What is the National Food of India? Myth vs Reality
Sagar Ratna was established in 1986, and nearly four decades later, it continues to be a name people recognise instantly for both its authentic recipes and the trust that goes along with it.
The promise of quality is what we’ve always kept and will continue to do so. While serving every meal, we also carry forward traditional flavours people in India grew up with, memories they return to, and the comfort they expect every time they dine at Sagar Ratna.
Every brand has a starting point. Ours begins with a story of hard work and belief.
Our founder, Shri Jayaram Banan, started his journey in Udupi, Karnataka, and moved to Mumbai at a very young age. He did all sorts of jobs, like washing utensils and learning how a kitchen works from the bottom up. He spent years understanding what really makes people want to come back to a place.
By the time he got to Delhi in 1974, he had learned something valuable. He understood that people don’t just want food for the taste but for a sense of comfort and familiarity that can be provided with consistency.
In 1986, the first Sagar Ratna outlet opened with a very clear idea. It was to serve food that people can trust every time they come to eat. What started as a restaurant slowly became a well-known restaurant chain, and it spread to many cities without changing what made it special: its originality.
Over the years, we became known not just as a vegetarian restaurant, but as a place where people could enjoy different cuisines under one roof. From South Indian favourites to North Indian classics and even Chinese dishes, the idea was to always offer people choices without compromising on taste.
Even today, when people visit us, their expectations remain the same: Good food made with authentic recipes and served right every single time. That is what continues to define our take on authentic service.
We are known for being original, and we make sure it stays that way through careful preparations every day:
It all starts with what goes into the food. Pure veg ingredients, fresh, always!
From the rice used in our dosa batter to the spices that are hand-picked and hand-ground, we never compromise on freshness. That is what helps our authentic recipes taste the way people expect: simple, balanced, and satisfying.
We don’t believe in changing things just for the sake of it.
We follow our recipes the way they are meant to be. Whether it’s a South Indian dish or a North Indian favourite, we stick to methods that keep the original taste.
That is what allows us to serve authentic Indian cuisine that still feels familiar, even after all these years.
We own around 100+ Sagar Ratna franchises across India. And growing as a popular restaurant franchise comes with its own challenges. One of the biggest is making sure the quality of taste and service stays the same everywhere.
We put strong systems in place so that no matter which outlet you visit, the food feels just as you remember it. And it is also what keeps our authentic recipes reliable across locations.
It’s not about ingredients and methods. It’s about paying attention to details that make the difference.
We prepare every dish with care so that the flavours feel right and your experience feels complete.
Over the years, our menu has expanded, but some dishes have stayed close to people’s hearts. These are the ones that people come back for, tell their friends about and often think of when they think of us.
The reason is easy to understand. They show what authentic Indian cuisine should be about:
This mix of dishes is what makes us more than just a South Indian place. As a vegetarian restaurant, we aim to offer enough variety so that everyone at the table finds something they enjoy, without losing the essence of our authentic recipes.
A lot has changed over the years. Cities have grown, dining habits have evolved, and expectations have become higher. But one thing has remained constant: people still look for food that feels real and dependable.
At Sagar Ratna, we have always focused on keeping things simple. Stay true to our authentic recipes, maintain consistency as a growing restaurant franchise, and continue serving authentic Indian cuisine that people can trust.
If you are looking for a vegetarian restaurant where the food feels familiar, the experience feels easy, and the taste stays consistent, we would love to have you over.