Hike in gas, ingredient costs may drive up resto rates
Times of India | 2 April 2026
Kolkata: A rise of Rs 218 per cylinder of commercial LPG was announced on Wednesday, which could lead to a spike in food prices across Kolkata's restaurants, according to Hotel and Restaurants Association of Eastern India (HRAEI) and National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI). Since the outbreak of conflict in West Asia on Feb 28, commercial LPG prices have risen by Rs 364, taking the price of a 19 kg cylinder to Rs 2,208.
Over the last five weeks, prices of several food items, like edible oil, chicken, some spices, paneer and fish, have seen a sharp rise, said HRAEI president Sudesh Poddar. "The price rise has led to a spike in our expenses. While we have moved 70% of our cooking to electrical gadgets, we are not sure if it will be cheaper than LPG. The LPG price increase will lead to a further cost escalation," said Poddar. But he added that a final decision was yet to be taken.
Oasis on Park Street plans to spike its menu prices by 5% by mid-April. "It comes on the back of a price rise of ingredients across the board," said owner Pratap Daryanani.
Trincas has already introduced a small price increase. Specialty Restaurants outlets, including Oh!Calcutta, Café Mezzuna, Mainland China, Hoppipola and Flame & Grill, will not increase prices now. "We will hold on to our price till we can without compromising on quality. Unless there's a further increase, we will not raise prices," said Specialty founder and chairperson Anjan Chatterjee. Bar-B-Q and One step Up, too, are mulling a price rise. "We are not hiking rates immediately but will take a call soon," said owner Rajiv Kothari. Oudh 1590 is considering a price revision, said owner and co-founder Shiladitya Chaudhury. " Even if not immediately, a price rise seems unavoidable," he said.
Arasalan has effected a price rise while Amber is contemplating doing so. "From mutton and chicken to cream and paneer, all prices have shot up. A price rise now seems inevitable though we are still assessing the costs," said owner Sanjay Khullar.
"When fuel prices went up in the wake of the Ukraine-Russia war, restaurants revised prices by 5%-8%. This time, too, there will be a price revision. But that may not happen immediately," said Sagar Daryani, president of NRAI, that represents over 5 lakh restaurants across the country. The owner of Wow! Momo, Wow! China, Wow! Chicken and Wow! Kulfi outlets said the pain of a price hike could be lessened if supply of commercial LPG improved.