Often times, a plan of a day out with friends get cut short due to a budget crunch: a student’s pocket money cannot ensure everyday trips to posh cafes or well-known restaurants. But Kolkata has proved to be a haven for not just those who have a heavy pocket, but also students and college goers, who want to make most of their limited pocket money.

Named after one Mr. Philip Miner Dacres, who used to meet up with sailors and have a meal with them here, about some two centuries back, Dacres Lane is a hub for regular office goers or students meeting up with friends for a quick, cheap bite. The official name of the street is now James Hickey Sarani, and it is located right around the corner of Esplanade.

Dacres Lane is basically one large street packed with different street-side food vendors and some small and large restaurants. The lane begins with a tea seller’s shop, where you are bound to find your cup of tea – Darjeeling, and Assam, with and without milk. From that shop on, you will find a variety of street foods lined up – Idli, dosa, Chowmein, Stews, Ghugni, and more. As long as you do not mind a rickety, wobbly bench to sit on, your taste buds (and your pocket) will thank you immensely.

A special delicacy of Dacres lane is a bowl of chicken stew and buttered bread, found at the highly famous Chitto Da’s Stall. A sip into the steaming stew will warm you to your core, and serve as a wonderful, filling meal under the winter sun. Other well-loved combinations of Chilli Chicken-Chowmein, Pulao-Chicken Kasha are also widely available here. You can also find wonderful varieties of desserts like Gajar ka Halwa.

Dacres Lane provides you with a street long variety of street side foods, and at a price that is affordable for all. Want to spend a chill day with your friends amongst food, without burning a massive hole in your pocket? Dacres Lane is your answer.