Aminia

Aminia is a long-running Mughlai and biryani restaurant in the New Market area of central Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is one of the city's well-known biryani houses, and is often discussed alongside Arsalan and Royal Indian Hotel when residents debate the best Kolkata-style biryani. The New Market location places it in the old commercial heart of the city, close to Hogg Market, Nizam's and the Park Street area, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing and shopping.

Biryani anchors the menu. The mutton biryani, priced around ₹350, and the chicken biryani, about ₹300, follow the Kolkata style, with fragrant long-grain rice, mildly spiced meat and a potato that absorbs the flavour of the cooking. Kolkata biryani is generally lighter on chilli and more aromatic than versions from Hyderabad. Chicken chaap, around ₹280, is a mild, creamy Mughlai gravy dish that is commonly eaten with paratha or rumali roti. Kebabs, rolls, breads and Mughlai sweets are also available, and many diners order a biryani with a side dish to share.

The dining rooms are casual, air-conditioned in places and busy, with an everyday, family-and-office-crowd mood. Noise levels are moderate to high at mealtimes, and there is no dress code. The beverage programme is simple, centred on soft drinks, lassi and water rather than alcohol. Service is brisk, and the restaurant is built around quick turnover rather than long, leisurely meals. Hours run from about 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and the rating is around 4.1.

Reservations are generally not required, though groups and weekend diners may face short waits, particularly at lunch and on festival days such as Eid. Visiting at an off-peak hour is the easiest way to avoid queues. Prices are in the moderate band ($$), and a meal for two with biryani and a side dish typically costs ₹700 to ₹1,000. Because the area around New Market is crowded, visitors should allow extra time for transport and keep belongings secure while walking between nearby venues.