Every day, 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed. People rely on a quick jolt of caffeine to start their day, and for others, it turns into an almost ritual that their day revolves around. People go on dates while reading their local coffee shop menu, friends gather and people have talks that they’ll remember for a lifetime.
But as each year passes by, there’s more than one new coffee industry trend that cafe owners need to keep up with.
We’re going to explore the coffee trends of 2026, starting with one that you might want to integrate as soon as possible.
Coffee Shop Menus are Adding Plant-based Alternatives
Younger demographics are quickly becoming coffee drinkers. While many of your former patrons may have preferred milk, Gen Z coffee trends point to the necessity of adding plant-based alternatives.
Don’t replace your traditional dairy items, but add alternatives that include the following milks:
- Almond
- Coconut
- Oat
- Soy
Use these additions as a marketing strategy for your coffee shop. Alert everyone to your plant-based milk options and simply give them the choice. Offering both dairy and non-dairy products helps you maximize your reach by catering to as many customers as possible.
Menus are Leveling Up to Gourmet, Artisanal Offerings
Basic coffee will remain the heart of your menu, but it’s time to level up what you offer. If you want to increase your revenue and cater to a wider audience, you can with the addition of a few menu items:
- Artisanal chocolates
- In-house pastries
- Breakfast sandwiches
Savory food items pair perfectly with coffee. If you haven’t already, be sure to introduce drinks, such as espresso and macchiato.
Coffee Lovers are Chasing Experiences
Culture and coffee go together. People love the flavor of their favorite brew, but there’s more that you can offer:
- Open spaces that allow guests to mingle among themselves and make new friends.
- Soft music options that promote relaxation and a sense of being.
- Theme nights, such as live music or games for everyone to play.
You can, and should, lean heavily on social media. For example, your Instagram page should include photos and reels from your major events. Ask customers to send and share your photos, too.
User generated content is a very strong form of marketing because it encourages people’s friends to come to your shop, too.
Create an atmosphere for your cafe that invites people in and leaves them waiting to come back the moment that they walk out of the doors.
Unique Flavors are Emerging
Premium lattes are just the start of the coffee drinks that you need to add to your menu. Coffee shops should add in:
- Loaded teas : Think energy drinks in a tea. Caffeine, ginseng and guarana are a few of the tea additions that amp up this beverage.
- Dubai chocolates : Copy the artisans of Dubai with chocolate infusions.
- Houjicha : Nutty and filled with caramel flavors, this drink is made by roasting green tea leaves and can be served hot or cold.
Coffee shop trends evolve throughout the year and are something you want to keep an eye on. Add new drinks as they become popular and keep them if there’s local demand.
Protein Drinks are Coming to a Cafe Near You
Protein is one of the growing markets that is now reaching cafes. You can add protein mix into coffee, but you have to monitor the taste to make sure it’s up to your standards. Consider adding protein-infused milk or cold foam filled with protein.
With the demand for plant-based options increasing, consider plant–based proteins, too.
5 Coffee Trends in 2026 to Watch
Coffee shops have always been the heart of cities. They’re more than just a place to grab a morning coffee. They’re a place for socializing and community. Naturally, then, trends in the cafe industry follow consumer trends and behaviors.
Here are five of the trends we’re watching in 2026.
1. Sustainability and Zero-Waste Practices
As more consumers become increasingly more concerned about the environmental effects of their food choices, more cafes will focus on sustainability and zero-waste practices.
Expect to see more cafes:
- Offering compostable straws and cups
- Implementing food waste programs to turn scraps into animal feed or compost
- Building partnerships with local farms to source fresh ingredients for their menus
Cafes will also continue to allow patrons to bring in their own cups and offer special discounts in return.
2. Specialty Coffee and Unique Origins
One of the biggest cafe industry trends we’re seeing is a shift toward specialty coffee and storytelling with coffee. Cafes are offering rare coffee varieties and highlighting their single-origin beans.
They’re sharing the stories behind the farms, their processing methods and their flavor profiles.
3. Coffee Mixology
Cafe-goers want something new – something more. More coffee shops are experimenting with bold and unique flavors to meet this demand.
Flavor infusions. Fermented bases. Plant milk blends. These are paving the way for new and exciting creations.
We’re seeing more cafes create signature drinks, much like cocktail culture.
4. Cozy Relaxation Spaces
Traditional third spaces are disappearing, and coffee shops are taking their place. Millennials and Gen Zers are especially seeking out spaces to escape daily stresses and enjoy affordable indulgences.
To create a space of respite, cafes are creating cozy, relaxing spaces with:
- Comfortable couches
- Cushioned bar stools
- Soft lighting
- Inviting fragrances
- Separate communal spaces for socializing
These spaces offer opportunities to relax and enjoy a coffee in peace or to socialize with friends in a more relaxed setting.
5. Tech-Enhanced Personalization and Ordering
Technology is constantly improving the customer experience by making visits faster, smoother and even more personal. More cafes are building their own apps and making it easier to customize orders.
Customers now expect to be able to save their preferred drinks, choose their preferred sweeteners and milks or even choose their brewing methods.
The Takeaway
The cafe industry is constantly evolving and adapting to consumer trends. These are some of the biggest trends we’re seeing in 2026, but they’re not the only ones. AI will continue to impact the industry by creating drink recommendations, and we’ll continue to see more customers wanting pick-up and delivery options as we move through this year and beyond.