Ever picked up a snack just because the packaging looked amazing?  

I remember spotting a protein bar at a checkout counter—bright, bold, and with all the ingredients listed on the front. I hadn’t even planned to buy one, but something about that clean design and cheeky tone got me. So, I added it to my cart along with the rest of the items (thankfully enough, the product turned out to be good, too!).    

That’s when I realized what’s outside the box is just as important as what’s inside. Whether you’re sipping a thoughtfully bottled cold brew or unwrapping artisanal chocolate, the entire experience, beginning from spotting the packaging to unwrapping it must be memorable.

In India, the food and beverage scene is evolving rapidly. From clean, minimalist designs to bold, culture-rich visuals, today’s homegrown F&B brands are crafting packaging that you actually want to hold on to even after you’ve scarfed down the contents (or at least take a photo of before you dig in).

So, here’s a curated list of Indian food and beverage brands that don’t just taste great but look fantastic too. Let’s see who is turning “shelf appeal” into a serious art form.

1. The Whole Truth Foods

The Whole Truth was born from the founder’s personal health journey. It is a clean-label food brand focused on 100% transparency and honest nutrition. They offer protein bars, muesli, nut butters, and more with no added preservatives.  

Why do we love the packaging design?

You will find the packaging design minimal, complemented by bold, direct typography that grabs attention instantly. The brand has maintained a consistent visual language across all its products, making it instantly recognizable on shelves. The use of subtle color palettes reflects the purity of their ingredients, reinforcing the brand’s clean-label philosophy.  

You can find every ingredient clearly listed right on the front of the packaging, leaving nothing to guesswork. More than emphasizing on the usual flashy images, the brand uses clever, educational copy making nutrition easy to comprehend.  

What truly sets it apart? No asterisks. No disclaimers. Just honest food, presented with equally honest packaging.

2. Manam chocolate

The premium luxury chocolate brand has been the talk of the town for a while now. The Hyderabad-based craft chocolate brand celebrates Indian-origin cacao with a luxury twist. They aim to bring craft chocolate culture to the Indian market through their experience center, retail business, and cafe.

Why do we love the packaging design?

Just like the brand, their packaging reflects sophistication and pays homage to the craft of cacao farmers and fermenters.  

The chocolate bars come wrapped in rich, textured paper with intricate illustrations inspired by Indian folklore, cacao farming, and regional stories. Earthy tones, gold foil detailing, and layered typography give it a handcrafted yet elegant appeal.  

Also read: The Importance of Typography on Label Readability

Each bar tells a story, often including the name of the farmer and the region. Scan the QR code, and you get to know exactly where your chocolate came from. It’s thoughtful, personal, and makes you want to gift it. Or just treat yourself!

3. Goenchi Feni

Goenchi is a craft Feni brand from Goa that aims to modernize the traditional Goan spirit for global consumers. Established by a sister-brother duo, the brand name translates to ‘of/from Goa’ in Konkani, the native language, paying tribute to their ancestral roots.

Why do we love the packaging design?

Goenchi Feni's packaging design is a compelling fusion of cultural storytelling, artisanal craftsmanship, and visual drama. Developed by Studio Bigfat, the label artfully narrates the legacy of the Goan spirit through a triptych layout that honors both the process and the people behind it.  

They have also ensured that the text doesn't get lost among the intricate label embellishments by complementing it with bold typography, keeping it readable.

It’s modern storytelling with cultural roots, which is exactly what the brand stands for.  

4. Subko

Subko is a specialty coffee and bakehouse brand based in Mumbai, known for its deep-rooted Indian identity and artisanal ethos. The name ‘Subko’ means ‘for everyone’ in Hindi, and it also sounds like ‘subcontinent’. The name was chosen to feel global but still closely associated to India.  

Why do we love the packaging design?

Subko’s packaging is a blend of vintage charm and modern minimalism. The brand uses muted, earthy tones, paired with kraft paper textures, giving their coffee boxes a warm, handcrafted feel. Their design features scripts that originated from the region where the beans are sourced.  

Labels often include printed paraphernalia, block prints, and archival-style stamps, all laid out with great precision, almost like a collector’s piece. The packaging feels premium and thoughtful, reinforcing Subko’s identity as a craft brand that tells a story through every detail.

Also read: 16 Best Packaging Design Software Designers Need To Know

5. Slurrp Farm

Slurrp Farm is a brand that originated from two concerned mothers who wanted to create millet-based snacks and cereals for children using clean, nutrient-dense ingredients.

Why do we love the packaging design?

Slurrp Farm’s packaging design strikes a perfect balance between playful and premium. It’s designed to appeal to both kids and parents, using hand-drawn typography and tropical illustrations that make the packs feel fun and approachable. At the same time, the matte finish, unique color palette, and clean layout give it a polished, high-quality look.

Clever, trust-building claims like “Zero Junk Promise” and “Made by Two Mothers” are prominently displayed, reinforcing the brand’s honest and wholesome ethos. The brand’s sustainability efforts are clearly communicated as well, with claims like “Plastic Neutral” and “Recyclable” printed right on the pack.

In terms of usability, details like the gusseted base and double notch for easy opening make the packs both functional and user-friendly.  

6. Paul and Mike

Based out of Kochi, Kerala, Paul and Mike were named after two famous Latin American cocoa farmers. This chocolate brand grows and ferments cocoa on their farms and experiments with unique ingredients like jamun, coffee, and Sichuan pepper.  

Why do we love the packaging design?

Paul and Mike’s packaging design breaks away from the typical look of most chocolate brands. Instead of dark, indulgent tones, they use a pastel color palette that feels fresh, playful, and inviting, instantly setting them apart on the shelf.

Their visual language features modern, clean illustrations that depict the journey of cocoa, from farming to processing, highlighting their commitment to craft and traceability. The illustration style is contemporary and minimal, blending seamlessly with the cheerful colors to create a pack that feels both premium and welcoming.

Also read: A Guide to Visual Hierarchy in Label Design

7. Yoga Bar

Yoga bar is a nutrition-led food brand that started out with on-the-go protein and energy bars. Initially popular among fitness enthusiasts, Yoga Bar expanded its packaging strategy to attract a wider audience.

Why do we love the packaging design?

Yoga Bar's packaging consists of bold colors that not only catch the eye but also differentiate each product variant. This use of color improves shelf visibility and helps in quick product recognition.  

The brand name is rendered in a playful, hand-drawn font, reflecting the fun and flexible nature of the brand. This typography choice adds a personal touch.  

The packaging design creates a balance between visual appeal and information clarity. Key product benefits, such as "No Added Preservatives" and "Gluten-Free," are prominently displayed, helping target audience in making informed choices.

8. Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Gin is a luxury Indian craft spirit inspired by the royal heritage of Rajasthan and made by the Whisky distillery Radico Khaitan. This premium gin is made using 11 different high-quality herbs, plants, flowers, and spices.

Why do we love the packaging design?

The black matte bottle with muted gold embossing is the showstopper here. This combination symbolizes the golden sands of the Thar Desert against the pitch-black night, evoking the mystique of Jaisalmer's desert landscape.  

Central to the design is the black buck, a creature emblematic of the Jaisalmer royal flag, signifying nobility and grace.

The typography and metallic details give it a stately, regal feel that instantly speaks of extravagance. It’s more than a bottle—it’s a statement piece for any bar shelf.

9. Mama Nourish

Mama Nourish is a brand that turned traditional Indian recipes into convenient modern snacks in the snacking culture. They produce energy bars consisting of ingredients such as millets, dry fruits, and fenugreek.

Why do we love the packaging design?

The packaging design of Mama Nourish thoughtfully incorporates traditional aesthetics with modern sensibilities. Featuring warm tones and clear, legible typography, the box evokes a sense of natural nourishment passed down from the older generations.  

The visuals of key ingredients create transparency and appeal to health-conscious consumers, while the inclusion of individually wrapped bars emphasizes convenience for busy lifestyles.  

Clear labeling of benefits like “No refined sugar,” “No preservatives,” and “100% Clean Label” supports informed decision-making. The product and its packaging have bridged the gap between age-old wisdom and contemporary needs.  

10. Tea trunk

Founded by a tea sommelier, Tea Trunk is a premium loose-leaf tea brand that blends classic and experimental flavors in beautifully designed tins. Sourced from sustainable tea gardens, their premium tea leaves infuse finest flavors and aromas.  

Why do we love the packaging design?

Tea Trunk’s packaging beautifully captures the brand's commitment to quality, tradition, and aesthetic appeal. The tea is housed in a sleek tin box, offering both durability and a premium feel.  

Each flavor features playful illustrations and a pastel color scheme. The elephant mascot and whimsical design elements lend the brand a charming, artisanal feel.  

Functionality is also a key aspect of the packaging. The airtight tin ensures the tea remains fresh, while the compact design makes it convenient for storage and gifting. Additionally, the packaging reflects Tea Trunk's dedication to sustainability, being part of their plastic-neutral journey.  

11. Paper Boat

First of its kind in the country, Paper Boat is known for reviving traditional Indian beverages like Aam Panna, Jaljeera, and Anar. They captured attention through thoughtful, nostalgic branding and their unique packaging.

Why do we love the packaging design?

Paper Boat uses a colorful, caricatured visual language to evoke the nostalgia of childhood, capturing memories of summer vacations and homemade drinks.  

I remember as a teen being amazed by the paper-like texture of the Paper Boat’s packaging as I could feel the juice inside the packet, unlike the other brands. The brand’s signature pouch is soft and instantly recognizable.  

Each pack carries a simple, narrative-style story about the drink inside, drawing the consumer into a moment of reminiscence. With its whimsical illustrations, muted colors, and minimal layout, Paper Boat transforms traditional Indian beverages into something both emotional and premium, reminding us that every sip can take us back to simpler times.

How Artwork Flow can help nail your Food & Beverage packaging

Designing your dream packaging is just one part of the journey. Getting it out into the world accurate, compliant, and on time is the real challenge.

That’s where Artwork Flow steps in.

It’s an AI-powered artwork management platform built to help food and beverage brands like yours handle everything from compliance checks to automating workflows without the back-and-forth chaos.

Here’s what you can do:

• Stay on top of labeling regulations: Collate all your labeling requirements such as nutrition and allergen information, serving size, claims, etc. and add them to our customizable rulebook to run them against your label. The AI-led compliance engine flags any discrepancies.‍
• Streamline approval workflows: Automate structured review processes with various teams such as packaging development, regulatory, NPD, and manufacturing, and stakeholders to ensure every label is accurate and compliant.
• ‍Launch the right version: Never lose track of artwork updates. Manage every version in the same space and gain full visibility into the entire version history.
• ‍Proof artwork with AI: Spot typos, formatting issues, or missing logos with powerful proofing and annotation tools that let you review pixel-perfect packaging files down to the last detail.

Book a demo with us to see how your packaging takes the center stage.  

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