Google Maps has released its inaugural Fan-Favorite Dining List, a curated guide identifying culinary trends and highly-trafficked eateries across 10 global cities. The company analyzed a full year of aggregated search data, user reviews, and navigation requests to determine what diners are currently seeking in Atlanta, Chicago, London, Melbourne, Montréal, New York, San Francisco, Santiago, Seattle, and Tokyo.
The data reveals a significant resurgence in nostalgic and classic treats. In New York, mentions of frozen yogurt in reviews increased by 320% year-over-year, while Montréal saw an 84% rise in interest regarding cinnamon buns. Tokyo experienced a 168% surge in mochi-related reviews, a trend attributed by Google to record-high tourism levels in the city.
Earthy tea flavors also emerged as a dominant global preference. Matcha saw double-digit growth across nearly all surveyed cities, with an 82% increase in Chicago and an 84% rise in Santiago. London diners showed a specific interest in hojicha, a roasted green tea, which saw a 114% spike in review mentions. Meanwhile, Melbourne residents increased their interest in ube by 75%.
The analysis also highlighted a preference for crispy, golden comfort foods. Seattle saw a 136% increase in interest for dosas, while Atlanta experienced a 77% surge in beignet-related reviews. Chicago diners showed an 82% increase in mentions of beef tallow, a traditional cooking fat that has seen renewed popularity in local restaurants.
Beyond specific food trends, the Fan-Favorite Dining List identifies the most-navigated-to restaurants in each city, such as Katz's Delicatessen in New York and Pequod's Pizza in Chicago. The project also highlights budget-friendly options that received high ratings for portion sizes, including spots like Tofubox in New York and Preston Chicken Shack in Melbourne.
Users can access the full findings through the dedicated Fan-Favorite Dining List website. The platform allows individuals to save these recommended locations directly into their Google Maps accounts to assist with future dining plans.