The Most Popular Cafe Foods

The Most Popular Cafe Foods

If you have a cafe but need a little inspiration as to what food to serve, you’ve come to the right place.

Because food trends come and go, what customers are looking for is constantly changing. By reviewing what customers were ordering in 2019 and spotting some emerging trends, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular cafe foods, so that you can keep up with the competition and satisfy your guests’ cravings.

Keep reading to discover what made the cut and get a little inspiration of what to add to your menu next.

Plant-Based Dishes: With a lot of people switching to vegetarian and vegan diets lately, having plant-based options is a must. With several documentaries, books, and articles coming out about the benefits, the veggie trend is sure to last a while.

Superfoods: Acai used to be the superstar, but now there are a ton of other superfoods vying for attention. Matcha, maca, chia, goji berries the list goes on and on. No matter how you use them, superfoods are highly nutritious and add beneficial nutrients into your diet to take your health to the next level.

Meat Alternatives: Fewer people eating meat means more people eating meat alternatives. Tofu and tempeh used to have no place in culinary circles, but today restaurants and cafes are finding creative ways to make them just as tasty. There are now alternatives to everything, including vegan bacon, sausage, and burgers.

Kombucha: If you haven’t tried this trendy drink, it’s time you jump on the bandwagon. Though the fermented, fizzy concoction might seem a bit funky at first, it’s said to have some pretty impressive health benefits. Better yet, it’s easy to make and relatively cheap. There are plenty of recipes on YouTube, but most are a combination of fermented tea and fruit juice.

Responsible Protein Sources: Here’s a trend for those who aren’t plant-based. More meat and fish eaters care about where their proteins come from. High-quality, grass-fed meats are in-demand. Similarly, people are questioning where their seafood comes from and demanding sustainably caught.

Middle Eastern Flavours: Your go-to Chinese takeaway may be facing some competition. Middle Eastern food is on the rise, and it’s not about to slow down anytime soon. Falafel and hummus have been famous for years, but now, dishes like shakshuka are common-place on cafe menus throughout Australia.

Specialty coffee: Whether it’s cold-drip or specialty brews, coffee is much more than a classic espresso. Cafes are roasting beans specifically for different coffees, and it’s an art form. If you have a skilled barista to back you up, adding one or two specialty coffee options is an excellent way to fill a demand for the coffee connoisseurs out there.

Mocktails: People are more health-conscious than ever, and that means they’re drinking less. Alcohol consumption in Australia is quickly declining. According to ABC in 2018, the amount of alcohol drunk in Australia hit a 55-year low, and this trend will likely continue. In the absence of classic cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks are popping up on menus everywhere. Most bars now offer a selection of mocktails, and more people are ordering them in restaurants and cafes as well.

Conclusion

The cafe food trends of recent days indicate one key point: Quality is everything. Whether this means fresh veg for vegan breakfast bowls or pasture-raised meat, making sure that you have high-quality options is essential. Offering house-made signatures, like craft kombucha or homemade jam, will also give you the extra leg up against competitors. Start by making small changes, and watch how customers respond.

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