Café and restaurant setup cost

Where the money goes

• Fit-out

  Civil, services, interiors and loose furniture

  ₹19.7 lakh₹14.3 lakh – ₹26.9 lakh

• Kitchen equipment (32 covers)

  Shop appliances →

  ₹5.44 lakh₹4.9 lakh – ₹6.26 lakh

• Air conditioning

  ₹1.23 lakh₹1.11 lakh – ₹1.42 lakh

• Kitchen exhaust and fire suppression

  ₹1.95 lakh₹1.75 lakh – ₹2.24 lakh

• Espresso machine and grinder

  ₹3 lakh₹1 lakh – ₹8 lakh

• Crockery and smallwares

  ₹80,000₹72,000 – ₹92,000

• Signage, branding and launch

  ₹2.7 lakh₹2.43 lakh – ₹3.1 lakh

• POS and tech

  ₹60,000₹54,000 – ₹69,000

• GST at 18%

  On work and fees from registered firms

  ₹4.75 lakh₹3.66 lakh – ₹6.22 lakh

• Contingency (7%)

  For surprises: hidden damage, price rises, changes of mind

  ₹2.48 lakh₹1.88 lakh – ₹3.47 lakh

• Licences (FSSAI, trade, fire NOC, shop registration, music)

  Varies by state: check the official portals

  ₹1.75 lakh₹1.57 lakh – ₹2.01 lakh

• Rent deposit (6 months)

  ₹6 lakh

• First stock

  ₹1.5 lakh₹50,000 – ₹3 lakh

• Working capital (6 months)

  Cash to run until you break even. Many new places run short in the first months.

  ₹12 lakh

1. 1. Concept, layout and kitchen design

   ₹7.35 lakh · 4 weeks

   Hire: interior design studioHire: architecture firm

2. 2. Landlord approvals and licences

   ₹2.29 lakh · 2 months

   FSSAI, trade and health licence, fire NOC, shop registration

   Hire: architecture firm

3. 3. Civil work, partitions, drainage

   ₹4.31 lakh · 3 weeks

   Hire: contractorBricks & blocksTilesPipes & plumbing

4. 4. Air conditioning, exhaust, electrical, gas, plumbing

   ₹9.11 lakh · 5 weeks

   Hire: mep consultantWires & cablesPipes & plumbing

5. 5. Ceiling, flooring and lighting

   ₹3.23 lakh · 3 weeks

   Hire: contractorHire: lighting designerGypsum & ceilingsWood & vinyl flooringLighting

6. 6. Bar, counters and joinery

   ₹2.69 lakh · 3 weeks

   Hire: interior design studioPlywood & boardsLaminates & veneersStone & marble

7. 7. Kitchen equipment

   ₹12.5 lakh · 2 weeks

   Hire: mep consultantAppliances

8. 8. Furniture, signage and branding

   ₹8.14 lakh · 2 weeks

   Hire: interior design studioFurnitureOutdoor furnitureDecor & accessories

9. 9. Trial runs and opening

   ₹14.3 lakh · 2 weeks

Who to talk to

Professionals listed in Mumbai: verified pages first, then alphabetical. Nobody pays to appear.

Good to know

• Start licences 45–60 days before you plan to open: FSSAI takes 7–45 days and the fire NOC 15–30.
• Most café cost figures come from restaurant-software companies' blogs, which often disagree; treat these as a starting point.