Here's What You Missed in November
A preview of The af&co / Carbonate 2026 Hospitality Trends Report, A Hot New Bar Concept, Next-Gen Indian Cuisine Expands, Bear Cup Chaos, a Lifestyle Grocery Store & Influencers on DoorDash
This Trend Is For The Girls
The past several years have seen a growing interest in women’s professional sports. Viewership for the WNBA grew 21% in 2025, with marquee matchups pulling in audiences over 1.7 million. And according to data from ESPN, 60% of the TV viewers are men! In cities across the country, operators are leveraging this enthusiasm, creating a new kind of sports bar that centers around women’s sports, inclusivity, and community.
Our 2026 Hospitality Trends Predictions
We’re sharing select trends from the af&co. / Carbonate annual report with our Insight Out subscribers—offering a peek into what’s shaping the future of food, beverage, travel, and experience design. This year’s report explores how hospitality continues to evolve in an age of acceleration. As AI reshapes everything we know, people are questioning what’s real. They’re craving genuine, in-person experiences, stories that stand out, and moments that connect us. It’s also a time when diners are demanding value - at every price point. From Paratha burgers to banana coffee and luxury hotel cruises to meta glasses influencers, here's what's next.
Beyond Butter Chicken: Next-Gen Indian Cuisine
Indian cuisine in America used to be relegated to uber-approachable dishes like tandoori chicken and naan bread, and items primarily originating in Northern India. As the Indian population in America has more than doubled in the past two decades, Indian cuisine has pushed past old expectations, bringing a huge range of regional flavors and concepts into the spotlight. From casual cafés to Michelin stars, Indian cuisine’s next chapter is bolder, more regional, and more confident than ever.
Gourmet Grocers, Bear Cup Chaos, & DoorDash Influencers
If you’re over 40, Meadow Lane—the new gourmet grocer in Tribeca—probably looks like proof the world has officially lost the plot. People in $900 coats waiting in line for hours… to buy $15 gluten-free chicken nuggets and $12 grapes. If you’re under 35, it looks more like: finally, New York has its own Erewhon, only this one has better lighting, curated shelving, and a full TikTok storyline.
