College Street Coffee House, Kolkata

While vividly searching for books in every possible bookstore, our eyes met the College Street Coffee House. Being the rendezvous of Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Mrinal Sen, Aparna Sen and innumerable other versatile personalities, College Street Coffee House has always held its head high right from inception till date. Since it is situated in the heart of many renowned institutions, this place quickly became the melting pot for student, budding poets, artists.

"The hub of intellectual debates" is located opposite to Presidency College, College Street. It occupies the first and second floors of the rambling mansion, which was built to commemorate Albert Hall, in 1876. The Albert Hall was transformed into a coffee shop in 1942 by the Coffee Board. Although the management shut it down in 1958 , it was opened again in that very year after the professors and students of Presidency College and Calcutta University sent a petition to the government. Ultimately, the management, on request of the employees, was transferred to the Indian Coffee House Employee's Cooperative. 

The most challenging part is to get a chair and table to sit as well as a waiter to list them the orders. Speaking of waiters, their dress code was unique and different. They all were dressed in British era uniform. Among other outlets of India as well as Kolkata, this branch is the most popular and packed one . It is overflowing with people right from the morning when it opens. This might be because of the multifaceted personalities who often visited here. This place is the cradle to some of the best classics in the Bengali Literature, Music etc. The song "Coffee House er Shei Adda ta" by Manna Dey being the perfect example. Let's not forget the famous adda sessions. College Street Coffee House houses the most heated debates ! Not only debates, but also, discussions about every recent topic, ranging from music to books, movies, politic

The staple item for most of the regular visitors is the famous "Infusion (black coffee)". No one will regret having this. It waken up the brain and totally refreshes the body. Every sip feels like a wave of current moving down the spine. Few other delicacies include the Chicken Kobiraji, Mutton Kobiraji, Fish Kobiraji, Fish Fry and all of them are worth a try. The cold coffee here is heavenly! It is just perfect-the taste, the quantity and quality of ingredients-everything about the cold coffee is perfect. Interestingly, all the food items are extremely cheap. 

Even if it is one's first visit to the College Street Coffee House, it is bound to make them feel like home. As intense nostalgia engulfs one. they will find themselves discovering this place as an emotion.  





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