Gen Z’s dining habits reflect a split between practicality and passion. Driven by tight schedules, small kitchens and limited cooking skills, many rely on takeaway, delivery and fast-food operators. But there’s also a growing segment who view cooking as a creative outlet and even wellness practice. However, even they oscillate between scratch-made meals and nifty shortcuts, balancing aspiration with ease.

Trending flavours, unexpected textures and viral pairings are reshaping Gen Z’s relationship with food and drink. While social media drives curiosity and discovery, snacks and everyday kitchen essentials have become covetable lifestyle statements. Alongside this, memorable merchandise and limited-edition collectibles blur the line between consumption and culture. For more on collectible culture, see Commercialising New Food + Drink Occasions.

Gen Z proudly champions sustainability, wellness and budget‑friendly choices. However, tight schedules and tighter wallets often skew eating habits toward whatever is fast, tasty, convenient and affordable, revealing a clear gap between intention and everyday reality. 

Gen Z gravitates towards small, sensory-laden luxuries, using food and drink as quick, reliable pathways to pleasure. Their pull toward decadent sweets, nostalgic flavours and soothing comfort snacks reflects more than appetite – it’s a way to regulate mood, express identity and build micro‑moments of self‑reward into the day. For more see Little Treat Culture: The Joy of Food & Drink.