Every year brings something new to Kuwait’s food scene, and 2025 is no exception. Fresh dining trends and exciting concepts are set to reflect the city’s ever-evolving tastes and diverse culinary interests. Renowned as a foodies’ haven, Kuwait offers something for everyone - from high-end establishments serving gourmet reinterpretations of Arab and Kuwaiti classics to casual spots pushing boundaries with innovative fusion concepts, and hidden gems delivering quick, flavorful and affordable meals.
While Kuwait’s dining culture is often defined by fleeting trends, making it difficult to predict what each year will bring, Kuwait Times has analyzed recent shifts, social media buzz and spoken to an expert to offer some predictions for what 2025 holds. Let’s dig in.
Accessible fine dining
In 2024, several high-end dining concepts opened their doors in Kuwait, sparking anticipation for the growth of the country’s fine dining scene. Establishments at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center, along Arabian Gulf Road, and across various malls drew considerable attention throughout the year.
However, according to Khaled Hussein, an executive in the food and beverage industry, business has stagnated since November 2024, with some restaurants seeing sales drop by as much as 60 percent. He attributes this decline to an increasingly competitive market and conservative consumer spending habits, driven by rising living costs.
To address the slow sales, Hussein predicts a shift in strategy for many establishments in 2025. "A trend toward accessible fine dining is set to disrupt the market,” he said. While the price reductions won’t be drastic, he added, they will allow diners to enjoy elevated experiences at a more affordable cost. The year also saw the closure of several high-end restaurant and café branches in Kuwait. Hussein expects this trend to continue into 2025, as businesses downsize to reduce costs.
Hyper-local ingredients
The global push for sustainability is having a significant impact on Kuwait’s food scene, with small business increasingly focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Throughout the year, a few local establishments have emphasized their efforts to get produce from Kuwaiti farms on social media, whether through large advertising campaigns or understated Instagram stories. In 2025, diners can expect to see more restaurants prioritizing fresh, local produce and highlighting the stories behind their ingredients. This trend goes beyond just sourcing - it’s about building a connection between diners and the food they eat.
Wings take flight
In Kuwait, Western comfort food has long been a favorite, but wing lovers have recently struggled to find a place to satisfy their cravings. With the highly anticipated 2025 opening of a world-renowned American buffalo chicken wings chain, we expect this dish to make a big splash. Although several wing-exclusive concepts have come and gone over the years, the strong social media buzz surrounding this international chain’s arrival is a sign that the trend is here to stay. Given Kuwait’s tendency to embrace new trends, it’s likely that many local restaurants will soon put their own unique spin on this comfort food classic.
Rising tea culture
Kuwait has long been a coffee lover’s paradise, but tea is gradually gaining popularity. We’re not just talking about the classic black and green teas, which are already staples at many local establishments. Over the past year, a new tea-focused concept has emerged, offering everything from high-end selections of hundreds of tea varieties from around the world to tea-infused food. A young tea sommelier, who offers workshops on creating your own tea blends, has also garnered attention for bringing something unique to the scene.
A few coffee-centric cafés have also added tea-infused cakes to their menus, adding a fresh twist to traditional offerings. Matcha, in particular, has become a popular alternative to coffee, thanks to its health benefits and slower caffeine release, prompting local cafés to meet the growing demand. The matcha craze of 2024 is also likely to continue into this year. While tea culture remains niche in Kuwait, we expect the café scene to dive deeper into tea offerings in 2025, whether through traditional blends or innovative, Instagram-worthy creations.
Dining experiences
In recent years, experiential dining has transformed Kuwait’s culinary scene, offering more than just a meal. These concepts go beyond food, providing diners with a complete experience that combines delicious meals with live music, entertainment and pop-up shops, creating a vibrant atmosphere. As food establishments face slower sales, Hussein predicts a resurgence of immersive and themed dining experiences in 2025 - experiences that take guests beyond the traditional meal.
By offering these unique, all-encompassing experiences, restaurants can distinguish themselves in a saturated market where diners are overwhelmed with options. Hussein highlights the growing demand for live music performances at restaurants, as well as businesses that use ethnic cuisine, music and décor to transport diners to a different world. Small businesses are also increasingly recognizing the value of collaboration to create community-driven experiences. Kuwait’s foodies were treated to "block parties”, where several small businesses came together to host events where people could socialize, workout and enjoy exclusive offerings from their favorite eateries and chefs.
Other establishments hosted chess tournaments or pop-up events featuring artists who showcased their work and connected with fans. Some even opened their kitchens to talented chefs, inviting diners to intimate, exclusive table experiences. We expect to see more of these collaborations in 2025, as they help cultivate a sense of community and turn dining spaces into vibrant social hubs.