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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on May 23, 2024
Culinary tourism is rapidly becoming a key driver in the tourism industry, with an increasing number of travelers seeking unique and memorable dining experiences. Malls and high streets are capitalizing on this trend by transforming into culinary destinations, offering diverse and immersive gastronomic adventures. This strategy not only enhances the visitor experience but also boosts foot traffic and revenue for retail and hospitality businesses.
The Rise of Culinary Tourism
Culinary tourism focuses on exploring local cuisines, dining experiences, and food-related activities as a significant part of travel. According to the World Food Travel Association, culinary travelers spend about 25% of their travel budget on food. This shift has prompted many commercial centers to integrate high-quality dining options and culinary events into their offerings.
Malls and High Streets as Culinary Destinations
Omaxe Chowk, located in the heart of Delhi, aims to be a hub for culinary tourism by showcasing India's rich culinary heritage. "Our vision is to recreate the charm of Chandni Chowk's street food within a modern and comfortable environment. Visitors can enjoy authentic local delicacies while exploring the historical and cultural essence of Old Delhi," says Jatin Goel, Executive Director, Omaxe Group. The operational food brands at Omaxe Chowk's Dawatpur include Popeyes, Burger King, Hongs Kitchen, Pizza Hut, Vaango, Spicenama, Eat Co., Amritsari Chennai Express, Chat Town, Jung Bahadur Kachori, KDH Chat, Vezley, Chicago Pizza, KFC, Chinese Wok, Dominos, Rolls Mania, Wow Momo, and Wow China.
Pacific Malls, with multiple locations across India, have embraced the culinary tourism trend by offering a variety of dining options ranging from fine dining to food courts with international cuisines. "We believe that a great dining experience is crucial to the overall appeal of our malls. By bringing together diverse culinary traditions, we aim to attract food enthusiasts and create a vibrant community space," states Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director of Pacific Malls. Notable food brands at Pacific Malls include Spezia Bistro, Punjab Grill, United Coffee House, Chili's, Birch By Romeo Lane, Neoba, House of Royal, Indus Flavour, and QDs.
Reach 3Roads, a mixed-use development in Gurugram, combines retail, dining, and entertainment to create a holistic experience for visitors. "Our focus is on creating an environment where people can come together to enjoy great food and social activities. Culinary events and festivals are a significant part of our strategy to engage the community and attract tourists," shares Nandini Taneja, VP, Reach Group. The dining options at Reach 3Roads include Sagar Ratna, Starbucks, Haldiram's, Chaayos, McDonald's, Badmaash Kebabi, Hong's Kitchen, Dunkin', and Moti Mahal.
Urban Square Mall in Udaipur is positioning itself as a premier culinary destination in the region. "We are curating a mix of local and international dining options to cater to the tastes of both residents and tourists. Our goal is to make Urban Square Mall a landmark for food lovers in Udaipur and for those also visiting Udaipur," says Uddhav Poddar, Managing Director of Bhumika Group, developers of Urban Square Mall. The mall features a variety of food brands including Kailash Parbat, Starbucks, Pind Balluchi, Keventers, Wow Momos, Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Baskin Robbins. Additionally, they're excited to announce the upcoming opening of Lemon Tree Hotel and PVR INOX, further enhancing the visitor experience.
Creating Memorable Culinary Experiences
To attract and retain visitors, malls and high streets are incorporating various elements into their culinary offerings. Diverse food options, including local, regional, and international cuisines, cater to different tastes and preferences. Themed food festivals celebrate specific cuisines, seasons, or cultural traditions, drawing in crowds. Interactive food experiences, such as cooking classes, food tastings, and chef meet-and-greets, engage visitors actively. Aesthetic and comfortable ambiance enhances the overall dining experience, while promotions and partnerships with food bloggers, chefs, and influencers help to promote dining options and attract food enthusiasts.
Culinary tourism is transforming malls and high streets into vibrant culinary hubs, creating memorable experiences for visitors. As this trend continues to evolve, these commercial centers will be pivotal in shaping the future of travel and dining.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on August 3, 2026
SPS Realty has announced that Bikanervala, one of India's most recognised food and sweets brands, will open a new outlet at its flagship commercial development, Helios, located on VIP Road in Zirakpur. The addition is set to strengthen the project's retail and food & beverage ecosystem while enhancing its appeal as a lifestyle destination.
The upcoming outlet will offer Bikanervala's wide range of traditional Indian sweets, snacks, and dining options, catering to residents, businesses, and visitors from Zirakpur and nearby areas. The brand's presence is expected to serve as a key food and beverage anchor within the commercial development.
Commenting on the association, Rohit Singla, Director, SPS Realty, said, "The addition of Bikanervala at Helios reflects our vision of creating a well-rounded commercial destination that brings together premium retail, food, and lifestyle experiences. We aim to curate a diverse ecosystem where businesses can thrive while offering visitors a complete experience under one roof."
Helios has been designed as SPS Realty's flagship commercial project, featuring contemporary architecture, premium commercial spaces, and a strategic location on VIP Road. The development comprises 177 premium retail and showroom spaces, offering high-visibility opportunities for established brands, entrepreneurs, and businesses.
The arrival of Bikanervala is expected to further strengthen Helios' growing tenant mix while enhancing customer engagement by adding a well-established food and beverage destination. With increasing urbanisation and rising demand for organised retail spaces in the region, the project is positioned to emerge as a preferred commercial hub in Zirakpur.
Through this partnership, SPS Realty continues its focus on developing commercial destinations that combine retail, dining, and lifestyle experiences while creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.
By Hariharan U
McDonald's India – North and East has announced the expansion of its McCafé network to 200 outlets across North and East India, marking a significant milestone in the brand's coffee business. The expansion reflects the company's continued investment in making premium-quality coffee more accessible as India's café culture continues to evolve.
To commemorate the milestone, McDonald's India – North and East has partnered with Tara Sutaria as the face of McCafé, bringing its "Good Vibes Start with McCafe" platform to life through a new brand campaign celebrating everyday coffee moments and connections.
As part of the celebration, McCafé has also introduced a new Summer Range featuring Strawberry Matcha, Affogato, Salted Caramel Latte, Chai Latte, and Passion Fruit Cooler, expanding its beverage portfolio with refreshing and indulgent options designed for evolving consumer preferences.
Commenting on the milestone, Anant Agarwal, Vice-Chairperson, CPRL (McDonald's India – North and East), said, "At McCafé, our ambition is to build one of India's most loved and trusted coffee brands by making great coffee accessible to more consumers without compromising on quality or value. The milestone of 200 McCafé outlets reflects our continued investment in expanding our footprint and strengthening our beverage portfolio. As coffee culture continues to evolve in India, our refreshed 'Good Vibes Start with McCafe' platform, along with our collaboration with Tara Sutaria as the face of McCafé, reinforces our commitment to connecting with young consumers and making McCafé their preferred choice for everyday coffee occasions."
Sharing her thoughts on the association, Tara Sutaria said, "Coffee has always been an important part of my everyday routine, whether it's the first cup that starts my day, a mid-day pick-me-up or a quiet moment to unwind. Over the years, McCafé has become one of my go-to choices, whether I'm in India or travelling abroad, because I know I can always count on a great cup of coffee. McCafé's Cappuccino is one of my personal favourites whenever I'm looking for something indulgent. I'm delighted to be associated with a brand that shares my love for great coffee and celebrates the everyday rituals that make each cup special."
The new summer beverage range is now available across McCafé outlets in North and East India. Customers can also order through dine-in, Self-Ordering Kiosks (SOK), takeaway, drive-thru, delivery platforms, and the McDonald's App.
The campaign has been conceptualised by BBDO India, part of Omnicom Advertising India.
Published on August 2, 2026
The Point Break Challenge got underway in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, marking Stop 3 of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) National Surf Series, India's premier national surfing championship circuit. The opening day witnessed nearly 80 surfers from seven to eight coastal states competing across multiple categories.
The competition features athletes in the Men's Open, Women's Open, Under-18, and Under-14 divisions, with every heat contributing valuable points towards the national championship rankings.
Mahabalipuram's renowned right-hand point break provided ideal conditions for the opening day. Known for its long, peeling waves, the surf break offered competitors the opportunity to showcase high-performance surfing and extended rides, making it one of the most anticipated venues on the national calendar.
Among the standout performances, Shrikanth D led the Men's Open category with wave scores of 9.00 and 7.67, while Kishore Kumar dominated the Under-18 Boys division with scores of 9.33 and 8.17. His 9.33 emerged as the highest single-wave score recorded on the opening day. In the Under-14 Boys category, Prahalad Sriram topped the leaderboard with scores of 6.50 and 6.33.
As the third stop of the national championship circuit, the Point Break Challenge plays an important role in shaping the overall standings before the series moves to the Covelong Classic in Kovalam, Chennai, scheduled from 6–8 August.
Following the domestic circuit, Mahabalipuram will also host the WSL Shore Temple Classic from 12–16 August, giving Indian surfers the opportunity to compete on home waves in an international event.
The Point Break Challenge will continue until 1 August 2026 and is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), and TT Group. The event is organised by the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) and the Tamil Nadu Surfing Association (TNSA).
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