Eating out in Mumbai to get costlier as restaurants plan 10–15% menu price hike

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Eating out in Mumbai could soon become more expensive, with restaurants across the city likely to increase menu prices by 10% to 15% in the coming weeks amid rising operating costs, the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) has announced.

The association, which represents the hospitality industry in Maharashtra, said restaurants have been absorbing increasing expenses for a considerable period but are now finding it difficult to sustain operations without passing on some of the additional costs to customers.

According to AHAR, a sharp rise in commercial LPG and piped gas prices, along with increasing costs of food ingredients, dairy products, vegetables, rentals, manpower and transportation, has placed significant financial pressure on restaurant businesses.

“Restaurants have absorbed the rising costs for as long as possible. But with gas, food, rent, labour and logistics costs increasing simultaneously, continuing to absorb the entire burden is no longer sustainable. A 10% to 15% revision in menu prices has become necessary for the survival and viability of the industry,” AHAR president Vijay K. Shetty said.