Zakaria Street in central Kolkata becomes a lively food destination during Ramadan, attracting numerous visitors each evening to enjoy a variety of traditional dishes and the festive ambiance. Situated near the historic Nakhoda Mosque, the street lights up with vibrant colors and the enticing smell of freshly prepared food, drawing locals, tourists, and food lovers after sunset. It has become a popular spot in the city for iftar, the meal that ends the daily fast.
During Ramadan, temporary food stalls line Zakaria Street, offering a range of dishes influenced by Mughlai and Awadhi cuisines. Visitors can indulge in favorites like kebabs, haleem, sewai, lachcha paratha, sheermal, bakarkhani roti, as well as fruits, sherbets, and fritters sold by street vendors. Grilled kebabs are particularly popular, with queues forming outside stalls serving sizzling skewers. The street also offers delights such as mutton haleem, biryani, chicken chaap, and decadent desserts like shahi tukda.
Food enthusiasts and bloggers often praise Zakaria Street as a vibrant Ramadan experience in Kolkata, where each stall offers unique specialties and the entire area glows with festive lights. In addition to savory dishes, vendors sell sweet treats and refreshing beverages, including the famous “mohabbat ka sherbet,” enhancing the celebratory atmosphere. Alongside cooked food, stalls provide fruits like watermelon, pineapple, and various types of dates, traditionally consumed to break the fast. Zakaria Street holds historical importance in Kolkata, renowned for its bustling markets and eateries, and during Ramadan, it transforms into a bustling evening destination, attracting large crowds for iftar and late-night food outings, creating a lively celebration of the holy month.
