When Deepavali approached last year, I noticed something interesting while dining at a popular Indian restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. The place was packed, every table was booked, music was playing, and people were dressed in colorful outfits. The restaurant was giving people a festive experience. It made me realize how powerful Deepavali can be for your business if you plan it right.
Many food businesses see Deepavali as just another festive week, but in reality, it’s the most profitable period of the year. With people going out to celebrate, booking group dinners, and hosting parties, you have a golden opportunity to attract new customers and increase profits. All you need is the right strategy.
Why Deepavali in Malaysia Is the Perfect Time to Earn More
Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated across Malaysia with great joy. It’s a time when families come together, enjoy special meals, and share sweets. For the F&B industry, this period is one of the busiest of the year.
According to a report by Statista (2024), Malaysians spend over RM500 million during Deepavali week on dining, gifts, and celebrations. People are more open to spending on food and entertainment because the festive spirit encourages indulgence. This makes it the perfect time for you to focus on visibility, experiences, and memorable offerings.
Restaurants that plan early and promote their Deepavali menu or event usually see a noticeable jump in both dine-in and takeaway orders. Indian restaurants like Nadodi Kuala Lumpur and Passage Thru India are excellent examples. They host special Diwali dinners, complete with themed décor, live performances, and traditional sweets. Their bookings fill up days in advance, proving how much people look forward to a good festive meal.
Creating a Festive Atmosphere That Attracts People
When customers walk into your place during Deepavali, they should immediately feel the celebration. The right ambiance can set the tone for the entire experience. You don’t need to make big changes; even small details can make a difference.
Decorate your space with diyas, candles, flowers, and colorful lights. A rangoli at the entrance can make your restaurant more welcoming. If you run a bar, you can add string lights, hang lanterns, or even project moving diya visuals on walls.
Restaurants and bars in India, like Lord of the Drinks and Social, often do this during Diwali. They transform their spaces with festive lights, creating a party vibe that draws in young crowds. You can take inspiration from them and create your own festive identity, something that makes people say, “Let’s go there for Deepavali.”
Adding Indian instrumental music or festive playlists can also help create the right mood. Remember, when the environment feels joyful, people tend to stay longer, order more, and even share their experience on social media.
Designing a Deepavali Special Menu
A well-planned menu can be your biggest attraction. Deepavali is associated with rich, flavorful dishes and sweet indulgence. Offering something unique for the festive week can make your restaurant stand out.
Think about creating a special menu for Deepavali dinner featuring popular festive dishes such as mutton curry, paneer butter masala, biryani, murukku, laddu, and gulab jamun. These are the foods people associate with Deepavali, and adding them to your menu gives customers the flavor of celebration.
Even if your usual cuisine is not Indian, you can collaborate with a guest chef or introduce a “Deepavali Special Combo.” You could also experiment with fusion dishes, like “Butter Chicken Pizza” or “Masala Fries.” Drinks with festive twists, like saffron lassi, rose milk, or cardamom mojitos, also attract attention.
The Bombay Canteen in India is known for doing this perfectly. Every Diwali, they curate a festive menu that combines traditional Indian flavors with modern presentation. The result? People eagerly wait for their Diwali special each year, and you can build the same excitement around your brand.
Hosting a Deepavali Event or Party
Festive events always bring more customers. Many Indian restaurants and bars in Malaysia and India organize Diwali celebration nights featuring food, music, and dance. These events not only fill your restaurant but also create long-term customer loyalty.
To make it even more profitable, you can charge a cover fee (usually between RM50 to RM100 per guest), which includes food and entertainment. This approach allows you to maintain quality and increase your revenue per customer.
Bars like Molecule IFC and Privee (India) follow this model successfully. They host themed Deepavali nights with traditional décor, live DJs, and festive drinks. The result is a full house every evening during the season.
If your restaurant is in Malaysia, consider adding a local flavor, such as inviting Malaysian Indian artists for live music, or including festive fusion dishes like roti jala with chicken masala. This gives your celebration a local touch while keeping the festive theme alive.
Promoting Your Deepavali Celebration Online
Once you plan your event or menu, promotion becomes key. Start early, at least two weeks before Deepavali. Use your social media pages to post teaser photos, chef stories, and short videos showing your preparation. People love seeing behind-the-scenes clips of food being made or decorations going up.
According to Sprout Social (2024), posts linked to festivals see 30% higher engagement rates. So the more you post, the more people notice.
You can also host small online contests like “Tag your Deepavali dinner squad and win a free dessert.” It’s simple, but it spreads awareness quickly. Encourage your customers to post photos with your restaurant’s Deepavali décor or special menu; user-generated content builds trust faster than paid ads.
Partnering with Delivery Platforms and Influencers
Not every customer will dine in, but many still want to enjoy festive food at home. This is where collaboration with delivery platforms like GrabFood or Foodpanda can help. You can introduce “Deepavali Celebration Boxes” with ready-to-eat meals and sweets, beautifully packed for gifting or family dinners.
Influencer partnerships can also work wonders. Invite food bloggers or local influencers for a pre-Deepavali tasting event. Let them post their reviews and experiences online. When followers see their favorite influencers recommending your food, they’re more likely to order or visit your place.
Preparing Your Staff for the Festive Rush
With more customers coming in, your staff needs to be ready. Train them on customer service, quick response, and maintaining a cheerful attitude. A well-trained team can turn a busy night into a smooth one.
You can also use a restaurant POS system to simplify things. It helps track orders, manage inventory, and handle payments easily, saving time and reducing mistakes. This ensures your customers get their food faster and your staff doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
Making Deepavali Memorable for Your Customers
The smallest touches often create the strongest memories. Give your guests a complimentary sweet after dinner or a festive greeting card with “Happy Deepavali” written on it.
You can even set up a photo corner with lights and diyas, something people can post on Instagram. When they share their experience, it becomes free promotion for your restaurant.
Remember, customers might forget the dish they ordered, but they’ll always remember how your place made them feel during Deepavali.
