Coffee shop trends to watch out for in 2026

Key takeaways

• Matcha is moving from alternative option to core menu staple.
• Gen Z’s preference for experimentation and customisation are reshaping drink development.
• Global flavours are influencing Western café menus in 2026.
• Technology is essential for managing complex, frequently changing café menus.

Specialty coffee is constantly evolving. From the shift towards lighter roast profiles in the 2000s to the more recent surge in experimental processing, cafés continually update their menus to meet consumers’ needs. Despite these changes, the focus on coffee quality has remained steady.

While this still applies to many specialty coffee shops, projected industry trends for 2026 differ significantly from previous years. They are more personal, practical, and less centred exclusively on coffee.

Matcha has driven record sales for UK chains such as Caffè Nero and Black Sheep, at times surpassing coffee. Functional ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages, meanwhile, have moved from niche wellness markets into the mainstream. And customisation, once a novelty, is now expected by many consumers.

To successfully tap into these trends, café owners need to stay ahead of changing consumer demands while maintaining consistency, operational efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to coffee quality.

Corin Camenisch from SumUp and Bruno Damiano Maciel from Jungle Berry share their insight.

You may also like our article on how cafés can manage rising coffee prices.

Which flavour trends will we see in coffee shops in 2026?

Following its success last year, the matcha trend shows no sign of slowing down in 2026.

Costa Coffee recently launched its first-ever full matcha range, as it attempts to compete with rivals like Blank Street, which built its US$500m brand around flavoured matcha drinks designed to go viral. Matcha’s appeal, driven by its vivid green hue and purported health benefits, continues to resonate most with younger consumers.

Similarly, interest in other non-coffee options, particularly those with the same striking aesthetics, will continue to influence café menus in 2026.

“We’re seeing stronger demand for unique one-off items and seasonal drinks,” says Corin, the Global Marketing & Brand Strategy Lead at SumUp, a global financial technology company. “The success of the ube latte, for instance, has shown that customers enjoy novelty and look forward to these short-lived menu additions.

“This year, many cafés are planning to introduce more limited-time creations, rotating specials, and ingredients that change throughout the year.”

Flavour trends are also becoming increasingly global, with Asian countries having the most influence. More coffee shops are experimenting with popular ingredients from across the region, including pandan, ube, miso, and yuzu, in their signature drinks.

These ingredients offer a unique twist on classic menu items while also reflecting a growing interest in cultural authenticity. For cafés, the goal is to introduce them respectfully and sustainably, rather than treating them as fads.

Beverage customisation, another dominant trend in 2025, is also set to continue this year. According to Keurig Dr Pepper’s inaugural State of Beverages report, 72% of Gen Z consumers in the US try new beverages monthly, and 75% of them customise their drinks. This shift towards personalisation has made once-niche add-ons, such as cold foam, menu staples, allowing customers to tailor drinks to their liking.

How technology will impact cafés in 2026

As demand for menu diversification and customisation grows, technology will play an increasingly important role in coffee shops throughout 2026.

“Social media, new consumption behaviours, and changing customer expectations mean brands must continuously adapt to remain relevant,” says Bruno, the founder and CEO of the café and açaí chain Jungle Berry. “I foresee the main trends in technology revolving around self-service and automation to help improve speed and accuracy, as well as operational efficiency, driven by technology rather than extra labour.”

Convenience will continue to shape consumer behaviour. In its fall 2025 National Coffee Data Trends report, the National Coffee Association found that a record 59% of US consumers purchased their coffee at a drive-thru. Additionally, 38% of people ordered through an app.

“Technology that simplifies the customer journey will shape much of the industry this year,” says Corin. “People want ordering to feel quick, intuitive, and personalised, whether they are using a self-ordering kiosk, paying at the counter, or collecting a drink ordered on their phone.

“The cafés that invest in frictionless experiences are already seeing higher repeat visits because customers increasingly expect speed without losing the human touch.”

Human interaction, community engagement, and intentional hospitality are irreplaceable in specialty coffee shops. This means that balancing technology with meaningful, analogue customer service is essential to driving long-term loyalty.

“We use SumUp’s Terminal as a self-service ordering solution, allowing customers to place their orders directly on the tablet,” Bruno explains. “This significantly reduces queues, minimises ordering errors, and frees up staff to focus on preparation and customer interaction.

“Technology like SumUp’s self-service solutions allows coffee shops to scale efficiently, control costs, and deliver a smoother customer experience, while still maintaining the human element that makes hospitality special.”

How coffee shops can adapt to upcoming trends

Altogether, emerging coffee trends in 2026 point to a broader change in how consumers engage with the café experience. High-quality coffee and exemplary service remain essential, but convenience and personalisation are playing more prominent roles. 

In response, more cafés are expanding their menu offerings, whether through beverage add-ons or selling RTD cold brews and lattes with functional benefits. While these additions can generate interest and drive sales, they also pose operational challenges.

Managing stock for seasonal ingredients, customised orders, and RTD products requires accurate, real-time oversight. Without it, cafés risk wastage, stock shortages, or slower service during busy periods.

Technology offers support, not solutions

New technologies are helping overcome these issues. SumUp Terminal’s AI camera feature, for instance, allows baristas to photograph handwritten or printed menus and instantly convert them into digital product lists. For coffee shops that frequently update offerings or run seasonal specials, this can eliminate hours of manual data entry.

“The integrated AI camera also helps us better understand customer flow, peak times, and behaviour patterns,” Bruno says. “This data supports smarter staffing decisions, improved layout planning, and more informed operational adjustments, allowing us to optimise performance without adding complexity.

“We also use additional SumUp payment and reporting tools to manage multiple payment methods, real-time sales tracking, and performance analysis,” he adds. “This gives us flexibility to test new products, adapt menus quickly, and maintain operational resilience across different locations.”

As we enter 2026, key trends from the previous year will continue to define specialty coffee shops. Consumer expectations are higher, tastes are broader, and balancing convenience with hospitality has never been more important.

For café operators, the message is clear. Success no longer depends solely on coffee quality or cost efficiency, but also on responding to shifts in what consumers value and how those values change over time.

Although it can never replace the human element of service, technology is becoming one of the most effective ways to adapt to these changes.

Enjoyed this? Then read our article on how coffee shops can tap into food trends.

Perfect Daily Grind

Please note: SumUp is a sponsor of Perfect Daily Grind.

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