Indians rang in the New Year with a remarkable appetite for biryani, according to data released by food delivery platform Swiggy. The company recorded a peak rate of 1,336 biryani orders per minute even before 8pm, underlining the dish’s enduring popularity across the country.
India biryani orders hit new highs on festive night
Swiggy reported that 218,993 biryanis had been ordered before 7:30pm on New Year’s Eve, and highlighted several headline-grabbing purchases. A party host in Bhubaneswar placed a single order for 16 kilos of biryani, while other customers across the country placed unusually large orders: one Bengaluru customer ordered 100 burgers in a single request, a Goa user bought 39 portions of kebabs and tikkas, and a Gurugram order included 18 boxes of brownies and 18 plum cakes.
Beyond these individual anecdotes, the platform’s annual figures emphasise the scale of demand. In 2025, Swiggy said that customers ordered a total of 93 million biryanis, an average of roughly 3.25 orders every second across the year. The New Year’s Eve surge mirrors a broader trend of high-volume festival spending and strong demand for convenience dining in urban India.
The evening’s consumption patterns also reflected diverse tastes. By 8:30pm more than 218,000 pizzas had been delivered, narrowly edging out burgers, which registered over 216,000 orders. Desserts featured prominently later in the night, with rasmalai, gajar halwa and gulab jamun among the top choices around 10:30pm.
Swiggy’s data captures more than fast-moving sales figures; it offers a snapshot of the delivery economy’s capacity to meet demand during peak moments. Customers placed multiple orders throughout the day in several cities: in Nagpur, one individual placed more than 93 orders over the course of 31 December, while a resident of Surat ordered from 22 different restaurants on the same day.
Industry observers say such spikes matter for restaurants, delivery staff and supply chains. High-volume events test operational resilience, from kitchen throughput and inventory management to last-mile logistics. While Swiggy did not comment beyond publishing the figures, the data will be useful to restaurant operators planning staffing and stock for future festivals.
The numbers also underline the continuing role of digital platforms in shaping eating habits. The convenience of app-based ordering has encouraged larger and more varied orders, from substantial party platters to multiple dessert items streamed across different households. These shifts are relevant to employment in the gig economy and to small and medium-sized restaurants that rely on festival trading for a significant share of annual revenue.
As India moves further into 2026, the New Year’s Eve figures serve as a reminder of the cultural and economic importance of food in public celebrations. For now, biryani remains the nation’s favourite when it comes to festive indulgence, and the delivery sector appears poised to continue supporting that demand.
Key Takeaways:
- Swiggy recorded 1,336 biryani orders per minute on New Year’s Eve, with 218,993 biryanis ordered before 7:30pm.
- India biryani orders totalled 93 million in 2025, averaging about 3.25 orders per second across the year.
- Pizza and burgers also saw heavy demand, while desserts and large party orders highlighted robust festive spending.
- Notable single orders included 16 kilos of biryani and dozens of items bought by individuals in multiple cities.
