Tanmay Sarkar
Google
Established in 1844, this is not just one of the oldest sweet shops in Kolkata but also one of its most iconic. Over the years, it has built a reputation for serving some of the finest Sondesh in the city, a sweet that is at the heart of Kolkata's culinary identity. In fact, they have served their Sondesh to almost all the famous celebrities of India, which speaks volumes about their legacy. What makes this shop truly special is the way it has preserved both tradition and quality for nearly two centuries.
The highlight here is undoubtedly the legendary Nolen Gurer Jol Bhora Sondesh - a delicate sweet stuffed with liquid jaggery, available mostly during the winter season when the finest date palm jaggery is harvested. It is soft, perfectly balanced in sweetness, and bursts with flavor in every bite. Honestly though, it’s not just the Jol Bhora but almost every sweet here is just amazing.
But what makes this shop stand apart is not just the sweets, but also its history. Nakur Chandra Nandi, who came from Hooghly district, married into the family of Girish Chandra Dey, a renowned sweet maker of his time. Together, they began making and selling sweets under the name Girish Chandra Dey & Nakur Chandra Nandy, which has since become legendary in Kolkata’s food culture.
Stepping into this shop feels like stepping into history, a place where tradition, taste, and heritage come together. If you want to experience the authentic soul of Kolkata’s sweets, this is a destination you simply cannot miss.