The “Erewhon-ification” of Dining and Other Trends

What’s bringing diners in the door and what’s influencing the next wave of restaurant culture? Infatuation, a compiler of restaurant reviews and recommendations, said it is detecting the following trends along those lines:

* The “Erewhon-ification” of America – The fancy grocery store is turning into a destination: smoothies, prepared foods, merch and a vibe-forward experience that feels closer to dining than errands.

* The Burgers are Drowning – Burgers are going full spectacle: cut, flipped and submerged in sauce or molten cheese for maximum drama and camera appeal.

* The Rise of the Sexy Chicken Spot – Rotisserie chicken is being upgraded into a full night-out proposition: shareable birds, glossy sides and wine-forward rooms with date-night lighting.

* Pu Pu Platters are Back – Call it nostalgia or a party tray renaissance: pu pu platters are returning as a low-stakes, high-fun way of dining that turns the meal into a shared event.

* Restaurants are the New Nightlife – The restaurant is the place to see and be seen. Restaurants are doubling as the night’s destination, designed for a full experience: a charged room, a social crowd and food that keeps the party at the table for hours.

“Dining is getting more creative and more social at the same time,” said Arden Shore, Editor-in-Chief of The Infatuation. “The best new places aren’t just serving great food, they’re building formats and rooms people want to be part of, and that’s where the next wave is coming from.”

In addition to the trends outlined above, the Infatuation team identified what it calls the “Best New Restaurants of 2026,” including: Border Town (New York), All Well (Chicago), Present Tense (Nashville), Rye Bunny (Washington, D.C.) and Emelina (West Palm Beach). Click here to see the complete list of the chosen dining establishments.