Top 10 Food Trends of 2023

The food industry is constantly evolving, and this year is no exception. From solo dining to non-alcoholic drinks, there are plenty of trends worth paying attention to. Keep reading to learn more about these and other exciting food trends of 2023.

Food trends 2023 Solo dining
#1

Solo dining

Eating alone doesn’t have to be a lonely experience! Solo dining has actually become one of the pretty popular food trends lately, and there are a bunch of reasons why.

For starters, with the rise of the gig economy and more people working remotely, there’s more flexibility in our schedules to grab a quick bite whenever we have a free moment.

Technology has also made it super easy to enjoy a meal solo. With all the food delivery apps out there, we can order takeout or delivery from just about any restaurant without even leaving our home or office. So convenient!

But here’s the best part: solo dining is no longer seen as a weird or socially unacceptable thing to do. In fact, it’s become a sign of independence and self-sufficiency. More and more people are totally comfortable eating alone at restaurants or outdoor cafes.

So next time you find yourself without anyone to dine with, don’t sweat it! Embrace the opportunity to treat yourself to a solo meal, enjoy the freedom and convenience that comes with it and don’t forget to share your experience on Social Media with trending hashtags #SoloDate and #DinngAlone.

#2

Non-alcoholic drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks are having a moment! And honestly, it’s about time.

Gone are the days when the only option for non-drinkers was a boring old soda or a weak-ass virgin cocktail. Nowadays, there are so many tasty and creative non-alcoholic options out there that even the biggest party animals can get behind.

There are tons of non-alcoholic “mocktails” made with fresh juices and herbs, non-alcoholic beers and ciders that actually taste good, and even fancy non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip that can be mixed into cocktails.

But here’s the thing: non-alcoholic drinks aren’t just for people who don’t drink alcohol. More and more people are opting to cut back on their alcohol consumption, whether it’s for health reasons or just to mix things up. And with all the delicious non-alcoholic options out there, it’s easier than ever to do so.

Food trends 2023 2. Non-alcoholic drinks
rudakova transparent ravioli
#3

Dining as experience

Foodies, get ready! Because 2023 is all about dining as an experience.

Gone are the days of just grabbing a quick bite and rushing out the door. Now, it’s all about immersive dining – think dinner in a secret underground speakeasy, or a multi-course meal served in a fancy treehouse.

And if you’re feeling really adventurous, molecular gastronomy is making a comeback! This high-tech cooking style involves using science to transform ingredients into unexpected and delicious forms. Think liquid nitrogen ice cream and foam-topped cocktails.

So if you’re looking for something a little more exciting than your usual dinner routine, keep an eye out for these immersive and molecular dining experiences food trends of 2023. They’re sure to blow your taste buds away!

#4

Upcycling food scraps

The hottest food trend of 2023 is all about upcycling and using ingredients that might have been overlooked in the past.

We’re talking about those bits and pieces of food that usually get tossed in the trash – think carrot pulp, broccoli stems, and even stale bread. But instead of throwing these scraps away, clever chefs are finding ways to use them in delicious and creative dishes.

And it’s not just food scraps that are getting a second chance. More and more chefs are using ingredients that are typically ignored or overlooked, like wild herbs and flowers, foraged mushrooms, and even maple leaves and birch stems.

Not only is this trend good for the environment (less food waste is always a good thing), but it’s also super exciting for foodies. These unexpected ingredients add a ton of flavor and interest to dishes, and they’re a great way to try something new.

Food trends 2023 Upcycling food scraps
Food trends 2023 Social Media food influencers
#5

Influencers influence

The next food trend is already trending online, it’s only a matter of time before it shows up on a menu near you.

Take the rainbow food craze, for example. One minute, you’re scrolling through Instagram or TikTok and seeing a few funky colored bagels here and there. The next thing you know, every restaurant in town is offering rainbow-hued everything. It’s like the internet has some kind of magical power to turn weird food ideas into mainstream must-haves.

So if you want to know what’s going to be the next big thing in food, just keep an eye on your social media feeds, especially TikTok. Or, you know, you could just stick to the tried and true classics. Your call.

#6

AI recipe development

If you are a Pro-Chef, the major part of your job probably consists of tinkering with recipes and trying to figure out the best way to optimize your menu for maximum profitability. Well, AI is here to save your day (and your sanity).

With the help of AI software, you can create and troubleshoot recipes in a fraction of the time it would take you to do it manually. And if that wasn’t enough, it can also help you optimize your menu for maximum profit. No more guesswork or trial and error (or at least not as much) – just delicious, profitable dishes.

But don’t worry, AI isn’t here to steal all your jobs. It’s just here to make your life a little easier and give you more time to do what you do best: create amazing food.

Food trends 2023 AI recipe development
Food trends 2023 Workplace sustainability
#7

Workplace sustainability

Restaurant and hospitality industry had taken a big hit during Covid… Not only because it was forced to be closed and suffer losses, but also because more and more industry workers realized during the forced time off, that they might want more of a life-work balance moving forward… and more of humane work conditions. So, now restaurants and hotels all over the world finding it really hard to hire staff. They have to lure them with better pay, better hours and better work conditions in general. 

For example, some restaurants are implementing a tip pool structure that allows servers and chefs to share tips equally. Finally, no more tension between the front and back of the house! It’s almost like everyone is on the same team or something.

And if you’re looking for something even more revolutionary, there are a growing number of co-op restaurants out there that are owned and operated by the workers themselves. 

And if all that isn’t enough, some restaurants are even closing for weekends and holidays so that their employees can have some well-deserved time off. Wow, what a concept! Allowing people to have a life outside of work. Who would have thought it’ll be one of the most popular food trends of 2023?

#8

Female factor

It may come as no surprise that the restaurant industry is a boys’s club. Any female Chef can confirm that the sheer level of silent discrimination and sometimes even harassment in the industry is astonishing. But strong women, who love their job and are really good at it are not that easy to stop. 

So in 2023 you will witness even more female Chefs rightfully taking the spotlight in the restaurant industry.

Now, women are breaking through the glass ceiling and making a name for themselves as some of the top chefs in the industry. And they’re not just making waves in fine dining – they’re also leading the charge in casual and fast-casual restaurants, food trucks, and even food media.

From James Beard Award winners to successful restaurant owners, these women are proving that they have what it takes to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field. And they’re not just making a name for themselves – they’re also paving the way for future generations of female chefs.

So next time you’re looking for a delicious meal, don’t be afraid to support a female-led restaurant. You might just discover your new favorite chef. It’s officially one of the food trends!

Food trends 2023 Female factor
Food trends 2023 TikTok
#9

TikTok as the ultimate restaurant database

Those foodies that are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest restaurants are now using TikTok as their ultimate search engine for restaurants and reviews.

That’s right, the social media platform known for its dance trends and lip syncing videos is also becoming a go-to spot for finding new and exciting restaurants. From trendy cafes to hidden gem eateries, TikTok is full of recommendations from foodies just like you.

But it’s not just about finding new places to eat – TikTok is also a great way to check out reviews on these restaurants, food, ambience, pricing and so on. 
So if you are looking for a new cool place to eat nearby – TikTok is where you search in 2023. And if you’re a restaurant owner and want your restaurant to be discovered among the gen-Z cround, why are you still not on TikTok? 

#10

Rise of self-taught Chefs & restaurateurs

Work in the restaurant industry had long been kept behind the gate. One either had to climb the traditional ladder for over 10 years to reach the Chef’s status or go to a traditional culinary school and then work for 10 years to become the Head Chef. Not in 2023. 

In 2023 it’s all about passion, creativity, and a willingness to learn on the job.

And let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to learn from a self-taught chef? They’ve probably made every mistake in the book, so you know they know their stuff. Plus, they’re probably way more interesting than some stuffy culinary industry snobs.

Same goes for restaurant owners. Yes, you need quite an investment to make in order to open a restaurant nowadays, and yes, you need to walk on a thin ice of slim margins to succeed, and yes, you need way more patience in this industry, rather then many others. But! restaurant business is no rocket science. It won’t be any different than running any service customer-orientated business … with only a few nuances, which let’s face it, any experienced business man or women can easily catch up with. 

And in 2023 people will start to realize that more and more. Even Social Media influencers are launching their food brands and ventures nowadays… and many of them are really successful at it.

Food trends 2023 self-taught Chefs

So that's been Top 10 Food Trends of 2023. Let's see if all of these predictions will realize this year. I certainly hope so, as they all seem super-exciting and healthy for the food industry.