LUCKNOW, April 2 -- Dining out may soon become costlier as the price of commercial LPG cylinders has increased by Rs.195.50 per 19 kg, marking the second hike in the past two months. The nearly 10% rise is already putting pressure on restaurants, caterers and small food businesses across the city, many of whom are now grappling with whether-and how much-to pass on the burden to customers. Restaurant owners say the hikes are becoming difficult to absorb, especially as supply issues persist. Manish Gupta, who runs a restaurant chain in Lucknow, pointed out that while costs have risen sharply, the availability of commercial gas has not improved. He indicated that some increase in menu prices is inevitable, particularly for dishes heavily dependent on gas-based cooking. However, not all businesses are rushing to raise prices immediately. Abid Qureshi, owner of a popular biryani outlet in Indira Nagar, said the decision will depend on customer sensitivity. With a largely middle-class clientele, he explained that restaurateurs are exploring alternatives such as reducing portion sizes instead of hiking prices outright. "We cannot compromise on quality, but we also cannot ignore the rising costs," he noted. For legacy food outlets, the situation is even more challenging. Mohammed Usman of Tunday Kababi described the hike as "punishing," especially for businesses serving affordable food categories. He warned that increased fuel costs will inevitably reflect in the pricing of dishes. The impact extends beyond restaurants to the catering industry as well. Vijay Kumar, president of the UP Tent and Catering Association, highlighted that LPG prices have surged by nearly 17% over the last two months, factoring in the previous hike. He added that rising global factors, including increased costs linked to the West Asia conflict, are further driving up input prices across the board....