Call for Fair Play: Hospitality Sector Seeks Uniform GST for Hotel Dining

Call for Fair Play: Hospitality Sector Seeks Uniform GST for Hotel Dining

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 21, 2024

In a strong move towards fairness, the hospitality industry is raising its voice against the current GST framework that links restaurant taxes within hotels to room tariffs, putting hotel restaurants at an unfair competitive edge compared to standalone establishments. Spearheaded by the Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI, the sector is rallying for a significant change: a uniform GST rate for all restaurants, irrespective of their hotel association.

Pradeep Shetty, HRAWI's President, highlighted how the current GST model, which jumps from 5% to 18% for room tariffs above INR 7500, unpredictably impacts customers and places hotel restaurants in a tricky spot. This not only affects walk-in diners but also complicates banquet services, leading to a dwindling number of guests and a maze of operational hurdles.

Echoing the call for change, industry leaders like Siddharth Renganathan of Suvaii and Kabir Suri of Azure Hospitality Pvt Ltd stress the need for uniform GST rates to foster growth, encourage fair competition, and ensure the hospitality sector's resilience. They argue that the dining experience should be taxed equally, allowing customers to enjoy quality meals without the extra financial burden linked to arbitrary room rates.

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This unified GST plea aims to rectify a system that has, since 2018, seen hoteliers voice concerns over declining restaurant footfalls due to customers preferring standalone restaurants for tax benefits. The industry's push for a standard 5% GST rate across all dining establishments reflects a collective effort to level the playing field, boost customer satisfaction, and keep pace with the flourishing standalone restaurant scene.

Moreover, the rise of external food delivery services eating into hotel dining profits underscores the urgent need for GST reform. Abhishek Sarwate of Utopian Smoothies points out the illogical relationship between room tariffs and dining bills for walk-in customers, advocating for a reevaluation of GST rate applicability to make dining experiences more equitable and logically priced.

The hospitality industry's call for uniform GST rates is a plea for fairness, aiming to dismantle the current tax disparity and ensure a competitive, sustainable, and equitable business environment for all dining establishments.


Fine Dining Meets Stunning Views at Tokyo Skytree Town

Fine Dining Meets Stunning Views at Tokyo Skytree Town

By Hariharan U

Published on September 4, 2025

For travellers looking to pair world-class dining with iconic views, Tokyo Skytree Town offers the best of both worlds. Beyond its 360-degree panorama of the city, this landmark destination is home to restaurants and cafés that showcase the richness of Japanese flavours in unforgettable settings. Whether it’s a celebration, a family outing, or a quiet moment to savour tea, dining at Tokyo Skytree is truly a feast for all senses.

A Culinary Feast with a View

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Sky Restaurant 634 (Tokyo Skytree, Floor 345), Located 345 meters above the city, this fine-dining restaurant offers a signature “Tokyo Cuisine” experience that blends seasonal Japanese ingredients with breathtaking vistas. The newly introduced Grand Room—a private dining space for up to eight guests—makes it an ideal choice for special occasions.

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Sky Lounge TOP of TREE (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), With clear-day views of Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Tower, this elegant lounge serves curated lunch and dinner course menus, perfect for a refined dining escape.

Kunimi (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), Specialising in premium dishes like live Hokkaido crab and sukiyaki with a touch of theatre, Kunimi offers sweeping views stretching from Skytree to Mt. Fuji.

Kumamoto Akaushi Shabu Shabu Koubai (Tokyo Solamachi, 31F), Featuring melt-in-the-mouth Akaushi beef from Kumamoto’s Aso region, this shabu-shabu experience combines rich flavours with a dramatic Skytree backdrop.

Matenro (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), A lively teppanyaki restaurant where chefs grill ingredients right before your eyes, enhanced by glittering night views for a memorable evening.

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Cafés with a Japanese Touch

Tokyo Solamachi®, part of the Skytree complex, also celebrates Japan’s café culture—offering cosy spots for quick breaks and indulgent treats:

THE MATCHA TOKYO (East Yard, 1F), A paradise for matcha lovers, serving 100% organic matcha beverages, sweets, and souvenirs.

Gion Tsujiri (East Yard, 6F): Known for the exclusive Tsujiri Tree Soft Serve, served with a Skytree-shaped spoon, this café offers a playful and photogenic treat.

Tanomi (East Yard, 1F), Famous for hearty soups with vegetable-packed flower-shaped rice balls, alongside desserts and drinks. The Tanomi Plate—a set with three small side dishes, is especially popular.

From gourmet dining to casual café stops, Tokyo Skytr

ee Town® is more than just a sightseeing attraction—it’s a complete experience where food, culture, and views come together in one iconic destination.


Ironhill Brewery Launches Its First Non-Alcoholic Beer, Zero Gravity AF

Ironhill Brewery Launches Its First Non-Alcoholic Beer, Zero Gravity AF

By Hariharan U

Published on September 4, 2025

 Ironhill Brewery, India’s largest microbrewery chain, has unveiled Zero Gravity AF, its first-ever non-alcoholic wheat beer. With this launch, Ironhill takes another bold step in its mission to craft inclusive brews that bring communities together.

Zero Gravity AF is designed to give beer lovers the same rich experience they expect, minus the alcohol. Brewed with precision by Ironhill’s master brewers, the golden wheat beer offers a smooth body with soft, bready undertones. Bright citrus and tropical fruit notes from Citra hops blend seamlessly with the clean bitterness of Magnum hops, resulting in a refreshing and aromatic drink that stays true to the essence of beer.

“Innovation at Ironhill has always been about listening to our community, experimenting with flavors, and creating brews that suit every mood and moment,” said Head Brewer at Ironhill. “Zero Gravity AF is crafted for those who love the beer experience but prefer to go alcohol-free, without compromising on taste.”

What makes Zero Gravity AF unique is its brewing process. While most commercial brewers make beer up to 5% and then dilute it with water to reduce the alcohol level, Ironhill has taken the natural route. Using a special yeast and carefully controlling fermentation, the beer is naturally stopped at 0.5%. The result is a full-bodied brew with the right aroma, texture, and flavour profile — unlike the diluted taste often found in other non-alcoholic beers.

The beer’s name, Zero Gravity AF, was chosen through an Instagram poll, making it a product of both brewing expertise and community spirit.

Perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual hangout, pairing with global cuisine, or simply enjoying a refreshing drink on a weekday Zero Gravity AF delivers a crisp, zesty, and sessionable experience.

With this launch, Ironhill Brewery continues to lead India’s craft beer scene, combining innovation, authenticity, and community engagement to create brews that leave a lasting impression.

About Ironhill Brewery

Ironhill Brewery is India’s largest microbrewery chain, known for its expansive spaces, vibrant ambience, and an eclectic mix of global cuisine and innovative beers. With outlets across major Indian cities, Ironhill has built a reputation for pushing brewing boundaries while staying rooted in storytelling, community connection, and culinary excellence.


‘The Malabar’ opens as Sterling’s new culinary landmark in Wayanad

‘The Malabar’ opens as Sterling’s new culinary landmark in Wayanad

By Hariharan U

Published on September 3, 2025

 Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the opening of The Malabar, its new fine dining specialty restaurant at Sterling Wayanad, Sulthan Bathery. Designed as a destination dining concept, the restaurant highlights Kerala’s culinary heritage through heirloom dishes, cultural storytelling, and refined service rituals.

The launch was celebrated with a cultural showcase featuring floral arrangements, a puja ceremony, a Theyyam performance, a spice garden tour, and an evening of live Sufi music paired with a curated dinner reflecting the restaurant’s philosophy of food as theatre.

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The Malabar’s compact, story-driven menu offers signature dishes like Chemeen Biryani, Erachi Puttu, Malabar Mango Cloud Fish, and Koonthal Nirachathu, along with forgotten classics such as Chakka Pathiri Nirachathu. Vegetarian highlights include Koon Curry, Raw Jackfruit Cutlets, Mathanga Erissery, and Cheera Parippu Curry, each plate designed with authenticity and cultural resonance.

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Commenting on the launch, Mr. Dileep Nair, Head of Operations at Sterling, said, “The Malabar was built on the voice of our guests. Insights showed a clear demand for authentic Kerala heirloom cuisine in a ₹700+ crore fine-dining market with no regional leader. The Malabar answers with authentic recipes, theatrical service, and a fine-dining format that creates recall and loyalty”.

This marks Sterling’s second major concept-driven restaurant, following Amo Odisha in Puri (2024). The Malabar strengthens Sterling’s vision of transforming dining into a strategic asset across destinations by blending heirloom dishes, local rituals, and sensory immersion.

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