News

Suburban neighbourhoods are the new European foodie hotspots

Europe’s highest takeout spending is no longer taking place in city centres, but in suburban areas, according to a report by online food delivery brand foodora.

Its Taste Map 2025 report, released in July, found that across nearly every capital in Europe, it is the outer residential districts that are surpassing cities in food delivery spending.

Larger households, planned meals, and family-oriented lifestyles are the leading trends behind this shift, signalling an opportunity for manufacturers to create finished products, formats, and packaging that reflect this development.

“Where inner-city neighbourhoods once set the tone, suburban areas are now equally influential,” Herbert Haas, chief international officer at foodora, told Ingredients Network.

The shift in food creations and consumption habits reflects evolving lifestyles. Today’s consumers want planned meals at home but also have last-minute needs.

Larger families mean bigger orders, and in wealthier areas, this is often accompanied by higher purchasing power. At the same time, dining-out options in suburban zones tend to be more limited, making delivery a convenient go-to solution.

“Whether affluent or working-class, suburban households, often larger, time-strapped, and more food-focused, are now at the heart of the delivery economy,” said Haas.

Standout European suburban food districts

Traditionally, food development attracting foodie residents and tourists has been associated with trendy inner cities, but now this has shifted and expanded to smaller pockets of towns and villages.

Budapest is a particular hotspot for this changing food manufacturing and consumption trend. Foodora’s figures show that outer districts, such as Budafok-Tétény and Rákosmente, exceed the city’s average spending by 12 to 20%.

Prague shows a similar trend, with districts like Dejvice and Strašnice leading in delivery spending.

In Stockholm, outer areas such as Bromma and Skärholmen outspend central Södermalm by up to 11%.

Helsinki also matches this trend. In Finland’s Pasila, Malmi, and Herttoniemi, shopping basket spend regularly exceeds that in trendier central hotspots like Kallio or Töölö, due to purchasing full meals for families or planned weeknight dinners.

Affluent suburbs like Döbling in Vienna and Vestre Aker in Oslo also stand out, with a strong family orientation and significant spending power, as shoppers tend to lean towards premium food purchases.

“Suburbs are no longer passive recipients of city culture – they are becoming active tastemakers and key testing grounds for delivery innovation,” said Haas.

Shifting food landscapes

The changing makeup of foodie hotspots in Europe suggests a transformation in expectations and experiences.

“It signals a decentralisation of foodie culture,” Haas added.

As a result of evolving food innovations, inner cities and smaller neighbourhoods are seeing changes to their food landscapes. These shifts provide manufacturers and marketers with the opportunity to learn about the needs and preferences of suburban consumers, leading to the development of new products that cater to their eating habits.

The definition of a “foodie hotspot” is expanding.

“It is no longer limited to walkable districts and hipster cafés, it includes families in residential areas ordering Vietnamese food on a Tuesday night,” Haas added.

Return of the staple purchase

“Rising suburban demand is pushing businesses to expand delivery zones [and] tailor menus for families with kids, special menus or larger portions,” said Haas.

For example, in Sweden, pizza in kid-friendly portions is among the most popular items on the menu.

To meet these demands, many restaurants in these European hotspots are also offering more affordable options, often through special discount campaigns or subscription deals.

Grocery orders reflect the same shift, with suburban consumers driving growth in essential categories like dairy and eggs, fruits and vegetables, and beverages.

According to foodora’s findings, across nearly every city, these categories dominate sales, with consumers spending more on these.

“Fast delivery of everyday items which we call ‘quick commerce’ is no longer just about snacks and last-minute cravings – it’s becoming a part of people’s daily routines,” said Haas.

“It’s a shift from convenience to consistency; quick commerce is moving deeper into the heart of the home.”

Foodora’s findings also show that both Budapest and Prague have reported two consecutive years of spending increases of 10 to 15% across top grocery categories. These are led by families restocking essentials, not just snacks.

In Stockholm, fruit and vegetables experienced a 15.7% rise in popularity in 2024, with the city’s central districts moving towards healthier habits.

Oslo also showed substantial growth of 68.9% in 2025, exceeding impulse purchases of sweets and beverages.