Diners are becoming more intentional with their choices, seeking out unique and memorable experiences that offer exceptional value. Research shows that people are becoming more selective about where they choose to spend their budget.
At the same time, the rise of Instagram foodies, review platforms like Yelp, and popular dining guides like Eater have made the fine dining world more accessible to more people. The result? The lines between fine dining and a more casual aesthetic are blurring, giving consumers more choices.
But to really shine, establishments should consider what creates the wow factor in this selective market — something that people feel is worth their hard-earned money and worth talking about to friends, family, and even strangers online. Discover how your restaurant can embrace these modern fine dining trends and add some wow factor during the holidays.
Test Kitchen
According to reports, pop up-style concepts with limited, temporary menus are seeing excellent growth among all restaurant types. In other words, you don’t need to change your entire menu to offer diners a fresh experience. Instead, consider hosting a holiday-themed event that showcases a tasting menu, featuring premium, top-tier items and innovative flavors.
First, choose a theme or concept (e.g., An Italian Christmas), identify the optimal layout, how long it will run, and how you’ll experiment with your menu. Incorporate unique cocktails or beer, wine, and liquor pairings that enhance the flavors of each dish.
Rather than focusing on casual staples, highlight authentic ingredients that bring an air of elegance to your dishes — like Piancone Epicureo® Super Premium Bronze & Teflon Die Cut Pastas, imported from Italy’s best pasta makers; or fork-tender, marbled cuts from Braveheart® Black Angus Beef, the highest quality steaks on the market from America’s heartland. This approach not only elevates the dining experience but also invites guests to explore rich flavors in a festive and inviting setting.
Find a Partner
The idea of farm-to-table isn’t new — but it’s still popular. That’s because people increasingly care whether the food they consume is grown or sourced in their market. Take the opportunity to call out farm-grown ingredients such as Peak® Fresh Produce, fruits and veggies from leading growers, picked at peak time for maximum taste and color.
The holidays are also a great opportunity to collaborate with another local chef, bakery, winery, brewery, butcher — you name it — to give guests a local-friendly experience. According to research, nearly half of millennials and 40% of Gen Zs are more likely to prefer a restaurant that serves locally sourced wine and beer over one that doesn’t. Raise a glass to a locally inspired drinks menu!
In addition to local, selecting foods from sustainable areas across the globe is just as important. Bay Winds® provides premium seafood, like rich, buttery Chilean Sea Bass, wild caught in the cleanest waters of the Antarctic, delivering the flavors of fine dining to every dish.
Don’t Sleep on Brunch
Studies show that spending peaks during the hours of Saturday brunch. And the message is clear: Brunch is one dining trend that’s entrenched. So why not consider combining brunch with the holidays?
For example, instead of a full Thanksgiving dinner, experiment by mixing it up to offer a lighter Thanksgiving brunch. You can feature traditional Thanksgiving flavors but with a twist, bringing fine dining flair through flavors and presentation to the table that are accessible to all, like cranberry mimosas, sweet potato pancakes, waffles made from stuffing, and more.
Cultivate Exclusivity
Luxury retail brands have relied on the idea of exclusivity to sell their products for years. Restaurants can apply a similar principle. Not only are you able to tout ingredients that are unique to your place, you can heighten the meal with rules like no phones at the dining table or hire local well-known musicians to play acoustic sets during service. This can elevate the immediate dining experience, making it feel more exclusive and intimate. This season, encourage diners to forget about distractions and focus on their friends, family, and the dining experience.
The key to fine dining is to offer something that feels special, memorable, and worth sharing. With the right approach, your restaurant can stand out and thrive during the bustling holiday season and beyond.
