Top food industry trends for 2025
From gut-friendly ingredients to share-worthy viral dishes, here's what customers will be looking for in 2025.
The increasing focus on health and wellness
While the goal to eat better isn't anything new at the beginning of each year, healthy choices that last longer than the average New Year's resolution are gaining momentum. From a rise in protein consumption (with nearly half of the adults increasing their intake in the past year), to the surge in fibre-rich products (with Balkan breakfast leading the way), consumers are prioritising foods that offer long-term health benefits. This trend is fueled by both - growing scepticism of ‘ultra-processed’ foods and health-conscious consumers, particularly Gen Z and the middle class, who are shifting towards natural protein sources like lean meats, dairy and plant-based options.
Pistachios
With a 60% rise in searches for pistachios since 2019 along with a 15% increase in interest in the pistachio as an ingredient, the little green nut’s popularity isn't slowing down. Pistachio is emerging as a top flavour trend for 2025 making its way into everything from ice cream and butter to lattes and cream-filled croissants.
Dubai chocolate
This unique, exotic treat took flight on social media last year, with one video garnering over 100 million views on TikTok. It's a thick slab of laminated milk chocolate stuffed with sweet pistachio cream, tahini paste and kadayif (giving the chocolate its irresistible crunch) - and nearly eighteen months on from its viral moment, it doesn't look like this one is going away any time soon.
Fermented foods
Another food trend hitting hospitality this year is fermented foods. Statista estimates that the global fermented foods and beverages market, currently valued at nearly $575 billion, will rise to over $989 billion by 2032. Fermented foods have been a staple in Eastern and Asian diets for centuries, but only recently they've gone from zero to hero in the mainstream. With growing awareness of gut health and the benefits of probiotics, foods like kimchi, miso, kefir and kombucha are making their way onto more menus.
What should you do about it?
As ever with TikTok trends, it’s best to take any implications of authenticity with a pinch of salt. However, tapping into viral food trends can be a powerful way to attract customers and stay relevant. The key is balancing trend-driven offerings with your brand identity and long-term menu strategy.
- Act fast, but stay true to your brand – If a viral ingredient fits your menu, introduce it in a way that aligns with your existing offerings, whether through limited-edition specials or creative add-ons.
- Make some noise – If you're hoping on the food trends train, let your current and future customers know about it and make your take on a viral dish or ingredient share-worthy. Use your social channels and leverage email marketing to segment your audience - whether by sending exclusive early access to loyal customers or offering discounts to those who haven’t visited in a while.
- Experiment with low-risk options – Instead of a full menu overhaul, test out viral ingredients in desserts, drinks or seasonal specials. Use EPoS data to track sales performance and identify which trend-driven items are resonating with guests. If a dish gains traction, scale it up strategically, and if it underperforms, pivot quickly without major losses.
Hospitality tech trends 2025 you need to know about
Not only does what people eat change at the speed of light, but the same goes for the way they want to dine, order and pay.
Contactless technology & self-service
According to PwC, over 80% of restaurant transactions will be cashless by the end of 2025. Efficient service and convenience both drive this trend, and the adoption of contactless ordering and payment methods is becoming a standard.
To meet demand, consider adding a pay-at-table option at your venue. If your restaurant experiences busy periods or frequent rush hours, self-service kiosks can help ease the pressure, allowing guests to place their orders quickly without waiting in line. Giving more control to your guests also frees up staff from repetitive tasks like order taking and processing payments, allowing them to focus on delivering an even better dining experience.
AI in hospitality
AI is transforming how we operate, manage teams and interact with guests. ChatGPT, Microsoft 365 Copilot and task tools are becoming the secret ingredients in running smarter hospitality operations. More than 53% of hospitality businesses are serving up AI solutions, outpacing the overall adoption rate across sectors. AI drives productivity, improves service and trims expenses, though there’s room to pour in more workload relief.
- Start small with AI – pick one area (like customer engagement or operations) and trial AI tools to see how they perform before scaling up.
- Keep an eye out for platforms working on unifying AI systems across departments – this will likely become the real game-changer down the line.
Sustainability
Customers are more eco-conscious than ever, with 68% of millennials actively seeking sustainable dining options. Tech solutions that monitor and reduce food waste, track carbon footprints and promote sustainable sourcing will play a crucial role.
In busy kitchens, it’s easy for profits to end up in the bin. According to Wrap, UK hospitality venues waste the equivalent of 1.3 billion meals annually, with around 66% of that waste occurring through kitchen operations and food preparation. There are many simple ways you can reduce wastage. For instance, using a food waste management software for:
- Real-time monitoring - Many larger hospitality businesses are adopting smart systems to track and manage stock levels throughout service, helping the team on the floor react quickly to shortages or issues as well as helping the business to more accurately predict demand.
- Waste tracking - Modern platforms record and analyse waste at every stage of operation. From prep waste to plate returns, these systems help identify patterns and opportunities for reduction, so staff can quickly log waste types and amounts through mobile devices, building a comprehensive picture of where and why waste occurs.
Menu simplification
Less is more when it comes to menu items and that's a trend that's gaining popularity across restaurants globally. A smaller, well-curated menu means better quality, less waste and a smoother operation behind the scenes. Fewer dishes, prepared with exceptional care, serve both the customer and the venue - it’s easier to ensure all ingredients are fresh and readily available, reducing the risk of stock issues.
To make the most of this trend, you can start by analysing your best-selling dishes and identifying underperforming items. Streamlining your menu doesn’t mean offering less value - it means focusing on what works best. Consider rotating seasonal specials instead of maintaining an extensive year-round selection and use data from your EPoS system to make informed decisions about what stays and what goes.
Ready to make the most of 2025 food trends?
In this article, we've explored the 2025 food industry trends, from health-driven choices and viral ingredients to tech innovations shaping the dining experience. We've looked at how smart ordering, contactless payments and menu simplification are changing the way hospitality businesses operate and why it's worth keeping an eye on AI in the industry.
Though trends come and go (RIP activated charcoal everything), they sometimes define what ends up on our plates and in an era of once-forgotten dishes going viral overnight, it's definitely worth knowing what's next 'talk of the town'. Even if a dish is only around for a few months, getting it right can put your business in the spotlight - whether it’s creating the next viral success or simply keeping your menu fresh and relevant.
Whether you're looking to tap into viral food trends, simplify your menu or integrate smart technology, our solutions can support your business every step of the way.
With Access Hospitality, you can:
- Boost customer engagement with AI-driven hospitality CRM, using smart subject lines and personalised messaging to increase email open rates and bring back loyal guests.
- Optimise operations with the EPoS system, ensuring seamless order management and improved efficiency.
- Enhance the guest experience with pay-at-table technology, reducing wait times and increasing convenience.
- Leverage smart guest Wi-Fi with Wireless Social, turning your venue’s Wi-Fi into a marketing tool that gathers insights, predicts footfall and boosts customer engagement.
- Improve procurement and stock control with Procure Wizard, helping you manage suppliers, reduce costs and minimise waste.
Get in touch with the team today to see how we can help you stay ahead of the latest food trends.
