Today, when travellers and experienced diners are looking at global circumstances, food emerged as a universal language, uniting people across borders. Restaurant India spoke to the culinary experts and enthusiasts to observe what culinary revolution lies ahead. We have seen Indian customers becoming more demanding, knowledgeable and value and quality driven when it comes to their culinary preferences.

Hyperlocal is the New Buzz: with health and lifestyle in focus, hyperlocal foods, ingredients have become a buzzword. “As a restaurant owner, chefs one need to focus on Health & Sustainability as you need to keep it hyperlocal. Focus on the local cuisine and speciality of a city/state and you will be a winner,” shared Chef Dharmender Lamba of Trident Hyderabad. 
Data has become Big: With technology taking centrestage, relying on data for customer information, trend has become very big. It’s into cooking as well as how you look into data. 
The Rise of Tea Cafes: Tea café trend has changed a lot after covid. Before covid tea cafes were more a convenient place and stores. But after covid people have realised the importance of standard and hygiene which has given us a tremendous growth and it’s going to change the tea café biz
Sophistication in Nightlife: Analyzing the upcoming bar and nightlife trends, a noticeable shift is emerging towards outdoor settings, emphasizing lush green spaces and blue water bodies. Well-traveled Indians will seek sophisticated nightlife experiences akin to global destinations.
Sustainability at Rise: “Despite climatic considerations, there is a clear demand for alfresco environments with more sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. In F&B establishments, prioritizing outdoor spaces has become central along with creating natural cooling sustainable systems ensuring patrons have a pleasant time. Whether for an intimate date or a family gathering, customers consistently prefer outdoor settings to enjoy the natural environment. “To align with this trend, we are optimizing 50-60% of our spaces for the outdoors. Recognizing the diversity in demographics, we are ambitiously working towards creating seamlessly convertible spaces—allowing for an outdoor-to-indoor transformation, a venture that poses both challenges and a considerable investment,” shared Harsha Vadlamudi, Entrepreneur & Managing Partner - Ironhill India.

 
Indian Cuisine Remains Everyone’s Favourite: Shifting to the culinary landscape, Indian cuisine is expected to maintain its top-tier position amidst evolving tastes with a strong preference for native ingredients and traditional recipes. As we navigate these anticipated trends, our commitment remains unwavering—to offer not just a meal but an immersive experience that transcends the ordinary. Cheers to the evolving tapestry of the culinary and nightlife scene in 2024 and beyond.
Home-grown Brews are in Demand: Generation Z was raised with a wide variety of foreign flavours. Their desire for rich flavours that go beyond lagers has led them to create their own brews, imports, and other high-end selections.
Value above Quantity: Although Gen Z is frugal, they are prepared to spend more on high-quality experiences. Fewer, better beers would appeal to them more than mass-produced ones.

Beer is the most Preferred Drink: The alco-bev industry is anticipated to have a very dynamic demand across the different segments in future years. “Although whiskey is likely to stay the Indian staple, the beer segment will undergo the highest growth. This trend is fuelled by the fact that the current consumption of beer in India stands significantly lower than the international average, and a great scope for growth exists,” added Tushar Bhandari, Whole Time Director, AABL. Moreover, the trends like consumer tastes and also increasing income levels make the picture of beer bright. It is ready to revive, influenced by the changing preferences and also tastes. Although most of the brands are full, there is a new interest and mission for some of the vodka companies. Gin also grows consistently, demonstrating the ability to hold its own position in the market. One of the trends to watch out for is that tequila might become very popular. 
Revival of Home Cooked Treasures: In an age of fast-paced living, there's a rekindled love for home-cooked meals and generational recipes. Families are reconnecting with their culinary roots, embracing traditional dishes passed down through generations. The allure of nostalgic flavors and the warmth of home-cooked meals are becoming increasingly irresistible. From grandmother’s secret sauce to the comforting aroma of slow-cooked stews, these time-honored recipes are making a remarkable comeback, celebrating heritage and culture on our plates.
The Evergreen Appeal of Biryani: Biriyani, the crowned jewel of diverse cuisines, continues its reign as the perennial favorite. Its aromatic spices, fragrant rice, and varied meat offerings ensure it remains an irresistible temptation. Each culture and region presents its unique preparation, tantalizing taste buds with an array of flavors. From the opulent Mughlai biryanis to the fragrant South Indian versions, this dish never fails to entice, embodying richness and culinary diversity.
Eco-Friendly Packaging are in Demand: The rapidly expanding food delivery market is now embracing sustainability with eco-friendly packaging and zero-waste production goals, reflecting a commitment to the triple bottom line: people, profit, and the planet. Shifting towards reusable containers, the industry is adopting alternative options for packaging. “Single-serve containers made from reusable materials also reduce waste while catering to smaller household sizes. Encouraging mithai lovers to bring their containers reduces disposable waste. Prioritising local ingredients, ethically sourced dairy, and responsible waste management contribute to sustainability. Innovations improving mithai shelf life without excessive preservatives and smaller servings reduce food waste in manufacturing and retail channels, catering even to nuclear family setups,” commented Sanket S, Co-founder, Scandalous Foods- Eco-conscious Sustainable Packaging.
Zero Ware is the New Fad: "Sustainability takes centre stage in 2024! Expect menus that celebrate nose-to-tail cooking, zero-waste initiatives, and creative uses for every scrap. We're redefining 'gourmet' to mean using every ingredient to its fullest potential, turning leftovers into culinary masterpieces. It's about honouring the food and minimizing our impact,” said Chef Birjesh Kumar, Executive Chef, Le Meridien Gurgaon.
Culinary Mindfulness: Rising awareness of mindful eating, as chefs and individuals integrate mindfulness into cooking, dining, and food experiences
Rise of Alternative Proteins: Plant-based meat and other alternative proteins are rapidly gaining traction due to concerns about animal welfare, sustainability, and health. 
Personalization and Precision Nutrition: Consumers are increasingly interested in personalized food experiences tailored to their individual needs and preferences. This includes personalized meal plans based on nutritional tracking apps, and smart kitchen devices that adapt to dietary restrictions and health goals.