Dining out, exploring global cuisines and buying premium food products can come at different price points, leaving consumers to weigh the experience or convenience against the cost.
For household budgets, the question is not just how much a meal costs, but how often such spending fits alongside other expenses.
Experts point to different aspects of this choice, from spending on special dining occasions to exploring premium packaged foods and planning food expenses for celebrations. Their observations highlight how price, perceived value and the nature of the purchase can influence spending decisions.
At Conrad Pune, Siddharth Tripathi, Director of Food and Beverage, said consumers are prioritising fewer, more meaningful dining occasions rather than simply increasing how often they ate out.
Citing PwC’s Voice of the Consumer 2025 survey, he noted that 38% of Indian respondents ate out at least once a week, while 63% were concerned about food costs.
This distinction matters when assessing food expenses.
A household that spends more on an occasional celebration may have a different spending pattern from one that eats out frequently. Tracking restaurant bills separately from routine grocery purchases can help consumers understand these costs within their overall budget.
Paying more for the dining experience
Higher prices do not necessarily mean consumers are willing to spend more on every meal.
Surjeet Singh, Food and Beverages Manager at Pullman and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, said diners remain price-conscious about regular meals but are more willing to spend on international cuisines, curated menus and distinctive experiences when they saw value in the higher price.
Sameer Bhasin, CEO of Nando’s India, said consumers are spending on dining out while becoming more selective about where they spent their money. Greater exposure to global cuisines through travel, digital content and social media had broadened consumer interest, but restaurants still need to offer a compelling experience at a price that worked for their audience, he said.
For consumers, the distinction is between being able to afford an individual outing and being comfortable with its place in the monthly budget.
The cost of premium food beyond restaurants
Food spending also extends to packaged products and convenience purchases.
Akshay Verma, Managing Director of VTC Group and co-founder of Oli Ohh!, said consumers are exploring products positioned around better taste and ingredients. He also pointed to the role of social media and quick-commerce services in widening access to newer food products.
The cost of such purchases depends partly on how frequently they are made. Comparing prices per serving and considering the cumulative monthly expense can offer a clearer picture than looking at the price of a single pack.
Planning food expenses for celebrations
Food can also be a significant component of wedding and other celebration budgets.
Vipul Kohli, founder of Baraat Catering, said hosts are opting for more intimate, thoughtfully curated celebrations, with greater attention to menu planning and food wastage. He also noted interest in regional Indian cuisine and specialised food experiences.
The number of guests, variety of dishes and choice of catering format can all affect the final bill. Establishing a budget and finalising the guest count and menu before committing to a caterer can help households manage these costs.