26 cafe trends you need to know in 2025

When they’re eating out of home, consumers are making a point not of frequenting fancy restaurants, but choosing pocket-friendly options – and for many that means a visit to their local cafe.

Breakfast, brunch, lunch, cake and coffee and afternoon tea are high on the agenda, as a way to experience a spot of hospitality, without busting the budget.

But what are they looking for in 2025? Read on to find out more…

Breakfast

We’ve forever been told that we should breakfast like kings and dine like paupers. But the way we breakfast consistently shapeshifts. Pre-Covid, grabbing a cereal bar on the way out the door became the norm as we dashed through our day.

During the Covid period we embraced the slow, gentle pace of starting the morning with a cooked breakfast, or the mindful stirring of a pot of porridge. In 2025, we’ve reached a hybrid situation. There are still those (especially younger consumers) looking for quick fix solutions at breakfast time, but it’s higher protein, less sugary, more whole food options they’re seeking. And breakfast is overtaking lunch and dinner as a dining out occasion, appealing for its versatility and affordability. For many, it really has become the best part of their day.

According to Mintel’s 2025 Breakfast Eating Habits report, cooked breakfasts are gaining ground, particularly eggs, with sales up 10% in 2024. Several factors impact this, from the increasing role of protein in the average consumer’s diet to people seeking out savoury options which limit blood spikes and sugar level hikes.

There is a “substantial retail opportunity”, the analyst says, for on-the-go breakfast foods, with stores offering coffee-shop style breakfast items to take away, such as bacon rolls and pastries, appealing to 47% of those who eat breakfast out of home.

According to Kantar “breakfast is no longer an afterthought”, with the experts saying last year it’s become a standout growth occasion. Coffee features in 42.6% of out of home sales at breakfast, with midlife consumers (35-54) remaining the most engaged in breakfast out of home, but Gen Z is the fastest-growing group, with breakfast sales on-the-go increasing 23.7% year on year in this demographic.

Across all ages, Kantar identified enjoyment remains the primary motivator for eating out at breakfast time, influencing 44.6% of all choices.

Spreads

Consumers are putting more stock in the spreads they slather on their toast, or smudge into their croissants, so it pays to invest in better quality ‘upgrades’ where you can. Alternative nut butters, artisan peanut butters, palm oil-free chocolate spreads, real raw honey (ideally British) and preserves, crafted by artisans and made with care, will all put a smile on their faces as they sit down to breakfast.

We like: Pure Maple Amber Rich Maple Butter, Malik’s Wildflower Honey, Radnor Preserves Hand-Cut Sicilian Blood Orange Marmalade

Cooked

Across the board there’s a sense that those visiting cafes are demanding better. They don’t want to be fobbed off by flabby bacon from a large wholesaler, or squeaky, gristly sausages. Ensuring you invest in the quality of your cooked meat for breakfast sandwiches and full English breakfasts, denoting the source or maker, will help instil customer trust. Ideally make friends with your local butcher. 

We like: Edwards of Conwy Oak Smoked Dry-Cured Bacon, Charles Macleod Stonoway Black Pudding

Sauce

Brown sauce, ketchup and English mustard are breakfast table musts. While squeezy bottles might appeal for practicality and value, if you’re aiming to be a premium destination, their appearance could mark you down in the eyes of more sophisticated diners. Seek out gourmet, premium versions of their favourite sauces, made in small batches, by people who care. These options are likely to be lower in sugar and salt too, both of which are appealing to the modern consumer.

We like: Tracklements Proper Tomato Ketchup, A Little Bit Brown Sauce

Cold Drinks

Whatever the season, your customers will have thirsts ready to be quenched – and whether or not they’re stopping for food, a drink is guaranteed to be a portion of the order of everyone at the table. 

Cold drinks to revive your customers are worth their weight in (liquid) gold, and 2025 offers the optimum opportunity to branch out from familiar favourites; even classics like cola and lemonade have artisanal alternatives, and with consumers looking for health boosts at every turn it makes sense to serve a range of juices, smoothies and shots as well as functional options. Cold-brew coffees are popular nowadays too, and having a couple in your to-go fridge will prove beneficial to both customers and your team if time is tight. To inspire customers to stay a while, or visit you on special occasions, why not bring in the big guns with a couple of single-serve alcoholic – or non-alcoholic – tipples?

Functional

Functionality is seen as perhaps the biggest category for growth in health drinks right now. Consumers want more from their food and drink in 2025, and brands across categories are constantly seeking out ways to appeal to their desire for products with added function.

Topping the functional drink charts are those infused with nootropics (such as mushrooms) which aid both relaxation and focus, CBD (for inflammation and wellbeing), and minerals and adaptogens for enhanced hormone health, such as magnesium and ashwagandha.

‘Clean’ energy in the form of green tea-extracted L-Theanine,  added B12 and coffee; added protein and collagen; functional mushrooms; gut-friendly bacteria, and female hormone health supporting ingredients such as ashwagandha and magnesium are all causing a buzz that savvy retailers shouldn’t ignore.

We like: Robot Organic Cola – Kombucha, Belly Dance Cherry Belly

Cold Brew

Those visiting cafes and foodservice settings are willing (and keen) to experiment, and cold brew is firmly within their sights, even during the cooler months of the year. It’s an alternative way to enjoy their favourite tea or coffee in a more refreshing way.

We like: Unconform Cold Brew Caramel Latte, Humanitea Oat Matcha Latte

Sugar-Free Sodas

Many consumers are looking for ways to cut the sugar from their diets as they move towards being more mindful, pulling focus on their wellbeing. At the same time, they’re wary of artificial sweeteners, in response to the conversation around ultra-processed foods. Be careful when stocking this category. Look for brands that sweeten naturally with concentrated juice, stevia or natural flavourings.

We like: Dash Cherry

Making it an occasion

Alcohol-free and low alcohol drinks are flying high, outperforming spirits, beers and wines, as we become a society of moderators.

There’s a great opportunity here, if you’re a licensed venue, to get creative with your drinks menu. Tailoring and curating your grown-up soft drinks selection to be more thoughtful beyond juices, fizzy pop and squash will really resonate with and appeal to the growing sector of non-drinkers. Choose products that offer a more complex sip.

We like: Prano Cardamom, Wildlife Botanicals Nude, Bloody Ben’s Bloody Mary Mix

Juice

A mainstay in cafe settings, juice should be one of your staples. Again, strive to provide better. Steer clear where possible of concentrated juices, instead choosing fresh, cold-pressed or non-concentrated products. Added vitamins will appeal to families if they’re a big demographic for you. And, as well as the expected orange and apple juices, you should rotate some exciting, more tropical or botanically infused juices to bring something a bit special to your chiller/menu.

We like: Folkington’s Guava & Dragonfruit, Blendsmith How Good Wellness Shot – Turmeric

Free From

With value sales of free-from food and drink up 8.5%, and volumes up by 4.1%, it’s abundantly clear that the category isn’t going anywhere.

Though those with allergies are top purchasers, they’re not the only ones reaching for dairy, gluten or nut-free products. As consumers more widely consider their health, they’re dabbling with taking time off gluten-heavy bakes, or sampling plant-based milks in their regular coffee shop orders. The most evident trend across the board is quality.

Allergy and intolerance sufferers, and those who choose free-from products, are done with poor imitations of their favourite ingredients and snacks. This has driven innovation across the board, with some excellent cakes, bakes and dairy alternatives available now to cafes and foodservice outlets. Drinks free from caffeine are ruling the cafe roost too – don’t be without those herbal and decaf teas, decaf coffees and hot drink alternatives.

Cakes and Bakes

Every cafe should have a really good gluten-free (and dairy-free if possible) cake or two on the counter to cater for those customers with allergies or intolerances.

Often it’s best to buy these in from a reputable maker specialising in free from baking, who will be set up to prevent cross-contamination. The free from category has come a long way in the last five years, and those buying these products have come to expect better. Do make sure you taste samples before settling on your final selection – flavour matters.

We like: Sponge Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cake, Horsham Gingerbread Gluten-Free Gingerbread

Dairy-Free Milk

Where once just a couple of brands dominated, today there are numerous plant-based milk makers on the market, each seeking to carve out their own niche – be that on sustainability, frothability or ‘clean’ ingredients.

A barista-friendly milk will help you whip up dreamy lattes at the counter. If you’re trying to be environmentally conscious oat and hazelnut milk considered better for the planet, and new options like British pea milk are now available too.

We like: Pure Oaty Tea-Riffic Oat Drink, Rude Health Organic Hazelnut

Decaf Drinks

Sales of decaf tea and coffee are on the rise – and it’s no longer an option to offer just one variety, consumers are looking for choice.

There are three main drivers behind the trend.

- Changing lifestyles, busy schedules and work-related stress are contributed to the demand for calming, alternative, caffeine-free drinks.

- Consumers have greater access to decaffeinated tea products.

- The rise in disposable income being used for ‘small treats’ is encouraging consumers to spend more on premium tea options, including decaffeinated.

We like: Iron & Fire Decaf Speciality Blend, Two Spoons Tea Decaf Tea, Raw Bean Proper Coffee Definitely Decaf

Sugar-Free Syrups

With the biggest sized iced caramel latte from a leading chain coming in at nearly 600 calories per serving, it’s little wonder some consumers are thinking twice before indulging. Instead, they’re looking out for skimmed and skinny milk options, and for syrup additions that won’t put their calorie count or sugar intake out of kilter. Make sure you include some premium brands in this space alongside your regular syrups to broaden your customers’ options.

We like: Sweet Bird Sugar-Free Salted Caramel Syrup

Hot Drinks

People turn to hot drinks for all sorts of reasons – for comfort and familiarity, as well as a jolt of caffeinated energy – but this year the sector offers more than ever before; from products that promise to boost wellness via the inclusion of functional ingredients such as mushrooms to those which offer fabulous taste alongside meaningful ethical credentials. It’s not only about tea or coffee these days; look to herbal teas for a burst of freshness and goodness, trending matcha for a dose of the good stuff, and next-gen hot chocolates that deliver on flavour and premium quality.

Hot Chocolate

What’s more luxurious than a creamy, sweet, indulgent hot chocolate? It’s a cosy, indulgent way to soothe the soul, and one of our favourite ways to unwind when we visit cafes – particularly in autumn and winter. Catch your diners’ attentions by eschewing the ultra sugary mass-produced powders and going for products with a high cocoa or chocolate content. It should be rich, smooth and totally luxurious.

We like: Booja-Booja Hot Chocolate

Coffee

A hot cup of coffee works wonders as a delicious source of energy, but that’s not all that shoppers are looking for from their cup of Joe in 2025. Brands are being launched which focus on – and tweak their processes to maximise – the health benefits of coffee, including antioxidants, and more consumers than ever are looking for decaf options in order to enjoy the richness of quality coffee.

We like: Suma Medium Roast Ground Coffee, Danelaw Coffee, Paddy & Scott’s Clear Mind

Tea

With 99% of Brits admitting to daily tea drinking, stopping for a cuppa is one healthy habit the vast majority of us can get on board with. In fact, the TAP-research analysis of over 1,000 British adults revealed that Brits recognise a range of health benefits associated with drinking tea – from reducing stress and anxiety (33%), to boosting hydration (30%), to supporting a healthy heart (16%) and blood pressure (17%).

We like: Flavourhead Elegant Earl Grey, Albion Tea Bourne Valley Breakfast Tea, Nutratea Yerba Mate & Gotu Kola

Matcha

This elegant, healthful form of green tea is experiencing an unprecedented level of interest from consumers, who can’t get enough of its clean energy, antioxidant-boosting claims, and fresh, sweet, savoury taste.

They love it in all its forms. Whisked mindfully in their favourite mug at home. Over ice with berries. Or as an ingredient in overnight chia bowls.

According to Grand View Research, the global market size is set to grow by 7.9% between 2024 and 2030, with Future Market Insights estimating it to be worth $6 billion globally by 2030.

Producers and cafes are reporting very strong figures, indicating this is a category you really shouldn’t miss out on. Buy the best quality, covering all bases by offering both on-trend hot and cold layered matcha drinks, and the ceremony of authentic whisked matcha.

We like: OMGTeas Matcha Tea AAA Grade

Snacks

Snacking is one of life’s great pleasures. Whether your customers are looking for something to relish in-house or on-the-go, the great news is that there’s a tonne of delicious innovation on the market right now.

There will always be an appetite for traditionally-flavoured potato crisps, but branch out into exciting flavour realms to impress and delight your customers who are looking for the kind of taste adventure only an indie deli or café operator can provide. Look too for new formats; popcorn is still popular, especially with health-conscious consumers, and look to cheese, pickles and charcuterie for options that correspond with your artisanal retail offering.

A recent survey, commissioned by Cheez-It, shows British snackers are keen to switch-up what goes into their baskets – though not at the expense of forgetting their favourite products.

The research demonstrated that while consumers are on the hunt for shiny new products to try, they are surprisingly loyal to the brands and products they already love.

Although three out of 10 people asked said they were bored with their current snacking situation, 24% admitted they’d been buying the same snack for at least a decade. A third of these (32%) said it was for comfort, 22% for convenience, 18% through fear of being disappointed, and 11% admitted they were in a ‘snack rut’.

Cheese Snacks

There’s a lot of talk across food and drink about the power of protein. Consumers are obsessed with it right now, and looking to pack more protein into their diets in any way they can. Cheese is filled with protein, and some savvy brands have cottoned onto this, bringing out snacks that put fromage first. Not only are they protein rich, but the majority have very small ingredient lists, which also appeals to modern dietary concerns.

We like: Serious Pig Snacking Cheese with Truffle, Cheesies Gouda

Popcorn

As well as protein, consumers are seeking out filling snacks high in fibre, and popcorn certainly fits the bill. A large number of savoury popcorns are now available, satisfying snack cravings without causing steep sugar highs. Many are low in calories too. They’re a win-win.

We like: Marigold Heath Foods Popcorn Plus, Love Popcorn Fiery Salsa

Classic Crisps

Nostalgia is one trend we don’t think will go out of fashion anytime soon. Despite the plethora of weird and wonderful flavours out there, from wild game, to oyster, it’s the classics consumers crave – particularly in foodservice settings where they’re often seeking out familiarity. Make sure you’re stocked up with salted, cheese and onion, salt and vinegar and meaty varieties.

We like: Burts Mature Cheddar & Caramelised Onion Chutney, Fairfields Farm Sea Salt & Aspall Cyder Vinegar.

Snacking Pickles

Low in sugar, calories and fat, high in fibre, and fermented – pickles tick a lot of boxes. And they’re not just in jars anymore. There’s a new generation of snacking pickles (inspired by the USA) landing in the UK, from crinkle sliced, to individually packed, ready to eat on-the-go.

We like: Suckerpunched Red Chile Spicy Dill Pickles

Swicy

Sweet and spicy snacks aren’t going anywhere. Once dominated by Thai sweet chilli, new combinations such as hot honey are having their moment in the sun, and consumers just cannot get enough of them. From popcorn and crisps, to pork scratchings and rice crackers – you’ll discover the flavour profile across a wealth of products.

We like: Boundless Chipotle & Lime Chips, The Curators Protein Chips – Thai Sweet Chilli, Simply Roasted Hot Honey

International Flavours

Don’t be afraid to mix it up with a few wild cards. Today’s cafe customers are happy to experiment, and love to see something new and different on the counter, be that oriental rice crackers, Bombay mix, or popped lotus seeds.

We like: Curry Smugglers Bombay mix, Chin Chin Marvellous Mix

Sweet Treats

Coffee culture is strong in the UK, with just over 15% of the population indulging in a cup out of home every day according to Lumina Intelligence.

While those customers are waiting in line for a coffee to-go, or waiting patiently at their table, few can resist the opportunity to grab something sweet on the side. Flaky pastries in the morning, a slice of flapjack after the breakfast rush, or in the afternoon, maybe a billowing slice of cake or dense, fudgy brownie. 

Biscuits perhaps, to snuffle in the car on the way to the office. Or, on the way home, a little chocolate bar, snatched up in the moment as a pick-me-up after a hard day. Key to catching their attention is excellent merchandising. Keep your cake display counter and cake stands clean, clear and abundant. Place to-go snacks in prominent positions by the till. And don’t forget to remind staff to upsell. A piece of carrot cake to make that chai latte sing, or a rose and pistachio flapjack to set off the earthy notes of that matcha.

Confectionery

The price of chocolate has risen dramatically. It’s not cheap to stock chocolate these days, nor for customers to buy it. But they ARE investing in it – seeing artisan bars and bites as a relatively affordable way to treat themselves rather than, for example, buying a new outfit, going out for dinner, or buying theatre tickets.

They’re very interested in colourful, bright packaging, single origin chocolate, and gourmet bars and sweets made with all-natural ingredients. If the packaging is recyclable or compostable, all the better.

We like: Flower & White Raspberry & White Chocolate Mallow Bar, Gnaw Milk Chocolate Snack Bar – Popcorn + Peanut

Cakes

Ooh, you can’t beat a lovely slice of fresh cake. Make your customers swoon at the counter by honing in on the year’s hottest trends.

Pistachio – This trend is going nowhere fast. Fuelled by the Dubai Chocolate Bar craze, pistachio is finding its way into layer cakes, biscuits, traybakes and more. Pistachio tiramisu is one to watch too.

Unusual flavours – Want to turn heads at the till? Add va va voom to your cake offering by supercharging your flavours with ingredients that are familiar but unusual. Think soy or miso in chocolate, matcha baked into sponges and used to colour icings, and citrussy yuzu in place of lemon drizzle.

Hybrids – UK consumers are up for any kind of bakery mash up. We’re talking brookies (brownie cookies), cruffins (croissant muffins) and cookie pies. 

Retro – Everything retro is seriously in. Dig out those 80s cookbooks and start ruffling your buttercream finishes on sponges.

Limited edition – Just as pumpkin spice sends everyone wild in autumn, so you can bring excitement into your cafe by offering small runs of limited edition cakes and bakes (just remember to promote them on socials). We’re talking spooky Halloween cupcakes, Wimbledon-themed cakes in summer, gingerbread men and snow globe cookies towards Christmas.

We like: The Original Cake Cafe Collection Dubai Cake, The Exploding Bakery Raspberry & White Chocolate Frangipane Cake

Biscuit Snack Packs

Great to serve on the side of hot drinks, or to pop into a jar on the counter for on-the-go customers to buy on the fly. As we’ve already said, nostalgia is a real consideration this year. Oaty biscuits, ginger biscuits and shortbread will always be winners across the board. But don’t miss out on the current trends towards American-style cookies, pistachio, and fun formats (such as shaped biscuits).

We like: Ringtons White Chocolate & Pistachio Cookies, Walker’s Shortbread Fingers, Macleans Bakery Free-From Chocolate Brownie Cookies, Williams Handbaked Chocolate Chip Butter Biscuit

Traybakes

Easy to slice and serve, economical, and loved by customers – what more could you want? The triple threat any cafe should rotate are brownies, flapjacks and millionaire’s shortbread. Then bring into the mix something a little bit different or seasonal, using your selection to take the pulse of what’s popular at that time. In summer, how about strawberries and cream sponge slices, in autumn, pumpkin chai gingerbread, and in winter, cranberry and ginger flapjacks?

If you’re buying in, many fresh traybakes can be instantly frozen, defrosting quickly on the morning of service while retaining all the qualities that make them delicious.

We like: The Handmade Cake Company Lemon Bar, Cakesmiths Handmade Berry & Yoghurt Flapjack, Cakehead Espresso Brownie