How Food & Beverage Is Changing India’s Shopping & Real Estate Spaces

SquareFeatIndia — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:13:09 +0000

Food isn’t just about taste anymore—it’s reshaping India’s retail spaces. From high streets to mega malls, restaurants, cafes, and pubs are now the driving force behind real estate growth. For homebuyers and common citizens, this means more vibrant neighborhoods, buzzing high streets, and lifestyle-driven malls closer to where they live.

Why This Matters for You

When you think about buying a home, one of the first things you check is what’s around it—markets, hospitals, schools… and now increasingly, quality F&B spaces. A nearby high street buzzing with cafes and restaurants or a mall with 25% dedicated to dining isn’t just about convenience—it can also boost property values and make neighborhoods more livable.

The Big Numbers in F&B Real Estate

Trend	Highlights
F&B share in retail leasing	Grew from 16% (2023) to 22% (2025)
Total leasing since 2023	4 million sq. ft. across top 7 cities
High streets vs malls	High streets: 54%, Malls: 38%
Domestic vs international brands	Domestic: 86%, International: 14%
Upcoming F&B space by 2028	6 million sq. ft. in malls

City-Wise Impact: Who’s Eating the Most?

City	Key Highlights
Bengaluru	1/3rd of total F&B leasing, Indiranagar is the hotspot
Mumbai	High street + mall formats both booming
Delhi NCR	Prefers mall-based F&B formats; 26% of drinking establishments growth
Hyderabad & Chennai	Vibrant high street growth
Kolkata	High street F&B rising
Pune	Mall-centric like Delhi NCR

“When we go house-hunting today, it’s not just about square feet inside the home but also the lifestyle outside it. A buzzing high street or a mall with good dining options nearby makes a big difference to families, and that’s why we see F&B becoming a real estate game changer.”
— Rahul Arora, Head – Office Leasing & Retail Services, JLL India

What Experts Say

Developers are now planning up to 25% space in new malls for F&B.
High streets remain the first choice for expansion, showing that people want accessible, casual, and lively dining options near home.
Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR together account for two-thirds of leasing activity.

What It Means for Homebuyers

Higher Lifestyle Value: A home near strong F&B hubs = better social life + higher real estate appreciation.
Rising Demand Areas: Indiranagar (Bengaluru), Bandra (Mumbai), Connaught Place (Delhi NCR), Jubilee Hills (Hyderabad) are seeing demand not just from diners but also homebuyers.
Job Creation & Vibrancy: F&B-led growth means more local jobs and buzzing neighborhoods.

The Road Ahead

By 2028, India will add 6 million sq. ft. of new F&B spaces in malls, while high streets will continue to dominate. For you, this means more choices for dining, entertainment, and lifestyle—and if you’re investing in a home, areas near these hubs could see better returns.

Also

“The F&B sector is fundamentally reshaping India’s retail real estate landscape. Developers are now planning to dedicate up to 25% of space in upcoming malls to F&B—a clear response to the segment’s strong demand. With over 6 million sq. ft of F&B space expected by 2028, we anticipate rapid absorption in just 3–5 years.”
— Dr. Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head of Research & REIS, India, JLL

Also Read: Rental Housing for Ineligible Slum Dwellers: Maharashtra’s Housing Policy 2025 Offers Humane Alternative in Dharavi & Beyond

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