Nostalgic desserts appeal to restaurant consumers of all ages
4 Min Read
Iconic desserts such as Carrot Cake are familiar favorites.Rick Asta (Motion)
Retro foods are a big trend now, and that includes desserts. Whether it’s cookies that remind one of childhood or classic menu items like Baked Alaska or Bananas Foster appearing on social media, nostalgic desserts are popular. Restaurant operators can leverage the vintage trend and drive incremental sales with these timeless desserts.
According to Technomic, in its Ignite Menu — National Food Trends Q2 2021 — Q2 2026, over the past five years, the number of dessert menu items increased by 11%. There were several nostalgic desserts within that growth, as the fastest-growing dessert categories were pudding/gelatin (+22.9%), cakes (+19.8%), fruit desserts (+17.4%), and doughnuts (+15%). Biscoff (+212.5%), ginger snap (+120%), and banana bread (+79.2%) were the fastest-growing flavors/ingredients during that time.
Also according to Technomic, in its Ignite Menu — Taste Tracker, certain ingredients or flavors resonate with consumers: 72.8% said they love or like S’mores, 68.6% love or like Banana Bread, and 65.2% love or like Cotton Candy. Creamsicle, Snickerdoodle, and Bubblegum were also among the favorites.
It’s not just older adults reminiscing about flavors, as young consumers are the main driver of the retro desserts trend. Millennials enjoy Snickerdoodles and Bubblegum (as two separate treats), Gen Z enjoy Creamsicle and S’mores (again, separately), and Baby Boomers and Gen X enjoy Banana Bread.
Cherished memories, new experiences
Vintage desserts appeal to consumers of all ages.
“What I love most about these desserts is their ability to transcend generations,” said Chef Thomas Dritsas, corporate executive chef at seafood fine dining concept Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab. “For some guests, they’re a nostalgic connection to childhood, family gatherings, and special celebrations. For others, particularly younger diners, they’re an exciting discovery of something they’ve never experienced before.”
Dritsas said iconic desserts such as Carrot Cake and Baked Alaska are familiar favorites that can become extraordinary experiences.
“When guests recognize a classic, they already have an emotional connection to it, making them more inclined to indulge,” he said. “That familiarity gives us the opportunity to introduce unexpected twists that surprise and delight.”
It’s not just long-ago memories that drive the popularity of these retro desserts. People are becoming more intentional about indulgence, Dritsas says, so they want to enjoy exceptional desserts. There is also the desire for authenticity, familiarity, and meaningful experiences. Chefs want to present something that honors the flavors and traditions that people love, in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
“The resurgence of classic desserts reminds us that while culinary trends evolve, the emotional connection people have with great food never goes out of style,” Dritsas said. “It’s the power of moments that make those impressions.”
Houston-based Truluck’s has locations in Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.
The emotional connection is one factor, and another is the stunning visuals. At Golden Steer Steakhouse, with locations in Las Vegas and New York City, the Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee appeal to guests across generations.
“For some, there’s a sense of nostalgia that comes with classic tableside service,” general managers Jack McManus (Las Vegas) and Matthew O’Haver (NYC) said by email. “For others, particularly younger diners, it’s the excitement of experiencing something they don’t often see anymore. The flames, the presentation, and the anticipation all become part of the evening.”
Guests often pull out their phones to capture the moment, and diners at other tables order one of the desserts after watching the presentation.
Limited time offers
Several brands offer nostalgic desserts as a limited time offer or seasonal item. Some recent LTOs that Technomic noted were Banana Pudding Doughnut from Krispy Kreme, Biscoff Cookie Butter Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Cotton Candy Float at Kura Sushi.
Frozen dessert brands often develop LTOs with vintage flavors. Andy’s Frozen Custard’s fall menu includes the S’mores Jackhammer with vanilla frozen custard, hot fudge, graham cracker, and marshmallow; and hand-dipped Caramel Apples in Classic, Reese’s Pieces or Pecans. Dutch Bros offers an LTO of Cookie Butter Latte, Freeze, or Chaiwith a cookie butter swirl, cold foam, and a cookie butter drizzle. Sonic Drive-In has several Banana Pudding soft serve items, such as a Shake and aBlast with vanilla wafer cookie crumbles.
From reimagined vintage treats to classic presentations of longtime favorites, nostalgic desserts can provide operators with a way to drive sales as consumers seek delicious, fun treats.
