Daily food lovers across major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad are feeling the pinch in their wallets as food delivery giants Swiggy and Zomato have quietly increased their platform fees once again. The small convenience fee, which started at just ₹2 per order a couple of years ago, has steadily climbed up, making everyday food delivery noticeably more expensive for urban households.
The continuous fee hike comes as both delivery platforms focus heavily on boosting profitability and managing rising operational costs. In addition to the standard platform fee charged on every single order, customers are also noticing higher delivery charges during peak lunch and dinner hours, alongside extra surge pricing during rainy days.
Regular users and office workers who depend on daily online meal deliveries are voicing their frustration across social media platforms. Many budget conscious consumers report that after adding GST, restaurant packaging charges, and delivery fees, the final bill often turns out to be 20% to 30% higher than the actual food menu price.
This steady rise in delivery expenses is beginning to change consumer habits across tier-1 cities. While some customers are switching to quick commerce apps for grocery cooking, others are choosing direct restaurant takeaway to save money. As ordering in becomes a luxury rather than a daily convenience, food lovers are watching their monthly food budgets closely.
