What to do and see in West Bengal, India: The Best Gift & Specialty Shops

October 18, 2021 Florencio Paulino

West Bengal (/wɛst bɛŋˈɡɔːl/) is an Indian state, located in Eastern India on the Bay of Bengal. With over 91 million inhabitants (as of 2011), it is India's fourth-most populous state. It has an area of 88,752 km (34,267 sq mi). A part of the ethno-linguistic Bengal region, it borders Bangladesh in the east, and Nepal and Bhutan in the north. It also borders the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Assam. The state capital is Kolkata (Calcutta), the seventh-largest city in India. As for geography, West Bengal includes the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region, the Ganges delta, the Rarh region, and the coastal Sundarbans. The main ethnic group are the Bengalis, with Bengali Hindus forming the demographic majority.
Restaurants in West Bengal

1. Sunshine

7 Sudder Street, Kolkata (Calcutta) India +91 33 2252 3007
Excellent
92%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 177 reviews

Sunshine

Reviewed By catherinemJ6901UF

I have been coming back here for gifts since 2013. I am always welcomed and they remember me every time. There is so much variety for gifts. Things are priced very reasonably. I looked at one item here that I also found in New Market. The starting price in New Market was 4 times the price! This is what keeps me coming back. The guys here understand that repeat custom comes from not trying to cheat people. The tag line on their business card is "We respect human relationship".....I would absolutely agree that this is the essence of their business. Keep up the good work guys! I'll be back!

2. Chandulal's

4 Nerhu Road Opposite Glenrays Mall Road, Darjeeling 734101 India +91 97495 47478 https://www.facebook.com/chandulal/
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Chandulal's

3. EnSoie

31 Elgin Road Platinum Mall, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700020 India +91 98834 54321 [email protected] http://ensoie.com/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

EnSoie

Its story began in 1974, when Monique Meier took over the esteemed Zurich silk house Brauchbar & Sons, founded in 1894, which had supplied leading couturier in Paris & Rome with extravagant fabric. Shortly after opening its doors in Switzerland, enSoie (meaning "on-silk" in French) established its reputation in the fashion industry as a pioneer in textile design. Today, the brand is best known for its iconic scarves and foulards, ceramics and jewelry pieces which perfectly represent their very unique philosophy of fashion and lifestyle. In February 2013, Monique Meier's first-born daughter Eleonore, together with her husband Rafael Palacio and her sister Sophie, opened the 'atelier shop'. Located in the heart of the Silver Lake district's creative community, it is our U.S. Flagship and has space for collaborative and artistic explorations, promoting new local arts and crafts. In the autumn of 2014 enSoie opened its third store in a contemporary building in Kolkata's buzzing business district. EnSoie's longtime partner, producer and friend Surendra Joshi and his family run the shop. Particularly involved are his daughters Priyanka & Radhika and his son Sudarshan. Along with the enSoie products the shop has exclusive Bridal & Couture Assemblage by Radhika Joshi, who is also an Indian designer. Products - Western & Indian Apperals - Leather / Fabric Bags - Lifestyle products - Scarves / Shawls / Foulards - Ceramics (Hand-painted & Gold Plated) - Silver / 9K Gold Fashion Jewellery

4. Pumposh Kashmir Shawl Emporium

Ng-125 New Market New Complex Back Side of Hotel, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700087 India +91 33 2252 1962 http://www.pumposh.com
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Pumposh Kashmir Shawl Emporium

5. Himalaya Gears

Nehru Road, Darjeeling 734101 India +91 354 225 6660 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/himalayagears/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Himalaya Gears

We at Himalaya Gears, sells all kinds of outdoor gears and adventure gears for the trek and expeditions in the Himalaya of India. You can find all range of down jackets, soft-shell wears, fleece warmer, polar-tech suits and caps. And a wide range of backpack and day-packs to meet best of your requirement for the trek.

Reviewed By Hereandtheremyway

I lost my cold weather coat while traveling in north india. when I got to darjeeling, the mornings and nights were cold and I needed a jacket. There are plenty of places to buy cheap knockoffs but i wanted something better. Himalaya gears is the place to go. I found just what I needed. It is well stocked with a variety of sports and outdoor gear. Loben the shop owner not only has the store, he is full of information and very helpful. He is a master at trekking as well.

6. Life and Leaf Fair Trade Shop

19 Nehru Rd, Darjeeling India 93333551831
Excellent
47%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

Life and Leaf Fair Trade Shop

7. Kumartuli

Hatkhola, Kolkata (Calcutta) India http://kolkatacitytours.com/kumartuli-kolkata-potter-studio/
Excellent
65%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Kumartuli

Reviewed By TCinci2015 - Egham, United Kingdom

Great experience take a local taxi to where the local clay gods and deities are made for the many Hindu festivals. The sculptures are made of clay from the river and decorated and painted. These are small lanes with 100’s of potters as you wander down alleys, you see various gods and goddesses in various states of manufacture. We found it absolutely fascinating and self guided. People are friendly and willing to show their work. You can even buy one if you want! But ensure you haggle in a friendly way.

8. Sienna

414 B Jodhpur Park, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700068 India +91 33 4000 2828 [email protected] http://www.siennastore.com/
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Sienna

Sienna was born out of a need to preserve, nurture and re-visit the ancient art forms of rural India. Via the Sienna storefronts in Kolkata artisans from remote villages can access the urban public.Founder Sulagna Ghosh collaborates with the artisans to create modern and functional products using age old methods of producing terracotta and glazed pottery, handspun textiles, woodwork and cane.

Reviewed By AEB_9

Sienna is set back behind a beautiful little shop selling really great pieces/local craft - jewellery, ceramics and textiles. The food is fantastic, local and seasonal. There is a great tea selection, along with a savoury lunch menu ( I had fresh mozzarella and tomato with pesto and freshly baked bread) and cakes. We went back again the next day. Well worth the trip.

9. Poompuhar

No 2 Gariahat Road Dakshinapan Complex, Shop No.F-21 & 22, 1st Floor, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700031 India +91 33 2423 7028
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Poompuhar

10. Story Bookshop

8 Elgin Road, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700020 India +91 98304 70000 http://www.storyostory.com/
Excellent
40%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Story Bookshop

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