Viral Post Exposes Exorbitant Food Prices At Narkanda Hotel: Is Dining Out Becoming A Luxury In India?

Overpricing has become a common frustration for many, and a recent post on X, formerly Twitter has brought this issue into sharp focus. Udit Bhandari, an X user, shared an image of a hotel menu from Narkanda, a small hill station two hours away from Shimla. The menu's steep prices have sparked outrage online, raising questions about the affordability of dining in Indian hotels.

In his post, Bhandari highlighted several dishes with shocking prices. For example:

Dal Makhani - Rs 750
Kadai Paneer - Rs 799
Paneer Butter Masala - Rs 799
Pulao - Rs 699
A single Gulab Jamun or Rasgulla - Rs 299

Bhandari's caption read, "When the menu doesn't match up to the prices on it! This is the menu of a hotel in Narkanda (2 hours from Shimla). Hotel & restaurant prices in India are going crazy, without matching international standards. No wonder tourists prefer travelling overseas."

The post has gone viral, amassing over 1,44,000 views, and sparked a flood of reactions on social media. Many users have expressed frustration over the rising costs and questioned the quality of the food. One user commented, "₹299 for one Gulab Jamun? Even a five-star hotel wouldn't charge this much!" Another remarked sarcastically, "At these prices, I hope the dal comes with gold flakes."

Others pointed out the growing disparity between pricing and the actual experience. "This is why tourists are heading abroad. These prices don't justify the food or experience," said one user. Another summed up the sentiment by saying, "Affordable travel is becoming a myth in India."

While a few users suggested that higher operational costs in hill stations might justify the rates, the overwhelming response has been one of disapproval. One user wrote, "If this is the cost of dining out, staying home seems like the better deal."

This post has sparked an ongoing conversation about the rising cost of tourism and dining in India. With the current trend of overpricing, many wonder if domestic tourism will continue to be affordable for average travellers.