Each month, global food searches on Google tell a story. April 2025 brought a wild mix of traditional holiday treats, TikTok-driven crazes, and surprise comebacks of old-school dishes. Using Google’s “Rising” search data, we identified the most rapidly growing food-related search terms worldwide — revealing what people were newly obsessed with.
Here’s the ranking of April’s most explosive food trends:
🥇 1. “Lugar p petiscar aki perto” – A craving for snack spots nearby
The Portuguese phrase “Lugar p petiscar aki perto” (“place to snack near me”) saw a search explosion in April — with a rise of over 700%. This spike likely came from Portuguese-speaking regions, particularly Brazil, where people were actively searching for nearby bars or snack-friendly eateries. Possible drivers include post-Easter outings or even a viral TikTok encouraging locals to explore new petiscar spots. One thing is clear: the desire to eat out and snack socially surged.
🍫 2. Dubai Chocolate – Pistachio luxury goes viral
The biggest global sweet obsession of April was Dubai Chocolate – a luxury chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream and crunchy knafeh. It went viral after influencers began posting ecstatic reviews on TikTok and Instagram, driving a 160% surge in global search traffic. As covered by the BBC, the hype led to supermarket sellouts and inspired copycats across Europe. Some countries even reported pistachio shortages. The trend illustrates how a flashy, hyper-sensory product — when paired with social media — can achieve meteoric global status.
🍲 3. Gumbo – Comfort food with a cultural comeback
Gumbo, the iconic Creole stew from Louisiana, made a surprising return to the global spotlight. Searches spiked 150% in April, possibly influenced by cultural events like the New Orleans Jazz Festival or a trending YouTube recipe. The dish, often made with okra, shrimp, chicken, or sausage, represents warmth, history, and home-cooked depth. Whether through nostalgia or social buzz, gumbo proved it still has serious global comfort food appeal.
🍵 4. Matcha – From niche to mainstream powerhouse
Matcha continued its rise with a 60% jump in global searches. Once reserved for tea ceremonies or wellness blogs, matcha is now a fully mainstream beverage, thanks to massive pushes by influencers and brands. According to FoodNavigator, matcha’s popularity is tied to health claims (antioxidants, lower caffeine) and its Instagrammable green hue. Starbucks and others released new matcha drinks this spring, adding momentum. TikTok was flooded with latte tutorials and aesthetic green café reels. The verdict: matcha isn’t just trending — it’s winning.
🍦 5. Dairy Queen – Spring campaigns spark ice cream fever
Searches for Dairy Queen jumped 60% in April. The brand’s clever seasonal campaigns — like free Blizzard promos and new limited-edition flavors — paid off. As reported by KKTV, the launch of the Summer Blizzard menu and a retro cherry-dipped cone release drew nostalgic and sweet-toothed fans alike. This case proves that well-timed fast-food marketing still packs digital punch, especially as people emerge from winter looking for frozen fun.
☕ 6. Espresso Macchiato – The drink… or the Eurovision meme?
Espresso Macchiato saw a quirky surge in visibility – but not entirely for caffeine reasons. Estonian rapper Tommy Cash released a Eurovision song titled “Espresso Macchiato,” leading to a +2000% spike in related YouTube searches. Mixed kitschy Italo tropes with absurdist pop, and reactions were divisive – especially among Italians offended by the stereotypical take. Ironically, the song’s virality may have sparked genuine curiosity about the drink itself. This is a rare example where pop culture bleeds directly into food search behavior.
🍌 7. Banana Porridge – TikTok turns toddler food into meme food
“Banana Porridge” skyrocketed in YouTube searches (+500%) in April after a child’s voice clip saying “I love banana porridge” became a TikTok meme. The audio — often remixed or lip-synced — led millions to joke about the humble dish. Though rooted in Jamaican and baby cuisine, the virality of the meme blurred those origins, making the porridge the breakfast of the internet moment. It’s another example of how absurd humor and food nostalgia combine to drive curiosity and clicks.
🥚 8. Ovo – Brazil’s Easter chocolate obsession
The Portuguese word “Ovo” (egg) saw a notable spike (+40%) in April, thanks to Brazil’s Easter tradition of gifting giant, colorful chocolate eggs. The trend peaks every April, but this year’s demand for “Ovo de Páscoa” was stronger than ever. Brands leaned into innovation with vegan options, exotic fillings, and surprise gifts inside. The result: even more online traffic from sweet seekers looking to score the season’s best eggs.
🍰 9. Halawiyat al-Eid – Sweet celebration after Ramadan
The end of Ramadan brought a wave of global searches for Eid desserts. Arabic terms like “Halawiyat al-Eid 2025” surged by over 2000% on YouTube. Families across the world looked for recipes for Sheer Khurma, Maamoul, and Baklava to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. These searches reflect the intense, joyous energy around food after a month of fasting — and how shared dessert traditions spread globally in the digital age.
🎥 10. Piper Rockelle – When YouTubers drive food searches
Teen YouTube star Piper Rockelle unexpectedly popped up in global food trend data with a +400% rise in searches. While not a chef, Piper’s challenge videos involving food – like eating only one color, or trying bizarre snacks – drive massive engagement. This rise shows how influencers shape food culture, even when it’s more about entertainment than gastronomy. Her videos remind us that the line between “eating” and “content” is blurrier than ever.
🍽️ Final Takeaway
From viral candy bars and ironic memes to holiday feasts and influencer chaos, April 2025 revealed a food landscape shaped by culture, emotion, and internet speed. Some trends (like Matcha) reflect deeper wellness movements. Others (like Dubai Chocolate or Banana Porridge) show how quickly social media can elevate even niche items into global cravings. Whether you’re snacking local or chasing the next viral flavor, one thing’s clear: Food isn’t just what we eat — it’s how we connect, share, and perform online.