9 food trends to know about this summer

Our expert product developers, chefs and nutritionists have been busy creating over 500 new products to get your taste buds tingling this summer, come rain or shine. So who better to share insider intel on the need-to-know food trends that will be getting the nation excited this year?

“We can bring the M&S magic to celebrate any moment with our delicious dishes, on-trend treats and tantalising tipples. And this summer is no exception – we are launching over 500 new products to feed all those moments: planned or unexpected, come rain or shine, whatever summer brings. Each one has been developed by our chefs, nutritionists and product developers to ensure the magic of M&S flavour is in every bite,” says Kathryn Turner, M&S head of product development.

Read on to discover the trends that have helped shape our must-try summer food, from global grilling to ‘fricy’ flavours and next-level picky bits. Whatever this summer brings, get set to make it your most delicious yet.

As shoppers get more adventurous with their barbecues, so do the flavours hitting the grill – and this summer is all about exciting cuisines from around the world. We’re talking fragrant spices, tangy marinades and hot chillies, inspired by the cuisines of India, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand. Who needs a passport when you can travel the world from the comfort of your own garden?!

Try the trend:

Fire up the grill with British Chicken Tikka Burgers, Korean Steak Kebabs and smoky Indian-Style Chicken Thighs, the latter of which are absolutely delicious served in our Mini Naans with homemade raita and mango chutney. Load British Mini Smashed Burgers into fluffy Japanese Style Milk Bun Sliders, and don't forget the condiments, like smoky Campfire Mayo and Campfire Sweetcorn Relish.

With more than a third of shoppers saying they have a high or very high spice tolerance, it’s no surprise that the trend for sweet, spicy foods like hot honey has gone from strength to strength in recent years. But for 2026 we’re ready for the upgrade: say hello to the ‘fricy’ trend – that’s fruity + spicy!

We predict that this zingy combo will be adding some serious spice to summer menus across the country, with the sweet fruitiness perfectly balancing the chilli heat. Only half of shoppers say they have tried foods or drinks before that combine spicy and fruity flavours before, so there’s plenty of room for people to be adventurous.

Try the trend:

Don’t miss our new Flamin’ Fruit Hawwwt Sauces: a traffic-light-coloured trio, each one hotter than the last. Green is Jalapeno, Bramley Apple and Lime, then amber is Mango, Turmeric and Habanero, and finally the red one is smoky yet fiery Chipotle, Pineapple and Garlic.

Cast your mind back to your favourite summer memories and many of us will think of picnics in the park, trips to the seaside, strawberries and cream, school holidays, soft serve from the ice cream van and, of course, Wimbledon. To help the nation relive the glory days, we’ve created a whole host of products that play on quintessentially British summertime nostalgic classics and bring them bang up to date. The ‘New-stalgia’ trend is all about giving the flavours we grew up with a glow-up. Think elevated picnic classics, retro frozen treats reinvented, and a strawberries and cream like you’ve never tasted it before.

Try the trend:

• Upgrade your picnic with Our Best Ever Melton Mowbray Pork Pie and Ultimate Sharing Sausage Roll, in store from 6 May.

• Bring a burst of sunshine with Passion Fruity Mini Pops and Sun‑Kissed Blood Orange Lollies promise a juicy burst of sunshine, while our Juicy Orange and Blackcurrant Pop Ups are basically childhood in lolly form – find them from 27 May.

• Or if you prefer to make your own sundae, drizzle our retro Cracked Shell Mint Choc Sauce or s'more-ish Smores Ice Cream Sauce.

• Our Collection British Red Diamond Strawberries are left to ripen for longer to ensure they are super sweet and juicy, with only the biggest and best strawberries selected – try them with lashings of cream or in this strawberries and cream tiramisu recipe.

“Eating healthily doesn’t mean you have to miss out on treats – this year we have created an amazing array of summer favourites with a wellness twist, making it easier for everyone to indulge and still feel good.”

Annette Peters, M&S head of trends and innovation

From high-fibre sodas to stripped-back barbecue classics and ice cream made with minimal ingredients, this year’s summer range includes lighter, simpler versions made for every summer moment.

Try the trend:

For fans of picnics and picky bits, our favourite new product is the Edamame and Butterbean Crush, a delicious dip which is packed full of beans and perfect on our Nutrient Dense Super Seeded Crackers. There are some fun yet wholesome breakfast treats coming this May, too, such as our new Strawberry and Creme Chia Pudding and our take on the viral New York banana pudding in the form of High Protein Banana Pudding Overnight Oats.

Drink your fibre with our new Pop Marks range of sodas, which are low in sugar and high in fibre, containing our exclusive TriMarks™ blend of fibre, live cultures, and Plenibiotic™ to support gut health.

Strip back your barbecue with summer-ready new additions to our ever-expanding Only Ingredients range, including burgers, sausages and ice cream.

Long, sunny days call for drinks that go the distance – and with no and low sales continuing to sparkle, we predict that Brits will be leaning into longer, lower‑ABV tipples this summer, that keep the good times flowing (without overdoing it!).

Try the trend:

• Try our new Table Beers – super-smooth 2.8% lager and a 3.2% pale ale – or our Lemon and Lime and Raspberry Shandies (both 2.8%).

• Sip a tinnie like our new Tequila Spritz (6%).

• Shake up a longer, sippable version of the classic with our beerita recipe.

As the founders of National Picky Bits Day (27 June), M&S is the home of iconic picky bits, and this year, grazing, sharing, and choose‑your‑own plates are no longer an occasional treat, but a core summer ritual. This year’s picky bits non-negotiables are not just for eating, but for social media, from supersized, multi-layered dips to charcuterie for an Instagram-worthy picky plate.

Try the trend:

• Cheese lovers will adore our Cheesy Nacho Topper.

• We’re leaning into that laid‑back Mediterranean style with sharers like our new Spanish Chorizo and Cheese Tortilla and Spanish‑Style Patatas Bravas, while Italian inspiration comes through in our Roasted Caponata Topper.

• At the other end of the Mediterranean, our Greek‑ and Turkish-style mezze options include new favourites like our Greek‑Style Bean Pot and Turkish Grilled Peperoncini.

• Our clever freestanding Flip 'n' Dips taste as good as they look – simply flip, serve and dunk.

It’s no secret that the football is going to be massive this summer, and the M&S Foodhall is the place to be for pitch-perfect food, drinks and snacks.

“Watching the football is such a big group occasion, and for England and Scotland fans it will be an even bigger moment where they hope memories will be made for life. To elevate these moments, we have created some delicious products with America and Mexico at their core, with a British twist. There are Detroit-style pizzas, ‘haute’ hot dogs, burrito-style wraps and Pizza Pockets, to name but a few.” - Annette Peters

Try the trend:

• Step up the flavour and size of your match-day hot dog with our new Long Dogs, measuring 23cm in size and in American and Mexican-inspired flavours like Reuben and Jalapeño and Cheese.

• Detroit pizza is one of the UK’s fastest growing food trends – add our Cool Marg Pie and Hot Pepp Pie to your footie spread.

• Inspired by the TikTok trend, our snackable Pizza Pockets and Burritos are the ultimate heat-to-eat match-day treat.

We’re expecting more customers than ever to be drawing delicious inspiration this summer from their trips to Greece and Turkey.

Try the trend:

• On the grill, we’re bringing those sunshine‑drenched memories to life with dishes like our Collection Master Grill British Chicken Shish Kebabs, packed with the bold, vibrant flavours you’d expect from a bustling Eastern Med street‑food stall. We’re also championing those iconic island ingredients with our Collection Master Grill Cypriot Halloumi & Roasted Red Pepper Kebabs.

• Our new Collection Toscano Olive Oil West Country Ice Cream launches on 27 May, made with our own Collection Tuscan extra virgin olive oil (available in the Foodhall) for a gentle peppery warmth with a beautifully smooth, creamy finish. It’s stunning served simply on its own, drizzled with a little more olive oil and a pinch of sea salt, or topped with fresh berries or even alongside a slice of lemon tart.

Sometimes, only pure indulgence will do. This trend is all about seriously luxurious food that’s so stunning it’s instantly Instagrammable, and we’re leaning right into it with eye‑catching treats designed to stop the scroll. After the viral success of our Chunked N’ Loaded Cookies last summer and Dunked N’ Loaded Doughnuts that launched in March this year, we know customers aren’t just looking for something sweet – they want something photogenic and completely over the top that they can immediately snap a pic of to share with their friends. These are the bakes people love to share online and in real life!

“Retro is a big trend in desserts and confectionery for 2026, so look out for some old favourites making a comeback alongside the newness. Our team went to the M&S Archive in Leeds to be inspired by original packaging, which we have updated for our new take on old classics.” - Annette Peters

Try the trend:

• Look out for epic new additions to our Dunked N Loaded Doughnuts range in the chilled desserts aisle, in flavours like Strawberry and Cream and Lemon meringue.

• We’ve upgraded our iconic Cookie Cups range – try Big Daddy Pistachio and Birthday Cake flavours.

• You’ve no doubt already seen our epic Giant Outrageously Chocolatey Milk Chocolate Coated Custard Cream, but look out for even more custard cream-themed treats in the Foodhall.