Zomato’s 2024 year-end report offers a fascinating glimpse into the food preferences and dining trends of India over the past year. From record-breaking restaurant bills to the nation’s undying love for biryani, the report paints a vivid picture of how Indians ordered, dined, and savored their meals.
A Bengaluru Foodie’s Extravagance
In one of the most talked-about revelations, a Bengaluru foodie made headlines by spending a staggering ₹5,13,733 on a single restaurant bill. This unnamed individual’s extravagant outing was one of the standout highlights of the year, underscoring the lengths to which food lovers will go for a memorable dining experience.
Biryani: India’s Unchallenged Favorite
For the ninth consecutive year, biryani maintained its status as India’s most beloved dish. Zomato fulfilled over 9.13 crore biryani orders in 2024, translating to more than three orders every second. Despite its continued popularity, the total number of biryani orders dropped by nearly 95 lakh compared to 2023, when 10.09 crore plates were served. Swiggy’s data also affirmed biryani’s dominance, with the dish remaining the top choice among its users as well.
Pizza: A Decline in Popularity
Pizza secured the second spot on Zomato’s list of most-ordered dishes, with 5.84 crore orders in 2024. However, this figure marked a steep decline from the 7.45 crore pizzas ordered in 2023—a drop of over 20%. Despite this, pizza remained a close competitor to biryani in terms of popularity, stretching its influence across cities and generations.
Tea vs. Coffee: A Close Contest
India’s love affair with tea triumphed over coffee in 2024. Zomato recorded 77.76 lakh tea orders, narrowly surpassing the 74.32 lakh coffee orders. While coffee continues to enjoy a strong foothold, tea’s enduring charm solidified its position as the country’s favorite beverage.
Unique and Unusual Orders
Zomato’s report also highlighted several quirky and heartwarming moments:
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A train passenger used Zomato’s IRCTC integration to order 120 Manchurian combos, feeding an entire train bogey.
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A Delhi-based foodie explored a jaw-dropping 1,377 unique restaurants, setting a benchmark for culinary adventurers.
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One dedicated user saved ₹2,24,591 through Zomato Gold membership, showcasing the platform’s value-driven offerings.
Dining Out: Delhi Leads the Way
Delhi emerged as the frontrunner in dining reservations, with residents collectively saving ₹195 crore through Zomato’s dining deals. The capital city booked the most tables in 2024, with a total of 1.25 crore reservations. Bengaluru and Mumbai followed closely but couldn’t overtake Delhi’s thrifty dining culture. Notably, Father’s Day saw one of the busiest days, with 84,866 diners treating their fathers to a special meal.
Blinkit: Quick Commerce Insights
Zomato’s quick commerce platform, Blinkit, revealed intriguing shopping trends:
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Indians ordered over 1.75 crore packs of Maggi, affirming its status as a comfort food staple.
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Coca-Cola led beverage sales with 1.85 crore cans, followed by Thums Up at 84 lakh bottles.
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A single user purchased 1,203 bottles of Sprite in 2024, highlighting some unique shopping habits.
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Other notable orders included 37.8 lakh tonic water cans, 16.4 lakh packs of dates, and even 55 bottles of Fevicol in one instance.