Mughlai cuisine is renowned for the richness and aromaticity of its dishes, due to the extensive use of spices such as saffron, cardamom, and black pepper. Mughlai cuisine, with its rich heritage and royal flavors, is rapidly redefining the Indian dining landscape in 2025. According to industry reports, the Mughlai cuisine food segment in India is growing rapidly due to rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and evolving food preferences. 

In metros like Delhi and Mumbai, Mughlai cuisine remains a top choice, driving growth across casual and fine-dining outlets. The rise of tech-savvy cloud kitchens and hybrid dining formats is reshaping Mughlai food consumption across India, making it a key, transformative force in the country’s vibrant food scene.​ 

Creating Unique Brand Identities

Restaurants differentiate themselves by developing strong brand identities focused on unique themes, whether royal luxury, homestyle comfort, or modern elegance, allowing them to appeal to specific customer segments and build loyal followings. 

Commenting on the brands’ royalty and uniqueness, Tabrez Rauf Upletawala, Director, Persian Darbar, said, “Each of our restaurants’ outlet designs reflects Persian and Mughal influences with royal blues, hand-painted motifs, arches, chandeliers, and detailed artwork for a regal yet welcoming feel. The menu keeps classics like biryanis, kebabs, and gravies but adds modern touches like Turkish kebabs, fusion desserts, and lighter dishes to stay relevant.”

Talking about the menu, Abdul Kadir, GM, Rang Lords Inn Bharuch added, “Mughlai dishes are central to our menu, inspiring creativity in our multi-cuisine offerings and connecting Bharuch diners to authentic flavors. Blue Coriander offers good food in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Signature dishes like Biryani Mughlai and Murg Mughlai Begum Bahar are local favorites.”

Speaking about Jyran’s menu, Chef Waris Qureshi mentioned, “We use chef storytelling, seasonal festivals like Awadhi week, pop-ups, social media reels, and curated events like royal feasts and iftar menus.”

Highlighting the dishes, Kamlesh Patil, Executive Chef, Planet Hollywood Thane, explained, “We highlight dishes like Murg Rezale and Nihari Gosht through themed festivals and digital storytelling with cinematic visuals and influencer collaborations.”

Knowing the needs of consumers, Rakshit Sharma, COO, Machan Resorts LLP, highlighted their heritage property in Rajasthan, Legacy Mandawa by The Machan, “Our Mughlai dishes stand out through authenticity and storytelling, served in a regal setting to create heritage dining experiences. We partner with travel and food influencers to showcase ‘Heritage on a Plate,’ helping audiences connect emotionally with our royal cuisine.”

Tradition Meets Modern Taste across India

The rising demand for Mughlai cuisine in India reflects a growing appreciation for its rich heritage and bold flavors. Persian Darbar focuses on the younger consumers and believes social media is a key to connecting with them.

“Mughlai food thrives globally in cities like London, New York, and Dubai, wherever South Asian communities exist. It strongly represents Indian cuisine. We stay true to original recipes while adapting for younger audiences by adding desserts like baklava and kunafa and engaging youth through social media,” said Upletawala.

Also, fine dining menus reinterpret Mughlai techniques with a focus on provenance and theatrical service, while casual menus blend Mughlai with street or regional foods. “Techniques like reducing fats, sous-vide, lean or plant proteins, smaller portions, and flavor adjustments maintain spice layers. Our menus fuse Awadhi and Kashmiri traditions with modern tastes,” explained Chef Qureshi, giving his thoughts about reinventing the dishes.

Machan Resorts, too, has experimented with its recipes and succeeded in gaining consumer’s attention. “We offer live kitchen experiences showcasing royal recipes with homemade spices and organic ingredients. We modernize heavy gravies into balanced, flavorful dishes for global guests,” added Sharma.

Elevating the Mughlai Dining Experience

Mughlai restaurants adopt future trends and technology to boost efficiency and customer engagement while preserving heritage. Using cloud kitchens, innovative cooking, and social media, they modernize without losing traditional flavors and royal legacy

“Technology, from online reservations to social media and delivery, helps us bring Bharuch’s flavors beyond the city. We use local, seasonal produce with subtle global touches to keep our Mughlai offerings flavorful, relevant, and sustainable,” added Kadir. 

Making a note on the techniques, Chef Patil remarked, “Through interactive menus, reels, and visuals, technology highlights our Mughlai dishes, guiding diners to heritage flavors. We integrate sustainable sourcing and explore fusion, like Mughlai spices with continental plating, keeping dishes globally relevant yet culturally authentic.”

“Digital storytelling through visuals, reels, and collaborations expands our heritage cuisine’s reach while maintaining tradition’s charm. We embrace sustainable sourcing and reduce waste, with chefs experimenting with a subtle fusion of Mughlai richness and modern global flavors,” Sharma concluded, giving insights on the marketing strategy.