2025 is shaping up to be a year of exciting menu changes across the UK’s hospitality scene. Whether it’s restaurants, hotels, or cafes, food trends are leaning into fresh, creative, and locally-inspired dishes.
Guests want more than just a great meal—they’re looking for variety, new experiences, and menus that reflect the latest in food culture.
One big shift? A surge in demand for lighter, more balanced options. But don’t worry, it’s not all kale and chickpea!
Think vibrant dishes packed with flavour and creativity.
One of the biggest changes is the explosion of plant-based options. With around 2.5 million vegans in the UK and many more leaning towards flexitarian diets, the days of offering a token veggie burger are over.
Quick-service restaurants have seen a 56% increase in demand for vegan options, and some venues are rolling out full plant-based menus, offering everything from rich vegan comfort food to lighter, more experimental dishes.
And it’s not just restaurants leading the way—hotels and event spaces are upping their game with more thoughtful plant-based options for room service, conference menus, and even breakfast buffets.
This is a trend that is just getting bigger and bigger. In 2025, an estimated 4.3% of Brits, roughly 2.3 million individuals, plan to transition to a vegan diet. Additionally, 11% (about 6.1 million people) intend to follow a vegetarian diet, including 5% who are already vegetarians.
Demonstrating how 2025 is the year to for change and hospitality has to keep up!
Locally-sourced food has also taken the spotlight. Whether it’s fresh produce or seafood straight from the coast, diners love seeing local ingredients front and centre on menus.
It’s not just about supporting local businesses (although that’s a huge plus)—it’s also about offering guests something truly unique. Highlighting regional ingredients and seasonal dishes adds a level of authenticity that can really set a venue apart.
More venues are also forming partnerships with local farms, suppliers, and breweries to offer bespoke dishes and drinks that are exclusive to their establishment.
Another growing trend is around balanced menu options. This doesn’t mean venues need to pivot into health-food cafes, but offering dishes that feel fresh and nourishing is a great way to cater to changing tastes.
Lighter menus packed with seasonal veg, creative grain bowls, and fresh seafood options are becoming crowd-pleasers, especially for those looking for variety beyond the usual hearty pub fare.
It’s about giving diners more choice—not dictating what they should eat, but ensuring that everyone, from indulgent diners to those after something more balanced, feels catered to.
Hospitality venues that stay ahead of these trends can create memorable dining experiences while catering to a broader audience.
With more diners than ever seeking plant-based menus, locally-inspired dishes, and fresh new options, the food scene in 2025 is bursting with opportunity.
So whether you’re tucking into a vegan Wellington, enjoying a locally-sourced seafood platter, or just trying something new, there’s plenty to be excited about on the UK hospitality menu this year.
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