future trends

Culinary arts are becoming a central component of urban spaces: In mixed-use projects, they drive foot traffic, foster a sense of identity, and redefine places. As a social engine, gastronomy connects people, revitalizes neighborhoods, and often becomes the first visible sign of change. At the same time, it gives brick-and-mortar retail new relevance—extending dwell times, increasing foot traffic, and making brands immediately tangible.

Bakeries are transforming into favorite urban destinations. Less variety, more statement. Bread becomes an experience – visible, fragrant, emotional. But hotels, too, are becoming living environments – and F&B the strongest differentiator in the competition for attention.

When everything looks the same, uniqueness becomes the strongest currency. Independent dining is a creative laboratory and the avant-garde. Guests want stories instead of gimmicks, intimacy instead of noise.

In the gastronomy of tomorrow, social change is reflected on the plate—with new expectations regarding quality, identity, and experience. The new food culture is both accessible and sophisticated, local and global, healthy and indulgent.

The 2026/27 Trend Report is an attempt to interpret changes—as an opportunity for the industry, but also as a wake-up call for all those who have underestimated the value of the restaurant industry thus far. The restaurant industry is a stage, a connecting link, and a compass all at once.

There is a tension between digital progress and emotional hospitality that is redefining the restaurant industry. AI, automation, and data-based processes are changing not only workflows, but also attitudes, communication, and expectations. What was once considered a gimmick is now becoming a strategic necessity. And perhaps the most important question of our time: How can humans remain relevant in a world that is becoming increasingly digital?