# Overview Aaheli is India's first fine-dining Bengali restaurant, established on May 18, 1993, by Mr. S K Roy, Chairman of Peerless Hotels. The name derives from the Arabic word "Aahel," meaning "authentic," perfectly capturing the restaurant's commitment to preserving traditional Bengali culinary heritage. Located on the first floor of The Peerless Inn in Kolkata, Aaheli has pioneered upscale Bengali dining for over 30 years, serving dishes inspired by zamindari (aristocratic) households and Tagore family recipes in an elegant, culturally immersive setting with staff dressed in traditional Bengali attire. # Why Visit Visit Aaheli for an authentic journey through Bengal's rich culinary legacy, presented in a refined fine-dining atmosphere that didn't exist before 1993. The restaurant's commitment to traditional cooking techniques, seasonal ingredients, and elaborate multi-course thali presentations makes it essential for anyone seeking to understand Bengali cuisine beyond home cooking. With a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2024 award and ranking #19 out of nearly 5,000 Kolkata restaurants, Aaheli offers both culinary excellence and cultural immersion through its zamindari-inspired décor, traditional metal serving ware, and dishes that honor Bengal's aristocratic food traditions. # Menu Highlights **Thali Options:** - Bhuribhoj Thali (non-vegetarian) - elaborate multi-course platter - Rajbhoj Thali (non-vegetarian) - Bhoj Thali (non-vegetarian) - Zamindari Thali - includes rice, loochi, dal, vegetarian dishes, Betki curry, prawn malai curry, mutton, pulao, chutney, papad, Bengali sweets - Aahelir Mahotsab (vegetarian) **Signature Dishes:** - Kosha Mangsho - slow-cooked spiced mutton - Chingri Machher Malai Curry - Galda prawns in coconut gravy - Betki Paturi - mustard-marinated fish wrapped in banana leaf - Shorshe Ilish - Hilsa fish in mustard sauce (seasonal) - Sorshe Bata Chingri - prawns with mustard - Chital Macher Muitha - fish dumplings **Desserts:** - Bhapa Doi - steamed sweetened yogurt - Sarer Naru - Chhanar Payesh # Additional Information - **Address:** The Peerless Inn, 12 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, 1st Floor, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata 700013, West Bengal, India - **Phone:** +91 98317 80403, +91 9007770841, +91 9163308730, +91 70666 43322 - **Hours of Operation:** Lunch: 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Dinner: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM (Open all days) - **Reservation Policy:** Reservations strongly recommended, especially for dinner and weekends. Book in advance by phone due to popularity. - **Pet Policy:** No Info Available - **Price Range:** ₹1,695 - ₹3,500+ per couple (plus taxes) - **Special Features:** India's first fine-dining Bengali restaurant, traditional metal plates and bowls, staff in traditional Bengali attire, hosts seasonal food festivals (e.g., Ilish-e-Guri featuring Hilsa), classical Bengali décor reminiscent of zamindari households - **Note:** Main location does not serve alcohol (branch at Axis Mall does) # Reviews - **TripAdvisor Rating:** 4.3 out of 5 (Ranked #19 of 4,953 restaurants in Kolkata) - **Award:** Travelers' Choice 2024 - **Review Count:** 700+ reviews - **Review Snippets:** - "Thakur barir bhojon - traditional house-style Bengali spread described as 'top notch'" - TripAdvisor customer review - "The Chef Soumyaditto personally came over and explained the menu - extremely warm service" - TripAdvisor customer review - "Kosha mangsho and sukto were amazing - complete Bengali authentic taste" - Restaurant Guru review (May 2025) - "Staff members Subhajit, Ujjal, Shreya, and Khushal frequently praised for exceptional hospitality and menu knowledge" - Multiple TripAdvisor reviews --- ## Remarks Aaheli stands as a pioneering institution in Bengali fine dining, having created the category itself in 1993 when upscale Bengali restaurants simply didn't exist. With over 30 years of culinary excellence, it preserves and elevates traditional zamindari and Tagore family recipes through elaborate thali presentations and signature dishes like Kosha Mangsho and Chingri Malai Curry that showcase Bengal's aristocratic food heritage. The restaurant's immersive cultural experience—from traditional metal serving ware to staff in Bengali attire—combined with its TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2024 award and #19 ranking among nearly 5,000 Kolkata restaurants, makes it an essential pilgrimage for anyone seeking authentic Bengali cuisine beyond home cooking, especially during monsoon season when seasonal Hilsa preparations take center stage.