Your Ultimate Guide to Some of The Gulfood Dubai Trends Happening Right Now in Our City
Angel hair chocolate, mushroom-infused honey, and AI that knows what you’re craving before you do — Gulfood 2026 didn’t just show up, it took over. If you missed Gulfood 2026 (January 26-30), you missed THE food event of the year. But don’t worry, we’re bringing all the delicious trends straight to you. This year’s edition was literally MASSIVE in every term. For the first time ever, Gulfood took over two venues (Dubai World Trade Centre AND Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City). This makes it the largest food and beverage trade show worldwide. But here’s what really matters to you: the Gulfood Dubai trends that are already hitting Dubai’s restaurants.
So, whether you’re a foodie or just someone who loves discovering the next big thing before your friends do, here’s what’s about to take over Dubai’s food scene in 2026.
1. The Angel Hair In Chocolate
Remember when Dubai chocolate was EVERYWHERE? Well, the pistachio-kunafa craze is finally simmering down. But not before spawning something even more epic: the Angel Hair chocolate bar. It is a white chocolate filled with fluffy Turkish cotton candy, pistachio cream, and hints of vanilla, pomegranate, and raspberry. It’s already gone viral with a 3,900% growth online. Moreover, this is the trend that’ll dominate your Instagram feed in 2026.
If you want to try this Gulfood Dubai trend, then you can order it from the recently launched Angle Hair Chocolate bar at Bubblegum Dubai.
2. Yerba Mate is the New Matcha
There’s a new caffeinated superstar in town. Argentinian yerba mate is being hailed as the cleanest source of caffeine, giving you “steady focus” without the jitters or coffee crash. At Gulfood Dubai 2026, startups like Mete (a sparkling yerba mate beverage) were getting major attention. The drink delivers energy without the anxiety, and in a city that runs on caffeine and ambition, this can be your new go-to.
You can expect yerba mate lattes, sparkling versions, and even yerba mate-infused desserts at your favorite cafes.
3. Mushrooms Are Having a Major Moment
If you thought mushrooms were just for pizza toppings, think again. Medicinal and functional mushrooms are exploding in the food scene, especially in plant-based products. At Gulfood Dubai 2026, mushrooms were the star of the show. From vegan burgers to functional beverages (Irish brand Blynk is mixing mushrooms into drinks!). They’re being positioned as “food as medicine,” packed with health benefits and umami flavor. Keep an eye on health-conscious spots and vegan restaurants — they’ll be all over this trend.
4. AI Knows What You Want to Eat Before YOU Do
This one sounds like sci-fi, but it’s happening NOW. AI-powered food apps are using your taste preferences to predict what you’ll crave before you even know it yourself. Gusto.AI, showcased at Gulfood, learns your food preferences through a fun game. It is called “Food Battle” and then tells you exactly what to order or cook. The goal? Zero food waste and maximum satisfaction.
WOOHOO restaurant in Downtown has Aiman, the world’s first AI chef, creating dishes with algorithmic precision. This is just the beginning — expect more AI-driven dining experiences across the city.
5. Sugar-Free Caramel Popcorn
Remember when “sugar-free” meant “taste-free”? Not anymore. Nekked Pop, a Singapore-based brand, showcased caramel popcorn with absolutely zero sugar, zero artificial flavors, and zero colors. However, somehow it still delivers that sweet, buttery caramel taste we all crave. Zerup isn’t stopping at popcorn either; they’ve got an entire range of zero-calorie drinks as well. This is the guilt-free snack that lets you Netflix-and-chill without the sugar crash. Perfect for late-night Burj views or your next beach day.
6. Protein Water: The Post-Workout Drink
Forget about those protein shakes, as we have one of the mind-blowing Gulfood Dubai trends. Protein water is Dubai’s new hydration obsession, and Liife is leading the charge with its lightly sparkling, fruit-infused bottles. Each bottle packs 10 grams of clear whey protein in flavors like lemon ginger, blood orange ginseng, and raspberry peach. It’s refreshing, it’s light, and it doesn’t leave you feeling bloated after your workout. These are already hitting premium gyms and health-focused cafes.
7. Gold-Flake Water
Only in Dubai would we take something as simple as water and make it Luxurious. Enter 24-karat gold-flake water; mineral water literally sprinkled with edible gold flakes that shimmer and float when displayed on a rotating stand. Produced in one of Europe’s oldest gold-mining plants, each bottle is as much a statement piece as it is a drink. At around AED 360 per bottle in the US market, this isn’t your everyday hydration; it’s an experience. This is the next big thing, which you can see in Dubai at VIP tables and yacht brunches on the Palm.
Conclusion
So, let us know which Gulfood Dubai trends you are excited to try for the first time?
Images: Gulfood Official Website
Also Read: Gulfood 2026 Dubai: The World’s Biggest F&B Gathering Returns at 2 Mega Venues
