Odisha Tourism to provide ₹5 crore in incentives for premium Odia restaurants in Delhi, Mumbai, and tourist hubs to promote the state’s rich culinary heritage
OdishaPlus Bureau
The government of Odisha has made the decision to provide financial support for the establishment of premium restaurants that serve authentic Odia cuisine in various Indian cities and tourist hotspots, to showcase the state’s rich and diverse culinary heritage.
This initiative is part of Odisha’s tourism policy, which has recently been revised to align with the state’s Vision 2036 plan, aiming to position tourism as a driver of sustainability, cultural pride, and global competitiveness.
According to the plan, Odisha Tourism has proposed incentives, including capital expenditures of up to Rs 5 crore and operational support for three years, to attract private investors to establish these restaurants.
Officials have stated that the goal is to popularize traditional Odia dishes and the narratives that connect generations.
The restaurants are intended to be located in five metropolitan areas: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata, with a limit of five establishments per city. Additionally, there are plans for restaurants in five prominent tourist destinations — Agra, Varanasi, Goa, Kochi, and Jaipur, with a maximum of two units allowed per destination.
“Food in Odisha is integral to our cultural and religious life, and its diversity is truly unique. We have temple cuisines, tribal cuisines, and dishes enjoyed by people from various regions — coastal, western, and southern. The aim is to promote all these culinary traditions so that individuals outside the state can gain a deeper appreciation for them,” remarked Binod Jena, joint secretary of the Tourism Department.
The restaurants are required to embody Odisha’s cultural identity in their design and atmosphere, and they should employ trained staff skilled in traditional Odia culinary techniques, as outlined in the plan. Furthermore, they should ideally provide clean public restrooms and sufficient parking facilities, according to Jena.
Odisha Tourism will cover the capital expenses for furnishings, interior design, and kitchen equipment for these restaurants.
The reimbursement for capital expenditures will occur in three instalments, whereas the operational expenditures, which include the reimbursement of monthly electricity costs, will be covered for a duration of three years.
To enhance and generate greater interest in Odia cuisine beyond the state, the Tourism Department has also devised plans to involve brand ambassadors and influencers for Odia cuisine, organize Odia food festivals, and distribute cuisine awards, among various other initiatives.
