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Inflation is soaring and contending with rising prices across varied retail sectors has been hard. The impact of price hike on the food and beverage industry is just as severe. A sharp uptick in the prices of tomatoes, pulses and condiments like cumin has meant a severe blow to kitchen budgets. It has also meant a harsh increase in restaurant pricing of some classic Indian dishes.
Ordering food online through apps like Swiggy and Zomato comes with its own particularly hiked up price component. Interestingly, the sur charges, delivery charges and take-out rates notwithstanding, rising inflation has meant an increase in prices of individual dishes over the last few months.
In the capital city, one restaurant seems to have hiked the price of Dal Makhani, a popular Indian dish by 33% taking it from Rs. 450 to Rs. 595. Over the course of a month, a Pune-based Italian restaurant has upped the rates of its Agli Olio pasta from Rs. 166 to Rs. 234, making for a nearly 30% increase. Restaurants with smaller margins are the worst hit even as those with mid-range margins that have been around for years are choosing to play the waiting game.
Fast-food restaurants are not far behind. While McDonald's has started making burgers without tomatoes, prices for snacks and sides like French fries and potato wedges have also witnessed a rise in the last few months. From Rs. 99 to Rs. 109, fried goodies at some fast-food places are now nearly 10% costlier.
Restaurant meal prices are likely to be further affected due to the surging costs of vegetables and condiments. Tell us in the comments below if you noticed this uptick in your favourite restaurants by comparing the prices then and now.
