Stories
How Indians Are Transforming Their Spending on Dining and Food Experiences
- •Consumers are prioritizing fewer yet more meaningful dining occasions rather than simply increasing their frequency of eating out.
- •While remaining price-conscious about regular meals, diners show a willingness to spend more on international cuisines and curated experiences if they perceive value.
- •Exposure to global cuisines through travel and social media has broadened consumer interest, demanding that restaurants offer compelling experiences.
- •Spending extends to premium packaged products and convenience items, driven by quick-commerce and a demand for better ingredients and transparency.
- •For celebrations and weddings, hosts are shifting towards intimate, thoughtfully curated menus with a focus on regional cuisine and reducing food wastage.
Key Questions Answered
Consumers are prioritizing fewer, more meaningful dining occasions instead of simply increasing how often they eat out, with PwC's Voice of the Consumer 2025 survey showing that 38% of Indian respondents eat out at least weekly while 63% worry about food costs. While diners remain price-conscious regarding regular meals, they are willing to spend more on international cuisines, curated menus, and distinctive experiences when they perceive value.
Social media and quick-commerce services are widening consumer access to newer packaged food products positioned around better taste and ingredients. Experts advise that consumers compare prices per serving and consider cumulative monthly expenses rather than focusing solely on a single pack's price.
Hosts are opting for more intimate, thoughtfully curated celebrations with greater attention given to menu planning and reducing food wastage. There is also rising interest in regional Indian cuisine and specialized food experiences, with costs managed by establishing budgets and finalizing guest counts and menus beforehand.
