7 Best Budget Restaurants Near South City Mall Kolkata Under ₹500 (2026 Guide)

You just spent two hours inside South City Mall. The shopping was good. The INOX show was great. And now you are hungry, properly hungry, but the restaurants inside the mall are charging ₹800 for a plate that should cost half that.

Sound familiar?

Here is the thing that most South City Mall regulars quietly know: the best and most affordable food near this part of Kolkata is not inside the mall. It is in the streets, lanes, and neighbourhood spots spread across Jadavpur, Rashbehari, Tollygunge, and Bikramgarh, all within a 10 to 15 minute radius.

This guide covers the best budget restaurants near South City Mall Kolkata where a full, satisfying meal for two comes in well under ₹500. No filler picks. No generic lists. Just real places, real food, and real value.

Why Eating Near South City Mall (But Not Inside) Makes Total Sense

South City Mall, located on Prince Anwar Shah Road in Jadavpur, opened in 2008 and has since become one of Kolkata’s most visited destinations. The mall is excellent for shopping and entertainment. But its restaurant zone, while good, is priced for an experience, not for everyday value.

Step outside and you are surrounded by some of South Kolkata’s most beloved food neighbourhoods. Rashbehari Avenue has legendary dhabas. Jadavpur has student-friendly eateries. Tollygunge has hidden gems. And Bikramgarh, just minutes from the mall gate, has a few neighbourhood spots that locals quietly swear by.

If you know where to look, ₹500 goes very far around here.

The Red Palate – Bikramgarh, Jadavpur (₹350 for Two)

The closest thing to a hidden gem in this list – and one that deserves far more attention than it currently gets.

The Red Palate is a cosy neighbourhood restaurant at 2/1 Prince Gulam Hussain Shah Road, Bikramgarh, just minutes from South City Mall. It serves a mix of Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Mughlai cuisine – and does it remarkably well for the price.

Regulars here will tell you to start with the chicken rolls, which come stuffed generously and arrive fresh off the griddle. The momos – both steamed and pan-fried – are made in-house and consistently good. For a main course, the chicken biryani has built a loyal following in the neighbourhood, and the Schezwan rice and chilli chicken together make for a meal that is both satisfying and easy on the wallet.

The average cost for two is around ₹350, making it one of the most affordable sit-down options in this entire area. The ambience is warm and unfussy, the service is friendly, and the food comes out fresh – not reheated, not rushed.

What sets The Red Palate apart is that it feels genuinely local. There are no gimmicks here, no pretence. Just well-made food in a welcoming setting, at a price that makes you want to come back again the same week.

Rated 4.2 on Google. Rated 4.1 on Magicpin. Serves dine-in, takeaway, and delivery.

Must try:

• Chicken Roll, Chicken Biryani, Steamed Momos, Chilli Chicken with Fried Rice
• Average cost for two: ₹300 – ₹350
• Location: 2/1 Prince Gulam Hussain Shah Road, Bikramgarh, Jadavpur.

Bachan’s Dhaba – Rashbehari Avenue, Kalighat (₹350 for Two)

If there is one name that South Kolkata’s food lovers say with a kind of reverence, it is Bachan’s Dhaba.

Established in 1927 by Bachan Singh – a former taxi driver who started with just roti and tadka on his menu, this dhaba has now been run by the fourth generation of the same family for nearly a hundred years. It sits right on Rashbehari Avenue near Kalighat metro station, about 10 minutes from South City Mall, and it is almost always crowded.

The food here is proudly dhaba-style. Thick, rich, unapologetically heavy on the ghee. The legendary Egg Tadka with Rumali Roti has been a bestseller for decades and has never changed – which is exactly the point. The Chicken Bharta, Mutton Korma, and Chicken Reshmi Kebab are all deeply flavourful and served in generous portions. Half-plate options are available, which makes it easy to try more without overspending.

The average cost for two sits around ₹350 on the lower end, making it one of the best value meals in all of South Kolkata. With over 7,000 Google reviews and a 4.9 rating on Restaurant Guru, this is not a secret – but it still feels like finding something special every single time.

Pro tip: Go during off-peak hours (before 1 PM for lunch, before 8 PM for dinner) to avoid the rush and get quicker service.

Must try:

• Egg Tadka, Rumali Roti, Chicken Bharta, Chicken Reshmi Kebab
• Average cost for two: ₹300 – ₹500 (depending on items ordered)
• Location: T39A, Rash Behari Avenue, Kalighat | Near Kalighat Metro Station Hours: 12 Noon – 12 Midnight, daily.

Chowman – Jadavpur (₹400 for Two)

Kolkata has a unique and deeply personal relationship with Chinese food. Not the Chinese food of China, but the Kolkata version, adapted, evolved, and made entirely its own over generations. And Chowman is one of the best places to eat it without spending a lot of money.

The Jadavpur outlet, located near the Bharat Petroleum Office on Prince Golam Mohammad Shah Road, about half a mile from South City Mall, is consistently well-reviewed for its authentic Chinese-style cooking. The dim sums, wonton soups, and noodle dishes here are clean and precise. Nothing is overdone. The portions are fair and the pricing is sensible, with most main dishes falling well under ₹200 per person.

If you are visiting South City Mall with a group that includes Chinese food fans, Chowman Jadavpur is a natural stop on the way back.

Must try:

• Dim Sum, Wonton Soup, Stir-fried Noodles
• Average cost for two: ₹350 – ₹450
• Location: 25/166 Prince Golam Mohammad Shah Road, Near Bharat Petroleum Office, Tollygunge

Banana Leaf – Tollygunge (₹400 for Two)

South Indian food is one of those cuisines that is simultaneously simple and deeply comforting, and Banana Leaf has been doing it well in Kolkata for years.

Located in Tollygunge, roughly 15 minutes from South City Mall, Banana Leaf is known across the city for its quality South Indian fare at prices that feel almost too reasonable. The dosas here are crisp and properly made. The sambar is rich. The filter coffee is the real thing. For ₹400 or less for two, you can eat a proper, filling South Indian meal, idli, vada, dosa, rice plates, without any compromise on quality.

It is an excellent option for vegetarians in particular, and one of the few places near South City Mall where you can get genuinely good South Indian food rather than a mall-chain approximation of it.

Must try:

• Masala Dosa, Idli-Vada, Filter Coffee, Thali
• Average cost for two: ₹350 – ₹400
• Location: Tollygunge area, opposite of the Lake Mall, Kolkata

The Tandoor House – Near South City Mall (₹500 for Two)

The Tandoor House is one of those old Kolkata chain restaurants that has outlasted trends, new competitors, and shifting tastes simply by being consistently good. It has been around for decades, and its formula has not changed much: North Indian and Chinese food, done properly, at prices that do not make you wince.

Located close to South City Mall, it is a particularly good option for families. The tandoori dishes, chicken tikka, seekh kebab, paneer tikka, are well-made and come in good portions. The Chinese menu covers the reliable classics. And for a full meal for two with starters and mains, you can still come out under ₹500 if you order sensibly.

Must try:

• Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kebab, Butter Naan, Chicken Fried Rice
• Average cost for two: ₹450 – ₹500
• Location: Near South City Mall, Prince Anwar Shah Road area

Kathleen’s Bakery & Café – Jadavpur (₹200–₹300 for Two)

If you are not looking for a full sit-down meal but want something light, satisfying, and genuinely delicious after your mall visit, Kathleen’s in Jadavpur is a local institution worth knowing about.

Kathleen’s is one of Kolkata’s oldest bakeries, with a history stretching back decades. The Jadavpur outlet, on Jadavpur Central Road near the university, is small and unfussy, just a display counter, a few seats, and some of the best baked goods and quick bites in South Kolkata. The chicken patties and mutton puffs are legendary among Jadavpur regulars. The sandwiches are filling and fairly priced.

For a light snack or a tea-time bite under ₹200–₹300 for two, it is almost unbeatable in this area.

Must try:

• Chicken Patty, Mutton Puff, Sandwich, Pastry
• Average cost for two: ₹150 – ₹300
• Location: 55/1 Jadavpur Central Road, Near Jadavpur University

Local Street Food -The Food Street Outside South City Mall (₹100–₹200)

This one does not have a single name because it is not a single place. It is the stretch of street food stalls that operates in the area around South City Mall and the surrounding lanes, and on a good evening, it is some of the best informal eating you will find in South Kolkata.

Egg rolls, kathi rolls, phuchka, ghugni, jhal muri, momos from roadside carts, the range is wide and the prices are almost laughably low. A full egg chicken roll that would cost ₹120 inside the mall food court costs ₹40 to ₹60 out here. A plate of phuchka with tamarind water is ₹20 to ₹30.

If you are not hungry enough for a full restaurant meal but want to graze, this is your option. It is also, frankly, one of the most authentic food experiences this part of Kolkata offers.

Budget for two: ₹100 – ₹200 (depending on how much you eat).

Quick Comparison Table of Budget Restaurants Near South City Mall Kolkata

A Few Tips Before You Go

1. Go on weekday afternoons if you can. Most of these spots are significantly less crowded between 2 PM and 6 PM on weekdays. You get better service, more relaxed seating, and sometimes fresher food.
2. Use Google Maps for real-time directions. Streets in Jadavpur and Bikramgarh can be narrow and slightly confusing if you are visiting for the first time. Google Maps handles this neighbourhood well.
3. Carry some cash. Most of these budget restaurants accept UPI, but a few street stalls and older establishments like Bachan’s Dhaba work more smoothly with cash.
4. Check Google ratings before you go. Ratings at all the places listed here are strong (4.0 and above), but it always helps to check recent reviews for any operational changes.

The Final Word

The restaurants inside South City Mall are fine. Some of them are genuinely good. But if you are looking for food that gives you real value, where ₹300 to ₹500 actually feeds two people well, the answer has always been just outside the mall gate.

From the century-old Bachan’s Dhaba on Rashbehari Avenue to the warm, neighbourhood comfort of The Red Palate in Bikramgarh, South Kolkata’s budget dining scene is richer and more satisfying than most people realise.

The next time you leave South City Mall with an empty stomach and a full shopping bag, you know exactly where to turn.