- Eight food trends set to define the capital’s dining in 2026, according to London’s oldest food market, from ‘swicy’ flavours to the return of breakfast
From globally influenced tea rituals to nostalgic bakes reimagined with Japanese flavours, the historic Borough Market has identified eight key food and dining trends it expects to shape London’s eating habits in 2026.
As London’s oldest food market, with a history stretching back more than 1,000 years, Borough Market has long acted as a proving ground for the ingredients, cuisines and ideas that go on to shape the capital’s wider food culture. Drawing on insight from its traders and restaurants, and the habits of London’s most curious cooks and diners, its outlook for 2026 points to a year defined by regional authenticity, bold flavour contrasts and a renewed appreciation for craft and ritual.
1 Taking time for tea as a ritual, not a routine
Borough Market notes a continually growing shift away from the staple English Breakfast teabag towards teas with provenance, ceremony and global influence. While the verdant green matcha has been on the up for a few years, this continues with an increase in popularity with hojicha, the roasted green tea powder with a nutty, caramelised flavour, hot on its heels and Malaysian-style teh tarik also gaining momentum. Traders such as Whisk by JENKI and Mei Mei reflect a wider London appetite for tea as a mindful, flavour-led experience rather than a functional caffeine fix.
2 South American flavours step into the spotlight
As Londoners continue to broaden their culinary horizons, Borough Market is seeing increased interest in South American cuisines. Venezuelan, Argentine and wider Latin American food is moving into sharper focus, with comforting, ingredient-led dishes rooted in street food traditions leading the way. Stalls such as La Pepiá offer their take on arepas, a corn-based savoury doughnut, made by hand using responsibly sourced British ingredients, while Porteña makes traditional Argentine street food. Come for the hearty empanadas with various fillings and stay for the alfajores – homemade biscuits filled with gooey, caramel-like dulce de leche.
3 Ancestral ingredients return to the kitchen
In response to growing concern around ultra-processed foods, Borough Market has identified a renewed enthusiasm for traditional, minimally processed ingredients. Interest in natural animal fats, raw and cultured dairy, and cooking from scratch is on the rise, as seen at traders like Ginger Pig and Hook & Son. The trend reflects a broader movement towards simplicity, transparency and flavour-first eating.
4 ‘Swicy’ flavours take hold
Sweet-meets-spicy flavours are set to dominate menus in 2026, delivering the layered, balanced taste experiences London diners increasingly crave. Borough Market points to growing demand for foods that perfectly balance heat and sweet, offering complexity rather than intensity alone. From small batch Scotch Bonnet Chilli Jam at Pimento Hill to dishes such as Rambutan’s mutton rolls with tamarind ketchup, the ‘swicy’ trend reflects a wider London obsession with layered flavour.
5 Snacks upgraded
Crispy crickets with BBQ seasoning anyone? Snacking is evolving from filler to feature. Borough Market highlights a move towards snacks that deliver on taste, nutrition and sustainability, from protein-rich plant-based options to globally inspired savoury bites. Products such as Raya Grocery’s edible insects or Perelló’s Spicy Broad Beans, available at Brindisa, reflect a growing appetite for snacks that deliver on taste, eco-friendly credentials and functional health benefits.
6 Regional cuisine over catch-all menus
How can you represent an entire country’s food in one menu? According to Borough Market, diners are increasingly rejecting generic representations of national cuisines in favour of clearly defined regional cooking. Restaurants such as Kolae, inspired by Thailand’s Southern Provinces, and Camille, with its take on the French bistro featuring regionally specific dishes on the daily-changing blackboard menu, exemplify a London-wide demand for specificity, authenticityand a strong sense of place on the plate while using seasonal British ingredients.
7 Breakfast makes a comeback
The most important meal of the day has returned and would like you to give it the attention it deserves. With brunch fatigue setting in, Londoners are rediscovering the appeal of a proper morning meal, whether that’s a classic fry-up, a plant-based spread or a high-quality pastry or brionut (brioche-doughnut) on the go. From Borough Market institution Maria’s Market Café to Mallow and the family-run Comptoir Bakery, breakfast is once again being treated as an occasion.
8 Nostalgic baking, reimagined with Japanese flavours
Japan’s elevation of classic patisserie has captured a worldwide audience and now Londoners want a slice of the pie (or cake) at home. Miso, matcha and black sesame have become common ingredients in British kitchens, lending depth and umami to familiar favourites such as madeleines, scones and celebration cakes. This fusion of comfort and innovation reflects a broader desire for baking that feels both familiar and quietly adventurous.
Borough Market, in its current form, was born out of the Food Lovers’ Fair held in the late 1990s, when passionate producers and discerning customers came together to reimagine the historic market space as a destination for high-quality, ethically sourced food. Since then, it has grown into a thriving six-day-a-week market, home to over 100 independent traders. Over the years, it has served as an influential platform for both established producers and emerging food entrepreneurs, many of whom have gone on to achieve national recognition – Neal’s Yard Dairy and Brindisa among them. This legacy of nurturing talent and championing food innovation has cemented Borough Market’s reputation as one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse food destinations.
Borough Market is run by a charitable trust and is rooted in purpose, as is evident in its food policy and principles. At a time when resilient, community-led food systems are more vital than ever, the Market continues to serve as a leading voice in public food culture, sustainability and ethical enterprise.
For more information about Borough Market and its traders, visit boroughmarket.org.uk.