Alimentaria 2026 puts the spotlight on hospitality and foodservice innovation

As one of Europe’s leading trade fairs for the food and beverage industry, Alimentaria + Hostelco returns to Barcelona in March 2026 at a time of significant change for the hospitality and foodservice industry. This year’s edition takes place against a backdrop of change for hospitality and foodservice operators, from technology adoption to shifts in investment priorities.

Taking place from 23-26 March at Fira de Barcelona, the 2026 edition will welcome more than 3,300 exhibitors and close to 110,000 professional visitors from over 100 countries. It will also mark the 50th anniversary of Alimentaria, underlining the event’s long-standing position within the European food and hospitality calendar.

Hospitality and foodservice at the core of the event

For hospitality professionals, this focus materialises across two main areas: Hostelco, dedicated to equipment, technology and services for the hospitality and foodservice sector, and Restaurama, a space where products, chefs and operators interact through demonstrations and content rooted in real-world restaurant and catering practice. Together, these areas reflect some of the industry’s most pressing priorities, from efficiency and sustainability to digitalisation, automation and the redesign of hospitality spaces in response to changing consumer behaviour.

The exhibition is structured around five main areas: equipment and machinery; tableware and service; interior design, furniture and wellness solutions; technology and software; and coffee, bakery and pastry, offering a practical overview of how suppliers are responding to evolving needs across kitchens, front-of-house and back-office functions. The Coffee, Bakery & Pastry area will double in size compared with the previous edition.

Alongside its exhibition offer, Alimentaria + Hostelco is strengthening its international profile, while continuing to support the domestic channel through initiatives designed to facilitate business connections. Content will also play a key role, with spaces such as the Horeca Hub addressing challenges including labour shortages, talent retention, sustainability and the increasing impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics on hospitality operations.

Imagine FoodService Europe’s first edition at the fair

A new addition to the 2026 programme is Imagine FoodService Europe, a two-day congress running on 24-25 March at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, alongside Alimentaria + Hostelco. The forum brings together restaurant operators, organised catering groups, investors and industry analysts to discuss how foodservice businesses across Europe are adapting their models.

The agenda starts with a look at the wider economic and regulatory environment before moving into the realities of organised catering and branded restaurant growth, particularly within the QSR segment. Sessions focus on how brands are responding to cost pressure, shifting consumer behaviour and new formats, as well as the role of technology, automation and artificial intelligence in improving efficiency and decision-making.

International expansion is another recurring theme, with discussions examining how restaurant brands are approaching growth across markets and how investor interest is shaping the sector. Sustainability, delivery and the growing overlap between restaurants and retail are also addressed, reflecting the changing ways in which foodservice brands are reaching consumers.

Set against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and ongoing operational pressure, the congress is positioned as a space for practical discussion around strategy, scale and investment, offering operators and suppliers a clearer view of how foodservice businesses are evolving across Europe.

A platform for innovation and business

This 50th edition consolidates the role of Alimentaria + Hostelco as a leading platform for hospitality and foodservice innovation and business, connecting brands, suppliers, operators and investors in a moment of significant transformation for the industry.

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