InterContinental Dhaka brings back Great Hilsha Festival

Dhaka: InterContinental Dhaka has launched the 2026 edition of The Great Hilsha Festival, celebrating Bangladesh’s national fish through a range of traditional and contemporary dishes.

The culinary festival, powered by Nymphea Publication, is being held from September 9 to 19 at Elements Global Dining at the luxury hotel.

The festival was inaugurated on September 9 in the presence of Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, Managing Director of Bangladesh Services Ltd; David O’Hanlon, General Manager of InterContinental Dhaka; Karunangshu Barua, Publisher of Nymphea Publication; Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Vice Chancellor of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh; and other guests, hotel officials and media representatives.

During the event, Nymphea Publication also launched “A Fish Called Ilish,” a publication dedicated to the iconic fish.

The festival’s dinner buffet features Ilish Pulao, Shorisha Ilish, Ilish Paturi, Ilish Do Piaza, Ilish Narikel Korma, Ilish Tandoori, Ilish Muri Ghonto, Ilish Bhorta and Smoked Ilish Nigiri.

The spread also includes Bangladeshi favorites such as Mutton Kacchi Biryani, Beef Kala Bhuna, Mezbaani Beef, Mutton Nihari and assorted bhortas.

Dinner is served from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm at BDT 11,000 net per person, with live music each evening. Selected bank cards offer a Buy One Get Three promotion.