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If you’re in the restaurant or F&B game, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just smart—it’s survival. And where’s the best place to spot the next big thing? Trade shows and expos.  

These aren’t just meet-and-greets; they’re where deals are sealed. Whether you’re exploring opportunities within the GCCs or you’re planning on going global, everything starts from where you network. These events are the ultimate playground for ambitious restaurateurs and food pros.  

Welcome to the first blog of our Restaurant Playbook 2025 series.

In this blog, we’ll highlight the top events for restaurateurs in 2025, including when and where they’ll be held, and a sneak peek into what you can expect.  

Let’s dive in!

What you’ll get from this article;

• Discover must-attend events in the Middle East, Europe and the UK to gain industry insights and solutions.

• Find event details, who they’re for, and what they’re about.

• Bonus – A Must-visit show for those entering APAC

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1. Lisbon Food Affair 2025

Date: February 10-12, 2025

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Who it’s for: Restaurant owners and F&B professionals  

What is it about: The Food Industry is one of the industries with the greatest weight in the Portuguese economy, and the Lisbon Food Affair is a great space to enter and network with those leading and guiding this growth. It's a marketplace for big businesses in the F&B sector, HoReCa channel and technologies.

Ticket Prices: €30 for 1 Day Ticket. Visit website https://lisbonfoodaffair.fil.pt/

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2. Gulfood

Date: February 17-21, 2025

Location: Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE

Who it’s for: Restaurant owners, F&B professionals, and suppliers looking to tap into Middle Eastern and global markets.

What is it about: Gulfood is one of the world’s largest annual F&B sourcing events. Expect over 5,000 exhibitors showcasing food innovations, sustainable packaging, and advanced supply chain solutions. The event also offers seminars on emerging trends like alternative proteins and digital dining.  

Ticket Prices: Value Pass AED 495. To register visit https://visit.gulfood.com/Visitor/Registration/Demographics

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3. ScotHot, Scotland

Date: February 26-27, 2025

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Who it’s for: Managers and Professionals in Food, Drink, Hospitality, Retail and Tourism  

What is it about: ScotHot is Scotland’s leading expo for food and drinks. With 200+ exhibitors, inviting over 7000 key decision makers, it offers an unmissable opportunity to meet with suppliers, network with others to share ideas and inspiration, and learn about the latest trends from across the industry.  

Ticket Prices: Visit website for more details: https://www.scothot.co.uk/  

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4. Hospitality Innovation Planet (HIP), Spain

Date: March 10,12, 2025

Location: Madrid, Spain

Who it’s for: Restaurateurs, F&B and Hospitality professionals interested in Technological advancements.

What is it about: HIP Spain, is part of the Horeca Professional Expo, exhibiting 700 brands and 1000 product categories, offering hospitality experts, restaurants managers and operators, various innovative trends and solutions and 3 days of ample networking opportunities.  

Ticket Prices: €68 for 3 Day Business Pass. Visit website: https://www.expohip.com/en/visit/tickets-benefits/?_gl=1*1jw1aj8*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTM3MDA4NTgxNy4xNzM4MDM2Mjc5*_ga_GR4FCQP7X2*MTczODAzNjI3OC4xLjEuMTczODAzNjQyMy4wLjAuMA..*_ga_B7ZQMRPTZE*MTczODAzNjI3OC4xLjEuMTczODAzNjQyMy4wLjAuMA.

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5. INTERNORGA, Germany

Date: March 14,18, 2025

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Who it’s for: Restaurateurs and F&B professionals.

What is it about: Internorga offers national and international exhibitors a platform to network, learn trends, and to present their products to the entire out-of-home market. It consists of exciting conferences, a diverse stage program, and thrilling competitions.

Ticket Prices: €24 for 1 Day Pass. Visit website: https://www.internorga.com/en/exhibit-visit/visitors/tickets  

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6. The Food & Drink Conference, UK

Date: April 7-9, 2025

Location: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Who it’s for: Food manufacturers, suppliers, and F&B operators.

What is it about: Food & Drink Expo, incorporating The Restaurant Show, provides buyers from the retail, wholesale, foodservice, manufacturing and hospitality sectors with a wealth of information and product sourcing opportunities, hosting 1500 suppliers all under one roof.

Ticket Prices: Visit website: https://www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk/

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7. Saudi Food Expo 2025

Date: April 21-24, 2025

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Who it’s for: F&B manufacturers, suppliers, and professionals.

What is it about: The Saudi Food Expo is the gateway to the country’s booming $54 Billion worth industry and a place to network with big brands. The show expects over 14,000 key visitors, decision makers and some of the top suppliers and technologies in F&B, Tourism and Hospitality.  

Ticket Prices: Register and access VIP Hall for free. Visit website https://www.saudifoodexpo.com/  

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8. Future Hospitality Summit 2025

Date: May 11-13, 2025

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Who it’s for: Hospitality professionals and Restaurant owners.

What is it about: This sophisticated summit gives insights into the growing Saudi hospitality sector, focusing on trends, challenges, and opportunities. With dedicated networking sessions and panels featuring global experts, the FHS is an unmissable opportunity to explore investment prospects and strategic partnerships in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic hospitality landscape.

Ticket Prices: $2200 - $3400. Purchase pass: https://www.futurehospitality.com/sa/purchase-pass

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9. SIAL, Middle East

Date: September 7-9, 2025

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Who it’s for: Food and beverage professionals, retailers, and distributors.

What is it about: SIAL is one of the largest events of its kind in the region, SIAL Middle East is a platform to meet quality buyers in a trade business-friendly environment. It's an annual meeting place for over 17,000 exhibitors from almost 120 countries and more than 700,000 visitors.

Ticket Prices: Visit website: https://www.moec.gov.ae/en/-/sial-middle-east?p_l_back_url=%2Fen%2Ftest1%3Fcategory%3D101581%26category%3D101594%26category%3D101615

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10. Hospitality Tech Expo & The Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo

Date: September 30 to October 1, 2025

Location: ExCeL, London, UK

Who it’s for: Tech-forward restaurant operators and hospitality leaders.

What is it about: The Hospitality Tech Expo brings the latest in hospitality technology, from AI-driven kitchen tools to seamless POS systems. The event features workshops on operational efficiency and guest experience personalization. It’s the ultimate Tech event for Restaurants & Hotels, and a must-visit for those keen on integrating tech solutions.

The ultimate foodservice trade show in Europe, Restaurant Takeaway Innovation Expo, that takes place alongside Hospitality Tech Expo, showcases cutting-edge technology, marketing strategies, and innovative ideas for takeaways and restaurants.

Ticket Prices: Free for general entry. Visit websites: https://www.hospitalitytechexpo.co.uk/  

https://www.takeawayexpo.co.uk/

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11. HostMilano, Italy 2025

Date: October 17-21, 2025

Location: Milan, Italy

Who it’s for: Restaurant owners and restaurant managers interested in new technology tools, trends and innovation.

What is it about: Taking place every two years, it offers everything needed for a restaurant owner to build a successful business, from raw materials to semi-finished products, from machinery to equipment, from furnishings to tableware, with one eye firmly focused on trends, technologies and innovation.

Ticket Prices: Visit website for more details: https://host.fieramilano.it/en/  

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12. Saudi HORECA - Riyadh 2025

Date: November 24-26, 2025

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Who it’s for: Restaurant, Hospitality and Foodservice industry stakeholders.

What is it about: Saudi HORECA is the biggest International Food & Beverage show in Saudi Arabia, taking place in both Jeddah (in April) and Riyadh. Each year the show features activities including workshops, culinary art show, barista competition and much more, attracting exhibitors, visitors, and key industry players on a local and international level.

Ticket Prices: Visit website https://saudihoreca.com/Riyadh/EN/index.html

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Entering APAC Market

13. FHA-Food & Beverage Asia 2025

Date: April 8-11, 2025

Location: Singapore

Who it’s for: Restaurateurs and F&B innovators looking to expand into Asia-Pacific markets.

What is it about: If you’re looking to break into the APAC market, FHA is your place to go. It’s Asia’s leading Food & Beverage Event that welcomes over 70,000 attendees from 50+ countries, hosting over 1,500 exhibitors. This is a hub for sourcing global products and learning about emerging technologies in the F&B sector and the dynamics in the APAC region. It’s a valuable event for scaling businesses.

Ticket Prices: SGD 90 for Onsite Tickets. Visit website for Registrations: https://fhafnb.com/  

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Wrapping Up

Whether you’re a seasoned restaurant operator or just stepping into the F&B world, these events offer a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities. From cutting-edge tech solutions to culinary innovation, attending the right events can redefine your approach to running a successful restaurant. From the Middle East to Europe and beyond, your suppliers will be your key to conquering the market.  

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