“Same food, same restaurant — but double the price. Convenience or daylight robbery?”
A fresh controversy around food delivery apps has once again sparked outrage online. Content creator Nalini Unagar recently exposed a shocking price difference on Zomato, leaving many users questioning how much extra they really pay for online convenience.
What Happened?
Nalini shared screenshots on X (formerly Twitter) showing a major price gap between a restaurant’s takeaway bill and Zomato’s app listing.
Veg Manchurian Dry + Chinese Bhel
Restaurant takeaway bill: ₹320
Zomato app price: ₹655
After discount: Still around ₹550
Calling the difference “absolutely insane,” Nalini accused the platform of heavily overcharging customers. Her post, shared around January 10, 2026, quickly went viral, crossing 4 lakh views and triggering a heated online debate.
Zomato’s Response
Zomato responded by clarifying that menu prices are decided by restaurant partners, not the platform itself. The company described itself as a technology intermediary and stated that Nalini’s feedback would be forwarded to the restaurant for review.
However, this explanation didn’t fully satisfy users. Many questioned whether food delivery platforms indirectly force restaurants to raise prices due to high commissions and operational costs.
Public Reaction: Divided Internet
The internet reacted sharply in two directions:
Supporters of Nalini called it customer exploitation and blamed platforms like Zomato and Swiggy for inflating food prices.
Defenders of online pricing argued that delivery convenience, rider payments, packaging, and platform maintenance justify higher costs.
Some users even referred to the markup as a “laziness tax”, while others demanded more transparency in food pricing.
Bigger Picture
This incident highlights a growing concern in India’s food delivery ecosystem. Online orders often cost 30% to 100% more than dine-in or takeaway prices due to commissions, service fees, and taxes.
As of January 11, 2026, there has been no public resolution from either the restaurant or Zomato. But the debate continues — forcing users to rethink whether convenience is worth the cost.
