Odisha rolls out guidelines for Odia cuisine restaurants to claim incentives
Odisha government issues eight guidelines for Odia cuisine restaurants to qualify for CAPEX and OPEX incentives under tourism policy, read the full update
Ekta Mathew 
BHUBANESWAR, June 16, 2026 — The Odisha government on Tuesday issues eight specific guidelines for Odia cuisine restaurants to become eligible for financial incentives under the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy, 2026, aiming to boost the state’s culinary presence across India.
The policy measures target restaurants serving authentic Odia cuisine and offer both capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) support to qualifying establishments, government officials say. CAPEX support will reimburse up to thirty percent of eligible costs, subject to a maximum of Rs 5 crore per unit, disbursed in staggered installments over three years.
Eligibility criteria for incentives
Under the new guidelines, restaurants must meet clear eligibility conditions to access incentives. Establishments need clear land ownership or a valid lease agreement, a minimum seating capacity of twenty-five guests and a fully functioning, hygienic kitchen, officials state.
Additional conditions include a minimum investment of Rs 20 lakh (excluding land and building), trained staff experienced in traditional Odia culinary practices, clean public conveniences, parking facilities compliant with building bylaws and menu cards displaying Odia cuisine offerings in both Odia and English.
Support components and operational incentives
CAPEX support covers furnishing, interiors and kitchen equipment, with repair and renovation included for restaurants within Odisha. OPEX incentives aim to reduce operational costs with reimbursements for electricity and state GST during the first three years of operation, capped at Rs 2 lakh per unit per month, according to government guidelines.
Restaurants outside Odisha can claim CAPEX support for furnishing, interiors and kitchen equipment, and OPEX reimbursements for twice their monthly electricity charges for three years.
Scope and selection of cities
The incentives apply in government-notified tourist destinations within Odisha and selected locations outside the state. These include major metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata, with a limit of five units per city, and prominent tourist destinations like Agra, Varanasi, Goa, Kochi and Jaipur, with a cap of two units per location.
An Odia Culinary Committee constituted by the Tourism department will verify incentive claims and ensure compliance with the policy requirements, officials add.
The move is part of a broader state effort to promote Odisha’s cultural and culinary heritage and encourage authentic regional dining experiences both within and beyond the state’s borders.
More information about Indian cuisine and its regional diversity can be explored through Indian cuisine history and traditions.
Businesses monitoring hospitality expansion trends can also explore restaurant industry growth trends for 2026 to understand how regional food concepts are shaping dining markets.
