Fine Dining Research in Gastronomy: A Bibliometric Review of Intellectual Structure and Emerging Themes

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of academic research on fine dining. A total of 636 articles retrieved from the Web of Science database were examined using citation analysis, co-citation networks, keyword co-occurrence mapping, and thematic evolution techniques. The findings reveal that fine dining scholarship predominantly focuses on consumer experience, gastronomic innovation, chef creativity, the Michelin Guide, and multisensory design. The thematic map indicates that “satisfaction–quality” constitutes the motor themes, while “molecular gastronomy” serves as a niche theme. Emerging themes highlight a recent shift toward sustainability, experiential gastronomy, and tourist consumption. By mapping the field’s intellectual and conceptual structure, this study provides a strategic framework to identify research gaps and guide future investigations in fine dining.