Future of Food & Drink 2026
Six predictions shaping tomorrow’s food and drink
London, 2026: The Imminent Future of Food & Drink 2026 is Bompas & Parr’s latest future-facing exploration, produced through the studio’s consultancy arm Sense Tank.
Developed during a year of cultural upheaval, rapid technological acceleration and shifting emotional needs, the report draws on experts in food, multi-sensory design and experiential strategy to examine what we will consume in the coming years. It offers a clear and grounded view of an era defined by burnout, ultra convenience, fandom culture and major changes in how people seek pleasure.
Built from wide cultural observation, the report moves beyond standard trend summaries to reveal the deeper forces reshaping the global palate. As AI transforms creativity and media, as emotional connection becomes a priority, and as consumers reassess how they interact with brands and with one another, the future of food and drink becomes an essential cultural indicator. The report distils these shifts into six predictions that highlight key behavioural changes.
Download the full report here.
Watch the livestream here.
The Trends
TV Dinners reimagines the shared cultural campfire, predicting a revival of communal viewing paired with narrative-led meals designed to heighten emotion. It considers the return of intentional media rituals and the growth of dining formats linked to beloved television worlds through retail box sets and screen-centred restaurants.
Gastro Void explores the meeting point of extreme convenience, weight loss injections and AI-generated culture. It anticipates calorie-bypassing dishes, edible films, hydration-focused ingredients and new accelerated production techniques such as ultrasonic infusion. Chefs become part sensory scientists and part technologists as the meaning of a meal changes.
Boomer Drinking shifts attention to an underserved demographic. As Boomers redefine the experience of ageing, the report imagines drink categories created specifically for them, along with nostalgic revivals and refined beverage rituals that suit a generation determined to enjoy life fully.
Fresh Luxury Dystopia considers a world where fresh produce becomes a marker of privilege. It looks at luxury fruits, architect-designed pleasure dairies, harvest tracking technology and the revival of long forgotten British ingredients. Freshness becomes both a cultural aspiration and a new form of status.
New Night Sips examines the changing nature of nightlife as noctourism grows and younger drinkers modernise late night habits. The report introduces ideas such as high function cocktails designed for specific evening activities, micro-dosed spirits, night-focused coffee and juices designed to support dreaming.
Beans on Toast captures the rise of the anti trend. In a world flooded with algorithmic novelty and hyper globalised internet cuisine, creative burnout becomes widespread. A simple plate of beans on toast emerges as a symbol of reset and honesty, reflecting a desire for grounding and genuine comfort.
Together, these predictions form a vivid picture of a future shaped by emotional need, sensory innovation and cultural volatility. Imminent Future of Food & Drink 2026 offers both strategic insight and creative provocation for brands and innovators preparing for the next era of consumption.
Download the full report here.
Watch the livestream here.