12 food trends in 2024 to watch for your restaurant

Food trends and other news: what do you need to know for 2024? The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, influenced by social networks, technology, technology, competition, news and changing consumer expectations. Each year, experts unveil the Major food trends to follow. In preparation for 2024, Malou has put together for you the 12 major innovations to apply in your restaurant, to always stay in step with your customers.

💫 New: discover The essential food trends for 2025 And the 50 restaurant concepts and ideas for 2025 !

The year 2024 promises to be rich in developments in the world of catering. The trends that are emerging reflect a return to basics, a quest for well-being, increased environmental awareness, and an openness to new culinary influences. Restaurant owners, key players in this transformation, must adapt to meet the changing expectations of consumers.

In this article, based on the Report published by TheFork and NellyRodi, we explore in detail the food trend and the behavioral changes that will shape the landscape in 2024 and 2025. Offering restaurant owners practical advice to adapt and excel in this new environment.

1. Authentic cuisine: back to the simple

The current food trend is turning to more traditional establishments such as bakeries, classic bistros, bouillons, brasseries, PMU and shared tables. The French now prefer simple cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. Grandma's recipes and childhood memories are growing in popularity, dethroning “overly conceptual” concepts.

In your restaurant: In 2024, flagship recipes include mashed sausage, roasted chicken, aligot, rice pudding, and the return of canned sardines. Generous dishes to share Around a big table become the stars of the year. If your identity allows it, incorporate classic recipes into your menu, add your personal touch and highlight them.

Our customers Brasserie Lazare or the Ambassade d'Auvergne are perfect examples of authentic, generous and delicious cuisine.

2. Looking for well-being: towards a healthier 2025 food trend

The growing concern for health and well-being is pushing consumers to flee overconsumption and processed products. They want to have fun but with quality products, healthier and more natural cuisine, and above all, homemade.

Do not hesitate to highlight the origins of your products, your know-how, or even your values on the networks!

Are you new to Instagram? Or do you want to boost it to welcome more customers? All the details are in our Instagram Guide for Restaurant Owners!

‍Soon, the mention of “homemade” or, on the contrary, “industrial” will also be mandatory for restaurant owners.

Restaurant owners need to incorporate healthier food options, even in fast food restaurants, to meet a more balanced food trend.

In your restaurant: In 2025, the plates will feature forgotten vegetables, pickles, kefir, fermented products, fermented products, edible flowers (especially hibiscus), and revisited variants of butter with herbs and chilies. Adaptogenic foods such as probiotics and mushrooms should also come into your kitchen.

Our customers Impact Berliner Kebap In particular, they offer a version of their kebab in a bowl, without bread.

3. Respect for the environment: an eco-responsible attitude

Environmental awareness continues to evolve. Everyday actions, such as eating, are gradually changing to best preserve the planet. So the expectations of restaurant owners are also changing. Customers are sensitive to these values, which are becoming very decisive for them. In particular, the French are reducing their meat consumption to turn to moreplant-based alternatives, which is going to become an inevitable food trend. And in 2024, they are lending particular attention to the reduction of waste by restaurants.

In your restaurant: Customers expect you to seasonal products, a reduced menu, anti-waste actions, the full use of ingredients on their plates, vegetarian or even vegan options. Transparency on the origin of products, and the promotion of producers, shared in particular in the restaurant's online communication, always create value in the eyes of the customer! Adopt visible anti-waste practices to attract customers who are aware of these challenges, which means rethinking their interior with more upcycling, functional vegetation, and the digitalization of tickets, etc. Pay attention to detail!

The success of some restaurants, such as Faubourg Daimant, which offers traditional French cuisine without animal products, attest to the growing demand for responsible consumption.

Our Anona customers are a perfect example for any restaurant owner looking to start their ecological transition. Michelin-starred, and recognized by Ecotable, Anona's cuisine has been designed down to the smallest detail to limit waste, and any other impacting gesture.

4. Foreign cuisines: food trend for new flavors

Although Italian cuisine remains popular, new foreign influences are emerging. In 2024, the food trend is diversifying. We are observing the rise of English cuisine, Eastern Europe, America, America, Korea, and a Japanese new wave.

In your restaurant: The food trend 2024 includes Japanese handrolls and sake, Polish pierogis, sausage rolls, pies, hashbrowns, English muffins and varieties of English cheeses. Korean cuisine is also gaining success with The arrival of the Tteok-Bokki. America is being renewed with the arrival of Chicken Waffles and Donuts and New York Rolls available in all their forms. Italian cuisine in 2024 offers giant ravioli, pizzas with renewed dough and risottos that are becoming more and more gourmet.

The successful arrival of our Krispy Kreme customers in France heralds the promising future of donuts in 2024. Malou also accompanies many restaurants with foreign influences that everyone loves, such as El Cartel del Taco or BMK!

Our Disco Burger customers decided to go even further by reinventing the burger!

5. Influence of social networks: the shared experience

Although the “Instagrammable” aspect is no longer as decisive, consumers like to share their experience and test popular addresses on TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. Collaborations with influencers continue to guarantee success. This is how the food trend for avocados a few years ago went viral, or even sweet potatoes. Today, Dataessentials has drawn up a List of 10 ingredients that are likely to become essential in 2024.

In your restaurant: This list consists of:”Purple/floral - Mustard seeds - Spicy ranch sauce (yogurt-based sauce) - Caesar for everything - Shawarma (the traditional kebab in Levantine and Turkish cuisines) - Shaved ice - Cresto de gallo pasta (type of pasta) - Mexican beers - Condensed and sweetened milk”. We also note that The chili is going to wreak havoc this year, and in all these forms! Even going to land in our drinks. So, stay on top of emerging food trends on social networks, especially on Instagram!

6. Democratised alcohol-free: the emergence of new options

The arrival of new ranges of soft drinks testifies to the growing demand for them. This food trend, which is expected to continue, is in line with the quest for well-being. Especially when you discover that you can make great drinks without alcohol, original, delicious, and that the offer is no longer limited to a Coke. More and more restaurant owners now offer a food and non-alcoholic drink pairing, in addition to a wine pairing.

In your restaurant: To satisfy all customers, it is interesting for restaurant owners to offer original soft drinks, mocktails and food and soft drink pairings. The popularity of Kombucha continues to grow, offering an interesting alternative.

7. More accessible gastronomy: a food trend that is changing

Inflation has impacted consumers' exit habits. They are still inclined to go to restaurants, but in a more rational way. After seeing restaurant prices increase in 2023, due to higher costs, it seems that the trend will be reversed in 2024. Thus, we see the appearance of more accessible tables, interesting offers, which will convince many customers. But also gastronomic chefs who make their offers more accessible to all.

In your restaurant: Many restaurant owners have redesigned their menus for offer cheaper offers, adapted to a wider audience. In particular, with the appearance of more affordable tables, offering menus around 20 to 22 euros. Offer more affordable offers while maintaining quality to attract a diverse customer base.

8. Experience beyond the plate: make way for the immersive

Customers are looking for a complete experience in 2024, beyond simple tasting. Show, surprise, immersive: much more than a food trend! Now they want enjoy yourself but also let yourself be surprised. Through a show, a festive atmosphere, chefs in action...

In your restaurant: Attention to decor, design, kitchen location, original performances, and overall ambiance is becoming crucial. Invest in the overall experience of your customers, from the decor to the ambiance.

Immersive restaurants, such as those of our customers the Ephemera Group, are enjoying great success with three openings in Paris in the last year.

9. Pop-ups and residences: drivers of attractiveness

More and more restaurants are inviting chefs to reside in their kitchen to offer a unique menu for an ephemeral period of time. This approach attracts the chef community to your restaurant, creates entertainment, and offers something new to your menu.

In your restaurant: Choose leaders carefully and create an effective communication strategy to maximize the impact of these temporary events.

10. AI in daily management

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as an essential tool in the daily management of restaurants. It is emerging in more and more fields, in different forms and purposes. AI is gradually becoming an everyday tool, essential for most.

In your restaurant: Starting to use AI today can change the way you manage your restaurant and prevent you from falling behind in technological advancements. Explore potential applications of AI in managing reservations, inventory, online communication, personalizing offers, and more.

11. Setting up a subscription package

Setting up a subscription plan can offer a more personalized experience and build customer loyalty. Offer exclusive benefits to subscribers to strengthen the bond between your restaurant and its customers. This trend also offers an opportunity to rethink your food offer and to build customer loyalty.

Food trend for your restaurant: Consider setting up a subscription plan with attractive benefits, such as exclusive discounts, invitations to special events, or personalized offers.

12. Personalization: food trend

The constant evolution of consumer preferences has propelled the personalization of dishes to the forefront. An emerging food trend is to offer customers the possibility to fully personalize their dishes, in addition to the standard offer. Wraps, rolls, bowls, hamburgers, hamburgers, salads, sushi: being able to change the contents of your plate is becoming key.

In your restaurant: Flexibility is proving to be the key to meeting changing customer expectations. Consumers are looking for convenience, personality, and flexibility.

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So? What did you think of these predictions for 2024/2025? Now it's your turn to play 💪