much time to be served once you have placed the order. Average waiting time in my experience has been 10 mins.

If you like South Indian food, you should...

The restaurant is located close to JD park metro station. It also has ample car parking space around it. So, reaching there with public/ private transport is convenient.

The ambience is very very basic. Marble-top tables with wooden chairs. Sofas are not available. The air conditioner works fine. The washrooms were dirty and unhygienic.

Food is amazing. The restaurant is known for lovely south Indian food. I have been visiting this place for last 15 years at least. The taste of idly, dosa, uttapam, chutney, sambar and filter coffee has not changed.

Do not expect professional service, they do not follow rational system if there is a que. The attendants do not write down the order and generally miss one or more things you ordered. on a busy day it can be worse.

The price for anything on their menu is below average. Last time I visited, we paid INR 1,100 for a table of 7. Trust me we left the restaurant with heavy belly.

Keeping the ambience and service expectation low, one can enjoy very nice south indian...