Durga Puja 2017: Beyond CR Park, Restaurants in Delhi for a Grand Puja Feast

Come Durga Puja, and it is the time for feasting, among other customs and rituals. This is perhaps the best time to savour the best of Bengali fare as many eateries, restaurants, home cooks and puja pandal stalls offer traditional Bengali delicacies, which you can enjoy to your heart's content. The five days of festivities is a treat for food lovers to space our their feasting schedules (and appetites) and indulge - from Mutton Chops, Deviled Eggs, Prawn Cutlet and Mughlai Paratha to Kosha Mangsho, Bhapa Ilish, Bhetki Paturi, Patishapta and more! But it also means battling through traffic and throngs and throngs of people to reach the puja stalls and finally feast.

If you rather prefer a hassle-free Durga Puja feasting this season, away from the madness at CR Park, then head to these restaurants who are serving delicious festive treats that will satisfy every craving -

1. Durga Puja Thali at Monkey Bar

The all-time favourite gastro-pub Monkey Bar, in Delhi and Kolkata, is offering 'Iti Aunty's Pujor Special Thaala', a specially curated thali of home-style Bengali delicacies by a Kolkata-based home chef, food critic and passionate foodie - Iti Misra. The thali is perfect for two, and is available in three options - Veg, Seafood and Chicken. What to expect? Spicy Aloo Dum, Mughlai Paratha, Luchi, Begun Kasundi, Fish Kochuri , Bhaapa Chingri wrapped in Kumra Pata or pumpkin leaves, Bhoona Khichuri, Fish Cutlet, Chicken Cutlet, Chicken Kosha, Omelette Curry, to name a few. The Vegetarian Thali is equally as relishing with specials like Dhokaar Dalna, Shukto, and more. Go on, and indulge!

Price: Vegetarian Thaala - INR 999, Fish Thaala - INR 1299, and the Chicken Thaala - INR 1199 (excluding taxes).
Where: Monkey Bar, Vasant Kunj, Delhi; and Monkey Bar, Kolkata

2. Oh! Calcutta

The renowned chain of Bengali restaurants, Oh! Calcutta will be offering a special Durga Puja buffet to showcase a range of Bengali delicacies so that you and your family can celebrate hassle-free. From starters and man course to desserts, there will be a smorgasbord of traditional Bengali dishes to delight your palate. What to expect: Fish Cutlet, Gobindo Bhog Fish Fry, Palong Chingri, Beguni, Aloo Posto, Ghonto, Aam Kasundi Phoolkopi, Chigri Malai Curry, Chicken Chaap, Kolkata Mutton Biryani, and lots more lip-smacking dishes.

Price: Ranges from INR 717 to 1155 (excluding tazes)
Where: International Trade Tower, Nehru Place; DLF Cyber City, Gurugram

Lavaash By Saby is a charming restaurant nestled in Mehrauli, close to the Qutub Minar. Chef Sabyasachi Gorai is renowned for his spectacular culinary creations and this eatery is special for it features Armenian Cuisine with Bengali influences, from a small community that made Kolkata their home many years back. This Puja season, they will be offering 'special' dishes every day to spread the festive cheer!

Price: A meal for two would be INR 2500 approx
Where: H-5/1, Ambawatta One, Kalkadass Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi

If you stay in Gurgaon, and don't want to fight your way through the pandals, Ki Hangla is just the place to head to for a satisfying festive meal. The quaint eatery offers some flavour packed dishes to make festive celebrations even merrier. What to look out for? Kolkata Kathi Rolls, Dimer Devil, Fish Fry, Prawn Cutlet, Ilish Bhapa, Pabda Paturi, Bhetki Shorshe, Kosha Mansho and more. For sweet lovers, don't miss the Mishti Doi!

Price: A meal for two would be INR 1000

Where: A-201 & B-101, Supermart 1, DLF Phase 4, Gurugram