Key restaurant trends for 2025: Insights for success

The restaurant world in 2025 is serving up an exciting menu. Sustainability, health-conscious menus, and a clientele searching for innovation, dynamism and personal engagement will dominate the food landscape in the coming years.

By adopting leading restaurant trends, you can enhance your business’s market presence and create memorable dining experiences that keep your customers returning for more.

In this report, we’ll unpack the latest trends — from personalization to the rise of ghost kitchens — that can help you align your brand with today’s dynamic and evolving restaurant industry.

Understanding consumer behavior in the restaurant industry

Understanding consumer behavior is at the heart of every successful restaurant strategy, and the way diners choose where, what and how to eat is evolving rapidly. Today’s restaurant goers expect more than just great food — they’re looking for experiences that align with their values, lifestyles and preferences.

By understanding their customers, restaurant owners and managers can fine-tune their strategies to create exceptional dining experiences that resonate. Here are some key consumer behaviors to consider when deciding which trends to keep on the menu and which ones to 86:

• Prioritizing ethical choices: More diners are factoring ethical and sustainable considerations into their decisions, such as favoring restaurants that support local farmers, implement fair labor policies, or donate to community causes.
• Efficient service: The meteoric rise of technology has set higher expectations for speed and convenience. From quick seating to seamless bill payments, guests appreciate restaurants that minimize hassle while maintaining quality service.
• Personal value: Guests increasingly value restaurants that foster a sense of connection — whether through communal dining spaces, storytelling behind menu items, or staff interactions that create a welcoming atmosphere. 

What are the top restaurant trends for 2025?

The restaurant industry in 2025 is being driven by changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and a growing emphasis on sustainability. Below, we explore the top trends shaping the dining landscape and what they mean for restaurant operators striving to stay ahead.

1. Emphasis on sustainability

Interest in sustainability is growing strikingly fast! Over 90% of consumers crave sustainable choices and support the idea of a green economy. When it comes to eating out, studies show that 70% of UK customers are willing to pay a premium for a meal at a restaurant committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly dining practices.  

Expect more restaurants to embrace zero-waste initiatives, expand plant-based menus and focus on sustainable sourcing. By prioritizing sustainability, eateries can attract eco-conscious customers and establish themselves as responsible businesses committed to lessening their environmental impact.

2. Rise of technology in dining experiences

As digitalization continues to surge, we’re seeing growing demand for online reservations, mobile ordering and contactless payment systems. With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.93% for the period between 2024 and 2032, the contactless payment market is poised to rise from $49.33 billion to $160.95 billion. 

Research shows that 92% of top-performing restaurants offer mobile ordering options. Meanwhile, in the reservations sphere, more than half of restaurant diners (59%) in the major markets of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand prefer to book their tables online.

Online reservation platforms and ordering apps have proven themselves as indispensable tools for expanding a restaurant’s reach. And as mobile wallets, QR codes and cryptocurrency become more mainstream, restaurants need to adapt by offering a range of payment options that cater to tech-savvy customers.

This trend aligns with the growing demand for convenience and safety, improving operational efficiency, and reducing customer wait times. Convenience is the new standard, and customers seek restaurants with technology solutions that align with their needs.

3. Plant-based and health-conscious menus

Whether for health reasons, religious requirements or environmental concerns, plant-based eating is on the rise. As more diners adopt flexitarian, vegan or vegetarian lifestyles, restaurants are expanding their offerings to include innovative plant-based dishes that go beyond traditional salads and grain bowls.

The global plant-based food market is projected to reach $161.6 billion by 2030. Cultivated meats and dairy products are set to make the largest gains in this trend, potentially reaching a market share of $5.1 billion by next year. Meanwhile, market analysts forecast that aquatic plants, including sea moss and duckweed, will make a big splash in the plant-based food sector by 2025.

Food choices linked to overall wellness are also on the rise, with the trend towards gluten-free and allergen-free dishes expected to grow. Functional foods, immunity boosters, and nutrient-dense options exhibit serious staying power, with recent studies showing that 83% of consumers are interested in a healthier lifestyle. 

4. Personalization and customer engagement

Today’s diners crave more than just a meal; they’re looking for immersive experiences while eating out. Many restaurants are responding to this desire by offering experiences that captivate customers’ attention and encourage them to interact more deeply with their business. 

Think unique experiences like DIY cooking stations, themed events, and chef-led demonstrations. Interest in Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurants grew 38% in 2024 while the hibachi model continues its upward trajectory as a timeless concept in modern dining.

Tailored experiences are also playing a growing role in customer satisfaction. Personalization allows you to forge stronger connections with your patrons, making every visit feel special and memorable.

This trend begins with the menu itself. Dynamic, custom digital menus adjust in real time, offering choices based on the time of day, season, or customer preference. Gen Z has shown a strong fancy for menu personalization, with 75% of US and Canada-based patrons between the ages of 12 and 17 customizing their orders. 

5. Innovative dining concepts and experiences

Innovative dining concepts are reshaping how we experience food. Of all the restaurants that opened between 2022 and 2023, pop-ups have seen the most significant growth. Up 155%, this temporary concept is notable for sustainability, durability, and uniqueness. 

Look no further than recycled shipping containers as a leader in this new industry trend. Offering modularity and flexibility, shipping containers meet restaurateurs’ needs while setting the benchmark for fewer risks and lower initial costs.

The street vending concept — think food trucks and food bikes — allows restaurateurs to reach a broader clientele in different locations while offering operational flexibility. Especially effective in large cities, this trend requires less initial capital and tends to show a fast return on investment. Nomadic and conceptual, this business model is ideal for testing trendy, new foods while reaching a diverse audience. So, put your restaurant on wheels and give this concept a spin.

Beyond delicious food, patrons in 2025 are looking for immersive dining experiences. Look no further than the “Dinner in the Sky” or “Dine the Dark” concepts. Multi-sensory dining experiences are about giving your patrons more than a good meal. It engages their senses, shocks and excites them.

6. Ghost kitchens and virtual restaurants

Ghost kitchens — or cloud kitchens — meet the growing demand for convenient, home-delivered meals. Virtual delivery options are reshaping the industry by focusing solely on online orders. Aligning with increased demand for sustainability and innovation, this novel concept has become one of the key restaurant industry trends this year. 

It’s early days for the ghost kitchen model, yet it’s expected to grow significantly. Some forecasts predict it could reach a trillion dollars by 2030. By tapping into delivery-only concepts, restaurateurs can cut costs and reach a broader customer base without the overheads of a brick-and-mortar presence.

7. AI-powered customer insights

Imagine knowing your customers’ preferences before they even sit down. That’s what we’re seeing with AI-powered customer insights. AI is revolutionizing the restaurant industry, driving efficiency by analyzing food service data to generate actionable insights that help shape your menu, pricing and customer engagement.

AI tools are also being used to fine-tune marketing strategies. This allows restaurants to offer personalized promotions to enhance customer relationships and satisfaction while encouraging repeat business. 

Predictive analysis can also optimize supply chain management and reduce costs linked to over-ordering or food waste.

Expect a rise in automation in 2025. From kitchens to customer service, AI is primed to boost speed and accuracy.

Strategies for implementing these trends

Here’s what we’ve learned so far: Restaurant trends for 2025 are shaped by growing awareness of health and nutrition, shifting purchasing habits, advancements in technology and changing consumer preferences.

By taking the following actionable steps, your business can stay at the forefront of the industry.

• Nourish with nature: Expect more demand for plant-based menus going forward. Restaurant sustainability begins with zero-waste initiatives and locally sourced ingredients. This not only appeals to eco-conscious diners but also enhances your brand image. Align your business model with a focus on health. Highlight the nutritional benefits of your menu with clear labeling for allergens and dietary requirements. It’s clear that diners are getting more discerning, which aligns with what we’re seeing across the food world.
• Tech-driven dining experiences: To stay ahead in 2025, restaurants should look to data analytics and AI to personalize guest experiences. From tailored menu recommendations to targeted marketing campaigns, streamlining operations with tech can improve efficiency and reduce costs. Online reservation platforms, ordering apps, and ghost kitchens have hit the mainstream. Rally your business around automation and allow yourself to operate smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
• Customized culinary journeys: To stay competitive, embrace experiential dining trends. Offer interactive experiences like DIY stations or chef-led demos. Personalize the dining experience through custom digital menus. This will resonate with younger diners, particularly Gen Z, who crave unique, tailored meals. Also, consider adopting flexible business models like pop-up restaurants or food trucks to test new culinary trends. This helps reach a wider audience without significant upfront costs while building a customer base eager to see your next move. Literally.

How Attest can assist in tracking restaurant trends

To thrive in this competitive market, you must understand your diners’ tastes and evolving needs. This makes it essential to have current customer data and technology solutions to ensure you stay at the forefront of the industry. For richer insights, consider Attest.

Attest’s real-time market analysis tool provides businesses with a global reach, collecting data from over 150+ million consumers across 59 countries. Our interactive dashboard offers easy-to-understand visuals for filtering data and monitoring shifts in consumer sentiment. 

The speed of data collection — up to four times faster than traditional methods — enables restaurants to react swiftly to emerging food trends and dining habits. Update your menu and adapt your strategies with a deeper understanding of the market, all in real time.

Conclusion: Preparing for the future of dining

Embracing the forward-thinking strategies we’ve discussed in this report will be essential for restaurant owners and operators looking to build lasting relationships with their customers.

Catering to the health-conscious consumer shows that you care about the well-being of your patrons. At the same time, personalizing menu options, recommendations and dining experiences make customers feel valued. By aligning your business with these long-term trends — think sustainability and tech-driven innovations — you can deepen customer loyalty while staying ahead of the competition.Take advantage of Attest’s platform to keep track of emerging trends that will define 2025 and gain the insights you need to succeed. Start today and take your restaurant to exciting new levels of success.