Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has quietly stepped into the fast-growing world of South Indian quick-service restaurants (QSRs) by investing an estimated ₹4-5 crore in Cafe Amudham, a rapidly expanding eatery chain known for its rich, ghee-laden dosas and idlis.
While the exact investment amount hasn’t been confirmed by Kamath or the brand, reports from Indian Startup Newssuggest the funding will power the startup’s ambitious plans to grow beyond Bengaluru and Delhi — where it currently operates eight outlets.
A Rival to the Iconic Rameshwaram Cafe?
Cafe Amudham is often compared to The Rameshwaram Cafe, a beloved name among South Indian food lovers in Bengaluru. Interestingly, Priyanka Rudrappa, co-founder and CEO of Cafe Amudham, previously managed an outlet of The Rameshwaram Cafe before launching her own brand in 2022.
But despite the surface similarities — both serve traditional South Indian fare — the two eateries follow very different growth philosophies.
“Cafe Amudham is more of a QSR game, which does what a McDonald’s and similar eating joints do. They open multiple outlets in different cities and expand fast,” a source told Indian Startup News.
In contrast, The Rameshwaram Cafe has focused on deepening its roots in Bengaluru, choosing to build strong local loyalty over rapid geographical growth.
Kamath’s Growing Appetite for Food Startups
This is not Kamath’s first foray into the food and beverage space. The billionaire investor and podcaster, who made his mark co-founding Zerodha, has previously backed Third Wave Coffee, a specialty coffee chain that now has a solid footprint across Indian cities.
His portfolio also includes a growing list of startups in the food-tech and QSR segment, indicating a clear interest in consumer-facing brands with strong unit economics and scalability.
The Road Ahead for Cafe Amudham
Led by Rudrappa, Cafe Amudham plans to take its unique brand of affordable, high-quality South Indian cuisine to more cities across India. With Kamath’s backing, the startup is expected to scale operations aggressively, positioning itself as a national player in the QSR space — one that could give even the best-known brands a run for their money.
So, while the Rameshwaram Cafe stays committed to its home turf, Cafe Amudham is already eyeing the highway.
And if history is any indicator, when Nikhil Kamath places a bet — people tend to take notice.
