Top 6 Food Trends To Look Out For In 2024
In the age of social media, food trends are ever-revolving; whether it’s modern movements like plant-based sushi, or going back to the basics with retro-inspired ‘newstaglia’ dishes. We predict some of the most popular 2024 food trends that consumers and foodies can expect this year.
Clean Caffeine – Coffee Alternatives
As conscious eaters and drinkers continue to look for new ways to boost their energy, caffeine addicts are turning to ‘clean caffeine’. Health brands have been launching coffee alternatives like chaga mushrooms, matcha powder and the like, to provide similar energy-boosting effects to coffee. Green tea has also become more popular due to a growing demand from consumers and caffeine addicts trying to wean themselves off the beans.
Check out some of these unique caffeine alternatives.
Fancy Faux Fish

Image credit: Plushi via Instagram
With a growing population of plant-based eaters, more traditional meat dishes are going vegan, sushi being one of them. Grocery stores have been punting meat-free and dairy-free products; the trend has recently moved into the ‘faux fish’ space.
As food influencers and restaurants try to accommodate vegan-eaters, consumers can expect some of their favourite seafood dishes with a vegan twist – think ‘carrot lox’ as cured salmon on bagels and vegan caviar/pearls as salmon roe. The pearls, often made from activated charcoal and a mixture of seaweed and kelp, add an umami flavour to plant-based sushi. Locally, Plushi caters to plant-based sushi lovers. Their innovative vegan sushi is now sold at major food retailer, Checkers, as part of their extensive plant-based offering.
Botanicals & Beverages
The demand for locally-inspired foods and drinks continues to grow, as consumers show a growing interest in products with local and familiar flavours incorporated into innovative ways. Many beverage brands have turned to indigenous herbs and plants to infuse energy drinks. Numuti and MoFaya Energy are just some brands championing this tasty trend.
Modern Dining Experiences
If you’re eating out, don’t bother asking waiters for a menu, simply take out your smartphone. For some restaurants looking to save money on printed menus, QR-code menus are the latest food trend making waves in the industry. While the method of ordering has received some scepticism from traditional diners, the modern and environmentally friendly approach certainly helps restaurants save money, while meeting their sustainability quota.
Ramen Noodles
Ramen has built a steady fan base over the years and, thankfully, we don’t see the hype dying down anytime soon. With a renewed global interest in Japanese and Asian fusion cuisine, major ramen noodle brands like Momofuku (by chef David Chang) and commercial ramen noodle brands have been amplifying the experience for fans, with unique flavours.
Locally, ramen has also become a popular dish, with many restaurants having opened up throughout major SA cities; Ramenhead, Bodega Ramen and Three Wish Monkeys remain some of the most popular Cape Town establishments dishing out oodles of noodles.
Read all about ramen culture and learn how to make the perfect bowl here.
‘Newstalgia’ Food Trends
From mayonnaise cakes to tomato sandwiches, foodies have been yearning for a bygone era, now aptly referred to as ‘newstalgia’ – a portmanteau for ‘new’ and ‘nostalgia’. The resurgence in old recipes is nothing new, but this 2024 food trend is clearly here to stay. Last year brought rediscovered gems like stuffed olives and dates, as well as candied grapes, lemon possets and other oldies but goodies. We can’t wait to see what hidden recipes will be resurrected and plastered all over TikTok and Instagram.
Want more? Check out some of our favourite retro food trends from yesteryear.
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