Delhi Consumer Court Orders Swiggy, Restaurant to Pay ₹1 Lakh Over Misleading Buffet Price

New Delhi, October 2, 2026: A Delhi consumer commission has directed a restaurant and Swiggy to jointly pay ₹1 lakh to a customer after finding that the price displayed on the online dining platform differed substantially from the amount charged at the restaurant.

The case was heard by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-I, North District, Delhi, in a complaint filed by Praveen Kumar Singh over a buffet booking made for April 7, 2024. The commission found that the discrepancy between the advertised price and the final bill amounted to a deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice.

Buffet price shown online was ₹750 per person

According to the commission's order, the online listing showed a “cost for two” of ₹1,500, which indicated a price of ₹750 per person.

However, after the meal, the restaurant charged ₹1,050 per person for the vegetarian buffet and ₹1,100 for the non-vegetarian buffet.

The commission calculated that the difference between the price represented before booking and the final buffet price was approximately 40-47%, describing the discrepancy as material.

The customer had booked a table for 10 people, while another booking for four people had been made through his wife's account.

Commission rejects argument over online listing

The online platform argued that it was only an intermediary and that the “cost for two” displayed on the platform represented an average or estimated amount.

The commission, however, held that a price representation made to a consumer before booking creates a reasonable expectation that the final billing will not materially differ from it.

The order also examined a separate issue concerning the service charge imposed by the restaurant.

Service charge also questioned

The commission found that the restaurant's menu did not disclose a service charge or staff contribution, while the final bill separately included an amount described as “Service Charge.”

It therefore held that the levy also amounted to a deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice. The commission referred to a March 28, 2025 Delhi High Court judgment, which held that service charges and tips are voluntary and cannot be imposed as compulsory charges on food bills.

What the commission ordered

The restaurant was directed to refund ₹3,988, representing the excess amount charged over the price represented on the platform. The amount will carry 9% annual interest from April 7, 2024.

A further ₹254 service-charge refund, also carrying 9% annual interest from the same date, was ordered.

In addition, the restaurant and Swiggy were directed to jointly and severally pay ₹1 lakh for mental agony, harassment, inconvenience and litigation costs. The payment was to be made within four weeks of the order.

What the case means for online food bookings

The ruling highlights the importance of price transparency in online restaurant bookings. Consumers who see a price before making a reservation can reasonably expect the final bill to correspond to the representation, unless clearly disclosed terms explain otherwise.

The case also comes amid continued regulatory scrutiny of mandatory service charges. In January 2026, the Central Consumer Protection Authority said restaurants cannot automatically add service charges to food bills and described mandatory collection as an unfair trade practice.