# Dining Virtual Restaurant brands facilitate virtual dining experiences amidst the COVID-19 crisis. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published May 16, 2020 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/dining-virtual ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.3/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Dining Virtual trend? **Dining Virtual:** Restaurants and brands are bringing customers to them via virtual dining options in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that's shut down in-person dining operations around the world. These virtual meetups bring people together and give customers a sense of community. ## The consumer insight behind the Dining Virtual trend As consumers remain productive and partake in recreational activities at home under shelter-in-place orders, they're still longing for their pre-COVID lives. Everything from socializing with friends to dining out are aspects of consumers' routines that they never thought they'd have to give up for long periods of time. Thus, finding safe at-home alternatives to such activities is of utmost importance to people searching for a sense of normalcy. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 30 to May 14, 2020 - Published: May 16, 2020 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Dining Virtual trend ### Virtual Dining As in-person dining shuts down around the world, restaurant brands and establishments are offering virtual dining experiences that bring people together and give customers a sense of community. ### Recreated Restaurant Experiences Restaurants are attempting to recreate the dine-in experience for consumers through delivery and virtual events that provide an engaging and personalized experience for customers while allowing businesses to sell food. ### Conversational Community Apps Apps like The Breakfast are offering solutions to loneliness by connecting people over meals via video chat, encouraging spontaneous interactions and conversations between strangers. ## What the Dining Virtual trend means for industry ### For Food Delivery Services Delivery services can benefit from partnerships with restaurants to offer unique experiences like virtual dining and meal kit deliveries. ### For Virtual Event Platforms Virtual event platforms can provide venues for restaurants and brands to host immersive and interactive virtual dining experiences that bring people together. ### For Community Building Apps Apps that connect people with common interests and encourage conversations can adapt to the new normal of virtual and remote interactions by creating experiences like virtual dining gatherings and events. ## Workshop question How is your brand supporting its customers through times of crisis? ## Trend signals for Dining Virtual Trend score 5.3 out of 10, from popularity 79%, activity 70%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 79% - Activity: 70% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Dining Virtual trend 4 featured examples from Apr 30 to May 14, 2020. - [Recreated Restaurant Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-dinein-experience): Brato Brewhouse is Attempting to Recreate the Dine-in Experience (Category: Marketing) Implication: Using delivery services and virtual platforms to recreate the dine-in experience for consumers. - [Virtual Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foxtail-virtual-restaurant): Foxtail Supper Club Has a Limited Number of Guests Cook and Eat Together (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Virtual restaurants could help restaurants create new revenue streams despite the limitations of the pandemic. - [Virtual Dining Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gourmet-burger-bistro): The WORKS Gourmet Burger Bistro Created Dine Together, Apart (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Restaurants can leverage technology to create new dining experiences, such as virtual dining parties, in response to the changing needs of consumers. - [Conversational Community Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-breakfast): The Breakfast App Connects People for Video Chats Over a Meal (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Applying conversational community concepts to existing social networking platforms to enhance user engagement and connection. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)