Raksha Bandhan is as much about sitting down for a meal together as it is about tying the rakhi. In Kolkata, the festive table is taking on many forms this year, from indulgent restaurant meals and regional Indian dishes to playful food platters and nostalgic treats designed to remind siblings of their childhood favourites. Whether the plan is an elaborate lunch, an easy evening of sharing plates or a food-filled hamper to take home, these Kolkata offerings bring a celebratory spin to the occasion.
Spoonfuel by Snigdha Deora brings a vegetarian, platter-friendly approach to Raksha Bandhan, with a menu designed around dishes that work well for sharing and entertaining at home. Its Rakhi spread features a mix of global and Indian-inspired favourites, including Italian Ravioli Cups, Veggie Coin Pizza, Mexican Sliders, Truffle Cream Cheese Dimsums, Falafel Hummus Wraps, Paneer Tikka Wraps, Edamame Ricotta Galouti Kebabs, Spinach and Corn Phyllo Tarts, Thai Rice Paper Rolls, Mini Vada Pav and Pesto Arancini Balls. The menu also includes baos, a Crunchy Thai Salad and larger sharing plates such as an assorted sushi platter, seven-layered Mexican dip with house nachos, Crispy Lotus Stem Bhel, Burmese Samosa Curry Chaat and Puchka with two types of paani. It makes for the kind of spread where everyone can pick a favourite and keep the conversation going over another bite.
Let’s Maki takes the idea of a Rakhi food gift in a more contemporary direction with its ‘BRO’ Platter. Designed as a generous assortment for a sibling celebration, the platter brings together sushi-style bites, wraps, breads, dips and accompaniments, making it suited to a relaxed gathering rather than a formal sit-down meal. The appeal lies in its variety: there is something to graze on, share and discover, making the platter an easy option for siblings who would rather celebrate over a spread of small bites than a traditional festive meal.
La Macario Studio gives the familiar chaat platter a festive makeover with its ‘Gup Shup Chaat Platter’. The presentation brings together puchkas, chaat-style preparations, savoury accompaniments, chutneys and condiments, turning the meal into a colourful grazing experience. It is particularly suited to the spirit of Rakhi, when the food is often less about a single elaborate dish and more about having plenty on the table to share. With its mix of familiar Indian street-food flavours and La Macario’s contemporary café setting, the platter offers a playful alternative to the usual festive spread.
At Yauatcha Kolkata, Raksha Bandhan gets a distinctly patisserie-led touch with a selection of macarons. Available in flavours including Strawberry, Raspberry, Seasalt Caramel, Chocolate, Coconut and Pistachio, the macarons are designed to work both as a small treat and as a gift for a sibling. They can also be picked up as a box of six, making them an elegant option for those looking to move beyond conventional mithai while still keeping something sweet at the centre of the celebration.
Cove – Community Bar is approaching Raksha Bandhan as a relaxed sibling meal, with a menu that moves across several culinary influences. The spread includes Phyllo Rolled Asparagus and Asparagus Broccoli Dimsums, followed by Murgh Noorani Kebab, Spanakopita and Smoked Butter Garlic Fettuccini. The combination makes the experience less about a conventional festive menu and more about ordering a selection of comforting and indulgent dishes to share over an unhurried lunch or evening catch-up.
Spice Carnival brings a more Indian-forward festive meal to the table, balancing familiar flavours with contemporary touches. The menu includes Palak Patta Chaat and a Carnival Puchka Platter for a street-food-inspired start, followed by Paneer Tikka Lababdar and a Green Saag and Burrata Platter. Dessert comes in the form of Star Anise Chocolate Crèmeux, pairing the warmth of spice with rich chocolate. The result is a menu that feels colourful and celebratory without being tied exclusively to traditional festive fare.
At YAYAvar, Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata, the Raksha Bandhan meal travels across regional India. The à la carte selection includes Ema Datshi, the Bhutanese chilli-and-cheese preparation served with sesame bun and chilli peanut dip; Nepalese Jhol Momo; Lucknawi Dahi Kebab; and Chicken Pata Pora, an Odisha speciality featuring leaf-wrapped chicken. A classic Gulab Jamun with rabri and sevai rounds off the meal. For siblings who enjoy discovering different regional cuisines at the same table, the menu offers a more expansive take on the festive feast.
Scarlet by Aauris leans into nostalgia rather than a conventional festive menu, bringing back the flavours and treats associated with childhood. Its Raksha Bandhan selection includes Little Hearts, Dairy Milk Crackle, JimJam, Pineapple and Hide n Seek-inspired tubs. The idea is simple but effective: instead of reinventing festive food, Scarlet turns familiar childhood favourites into giftable treats, giving siblings an excuse to revisit the snacks and flavours that were once part of growing up together.
From puchkas and chaat to sushi, dim sums, regional Indian dishes, macarons and childhood favourites, Kolkata’s Raksha Bandhan food offerings reflect the changing way the festival is celebrated. The emphasis is increasingly on food that can be shared, discovered and enjoyed together—because, after all, some of the best sibling memories are made around a table.
Dining and Cooking