New Delhi, Nov. 23 -- PETA India has chosen Kolkata as India's Most Vegan-Friendly City of 2025. It presented the award to Mayor Firhad Hakim.

The choice may surprise many as Kolkata is widely celebrated for its non-vegetarian offerings. While the entire North India fasts and eats satvik food during Durga Puja, Kolkata goes all out with its extensive non-veg dishes.

According to PETA, Bengali cuisine already offers many vegan dishes that people often overlook, such as aloo posto, aloo chop, cholar dal, tomato khejur chutney and phuchka. These are vegan dishes when made without ghee.

Kolkata's food scene also supports plant-based living through restaurants like Burma Burma and The Flaming Bowl. It also has cafes such as Aldo Cafe, Out a...