Starbucks launches the ‘Ube Spring Drinks’-collection across European stores
26-3-2026
Starbucks launches its ‘Ube Spring Drinks’-collection across European stores, featuring beverages inspired by the vibrant purple yam from the Philippines. From lattes and matcha to Frappuccinos®, the range combines the nutty sweetness of the yam with a striking purple color. By introducing the ‘Ube Spring Drinks’-collection, Starbucks brings a centuries-old culinary tradition to café menus while tapping into growing interest in global flavors and seasonal innovations. The collection delivers a fresh taste experience and visually appealing drinks that perfectly capture the energy of spring and social media trends.
2 minutes read
Bagels & Beans introduces the Caffeine Compass | Discover your personal caffeine rhythm
26-3-2026
From strategic sipper to double-shot thinker, insight into how coffee affects your energy. These days, we measure just about everything. Our steps. Our sleep. Our screen time. But our caffeine intake often remains overlooked. Even though coffee is a fixed part of the daily rhythm for many Dutch people: nearly 80% drink coffee weekly, averaging around 3 to 4 cups per day. With the Caffeine Compass, Bagels & Beans provides insight into what that means for your energy throughout the day.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 12
23-3-2026
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:
- Padbol, an energetic Argentine game that combines padel and football on a fenced-off court.
- Lighthouse is launching the first ChatGPT app for direct hotel bookings, featuring AI-driven, reliable hotel information.
- 24H Chefs, a biennial initiative with Gault&Millau, sees top chefs cook for 24 hours to raise funds for War Child and the Prinses Máxima Centrum.
- Bagels & Beans is expanding to nearly 100 locations, preparing for international expansion and appointing Carolien Vergouwe as managing director.
- The ‘Wissel ’ns Wat!’ campaign encourages the Dutch to make plant-based choices and offers a newsroom on the protein transition.
- Design & Wijn, in collaboration with Wijngoed Gelders Laren, is launching Portique, a Dutch port-style wine in a limited edition of just 438 bottles.
- Le Pain Quotidien is opening a location at Designer Outlet Roermond, thereby expanding its presence in the Netherlands.
- HEINEKEN has reached 1,500 alcohol-free tap points in The Netherlands and is promoting responsible 0.0 draught beer consumption at sports clubs.
- Het Noorden celebrates its 160th anniversary with Noorden Blond, a speciality beer brewed by Brouwerij Wentersch.
- Nine new properties join the global Relais & Châteaux collection.
Enjoy reading!
KAGE Lab opens in Brussels | Tea-based drinks, built like cocktails
20-3-2026
After launching their tea and matcha collection in 2024 and opening Kage Specialty Tea, KAGE announces the opening of Kage Lab, a new concept set to open in April 2026 at Rue Lesbroussart 20 in Brussels. KAGE Lab introduces a new approach to daytime drinks: tea-based beverages developed with the precision and techniques of cocktail bars.
2 minutes read
RHUM FEST PARIS | An edition celebrating the spirit of Carnival in April
10-3-2026
RHUM FEST PARIS returns on April 18, 19 and 20, 2026 at the Parc Floral de Paris with an edition celebrating the spirit of Carnival. A symbol of joy and sharing, Carnival serves as one of the cultural bridges between Europe and many rum- and cachaça-producing territories : French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Haiti, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia…
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 9
3-3-2026
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:
- Burger King is introducing updates to its iconic Whopper, including a new bun and box packaging.
- Live Más LIVE 2026 by Taco Bell, a Hollywood-themed event revealing its 2026 menu innovations.
- Kyriad has launched ‘Prompt It’ the first AI-powered travel guide created by the brand.
- Travel and Tour World has released its ‘Top 50 Nightlife Travel Destinations for 2026’.
- Starbucks is launching new Coffee & Protein bottled drinks on March 23.
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has added permanent Senior Meals (55+) to its menu.
- Mandarin Oriental has appointed Simone Biles as its first Global Wellness Ambassador.
Enjoy reading!
Wissel ’ns Wat! sets the Dutch protein transition in motion again
24-2-2026
On March 2, Wissel ’ns Wat! (or in English: Let’s swap) will launch, a new nationwide behaviour-change campaign in the Netherlands that takes over from the ‘National Week Without Meat’ and will now remain active year-round. The campaign focuses on the so-called ‘movable middle’: the 53% of Dutch consumers who rarely choose plant-based alternatives but are open to change when it is practical, tasty, and accessible.
Based on the change in this initiative: why not serve your guests’ favourite dish as a vegetarian option?
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 8
23-2-2026
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:
- Westrock Coffee Company recently announced it has officially achieved its goal of becoming 100% responsibly sourced, fulfilling the commitment the company publicly set in 2021.
- The inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma will bring together 70 historic Italian cars in the heart of Rome. Taking place from the 16th-19th of April 2026.
- The development of the Al Layan Oasis project has been approved, it will become a new environmental and recreational destination in Dubai.
- Heineken® launched two new non-alcoholic flavours, Cold Pressed Lime and Nectarine Juniper, in the US.
- Tim Hortons, a coffee chain from North America, is introducing Golden Cinnamon Cold Foam as a limited-time customization option this spring. The brand also continues to highlight its protein latte platform.
- Jordan olive oil from Lesbos is now available in a paper bottle, made from 94% recycled cardboard, featuring a specially designed pourer that doesn’t spill a drop.
- The Dutch coffee and bagels chain Bagels & Beans distributes nearly 1,000 love cards for Valentine’s Day. We spotted Café Pli, een ‘Café à Lettres’ in Paris, where visitors can write a letter to their future selves!
- Onyx Coffee Lab (USA) tops the list as the best coffee shop in ‘THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS’. Fuku by FriedHats in Amsterdam is ranked number 79! Congrats to all companies on this list!
Enjoy reading!
A ‘bottomless Easter brunch’ in Nijmegen | Collaboration between Plan_A and Cath’s Cuisine
20-2-2026
Cath’s Cuisine and Plan_A are organizing a bottomless Easter brunch on Sunday, April 5. Following a successful first edition, they are once again joining forces to create a culinary Easter experience in Nijmegen. On Easter Sunday, they will host an extensive and cosy brunch. Expect shared dining with delicious dishes and, of course, unlimited drinks, carefully selected to perfectly complement the food. A great example of a strong local collaboration.
1 minute read
Trends we spotted | Week 7
17-2-2026
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:
- Inspiration for next year! Why not spoil your best male friend for Valentine’s Day? Einstein Bros. Bagels introduced their ‘Bro-quet’!
- Viral push pop sushi has also been spotted in the Netherlands at Twapan in Eindhoven and Rolling Sushi in Amsterdam.
- Fletcher Hotels opens a boutique hotel at Michelin-starred restaurant De Kromme Dissel (*).
- The first location of a fashion-forward café by streetwear brand, 13DE Marzo, opened last November in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. They serve tiny teddy bears with their drinks.
- Jill hotel Brussels & restaurant Nook offer an extensive mocktail menu and serve no alcohol.
- California Almonds partnered with StarChefs to showcase almond creativity on restaurant menus across San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- The Shangri-La hotel group launched a global search for one lucky winner to receive an 88-Night Global Stay.
- Nobu Hospitality will launch Nobu Hotel, Restaurant and exclusive private island residences in the Maldives.
- Mandarin Oriental Hotels will expand its presence in Egypt with two iconic hotels and a luxury Nile cruise experience.
Enjoy reading!
Starbucks launches the ‘Ube Spring Drinks’-collection across European stores
