Restaurant Food Trends Taking Over in 2017

Every year there are new culinary influences to surprise and delight us. In 2017, we can yet again expect a whole new host of food trends to be introduced to the Australian food scene.

Last year we saw a number of food trends particularly evident in restaurants. For example, information about where ingredients were harvested, grown or raised began to feature heavily in restaurant menus, as chefs began investing themselves in engaging with their ingredients right from the paddock. Barbecuing also took a firm place in the kitchens of even fine dining restaurants, as the obsession with smoke-grilled foods continued throughout the year. Fermented foods and 'naked' natural wines were also a very popular trend, with many restaurants breaking away slightly from the traditional shared plate offering, as demand for traditional entrée and mains menus returned.

So, what can we say is in store for 2017? Let's explore some of the key food trends we can expect to see take over Australian restaurants throughout the coming year.

1.   Faux foods

A rising uptake in veganism and vegetarianism sparked a new trend in 2016, and it's one we expect to feature heavily in restaurants in 2017, with vegetarian and vegan recipes often using 'faux foods'. Restaurants and food producers are getting creative with their meat-free alternatives, to ensure they are attractive to a mass audience.

The 'bleeding' vegan burger was one of the biggest faux food hits of 2016, and there has been a sharp emergence in the number of faux 'butcher's' popping up, stocking a range of vegetables designed to look like meat. It's a trend sure to catch on in lots of restaurants in 2017, so expect to see lots of vegan and vegetarian offerings with a difference.

2.  Strange spicy and sweet combinations

Strange but satisfying combinations of spicy and sweet foods are expected to be among the most popular restaurant dishes in 2017, so expect to encounter lots of experimentation. Think spicy chicken drizzled in maple syrup, chipotle sweet potato, chocolate brownie with cayenne pepper, curry maple yam soup and jalapeno honey over jerk watermelon. That's just the beginning, as there are sure to be many more combinations once Australia's best chefs begin to experiment.

People have been loving spicy and sweet foods for many, many years, but 2017 is expected to be the year that this trend hits a whole new level in restaurants. Your guilty pleasure of mixing sweet and spicy foods will no longer be frowned upon – it will officially be considered cool!

3.   Fuel-powered fast foods

Consumer expectation of on-the-go fast foods has changed significantly in recent years. These days, we don't just want a fish to be served quickly, we also want it to be delicious and healthy. Restaurants have followed this trend, with 'superfoods' featuring on restaurant menus the world over. In 2017, even your corner cafes and side-street restaurants will offer quick, takeaway superfood dishes to meet consumer's demand for fast, energy-fuelled foods. Think quick dishes packed with greens and superfoods like spinach, seaweed, quinoa, Goji berries, spirulina, lentils, almonds, avocados and kale. Even restaurants who have tried to resist the superfood trend are likely to give in to customer demand in 2017.

4.    French cuisine… everywhere!

It's taken a pretty long time for French cuisine to become a trend in Australia, but it's made great ground in recent years. We predict that 2017 is the year that Australian restaurants will fully embrace the intrigue and enthusiasm surrounding French cuisine. Finally, experiencing some authentic French cuisine – like a tasty cassoulet, coq au vin, salade Niçoise, duck confit, croque-monsieur, jambons, macarons, croissants and soupe à l'oignon – won't require a transatlantic flight! French cuisine and delectable fresh wines are expected to be a hot feature on restaurant menus in 2017. Enfin, we say!

5.    Bowl dishes

Particularly influenced by the rising interest in Ramen culture, we've already seen breakfast, acai and poke bowls make their way onto restaurant menus in 2016. This trend is set to firmly take over in 2017, as it appears the need for chefs to plate so precisely isn't so important anymore. Bowl dishes aren't just limited to seafood and noodle dishes – expect chefs to experiment with serving several different types of meat, fish and vegetable dishes in bowls in 2017.

The exciting food trends of 2017

Excited much? There are some wild and wonderful food trends awaiting us in 2017 and these are sure to enhance everyone's dining experiences, whatever your preferences. Which 2017 food trends are you most excited to sample?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.

Latest posts by Mireille Kilgour (see all)

• Fine Dining in Brisbane: 7 Restaurants to Try - June 18, 2018
• A Guide To Fine Dining In Melbourne - June 18, 2018
• The Ins and Outs of Eating at a Fine Dining Restaurant - June 18, 2018