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