21 May 2025
So you’re opening a venue in 2025?
The hospitality scene has never been more exciting — or more crowded. With a new wave of diners who care just as much about how a place feels as what’s on the plate, getting it right from day one isn’t just about great food. It’s about designing an experience people want to come back for (and tell their friends about).
We’ve pulled together the real restaurant trends that matter in 2025. No fluff. Just what your customers are actually looking for, and how you can deliver it.
1. Conscious dining: sustainability isn’t optional anymore
In 2025, sustainability isn’t a “nice to have”, it’s a baseline expectation. Diners are savvier than ever, and they’re making choices based on environmental impact.
What they want:
Menus with seasonal, local produce (and transparency around sourcing)
Venues that minimise waste (bonus points for composting or low-waste kitchen initiatives)
Brands that align with their values, from fit-out materials to takeaway packaging
How to bring it in: If you’re working with local suppliers or farmers, shout it from the rooftops, or at least from your menu. Feature supplier stories on your website, design your packaging with sustainability in mind, and make sure your branding and messaging reflect your ethos.
2. Strong storytelling: people want to buy into your why
It's your story that sets you apart from any other venue. Whether you’re a family-run taco spot or a cocktail bar inspired by your nonna’s garden, customers want a reason to care.
What they want:
Brands with a backstory, not just a vibe
Menus and fit-outs that reflect the concept, not copy the trend next door
A sense of connection: what are they part of by choosing you?
How to bring it in: Storytelling isn’t just about a paragraph on your about page. It’s in your brand voice, your signage, your socials, your plateware. When done right, everything feels cohesive, and somewhere your customers will want to be.
3. Design-led experiences: aesthetics with depth
People are still going to take a pic before they take a bite, but the difference in 2025? The visual experience needs to feel authentic and intentional, not just Instagrammable.
What they want:
Thoughtful interiors that reflect the brand story (not Pinterest trends)
Distinctive visual identity (menu, signage, website, everything)
Seamless UX — from booking to dining to paying
How to bring it in: Design should be part of your strategy, not an afterthought. Your visual identity should match the tone of your space, be it nostalgic and warm or sleek and future-forward. And your website? It should work as hard as your front-of-house team.
4. Local love: community-first thinking wins hearts
Especially post-Covid, there’s a big shift back to neighbourhood connection. Customers want to feel like they’re part of something, and not just another order number.
What they want:
Venues that feel plugged into the local scene
Owners and staff that know their regulars
Events, collabs or offerings that highlight local creatives or producers
How to bring it in: Think like a community builder, not just a business owner. Feature local artists in your interiors. Run a chef collab with another nearby venue. Build your brand with that same local-first lens, so your regulars can take pride in supporting you.
5. Values-first marketing: real is better than perfect
Millennials and Gen Z (your largest customer base) are fluent in brand language. They can spot a copy-paste identity or inauthentic tone in seconds. They want to support brands that feel human.
What they want:
A clear sense of what you stand for
Real faces and real stories, not overly polished marketing
Brands that show up with consistency (in voice, visuals, and experience)
How to bring it in: Don’t try to sound like “a brand” , sound like you. Your Instagram captions, your menu tone, your packaging, it should all feel cohesive and intentional. A good brand identity helps this happen naturally.
Final bites
Opening a venue in 2025 means more than finding a great space and hiring a head chef. It’s about designing something that feels right from the first glance and delivers on that promise every step of the way.
So here’s the big question: are you building a venue, or are you building a brand?
Because in 2025, your customers know the difference.
