2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast

Our 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast offers a sneak peek into the flavors and creative food items that will soon hit menus everywhere.

Operators seeking to satisfy customers who are craving comfort, hungry for adventure, and looking for value and quality, will find the answers they need in our new report. This year’s Forecast dishes up the biggest trends shaping what America will eat, sip, and obsess over during the next year.

We’ve tapped into the expertise of culinary pros across the country, who’ve ranked what will raise and redefine the dining experience across these various categories:

• Dishes
• Ingredients
• Flavors
• Condiments
• Beverages
• Desserts

The report also offers a deep dive into the trends and preferences consumers will want to explore.

What guests want...

Comfort and nostalgia—with a twist: Menus will serve up major mood-lifting energy. Think dishes that whisk diners away—either to a favorite memory or a destination they haven’t yet experienced. Expect smashed burgers with global personality, Caribbean curry bowls that hit every spicy and flavorful note, and elevated instant noodles that transport a weeknight staple, like ramen, into chef-crafted territory. It’s comfort…with passport stamps.

Health, wellness and value—the power trio: Consumers want to feel good—and feel good about what they spend. From smoothie bowls stacked with goodness to protein-boosted everything, plus the rise of low- and no-alcohol beverages, diners are leaning into nutritious choices that nourish their bodies and budgets.

The Forecast gives the inside scoop on: 

• The industry’s Top 10 Overall Trends
• The Top 5 Breakout Trends in every category
• The insights fueling menu innovation, marketing strategies, and guest expectations in the year ahead

Download your copy of the 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast today … and get inspired.