Kolkata's vibrant food and beverage industry welcomed 2025 with exceptional gusto, recording a powerful surge in business throughout the festive period spanning Christmas and New Year. The city's restaurants, bars, and delivery kitchens experienced a significant uptick in sales, fueled by a combination of holiday cheer, an influx of visitors, and favourable winter weather.
Outstation Visitors and City-Wide Celebrations Boost Business
The festive stretch, particularly December 24, 25, and 31, saw demand peak sharply. A key driver was the substantial rise in outstation visitors. Sudesh Poddar, President of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India, highlighted that Christmas and year-end celebrations now attract large crowds from neighbouring districts and other cities. This influx has successfully decentralised the festive fervour. "The scale of celebrations has spilled out of Park Street, leading to packed restaurants across the city," Poddar noted, confirming that robust demand was witnessed both for dine-in and online orders in multiple neighbourhoods.
Cool Weather and Evolving Dining Trends
An unexpected dip in temperatures further encouraged Kolkatans and visitors to step out. Chef Ranjan Biswas of Saptapadi Restaurant observed that the cooler weather made daytime outings more appealing. "Lunch hours, in particular, saw a surge, with guests opting for longer daytime outings. Starters performed especially well," Biswas said. This trend indicated a shift in dining patterns during the holiday season.
The sales growth was impressive across the board. Rajiv Paul from popular outlets like Bawarchi, Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor, and Posto Raj Bari reported a 25-27% increase in sales starting from Christmas. The demand patterns shifted interestingly between days: while biryani and kebabs ruled New Year's Eve, New Year's Day saw a preference for lavish Bengali buffet spreads.
Record-Breaking Numbers and Festive Best-Sellers
Almost every segment of the F&B sector enjoyed heightened sales, boosted by the extended New Year weekend. Nitin Kothari of iconic establishments Mocambo, Peter Cat, and Peter Hu stated, "Kolkata’s appetite for celebration remains strong." His restaurants stayed busy from noon to late night. Peter Cat led this charge with a remarkable over 60% higher sales year-on-year, while Mocambo and Peter Hu grew by about 25%.
Shiladitya Chaudhury from Oudh, Chapter 2, and Chaudhury & Company also noted a 15% sales increase across his three outlets. While biryani and galouti kabab-paratha remained top choices, steak and turkey dishes emerged as notable hits.
The festive period created a clear list of best-selling dishes across the city:
- Biryani and various kebabs
- Kosha mangsho & pulao combinations
- Chilli chicken and Chilli fish
- Pizza and Chelo kebab
- Devilled crab
Azra Asher Athar from Aminia Restaurant corroborated the trend, citing a rise in demand for biryani and rolls, with all their outlets showing a jump in sales. The collective performance underscores a robust and resilient hospitality sector in Kolkata, thriving on both tradition and evolving consumer preferences during major celebrations.
