Russel Punjabi Dhaba — Restaurant in Kolkata

A Must-Try Hangout Spot for Food Lovers!

If you’re looking for mouthwatering food, this place won’t disappoint. The Aloo Paratha and Paneer-Chana are absolute crowd favorites — delicious, filling, and worth every penny. The flavors are rich, and every bite feels like a burst of authentic taste. Whether you’re a fan of North Indian cuisine or just a foodie in general, these dishes will leave you craving for more.

However, be warned — cash is king here. Despite the heavy footfall and popularity, they don’t accept UPI or card payments, which feels odd in today’s cashless era. So, make sure to carry enough cash to avoid last-minute hassles.

The owner, came across a bit rude. While I didn’t face it personally, I did witness him being curt with two consecutive customers. It may not be his nature, and i could have been there at the wrong time but it’s something you might notice.

On the downside, the service and infrastructure could use a serious upgrade. There’s no AC and even the seating is far from comfortable, which can be a deal-breaker for some.

That being said, I’d still pick this spot over Balwant Singh or Sharma Tea any day. The food’s taste and quality make up for every shortcoming. If great food is your priority, this place is a...

This shop does not accept any form of digital payment — no card, no UPI — which is extremely inconvenient in today’s time. Shockingly, there is no 'Cash Only' sign displayed anywhere, so customers only find out at the counter, after billing is done. This is both misleading and unprofessional. Instead of offering a solution, they direct customers to an unrelated shop across the street that provides cash — but with a ₹50 extra charge. This workaround feels shady and exploitative, especially when the prices here are already quite inflated. The person at the cash counter was particularly rude and dismissive, outright refusing even a basic request to accept GPay or transfer to a personal account. His attitude gave the impression that he believes he's doing customers a favor just by being there. It’s disappointing to see such a large, well-established shop not only charging premium rates but also seemingly avoiding proper tax practices by refusing digital payments, something even small vendors and local sabjiwalas now responsibly offer. Would not recommend unless you’re carrying extra cash and are willing to deal...

The paneer paratha and ginger tea (kesar on another occasion) were wonderful.. we ate and drank standing outside since the place is only about pet tolerant.

This is one of the oldest dhabas in Calcutta (or so I've been told) and in terms of the food, it lives up to its name. It can be a bit pricey though - 2 paneer parathas and 2 cups of ginger tea cost us 440.. which was more a surprise than a pinch.

One aspect that didn't go down well, was the look of aloofness and a sort of contempt on the owner's face (at least one believes it was the owner).. a welcoming smile helps.. it registers!

Another peeve was the change to CASH ONLY.. so much so that the owner categorically told me not to visit if I wasn't carrying cash on me, this was an affront and rather ridiculous since all places accept UPI and offer the convenience to their customers - curiously RPD used to as well until about last year November, if I remember correctly.

Anyhoo, we do go there once in a while for the tea (mainly) and a paratha occasionally (need to try some of their other dishes) and would visit more often if it weren't for the...