Menu Trends: Comfort & Value
The National Restaurant Association flags 2026 menu trends centered on comfort food, wellness options and value‑driven items — think smashed burgers and global flavors — as operators chase both familiarity and novelty. Expect these themes to dominate casual and mid‑price dining this year (x.com).
The National Restaurant Association released its 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast on Nov. 19, 2025, based on a survey conducted in October 2025. (restaurant.org) Nearly 300 professional chefs and restaurant operators completed the survey that underpins the forecast. (restaurant.org) Respondents singled out breakout menu items for 2026 including smashed (smash) burgers, Caribbean curry bowls, elevated instant‑noodle dishes, miso‑glazed proteins, Za’atar flatbreads and Filipino pork. (restaurantdive.com) The report highlights operational advantages for smash burgers—lower meat‑to‑bun ratios, faster cooking times and reduced food waste—that help operators keep price points attractive. (restaurantdive.com) Menu development also skewed toward protein add‑ons and non‑/low‑alcohol beverage options as growth categories, reflecting both health and value dynamics in operator planning. (restaurantdive.com) The association paired the forecast with industry programming: the NRA Show’s 2026 FABI awardees emphasized protein and global flavors, and the forecast includes guidance on delivery, takeout and segmentation by generation and geography for operators. (restaurantbusinessonline.com)
