Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Nume, Bardo and De Oude Melkfabriek
7-1-2025
Every day we spot fun, new concepts. This week: Bardo in Apeldoorn, a restaurant with a French, chic but also natural ambiance. Owners Yves Jaartsveld and Monique van Helsdingen aim to keep it very personal and offer their guests a beautiful experience. In Arkel, De Oude Melkfabriek (The Old Milk factory) opened in October 2024, where you can eat out and attend culinary workshops on Persian cuisine, by chef Abbas. And in November, Nume New York Bistro Amsterdam opened in The Manor Hotel. You pronounce it as ‘New Me’!
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and success with their concepts. More information below!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Chipotle X Strava | Introducing ‘The City Challenge’ to kick off 2025
6-1-2025
Chipotle Mexican Grill recently announced that its partnership with Strava, the app for active people with more than 135 million users in more than 190 countries, is back and bigger than ever in 2025. Chipotle is launching its first-ever international Chipotle X Strava challenge for participants to compete to win free Lifestyle Bowls for a year, plus free Chipotle for their city(2). New in 2025, the initiative extends beyond the U.S., connecting and motivating Chipotle’s running community across 25 cities in North America and Europe, including New York City, London, Paris, Toronto and more.
4 minute read
Trends we spotted | Week 01
3-1-2025
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- McDonald’s Australia Squid Game meal brings a familiar item from the series into reality. It comes with a DALGONA Candy.
- KFC combines chicken and sauce with new concept ‘Saucy by KFC’. It opened in December in Orlando.
- This Valentine’s Day, Whataburger is giving one lucky couple the ultimate prize: a Whatawedding at its Las Vegas location on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.
- Four Seasons celebrates the year of ‘The Snake’ with a journey of innovation and festive traditions.
- We think a ‘Doggy treat food truck’, like the Mobile Barkery in San Diego is a great idea! We and lots of other dog friends and owners would love to buy a hot drinks and dog cookies at ‘off-leash’ areas.
- Angel Shot App LLC recently announced the launch of their new, innovative mobile safety app for nightlife patrons and hospitality establishments.
- Making Dry January more tasteful with the herbal blends in WishGarden Herbs mocktail kit.
- The 2025 outlook for the 0.0 category looks positive, but still has some social barriers to overcome. Thus Heineken® 0.0’s new campaign says alcohol-free should be reason-free.
Enjoy reading!
Mocktail Fest Miami | Celebrate Dry January
2-1-2025
“Dry Fest Miami is more than a celebration of great non-alcoholic drinks—it’s about community, discovery, and creating a vibrant social space”, says Marlene Aguilar, Co-Founder of Mocktail Fest Miami. Following the success of Mocktoberfest 2024, Mocktail Fest Miami proudly announces its second signature event, Dry Fest, with presenting sponsor KUL MOCKS, on January 10th, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 1-800-LUCKY, located at 143 NW 23rd Street in Wynwood, Miami.
2 minutes read
French foodtech startup Clone accelerates European expansion
30-12-2024
French foodtech startup Clone, which recently raised €105 million, has been included in the prestigious Sifted 250 list, where it took 28th place. This recognition highlights the impressive growth and impact of Clone, which has also launched its operations in the Netherlands. With an innovative model, where kitchens convert unused capacity into additional revenue through virtual restaurant brands, Clone is changing the landscape of meal delivery in Europe.
3 minutes read
WOLF Food Market Antwerp open in the iconic Felix Warehouse
23-12-2024
Following the success of its location in Brussels, WOLF Food Market is expanding to Antwerp. Located in the iconic and historical Felix Warehouse on ‘Het Eilandje’, this new culinary hotspot offers a unique experience with a range of ten carefully curated street food restaurants, three bars and a spacious event space. With 750 seats, a generous terrace and an impressive design by Lionel Jadot that focuses on sustainability and upcycling, WOLF will be a meeting place for everyone.
5 minutes read but you can scan it within 2 minutes 😉
The outdoor-focused collection by Marriott Bonvoy will launch in 2025
23-12-2024
Marriott International is diving into the outdoor travel market by acquiring Postcard Cabins, a startup with 1,200 tiny cabins near U.S. parks and urban hubs. This move supports a new outdoor-focused collection by Marriott Bonvoy launching in 2025, aimed at travellers seeking nature experiences with modern comforts. Alongside Postcard Cabins, Marriott is partnering with Trailborn to cater to the growing demand for upscale outdoor stays.
3 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 51
20-12-2024
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Dirty Sodas – we wonder if Europe will be taking over this trend from Utah? It’s served at for example SWIG, ‘home of the original dirty soda’, as they call themselves.
- Some inspiration via Instagram: we love the stick library of the Sanctuary Beach Resort and the simple but festive looking ‘Snowman Latte’. Why not serve slices of this festive looking Tiramisu Cabin? We love The Santa Lucia Kayak Parade in the canals of Copenhagen, by restaurant Kayak Bar. And the ‘Embassy Diplomat Screens’, a very luxurious cinema in Thailand.
- A cocktail flight as inspiration! Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill created a margarita flight.
- Top-Loaded Fries at Dave’s Hot Chicken.
- New products for ice tea series BOS – with the BOSpresso you make the perfect Rooibos Cappuccino or Latte.
- WE ARE EDN is a new, approachable, family-friendly, all-day dining concept in Amsterdam.
- Progressive Slow Food restaurant Pianeta Terra was ranked 31st in the 50 Top Italy list of 50 best Italian restaurants in the world. Making it the best Italian restaurant in the Netherlands. There is another Italian restaurant in the Netherlands on the list: at spot 45 is chef Pasquale Carfora’s restaurant Aroma in Vaassen.
Enjoy reading!
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | CUP N CRUST, restobar Vivid and Haricot
19-12-2024
Every day we spot fun, new concepts. This week: CUP N CRUST, the ‘little sister’ of Panda Pizza in Kralingen, Rotterdam. A specialty coffee bar where they sell CUPS (coffees, lattes, Matcha, Chai, Mocktails) and CRUSTS (Focaccia’s). In Utrecht on the Nobelstraat, restobar Vivid opened its doors this month. A shared dining (or not, of course) concept where they serve Mediterranean dishes in a casual atmosphere with a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays. And in Maastricht, Haricot opened its doors this week. A fine dining restaurant but slightly different, with a focus on fish, crustaceans and shellfish.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and success with their concepts. More information below!
2 minutes read
Headspace’s science behind sleep, presented by the ‘World of Hyatt’
17-12-2024
Hyatt’s award-winning loyalty program, World of Hyatt, in collaboration with Headspace, the world’s most accessible and comprehensive mental health platform, debuted an exclusive video series, ‘Headspace’s science behind sleep, presented by the ‘World of Hyatt’, extending care for guests and members by providing access to expert and science-backed tips on how to get better sleep while traveling. The new sleep series is available in guestrooms at nearly 400 Hyatt hotels and within the Headspace app since November 14th.
2 minutes read
The croissant craze | This is what 2024 brought us
16-12-2024
We discussed which products show up the most on social media, in all kind of shapes, flavours and colours, this year. The first product that popped up is the croissant. We think the croissant hype began with the Cronut by Dominique Ansel, back in 2013. Since this croissant-donut combination, we have seen endless variations. Last January we wrote an article with the question what 2024 was going to bring us? Well the year 2023 ended with a broissant and 2024 started with a brioche croissant loaf, which is kind of the same! We spotted the broissant in a pop-up in the Landmark hotel in December and the brioche croissant loaf in Amsterdam early January. Later this year we spotted, croissant cereals, potato croissants, the Onioissant, BallSsants, the Croicheese, the Cröner, a Cherry Crioche, Croissant Cones. And it ended with tasting the elongated croissant by François Perret at the Ritz Paris Le Comptoir.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 50
13-12-2024
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- We think the Ritz Carlton Berlin has one of the most beautiful Christmas trees in their lobby, ‘Der Giving Tree’! An initiative to make wishes come true for children who are hospitalized. They give their guests and passers-by the change to participate in the season of giving.
- Heineken Hoek Steakhouse has recently opened in the hotel ‘The Diamond’ in Amsterdam.
- Le Pain Quotidien opened its first franchise in Maastricht and is looking for expansion to other Dutch cities through franchise.
- Great examples of how international ‘Christmas trends’ are used – in their own way – in the Netherlands. A gondola and a ‘Christmas lighting party’ or as they call it a ‘magical winter evening’ at ‘t Noorden in Aalten. And you can dine in a transparent igloo at restaurant Saus in Bergen op Zoom.
- 1 Hotels announced a new hotel in 2025: 1Hotel Tokyo.
- A ‘Reindeer Games Pop-Up Bar’ at Holston House Nashville.
- Panera turns the holidays upside down with their new: limited edition Holiday Soup Cup Collection. Some ‘soup’- inspiration!
- The ugly Christmas sweater ‘trend’ continues to inspire, this time we got a press release from soccer club PSV and came across a press release from KFC about their Christmas sweater.
Enjoy reading!
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Loft 88, Zeste Keuken & Bar and Sis & Joy
12-12-2024
Every day we spot fun, new concepts. This week: Loft 88 which is opening a second location in Bilthoven and, like their location in IJsselstein, is set to become an ‘urban oasis with boho vibes’. Zeste Keuken & Bar in Groningen opened recently. You can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at Zeste Kitchen & Bar, with many dishes and the limoncello being made in-house. And Sis & Joy, a lunchroom opened by two sisters at the Winkelhof in Leiderdorp . A spot to enjoy their delicious cakes but also have lunch and drinks.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and success with their concepts. More information below!
2 minutes read
Silent Night 2024 | Mandarin Oriental celebrates ten years of ‘the Art of Stillness’
3-12-2024
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group recently announced their 10th annual Silent Night, which will be hosted on December 8th, 2024. They will celebrate ‘the Art of Stillness’, the global tradition invites guests to immerse themselves in a night of mindfulness and disconnection and dedicate a break from the busy holiday season. In commemoration of this milestone year, The spas at Mandarin Oriental have elevated annual activations to include the Silent Retreat, an immersive, sensory journey designed to foster self-discovery and peace.
We love their Silent Night initiatives, we wrote about them last year in our ‘Trends we spotted, week 47’. More time for stillness and reflection is very now! Last week we wrote about the Zencember© initiative of Bagels & Beans.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 48
2-12-2024
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Wheat flour brand NACARINA from Costa Rica created a cake replica to celebrate the historic reopening of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. The official reopening is on December 8th this year.
- UNESCO and Relais & Châteaux announce a partnership for sustainable development in harmony with all life on earth.
- CollaBEARation Build-A-Bear & KFC®: Bears in KFC outfits!
- Zara opened Zacaffé in Madrid, Zara by Castro coffee shop and a coffee shop concept store in Athens.
- Clone, the European foodtech startup from Paris that has raised €105 million in funding, is officially launching in the Netherlands.
- Collaboration of restaurant Parkheuvel (**) with Parkcafé Parqiet.
- SOUS celebrates 2-year anniversary and kicks off Christmas.
- ‘Wie zoet is krijgt lekkers! (Those who are sweet get treats) – This year MR PORTER Steakhouse, Bar & Lounge, IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar, THE DUCHESS and MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge are offering a unique interpretation of a Sinterklaas classic on Thursday December 5: the chocolate letter.
- And from Instagram: the Louis Vuitton dog collection. Would fit nicely in luxury hotels that allow dogs!
Enjoy reading!
Christmas inspiration by the Conservatorium Hotel, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Fauchon l’Hôtel Paris, Great Scotland Yard hotel and Le Meurice
2-12-2024
Our second Christmas article includes examples of hotels that invite friends and/or designers to decorate their Christmas tree. In the Netherlands we have some hotels with trees decorated by artists, like the Conservatorium Hotel and the Pulitzer hotel. But we spotted more inspiration like the Wish Tree of Fauchon l’Hôtel Paris, the afternoon tea’s at Le Meurice in Paris and their Bûches de Noël (Yule Logs) by Frederic Grolet. And the Afternoon Tea at the Great Scotland Yard hotel looks very Christmassy! Some great examples by luxury hotels. Who knows some of it might inspire you!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Don Utrecht, Daruma Crêpe and BunBun Amsterdam
28-11-2024
We spot fun, new concepts every day. This week: Don Utrecht, where you can enjoy coffee made with Neapolitan Kimbo beans and tasty Italian panninis, luxury sandwiches, salads and pastas. Daruma Crêpe where they make the Instagrammable ‘Crème Brûlée Crêpe’ and more; they have opened a shop in the Nishimarket in Rotterdam and have pop-ups in Amsterdam and Leiden. BunBun sells croissant buns in the centre of Amsterdam. They make 7 Bun flavours, 3 savoury and 4 sweet, every day.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and good luck with their new restaurant, pop-ups and bakery, more details below!
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 47
26-11-2024
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Spotted on Instagram: A Snowglobe Christmas Cocktail! A G&T with edible white glitter and edible crocs and frozen Rudolph cream on hot chocolate!
- Holiday season inspiration from Australia, Outback Steakhouse launched Steakmas, with a ‘Koala on the Walla’.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill recently announced it is bringing back three of its best-selling merchandise in their ‘All I want is Chipotle’
- Restaurant Spetters in Breskens has been named ‘Restaurant of the Year’ by restaurant association JRE-Nederland.
- KULT Kefir is an innovative Belgian brand which sells an organic, healthy drink based on water kefir. You can order it at different restaurants and bars and it’s now also available in supermarkets in the Netherlands.
- Youtuber Kaj Gorgels and culinary influencer Colin Knopper are opening burger restaurant Drippy’s in Rotterdam in cooperation with the CEO of the restaurant chain ‘De Beren’.
- McDonald’s will launch their McValue platform in US Restaurants next year!
Enjoy reading!
Bagels & Beans celebrates Zencember© | All you need is less
26-11-2024
Need to relax and recharge between the festive rush? You can do so at Bagels & Beans throughout December. During Zencember©, you can drop by their locations for a zen moment. They will also help guests with personalised Christmas cards and the most beautiful wrapped gifts. And they also serve stress-relieving drinks and bagels, musical assistance and hand yoga!
2 minutes read
Christmas inspiration | Like an arty Christmas tree, decorations, delicacies and music at luxury hotels
25-11-2024
We love the fact that some hotels invite friends and/or designers to decorate their Christmas tree. We’re always looking forward to the arty Christmas tree of the Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair, this year decorated by designer Sir Paul Smith. The arty Christmas tree just outside the Connaught hotel has been decorated by influential British artist Conrad Shawcross RA. But we also always love the decorations at the Plaza hotel in New York, the Bûches de Noël in France and more. A list of luxury and fancy Christmas trees, decorations and traditional delicacies by luxury hotels. Who knows some of it might inspire you!
5 minutes read, scrolling goes much faster but you’ll miss the best details!
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Cheesecake Project, Massalia and Surf & Turf
21-11-2024
We spot fun, new concepts every day. This week, the artisan cheesecakes of the Cheesecake Project in Amsterdam, they created their own recipe for Basque style cheesecake. Massalia, a French-Greek restobar, which recently also opened in Amsterdam, where you can enjoy the influences of both French and Greek cuisine. And Surf & Turf, which opened its doors in Utrecht this September, where you can enjoy a refined selection of fish and dry-aged meats.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and success with their concepts. More information below!
2 minutes read
‘Subway’s Fresh Forward 2.0’ positions the chain for the future
19-11-2024
Subway has unveiled their new global restaurant design. Subway®, one of the world’s largest restaurant brands, is introducing ‘Subway’s Fresh Forward 2.0’. Rolling out globally in 2025, the next iteration of its global restaurant image is designed to further enhance the guest experience, improve convenience and help drive franchisee profitability.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 46
18-11-2024
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- A cool way to serve a ‘girl dinner’ for 2! Done at Restaurant Villa Orange in Amsterdam.
- NH Collection celebrates its 10th anniversary across Europe with an Anniversary Spritz, as cocktail and mocktail.
- Papa Johns Pizza and Aviation American Gin are spicing up the cocktail scene with the ‘Cini Tini’.
- The Ron Gastro Bowls are back at Poké Perfect! This winter Ron Blaauw created the Beef Rendang bowl and a Tempura Shrimp bowl.
- Dave’s Hot Chicken chain is giving away hundreds of free sandos in East London on November 20th.
- A great NYC tradition: the adult happy meal. Now also available at the Conversatorium Hotel in Amsterdam.
- Waddle into wonder, the Penguin Parade Sculpture Trail in Fleet Street Quarter is now open!
- IKEA has opened its first Swedish restaurant on a UK high street.
- Cahoots Postal Office has officially landed in Borough Yards, London. Through a life-size postbox you step into a 1940s-inspired cocktail den.
- An snow or ice maze in Poland: Snowlandia in Zakopane!
Enjoy reading!
Dive into Christmas | At the HUMBUG immersive Christmas Dive Bar
15-11-2024
Dive into Christmas, to cheer up Santa! This November, London’s magical immersive Christmas dive bar, HUMBUG, is back in town and, this time it promises to be even bigger, even better and even more raucous than before. Shaking things up for the festive season, the team at HUMBUG will be firing up the snow machines and sprinkling a little mischief into the magic at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane from November 14th – December 31st, after a fully sold-out season last year.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Café Paloma, Bistrot Le Béret and Café Toulouse
14-11-2024
We spot fun, new concepts every day. This week: Café Paloma which opened in September and features South American cuisine and Paloma cocktails. Bistrot Le Béret recently opened in Medemblik, a real French bistro with mostly classics on the menu. And Café Toulouse opened recently in Leiden, also serving French cuisine but with a Sicilian touch! Three concepts with intriguing details.
We wish all these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and success with their new restaurants, more details below!
2 minutes read
Restaurant De Oude Melkfabriek in Arkel | Enjoying Persian cuisine
Restaurant De Oude Melkfabriek in Arkel | Enjoying Persian cuisine
Restaurant De Oude Melkfabriek in Arkel | Enjoying Persian cuisine
Restaurant De Oude Melkfabriek in Arkel | Enjoying Persian cuisine
Restaurant De Oude Melkfabriek in Arkel | Enjoying Persian cuisine
