FOOD AND DRINK TRENDS 2025

Flavours Less Travelled: World food trends 2025

55% of consumers frequently explore new and unique cuisines when eating out*, so, why do new cuisines continue to have such appeal with consumers? Well, 47% look their authentic ingredients, flavours and formats when trying them, but 29% enjoy the experience of new cultures and learning more about them. *

Which are the popular new cuisines in 2025?

3 ways to leverage the Flavours Less Travelled trend

  • Theme days

    Whether you are a pub, a school, a care home, or a workplace restaurant, theme days are a great way of switching things up and creating a buzz around your food offer. Southern States, Portuguese, Greek and Turkish cuisines all lend themselves really well to theme menus. Why not try out of our recipes!

  • Street food concepts

    As a university or college, hospital or leisure venue, concepts are a great way of keeping customers on site and so those trends which work really well on the go represent key opportunities. For example, Turkish Pide, Southern States Po’ boys, Portuguese Piri-Piri, Swiss Rosti, Argentinian Empanadas, or Greek Feta parcels all lend really well bringing a bit of adventure to your daytime streetfood offer.

    Compete with the Street school guide
  • Bringing the holiday home

    When you’re serving customers on “staycation”, you can bring them a sense of adventure or a taste of sunshine with dishes that represent popular holiday destinations abroad. Try our Portuguese, Greek, Turkish or Southern States recipes to get your customers in the holiday mood.

What international foods are becoming popular in the UK?

Our Flavours Less Travelled trend is all about the international cuisines and dishes from around the globe that will be most appealing to consumers when they eat out in 2025. The cuisines that we found will have most appeal include: Southern USA States, for example Cajun, Creole and soul food, Argentinian, Greek and Turkish, Portuguese and Swiss.

What international dishes will consumers want in 2025?

The cuisines our survey we found to be most appealing for consumers over the next 1 to 2 years,  included the Southern USA States, for example Cajun, Creole and soul food, Argentinian, Greek and Turkish, Portuguese and Swiss*. Some of the most popular dishes associated with these cuisines are:

For the Southern States: blackened fish or chicken dishes, Jambalaya, Gumbo, and corn bread

For Argentinian cuisine: Argentinian steak, dulce de leche, empanadas and chimichurri

For Turkish cuisine: Pide, kofta kebabs, shakshukka and mezze dishes

For Greek cuisine: Greek salad (Horiatiki), souvlaki (grilled meat on skewers), tzaziki, moussaka

For Portuguese cuisine: Piri-Piri chicken, pastéis de nata, and Portuguese mixed fish stew

For Swiss cuisine: Chocolate and cheese fondue, potato rosti, potenta, raclette and other Swiss cheeses.

Which lesser-known international cuisines are rising in popularity in 2025?

As consumers are looking to satisfy their taste for adventure when eating out, our research points to several lesser-known cuisines that will be popular in 2025, including Swiss, Argentinian and Portuguese. More consumers are already eating Greek, Turkish and Southern States cuisines, however, the same or more consumers are also interested in trying them.

Scandinavian, Cuban, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Peruvian, Pacific Rim and Eastern European are also examples of cuisines that we have featured in previous year’s food and drink trends which are still holding their appeal.

Which ingredients from these cuisines are expected to become more popular in 2025?

The key ingredients associated with the Flavour Less Travelled cuisines that are set to trend in 2025 are many and varied, depending on the cuisine in question. Here are a few of the key ones that make those cuisines unique, distinctive and appealing:

Southern States: Spice blends (like Cajun and Creole spices), seafood (e.g. crawfish, shrimp, crab, cod), andouille sausage, grits, cornbread, bay leaves, thyme, red peppers, blackeyed and kidney beans, garlic, and the holy trinity of onion, carrot and celery.

Turkish: Lamb, beef, and chicken, sucuck sausage, seafood (calamari, squid, octopus, cod), fresh herbs like mint and parsley, spices such as sumac and red pepper flakes, cinnamon, cumin, saffron, garlic, grains (e.g. lentils, cous cous, chickpeas,  and bulgur wheat), tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, aubergine, courgettes, dates, halloumi, feta, yoghurt, labneh, lemon, orange, nuts (e.g. pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts), rice, tahini, rosewater

Greek: Lamb, chicken, beef, seafood (calamari, octopus, prawns) feta, lemon, sesame, tahini, olives, tomatoes, courgettes, spinach, aubergine, lemon, orange, garlic, herbs (oregano, mint, parsley and thyme especially) and nuts (pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans, yoghurt etc.

Swiss: Cheese, potatoes, onions, cream, butter and meats (particularly veal), polenta, along with apples and oats.

Argentinian: Beef/steak cuts, pork, lamb, veal, chicken and chorizo, seafood, provoleta cheese, mozzarella, potato, sweet potato, peppers, corn, pasta, dulce de leche, chimichurri, Malbec, garlic, chilli, parsley, lemon and orange.

Portuguese: Pork, chorizo, salt cod, seafood (octopus, clams, squid, scallops), beef, duck, chicken, potatoes, onions, cabbage and kale, lemon, olives, nuts (almonds, hazelnuts etc.), coriander, garlic, chilli (Piri-Piri), parsley, mustard, creams.

Which dishes from other countries can go on your menu?

Of course, what would suit your menu will very much depend on your customer profile and what they love. Some of the most popular dishes that feature in the cuisines that will be trending in 2025, that are highly adaptable and which would grace many menus include:

From Turkey: Kofte kebabs, meze, baklava, pide (Turkish pizza), borek (filled savoury pastries)

From Greece: Greek (Horiatiki) salad, dolmades, moussaka, souvlaki skewers, gyros, and courgette balls

From the Southern States: Cajun, Creole and soul food dishes like: chicken and biscuits, fried chicken, jambalaya, pecan pie, sweet potato pie, gumbo and po’boy sandwiches,

From Switzerland: Fondues, rosti, raclette, bircher muesli, tartiflette, and polenta dishes

From Portugal: Piri-Piri chicken, Portuguese mixed fish stew, grilled or barbecued sardines, pastéis de nata tarts, arroz (rice pudding), feijoada stew

From Argentina: Asado grills, chimichurri salsa, empanadas, milanesa (thinly sliced, breadcrumbed beef), dulche de leche and alfajores (biscuits sandwiches with dulche de leche).

Which dishes from these countries are ideal for social eating?

Of the cuisines we are featuring as Flavours Less Travelled in 2025, 28% of consumers we surveyed associate Southern States cuisine with ‘a great sharing experience’.  Seafood broils, jambalaya, gumbo and chowders are great examples of Southern USA sharing dishes.  28% of consumers also rated Turkish cuisine as a ‘great sharing experience’. Dishes like mezze, kofte kebabs, shakshuka and pide (Turkish pizza) are all great dishes for sharing. Likewise other dishes from the Flavours Less Travelled trend that lend themselves to social eating and sharing include Greek dishes like souvlaki skewers, Swiss fondues and Argentinian empanadas and asado which is a social barbecue involving grilled meats.

What kind of sharing plates do these cuisines feature?

Some of the great dishes that work particularly well as sharing plates features in the 2025 Flavours Less Travelled trend include: Southern States Cajun and Creole dishes like chowders, jambalaya, gumbo and seafood broils, Swiss fondues and raclette, Greek dishes like souvlaki skewers, Turkish mezze, kofta kebabs, shakshuka and pide (Turkish pizza) as well as Argentinian empanadas and asado grills which are a traditionally enjoyed by families, gauchos or Argentinian cowboys.

So, did we get our previous predictions right?

  • Cuban

    In 2023 we said Cuban cuisine would be a trend***

    This year 51% would like to try it (+5 percentage points)*

    cuban food trends
  • Sri-Lankan

    In 2023 we said Sri-Lankan cuisine would be a trend***
    This year 49% would like to try it (+4 percentage points)*

  • Caribbean

    In 2024 we said Authentic Caribbean cuisine would be a trend**
    This year 31% claim to eat it (+9 percentage points)*

    carribean food trends
  • Mexican

    In 2024 we said Authentic Mexican cuisine would be a trend**

    This year 49% claim to eat it (+5 percentage points)*

    Mexican food trends
  • Eastern European

    In 2024 we said Eastern European cuisine would be a trend**

    This year 48% would like to try it (+8 percentage points)*

    eastern european

Sources

* Source: CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

** Source: CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2024 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

***Source: CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

Argentinian

53% are interested in trying Argentinian food
13% already eat Argentinian food

What is the Argentinian trend all about?

Argentina has more cattle than people, and so is famous for its great quality steak and beef, along with its renowned wines. But there’s a lot more to its cuisine than steak and Malbec.

Argentinian cuisine is characterised by its hearty flavours rooted in locally-grown indigenous cereals, grains and produce, locally-reared beef, pork and poultry, as well as locally-caught seafood, complemented by a heritage of Spanish and Italian influences, ingredients and dishes.

3 things you need to know about Argentinian cuisine

  • Famous for fine wines

    Argentina has developed a reputation for its wines, not just its rich, red Malbecs grown in Mendoza, but also whites, like the Torrontes and Semillon white varietals from Patagonia.

  • Asado

    This national dish of Argentina is really a way of cooking. Asados are, in fact, social barbecues where meats, such as beef, pork, chicken, chorizo, are roasted on an open grill.

  • Truly a fusion cuisine

    Settlers from Spain and Italy brought with them hearty stews, pasta dishes, and a love of sweets, pastries and ice-cream. Combined with indigenous ingredients such as corn, beans and potato, you have a rich and diverse culinary culture.

Great ways to leverage the Argentinian trend

  • Dulche de leche

    …is an incredibly versatile, gooey, sweet sauce of caramelised milk, very popular in Argentina. It can be used to sandwich cookies, or with cakes, ice-cream or yoghurt, or drizzled over pancakes or waffles.

    dulche de leche
  • Empanadas

    These make a great on-the-go snack or lunchtime option, and perfectly fit the Buns & Bowls trend which highlights the elevated and more interesting on-the-go choices that are on the rise. They also make a great option for buffets, food concepts or hand-held options in care homes.

    Empadas
  • Zesty chimichurri

    The Argentinians are masters at barbecue technique, but one thing that sets them apart is chimichurri, easily made but a great zesty accompaniment that enlivens grilled meats, as well as fish, roasted chicken, seafood or vegetable kebabs.

Try our Argentinian recipes…

  • Recipe

Recipe

Typical Argentinian dishes

Chimichurri – a green salsa made with finely chopped parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, chilli flakes, olive oil, and lemon (or vinegar) served with meats

Empanadas – baked or fried pastries usually stuffed with cheese, chicken, or beef although there are sweet versions stuffed with dulche de leche or quince paste, and dusted with cinnamon and sugar

Milanesa – a traditional staple made using a thin-sliced piece of beef dipped in egg and cooked in breadcrumbs

Alfajores – round, crumbly shortbread-like biscuits sandwiched together with dulce de leche, jams or mousse.

Which Argentinian foods are growing in popularity in 2025?

Argentinian cuisine is certainly growing in popularity, more than half of the consumers in our survey were interested in trying it. Some of the best known dishes, ingredients and drinks that are associated with Argentina include: steak, along with chimichurri salsa, as well as dulche de leche, which is a great addition to a variety of sweet treats and desserts such as alfajores (which are round, crumbly short-bread-like biscuits often sandwiched together with dulche de leche). Empanadas are also a typical dish found across central and South America, both as a savoury or sweet snack, usually made with a flour (rather than a corn) dough in Argentina.

Argentina has also built a fantastic reputation for quality wines such as Malbec, grown in its Mendoza and Patagonian regions.

Which Argentinian drinks are trending in 2025?

Argentina is famous for its Malbec wine, which is grown in the foothills of the Andes, most notably in Mendoza but also in other regions of Argentina. However, many other grape varietals are grown in Argentina, both white, red and rose. A great example of an Argentinian white wine is Torrontés, known for its lovely floral, peach and lemony aromas. Coffee is also a very popular drink in Argentina, along with chocolate milk (submarino) and mate or yerba mate, a traditional herbal tea. However, we’ve not seen submarino or mate in the UK on our trends trail yet.

Why is food from Argentina growing in popularity?

Argentinian food has much to offer, and it is in essence a hybrid cuisine, drawing influences from early Spanish settlers, and Italian settlers who brought with them hearty stews, pasta dishes, and a love of sweets, pastries and ice-cream. The combination of these with indigenous ingredients like corn, beans and potato makes for a really rich and diverse cuisine that has much to offer in terms of both savoury and sweet dishes. Argentina is, of course, famous for its beef, with many herds roaming freely and grazing on grasses in ranches across the Pampas region.

What Argentinian wines are growing in popularity around the world?

Many varietals of wine are grown in Argentina, however, arguably one of the best known is Malbec, and one of the best known regions for growing Malbec is Menzoda, located in the foothills of the Andes. Amongst the other grape varietals is Torrontés, which carries lovely floral, peach and lemony aromas.

Greek

39% are interested in trying Greek food
40% already eat Greek food
79% of people are overall interested in Greek food

What is the Greek trend all about?

Greek cuisine is characterised by its simplicity, using fresh, seasonal ingredients. It’s renowned for street food classics like souvlaki, delicious pita wraps, and refreshing Greek salads. However, there are even more authentic Greek dishes which consumers would be interested in trying in the next 1-2 years.

3 things you need to know about Greek

  • Grilled meats and pastries

    • Greek cuisine features high-quality grilled meats like souvlaki, typically served on skewers alongside pita bread, salad, and signature dips such as tzatziki.

    • Delicious pastries are another beloved staple of the Greek cuisine, such as Spanakopita – a flaky filo pie filled with spinach and feta.

  • Fresh ingredients and salads

    • Greek dishes often use fresh ingredients and seasonal vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergine.

    • Olive oil is a cornerstone of Greek cooking and is used generously in most dishes, particularly salads.

    • Fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, dill, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves are also common, adding depth and aroma

  • Feta, dips and meze

    • Feta is perceived to be the most famous Greek cheese, often used across many dishes, including salads and pies.

    • A traditional meze is a mixture of small plates that forms a platter. A Greek meze will usually feature olives, feta, hummus and tzatziki.

4 ways to leverage the Greek trend

  • Dietary considerations and visual appeal

    • Greek cuisine can naturally offer a variety vegetarian dishes, such as Horiatiki salad, courgette balls and vegetable moussaka. Ensure the menu includes these options and consider creating vegan or vegetarian twists to traditional recipes where possible.
    • Focus on vibrant, colourful presentations that highlight the fresh ingredients and can enhance the dining experience.

  • Embrace familiar formats and showcase authenticity

    • Adapt your menu by offering warm Greek dishes served in a familiar format, such as gyros wraps, courgette balls, filo pastries and moussaka pies.

    • Highlight key ingredients and traditional dips to showcase the authenticity and value of the dish.

  • Modern twist

    Create a modern twist of the typical gyros wrap by stuffing the wrap with chips and halloumi for a next level on the go option. This is a unique version of the wrap that we’ve seen on Greek street food menus.

  • Meze style

    Offer a selection of meze for customers to share to encourage a social dining experience.

Typical Greek dishes

Breads and dips like taramasalata, tzaziki, or hummus

Souvlaki – grilled meat on skewers, often served with warm pitta and salad

Gyros – shredded meat served in a pitta wrap with tzaziki, tomatoes, halloumi, calamari or octopus

Horiatiki salad – made with tomatoes, onion, olives, peppers, feta, red wine vinegar

Dolmades – stuffed, baked vine leaves (with minced meat, rice and vegetables)

Kolokythokeftedes – Courgette balls made with grated or pureed courgettes, lightly fried and served with tzaziki – a yoghurt, mint and cucumber dip

Moussaka – a thick layered pie made with potatoes, aubergines, minced lamb, tomatoes and traditional bechamel sauce

Spanakopita – a spinach, feta and filo pie, which can also be served in smaller formats

Pastiso – a Greek lasagne, made with layers of pasta, meat and can be made vegetarian with mushroom

Olive oil cake – fluffy sponge texture with a bright and citrusy flavour

Try our Greek recipes…

  • Recipes

Recipes

Which Greek foods are growing in popularity in 2025?

The Greek foods that are growing in popularity are the authentic dishes that include:

  • Spanakopita – a savoury pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese, wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo dough. It can be served in large pie form or as small triangles.
  • Pastiso – a Greek lasagne, made with layers of pasta and meat which is a comfort Greek dish. It can also be made to cater to vegetarian diets by replacing meat with mushrooms
  • Kolokythokeftedes – courgette balls made with grated or pureed courgettes, lightly fried and served with the traditional Tzaziki dip made with yoghurt, mint and cucumber

Which Greek food should you include on your menu in 2025?

The Greek food you should include on your menu in 2025 are street food items such as Gryos and Souvlaki. Gryos is shredded meat served in a pitta wrap with tzaziki, tomatoes, halloumi Calamari or octopus and Souvlaki is grilled meat on skewers, often served with warm pitta and salad.

To make sure you’re including traditional Greek items on your menu, you should be offering authentic dishes including the hearty comfort food Moussaka (a layered pie made with potatoes, aubergines, minced lamb, tomatoes, cinnamon), Dolmades (stuffed baked vine leaves with minced meat, rice and vegetables) which can be served as an appetiser and Greek salad (Horiatiki) made with tomatoes, onion, olives, peppers, feta, dressed with red wine vinegar and olive oil – which is fresh and full of flavour.

Which Greek drinks are trending in 2025?

The Greek drinks that will be trending in 2025 is their traditional alcohol and coffee drinks. The national drink of Greece is called Ouzo, which is a flavoured spirit made from grape and includes fennel and cinnamon spices – it is often enjoyed with meze or small dishes like olives. Greek coffee will also be trending in 2025 which is a strong yet satisfying unfiltered coffee usually served in a small cup.

Which Greek dips are growing in popularity?

The Greek dips growing in popularity is Tzatziki and Taramasalata. These dips pair well with pitta bread, grilled meats and can be added as part of traditional meze dishes. Tzatziki is a refreshing dip that consists Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and sometimes fresh herbs. Taramasalata is made with creamed fish roe, olive oil and lemon juice.

Are there any Greek pastries that will gain popularity in 2025?

The Greek pastries that will gain popularity in 2025 are the delicious traditional pies Moussaka and Spanakopita. Both dishes offer hearty and comfort flavours and can be adapted to different dietary needs. Moussaka is a layered pie made with potatoes, aubergines, minced lamb, tomatoes and  creamy bechamel sauce. Spanakopita is a spinach and feta filo pie which is baked until golden brown and a flaky texture.

Source:

*CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

** Source: The Food People, Street Food, 2024 

Turkish

79% of consumers have an interest in Turkish cuisine
34% already eat the cuisine
39% of consumers would like to try Turkish cuisine in the next 1-2 years

What is the Turkish trend all about?

Turkish cuisine is growing in popularity right now with potential appeal to around 3 in 4 consumers. It offers bold and aromatic flavours, warming spices and meze sharing dishes. Just under a fifth of consumers find it very or somewhat difficult to find, especially in the South West and Wales. However, 34% of UK consumers already eat the cuisine and almost 40% are still interested in trying it.

3 things you need to know about the Turkish cuisine

  • Mixed flavours

    • Iconic dishes in Turkey are shaped by the country’s location, which allows it to absorb culinary influences from the Middle East and Mediterranean.
    • A key factor driving consumer appeal of Turkish cuisine is the influence of these mixed cultures and flavours.
    • In fact, 50% of consumers tell us they’re interested in the influence of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours as a reason for wanting to try the cuisine.
    • In addition to this, the traditional nature and associations of comfort are what will draw consumers to this cuisine within the next 1-2 years.

  • High appeal

    •There is a wide range of main dishes available in this cuisine, but a standout feature is the traditional Turkish desserts, including Turkish delight and baklava.

    • Whilst a quarter of consumers find Turkish cuisine difficult to find in the UK, 41% of consumers are willing to pay more to try this cuisine than they normally would when eating out. This figure rises to an impressive 53% among foodie consumers.

  • Top dishes to include on your menu

    For consumers who are new to the cuisine, there are a variety of gateway dishes that can introduce the consumer to the Turkish culture, such as Doner and Kofta Kebabs which appeal to roughly half of consumers.

    There is also a growing interest in traditional dishes such as meze, pide and borek.

Try our Turkish recipes

  • Recipe

Recipe

  • Mezze

    A vibrant feast of mezze ranging from roast chicken skewers, meat balls, falafels and roasted beetroot wedges, grilled artichokes, served with a whipped feta dip, beetroot tzaziki, red pepper hummus, white and beetroot khobez, olives, lemons and salad.
  • Pide pizza

    Pide is a delicious traditional baked Turkish flatbread topped with a variety of toppings, including spiced meat, cheese, tomato, spinach, herbs- your choice. Our recipe features pepperoni, mozzarella, oregano on a base of pizza sauce.

5 ways to leverage the Turkish trend

  • Feature traditional Turkish dishes across the menu

    • Break new ground by including alternatives such as shakshuka on your breakfast menu. This is a tomato and paprika based dish, baked with an egg on top which is a traditional Turkish breakfast option. This particular dish is appealing to 23% of UK consumers and can attract those with vegetarian diets.

    • Invite consumers to try succulent kofte kebabs or manti Turkish dumplings by placing them on your side menu. Kofte kebabs are appealing to 49% of UK consumers and manti appeals to 27% of consumers.

  • Create exciting deals through sharing culture

    • 28% of consumers associate Turkish cuisine with a “great sharing experience”, so embrace the sharing culture by creating irresistible menu deals for dishes like meze boards.
    • Use mix-and-match platters to entice consumers to explore traditional dishes that they haven’t tried before such as sucuk and borek which both have high foodie appeal.
    • Offer family bundles or tiered sharing options that cater to different group sizes and encourage a social dining experience.

  • Special dinner occasions

    • Evening meals into late night provides the strongest opportunity for Turkish engagement, tapping into the feeling of comfort and adventure. Add the delicious traditional dish named hünkâr beğendi to your menu, which is made of grilled and pureed aubergine, topped with sauteed lamb.
    • Upsell main dishes by creating add-ons that pair well with Turkish meats, including fresh veg, salad, flatbreads and dips.

  • Pair hot drinks with Turkish style desserts

    • Turkish coffee holds appeal to 24% of consumers and is typically ordered as an afternoon break or after dinner drink. Due to its bitter taste, it is often paired with lokum (Turkish delight) to balance the flavour experience.

    • If Turkish coffee doesn’t suit your menu or customer base, consider offering a range of traditional Turkish style desserts to pair with the hot drinks already on your menu. Take inspiration from staple desserts including Baklava – a delicious layered filo pastry filled with nuts and honey.

  • Lunch and street food offers

    • Pide – a Turkish style pizza which is presented in a familiar format to the average UK consumer. This dish is appealing to 30% of consumers, perfect for both adults and children. It can be eaten as a sit down lunch meal or grab and go street food.

    • Borek – a savoury pastry filled with spinach and feta. This can be eaten at breakfast, lunch or as a savoury street-food snack. It is both flavoursome and filling and can appeal to those with vegan or vegetarian diets.

    pide street food trend

Typical Turkish dishes

  • Döner kebab: Thinly sliced, spiced meat roasted on a vertical rotisserie, typically served in bread or on a plate with sides.
  • Köfte kebab: Traditional meatballs or logs made from ground lamb or beef, often served on skewers or with bread.
  • Shakshuka – A tomato and paprika based dish, baked with eggs, typically served with bread
  • Meze – an assortment of smaller dishes, varying from meatballs to salad, stuffed vine leaves to marinated red peppers
  • Baklava – a traditional Turkish dessert which has layers of filo pastry, filled with nuts and sweetened with honey
  • Pide – (pronounced piday) is a boat-shaped baked flatbread topped with meat (such as sucuk), vegetables or cheese, almost resembling a pizza
  • Sucuk – a dry and spicy sausage often made from ground lamb or beef
  • Borek– savoury pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese
  • Manti – Turkish dumplings filled with spiced meat, often boiled or baked and topped with garlic yoghurt and spiced olive oil
  • Dolma – vine leaves stuffed with rice, onions, peppers and minced lamb
  • Durum – a flatbread filled with kebab meat and vegetables known to be a common street food dish in Turkey

Which Turkish foods are growing in popularity in 2025?

Whilst kebabs are most recognised in the Turkish cuisine, there are plenty of traditional foods that are growing in popularity beyond these. Our research shows us that after kebabs, the top 10 Turkish dishes growing in popularity in 2025 are Meze, Baklava, Pide, Borek, Manti, Dolma, Durum, Shakshuka, Sucuk and Hünkârbeğendi.

Which Turkish food should you include on your menu in 2025?

The Turkish food that you should include on your menu in 2025 are a selection of kebabs, particularly Doner Kebab and Kofta Kebab, as they have the greatest appeal. You should also include a selection of sharing dishes on your menu such as Meze or a Pide pizza. These are all considered the most popular dishes consumers would be interested in trying within the next 1-2 years.

Another popular Turkish dish you should include on your menu is Borek, a stunning flaky pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese. It is usually served hot and is presented in a pie format, but can have different variations such as a rolled cylinder shape, perfect for or on-the-go options. This popular dish can be used across different day parts including breakfast, brunch or as a snack. It can also appeal to consumers with dietary requirements such as vegetarian.

Which Turkish ingredients should you include on your menu in 2025?

The Turkish ingredients you should include on your menu for 2025 are specific grains, pulses, meats, vegetables and spices that successfully capture the Turkish cuisine. Popular grains and pulses include rice, bulgar wheat and chickpeas. Common spices include Za’atar, paprika, cumin and sumac, often used in their meat dishes. In addition, the other popular food items you should have on your menu include lamb, chicken, aubergine, yoghurt and a selection of breads.

Which Turkish drinks are trending in 2025?

The Turkish drink that is trending in 2025 is Turkish coffee, as it has an exclusive place in the Turkish culture. It is a single origin coffee that has a bold yet enjoyable, bittersweet taste – typically ordered as an afternoon break or after dinner to encourage socialising. Due to its rich aroma, it is usually paired with Turkish desserts such as Baklava or Lokum (Turkish delight) to compliment the overall sensory experience.

Which Turkish kebabs are growing in popularity?

Doner and Kofta kebabs are growing in popularity as they have a high appeal to consumers wanting to try it in the next 1-2 years. Doner kebabs appeal to 53% of consumers, and have a greater appeal (63%) for Gen X and Gen Z consumers. Kofta Kebabs appeal to 49% of consumers, and have a greater appeal (57%) for foodie consumers. There are plenty of ways to modernise kebabs on your menu such as using them in different formats, from wraps to street food bowls, mixed or served with vegetables, chips and salad.

Sources:

*CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

Portuguese

Everyone loves a taste of sunshine, and with the high levels of appeal we found, it certainly seems like Portuguese cuisine conjures up interest, and memories of summer holidays with consumers.

52% are interested in trying Portuguese food
20% already eat Portuguese food

What is the Portuguese trend all about?

Everyone loves a taste of sunshine, and with the high levels of appeal we found, it certainly seems like Portuguese cuisine conjures up interest, and memories of summer holidays with consumers.

The cuisine has much more depth and diversity than the ubiquitous Piri Piri chicken we see everywhere on the high street. Consumers are now more adventurous and foodie, and interested in learning more about cuisines. Portuguese cuisine certainly has a lot to offer the curious and foodie consumer.

Portuguese food meets the brief in that it is, at its heart, about classic dishes, made from quality ingredients, simply presented with punchy flavours and spices inspired by its heritage of exploring the world.

3 things you need to know about Portuguese cuisine

  • Sunshine flavours

    Whist Portugal is not strictly considered as part of the Mediterranean, it does share many commonalities in taste, cooking methods and ingredients with countries such as Greece and Spain.

  • Key ingredients

    The cuisine focuses on seafood, pork, chorizo, chicken, olive oil, as well as fresh produce such as peppers, olives, tomatoes, and lemon, and garlic, chickpeas and beans. Key flavourings include herbs and spices like coriander, oregano, rosemary, parsley, bay, and cinnamon. Chilli is also widely-used, particularly in the cuisine’s famous piri piri sauce, derived from the malagueta pepper.

  • Sweet treats

    Sweet treats are also central to Portuguese culinary culture, particularly the world famous pastéis de nata. These sweet custard tarts were originally created by monks in Lisbon, but now are increasingly popular and found in many UK coffee shops. However, Portugal has a wealth of pastries, cakes and desserts. Try our Sawdust Pudding recipe below!

Great ways to leverage the Portuguese trend

  • BBQ sardines

    The aroma and holiday appeal of sardines are a great way to draw people to your summer barbecue or charcoal grill.

  • Piri piri the traditional way

    Spatchcocked and marinated very simply in garlic, olive oil, salt, lemon juice and piri piri chillies, piri piri chicken absolutely delicious, and a great addition to your barbecue or al fresco offer.

  • Next-level rice pudding

    If rice pudding is a favourite dessert for your diners, take some inspiration from the flavourings that the Portuguese typically add to this classic: cinnamon, or lemon zest for example.

  • Pass the port

    Why not offer a port tasting session as an alternative option or event- perfect for those long, cold winter nights, and a great upsell as an after dinner drink.

Typical Portuguese dishes

Piri piri chicken is, of course, a staple now in the UK quick service retail sector. In Portugal this is traditionally a grilled or barbecued spatchcock chicken marinated in garlic, olive oil, salt, lemon juice and piri piri chillies.

Other key dishes include:

Cataplana de marisco – a mixed fish stew made with mussels, fish, potatoes, tomatoes and Mediterranean vegetables, along with sausage, saffron and smoked paprika

Grilled or barbecued sardines – often salted and cooked with garlic and a generous squeeze of lemon juice, usually served with bread

caldo verde Portuguese food trends

Balcalhau – which is salted cod soaked in fresh water for a day and then boiled, fried, stewed, roasted or grilled with your choice of vegetables

Caldo verde – a hearty soup from Northern Portugal made with potato, onion, thinly sliced kale, olive oil, and chorizo sausage

Arroz – one pot rice dishes often made with duck and chorizo. Arroz Doce is a favourite sweet version i.e a rice pudding made with lemon and cinnamon

Feijoada – similar to the Brazilian favourite, this is a stew made with black or white beans, vegetables, pork and beef or chorizo.

Portugal is also, of course, famous for its port.

Which Portuguese foods are growing in popularity in 2025?

Piri-Piri chicken is increasingly a staple on the go and takeaway item on the British high street, but the spice or sauce is versatile and can be worked into a range of different recipes. Likewise, pastéis de nata have also been appearing in coffee shops and bakeries across the UK in recent years. However, for consumers who are adventurous and interested in learning more about authentic dishes that characterise cuisines they are interested in trying, there are a wealth of other Portuguese recipes to explore. Dishes like Portuguese rice pudding or one-pot rice dishes (known as arroz doce or arroz), mixed seafood stew (known as cataplana de marisco), and caldo verde soup to name a few.

Which Portuguese food should you include on your menu in 2025?

Portuguese cuisine offers some great sweet and savoury options that would grace any menu. For example, Piri-Piri chicken can be adapted for main courses, barbecues, salads as well as on the go choices. Grilled or baked sardines are an aromatic option for barbecues and grills. For soups and entrees, caldo verde is a comforting, hearty and flavoursome soup made with potato, onion, kale and chorizo.

Which Portuguese drinks are trending in 2025?

Portugual is a key wine producer, well known in the first instance for its fortified wines, for example Madeira and Port, but also other red and white wine varietals such the refreshing Vinho Verde. Find out more about these in our Unity guide. 

Which Portuguese soups are growing in popularity?

Caldo verde is just one of the Portuguese soups we have chosen to highlight for this trend which is a well-known dish associated with the cuisine. It is made from potato, onion, thinly sliced kale, olive oil, and chorizo sausage and originates in the Northern part of Portugal. However, Portugal has many delicious varieties of soup recipes to talk about, including bread soups like açorda, tomato soups like sopa de tomato alentejana, chicken soups like canja de galinha to name a few.

Should you include Portuguese fish dishes on your menu?

Fish and seafood are key ingredients of Portuguese cuisine, found in Portuguese mixed fish stew, known as cataplana de marisco, balcalhau, which is a salted cod dish, aromatic grilled or barbecued sardine, known as sardinhas assadas to name a few. Arroz de tamboril is another traditional, hearty Portuguese classic made with rice, monkfish, peppers, onions and tomatoes.

  • Recipe

Recipe

  • Piri Piri Chicken Verde Salad

    Nice and spicy, grilled, marinated piri piri chicken thighs on a bed of luscious, fresh, green salad with a touch of honey and mustard dressing.
  • Sawdust Pudding (Portuguese Cream Pudding)

    Soft, creamy and dreamy, a layered Portuguese cream pudding, this recipe is made with crushed digestive biscuits, caramel condensed milk sweetened fresh cream, and topped off with biscuits, pecan and hazelnuts.

Source:

*CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

Southern States

46% are interested in trying food from Southern USA
34% already eat Southern American food

What is the Southern States trend all about?

Southern USA cuisine refers to the comfort food from the Deep-South including Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. Some of the cuisines associated with these states are showing high and growing levels of appeal, particularly Creole, Cajun and Soul Food.  This appeal stems from the sense of adventure it offers, whilst also bringing comfort and tradition through its humble ingredients.

3 things you need to know about Southern States

  • Appeal for Cajun and Soul food

    There are cultural nuances across Southern American cuisine, with a growing interest in Cajun, Soul Food and Creole (46%, 39% and 14% respectively).

    Cajun and Soul food have the highest appeal. With 18-34-year-olds who show a greater interest in Soul food, and 55+ year-olds who are more drawn to Cajun.

    cajun trend
  • High potential

    A key factor for consumers who are unlikely to try this cuisine is due to the lack of operators offering it nearby. However, a significant proportion of consumers would be willing to pay more to try this cuisine when eating out if given the opportunity.

    45% of consumers are willing to pay more to try this cuisine when eating out

    45% of consumers say the cuisine adds a new twist to dishes they already eat

    41% of consumers perceive the dishes to be hearty and comforting

    cajun soul food trend
  • The most appealing dishes

    The most popular dishes that consumers would like to try are Chicken and American biscuits (flaky fluffy breads similar to scones), Jambalaya (a steamed rice and meat pot), Gumbo (a hearty stew), and Po Boy sandwiches (a baguette with meat, lettuce and mayonnaise).

    jambalaya food trends 2025

Try our Southern State recipes

  • Recipes

Recipes

  • Prawn Jambalaya

    A Louisiana creole classic, this recipe is packed full of flavour. It combines cayenne spiced king prawns and Red Tractor ham with the holy trinity of bell peppers, celery and onions, simmered in rice flavoured with paprika, Tabasco, tomatoes and herbs.
  • Glorious Grain Scampi Po Boy

    An irresistible Louisiana-style po' boy sandwich filled with scampi dressed in a Cajun remoulade, green salad leaves, heritage tomatoes and served with sweet potato fries.
  • Creole blackened fish served with southern corn bread

    Buttered, spiced and blackened cod loins with a sumptuous bell-pepper-based creole sauce, served with a warm and comforting southern corn bread.
  • Blackened fish, roast corn, sweet potato soul bowl

    Piquant spiced cod fillets, with a zesty and vibrant spinach, radiccio and kale salad, finished with orange and ruby grapefruit segments, served with sweet potatoes, guac, black-eyed beans, picked red cabbage and corn ribs with a honey and lime dressing.
  • Corn bread

    Ultimate comfort food, southern corn bread.

4 ways to leverage the Southern States trend

  • Adapt to lunchtime/on-the-go occasions

    The cuisine works well for lunchtime day parts as 10% would be interested in eating it on the go (+6pp for Gen Z). Adapt your lunch menus with trending Po Boy sandwiches which appeal to 32% of consumers and offer chicken and biscuits as potential sandwich alternatives.

    chicken and biscuits
  • Consider street food offers and theme days

    • Creating street food and casual dining offers will appeal to consumers who are interested in this cuisine as 58% of consumers say they would eat this cuisine in a casual dining restaurant and 36% of consumers say they would eat this in street food/market hall venues
    • Utilise theme days by educating consumers on the variety of traditional humble dishes that can be accessed from this cuisine such as gumbo and jambalaya.

  • Focus on community and sharing experiences

    • 41% of consumers perceive the dishes to be hearty and comforting.

    • The cuisine also stimulates feelings of community, with a variety of dishes that promote sharing such as seafood boils.

    • It also offers a multisensory experience, with many dishes that require you to eat with your hands such as crawfish and Po Boy sandwiches.

  • Utilise cultural differences

    The cultural distinctions between Creole and Cajun allow for diverse adaptions of dishes and can save time in the kitchen. Two dishes might share the same name but exhibit subtle differences due to their ingredients or style of cooking.

    For example:
    • Creole Gumbo is a hearty stew, distinctively creole due to its use of okra, shellfish and tomato base.
    • Cajun Gumbo excludes tomatoes and includes a combination of meats such as sausage, crawfish and pork, with a roux base.

Key ingredients

  • There are many seafood dominated dishes that include ingredients such as prawns, shrimp, lobster and crawfish.
  • The cuisine has African influences, which can be seen in the ingredients used such as okra, fried chicken and corn/cornbread.
  • Bell pepper, celery and onion are also used frequently and can be referred to as the “holy trinity” of both Cajun and Creole cuisine
  • Other ingredients used within the cuisine are sausage, rice, sweet potato and Cajun spices.

Which Southern foods are growing in popularity in 2025?

The top Southern foods that are growing in popularity are Jambalaya, Chicken and Biscuits & Pecan pie. Crawfish and Seafood boils are also growing in popularity and have a slightly greater appeal to consumers who consider themselves as “foodies”, and keep up to date with the latest food and drink trends. Chicken (often prepared in buttermilk) and biscuits (breaded or battered) can be served with waffles, American biscuits, and/or mash. Jambalaya is a spicy one- pot dish with rice, sausage, shrimp, and Creole seasonings.

Which Southern food should you include on your menu in 2025?

One Southern dish you should include on your menu in 2025 is the Po Boy Sandwich. 32% of UK consumers are interested in trying this in the next 1-2 years. The Po Boy sandwich is a baguette filled with meats or seafood, salad and mayonnaise. You can transform your typical sandwich with the addition of Cajun spices and Cajun inspired sauces and even get consumers to personalise their own to make it southern. You can also pair the sandwich with Cajun or sweet potato fries which will marry well with the flavours in the Po Boy Sandwich.

10% of consumers are interested in trying Southern American cuisine on-the-go, which rises to 16% for foodies. The Po Boy sandwich is a fantastic “on-the-go” gateway dish to offer consumers who are new to the cuisine. It offers versatility, as well as comfort and tradition which are attractive to consumers. It’s also presented in a format that is familiar to the average consumer, which can attract those who are interested in new flavours within a familiar format. The visual appeal of this dish also makes it Instagrammable, enticing consumers to take pictures and in turn attract other foodies to this delicious cuisine.

Which Southern drinks are trending in 2025?

The Southern drinks trending in 2025 are soda and botanical soft drinks with floral, fruity or sweet flavours and syrups, as well as innovative ice-cream shakes and drinks with ice-cream floats. Regarding trending alcoholic drinks, we’re seeing innovative cocktails that include tomato juice as a key Southern American ingredient, such as a Cajun bloody Mary and an Oyster shooter which includes spicy tomato juice infused with vodka. New Orleans craft ales are also growing in popularity as well as Bourboun inspired cocktails, due to Bourbon being one of the most recognised Southern American drinks. A popular New Orleans cocktail is called ‘Sazerac’ which consists of whiskey, bitters, sugar, and absinthe.

Which Southern side dishes are growing in popularity?

The Southern side dishes that are growing in popularity are:

  • Grits, which is a ground corn porridge usually paired with prawns – appealing to roughly 20% of consumers
  • Candied sweet potato, which is glazed in sweet syrup – appealing to 27% of consumers
  • Cornbread (31%) will also grow in popularity as it can be paired with a variety of different flavours and has higher appeal to Gen X vs other generations
  • Lastly, Chowder, a thick soup which consists of clams, seafood and vegetables. It has an appeal for 28% of consumers and an even higher appeal for Baby Boomers than any other generation.

Whilst these dishes are growing in interest, there are other popular Southern American side dishes that we’re already seeing on menus including ranch salad, mac and cheese and Cajun, Creole and Chowder fries.

Sources:

*CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

Swiss

56% are interested in trying Swiss food
11% already eat Swiss food

What is the Swiss trend all about? 

Interest in Swiss cuisine seems to be riding high at the moment, with more than half of consumers showing interest in giving it a whirl –the highest interest level we saw in this year’s survey.

It’s still a relatively hard to find cuisine, despite one or two of the dishes being familiar to many of us. In fact 61% find it difficult to find (only 42% in London suggesting that it is pretty London-based).

So why is it so appealing? Well, we know that sharing dishes are increasingly popular. 41% of consumers are interested in trying sharing platters when eating out and 45% dishes made for two to share. So, it’s no wonder that fondues are increasingly appearing on menus as both savoury and sweet sharing options.

3 things you need to know about Swiss cuisine

  • Fond of fondue

    Fondue is the best known and well-loved Swiss dish in the UK, made from melted cheese into which bread cubes are dipped; or there’s a sweet version which features a chocolate dip for fruit like strawberries. A classic sharing dish, whether savoury or sweet, fondue is perfect for any social occasion.

  • What’s the Swiss national dish?

    You might be forgiven for thinking that the Swiss national dish is Fondue. However, in fact it is rosti, a grated potato dish that is pan-fried often topped with eggs, bacon or cheese.

  • Key ingredients of Swiss cuisine

    Swiss is the ultimate comfort food, with cheese and potatoes, cream, meats (particularly veal) and polenta at the heart of many of its recipes, along with apples and oats.

    This is no surprise as Swiss farms, and their high mountain pastures, make it famous for its cheese and dairy produce, grass-fed livestock farming and, of course, chocolate!

Great ways to leverage the Swiss trend

  • Fondue nights

    45% of consumers are interested in dishes made for two to share. So why not feature a fondue night.

  • Chocolicious fondue

    36% of consumers believe sharing dishes offer great value for money, so why not tempt them with a chocolate fondue dish to share for dessert?

  • Rise and shine

    Rosti are a great alternative to hash browns for a breakfast solution and are a great way to use up any spare potatoes, bits of cheese and onion.

  • Bircher for breakfast

    Bircher muesli makes a great on-the-go breakfast solution. Oats are a great source of fibre, and you can poach would-be wasted fruit and add nuts, seeds or live yoghurt as delicious extras.

    swiss muesli

Try our recipes here

  • recipes

recipes

  • Swiss rosti with melted cheese

    Ultimate Alpine comfort food, a deliciously crispy golden potato rosti topped with melted Emmental cheese and spring onions.
  • Swiss cheese fondue

    A sumptuous cheese fondue featuring Emmental, mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses with a hint of wine, lemon and nutmeg, and served with crusty baked brown baguette cubes.

Typical Swiss dishes

Bircher muesli, otherwise known as overnight oats (a breakfast dish mixing yoghurt, oats and apples), is another dish that’s well-known in the UK, but maybe less well known that it’s a Swiss classic.

A few others that may be less familiar in the UK include:

Raclette – Melted cheese served with jacket potatoes, cocktail gherkins and onions or pickled fruit

Tartiflette – originating in the French Alps, also popular in Switzerland, this gratin dish uses sliced potatoes, onions, white wine, lardons and crème fraiche

Älplermagronen – a gratin made with potatoes, macaroni, cheese, cream and onions, often served with stewed apple on the side.

Papet Vaudois – a baked dish made from leeks with potatoes and sausage

Polenta a common ingredient eaten widely across Switzerland, it’s often served with stewed meat, or sometimes accompanying cheese

Roasted flour soup originating in Basel, this soup combines browned flour, beef stock, onions, sometimes red wine, finished with grated Swiss cheese such as Gruyère

Leckerli – also from Basel, these small, hard gingerbread or spice biscuits are decorated with a sugar glaze and filled with nuts, honey and candied peel.

Which Swiss foods are growing in popularity in 2025?

Swiss as a cuisine showed high levels of appeal to consumers in our recent survey which identified that more than half were interested in trying Swiss food. The key dishes that characterise Swiss cuisine include fondue, both cheese and chocolate, raclette, which is also a dish of melted cheese served with jacket potatoes, cocktail gherkins, and onions or picked fruit, rosti, which are pan fried patties of grated potato, tartiflette, a gratin dish made with potatoes, onions, crème fraiche and lardons, bircher muesli, polenta, and leckerli, small spiced, gingerbread biscuits to name a sweet option.

Which Swiss food should you include on your menu in 2025?

The most popular Swiss dish in the UK is undoubtedly fondue, both the melted cheese and chocolate varieties which work really well as sharing dishes. However, rosti, served with a fried egg, bacon and cheese make a great breakfast option, as does Bircher muesli, otherwise known as overnight oats, made by mixing yoghurt, oats, and apples, then leaving them overnight for the ingredients to soak into the oats.

Which Swiss drinks are trending in 2025?

Schnapps, absinthe and kirsch are all popular drinks in Switzerland. However, hot chocolate is a beverage reputed by the Swiss to revive the soul on cold days. This links perfectly with another of our 2025 Food & Drink trends, Chocolicious. This trend is about the explosion in innovation in premium hot drinks, particularly with hot chocolates that are appealing to consumers currently. For example, flavoured hot chocolate, frozen hot chocolates, white hot chocolates, served with sprinkles, toppings of marshmallows and whipped cream.

What Swiss alcoholic beverages are growing in popularity in 2025?

Schnapps, absinthe and kirsch are all popular drinks in Switzerland, as well as hot chocolates, many of which are enhanced with shots of alcohol (for example, rum, amaretto or schnapps) in the cold season and often finished with whipped cream and sprinkles.

What are the best accompaniments for a Swiss Fondue?

Chocolate fondues are often eaten with berries, like strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or other fruit, for example apple, cherries, bananas, grapes, pineapple and kiwi, marshmallows and small biscuits or chopped waffles.
Cheese fondues are often eaten with small cubes of bread, potatoes, charcuterie, and pickles (e.g. cornichons or gherkins), and sometimes sliced apples or pears.

Discover our other food and drink trends for 2025

  • Food and drink trends 2025
  • Buns and Bowls - on the go food trends 2025
  • Flavours Less Travelled - World food trends 2025
  • Closer to Home - Food trends UK 2025
  • Chocolicious - Drink trends 2025
  • Proactive Practices - Sustainable food trends 2025
  • Friendly Fibre - Healthy food trends 2025
Find out more
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