Australians Turn To Bold Flavours Amid Budget Crunch

Australians may be spending less, but they’re hungrier than ever for new flavours, according to CupoNation’s inaugural 2025 “Forks & Searches” Food Trends Report.

Drawing on more than 9,400 Google search terms and 23,706 TripAdvisor restaurant listings across six major cities, the report provides a data-driven look at how Australians are eating, discovering, and redefining food in a time of rising living costs.

Despite tighter budgets, Australians are embracing dining discovery — with search interest for Ethiopian cuisine skyrocketing by 2,767% and weekday dining patterns evolving nationwide. The report reveals not only what Australians crave but where the next flavour wave may hit.

Ethiopia Leads A Flavour Revolution

While Japanese cuisine continues to dominate search interest with 220,000 monthly searches — more than Italian, French, Indian, Korean and Vietnamese combined — the most dramatic growth is coming from emerging cuisines. Ethiopian food has surged to become the fastest-growing interest, reflecting a growing appetite for spice-rich, communal dining.

Italian, once Australia’s culinary comfort zone, now sits ninth, overtaken by cuisines such as German and English.

Search Vs. Supply Gap

Despite being Australia’s most searched cuisine, Japanese ranks only eighth in restaurant availability across major cities. The gap between demand and supply suggests an opportunity for restaurateurs — and a nation still hungry for sushi and sashimi.

Cafés Rise Above Bars And Pizza

On the supply side, cafés now outnumber pizza joints and bars, accounting for 6% of all national listings. The finding cements Australia’s reputation as a coffee capital — where the flat white rivals pasta and wine as a culinary symbol.

Chicken Crowned Australia’s Favourite Dish

An analysis of the top six cities’ menus revealed chicken as the nation’s undisputed staple, appearing on one in every 10 menus. Close behind was the humble salad, which now features more frequently than beef, pork, fish or dessert.

Adelaide’s Surprise Culinary Curiosity

When it comes to global flavour exploration, Melbourne leads with 26.3 cuisine searches per 1,000 residents each month, but Adelaide takes a surprising second, edging out Sydney. Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra follow, proving Australians nationwide are eager to experiment with world cuisine.

South Australia Breaks The Mould

Across nearly every state, Japanese cuisine reigns supreme — except South Australia, where North Indian tops the charts. The state also recorded an 878% spike in Mediterranean searches, diverging from the broader national trend toward Asian flavours.

“Australians may be feeling the pinch, but they’re not losing their appetite for discovery,” said Creed Van Ryt, Head of Account Management at CupoNation.

“From the meteoric rise of Ethiopian cuisine to Adelaide’s unexpected edge in culinary curiosity, the data shows that we’re a nation eager to explore flavours that surprise and connect us. Even in challenging times, food remains one of the most joyful ways we express culture, community, and creativity.

‍