Zomato has launched a new feature called Host Mode across India, allowing users to hide restaurant menu prices when ordering food for friends and family. The feature lets guests browse restaurant menus and add their preferred dishes to the cart without seeing individual prices. The person paying for the order can review the complete bill privately before confirming the purchase.
The feature addresses a familiar social situation: guests often hesitate to order expensive dishes when someone else is paying. Instead, they may choose cheaper options or avoid ordering what they actually want. Zomato’s Host Mode is designed to remove this pressure by separating food selection from price visibility. The feature was introduced on November 3, 2026, following a customer suggestion that received a positive response from Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal.
What Is Zomato Host Mode?
Host Mode is a new option within Zomato’s food delivery app that hides prices from guests while they select food.
When someone invites friends or family to order food at their expense, they can activate Host Mode before handing over their phone. Once enabled, restaurant menu prices and cart prices disappear from the screen.
Guests can then browse available dishes and add their selections without worrying about how much each item costs.
The host, however, retains control over the financial details. When everyone finishes selecting food, the host can exit Host Mode, authenticate their identity and view the complete bill before placing the order.
The feature is particularly useful for family gatherings, house parties, festive celebrations and other occasions when one person is paying for a group.
Why Did Zomato Introduce Host Mode?
The idea originated from a LinkedIn suggestion by Ayushmaan Agarwalla, a marketing professional who highlighted an awkward experience that many people encounter while ordering food as guests.
When someone offers to treat friends or relatives, guests sometimes become overly conscious of prices. Even when the host encourages everyone to order whatever they want, people may select cheaper dishes or ask the host to make the decision.
This behaviour can make a generous gesture uncomfortable for both sides.
Agarwalla suggested introducing a feature called Mehmaan Mode that would hide food prices while guests selected their dishes.
Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal responded positively to the suggestion and indicated that the company would implement it. The feature subsequently launched under the name Host Mode.
According to reports, Zomato developed and rolled out the feature within 72 hours of the suggestion.
How to Activate Zomato Host Mode
Zomato has made Host Mode accessible through multiple sections of its application. Users should ensure they have the latest version of the app installed.
Here is how to activate it:
- Open the Zomato application on your smartphone.
- Look for the Host Mode option in the home screen header or on a restaurant menu page.
- Alternatively, navigate to Profile > Your Preferences.
- Select Switch on Host Mode.
- Once activated, food prices disappear from restaurant menus and the cart.
- A confirmation message appears stating, “All prices are hidden in Host Mode.”
- Hand your phone to guests so they can browse menus and add dishes.
- Once everyone finishes selecting food, tap Exit host mode to review bill.
- Authenticate using fingerprint or face lock to reveal the complete bill.
- Review the order total and available savings before selecting Place Order.
The feature allows guests to participate in choosing food while keeping the financial details private.
Only the Host Can See the Final Bill
One of the most important aspects of Host Mode is that guests cannot independently restore the price display.
The host must exit the mode and complete the required device authentication before the full bill becomes visible.
| Feature | How it works |
|---|---|
| Menu prices | Hidden from guests |
| Cart prices | Hidden while Host Mode is active |
| Food selection | Guests can add their preferred dishes |
| Bill visibility | Controlled by the host |
| Authentication | Fingerprint or face lock |
| Final order | Host reviews and confirms |
| Availability | Across India |
The authentication requirement gives the host control over when the financial information becomes visible.
However, hiding prices does not prevent guests from adding expensive dishes or ordering more food than expected. The host still needs to review the final bill before confirming the purchase.
Zomato Host Mode Is Available Across India
Zomato has introduced Host Mode for users across India.
The timing is relevant because the feature was launched ahead of the festive season, when families and friends frequently gather and order food together.
Unlike a separate group-ordering platform, Host Mode works within Zomato’s existing food-ordering experience. Users can continue browsing restaurants, selecting dishes and managing their carts without changing their usual ordering process.
The main difference is that prices remain hidden until the host decides to review the bill.
Zomato has not announced a separate subscription or additional payment requirement for using the feature in its launch coverage.
What Host Mode Means for Zomato’s User Experience
The launch demonstrates how relatively small changes to an application can address everyday customer problems.
Food delivery platforms generally focus on restaurant discovery, delivery speed, discounts and payment convenience. Host Mode addresses a different part of the experience: the social discomfort that can arise when one person pays for a group.
By allowing guests to select food without seeing prices, Zomato is attempting to make the ordering process more comfortable.
The feature also gives the host more control over spending because the final bill can be reviewed privately before the order is placed.
The speed of its development is another interesting aspect. A customer suggestion was turned into a nationwide feature within a short period, showing how social media feedback can influence product development.
The Bigger Picture
Zomato’s Host Mode reflects a broader shift in how digital platforms are designing experiences around real-world behaviour rather than simply adding more technical features. The company has identified a small social problem and introduced a practical solution within its existing application.
For food delivery platforms, improving the experience of group ordering could become an important way to differentiate their services. Features that make ordering more convenient for families, friends and hosts may encourage more frequent use, particularly during celebrations and social gatherings.
Looking Ahead
Zomato’s Host Mode is now available across India, giving users a way to hide menu prices while guests select food. Its success will depend on whether customers find the feature convenient enough to use regularly. The company has not announced additional functionality or a separate rollout schedule for future updates.
The launch also highlights the importance of customer feedback in product development. As food delivery platforms compete to improve their applications, addressing small but common inconveniences could become just as important as introducing major technology upgrades. For now, Zomato has turned an everyday social awkwardness into a simple app feature.
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