From Darshinis to fine dining, eating out in Bengaluru is getting pricier  Premium

Filter coffee prices in Bengaluru set to rise by 10-15% due to increased raw material costs, impacting eating out expenses.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers Association (BBHA) recently announced that the cost of filter coffee is expected to go up by 10% to 15%. They cited a sharp increase of ₹100 per kilogram in coffee powder and an anticipated rise in milk prices after the State Budget presentation in the coming month.

While this move of restaurateurs is a direct response to soaring raw material expenses, it reflects a broader trend related to the cost of eating out sharply going up in Bengaluru, in various places from the regular “idli-vade” fare in the ubiquitous Darshinis to fine dining restaurants. Hoteliers say this is driven by steadily rising operational costs, from labour to rents to commodity prices.

The Hindu spoke to youngsters from across the city, who mostly eat out due to their busy schedule or lack of availability of resources, and most complained that eating out is burning a hole in their pockets.

For 28-year-old Rohit M., an IT professional in Whitefield, cooking is not an option due to his busy schedule. “I leave home early and return late. The commute is physically draining, so cooking is out of the question. I used to manage my meals for ₹200-300 a day but now even a simple breakfast and dinner at a decent eatery cost me around ₹200, and all meals together go up to ₹500-700 every day. It is getting harder to sustain this lifestyle,“ said Rohit.

Vikram R., an engineering student in Koramangala, had a similar story. “I live alone and do not have time to cook. Earlier, I could get a good meal for ₹100-₹120, but now even the Darshinis have hiked their prices. The college canteen has average food, but I eat at least one meal there as it is affordable, and I can save up money for dinner or breakfast.”

Kanchana, another IT professional, who stays in a paying guest accommodation in BTM. Layout, said eating out and ordering from online platforms have got expensive over the last two years. “The PG food is bad, so I eat out most days. A plate of biryani that used to cost ₹180 two years ago is now ₹230, and even a simple dose has gone up by ₹10-₹15. What is worse is ordering online is more expensive. Since I work odd hours, I can not go out to eat and prefer ordering online. But anything you order is one-and-a-half times what it is at the restaurant,“ she explained.

Mahesh Shivapure, who works at a popular bar, skips a meal to avoid excessive spending. “I work from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., which is a very odd shift. Since I sleep late and wake up late, I go to work and have a brunch that is served for free at the cafeteria, instead of having breakfast at home or outside. I manage to have dinner at the workplace because I do not want to spend ₹200-300 just for a meal outside. If I miss a meal at work, I avoid ordering online and go to food carts instead of restaurants as they are more affordable,“ Shivapure said.