Nostalgia comes rushing in the minute we hear the magic words ‘Coffee House.’ For all the Bengali jabbermouths who vouch for the supremacy of that classic hangout, the ‘Coffee House adda’ is back in a new avatar at New Town, Kolkata. While the yesteryear Coffee House at College Street is breathing heavy, having lost its glitz and glamour to the onslaught of the current generation of hip hop restaurants and West-aping cafes, the Newtown Coffee House is here to stay. It promises to floor even the most skeptical Kolkatan with its gorgeous setup, having retained the old world charm that the original Indian Coffee House once boasted.

Fish Kabiraji

Prawn Cutlet

Route
From Biswa Bangla Sarani, enter the road adjacent to Westin Hotel. Drive till Aliya University and then take the right and immediate left. Drive for a few metres to find the resplendent New Town Coffee House right opposite Amity University.

Ambience
Standing tall in stark white, the Coffee House with its sprawling 5000 sq ft floor space and plush decor is an ideal eating joint to patronise with family. The ground floor with black and white chequered tiles allows seating for 100 guests while the first floor can accommodate 40 people in its balcony. Conceptualised by Debasish Sen, Chairman, HIDCO, the Coffee House provides an ambient set up at a student-pocket-friendly price.
As you enter, you are astounded by the lavish bright hall. The stunning expanse owes its brightness to large glass windows on three sides. The graffiti on the only wall is eye catching. The ceiling, with its open beams and low hanging fans, is a replica of the more vintage version albeit with a touch of sophistication. The decor is tastefully done and designed to impress the more savvy present generation. The kitchen and washrooms, however, have a modern look and feel. Book lovers can pore over a Dan Brown or a Shashi Tharoor in the cosy library on the left of the entrance. The library boasts an excellent collection of books both in Bengali and English, making it a perfect reading zone for students.

Facility
You can simply walk into the coffee house and occupy any table available. Newtown Coffee House also has the provision to book a table in advance through ‘Bookmyshow’ or directly. A prior booking allows you to relax and enjoy your coffee at your pace.
Owing to the current pandemic situation, HIDCO has offered to let out the facility as work spaces for professionals. The space can be easily availed with prior booking with a nominal booking charge of `13 for an hour and `20 for an hour and a half. This along with the reasonably priced food, is an ideal hot spot for professionals to carry out their business discussions. Online or offline transactions, work stretches over long hours is a given . 
Currently 50% of the tables are kept aside for working professionals. Interestingly, if the facility is housefull, coupons are issued during the peak hours so that there is no overlapping of booked slots.

Food
A carefully curated menu identical with that of the Indian Coffee House, complements the venue. You may simply enjoy a cold coffee on a hot summer day. Dig into their scrumptious Fish Kabiraji or a crispy Fish Fry and you are sure to come back for more. The fish items are delicious and made of original Bengal Beckti. Served with onion rings, lemon wedges and three different sauces, they are sure to take you down those bittersweet memory lanes that are so precious. Chowmein, Afghani Murg, Prawn cutlet are some of their star items. For those with a sweet tooth, the Caramel Custard served with fresh fruits is simply out of this world. 
Nibedita and Biswajit Nandy, visiting from Dubai, came all the way to soak in this vintage ambience over coffee and fish fry. Sushmita, an ex-student of Presidency College, is nostalgic about the Indian Coffee House and is overwhelmed to find the exact same offerings at the New Town Coffee House. Tiyash Mukherjee reminisces about the Indian Coffee House, which was once a hub of the Bengal intelligentsia. Sushmita likes to visit the New Town Coffee House with her friends to indulge in long brainstorming sessions. Yash and Rakesh are busy arguing over a business proposition, while snacking on French Fries and Sandwiches.

Afghani Murg

Cold Coffee

Caramel Custard

"Coffee House New Town is rooted in nostalgia and builds upon memories of student days for many of us. Only it is modern with wifi enabled air conditioned cafeteria and a library. But the striking facade and interiors including photography display on the walls, cartoons and cut-outs make this a much sought out place for all," says an emphatic Debasish Sen. 
So when do we drive out for the coffee?

Must Try
Coffee: Rs. 30
Cold Coffee : Rs.110
Fish Fry : Rs.120
Fish Kobirajee : Rs.140
Afghani Murg : Rs.160
Prawn Cutlet : Rs.190
Caramel Custard : Rs.110

INFO BOX
Timing: 1:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Closed on: Monday
Parking: Free (on the road across
the Coffee House in front of 
Amity University)