Fodor's Expert Review Gariahat

South Kolkata's most popular and very congested shopping district is home to chic boutiques and bustling shops selling saris in all kinds of styles and prices. The pavements are taken over by hawkers selling clothes, toys, accessories, and handcrafted jewelry—it can be challenging to negotiate the crowd during peak hours. Intense bargaining is de rigueur on the street, but the air-conditioned shops offer respite from the heat as well as the haggling. The lanes away from Gariahat Road itself—Hindusthan Park Road, Dover Lane, Southern Avenue—are quieter and more upscale. Here, among the elegant homes of Kolkata's upper classes are where you will find art galleries, quirky and traditional Bengali restaurants, specialty shops, boutiques, and quaint cafés that are local favorites. Visit By Loom for hand-loomed saris, jewelry, and a cozy café. Bunkari sells saris, stoles, and scarves; Weaver's Studio has handloomed textiles. For a bite of Kolkata's famous kati rolls, try Bedouwin or Badshah, where crisp parathas are wrapped around succulent pieces of meat and finely chopped onions and served piping hot. For traditional Bengali meals, try 6 Ballygunge Place, Sholo Ana, Tero Parbon, or Bhojohori Manna. Le Petit De La Maison, The Bistro, Wise Owl, and French Loaf are some of the European-style eateries in the area. If the shopping and the crowds get to you, head to the Ramakrishna Mission, in Gol Park, for some quiet reflection.