Nizam's

Nizam's is a Mughlai and kathi roll restaurant in the Hogg Market and New Market area of central Kolkata, West Bengal, India, widely credited as the birthplace of the Kolkata kathi roll. The kathi roll is a street-food staple of the city in which kebab, egg and onions are wrapped in a flaky, layered paratha. The listed address at 22 Hogg Market area places the restaurant in the heart of the old commercial district, a short walk from the city's colonial-era shopping hall and from the Park Street and Esplanade areas.

The roll is the main reason to visit. The mutton kathi roll, priced around ₹180, is the original and best-known order, combining skewer-grilled mutton with a coating of beaten egg inside a paratha, with onions, green chilli and a squeeze of lime. The egg chicken roll, at about ₹140, is the lighter, cheaper alternative and is also very popular. Mutton biryani, around ₹300, is available for diners who want a plated meal, and other Mughlai dishes, kebabs and breads appear on the menu. Prices are in the budget category ($), and rolls are quick to prepare and easy to eat on the move.

The atmosphere is busy and informal, closer to a street-food counter than a sit-down restaurant, with limited seating, fast service and a continuous stream of takeaway customers. Noise levels are high, and there is no dress code. There is no alcohol programme, and beverages are limited to soft drinks and water. Hours run from about 11:00 AM until 11:00 PM, and the rating is around 4.2.

Reservations are not offered. At peak lunch and early evening, a short queue is normal, and visitors can either take rolls away or wait for a seat. The area around New Market is very crowded on weekends and before festivals, so visitors should keep belongings secure and allow extra time. Eating a roll here and then continuing to nearby Park Street, the Indian Museum or the Maidan makes for an efficient and inexpensive stop.