Food Trends to Watch in 2026

Viral Fruit Pastry
You may have already spotted these lush, hyper-realistic, fruit-shaped desserts taking over your feed. Known as trompe-l'œil fruit pastries, these French illusion treats are designed to look like real fruits or nuts, then surprise you when sliced open to reveal layers of mousses, compotes and ganaches, making them as fun to eat as they are to post. Locally, Karak Chai Cafe in Middleburg Heights and Crepescape in North Olmsted and Strongsville are serving up large selections of these over-the-top, eye-catching sweets.

Collaborations
Cleveland restaurateurs have never been shy about supporting one another, whether through a social media shoutout or a behind-the-scenes partnership. This month, that mindset takes shape with Doinks Burger Joint teaming up with Good Pizza on a one-off menu item that feels more like a friendly crossover than a calculated marketing move. Earlier this year, Larder and Abundance Culinary came together for a Jewish-Chinese Christmas dinner, blending Jewish deli traditions with Chinese cooking for a one-night collaboration rooted in culture and community. That same crossover energy extends beyond the kitchen with Market Garden Brewery’s partnership with Destination Cleveland on the “Cleveland Classic” 12-pack, bringing local pride straight to store shelves. We saw that same energy in 2025, when Swensons Drive-In partnered with Cordelia, drawing long lines, social buzz and plenty of local enthusiasm. Whether highly visible or subtly woven in, these partnerships point to a dining scene built on shared audiences and a genuine sense of community.

Robotics in Dining 
Restaurants are finding new ways to add both entertainment and efficiency to the dine-in experience. Funshi, newly opened in Beachwood and Avon, leans into a space-age setup with conveyor-belt sushi, tabletop tablet ordering and robot drink runners, while BellaBot, now serving at Don Tequila’s Amherst and Elyria locations and RollHouse Entertainment, delivers everything from chips and salsa to full entrees, drawing crowds curious about tech-driven dining in action. Behind the scenes, AI is quietly reshaping restaurant operations. Sam McNulty, owner of Market Garden Brewery, Bier Markt, Nano Brew and other Ohio venues, was quoted in The New York Times this past year for embracing AI tools like ChatGPT to analyze sales reports, brainstorm growth strategies and even refine wine selections. Cru Uncorked even staged a Somms vs. AI dinner last September, letting guests taste and vote on wine pairings picked by humans versus artificial intelligence. Together, these technologies point to a future where restaurant innovation isn’t just about robots on the floor, but smarter decision-making behind the scenes as well.

Middle Eastern Influences
Middle Eastern flavors continue to expand their presence in Cleveland’s dining scene, building on decades of familiarity while pushing into new territory. Longstanding institutions like Aladdin’s Eatery and critical favorites such as Zhug have helped make these flavors part of the city’s everyday dining culture, and recent openings like Qahwah House Coffee and Shibam Coffee Co. show how that influence continues to evolve. Fueled in part by global trends like the Dubai chocolate craze, rich coffee traditions and earthy, spice-forward profiles are gaining new attention, from creamy, cardamom-infused milk teas to bold, smoky Yemeni brews layered with warmth and aroma, flavors increasingly poised to inspire menus beyond coffee alone.

RELATED: The Food Trends and Bites That Defined Cleveland Dining in 2025

Sports Bars
After years of polished cocktail lounges and ever-expanding drink menus, Cleveland’s bar scene may be swinging back toward something simpler. A new wave of sports bars is on the rise, prioritizing big screens, cold beer and an easygoing game-day atmosphere over elaborate concepts. Openings like Urban Meyer’s Pint House and Tom’s Watch Bar in downtown Cleveland, along with immersive venues like Cosm, point to renewed demand for places built first and foremost around watching sports. Neighborhood newcomers like Easy Out suggest that sometimes diners just want a bar with the game on, a beer in hand and some darts to throw.

Restaurant Expansion
With familiar names and beloved concepts branching out in new directions, dozens of restaurants and bars are set to open in 2026. Classic favorites like Flour have opened fresh outposts, Crowley’s Dive Bar has grown beyond its Eastlake roots with a new location on John Carroll’s campus in University Heights, and the team behind Cordelia is preparing to debut a new concept, Rosy, in Ohio City, building on their Midwest Nice ethos. That momentum continues with Lao Sze Chuan and Shinto Japanese Steakhouse expanding to new locations, alongside brands like Noble Beast Brewing branching out with new concepts of their own.These expansions reflect a broader shift from standalone openings to strategic growth and diversification, as restaurateurs extend their reach while giving diners more ways to enjoy the flavors and experiences they already love.

Protein Heavy Grab & Go’s 
The push for protein is carrying over into the new year, with high-protein menus and grab-and-go options appearing in grocery coolers and fast-food drive-thrus alike. Protein has remained the most prioritized nutrient since 2021, increasing from 62% to 70% of Americans, with the Cleveland Clinic noting its added importance for individuals using GLP-1 medications. Brands are responding in kind, from Chipotle’s new High Protein Menu launching Jan. 5 to emerging players like Impeccable Chicken, a Shark Tank-featured brand that markets its pre-portioned, macro-focused chicken almost like a dietary supplement, asking consumers to identify their ultimate diet goal.

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