The "2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide" was recently released in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, featuring 263 high-quality restaurants from 32 cities across mainland China. The latest list highlights new industry trends, showcasing a diversification of categories and a collective upgrade of regional cuisines within China's premium dining sector.
Wang Puzhong, CEO of Meituan's Core Local Commerce division, stated that the dining industry and the broader lifestyle it represents are undergoing rapid transformation. From Meituan's observations, consumer behavior is shifting from "outward expression" to "inward expression," where comfort in both clothing and dining—"wearing comfortably and eating comfortably"—has become paramount.
"Contemporary consumption is more about self-acceptance, and our social interactions are returning to their essence, where the true value lies in forming emotional connections and drawing strength from them," Wang Puzhong remarked. "Our restaurants must provide customers with unique experiences and memories, evolving from merely serving a meal to encapsulating a beautiful memory or a profound emotional moment."
Data presented by Meituan at the release event indicated that in 2025, individuals born after 1995 and 2000 accounted for 37% of the premium dining consumer base, although the 30 to 50 age group remains the core driving force in this market.
In recent years, the exploration of local ingredients and regional flavors has become a defining characteristic of premium dining. Wang Puzhong emphasized that the sector is moving away from reliance on rare and expensive ingredients, instead focusing on uncovering flavors deeply connected to local terroir, which are intrinsically linked to unique rural memories.
"Premium dining in the future will not just be about a single meal or flavor; it will lead lifestyles," Wang Puzhong asserted. He noted that, judging from the Black Pearl list, an era of flourishing diversity has arrived for China's premium dining industry.
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