Ahana Dutt is on a mission to widen Sydneysiders' perception of what Indian food is, namely, that it’s more than butter chicken and naan. Born and raised in Kolkata, India, the chef is leading the charge of the mostly female team at new Sydney restaurant Kolkata Social – the latest opening from social enterprise Plate it Forward, now open in Newtown. Dutt – who spent six years working at the award-winning fine diner Firedoor, as well as Time Out’s Best Relaxed Restaurant 2023, Raja – is drawing on family recipes that she grew up with at the Bengali-focused restaurant.
“I want to show people that Bengali food is Indian food, as well as the corollary that Indian food is more than butter chicken and naan. The food at Kolkata Social is a way for me to not only hold on to but celebrate my heritage in a different country,” she said.
Opening menu highlights include: paturi featuring spiced ricotta wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked on a tawa (flat pan) until slightly caramelised; crisp-skinned barramundi fried in mustard oil and served with a smoked yoghurt sauce flavoured with cardamom and green chillies; a zucchini dorma stuffed with split Bengal gram with a fiery tomato sauce; slow-cooked goat on the bone with a spicy and fragrant sauce; and vanilla pound cake served with saffron yoghurt cream and seasonal fruit. Pair your meal with a Mini Mustard Martini, a Spiked Lassi (think: a creamy boozy slushie with saffron), and the Kolkata Lager, brewed exclusively by their friends at Mountain Culture.
Kolkata Social joins a strong line-up of Plate it Forward venues – Colombo Social, Kabul Social and Kyiv Social, winner of Time Out’s Impact Award 2025 – that support, employ and train people from marginalised communities, and shine a spotlight on their stories.
For each set menu ordered at Kolkata Social, two meals will be donated to those in need – one in Sydney and one in India – with the group working with Indian-registered charity Calcutta Rescue.
And it’s not just the food that's vibrant. Inspired by the colours and architecture of Kolkata, the dining room is decked out in striking blue, earthy red and golden mustard. One wall features a beautiful mural of Dutt’s mother, Sharmila Basu Thaur, painted by artist Marlon Dalton – signaling the love, strength and wisdom of our mothers and grandmothers – a motif found throughout all Plate it Forward venues.
Plate it Forward’s founder Shaun Christie-David added: “We have seen the all-women kitchen teams at Kabul Social and Kyiv Social transform and grow under the care and dedication of Ahana and we can’t wait to see the same here while also being treated to some of the tastiest curries and dishes I have had – though don’t tell my mum that!”
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