Paneer Makhani for Rs 2900, Dal for Rs 1200 & more: Indian YouTuber's expensive restaurant bill sparks buzz
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Dec 16, 2024, 4:09 PM ISTA recent social media post by Indian YouTuber and entrepreneur Ishan Sharma has stirred widespread debate about the pricing practices of luxury restaurants in India.
A recent social media post by Indian YouTuber and entrepreneur Ishan Sharma has stirred widespread debate about the pricing practices of luxury restaurants in India. Sharma, who is also a startup founder, shared a dining bill from a high-end restaurant on X (formerly Twitter), intending to praise the establishment’s policy of not levying a service charge.
However, the focus quickly shifted to the jaw-dropping total of Rs 10,030 for a meal comprising five vegetarian dishes, raising questions about the justification of such exorbitant prices for seemingly simple dishes.
Restaurants, take note! pic.twitter.com/8jJEZxqGbg
— Ishan Sharma (@Ishansharma7390)Ishan Sharma's viral restaurant bill
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The bill featured standard North Indian dishes, including paneer khurchan, dal bukhara, paneer makhani, khasta roti, and pudina parantha. A closer look revealed that individual items were priced steeply—paneer makhani cost Rs 2,900, three paranthas were billed at Rs 1,125, and a single khasta roti was priced at Rs 400. While the receipt prominently highlighted the absence of a service charge, critics speculated that the costs were likely embedded into the menu prices themselves.
One user on X sarcastically pointed out, “Bro, they charged you Rs 375 for one roti. Why would they need a separate 10% service charge?” Others humorously suggested alternative uses for the Rs 10,030 bill, such as funding education, buying gadgets, or even taking a short vacation.
Public outcry over luxury pricing
Sharma’s post, which intended to applaud the restaurant’s transparency, backfired as many users criticized him for overlooking the inflated food prices. Some questioned the ethics of charging such high prices for basic dishes, even at luxury establishments.
The incident has reignited debates over whether the pricing at high-end restaurants is justified by the quality of ingredients, service, and ambiance they claim to offer. Critics argued that such pricing models alienate average diners, turning luxury dining into an exclusive experience rather than a celebration of culinary excellence.
Transparency vs Marketing tactics
While Sharma praised the restaurant for its no-service-charge policy, many users called it a marketing ploy. By embedding additional costs into the menu prices, the restaurant may have given the illusion of transparency while charging far more than typical establishments.
“This is standard practice in luxury dining,” one user commented. “They’ve just included the service charge in the dish prices to avoid backlash. It’s hardly a win for customers.”
The viral post has sparked a larger conversation about value for money in the dining industry. With social media amplifying customer experiences, transparency and fairness in pricing have become critical for maintaining trust and loyalty.
For high-end restaurants, the incident serves as a reminder to balance premium pricing with reasonable justification. While luxury establishments pride themselves on offering top-tier ambiance and service, the rising scrutiny from diners shows that even affluent customers are unwilling to overlook steep costs without added value.
Here's a look at some of the reactions to Ishan Sharma's viral restaurant bill:
You are paying 2900 for paneer, ofc there are no service charges moron 😭 https://t.co/DRCEOK934i
— steve handjobs (@greenscreach)2900 paneer, 1200 daal, 1125 parantha!!!!!!!! You do know why they don’t have service charge… https://t.co/WpRHaURQVR pic.twitter.com/sRWoPdSgy9
— Maverick (@pie_chucker)When a restaurant mentions in all-caps that "WE LEVY NO SERVICE CHARGES", it is intended to remind you to please add a tip yourself... https://t.co/X4Rtm56bxW
— arati (@Arati1411)At this rate no restaurant will charge service charges. 1200 for daal. It can serve a rural school. I used to donate almost every month while I was working and 3k was full day meal for kids of that orphanage. So basically you ate food worth 3 days of ~ 100 kids and boasting about… https://t.co/mXBe3b9aLK
— Shaswat Deep (@shaswat_X)10 thousand rupees that too for vegetarian food..bruh that's a complete rip off https://t.co/IZvAGp891P
— Bhivan (@Bhivansam)Isn't this the same guy who went to the US and refused to tip the waiter? https://t.co/ipPn315q69
— BRICS Secretary of PR (@djokerovic)Only If had earned that money by doing some actual work https://t.co/ecDpwhfYzw
— Mohan (@Cop66341)My school fees from class 1-10th together was ₹12 lesser than this. https://t.co/4svrUQBCbQ
— Vikram Nayak (@VikramCertified)Paying 1200 for dal is insane to me https://t.co/4TgpXUCc1W
— Karma (@IpoisonIvyy)this much money gets a table for two at indian accent btw https://t.co/HzSDROFsoc
— travis scott street🍉 (@NoOneReallyQais)10k for eating this is crazy.. 😭 https://t.co/oAyuO2CGvX
— A (@2014_Anushka)
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