- Tavola returns to Belgium this March. Here’s what to expect from the ultimate premium food trade fair
For professionals in the premium food and drinks sector, staying ahead means more than following trends – it means discovering products and ideas that set new standards in quality, taste and distinction.
From 15th to 17th March, Kortrijk Xpo in Belgium will once again host Tavola, the trade fair that has become the benchmark for excellence in fine food.
Now in its fourth decade, Tavola continues to offer a curated experience for speciality food buyers, retailers, wholesalers, caterers and restaurateurs who value exceptional products. Spanning five halls, the 2026 edition brings together more than 450 exhibitors from 15 countries, including France, Italy, Lebanon, and Japan, many represented for the first time through national group stands.
From time-honoured classics to innovative newcomers, every exhibitor at Tavola is selected for a clear quality profile, ensuring that every encounter is a source of inspiration and commercial opportunity. Around 40% of participants are new, promising fresh discoveries with every visit.
A selection with vision
Tavola’s enduring reputation lies in its uncompromising curation. The trade fair combines established brands, artisanal producers and emerging innovators, offering a marketplace where quality meets creativity.
Visitors can explore a comprehensive exhibitor overview online, enabling a targeted and productive visit tailored to their business needs.
Whether retailers or foodservice operators are sourcing refined pantry staples, distinctive private labels or innovative gourmet concepts, Tavola ensures that every product has the potential to enrich their premium offering.
Innovation in the spotlight: Golden Tavola
Innovation drives the future of fine food, and Tavola celebrates that through the Golden Tavola Competition. Products demonstrating exceptional taste, craft, convenience, sustainability or health credentials are recognised in categories such as Taste & Craftsmanship, Premium & Pleasure, Convenience, Sustainability, and Health & Balance.
Award winners are prominently showcased on the fair’s central Rambla and in Hall 5, where visitors can enjoy exclusive tastings and demonstrations. These awards not only highlight creativity; they also indicate products with strong market potential – vital insight for buyers seeking the next standout item.
Inspiration Talks and Tasting Hub
Tavola is more than a trade fair; it’s a hub for knowledge and dialogue. The Inspiration Talks feature leading experts sharing insights into market trends, retail strategies and the evolving foodservice landscape.
The Tasting Hub invites visitors to experience products first hand, through guided sessions in wine, spirits, coffee, tea, olive oil and more – a rare opportunity to combine sensory evaluation with market intelligence.
Foodservice Alliance Spring Conference
On Tuesday 17th March, Tavola hosts the Foodservice Alliance Spring Conference, themed ‘The New Gen Hospitality’. This session provides unique insights into emerging concepts, consumer expectations and operational strategies shaping the hospitality sector, offering invaluable intelligence for forward-thinking professionals.
For UK-based specialty food professionals seeking inspiration, innovation and exceptional products, Tavola 2026 promises three days where quality, taste and vision converge. Explore new flavours, meet international pioneers – and discover the products that will define the future of fine food.
Register for free here with the code ‘TA1134’. Access is reserved for food industry professionals only.
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