Food delivery trends reflect festival-driven spikes, IPL-linked dining growth and rising traction for train orders
Swiggy has reported sharp shifts in consumer ordering patterns during March 2026, driven by major festivals including Eid, Navratri and Holi, alongside the start of the Indian Premier League.
During Navratri (March 19–27), overall orders rose 25 per cent compared with the 2025 period, with demand peaking on March 22. Fasting foods dominated consumption, led by sabudana khichdi at roughly 222 orders per hour, followed by sabudana vada (156 per hour) and vrat thalis (around 120 per hour).
Metro cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi and Gurugram accounted for the highest volumes, while smaller cities including Bareilly, Bhopal and Dehradun also saw notable traction. The data suggests increasing reliance on delivery platforms for festival meals, including bulk orders for group consumption.
On Eid ul-Fitr (March 21), biryani emerged as the most ordered dish, with more than 200 orders placed per minute nationwide. Dessert demand was also significant, with gulab jamun averaging 11 orders per minute. Large-value transactions were recorded, including a ₹38,165 order from Noida, indicating high-ticket festive spending.
The start of the Indian Premier League season further influenced dining behaviour. On March 28, coinciding with the opening match, Swiggy Dineout bookings rose 31 per cent compared with the start of the previous season. Restaurants offering live screenings saw a spike of over 30 per cent in bookings, while reservations during the 7 pm match slot increased by more than 22 per cent.
Group dining trends strengthened, with bookings for groups of five or more rising nearly 25 per cent compared to the previous weekend. Casual dining outlets led overall volumes, though pubs and bars recorded the fastest growth, reflecting a shift towards social viewing experiences.
Swiggy also reported increased usage of its “Food on Train” service during Holi (February 28 to March 8). The platform delivered more than 5,700 festive meals across 1,381 long-distance trains. Traditional snacks such as samosas, lassi and pyaaz kachori dominated orders, pointing to demand for familiar regional foods during travel. Jaipur emerged as a key hub, contributing a significant share of festive orders.
The data highlights how seasonal events continue to shape food consumption patterns across India, with digital platforms playing a growing role in both everyday and occasion-based dining.
