Durga Puja 2026: The best places in India for a Bengali feast

Durga Puja is as much a celebration of food as it is of faith, family and festivities. And while the pandals, rituals and cultural performances set the mood, it is often the Bengali delicacies that bring everyone to the table. From fragrant biryanis and mustard-laced fish to puchkas, kosha mangsho and quintessential Bengali sweets, Mumbai has plenty on the menu this festive season. If you are looking to celebrate Durga Puja through its culinary traditions, here are three dining experiences to bookmark for 17 and 18 October 2026.

Mumbai

Gourami, Powai

This Durga Puja, Gourami is bringing the flavours of Bengal to Powai with a limited-edition festive thali that celebrates the region’s culinary traditions. The meal begins with Gondhoraj Lemon Soda, followed by classic Bengali starters, before moving on to a generous spread of regional specialities. The main course features Bhetki Paturi, Kosha Mangsho, Chingri Malai and Kolkata Chicken Biryani, bringing together the distinctive flavours of Bengali fish, meat and rice preparations. The experience concludes on a sweet note with Mishti Doi, Payesh, Rosogolla and Sondesh. For those looking to mark the festival over a leisurely sit-down meal, this curated thali offers a taste of Bengal’s festive table.

When: 17 and 18 October 2026; Lunch: 12 pm and 2 pm | Dinner: 6 pm and 8 pm

Where: Gourami, Bus Stop, Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, near IIT, Panchkutir Ganesh Nagar, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076.

Price: ₹1,500

Public Beer Hall & Snack Bar, Versova

Bengali cuisine extends well beyond the familiar festive favourites, and Beyond the Pandal at Public – Beer Hall & Snack Bar sets out to explore precisely that. This two-day pop-up brings together food storyteller Pranav Joshi of Floydian Cookery and Chef Sohini Bhattacharyya for a culinary exploration of Bengal’s diverse food traditions.

Drawing inspiration from the state’s rivers and estuaries, forests and farmlands, the experience explores the food cultures of Ghoti and Bangal households, refugee homes, temple kitchens and coastal communities. The format is designed around a community-style meal served on banana leaves, with more than 15 dishes on the menu. For diners keen to discover the stories and regional influences behind Bengali cuisine, this is an opportunity to go beyond the usual festive spread.

When: 17 and 18 October 2026; Lunch: 12 noon and 2 pm

Where: Public – Beer Hall & Snack Bar, 7A–7B, Aram Nagar Part 2, Machlimar, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400061.

Price: Vegetarian meal at ₹1,900++; non-vegetarian meal at ₹2,600++.

Lake View Cafe, The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake

For those who prefer their festive celebrations with a brunch reservation, Lake View Cafe at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake is hosting The Big Sunday Bengali Brunch on 18 October. The menu brings together Kolkata’s street-food favourites and regional specialities, beginning with puchkas and Kolkata rolls before moving on to the main-course selection. No Bengali feast would be complete without its sweets, and the brunch rounds off the meal with classics such as Mishti Doi and Baked Rosogolla. Guests can choose between non-alcoholic and alcoholic brunch options, making this a leisurely way to spend a Sunday celebrating Bengal’s culinary heritage.

When: Sunday, 18 October 2026, from 1 pm to 4 pm

Where: Lake View Cafe, The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Price: ₹4,200 for the non-alcoholic brunch; ₹5,200 for the alcoholic brunch. Taxes extra.

For reservations, call +91 86579 56990

Durga Puja Thalis at HyLo, Mumbai

Celebrate the flavours of Bengal this Durga Puja with festive thalis at HyLo, Kala Ghoda, and HyLo Taproom by Igloo at Jio World Drive. Created in collaboration with Chef Ananya Banerjee, the special menu features elaborate vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis inspired by traditional Bengali festive cuisine.

The vegetarian thali includes beetroot chop, mochar paturi, dhokar dalna, chhanar kalia, shukto, aloo dum, basanti pulao and luchi, followed by patishapta and kheer komola. The non-vegetarian spread features dimer devil, macher paturi, kosha mangsho, golda chingrir malai curry and lebu lanka murgi, alongside festive accompaniments and traditional Bengali sweets. A special Niramish Aahar menu, featuring khichuri, labra, beguni, phoolkopir tarkari, chutney, mishti doi and rosogolla, was available exclusively on Vijaya Dashami, October 2, 2025.

When: September 23–October 2, 2025

Where: HyLo, Kala Ghoda, and HyLo Taproom by Igloo, Jio World Drive

Price: ₹799++ per person for the vegetarian thali; ₹999++ per person for the non-vegetarian thali

Delhi

Navratri Thali at AnnaMaya, Andaz Delhi

Celebrate Navratri with a traditional fasting thali at AnnaMaya, Andaz Delhi, available from October 11 to 19, 2026, for lunch and dinner. Priced at ₹2,200++ per person, the thali features vrat-friendly preparations, beginning with meethi lassi, shakarkandi chaat and sabudana vada. The main course includes paneer makhana curry, aloo jeera, kaddu ki khatti meethi sabzi, sabudana khichdi and kuttu ki poori, accompanied by vrat wali dahi and seasonal fresh fruits. Walnut halwa rounds off the festive meal.

When: October 11–19, 2026, for lunch and dinner

Where: AnnaMaya, Andaz Delhi, by Hyatt

Price: ₹2,200++ per person
For reservations, call +91 85888 04222

Kolkata

Yauatcha, Kolkata

Yauatcha Kolkata brings a Cantonese twist to the festivities with a menu of signature dim sum, wok-fried favourites, intricate desserts and specially curated cocktails. The spread begins with the Exotic Vegetable Dumpling, Red Dragon Chicken Dumpling and Crispy Truffle Edamame Roll, before moving on to mains such as Crispy Tofu with Kung Pao Sauce, Imperial Vegetable with Truffle Sauce, Crispy Fried Chicken with Sweet and Spicy Sauce, and River Prawn with Fragrant Sha Cha Sauce. Smoked Chilly Noodles and Golden Aromatic Fried Rice round off the savoury selection. Desserts include Miel and Ginger with Honeycomb Ice Cream and Tropical Harmony with Lemon Yoghurt Sorbet. The festive cocktail menu features Jasmine Halo, Mahalaya Reserve, Crimson Cloud, Sharod Nector and Citrus Mirage, alongside zero-proof options such as Sparkling Ruby and Subho Shobuj. For those looking to take their Durga Puja celebrations beyond traditional Bengali fare, Yauatcha offers a festive spread with a distinctly Cantonese character.

When: 1 to 25 October 2026; 12 pm to 11:45 pm, Monday to Sunday

Where: Yauatcha, 5th Floor, Quest Mall, Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Park Circus, Beck Bagan, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017.

Price for two: ₹3,000 plus taxes

For reservations, call 092222 22800

Master Jackie, Kolkata

Calcutta-Chinese cuisine has carved out a distinctive place in Kolkata’s food culture, and Master Jackie brings it to the forefront this Durga Puja with a menu of wok-tossed preparations, Asian sauces and festive pours. The starters range from Stir-Fried Water Chestnut in Chilli Plum Sauce and Stuffed Mushroom with Salt and Pepper to Fish in Chilli Mustard Sauce and Indo Chilli Chicken. For the main course, vegetarian options include Aubergine in Hot Bean Sauce and Chinese Greens, Tofu and Edamame in Garlic Sauce. The non-vegetarian selection features Sweet and Sour Fish, Taichin Chicken, Sliced Pork with Pak Choy in Garlic Sauce and Sliced Fish in Chilli Oyster Sauce.

Toffee Walnut with Vanilla Ice Cream brings the meal to a sweet close, while Gondhoraj Basil Gin and Tonic and Gondhoraj Lemonade add a citrus-led touch to the festive menu. For a Durga Puja meal that leans into Kolkata’s Indo-Chinese culinary heritage, Master Jackie offers a flavour-forward alternative to the usual festive spread.

When: 1 to 31 October 2026; 12 pm to 12 am, Monday to Sunday

Where: Unit No. 2, Ground Floor, 1 Edward Court, 55 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, behind Roots, Elgin, Kolkata.

Price for two: ₹1,200 to ₹1,500, without alcohol

For reservations, call 091477 27414

La Soirée, Kolkata

For those planning a post-pandal dinner or a festive catch-up over food and cocktails, La Soirée brings together contemporary global flavours and indulgent creations. The menu features Bok Choi Chicken, with chicken and shiitake-stuffed bok choy served with XO sauce, and Wild Mushroom Dim Sum in a Tom Kha Base. Vegetarians can opt for Asharfi Paneer, featuring cottage cheese coins in a creamy yellow gravy. At the bar, the Masala Chai Cocktail combines masala chai-infused gin, spice vermouth, lime juice and almond cookie, while the signature Kohinoor pairs gin with thyme rosetta for a floral, herbaceous profile.

Desserts include Serradura, a Portuguese pudding layered with whipped cream, vanilla and crumbled Marie biscuits, and Mi-cuit Au Chocolat, a molten chocolate cake with a gooey centre. With its mix of global plates, inventive cocktails and decadent desserts, La Soirée offers another way to round off a day of Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata.

Timings: 12 pm to 12 am, Monday to Sunday

Where: La Soirée, 234/3A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Sreepally, Bhowanipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700020.

Price for two: ₹2,000

For reservations, call +91 82828 03330

Whether you prefer a traditional festive thali, a deep dive into regional food histories or an elaborate Sunday brunch, these dining experiences across India offer different ways to celebrate Durga Puja in India this October.

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