Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport

Kolkata's airport won't let you leave the city hungry, and if you're lucky enough to have a long layover, the dining options airside are genuinely worth your time. The recently renovated terminal has a decent spread of restaurants clustered near the departure gates, with Mainland China and Oh! Calcutta representing the more polished sit-down options for travelers craving regional Bengali fare before a flight. The food court on the upper level handles the crowd efficiently without sacrificing quality.

What makes eating at CCU special is how stubbornly local the flavors remain even within the airport bubble. You can find kathi rolls — Kolkata's beloved street-food staple — done properly at a few counters, with flaky parathas wrapped around egg, chicken, or mutton fillings. Mishti doi, the sweetened yogurt that Bengalis treat almost as a religion, appears in refrigerated displays alongside rosogolla and sandesh. Grabbing a small tub before boarding is practically a rite of passage for anyone heading out of the city.

For a quick coffee and something light, Café Coffee Day and a handful of smaller bakery counters offer freshly baked goods and decent espresso drinks. The pre-security dining options near the check-in halls are more limited and mostly fast-food oriented, so if you want a proper meal, clear security with time to spare. Prices are airport-elevated but not outrageous by Indian metro standards, and the portions are generous enough that you won't be reaching for the in-flight snack cart anytime soon.