Are you looking for a place where you can find everything from clothes and accessories to books and electronics, all at affordable prices? Do you want to experience the vibrant and diverse culture of Kolkata, while enjoying some delicious food and drinks? If yes, then you must visit New Market, the oldest and most famous shopping destination in the city.
New Market is not just a market, but a landmark of Kolkata’s history and heritage. It is a place where you can witness the fusion of the colonial and the contemporary, the traditional and the modern, the local and the global. Whether you are a shopaholic, a foodie, or a history buff, New Market has something for everyone.
In this article, we will give you the ultimate guide to New Market, covering everything you need to know before you plan your visit. We will tell you about the best places to shop and eat, the fun and best things to do, and the tips and tricks for exploring the market. By the end of this article, you will be ready to experience the magic of New Market for yourself.
History Of New Market
New Market, also known as Hogg Market, was established in 1874 by the British Raj, as a place for the European residents of Kolkata to shop. It was named after Sir Stuart Hogg, the then chairman of the Calcutta Corporation. The market was designed by Richard Roskell Bayne, and had a Gothic style architecture, with a red brick facade and a clock tower.
The market soon became popular among the locals as well, and expanded to include more than 2000 stalls, selling a variety of goods and services. The market also witnessed some important events in Kolkata’s history, such as the assassination of Nirmal Sen, a freedom fighter, in 1930, and the bombing of the market by the Japanese during World War II, in 1942.
Today, New Market is a bustling and lively place, where you can find everything from antiques and handicrafts to fashion and electronics, all under one roof. It is a place where you can see the diversity and richness of Kolkata’s culture, as well as its cosmopolitan and dynamic spirit.
Best Places To Shop In New Market
New Market is a shopper’s paradise, where you can find anything and everything you are looking for, at reasonable prices. Whether you are looking for clothes, accessories, books, electronics, or souvenirs, you will find them all in New Market. Here are some of the best places to shop in New Market, according to different categories:
Clothes:
If you are looking for clothes, you have a wide range of options to choose from, depending on your style, budget, and preference. You can find branded and designer clothes, as well as local and ethnic wear, in New Market. Some of the popular places to buy clothes are:
Roopam: This is a multi-storey store, where you can find a variety of clothes for men, women, and children, from casual to formal, from western to Indian. You can also find accessories, shoes, and bags, to complete your look.
Sreeleathers: This is a famous store, where you can find leather goods, such as jackets, belts, wallets, and shoes, of high quality and reasonable prices. You can also find other items, such as luggage, backpacks, and umbrellas, here.
Sim Park Mall: This is a modern mall, where you can find clothes from various brands, such as Levi’s, Pepe Jeans, Wrangler, and more. You can also find accessories, cosmetics, and perfumes, here.
Sari Shops: If you are looking for saris, the traditional Indian attire for women, you will find plenty of shops in New Market, selling different types of saris, such as silk, cotton, chiffon, georgette, and more. You can also find matching blouses, petticoats, and jewellery, here. Some of the famous sari shops are Adi Dhakeswari Bastralaya, Benarasi Kuthi, and Indian Silk House.
Accessories:
If you are looking for accessories, such as jewellery, watches, sunglasses, scarves, and hats, you will find them in abundance in New Market. You can find both imitation and real jewellery, as well as antique and tribal jewellery, in New Market. You can also find watches from various brands, such as Titan, Timex, Casio, and more. Some of the popular places to buy accessories are:
Chamba Lama: This is a legendary store, where you can find jewellery, watches, sunglasses, and other accessories, of different styles and prices. You can also find curios, handicrafts, and souvenirs, here.
New Market Jewellery Shops: There are many jewellery shops in New Market, where you can find gold, silver, and diamond jewellery, as well as pearls, corals, and gemstones. You can also find jewellery from different regions and communities, such as Kashmiri, Rajasthani, Bengali, and more. Some of the famous jewellery shops are Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Senco Gold, and Anjali Jewellers.
New Market Street Vendors: If you are looking for cheap and trendy accessories, you can find them from the street vendors in New Market, who sell earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and more, made of metal, plastic, wood, and beads. You can also find sunglasses, scarves, hats, and hair accessories, here.
Books:
If you are a book lover, you will be delighted to find a plethora of books in New Market, ranging from fiction and non-fiction, to academic and religious, to new and old. You can find books from various genres, languages, and authors, in New Market. Some of the best places to buy books are:
Oxford Bookstore: This is a renowned bookstore, where you can find books from various categories, such as literature, history, philosophy, science, art, and more. You can also find magazines, newspapers, stationery, and gifts, here. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, at the Cha Bar, located inside the bookstore.
New Market Book Stalls: There are many book stalls in New Market, where you can find books at discounted prices, as well as rare and old books, that are hard to find elsewhere. You can also find comics, magazines, and newspapers, here. Some of the famous book stalls are Rupa Book Stall, Dasgupta & Co., and Modern Book Depot.
College Street: If you are looking for more books, you can also visit College Street, which is a short distance away from New Market. College Street is the largest book market in India, and one of the largest in the world, where you can find millions of books, from new and old, to rare and unique. You can also find booksellers, publishers, and printers, here. You can also visit the famous Coffee House, where many intellectuals and celebrities have frequented.
Best Places To Eat In New Market
New Market is not only a place for shopping, but also a place for eating. You can find a variety of cuisines, dishes, and budgets, in New Market, to satisfy your taste buds. Whether you are looking for a quick bite, a hearty meal, or a sweet treat, you will find them all in New Market. Here are some of the best places to eat in New Market, according to different categories:
Street Food:
If you are looking for street food, you will be spoilt for choice in New Market, as you can find a plethora of snacks, chaats, and sweets, that are delicious and affordable. You can find street food from different regions and communities, such as Bengali, Mughlai, Chinese, and more. Some of the popular street food items are:
Phuchka: This is a crispy and hollow ball, filled with mashed potatoes, onions, spices, and tamarind water. It is a tangy and spicy snack, that is loved by all.
Kathi Roll: This is a flatbread, stuffed with chicken, mutton, egg, cheese, or vegetables, and rolled with sauces and onions. It is a filling and tasty snack, that is easy to eat.
Jhal Muri: This is a mixture of puffed rice, peanuts, onions, tomatoes, green chillies, spices, and mustard oil. It is a crunchy and spicy snack, that is refreshing and light.
Mughlai Paratha: This is a deep-fried paratha, stuffed with minced meat, egg, cheese, or vegetables, and served with potato curry and salad. It is a rich and flavourful snack, that is satisfying and indulgent.
Chowmein: This is a stir-fried noodle dish, with chicken, egg, vegetables, soy sauce, and vinegar. It is a popular and common snack, that is savoury and satisfying.
Rasgulla: This is a soft and spongy ball, made of cottage cheese, and soaked in sugar syrup. It is a sweet and juicy dessert, that is a specialty of Bengal.
Restaurants:
If you are looking for restaurants, you will find a variety of options in New Market, ranging from fine dining to casual dining, from Indian to continental, from vegetarian to non-vegetarian. You can find restaurants that cater to different tastes, preferences, and occasions. Some of the best restaurants in New Market are:
Nahoum & Sons: This is a legendary bakery, where you can find cakes, pastries, cookies, brownies, and more, that are mouth-watering and irresistible. You can also find savoury items, such as sandwiches, pies, and patties, here. This bakery is a part of Kolkata’s history, as it was established in 1902, by a Jewish family, and has been serving customers ever since.
Blue Sky Cafe: This is a cosy and charming cafe, where you can find continental and Chinese food, such as pasta, pizza, burgers, noodles, and more, that are delicious and satisfying. You can also find beverages, such as coffee, tea, juice, and shakes, here. This cafe is a popular hangout spot for young and old alike, as it has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
Badshah: This is a famous restaurant, where you can find Mughlai food, such as biryani, kebabs, curries, and more, that are rich and flavourful. You can also find Indian and Chinese food, here. This restaurant is a favourite among locals and tourists, as it has a legacy of serving quality food since 1941.
Aminia: This is another famous restaurant, where you can find Mughlai food, such as biryani, kebabs, curries, and more, that are authentic and tasty. You can also find Indian and Chinese food, here. This restaurant is known for its signature dish, the Aminia Special Biryani, which is a must-try for biryani lovers.
Basanta Cabin: This is a legendary restaurant, where you can find Bengali food, such as fish, rice, dal, and more, that are simple and homely. You can also find snacks, such as cutlets, chops, and rolls, here. This restaurant is a part of Kolkata’s culture, as it was established in 1915, and has been visited by many celebrities and dignitaries, such as Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, and Subhash Chandra Bose.
Fun And Best Things To Do In New Market
New Market is not only a place for shopping and eating, but also a place for fun and entertainment. You can find a variety of activities, attractions, and experiences, in New Market, to make your visit more enjoyable and memorable. Whether you are looking for culture, adventure, or relaxation, you will find them all in New Market. Here are some of the fun and best things to do in New Market, according to different categories:
Culture:
If you are looking for culture, you will find plenty of opportunities to learn and appreciate the history, art, and heritage of Kolkata, in New Market. You can find cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, and monuments, in New Market. Some of the best cultural attractions are:
Indian Museum: This is the oldest and largest museum in India, where you can find a collection of artefacts, paintings, sculptures, fossils, and more, that showcase the history and diversity of India and the world. You can also find exhibitions, events, and workshops, here.
Nandan: This is a cultural complex, where you can find a cinema hall, an art gallery, a library, and a cafe, that promote the arts and culture of Bengal and India. You can also find festivals, screenings, and performances, here.
Victoria Memorial: This is a majestic monument, built in the memory of Queen Victoria, that serves as a museum and a garden. You can find a collection of paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and more, that depict the history and legacy of the British Raj in India. You can also find a light and sound show, a musical fountain, and a horse carriage ride, here.
Adventure:
If you are looking for adventure, you will find plenty of options to challenge yourself and have some thrill, in New Market. You can find adventure activities, such as escape rooms, laser tag, and paintball, in New Market. Some of the best adventure activities are:
Mystery Rooms: This is an escape room, where you and your team have to solve puzzles, clues, and riddles, to escape from a locked room, within a given time limit. You can choose from different themes, such as prison break, haunted house, bomb defuse, and more, that test your skills and nerves.
Laser Game: This is a laser tag, where you and your team have to shoot your opponents with laser guns, while avoiding being hit, in a dark and futuristic arena. You can choose from different modes, such as team deathmatch, capture the flag, and more, that test your strategy and reflexes.
Paintball Arena: This is a paintball, where you and your team have to shoot your opponents with paintballs, while hiding behind obstacles, in an outdoor or indoor field. You can choose from different scenarios, such as war zone, jungle, and more, that test your teamwork and accuracy.
Relaxation:
If you are looking for relaxation, you will find plenty of ways to unwind and rejuvenate, in New Market. You can find relaxation activities, such as spas, salons, and massage parlours, in New Market. Some of the best relaxation activities are:
Sawasdee Namaste Spa: This is a spa, where you can find a range of services, such as massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures, that relax your body and mind. You can also find aromatherapy, reflexology, and ayurveda, here.
Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty Salon: This is a salon, where you can find a range of services, such as haircuts, hair colour, hair treatments, and more, that enhance your look and style. You can also find makeup, waxing, threading, and more, here.
New Market Massage Parlours: There are many massage parlours in New Market, where you can find a variety of massages, such as Thai, Swedish, Balinese, and more, that soothe your muscles and nerves. You can also find foot reflexology, acupressure, and more, here.
New Market Shopping Tips
New Market is a place where you can have a lot of fun and excitement, but also a place where you need to be careful and smart. There are some tips and tricks that you need to know before you go shopping in New Market, to make your experience more enjoyable and hassle-free. Here are some of the New Market shopping tips, that you should keep in mind:
Bargain: Bargaining is a skill that you need to master, if you want to shop in New Market, as most of the sellers will quote a higher price than the actual value of the product. You need to negotiate and haggle, until you reach a reasonable price, that is fair for both you and the seller. You can also compare the prices of different shops, and use your charm and humour, to bargain better.
Avoid Scams: Scams are a common occurrence in New Market, as some of the sellers may try to cheat you, by selling you fake or defective products, or by charging you extra fees or taxes. You need to be alert and aware, and avoid falling for such scams. You can also check the quality and authenticity of the product, before you buy it, and ask for a receipt or a bill, after you pay for it.
Navigate: Navigating in New Market can be a challenge, as the market is huge and crowded, and has many lanes and alleys, that can confuse you. You need to have a map or a guide, to help you find your way around the market, and to locate the shops and stalls, that you are looking for. You can also ask the locals or the security guards, for directions, and remember the landmarks and signs, that can help you orient yourself.
Carry Cash: Carrying cash is a necessity, if you want to shop in New Market, as most of the shops and stalls, do not accept cards or digital payments. You need to have enough cash, in small denominations, to pay for your purchases, and to avoid any inconvenience or delay. You can also use ATMs or money exchange counters, that are available in and around the market, to withdraw or exchange cash.
New Market is a place that you cannot miss, if you are in Kolkata, or planning to visit Kolkata. It is a place that offers you a unique and unforgettable experience, that will make you fall in love with the city. It is a place that has something for everyone, whether you are a shopper, a foodie, or a fun-seeker.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your visit to New Market, and discover the charm and magic of Kolkata’s shopping paradise. And don’t forget to share your feedback or questions, with us, in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you. Happy shopping!
