The gastronomification of urban India

Indian cities are undergoing a profound shift as the dining industry rapidly reshapes their urban fabric, leading to concerns about a growing urban monoculture. Once quiet residential neighborhoods and diverse commercial districts are increasingly becoming dominated by cafes, bakeries, and restaurants.

Noida's Sector 104, for example, has transformed from a peaceful residential area into a bustling dining destination. Similarly, parts of Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have evolved into food hubs. Even established commercial centers like Delhi's Connaught Place are now largely defined by their extensive food and beverage offerings.

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Restaurants simply paid higher rents. You can’t blame landlords for choosing tenants who offered better returns. Ultimately, it is demand and supply.

Architects describe this phenomenon as the "gastronomification of our urban fabric." While cities worldwide have seen similar trends, urbanists note that the speed and scale in India are distinct. Food has become a dominant commercial force, reshaping high streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces.

Market forces are a key driver of this change. In Delhi's Connaught Place, a 2014 renovation led to a surge in restaurants, many occupying previously vacant upper floors. Restaurants can offer higher rents than traditional retailers, making them more attractive to landlords. This economic reality has led to a decline in the diversity of businesses, with bookshops and other independent retailers struggling to survive against rising rents and the rise of online shopping.

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Over time this reduced the diversity of businesses. Bookshops and music stores struggled with rising rents, while online shopping made it even harder for them to survive.