image source-monishgujral.comThe single bite of mouthwatering Kolkata Kathi rolls is really a heavenly experience when you are in Kolkata. Kathi rolls are kebabs and onions, packed into a golden-fried, flaky paratha, rolled up, and served wrapped in greaseproof paper. Kolkata Kathi rolls contains spiced, marinated meat kebabs that are barbecued until slightly charred, onions sauted with pepper, chopped green chili, and a dash of lime. The Kolkata Kathi rolls are the delight in every bite for all food lovers. When you are in Kolkata, you can find Kathi rolls from streets to five-star hotels. Kolkata has Kathi rolls for every mood and every taste.Also read:-Best Food Places for Seafood Lovers in Kolkata

Origin Of Kolkata Kathi Rolls

Kolkata is considered as the birthplace of Kathi Rolls. The Nizams located at Hogg Street in New Market, the most favorite destination for shopping and foodies owns the credit of making Kathi Rolls for the first time ever in Kolkata. In earlier days Nizam s used to sell Kebabs. In 30s the Englishman of the British Rajera, was very fond of Nizams beef kebabs and parathas. But whenever he comes to NIzam s he always argues that though the taste of beef Kebabs and parathas served are unparallel, but what about my oily fingers. I always wonder if the alternative, so that my fingers dont get oily while I stimulate my taste buds with your delicacies. So the Nizams came up with the bright idea and filled the parathas with the beef kebabs and then wrapped the paratha into a paper. And this was suddenly the beginning of Kathi Rolls. With this version of parathas, lots of customers became roll fans of Nizams. But still, one more thought was hovering over my head was that how it became famous as Kathi Rolls. Earlier the iron rods were used to prepare Kebabs. The iron rods were heavy and inconvenient for the volunteers to prepare kebabs quickly, especially when they have to attend the huge number of customers during their peak hours. Sometimes the customers have to wait longer. Always we have found that every necessity has come out with a new invention. Same was applied for Kathi Rolls too. The kebab makers came up with the bamboo sticks as a replacement for iron rods in order to prepare kebabs easily and quickly. Bamboo sticks were much lighter than the iron rods and very convenient to use. In Bengali, the Bamboo sticks are called as Kathi and the new version of parathas filled with various different mouthwatering ingredient became Kathi Rolls of Kolkata. Since then, the Kathi roll has had numerous makeovers. Beef kababs have been replaced with chicken, mutton, vegetarian, and paneer versions, and most often, green chutney and ketchup are added. Among the most popular adaptations is the double egg roll, in which the paratha is layered with beaten egg and the quantity of meat doubled.Also read:-Best Street Foods in Lucknow That You Cannot Miss Out On!

Top Places in Kolkata for Kathi Rolls

The roll is ubiquitous in Kolkata, sold at street stalls as well as featuring on coffee shop menus in five-star hotels. So here I am listing few best places in Kolkata where you can taste the spectacular Kathi Rolls. The Kathi rolls are irresistibly delicious at these restaurants.

Nizams

image source-zomato.com

The first restaurant which had given Kolkata, the first ever Kathi Rolls is still the place for Kathi rolls lovers in Kolkata. The Nizams has survived through decades of changes and competition in the market. Nizams made a switch from iron skewers to bamboo sticks (locally called Kathi) to grill its kebabs in 1964. Now the Kathi rolls are available with various customizations at Nizams. in todays world of health-conscious customers the Nizams offers chappatis or other whole wheat bread as wraps while fillings come in all varieties from vegan options using chickpeas to vegetarian rolls using paneer kebabs and potato fillings. These customizations are healthier versions of Kolkata Kathi Rolls. Though many shops are offering Kathi Rolls the monopoly of Nizams are maintained yet in the Kolkata.Timings-11:00 AM -11:30 PM (Seven Days a week)Must try - Mutton Kebab RollAddress - 23/24, Hogg Market, New Market, Kolkata - 700087, Near KMC

Kusums Roll

image source-YouTube

Since 1971, Kusum Rolls are serving the customers with its amazing Kathi Rolls. Its popularity is increasing with each passing decades. Kusums rolls have a huge menu and varieties of Kathi Rolls. Kathi Rolls with Cheese and Mayonnaise fillings are classics of Kusum Rolls. The unique selling price attribute of Kusums rolls is that the customers can get pure vegetarian and non-vegetarian Kathi Rolls. The price range is affordable for mouth-watering delicacies. The price varies between INR 50-INR 250. Kusum rolls are credited for the first time use of cheese in Kathi Rolls.Timing-11:30 Am -11:30 Pm (Seven days a week)Must try - Egg Chicken RollAddress - Kanani Mansion, Ground Floor, 21, Park Street, Park Street, Kolkata - 700016, Near The Park Hotel.Read more:-Calcutta Food: The Story of 5 Signature Dishes

Campari

image source-Taste of City

The well-known snack shop Campari is located in the heart of South Kolkata. It is located on Rash Behari Avenue. The Campari offers a wide variety of classic Kathi Rolls. The Campari is famous for its Fish Tandori Kathi rolls. The other delicacies are mutton and chicken rolls. Customers with heavy shopping bags have one stop Kathi Roll destination at Campari.Timings-4:00 PM-9:00 PM (Monday-Saturday)Sunday closedMust try - Tandoori Fish RollAddress - 155B, Rash Behari Avenue, Rash Behari Avenue, Kolkata - 700029, Near Basanti Devi College And Central Bank

Nawab Snacks Bar

Though in Kolkata customers have lots of options for Kathi Rolls. But if the customers are trying for light and sumptuous roll, then they can head towards Nawab Snacks bar. It is located in Gariahat crossing. The other roll bars have thicker, heavier parathas filled with wide range of veg, non-veg delicacies but the distinctive feature of Nawab Snacks bar is that their parathas are lighter than others, the fillings are less spicy in comparison to others but the lemon twist in the fillings add spectacular taste to the Kathi Rolls served at Nawab Snacks Bar. Nawab Snacks Bar at makes sure one has a great food experience by offering highly palatable food. The various services offered at the venue include Home Delivery, Take Away, Price For Two 150, Take Away Only.Timings-4:00P Pm-9:00 pmMust try - Mutton Tikiya RollLocation: 167E, Jasoda Bhawan Gariahat Road, Rashbehari Avenue Road, Dover Terrace, Gariahat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019.

Smokachino

Smokachinos specialties are oil-free rolls, they offer a healthier version of Kathi Rolls. They offer oil-free versions of Kathi Rolls at affordable prices. The customers who are health freak, they should head towards the Smokachino. Add to that the restaurants super fast, yet warm service and no-frills ambiance, and Smokaccino is proven the quintessential Kathi roll joint.Timings-1:00 PM-11:15 PM (Seven days a week)Location- 197 Sarat Bose Road, Lake Terrace, Kalighat Kolkata, West Bengal, 700029, India

Hot Kati Rolls

Hot Kathi Rolls on Park Street is known for their chicken rolls. It perfect destination for Kathi roll lovers. The famous mouthwatering delicacies offered are chicken Kati kebabs, onions, and pepper. Their parathas are oily which is the reason that their parathas are extremely crispy on the sides and inside its filled with crispy onions and deliciously soft and juicy chicken. Oily crunchy parathas with juicy chunks of meats (making their rolls delicious and popular about 30 years now). For first-timers, this hit snack is essentially a paratha, fried one-sided with a coating of egg and then filled with sliced onions, chili and your choice of stuffing (curried chicken, grilled meat or paneer). Eat it rolled up in a twist of paper as a takeaway.Timing-11:00 Am-10:30 pm (Seven days a week)Location- 1 Park Street, Near Park Hotel, Taltala Kolkata, West Bengal, 700016, India.

Anamika Roll Centre

Just like all other roll shops, Anamika Roll Centre is also a small establishment on the pavement that lures people with the aroma of food wafting in the air. It is located in New Alipore. Anamika Roll Centre, which has egg chicken potato roll as their specialty. It costs Rs.110. The best part is, Anamika is also noted for fast delivery which means, you don't have to wait long to try their delicacy.Must try - Egg Double Chicken Potato RollTimings-4:00 PM-11:00 PM (Seven days a week)Address - Triangular Park, New Alipur, Kolkata 700053Sticklers for hygiene might prefer the air-conditioned comforts of restaurant chains like Arsalan, Bawarchi, and Shiraz, all of which serve a pretty decent roll. As the Kathi roll has had numerous makeovers. Beef kababs have been replaced with chicken, mutton, vegetarian, and paneer versions, and most often, green chutney and ketchup are added. Among the most popular adaptations is the double egg roll, in which the paratha is layered with beaten egg and the quantity of meat doubled. So if you are planning a trip to Kolkata, then these restaurants are must-try destinations for lip-smacking Kolkata Kathi Rolls.Also read:-Challenge the foodie in you with the biggest thalis in India