Kolkata’s restaurant industry experienced mixed business during Durga Puja 2026, with several restaurants and cafés reporting double-digit growth while others recorded stable or slightly lower footfall. According to Piyush Kankaria, head of the National Restaurant Association of India’s Kolkata chapter, the industry saw around 20 per cent growth in business compared with last year. South City Mall, Flurys and several independent food outlets also reported strong sales, driven by increased footfall and a growing preference for dining out. At some establishments, dine-in business rose by around 30 per cent, while online orders contributed less than 10 per cent of total sales. However, businesses such as The Daily and Hanglaatherium reported relatively stable or slightly lower customer numbers, highlighting that the festive boost was not uniform across the city.
The trend also reflected changing dining preferences, with customers increasingly seeking distinctive menus, attractive ambience and memorable dining experiences alongside familiar festive favourites. Restaurants introduced themed food and cocktail menus inspired by Kolkata’s streets and Durga Puja celebrations, while late-night dining and meals with friends and family remained popular. Traditional Bengali food continued to attract customers, including visitors from outside the state who came to experience the city’s cuisine. According to Swiggy data, Sandesh was Kolkata’s most-ordered traditional Bengali sweet during the festival, followed by Rasgulla, Mishti Doi and Kheer Kadam. Orders for Mishti Doi rose 12.3 per cent year-on-year, Rasgulla orders increased 11.7 per cent and Sandesh orders grew 4.6 per cent. Overall, the festive season highlighted Kolkata’s enduring food culture while showing how dining experiences and evolving consumer preferences are shaping the restaurant business.
