Indulge in an Old Dhaka food tour

A foodie paradise, Puran Dhaka, or Old Dhaka, is home to some of the best Bangladeshi food in the city. Plan a full-day excursion that starts with an authentic lunch at Beauty Boarding, famous for being the haunt of Bangladeshi writers and poets in the 1940s. Try its signature bhorta spread, consisting of mashed veggies in a pungent mustard oil. For dessert, hop on a rickshaw to Beauty Lassi on Johnson Road, a 100-year-old establishment serving deliciously tangy yoghurt lassi and zesty lemonades.

The afternoon can be spent strolling along the streets of Old Dhaka. As you wander, look out for a much-loved delicacy: bakarkhani. Part biscuit, part bread, these flaky delights are freshly baked in tandoors – traditional ovens – scattered throughout the district. For dinner, try fall-off-the-bone kacchi biryani at Kolkata Kacchi Ghor, or opt for a rich Mughal-inspired feast at Peshwarain featuring nihari stew with naan. Newer restaurants tend to be busier than the traditional joints, however, so allow some time for queueing.