Paramount Sharbat is a century-old soda and sharbat shop at 1/1C College Street, at the Presidency University end of College Street in North Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is a standard refreshment stop on a walk through the book district, popular with students, book buyers and visitors who want a cold drink between browsing the second-hand stalls. As a drinks shop rather than a restaurant, it offers a quick, inexpensive way to experience a long-running part of the city's student and street culture.
The drinks are the point. Aam panna, the tangy green mango cooler, is a popular choice in the hot months. Rose and lemon sharbat are the traditional favourites, and doodh sharbat, a milk-based drink, is the richer option. Sharbats are prepared in the old style, mixed with syrups and soda or milk, and served cold in glasses. The shop is known for the consistency of these recipes, which have changed little over the decades.
The atmosphere is that of a small, busy shop with limited seating and a constant flow of customers. The mood is casual and quick, the noise level is moderate, and most visits last only as long as the drink. Dress is casual. Because the offering is purely beverages, there is no food programme, though visitors usually combine a visit with snacks at the nearby Indian Coffee House or street stalls.
Prices of roughly 50 to 150 rupees per person make it one of the cheapest stops in the area. It is open daily, generally from about 10AM to 9PM, though visitors should confirm timings locally, since they change around festivals such as Durga Puja. Reservations are not applicable, and walking in is the norm. The best time to visit is on a hot afternoon, when a cold sharbat is most welcome, and the shop is most crowded around the evening student rush.
| Price | ₹50-150 per person (approx $0.52-1.56 USD) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, approx 10AM-9PM; confirm locally. Confirm current hours before going; Kolkata venues change timings around festivals such as Durga Puja. |
| Reservations | Walk in |
| Address | 1/1C College Street (Presidency University end of College Street), Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, India |
Signature dishes
- Aam panna sharbat
- Rose and lemon sharbat
- Doodh sharbat
Good to know
- Known for
- A century-old College Street soda and sharbat shop, a standard refreshment stop on a book-district walk.
Location
1/1C College Street (Presidency University end of College Street), Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, India
22.5755, 88.3646 View on map
Highlights
- Century-old sharbat and soda shop on College Street
- Aam panna, rose and lemon sharbat
- Doodh sharbat, a milk-based drink
- Very low prices near the book market
Tips for visiting
- Walk in; no reservations.
- Visit on a hot afternoon for the aam panna.
- Combine with the College Street book stalls and Indian Coffee House.
- Expect limited seating and quick service.
- Confirm hours locally before going.
When to visit
Hot afternoons; evenings are busier with students.
Accessibility
It is a small street-level shop with limited seating; visitors with mobility needs should expect crowded pavements and confirm access locally.
Frequently asked questions
What does Paramount Sharbat sell?
It sells sharbats and soft drinks such as aam panna, rose and lemon sharbat and doodh sharbat.
Where is it?
It is at 1/1C College Street, at the Presidency University end of College Street.
How much does it cost?
Roughly 50-150 rupees per person, around 1-2 US dollars.
Is food served?
It is primarily a drinks shop; food is available at nearby venues.