Insight of the Day: Forget Small Plates: Finally, A Food Trend We Can All Get On Board With
- InsightTrendsWorld
- Feb 7
- 4 min read
Why This Topic is Trending
The economic pressures of 2025, combined with a cultural shift in dining preferences, are steering people toward set menus over the once-dominant small plates. This trend reflects a broader desire for financial predictability, simplicity, and nostalgic dining experiences in an era of rising living costs.
Overview
As the cost of living surges, diners are gravitating toward set menus—structured, pre-priced meal options that offer both value and simplicity. This marks a shift from the long-standing popularity of small plates, with restaurants adapting to consumer demand for budget-friendly, stress-free dining experiences.
Detailed Findings
Set menus are increasingly replacing small plates in UK restaurants, offering fixed-price meals for better budget control.
The trend is driven by economic factors, as people seek to manage costs during outings.
Set menus appeal aesthetically, invoking traditional dining formats (starter, main, dessert) over the millennial-favored small plates.
Diners appreciate the reduced decision fatigue—no endless choices, just curated, complementary dishes.
Restaurants like Artusi, Noble Rot, and Chishuru are leading the trend with affordable, high-quality set menu options.
Key Takeaway
Set menus are surging in popularity as they provide financial clarity, culinary curation, and comforting nostalgia—perfectly aligned with the needs of today’s cost-conscious yet experience-seeking diners.
Main Trend: “The Return of Structured Dining”
Set menus are making a comeback, driven by economic necessity, a desire for simplicity, and a cultural longing for traditional dining rituals.
Description of the Trend
“The Return of Structured Dining” reflects a move away from hyper-customizable small plates toward curated, multi-course meals that offer predictability in cost, reduce decision fatigue, and evoke a sense of classic dining.
Consumer Motivation
Financial Predictability: Knowing the total cost upfront.
Simplicity: Fewer decisions lead to a more relaxed dining experience.
Nostalgia: A return to traditional dining structures feels comforting in uncertain times.
Trust: Confidence in the chef’s curated selections.
What’s Driving the Trend?
Rising Cost of Living: Consumers are more budget-conscious than ever.
Decision Fatigue: Overwhelmed by endless choices, diners crave simplicity.
Cultural Shifts: Aesthetic trends favor vintage dining experiences and classic formats.
Value Perception: Set menus often feel like a better deal for quality food.
Motivation Beyond the Trend
A desire for meaningful dining experiences without the stress of overspending.
The appeal of letting experts decide what’s best, enhancing culinary discovery.
Seeking comfort through familiar, structured rituals in an unpredictable world.
Description of Consumers Referred to in the Article
Age: Broad appeal, from Millennials (28–43) to Gen X (44–59), and even Boomers, though Millennials drive much of the trend due to financial pressures.
Gender: No specific skew; equally relevant across genders.
Income: Middle-income consumers feeling the pinch of rising costs, seeking value without sacrificing quality.
Lifestyle: Urban dwellers, food enthusiasts, and casual diners who value both experiences and affordability.
Conclusions
The set menu trend represents a cultural and economic pivot in dining. While small plates catered to the variety-seeking, Instagram-driven culture of the 2010s, today’s diners prioritize value, simplicity, and authentic culinary experiences.
Implications for Brands
Restaurants: Offer affordable, well-curated set menus to attract cost-conscious diners.
Food Delivery Services: Introduce set menu packages for home dining experiences.
Food Brands: Partner with restaurants to promote fixed-menu deals featuring branded ingredients.
Implications for Society
A shift toward mindful consumption and budget-conscious socializing.
Dining becomes more about quality time than showcasing extravagant food trends.
Implications for Consumers
Greater financial control when dining out.
Opportunities to discover new foods through curated menus.
Less stress around decision-making, enhancing the dining experience.
Implication for the Future
The future of dining will likely blend curated experiences with affordable indulgence, as consumers continue to seek meaningful moments without financial strain.
Consumer Trend:
Name: “Curated Comfort”
Description: A trend toward structured dining experiences that provide comfort through predictability, simplicity, and expertly curated dishes.
Consumer Sub-Trend:
Name: “Decision-Free Dining”
Description: The appeal of having meal decisions made by chefs, reducing choice overload and enhancing the enjoyment of dining out.
Big Social Trend:
Name: “Value-Driven Experiences”
Description: A broader societal shift where people seek meaningful, high-quality experiences that deliver value for money.
Worldwide Social Trend:
Name: “The Global Return to Classic Dining”
Description: Across the globe, traditional dining formats like set menus are resurging as people crave simplicity, authenticity, and nostalgic comfort.
Social Drive:
Name: “Nostalgic Simplicity”
Description: A cultural longing for the simplicity of the past, driven by modern complexities and economic uncertainty.
Learnings for Brands to Use in 2025
Curate Thoughtfully: Design set menus that showcase a balanced, thoughtful selection of dishes.
Price Transparently: Emphasize clear, value-driven pricing.
Lean into Nostalgia: Use classic aesthetics in menu design and marketing to tap into the desire for traditional dining experiences.
Strategy Recommendations for Brands in 2025
Offer Affordable Set Menus: Position them as both a budget-friendly and high-quality option.
Create Curated Dining Experiences: Highlight the chef’s expertise in menu creation.
Use Storytelling: Market set menus as part of a larger narrative of authentic, nostalgic dining.
Final Sentence (Key Concept)
“In 2025, dining out isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it’s about the comfort of knowing what to expect.”
What Brands & Companies Should Do in 2025 to Benefit from the Trend and How to Do It
Focus on Curation: Develop well-thought-out set menus that highlight local, seasonal ingredients.
Market Value: Communicate the cost-effectiveness of set menus compared to à la carte options.
Enhance Experience: Create a story around the set menu to make it feel like more than just a meal—an experience.
Final Note:
Core Trend:
“Curated Comfort” – The rise of set menus offering predictability, simplicity, and nostalgia-driven dining experiences.
Core Strategy:
“Value-Driven Curation” – Strategically crafting set menus to balance cost-efficiency with culinary excellence.
Core Industry Trend:
“Affordable Fine Dining” – Making high-quality, chef-curated meals accessible through fixed-price offerings.
Core Consumer Motivation:
“Financial Security Meets Culinary Exploration” – The desire for both budget control and new food experiences.
Final Conclusion
As diners navigate economic challenges, the return to structured, curated dining reflects a deeper need for comfort, simplicity, and value. Brands that embrace this shift—offering thoughtfully crafted, affordable experiences—will thrive in the evolving food landscape of 2025.
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