NRA: Value, comfort will define 2026 menu trends

Nostalgia, comfort and value are major driving forces behind consumer menu trends heading into 2026, according to the National Restaurant Association's 2026 What's Hot Culinary Forecast. The report, which draws on surveys of culinary experts and industry leaders, highlights several different categories of dishes that combine value, nostalgia and comfort, including smash burgers and elevated instant noodles.