A new year, a new set of trend forecasts. Call us foodies (or just plain hungry), but some of our favorite 2025 forecasts cover the latest food and beverage trends. It turns out we’re not alone. Fueled by digital content and social media sharing, consumers are eating up new flavors, new recipes and new approaches to snacks, everyday meals and entertaining.
Here’s a wrap-up of some of the biggest trends forecasted for 2025:
Swicy
Forget about sweet and salty. Sweet and spicy is the new kid in town. And while the Food Institute dubbed 2024 the “Summer of Swicy,” it’s probably just starting its ascent. In October, market research firm Datassential said just under 10% of restaurants have sweet and spicy items on their menus. Over the next four years, that number is expected to rise 9.6%.
Southeast and East Asian
Some of the appeal of swicy foods can be linked to growing interest in Southeast and East Asian cuisines, which often incorporate the heat of chili peppers. Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino cuisines dominated several lists in the National Restaurant Association’s 2025 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast. Other forecasters included Japanese cuisine as well.
To connect with shoppers on this trend, make sure to feature specialty food prep items and servingware that cater to Asian cuisine. Just a few examples include Joyce Chen 2-Tier Bamboo Steamer Baskets from KitchenSupply and this Noodle Soup Bowl with Chopsticks and Ladle from Typhoon World Foods.
Hawaiian
Back in the U.S. but still with Asian influences, Yelp called out Hawaiian cuisine as an up-and-comer. Platform searches are up 523% for Hawaiian macaroni salad and 88% for Hawaiian BBQ. The review site says both independently owned and chain Hawaiian restaurants are growing quickly and winning many awards.
Functional Foods
Remember the old saying “You are what you eat?” According to Circana, 35% of consumers view food as an important tool for managing stress and improving mood. In search of more health benefits than just nutrition, consumers are increasingly looking for functional foods and drinks that aid hydration or digestion, improve sleep, fight disease or improve mindfulness or mood.
Small Indulgences
But that doesn’t mean people still aren’t looking at food or drinks for indulgence. It turns out uncertainty or discord in the world is helping to fuel today’s treat culture. Datassential’s 2025 Trends Report found 89% of consumers indulging in a food or beverage at least once a week. (That’s up from 69% in 2024.)
Beverage Concoctions
Mixing up a fun drink doesn’t have to involve alcohol. Fueled in part by maker culture and part by the sober curious movement, creative soda concoctions are all the rage. Calling the trend “a sweet sweet taste of nostalgia—now with a fearless twist,” Pinterest Predicts 2025 said searches for soda drink recipes are up 90%.
It’s a perfect time to highlight specialty glassware, gadgets for making concoctions like dirty soda and soda makers like the Sparkel Beverage System from Equity Brands, which is the only sparkling beverage system that can make any liquid—from water to mixed cocktails—carbonated without the use of a CO2 canister.
Experiential Dining
Last but not least, consumers want to make their eating occasions fun. An increasing number of restaurants are tapping into experiential dining concepts, but there’s plenty of room to help customers create their own fun at home. That can include ideas and inspiration around communal eating experiences like fondue, other “dip and share” themes, or raclette-style dinners. A newer trend in this category is hot pot dinners; cue the Microwow Hot Pot from Milton.