Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

Siliguri is a paradise for food lovers and shoppers, offering authentic Bengali, Tibetan, and Nepali cuisine, along with bustling street markets and modern malls. Whether you want to try steaming momos, sip on Darjeeling tea, or shop for imported goods at budget prices, here’s your ultimate guide to food & shopping in Siliguri.

 Best Food Experiences in Siliguri

Siliguri is a melting pot of Bengali, Nepali, Tibetan, and North Indian flavors. From street food to fine dining, here are the must-try dishes and places.

 1. Tibetan & Nepali Food: Momos & Thukpa

 What to Eat?
✔ Momos (Steamed & Fried) – Served with spicy red chutney.
✔ Thukpa – Tibetan-style noodle soup with chicken or vegetables.
✔ Shaphaley – Deep-fried Tibetan stuffed bread.

 Best Places to Eat:
✔ Momo Gali – Best street-style momos.
✔ Kunga Restaurant – Famous for Tibetan cuisine.
✔ Momo Hut (City Centre Mall) – Hygienic & delicious.

 Tip: Try the Chicken Cheese Momos at Kunga—they are legendary!

 2. Authentic Bengali Cuisine

 What to Eat?
✔ Shorshe Ilish – Hilsa fish cooked in mustard sauce.
✔ Chingri Malai Curry – Prawns cooked in coconut gravy.
✔ Kosha Mangsho – Spicy slow-cooked mutton curry.
✔ Luchi & Alur Dom – Fried Bengali bread with potato curry.

 Best Places to Eat:
✔ Bhojohori Manna – Best for Bengali Thali.
✔ Aheli – The Loft – Fine dining with traditional Bengali dishes.
✔ Ghare Baire Restaurant – Homely Bengali meals.

 Tip: Try Shorshe Ilish (Hilsa fish) during monsoon for the freshest catch!

 3. Street Food Delights

 What to Eat?
✔ Kathi Rolls – Paratha stuffed with chicken/mutton & sauces.
✔ Pani Puri (Phuchka) – Crispy balls filled with spicy, tangy water.
✔ Chowmein & Chilli Chicken – Popular Indo-Chinese street food.
✔ Egg Devil (Dimer Devil) – A deep-fried, spicy egg cutlet.

 Best Street Food Areas:
✔ Bidhan Market – Best for Kathi Rolls & Phuchka.
✔ Sevoke Road Stalls – Best for Chowmein & Chicken Lollipops.
✔ Seth Sweets – Best for Chaat and Samosas.

 Tip: Visit in the evening for the freshest street food!

 4. Sweets & Desserts

 What to Eat?
✔ Rosogolla & Sandesh – Soft, spongy Bengali sweets.
✔ Mishti Doi – Sweetened, thickened yogurt.
✔ Chhanar Jilipi – Cheese-based jalebi-like dessert.
✔ Pantua – Similar to gulab jamun but richer.

 Best Sweet Shops in Siliguri:
✔ Nobin Chandra Das Sweets – Famous for Rosogolla.
✔ Adi Kalpataru Mistanna Bhandar – Best for Sandesh & Mishti Doi.
✔ Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick – Premium sweets collection.

 Tip: Pair Mishti Doi with Luchi for an authentic Bengali breakfast.

 5. Cafes & Nightlife

 Best Cafes & Bars in Siliguri:
✔ The Tribe Café – Best for coffee & snacks.
✔ Hi Spirits Café & Lounge – Live music & cocktails.
✔ Half Full Half Empty – Popular bar with great food.

 Tip: Try Butter Tea at a Tibetan café for a unique Himalayan experience.

 Best Shopping in Siliguri

Siliguri is a shopper’s paradise, offering affordable fashion, electronics, woolen clothes, and imported goods.

1. Hong Kong Market (Best for Imported Goods & Fashion)

 Why Shop Here?

• Buy imported electronics, fashion accessories, perfumes, and cosmetics at cheap rates.
• Famous for Tibetan handicrafts, winter clothes, and footwear.
• A paradise for bargain hunters.

 Location: Near Mahabirstan, Siliguri
 Best Time to Visit: Evening
 Bargaining: Yes!

 Tip: Be careful of fake branded products—bargain hard!

 2. Bidhan Market (Best for Budget Shopping & Street Food)

 Why Shop Here?

• Best for affordable clothes, handbags, shoes, and accessories.
• Famous for street food stalls serving Kathi Rolls & Phuchka.
• Great for budget travelers and locals.

 Location: Central Siliguri
 Best Time to Visit: Afternoon & evening
 Bargaining: Yes!

 Tip: Visit in the evening for the best street food experience!

 3. Seth Sriram Market (Best for Winter Wear & Handicrafts)

 Why Shop Here?

• Best place to buy Tibetan woolen shawls, jackets, and blankets.
• Great for handicrafts, jewelry, and carpets.
• Located close to the bus stand and railway station.

 Location: Hill Cart Road, Siliguri
 Best Time to Visit: Morning & afternoon
 Bargaining: Yes!

 Tip: Perfect place to buy warm clothes for Darjeeling & Sikkim trips.

 4. City Centre Mall (Best for Branded Shopping & Entertainment)

 Why Shop Here?

• The biggest shopping mall in Siliguri, with branded stores, a multiplex, and fine dining.
• Home to top brands like Pantaloons, Reliance Trends, and Max.
• Great for watching movies, shopping, and food courts.

 Location: Matigara, 7 km from Siliguri
 Best Time to Visit: Afternoon & evening
 Branded Shopping: Fixed Prices

 Tip: Visit Momo Hut inside the mall for delicious momos.

 5. Vega Circle Mall (Best for Luxury Shopping & Dining)

 Why Shop Here?

• Features premium brands, a food court, and a multiplex.
• Best for cosmetics, jewelry, and high-end fashion.
• Home to PVR Cinemas and top cafés.

 Location: Sevoke Road, Siliguri
 Best Time to Visit: Evening

 Tip: Try Brown Cup Café inside the mall for amazing coffee & desserts.

 Best Places Based on Interests

✔ For Budget Shopping → Hong Kong Market, Bidhan Market
✔ For Imported & Fashion Goods → Hong Kong Market, Seth Sriram Market
✔ For Luxury Shopping → City Centre Mall, Vega Circle Mall
✔ For Food Lovers → Momo Gali, Bhojohori Manna, The Tribe Café
✔ For Street Food → Bidhan Market, Sevoke Road Stalls

Siliguri is a paradise for foodies and shopaholics alike. Whether you’re looking to taste authentic momos, grab budget shopping deals, or explore high-end malls, Siliguri has something for everyone!