Bengali food is one of the shining examples of Indian gastronomy. This cuisine heavily relies on seafood, courtesy to the river and sea expanse entwining with the Bengal landscape. The food is tangy, peppery and mouth-wateringly delicious. A trip to Bengal calls for a proper Bengali meal, complete with all the classics you usually see on a traditional Bengali thali. Plenty of restaurants feed into your craving for authentic Bengali food in Kolkata but ‘Aaheli’ tops the list. This good-looking casual dining restaurant is a must stop for every foodie serious to try out some fantastic regional food without burning a hole in their pockets. Families seeking to earn a reprieve from their homely cooking and office goers in need of a fulfilling meal majorly frequent Aaheli. Find it at Axis Mall, Rajarhat, Kolkata.

It’s been a decade since Aaheli brand first came into existence in the city and through it’s exceptional food has worn into the heart of every foodie. The food is outstanding. Cooked with excellence, their menu explores the depth of traditional Bengali food through an extensive drool-worthy variety. Give the booze a skip and settle down with a traditional Bengali cooler. Aam pora sarbat will accompany the starters to perfection. Begin nibbling on, pur bhora bhetki, rui maacher patishapta, jhuri aloo bhaja, mochar chop and piyaz postor bora. Polish off the curries next. The chef coddles your palate with, thor chingrir dalna, kasha mangsho, bhaja masalar aloor dum, bati chingri, shuktoni, chirantani chitol muithaa, swadey khasha murgi kasha, enchorer kalia, posto kasundi diye parshey, goalando pur-er mangsho and eelish bhapey.

Snag a kadaishutir kachori, phulko loochi or polao rajnandini to help enjoy the main course. A side fruit condiment of aamsatta & khejurer chutney made fresh in the house will elevate the meal even more. Go for a thaali to try little bit of everything. No Bengali meal is complete without a series of mouth-watering desserts. Aahelir sandesh, sugarfree kalakand, rabri, doi kalash, rajbhog, chhanar payesh and kheer-er goja will make delightful conclusions. Interiors reflect the essence of Bengal perfectly through matted tabletops, paintings depicting Bengali life and adorable creative touches like pair of faux doves and a parrot chandelier. Dining room is airy and spacious washed with soft beige color making the room seem all the more bigger. Aaheli could be a tad heavy on pockets but if you book a table via EazyDiner you could earn some great discounts.