GST for Food Business and Restaurants: Tax Rate on Dine-In and Takeaway

Running a restaurant, café, cloud kitchen, or any kind of food business? Then knowing the correct GST rates and tax structure is crucial for pricing, billing, and compliance. Whether it’s dine-in, takeaway, or home delivery, the GST rates differ based on how food is served and where it’s sold from.

Let’s explore the complete GST framework for the food business in India.

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    GST Rates for Food Business – At a Glance

    Type of Food Service GST Rate Input Tax Credit (ITC) Remarks
    Dine-in at restaurant 5% Not allowed In air-conditioned or non-AC
    Takeaway from restaurant 5% Not allowed Same as dine-in
    Food delivery via Zomato/Swiggy 5% Not allowed GST collected by aggregator
    Food served in 5-star hotel 18% Allowed If declared tariff ≥ ₹7,500
    Outdoor catering services 18% Allowed GST with ITC allowed

    GST on Dine-In and Takeaway Orders

    Service Type GST Rate ITC Available?
    Dine-in 5% No
    Takeaway 5% No
    Room service 5% No

    Businesses charging 5% cannot claim input tax credit on ingredients, packaging, or utilities.

    GST for Outdoor Catering

    Service GST Rate ITC Available?
    Wedding/Event catering 18% Yes
    Industrial/commercial food service 18% Yes

    GST on Packaged Food

    Product GST Rate
    Branded/packaged snacks 12% or 18%
    Namkeen, chips, bakery items 5% to 18%
    Beverages (non-alcoholic) 12% to 28%

    Understanding the gst for food business and restaurants is key for correct billing, profitability, and compliance. Whether you’re managing a restaurant, a food truck, or an online kitchen, applying the right GST slab helps keep your business transparent and competitive.

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