When we think of Bangladeshi food in Dhaka, the first thing that comes to mind is a comforting, delicious home-cooked meal. But let's be honest—Dhakaites also love to explore restaurants that serve their favorite Bangladeshi delicacies, sometimes underrated and hard to find.
Here are a few restaurants that proudly showcase the flavors of Bangladesh, offering everything from Bhortas to Loitta Fry, and from Daab Chingri to Paturi. These places know how to celebrate Bengali cuisine in style.
Shodeshi: Located in Dhanmondi, this restaurant boasts a tasteful blend of minimalistic décor, adorned with captivating Bangladeshi artwork. Shodeshi offers an array of regional Bangladeshi favorites, from Daab Chingri (coconut prawns) to Loitta Fry (Bombay duck fish) and endless bhortas.
The must-haves at this restaurant include the Daab Chingri and the Baadam er Shorbot (almond sorbet). Their Daab Chingri is simply exquisite. This traditional Bengali curry, featuring prawns, is cooked to perfection within a coconut shell.
Infused with an aromatic blend of spices and coconut flesh, the velvety gravy enriched with coconut milk, poppy seeds, coconut water, green chilies, and tomato paste envelops the tender prawns in a symphony of taste. A squeeze of lemon juice also heightens its already sublime flavors. Pair it with white rice to completely satisfy your taste buds.
The Baadam er Shorbot they serve is steeped in tradition and bursting with the invigorating zest of saffron. Its masterful blend of flavors, enhanced by the richness of almonds and the subtle sweetness of sugar. The price range for a meal at Shodeshi is Tk25 for the delectable bhortas to Tk300, excluding VAT, which is evidently an affordable price range.
Banglish: Located on the other side of the city in Gulshan 1, the restaurant’s walls are adorned with Bengali inscriptions on one side and English inscriptions on the other, giving you a sense of innate comfort and familiarity.
Banglish serves deshi delicacies for lunch and continental dishes for dinner. Their deshi offerings include Beef Hyderabadi Haleem, Egg Korma, and Achaari Chicken. The deshi specialties that truly warrant a revisit, according to us, are the Hyderabadi Haleem, their Achaari Chicken, and the bhortas—of which there are many, from Daal Bhorta to Tomato Bhorta (mashes).
Their Hyderabadi Haleem, a slow-cooked stew featuring shredded meat, minced wheat, lentils, yogurt, and chopped nuts, is delightful. This dish packs a punch with its intensely savory and spicy flavors, complemented by its thick, velvety texture. Served with parathas, each bite is a flavorful adventure, heightened by a squeeze of lime for an added kick. You also cannot leave Banglish without trying their Achaari Chicken.
Boasting pickling spices, this standout dish features perfectly marinated chicken bathed in a thick, savory gravy. The price range for a meal at Banglish is Tk500 to Tk700.
Terracotta Tales: Having been around the longest, Terracotta Tales possibly needs little to no introduction for its assortment of traditional Bangladeshi food in Dhaka.
Located inside Aarong’s flagship branch at Tejgaon, this restaurant spoils you for choice with a Bengali fare.
The restaurant has a calming atmosphere with hanging bamboo lights, soothing earth tones, and large windows.
Their Chingri Paturi is a to-die-for main course where the prawn is wrapped in pumpkin and bottle gourd leaves, and you have to open the dish to dig into the delicacy. The dish includes steamed poppy seeds, fresh coconut, mustard oil, and lemon juice.
Their Doi Bora, served as dessert, includes a lentil mix, ginger paste for yogurt, chopped onions, green chilies, and tamarind chutney.
The delectable taste rests on the well-seasoned yogurt cooked using herbs like moong beans, fenugreek seeds, and vegetable oil, making it a winner of a dish.
Their Bhorta Platter, comprising Daal (lentil) Bhorta, Begun (eggplant) Bhorta, Tomato Bhorta, and Aloo (potato) Bhorta, is one to relish. Each bhorta brings out the different tastes of the Old Dhaka Bhoj meal.
Needless to say, you must pair the bhortas with white rice to enjoy them to the fullest. The price range for a meal at Terracotta Tales is between Tk65 and Tk1,095.
Head to these spots to celebrate Bengali cuisine and relish the flavors.
