Paramount Cold Drinks & Syrups
A century-old Kolkata institution on College Street, serving iconic sherbets and unique cold drinks in a truly vintage setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Paramount Cold Drinks & Syrups
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A century-old Kolkata institution on College Street, serving iconic sherbets and unique cold drinks in a truly vintage setting.
Visit Early or Late
Avoid crowds by visiting early evening. Cash payment preferred.
Cash is King
Carry cash, as card and UPI payments are not accepted. Prices are reasonable.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Beverages
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+91 96742 15355
Address
1, 1, Bankim Chatterjee St, B. C. Street, College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, India
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Taste of Kolkata's History
Experience over a century of Kolkata's heritage with unique, iconic cold drinks and sherbets.
Signature Sherbets
Savor unique flavors like Green Mango, Cocoa Malai, Daab Sherbet, and Passion Fruit.
Vintage Ambiance
Immerse yourself in a historical setting that has remained unchanged for decades.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit Early or Late
Avoid crowds by visiting early evening. Cash payment preferred.
Cash is King
Carry cash, as card and UPI payments are not accepted. Prices are reasonable.
Signature Drink Focus
Try specialty drinks like Daab Sherbet or Mango Mania for an authentic taste.
Parking Advisory
Parking can be difficult for cars; consider two-wheelers or nearby paid parking.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit Early or Late
Avoid crowds by visiting early evening. Cash payment preferred.
Cash is King
Carry cash, as card and UPI payments are not accepted. Prices are reasonable.
Signature Drink Focus
Try specialty drinks like Daab Sherbet or Mango Mania for an authentic taste.
Parking Advisory
Parking can be difficult for cars; consider two-wheelers or nearby paid parking.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Paramount is celebrated for its historical significance and unique, traditional beverage offerings, transporting visitors back in time. While many praise the authentic flavors and nostalgic ambiance, some reviewers find the quality and sweetness inconsistent, and the cash-only policy inconvenient. The establishment is a Kolkata institution, but expectations should align with its vintage charm and distinct offerings.
"Tried their famous Mango mania and Daab Sherbet ...heard so much about this that me and my friends decided to give it a try and believe me, it's worth it.... So refreshing and delightful in taste with beautifully curated with toppings 😍❤️🩹...
.
.
A classic for a reason
#kolkataclassic, #oldsharabshop, #localgem, #kolkatarecords, #history, #kolkata"
GEOFFREY
"Heard a lot about Paramount, but the experience didn’t quite live up to the hype. Tried the mango juice and passion fruit shake—while the flavors were decent, they didn’t feel as fresh as expected. The drinks were a bit too sweet, and the overall quality didn’t justify the reputation. The place has a nostalgic charm, but the service was quite slow. Not sure if I’d visit again."
Prerak Nayar
"Very old shop for sharbat only.
Dab sharbat is famous. In that dab sharbat you can find the tender coconut flakes.
Others are flavoured syrupy beverages.
Costly but ok. In college life we went there frequently for a sip.
But, now, I found a few problems there !
1. The service is poor
2. The ambience could be far more competitive and welcoming
3. Quality could be increased a lot
4. For example, an unnecessarily high amount of crushed ice is mixed into our sharbat, we requested to decrease the amount but nobody cared.
5. A few fresh fruit juice options could be far better than the flavoured creamy beverages !
6. The most famous dab sharbat really contains tender coconut water with coconut flakes - that is why this is so famous. Similar other items could also be prepared, like, crushed grape shake, mango pulp shake,
6. aam poda sharbat (green mango roasted and crushed with pudina, rock salt, etc) should be a blockbuster here !
An old admirer (Bengali) was comparing the brand (paramount) with those like Haldiram, Rally's, Aminia, etc. He remarked that "the non-bengali brands are progressing so quickly, expanding and opening outlets so widely but this Bengali brand is just advertising heritage and memories !"
I think, the old man was not wrong !
In this era of competition let's see how long it does survive !"
s s
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The most famous drinks include Daab Sherbet, Mango Mania, Cocoa Malai, and Passion Fruit.
No, Paramount is a cash-only establishment. It's recommended to carry cash for your purchase.
The place can get crowded, especially during peak hours. Visiting early in the evening is advised to avoid long waits.
The best time to visit is early evening to avoid crowds and enjoy a more leisurely experience.
The menu primarily consists of fruit-based and cream-based drinks. Specific vegan or gluten-free options are not detailed.
Paramount was established in 1918 and served as a meeting point for freedom fighters during the Swadeshi movement.
Mentioned in
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Following the criteria of having the restaurants for over at least 60 years that are still in operation, the INTACH task group reviewed over 100 outlets. Old heritage has been restored in the walls of various restaurants in different eateries and restaurants. The INTACH has acknowledged 15 exquisite establishments through the initiative, Calcutta Culinary Heritage Trail, to create awareness and pay tribute to their lasting impact on the city’s culinary heritage.
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This is the sherbet at Paramount, located on Bankim Chatterjee Street in the city. Standing tall since 1918, the restaurant provides its guests with an opportunity to take a walk back in time through the years that have shaped its history. As the late founder’s son, Mrigendra Majumdar, recalled in an article to Outlook, “My father had ingrained in us the ‘mantra’ of using quality ingredients, and that is what has stood us in good stead all these years.
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Also, if you like sweet beverages, there’s the iconic Paramount Cold Drinks and Syrups. I loved going to the place, one of those old city institutions where everyone who's anyone in the city's history went to, and nothing has changed in a century. But we asked for the least sweet drink, and for it to be made as not sweet as possible, and it was too sweet for me (my sugar tolerance for drinks is lower than for foods, just for the record).
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This iconic joint in College Street is close to completing a hundred years. Started by freedom fighter Nihar Ranjan Majumdar in 1918, Paramount used to be a facade for a revolutionary den — legends like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Pulin Behari Das and Satin Sen held secret meetings using the shop as a camouflage. Sharbat was an excuse – the real agenda was nurturing the Swadeshi movement.
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After having the most famous breakfast of India, what you have to check out is the heritage drink outlet of Kolkata called the Paramount which was established way back in 1918. It is common for people from any part of the world to have coconut water. But once one visits Paramount, he/she will continue to cherish the taste and the aroma for the lifetime.
College Street Food Walk, Kolkata
The next stop on our College Street Food Walk is a heritage Kolkata institution named Paramount. It was founded by Mr. Niharanjan Mazumdar in 1918. The name was changed from Paradise to Paramount in 1936 when the owners relocated from 1/A Bankim Chatterjee Street to the present location, 1/1/1D Bankim Chatterjee Street.
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Paramount is an unusual yet extraordinary joint which serves a variety of beverages only. Located on College Street, this store has been serving customers which included quite a few famous personalities since 1918. Paramount adds to its unique flavours of sherbets with its extremely fast and humble service.
Authentic Bengali Food in Kolkata : 15 Heritage Places
Address: 1.1/1/1D Bankim Chatterjee Street, B. C. Street, College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073. Approximate Years: 101 Years. Famous for: Juices ( Daab Sherbet)
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