Originally called Bidhannagar after former Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Salt Lake is a township in Kolkata that exudes modernity. Do you know why it came to be called so though? The whole area was a salty marsh with several tiny fishing villages dotted along the shores. It was Dr. Roy who took it as a challenge to transform the area into a modern residential area.
Salt Lake is one of those neighborhoods in Kolkata that make the city proud. Why so? It’s one of the most well-planned townships in the city with strategically located shopping centers, eateries, green patches, and more! With so much to explore, let’s see where you can head to have the best time in Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Start Your Morning At Central Park
Kolkata has all bases covered to get you on that fitness regimen. The city’s got so many parks and gardens to serve just that. But if what gets you out of bed is a park with views, nothing better than Central Park in Salt Lake. It’s dotted with domestic and imported roses that give the park the brightest red hue.
Juxtaposed against a serene lake, you can jog in the park or do power yoga on the fresh grass. For some pretty Instagram clicks, stroll in the Butterfly Garden and snap pictures of these beauties fluttering around the blooms.
Entry Fee: Adults: INR 10, Kids: INR 5
Breakfast At Calcutta Bakery Cafe Salt Lake
After a good workout, you’re bound to get hungry. Visit the Calcutta Bakery Cafe to have the most important meal of the day. And you know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Giving it its due importance is the famous Calcutta Bakery Cafe. Make morning the best part of your day by ordering their freshly prepared sandwiches with a hot cup of coffee. Wait till you take a whiff of the rich aroma and you won’t be able to resist ordering more to pair it up.
Now that you’re craving something else to pair that coffee with, go for their English Breakfast Platter. In it, you get baked beans, sausages, eggs, and grilled mushrooms. The perfect royal breakfast you deserve after a good workout at Central Park.
Timings: 9:00 am to 10:30 pm
Price: INR 180 onwards
Address: BD 97, Ground Floor, Island 3, Sector 1, Salt Lake, Kolkata
Unwind At Captain Bherry Eco And Aquatic Hub
All the water babies will love this ecological park. Spread across 30 acres of wetland, this aquatic hub is a great place to hang out with friends and peers. You can even go birdwatching and relax as the cute flyers put up a show (unknowingly). The best way to pass time here is to catch a bench beside the lake and watch the fish.
Entry Fee: INR 25
Lunch At Oudh 1590
A good day is incomplete without food. And what can upgrade your day from good to better is a traditional Nawabi meal. Head to Oudh 1590, quite literally because the interiors, food, and hospitality will transport you into the royal era. Did you know this restaurant also prides itself in being India’s first-ever period dining restaurant?
If you haven’t tasted authentic Awadhi cuisine, this is the best place to develop a taste for it. Start with their Galouti Kebab platter that’ll melt in your mouth. Have a hearty meal of Handi Murgh Musallam with rumali roti, handi Gosht Biryani, and end it with the delicious Badam Sharbat. You can stay in the restaurant for a little while till all that deliciousness settles.
Timings: 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Price: Approx INR 1400 for two
Address: Shop CD 86, Near Seva Hospital, Sector 1, Salt Lake, Kolkata
Go Shopping At City Centre Salt Lake
Once you’re back from your food coma, it’s time to head for your next activity. The sun’s up your head now so it’s best you stay indoors, but by that, we don’t mean you head home. Ask your auto-wale bhaiya to drop you at the City Centre Mall.
Go window-shopping through air-conditioned shops or catch a movie on the big screens in the mall. If you’re lazy after the heavy meal and can’t walk, settle at the Kund or the amphitheater in the mall with a central fountain. There are several branded stores you can shop from or decorate your hands with creative mehendi at the salons here.
Dinner At 10 Downing Street
Let go of the day’s exhaustion as you down a pint of Hoegaarden at this restobar in Salt Lake. As the drinks do their job and get you tipsy, move to the dance floor and dance away to happy tip-taps. They even offer Happy Hours if you want to drink plenty at the cost of a few bucks. This restobar is popular even with celebrities, so carry a pen just in case!
For food, you must choose from Continental, Chinese, or North Indian cuisines that are a specialty here. Try their Oyster Chicken, Tandoori Platter, or Chili Lamb if you want to hog but don’t want something too filling!
Summing Up
From a salty marsh to one of the most developed townships, Salt Lake in Kolkata has come a long way. Today, it exudes modernity mixed with remnants of the older locale. Spend a day here to see how you can have fun exploring the locale.
FAQs
Is Salt Lake City A Good Place To Live In Kolkata?
Salt Lake is a well-planned residential area in Kolkata with lots of amenities in proximity.
Why Is Kolkata So Famous?
Kolkata is known for its contribution to modern literature and art. It was one of the earliest capitals of India and also home to several freedom fighters. The city’s also well-known for its street hog which is spicy yet delicious!
Why Is Calcutta Now Called Kolkata?
Calcutta is the anglicized pronunciation of Kolkata. It’s not officially called Kolkata to match the Bengali accent.
