Dive Brief:
- Nostalgia, comfort and value are major driving forces behind consumer menu trends heading into 2026, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast.
- The report, which draws on surveys of culinary experts and industry leaders, highlights several different categories of dishes that combine value, nostalgia and comfort, including smash burgers and elevated instant noodles.
- Consumer desire for international flavors continues to dominate menu trends, with Caribbean curry bowls and miso-glazed proteins listed as major drivers, and Za’atar flatbreads and Filipino pork listed as emerging trends.
Dive Insight:
The report noted the importance of aligning trends-focused menu innovation with operational and business priorities.
“When you can hit all the right notes, a trend will take off. Case in point: The smash burger,” the report said. “Operators know they can keep the menu price under control because the smash burger offers lower meat-to-bun ratios, faster cooking times, and reduced food waste.”
Sweetgreen’s Ripple Fries saga, which saw the brand deploy a buzzy side dish aligned with health-conscious flavor trends, illustrates this challenge. The fries proved popular with consumers, but the production process hurt the brand’s ability to consistently and quickly serve its core menu items, and it cut the fries from the menu after a short tenure.
The report identified protein as a clear winner for menu development in 2026, especially when combined with bold flavors.
“Across all categories, protein is popping up alongside spicy delicacies. Consumers want to spice up their meat, seafood, and tofu with chili-lime, gochujang, and even super-spicy ghost pepper hot honey. These fusions heighten the flavor profile without sacrificing health,” the report stated.
The emphasis on spice and Korean flavors reflects findings outlined in the association’s 2025 report, and suggests that, despite consumer pullback on spending, underlying flavor preferences have not changed dramatically.
But health trends have intensified, with the NRA identifying non-alcoholic premium beverages as a likely trend for 2026.
“The trend we’re seeing is toward less alcohol,” the report said. “This is especially true for Gen Zs and Millennials, who often expect alternatives, like alcohol-free beers and CBD-infused beverages.”
Mocktails priced as cocktails seem an obvious place where price-conscious diners could cut back, regardless of alcohol consumption. A retreat from alcohol spending, or price sensitivity on mocktails, would be a problem for many full-service and casual restaurants, given the high margins on premium beverages.
