The latest Zomato annual report for 2024 offers fascinating insights into India's evolving food preferences, revealing both expected consistencies and surprising shifts in ordering patterns. While biryani maintains its reign as India's most-ordered dish for the eighth consecutive year, the data suggests subtle but significant changes in the nation's dining habits.
The Biryani Empire: Still Standing Strong
Despite a noticeable decline, biryani's dominance in Indian food delivery remains unchallenged. Zomato recorded over 9.13 crore biryani orders in 2024, averaging an impressive three orders per second. However, this represents a decline from 2023's staggering 10.09 crore orders – a drop of approximately 95 lakh orders year-over-year.
Breaking down these numbers reveals: 2023: 10,09,80,615 biryani orders 2024: 9,13,99,110 biryani orders Net decline: 95,81,505 orders
The Pizza Paradox
Perhaps more striking is the significant decline in pizza orders. The Italian favorite, while maintaining its second position on Zomato, witnessed a substantial 20% decrease: 2023: 7,45,30,036 pizza orders 2024: 5,84,46,908 pizza orders Net decline: 1,60,83,128 orders
Platform Wars: Zomato vs. Swiggy
The competitive landscape between India's two major food delivery platforms offers interesting contrasts. While both platforms crown biryani as their most-ordered dish, their second-place contenders differ significantly. Zomato's runner-up remains pizza, while Swiggy reports dosa securing the second position with 2.3 crore orders in 2024.
Dr. Ankita Sharma, a food industry analyst, notes: "These divergent patterns between platforms might indicate different user demographics or regional preferences in their respective customer bases."
Understanding the Decline
Several factors might explain the decline in orders for these popular dishes:
- Rising inflation affecting discretionary spending
- Growing health consciousness among consumers
- Emergence of new food trends and alternatives
- Increased preference for home-cooked meals
- Expansion of local food delivery options
Extraordinary Orders: Beyond the Numbers
The report also highlights some remarkable individual cases that add color to the statistical data. One particularly noteworthy incident involved a generous passenger who ordered 120 manchurian combos to feed an entire train compartment, exemplifying the evolving role of food delivery in Indian social contexts.
The Big Spenders
The year's most extravagant single transaction came from Bengaluru, where a customer spent over ₹5 lakh on a single dine-out bill. This extraordinary expenditure underscores the growing premium dining segment in India's metropolitan areas.
Industry Impact and Future Trends
Food industry experts suggest these numbers reflect broader changes in Indian consumer behavior. "The slight decline in orders for popular items like biryani and pizza doesn't necessarily indicate reduced food delivery usage overall," explains Rajesh Kumar, a restaurant industry consultant. "Instead, it might suggest diversification in food choices and ordering patterns."
The Changing Face of Indian Food Delivery
The data from both major platforms reveals several key trends:
- Continued dominance of traditional Indian favorites
- Growing regionalization of food preferences
- Emergence of health-conscious alternatives
- Evolution of special occasion ordering
- Increasing importance of value for money
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, these trends might indicate several future developments:
- Further diversification of menu options
- Increased focus on healthy alternatives
- Growing importance of regional cuisines
- Evolution of pricing strategies
- Enhanced focus on customer experience
The Road Ahead
While biryani and pizza remain dominant forces in India's food delivery landscape, the declining numbers suggest a market in transition. As consumer preferences evolve and new options emerge, the food delivery industry continues to adapt and innovate.
The slight downturn in orders for these popular items might prompt platforms and restaurants to diversify their offerings and enhance their service quality. However, with three biryanis still being ordered every second on Zomato alone, it's clear that India's love affair with certain cuisines remains strong, even as it evolves with changing times and tastes.
