VYVO launches new category of ‘Clean Functional Drinks’ | No sugar, no sweeteners, just focus
16-6-2026
Consumers increasingly want the benefits of functional beverages, but they are becoming more critical about what goes into them. In a market filled with sugar and artificial additives, demand is growing for an effective alternative that supports wellbeing and mental sharpness without unnecessary ingredients. Amsterdam-based VYVO is responding to this trend with a functional soft drink that is free from both sugar and sweeteners, yet designed to give your day a healthy boost.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 24
16-6-2026
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 Netherlands is organizing an introductory session on June 30 for entrepreneurs who have a serious interest in running their own McDonald’s restaurant.
- Vault Bar, the renowned cocktail bar located within Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, has been named one of the Best Hotel Bars for 2026 by the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide.
- The iconic New York restaurant Dante has opened a permanent restaurant and bar at Claridge’s hotel. Dante Mayfair has officially made the transition from pop-up concept to permanent London venue.
- A fun idea: a date night at the zoo! Through July 24, adults can enjoy Zoo Nights at London Zoo. Could this be an inspiring concept for other zoos?
- La Marzocco has unveiled the Azteca, a unique espresso machine inspired by the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
- Alcohol-free beer is gaining ground in sports canteens, according to Heineken Netherlands.
- The Manor Hotel in Amsterdam East has officially reopened its doors as part of the exclusive Leonardo Limited Edition collection.
- Since June 11, the Dutch hospitality industry has been fully embracing the World Cup. A great example is Villa Kakelbont in Rotterdam.
- To further promote the OneUnit message, SpiritsNL will organize a nationwide roadshow in 2026, visiting eight major Dutch cities. OneUnit cocktails and mixed drinks contain one standard serving of alcohol.
Enjoy reading!
DOT Groningen transforms into Europe’s largest football for the ultimate World Cup celebration
12-6-2026
Football fans in Groningen and beyond can prepare for a World Cup experience of truly epic proportions. Creative hotspot DOT, located in the Ebbingekwartier district, is transforming its iconic white dome into Europe’s largest football for the upcoming World Cup. With a diameter of no less than 26 metres, the Groningen dome will become the continent’s ultimate visual World Cup landmark. Inside and around the giant “football,” all matches of the Dutch national team will be broadcast live for more than 1,500 passionate football fans.
1 minute read
Zwarte Cross and Grolsch launch special ‘t Geet Hier Spoken can for the 2026 edition
12-6-2026
The Dutch festival Zwarte Cross and Grolsch have joined forces to introduce an exclusive half-litre can in celebration of Zwarte Cross 2026. The special edition can is entirely dedicated to ‘t Geet Hier Spoken! (“Things Are Going to Get Wild Here!”), the theme of the upcoming festival edition. With this launch, the two brands bring their long-standing partnership to life in a striking design that will be available in supermarkets from June 15.
1 minute read
Van Gelder introduces an AI recipe assistant | New tool supports chefs with recipe development and menu inspiration
11-6-2026
From recipe development to menu inspiration, artificial intelligence is increasingly finding its way into professional kitchens. To support chefs and hospitality entrepreneurs, Van Gelder has introduced an AI recipe assistant. This digital tool provides users with inspiration for dishes, cooking techniques, and applications for fresh ingredients within seconds.
2 minutes read
Football meets fine dining in Amsterdam| Private dining, cocktails & watching specific games
11-6-2026
Watching the World Cup in Amsterdam takes on a new dimension this summer thanks to The Entourage Group. As the city gears up for another football-filled season, several hospitality venues are offering unique ways to experience the tournament. From lively match nights by the IJ waterfront to exclusive private dining experiences, football, gastronomy and hospitality come together in concepts designed for fans, friends, colleagues and business relations alike. Football meets fine dining!
2 minutes read
Play the BINGO where the whole of Amsterdam wins | Bellefleur’s WorldPride UNITY BINGO
11-6-2026
In the run-up to WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, Team Eberhardjes is once again joining forces with Dolly Bellefleur. Their mottos ‘Take good care of our city and of one another’ and ‘Let love reign’ align seamlessly. The theme of WorldPride is UNITY: for Team Eberhardjes and Bellefleur, the perfect occasion to playfully connect all the nationalities that make up Amsterdam. Today, Thursday, June 11th, they will launch Bellefleur’s WorldPride UNITY BINGO: an online bingo game in which not only one person, but everyone wins.
2 minutes read
Longest frikandel in the world | Chef Margo Reuten takes action for KWF
9-6-2026
Chef Margo Reuten of Restaurant Da Vinci in Maasbracht is stepping out of her familiar Michelin-starred kitchen for a special challenge. Together with five local entrepreneur friends, the only female SVH Master Chef with a Michelin star will attempt to break the world record for the “World’s Longest frikandel” on Sunday, June 28, 2026. (The frikandel is a long, skinless meat sausage made from finely ground meat (or meat trimmings) and spices, which is deep-fried just before consumption.)With this playful initiative, they are taking a stand against cancer and hope to raise €50,000 for the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF Kankerbestrijding).
Reading time: 2 minutes
Trends we spotted | Week 23
9-6-2026
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:
- Michelin-starred Restaurant Spetters presents Spetters – Shaped by Time, an anniversary book that brings together fifteen years of culinary development, personal stories, and signature recipes.
- Following several months of renovation, the Hulstkamp Gebouw on Rotterdam’s Noordereiland has reopened and is once again fully operational.
- On June 2, restaurant chain De Beren opened a new location in Duiven, situated at the largest food court in the Netherlands, near the A12 motorway.
- Mini Masters Playground in Waddinxveen has recently opened its doors. This interactive indoor play world allows children to discover a variety of professions through play.
- Radisson Hotel Group has added two new European properties to its portfolio: the design-focused Radisson RED Innsbruck in Austria and the characterful Gonville Hotel in Cambridge.
- Spotted on Instagram: the Negroni Float at Mister McCoy Island Ice Mallorca.
- Dutch wine growers produced approximately 11,752 hectolitres of wine during the past wine year, more than 1.5 million bottles and double the volume produced the previous year.
- Manex Properties, the joint venture between AMANO Group and Excellion Capital, has secured planning permission to transform Waterman House in London into a boutique AMANO hotel.
Enjoy reading!
Longevity | Hotels & wellness resorts are embracing the trend
5-6-2026
Medical wellness retreats have been around for decades, but today we see an increasing number of hotels and resorts embracing the longevity trend. Around the world, more and more research is being conducted to answer the growing demand for a healthier and longer life. Longevity has become a key focus online, in luxury hotels and resorts, and increasingly in restaurants and wellness concepts. But how can hospitality entrepreneurs respond to this trend? In this article, we share ideas, inspiring examples and links to hoteliers who already offer longevity programmes.
4 minutes read