Restaurant
Licenses You Need to Open a Restaurant in India
21 May 2026 · Piatto Pro Team
Opening a restaurant in India means clearing a stack of paperwork before you serve your first plate. Miss one and you risk fines or a shutdown; get them in the right order and it’s just a sequence. This is the checklist, plain and practical.
FSSAI licence (the non-negotiable one)
Every food business needs an FSSAI registration or licence. Which tier depends on your turnover and scale:
- Basic registration, for very small outlets.
- State licence, mid-sized restaurants.
- Central licence, large operations, chains, or anyone operating across states.
This is the one inspectors ask for first. Get it early; it also gates a few of the others.
GST registration
If your turnover crosses the threshold (and for most restaurants it will), you need GST registration to issue compliant tax invoices. It’s also what lets you bill CGST/SGST correctly and file returns.
Shop & Establishment registration
Governs your premises, working hours and staff conditions under the state’s Shops & Establishments Act. Required almost everywhere you operate a commercial space.
Trade licence
Issued by the local municipal body, permitting you to run a food business at that specific location. Renewed annually in most cities.
Fire safety NOC
A No Objection Certificate from the fire department, confirming your premises meet safety norms, extinguishers, exits, wiring. Larger dine-in spaces are scrutinised harder.
Liquor licence (only if you serve alcohol)
The most expensive and most regulated of the lot, issued by the state excise department. Costs and conditions vary wildly by state, so budget and plan for this one well ahead.
The ones people forget
- Signage licence for your board/hoarding.
- Eating House licence (a police clearance in some cities).
- Music licence if you play recorded or live music.
Get the sequence right
Roughly: company/GST registration → FSSAI → trade licence and shop & establishment → fire NOC → (liquor, if needed). Each city has its quirks, so confirm locally, and keep digital copies, inspections happen without notice.
Once you’re open, the compliance doesn’t stop: GST-correct invoices on every bill, HSN codes, returns on time. A billing system that bakes tax in, GST and VAT handled inside the engine, keeps the day-to-day compliance from becoming a monthly scramble.