Find out how GST on restaurants works, what tax rates apply to food items and how restaurant services are billed under the new tax regime.

In July 2017, India introduced a revolutionary taxation system, the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This step changed the way we are taxed when we dine out.

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Earlier, both the central and state governments used to charge different taxes on food and restaurant services.

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GST replaced many of those overlapping taxes and brought in a few exemptions. So, whether you own a restaurant or just love eating out, there is a lot you might want to know.

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In this blog, we will talk about this topic, exploring GST for restaurants, its implications for restaurant services and food items, and the associated tax benefits in a simplified manner.

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What is GST on restaurants?

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The Indian government levies a tax system on the food and restaurant industry, depending on the establishment type.

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At present, the applicable rates of GST on restaurants are 5%, 12% and 18%, which the restaurant owners are liable to pay to the government after getting registered on the official portal.

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However, businesses can also avail Input Tax Credit (ITC) on the tax paid on particulars, including rent, raw materials, and utilities. Note that it is completely subject to specific conditions.

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However, there is relief for small restaurant owners or start-ups whose annual turnover does not cross the threshold of ₹1.5 crore.

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The Indian government has introduced a composition scheme that enables them to pay a fixed tax rate, much lower than the specified GST rate for all.

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Find out what is the GST on used cars and how to calculate it.

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Pre-GST Taxes Applicable on Restaurant Meals

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If you look at the pre-GST restaurant bill, you will find 3 major components: service tax, service charge, and VAT.

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Let us explain every component in detail:

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VAT: This tax was imposed on the food portion of your restaurant bill.
Service Tax: This tax was charged on the services you had availed from the restaurant.
Service Charge: This portion of the whole taxation structure is applied by the restaurants and not by the government. As it is not sent to the government, the service charge is not considered a tax. It is an income for the restaurants. On the other hand, service tax is collected from you and submitted to the government as tax.

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Impact of GST on Restaurant Meals and Food Items

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The Indian government introduced GST to replace multiple indirect taxes with a unified tax system. This move had a significant impact on the restaurant and food industry.

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Here is a synopsis that showcases how GST affects this industry:

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Simplifying the Entire Tax Structure

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As mentioned earlier, food businesses and restaurant owners now have to pay only GST instead of multiple taxes in India.

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This simplifies the process, reduces the cost of compliance and makes tax regulations easier to follow.

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Increasing Transparency in the Format

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After implementing GST, businesses witnessed greater transparency in the taxation system. Maintaining records and filing regular tax returns have become more structured and transparent, increasing compliance and reducing tax evasion.

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Making an Impact on Prices

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Not everything is positive when talking about the impact of GST on restaurants and food items. According to experts, it has had a mixed impact on the restaurant and food industry.

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While the rates for some items have increased in this new format, the privilege to avail ITC has helped reduce prices for other food items or services. The overall impact has been moderate.

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Calculate GST on various items with our free GST calculator.

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GST Rates on Restaurant Services

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Take a look at the following table to explore the GST rates applicable to restaurant services:

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S.No.	Type of Restaurants	GST Rate
	Restaurants that provide food services, including takeaway facilities (both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned)	5% with no ITC
	Restaurants within a hotel (where one single-night room tariff is less than ₹7,500)	5% with no ITC
	Any food/beverages served at a mess/cafeteria/canteen operated on a contractual basis in the office, industrial premises, or by any school, college, etc. (which is permanent, not event-based or occasional)	5% with no ITC
	Food services provided by Indian Railways or their licensees (both at platforms or in trains)	5% with no ITC
	Restaurants within a hotel (where one one-night room tariff is more than or equivalent to ₹7,500)	18% with ITC
	Meals offered at a venue arranged for hosting an event, along with the rental of those premises	18%
	Food services offered at conferences, exhibitions, events, outdoor or indoor activities (basically event-based)	18%
	Other lodging, food and beverage services	18%
	Air-conditioned restaurants that do not serve alcohol	12%
	GST on restaurants serving alcohol (be it equipped with AC or not)	18%

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GST Rates on Food Items

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Take a look at the following table to explore the GST rates applicable to food items:

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S.No.	Food Items	GST Rate
	GST on fresh or frozen vegetables, like potatoes, garlic, etc.	Nil
	GST on fruits like grapes, apples, pears, fresh/dried coconut, fresh/dried bananas, etc.	Nil
	GST on eggs in shells (whether it is fresh, cooked or preserved)	Nil
	GST on unsweetened milk, cream (be it pasteurised or unpasteurised), etc.	Nil
	GST on vegetables well-packed in an airtight container (whether steamed, boiled or uncooked)	Nil
	GST on eggs not in the shells/egg yolks (it can be boiled or cooked by steaming)	5%
	GST on vegetables such as thyme, curry leaves, bay leaves, ginger (excluding fresh ginger), turmeric (excluding fresh turmeric), etc.	5%
	GST on nuts, fruits, vegetables, and edible plants, which are preserved with sugar	12%
	GST on food products that companies prepare using flour, malt extract, etc., including cocoa, which has to be utilised less than 40% of the total weight.	18%
	GST on chocolate and products made with chocolate.	18%
	GST on dried leguminous packed vegetables (shelled) (not in a container), whether skinned/split or not	Nil
	GST on non-vegetarian items such as meat (without being packed in a container, whether fresh or chilled)	Nil
	GST on milk (pasteurised/unpasteurised), cream, etc. (without sugar)	Nil
	GST on meat that is packed in a container with a brand name (registered)	5%
	GST on dried leguminous vegetables (container packed with a brand name or registered trademark) (skinned/split or not)	5%
	GST on items including meals/powder of dried leguminous vegetables	5%
	GST on nuts, vegetables, fruits, and edible plants preserved in a container using vinegar/acetic acid.	12%

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Restaurants Under the GST Composition Scheme

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The GST on restaurants that fall under the composition scheme are allowed to pay a concessional 5% GST to the government. The conditions to fall under this category are:

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Annual turnover should be less than ₹1.5 crore
No outward supply of goods across states
Non-GST items not supplied or served
No sales via e-commerce platforms

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The Bottom Line

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The GST on restaurants and food items is not the same and varies based on different factors. These include the type of service, the kind of restaurant, ITC eligibility, and whether it’s located inside a hotel.

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However, this uniform tax structure simplifies billing and other aspects of business compared to the pre-GST era. As far as return filing for restaurants is concerned, businesses need to file GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-9 returns regularly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What is the maximum GST rate applied to food items?

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The maximum GST rate applied to food items is 28%, which is on particular food items, including carbonated and caffeinated beverages.

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2. Do we need to pay both CGST and SGST on restaurant bills?

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Yes, you are required to pay both CGST and SGST on restaurant food for within-state transactions. The total amount is divided equally between CGST and SGST. For instance, if the rate is 18%, CGST will be 9% and SGST will be 9%.

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3. Are there any food items that are exempt from GST?

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There is a list of food items that are exempt from GST, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. You can check the table above and explore the food items with no GST.

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4. Do we have to pay GST for takeaway food items?

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Yes, GST applies to takeaway food items, with rates ranging between 5% and 18%. The rate depends on the restaurant’s location.

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5. Are restaurants eligible to claim Input Tax Credit?

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Yes, restaurants are allowed to claim Input Tax Credit for items such as raw materials, furniture, and kitchen equipment if your business is registered under the regular GST scheme. Restaurants that fall under composite schemes cannot avail of ITC.

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GST on Restaurants & Food Items in India: A Complete List

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