Saturday mornings in Punjab don't start with toast. They start with a plate of steaming chole — dark, deeply spiced chickpeas — and two golden bhature puffed straight out of the oil. It's a combination so good that generations of Punjabi families have made it a weekly ritual. And now, in Calgary's northeast, you don't have to wait for a trip back home to get it right.
What Is Chole Bhature?
Chole bhature is one of Punjab's most beloved dishes. The chole (also spelled chhole) is a thick chickpea curry cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and a blend of whole spices that typically includes anardana (dried pomegranate seeds), amchur (dried mango powder), and black cardamom. The result is a curry with real depth — tart, smoky, and warming at the same time.
The bhature is the counterpart: a soft, leavened dough made from maida (refined flour) that's rolled into ovals and fried until puffed and golden. Fresh bhature are soft inside and lightly crispy outside, and they're meant to be torn apart and used to scoop up the chole. No cutlery needed — and no desire for any.
Together, the combination is filling, satisfying, and full of the kind of flavour that keeps you thinking about it for days. It's popular as a weekend breakfast or brunch dish across North India, but it works just as well as a hearty lunch.
What Makes a Good Plate of Chole Bhature
Not all chole bhature are created equal. A few things separate the memorable plates from the forgettable ones:
- The spice blend matters. The best chole have a complex, layered flavour built from whole spices toasted and ground fresh. Shortcuts with pre-made masala tend to produce a flat, one-dimensional curry.
- Bhature need to be fresh. Bhature that sit under a heat lamp lose their softness quickly. The best ones come straight from the kitchen to your table while still puffed.
- Accompaniments complete the plate. Traditional chole bhature is served with pickled onions, green chutney, and sometimes a small bowl of achaar. These aren't optional — they balance the richness of the dish.
- The chickpea variety matters. Authentic chole uses kabuli chana (white chickpeas) that have been soaked overnight and slow-cooked until tender but intact. Mushy or undercooked chickpeas ruin the texture.
At Lazeez Indian Cuisine in northeast Calgary, the kitchen follows the traditional Punjabi approach. The chole is slow-cooked with whole spices, and the bhature are made fresh to order — which is why regulars from Saddle Ridge, Martindale, and Taradale make the trip to 88 Ave NE specifically for this dish.
Chole Bhature at Lazeez: What to Expect
Lazeez Indian Cuisine Sweets & Hakka Chinese sits on 88 Ave NE in Calgary, right in the heart of one of the city's most vibrant South Asian communities. The restaurant is run by Chef Manjinder Singh, who has 5+ years of culinary experience from the UK and brings an authentic touch to every dish on the menu.
The chole bhature at Lazeez holds up to what you'd expect from a restaurant that takes Punjabi cooking seriously. The chickpeas are cooked until they've absorbed the full depth of the spice blend — dark, almost mahogany in colour — and the gravy has the right consistency: thick enough to coat the bhature without being a paste. The bhature arrive hot, puffed, and ready to tear into.
Beyond chole bhature, the Lazeez menu covers a wide range of North Indian and Punjabi dishes. You'll find butter chicken, dal makhani, palak paneer, and a selection of tandoori breads if you want to round out the meal. There's also an extensive selection of Indian sweets if you want something to finish with.
Finding Chole Bhature in Calgary NE
Calgary's northeast has a strong Punjabi food scene, particularly around Saddletowne and the Martindale corridor. If you're searching for chole bhature in Calgary, this part of the city is your best bet — and Lazeez is one of the go-to options.
The restaurant is accessible from multiple northeast neighbourhoods:
- From Saddle Ridge and Cornerstone — about 10 minutes by car via 88 Ave NE
- From Martindale and Falconridge — a short drive east along 84 Ave NE
- From Taradale and Pineridge — quick access via Falconridge Blvd NE
- From Skyview Ranch and Redstone — straight south down 84 St NE
You can also order online through iOrders and get delivery to most NE Calgary neighbourhoods. Check the Lazeez online ordering page to see if delivery is available to your area.
The restaurant is open seven days a week. Friday through Sunday hours are 9am to 11pm — which means you can get your chole bhature fix on weekend mornings when the craving tends to hit hardest.
Pairing Chole Bhature with Other Dishes
Chole bhature is a complete meal on its own, but if you're dining with family or a group, a few additions make it even better. A cold glass of lassi — sweet or salted — is the traditional companion. Lazeez also serves mango lassi and other drinks that pair well with the richness of the dish.
For a fuller spread, consider adding a side of tandoori items like aloo tikki or samosa chaat. The contrast between crispy snacks and the deeply spiced chole makes for a proper Punjabi meal. If you're coming with kids, the mix of textures and familiar flavours tends to go over well.
Finish the meal with something from the sweets counter. Lazeez makes traditional mithai including gulab jamun and barfi — a fitting way to close a Sunday brunch that started with chole bhature.
Visit Lazeez for Authentic Punjabi Food in Calgary
Good chole bhature in Calgary isn't hard to find once you know where to look. Lazeez Indian Cuisine at 5850 88 Ave NE, Unit 1110, has built a following in northeast Calgary for exactly this kind of honest, well-made Punjabi cooking. Call ahead at +1 403-973-2504 to confirm availability, or order online for pickup or delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get chole bhature in Calgary?
Lazeez Indian Cuisine Sweets & Hakka Chinese at 5850 88 Ave NE, Calgary, serves authentic chole bhature made with slow-cooked spiced chickpeas and fresh-fried bhature. The restaurant is open seven days a week and offers both dine-in and online ordering for delivery and pickup.
What is the difference between chole and chana masala?
Chole and chana masala are closely related, but chole — particularly the Punjabi version served with bhature — tends to be darker, more intensely spiced, and slightly tangier. The use of anardana (dried pomegranate seeds) and black cardamom gives Punjabi chole its distinctive deep colour and smoky, sour undertone. Chana masala is generally lighter and milder in comparison.
Does Lazeez Indian Cuisine deliver chole bhature to NE Calgary?
Yes. Lazeez delivers to many northeast Calgary neighbourhoods including Saddle Ridge, Martindale, Taradale, Falconridge, Skyview Ranch, Cornerstone, and surrounding areas. Order through the Lazeez online ordering page or call +1 403-973-2504 to check delivery availability to your address.
Is chole bhature a breakfast food or a lunch dish?
In Punjab, chole bhature is traditionally a weekend breakfast or mid-morning brunch. The combination is heavy enough to keep you full well into the afternoon, so most people don't eat it on a weekday morning. That said, it's served throughout the day at most restaurants — including Lazeez, which opens at 9am Friday to Sunday, 10am on Thursdays, and 11am Monday to Wednesday.
Is chole bhature vegetarian?
Yes, chole bhature is a fully vegetarian dish. The chole is made from chickpeas cooked in a spiced onion-tomato gravy, and the bhature is a fried bread made from flour, yogurt, and leavening agents. No meat is involved. It's one of the most popular vegetarian dishes in North Indian cuisine.
