Food remains one of the most powerful ways Indians connect with family, culture, and everyday life. It is never just about the meal, but about shared stories, laughter, and connection that linger long after the plates are cleared.
Curious about how Indians cook and eat at home today, IKEA explored everyday moments in the kitchen and around the table. The Cooking & Eating Study reveals how changing routines and modern lifestyles are reshaping these habits at home.
The survey is one of the largest of its kind, drawing on insights from more than 31,000 interviews across 31 countries to offer a global lens on everyday cooking and eating behaviours. While factors such as busy schedules, compact homes, and competing priorities are global realities, Indian homes reflect a unique connection with food.
More Indians step into the kitchen
The confidence in cooking is growing with nearly half of Indians believe they will become more confident in their cooking abilities over the next decade. This is significantly higher than the global average. Nearly 1 in 5 expect to cook using home-grown produce in the future, reflecting increasing awareness around sustainability, self-reliance, and mindful consumption.
The rise of mindful cooking at home
The research finds that many Indians are becoming more mindful in the kitchen. More people in India are likely to save water, buy local produce, and use energy-efficient appliances as part of their everyday routines. There is also a strong sense of responsibility when it comes to food waste. Over half of Indians feel a responsibility to reduce the amount of food wasted in their homes, and many express guilt when food is wasted. However, 1 in 3 believe that little food is wasted in their household. Overcooking and oversized portions remain key contributors, pointing to opportunities for better planning, storage, and portion control.
Where and how India eats
Eating at home in India reflects a fluid mix of tradition and modern living. The dining table is no longer a fixed space. For some, it’s the sofa; for others, the floor or even the bed. While sitting on the floor remains rooted in comfort and cultural practice, informal eating habits are increasingly common, with nearly 1 in 5 Indians eating on the sofa and more choosing to eat in bed. This shift reflects to changing lifestyles and the rise of shared, living spaces that adapt to how people live, gather, and eat.
Watching television while eating is common when dining alone and continues even when eating with others. Nearly 1 in 5 use social media, regardless of device, during meals. This highlights how screens have become part of everyday eating habits.
India dines later than the world
The report finds that India tends to eat dinner later, with the average weekday dinner time at 8:14 PM, compared to the global average of 6:44 PM. Work schedules, commuting patterns, and daily routines continue to shape when families come together to eat.
Mealtimes are often unhurried, with people spending slightly longer over dinner, around 30 minutes, compared to global norms. Meals continue to serve as moments of pause, comfort, and connection at the end of the day.
Evolving kitchen needs in Indian homes
People are increasingly looking for kitchens that can do more, and Indian homes are no exception. Many feel their kitchens could better support everyday needs through smarter storage, more surface space, or layouts that adapt to how they cook and live today.
As homes become more compact and lifestyles more fluid, the kitchen is taking on a broader role. It is no longer just a place to prepare meals, but a shared space for eating, connecting, and spending time together. Younger generations are seeking kitchens that feel better suited to the realities of everyday life. This highlights the need for flexible, space-efficient, and well-organised kitchen solutions that adapt to different routines, preferences, and household sizes.
Cooking and eating as care and connection
For many Indians, cooking carries emotional meaning beyond daily necessity. Over a quarter describe cooking as their language of love, nearly double the global average. A similar share view cooking as a form of self-expression, while others see it as part of their daily routine.
At the same time, some Indians say they never cook. Common barriers include lack of time, limited skills, lack of inspiration, or the responsibility typically resting with another household member. Fresh ingredients remain central to Indian kitchens, with over half preferring to cook with them, while many also prepare food for multiple meals at a time.
Hosting meals continues to be an important social ritual. Nearly 4 in 10 Indians say having guests over helps build relationships with family and friends, while a similar number value the opportunity for social connection. Compared to global data, more Indians also say they enjoy experimenting with new recipes when hosting.
Balancing experimentation with familiar flavours
Many Indians show a strong interest in trying new recipes and foods, while preferences for Indian cuisine remain strong. Plant-based alternatives are also gaining interest, with adoption levels higher than the global average. Popular food choices continue to include strong flavours, fast food, nostalgic dishes, late-night snacks, and a growing preference for spicy flavours.
The Cooking & Eating Survey highlights a global truth: while food continues to hold deep emotional meaning, modern life is reshaping how people cook, eat, and connect at home. Even as homes become smaller and routines busier, the desire to come together around food remains central to everyday life. As part of Ingka Group, IKEA India continues to turn global insights into local action, supporting the many people with ideas, inspiration, and solutions that make cooking and eating at home easier, joyful, and more meaningful.
Nearly 1 in 5 Indians prefer eating on the sofa and more choosing to eat in bed
