In 2026, innovation isn’t only about chasing the next new thing in food and beverage — it’s about rethinking what customers already love. The 2026 food trends landscape reveals that success comes from elevating familiar favorites along with elevating new spins on emerging trends.

Datassential’s list of 10 New Classics for 2026, part of our 2026 Trends Report, features foods, flavors, and beverages that have become “new classics.” These items are likely not new to foodservice innovators, but they’re now cemented as a must-have for many consumers and can be leveraged across segments and retailers. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it should be considered as menu and retail strategies evolve in 2026.

These classics offer familiarity and flexibility — the perfect foundation for creative spins that feel both comforting and fresh. Here’s a look at some ways to use each “New Classic” in innovative ways that will excite guests in the year ahead.

(Of course, the point of these “New Classics” is to see what consumers want now, so if you don’t have some of these on your menu, a traditional introduction would work great, too!)

1. Basque Cheesecake: The Burnt Beauty Goes Beyond Dessert

Basque cheesecake’s caramelized top and creamy interior have made it a menu darling — but its real power lies in versatility. This 2026 food trend continues to dominate dessert menus while expanding into new territories.

Innovative plays

• Basque cheesecake-inspired desserts (think Basque cheesecake tiramisu or chai-spiced versions for fall LTOs)
• Mini Basque cheesecake bites paired with coffee flights
• Flavor mashups like ube coconut Basque cheesecake for visual impact

Why it works: It delivers indulgence with less labor than traditional cheesecake — and guests love its rustic, intentional imperfection.

2. Lemon Pepper: From Wing Staple to Flavor Amplifier

Lemon pepper has moved far beyond wings, emerging as a bright, craveable seasoning across categories. This versatile flavor profile, that 66% of consumers like or love, according to Datassential, represents one of the most adaptable 2026 food and beverage trends.

Innovative plays

• Lemon pepper fries, popcorn shrimp, or roasted vegetables
• Lemon pepper dust on potato chips or bar snacks
• Beverage introductions, like lemon pepper-rimmed savory cocktails

Why it works: It hits salt, acid, and heat in one familiar-yet-punchy blend that resonates across demographics.

3. Butter Chicken: The Ultimate Global Flavor Chameleon

Butter chicken has officially entered its “flavor era,” showing up everywhere from burgers to pizza. As one of the standout 2026 food trends, this globally inspired sauce continues to expand beyond traditional applications and is predicted to grow by 29% on menus over the next four years.

Innovative plays

• Butter chicken flatbreads or naan pizzas
• Butter chicken tacos with slaw for contrast
• Fried chicken sandwiches finished with butter chicken sauce

Why it works: It’s globally inspired, comforting, and especially appealing to Gen Z and Millennials who drive 2026 food and beverage trends.

4. Smashed Items: Technique as a Trend

“Smashed” isn’t just a preparation — it’s a sensory upgrade. More surface area means more crisp, more flavor, more drama. It makes sense that 46% love of like “smashed,” according to Datassential. This technique-driven 2026 food trend delivers Instagram-worthy results with minimal investment.

Innovative plays

• Smashed potatoes or carrots with bold sauces
• Smashed cucumber salads that soak up vinaigrettes
• Smashed dumpling tacos or patty-style proteins

Why it works: It’s visually engaging, texturally satisfying, and social-media friendly — key attributes for viral 2026 food and beverage trends.

5. Hot Honey: Sweet Heat That Crosses Every Daypart

Hot honey has become the signature of the “swicy” (sweet and spicy) movement, and its applications are nearly endless. This flavor phenomenon dominates both 2026 food trends and 2026 beverage trends alike. It’s no wonder that it’s been the star ingredient in hundreds of LTOs and new menu items over the last several years. Two of the highest-rated last year included the Million Dollar Breakfast Sandwich from First Watch and the Mike’s Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich from Red Robin, according to Datassential’s Launches and Ratings tool, part of the Datassential One platform.

Innovative plays

• Hot honey pizza drizzles or chicken glazes
• Hot honey cocktails, mocktails, or lemonades
• Hot honey desserts, from biscuits to ice cream

Why it works: It’s familiar, versatile, and bridges savory and sweet with ease, making it essential for operators watching 2026 food and beverage trends.

6. Tomato in Unexpected Applications: The Reinvention of a Staple

Tomatoes may be everywhere, but not like this. Creative tomato applications represent an exciting intersection of 2026 food trends and 2026 beverage trends.

Innovative plays

• Tomato dust as a cocktail or mocktail garnish
• Tomato sorbets, granitas, or smoothies
• Dehydrated or candied tomatoes in salads and desserts

Why it works: Guests recognize the ingredient, but not the execution — creating surprise without alienation.

If you want to consider something way outside of the box, consider a headline-making introduction like Smoothie King’s Heinz Tomato Ketchup Smoothie, which didn’t rank highly with consumers, but surely grabbed their attention.

7. Birria: The Mashup Master

Birria’s evolution from traditional stew to social media star has unlocked endless menu creativity. This mashup-friendly dish exemplifies the fusion approach defining 2026 food trends.

Innovative plays

• Birria pizzas, burgers, or quesadilla hybrids
• Birria ramen or birria grilled cheese
• Protein swaps like chicken or mushroom birria

Why it works: It’s rich, indulgent, and built for dipping, dunking, and sharing — perfect for the experiential dining that characterizes 2026 food and beverage trends. And this dish certainly has “legs” on menus, with predicted growth of 118% on menus over the next four years after growing by an incredible 350% in the last four, according to Datassential’s Menu Trends tool, part of Datassential One.

8. Texture in Food & Beverages: Chew on This

Texture has become an experience in itself, especially in beverages. This sensory-focused approach defines multiple 2026 beverage trends and crosses into food applications.

Innovative plays

• Drinks with foams, boba, jelly cubes, or crunchy toppings (cold foam has surged by nearly 1700% on menus since 2022, and is far from done, with a projected growth of 431% through 2030, Datassential)
• Desserts with layered textures (crispy, creamy, chewy)
• Chocolate or pastries with unexpected crunch elements

Why it works: Texture turns eating and drinking into a multisensory moment guests remember — and post. This shareability factor makes texture crucial among 2026 food and beverage trends.

9. Ube: Color That Captures Attention

The vibrant purple hue of ube, which Datassential named one of its 10 flavors and ingredients to know in 2023, has made it a social media standout, while its mild flavor keeps it approachable. This Filipino ingredient represents the visual-first approach driving many 2026 food and beverage trends.

Innovative plays

• Ube lattes, cloud coffees, and milk teas
• Ube waffles, croissants, or tiramisu
• Ube swirls in soft serve or cheesecake

Why it works: It delivers instant visual differentiation with minimal risk — critical for standing out in competitive 2026 food and beverage trends. It’s no wonder the brilliant purple ube has risen on menus by 222% since 2022 and is forecast by Datassential to grow another 86% on menus by 2030.

10. MSG: Umami, Reclaimed

MSG’s comeback reflects a broader shift toward flavor transparency and culinary confidence. This umami powerhouse influences both 2026 food trends and 2026 beverage trends as consumers embrace bold, savory flavors.

Innovative plays

• MSG-enhanced savory cocktails or martinis
• Umami-forward sauces, broths, and marinades
• Sweet applications like cookies or brownies with subtle savory depth

Why it works: Younger consumers are embracing MSG as a flavor booster, not a villain, making it a strategic play for operators targeting trend-forward demographics.

The Big Takeaway: Familiar Doesn’t Mean Boring

The New Classics of 2026 aren’t about reinvention from scratch — they’re about recontextualization. By applying new formats, textures, mashups, and cross-category thinking, operators can transform familiar favorites into buzzworthy menu moments.

And particularly in an era when consumers’ wallets may be thin, it’s a good time to ensure that classic flavors are represented, because classic often spells comfort.

Understanding these 2026 food and beverage trends provides a roadmap for innovation that balances creativity with consumer comfort.

Source: Datassential