In an ever-changing culinary landscape, it’s no surprise that certain food items come in and out of favour with restaurant-goers. From loaded burgers to exotic dessert flavours, restaurant trends come and go as quickly as the seasons change. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and trending foods that are taking over the restaurant scene in 2023.

Vegan Burgers

Veganism is on the rise, and vegan burgers are becoming a must-have menu item for restaurants. Plant-based burgers made with ingredients like black beans, chickpeas and quinoa are a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional hamburgers. They offer a savoury and flavorful option that appeals to vegans and meat-eaters alike.

Gourmet Ice Cream

Gourmet ice cream is a hot trend in the restaurant industry right now. With unique flavours like blueberry lavender, honey fig and matcha green tea, these speciality ice creams offer a delicious and indulgent treat that can’t be found anywhere else. Gourmet ice cream is a great way to add a touch of luxury to any dessert menu and invite unique flavour profiles onto plates.

Cauliflower Wings

Cauliflower wings are a popular, healthy and delicious dish that is popping up on menus everywhere. They’re a vegan and vegetarian-friendly alternative to traditional chicken wings and are usually made with breaded cauliflower florets and tossed in a variety of sauces. They’re a great way to add a flavorful and healthy option to any menu.

Tacos

Tacos are timeless classics that are still as popular as ever. Whether it’s classic beef tacos or vegetarian-friendly black bean tacos, these delicious handheld treats are a great way to add some Mexican flavour to any menu. The main appeal of tacos is their versatility, which gives chefs a chance to incorporate unique flavours and textures into tacos. Popular options include fish tacos, beef cheek tacos and the classic chilli taco.

Avocado Toast

Avocado toast is a popular and nutritious breakfast item that has taken over the restaurant scene. It’s a simple dish that is made with thick slices of toasted bread, mashed avocado and a variety of toppings like tomatoes, onions, bacon and feta cheese. It’s a delicious and nutritious way to start the day and you'll find a variation of avocado toast on the breakfast menu of many top restaurants.

Ramen

Ramen has been a staple of Japanese cuisine for centuries, but it has recently become popular in western kitchens as well. Ramen restaurants are popping up and offering a variety of creative dishes with unique flavours and ingredients. With flavour profiles that span from spicy to creamy, and a huge assortment of toppings to consider, it’s no wonder ramen is taking the culinary world by storm.

Korean Barbecue

Korean barbecue is a popular and delicious cuisine that is finally getting noticed on the global food scene. From thinly sliced high-quality meats to savoury sides and sauces, Korean barbecue has it all. It’s a great way to add some Asian flavour to any menu. What’s more, many Korean barbecue outfits offer the unique experience of allowing guests to cook their own meats at their table, which is novel enough to draw in sizable crowds.

Butter Boards

Butter boards are a relatively new concept and adapt traditional cheese boards with high-quality butter. These sharing platters are paired with artisanal bread, crackers and other vessels for transporting delicious butter into hungry mouths. It’s relatively versatile, too, as many butter boards offer sweet flavours like honey, berries or jam. The more traditional savoury boards are also fantastic, bringing in unique flavour profiles like roasted garlic or chilli-infused butter.

Sea Plants

Sea plants are a relatively new food concept, outside of seaweed used in sushi, but they’re growing in popularity in kitchens across the world right now. Sea samphire, kelp, moss and sea purslane are all making their way into tasting menus at the moment, offering deliciously new flavours for guests to enjoy. Sea plants are even helping with the development of plant-based alternatives like meat-free burgers. Microalgae is being used to help create juicy patties that have a similar mouthfeel to traditional beef burgers.

Conclusion

From vegan burgers to Korean barbecue and everything in between, there are lots of delicious and trending foods taking over the restaurant scene. Restaurants that stay on top of the latest trends are sure to please their customers and keep them coming back for more. There’s a big push for sustainability and alternatives to meat-based meals in 2023, which is bringing in new flavours and more ethical practices in kitchens. So keep an eye out for these trends, as they’re sure to make a lasting impression on the culinary world moving forward.

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