Ahead of National Brunch Weekend on 2nd and 3rd October, catering supply experts at Alliance Online analysed TikTok data to reveal the international dishes generating the most interest and the global flavours that could influence UK menus next.
French, East Asian and Brazilian dishes lead the way
The three most searched dishes come from three different continents, showing that inspiration is coming from a wide range of international cuisines.
Croque Madame takes the top spot as the world’s most searched brunch dish, generating an impressive 58.5 million TikTok posts. The French favourite, traditionally made with toasted bread, ham, cheese, and a fried egg, has attracted significantly more attention than any other dish analysed, making it the standout trend to watch.
Congee ranks 2nd, with 46.9 million TikTok posts. The Chinese and wider East Asian breakfast staple is traditionally made by slowly cooking rice until it reaches a soft, porridge-like consistency. Its search volume highlights growing interest in savoury and substantial breakfast dishes.
In 3rd place is Brazil’s acai bowl, generating 41.8 million TikTok posts. Known for its vibrant purple colour and fresh toppings, the fruit-based dish offers a lighter alternative to traditional cooked options, particularly among health-conscious consumers.
Top 10 global brunch dishes taking over social media
| Rank | Dish Name | Country | TikTok Searches |
| 1 | Croque Madame | France | 58,500,000 |
| 2 | Congee | China / East Asia | 46,900,000 |
| 3 | Acai Bowl | Brazil | 41,800,000 |
| 4 | Ful Medames | Egypt | 8,100,000 |
| 5 | Bougatsa | Greece | 3,600,000 |
| 6 | Crêpes | France | 469,100 |
| 7 | Nasi Lemak | Malaysia | 234,900 |
| 8 | Kahvaltı (Turkish Breakfast) | Türkiye | 202,400 |
| 9 | Chilaquiles | Mexico | 178,100 |
| 10 | Arepas | Colombia / Venezuela | 131,200 |
European flavours dominate overall volume
European dishes came out on top overall, generating 62.8 million total TikTok posts. France was particularly well represented with Croque Madame and crêpes, alongside Greek bougatsa and Turkish breakfast.
Asian dishes generated 47.1 million TikTok posts, while South American favourites racked up 41.9 million. Beyond the top three, everything from Egyptian ful medames and Malaysian nasi lemak to Mexican chilaquiles and Colombian or Venezuelan arepas made the list. Visual media for these trends includes content credited to Unsplash and Caremal.
How social media is driving menu innovation
The findings suggest that the popular meal is moving well beyond the usual eggs, bacon, and avocado. Tapping into trending dishes gives restaurants a simple way to keep menus fresh, attract diners looking to try something new, and create recognisable, social-media-friendly plates.
Commenting on the global brunch trends, Rachael Kiss, Head of Marketing at Alliance Online, said: “Brunch is becoming much more global, with diners wanting to experience food cultures around the world. The variety in these findings is particularly interesting, from hearty dishes like congee and ful medames to lighter options such as acai bowls.”
“Social media, and especially TikTok, is clearly playing a big role in introducing diners to new dishes, and we could see more restaurants bringing global flavours to their menus to keep up with consumer demand, particularly through colourful, shareable dishes that are made for social media.”