Trends we spotted | Week 38
22-9-2026
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:
- The ’50 Best Pizzerias’ 2026 and the ’50 Best Hotels in the World’ 2026 have recently been announced.
- At the Wijnkeuring (wine tasting) of the Low Countries 2026, a record number of 103 gold medals were awarded. In total, 247 Dutch and Belgian wines were judged.
- We already wrote about Spin’s plans back in August, and since 12 September, Bar Spin has opened its doors in Amsterdam-West. Enjoy analogue music, cocktails, bites and games.
- Kewpie Corporation invited Londoners last weekend to discover how one simple squeeze can transform one of the world’s most iconic sandwiches. A fun pop-up.
- In November 2026, Brasserie De Hofsmid will open in Buren, the third restaurant by entrepreneur Edwin Muns, in collaboration with chef Cas Vieleers and host Yorick van Gelder.
- Omakase Amsterdam is celebrating its first anniversary and has made a short documentary to mark the occasion. Well worth a watch!
- Since 11 September, Bagels & Beans has become the first major national hospitality chain to serve Gkazas’ new Sparkling Olive Waters, available for a limited time in two flavours: Cucumber and Pickles. You can try them until 15 November at all their locations.
- This fall marks a new chapter for THE BUTCHER Social Club. THE ENTOURAGE GROUP’s concept is making its international debut in Gibraltar.
Enjoy reading!
From dots to flavour | Schilo van Coevorden honours Kusama at Restaurant Sandberg
18-9-2026
To mark the major retrospective exhibition of Yayoi Kusama at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Restaurant Sandberg and chef Schilo van Coevorden are presenting a five-course menu inspired by her work. Since September, during small-scale dinner evenings, Schilo has been translating Kusama’s visual language into flavour, texture and form. Not by literally imitating her art, but by exploring what her ideas about repetition, colour, material and infinity can mean in culinary terms.
Buurthotel celebrates Neighbour Day in Amsterdam and Rotterdam
18-9-2026
Following the success of Open Hotel Week, hotels in Amsterdam and Rotterdam are transforming into meeting places for their neighbourhoods. On Saturday 26 September, participating hotels will invite residents of Amsterdam and Rotterdam via Buurthotel to a pizza workshop for children, a kickboxing class or a wild-foraging walk. The aim: to connect residents and hotels. This takes place as part of Burendag (Neighbour Day), the nationwide initiative by Douwe Egberts and the Oranje Fonds. With this, Buurthotel is also introducing ‘co-tourism’ in Rotterdam: a model in which tourist facilities create local value for both visitors and residents.
Restaurant LUTE Kruid ’02 opened in Amstelveen
17-9-2026
On the spot where Peter and Marieke Lute opened their first restaurant almost 25 years ago, LUTE Kruid ’02 recently opened. The former Kruidfabriek at Oude Molen 5 in Amstelveen has been completely renovated and deliberately scaled back from 140 to 40 covers. In doing so, they are recreating the freedom to do what they have stood always for: cooking from their own vision and giving every guest the personal attention they see as the greatest luxury of our time.
How to score points with dog lovers | No surprises at check-in
21-8-2026
The holiday season is drawing to a close, and recently I was out walking with other dog lovers. Only one dog had stayed home, looked after by acquaintances, while the others had either been to a kennel or came along on holiday. My family and I, along with many other dog owners, choose to bring the dog along whenever possible. Finding a destination that works with a dog, however, is a challenge. We always rent a holiday home, and for hotels along the way we often use Booking.com; there, at least, you can indicate that you’re looking for a hotel or holiday home where dogs are welcome. What it actually costs per night, though, remains unclear there too. A blog by Marjolein van Spronsen on how to communicate transparently about welcoming dogs and how that can help you to score points with dog lovers.
2 minutes read
Vuurzee and Prinsenleven win gold at the World Beer Awards 2026
20-8-2026
De Goede & De Stoute, a small Burgundian brewhouse, took home no fewer than five gold awards at the World Beer Awards 2026. Vuurzee, the flagship beer, once again claimed Gold and Gold Country Winner. But the real surprise is Prinsenleven: launched this year and virtually unknown outside the brewery’s own circle of members, it immediately picked up Gold, Gold Country Winner, and World’s Best Pale Beer, Belgian Style Blonde 2026 — the highest honor worldwide in that style category.
2 minutes read
Pet-friendly hospitality | A list of great examples of how to treat your pet guests!
18-8-2026
Your four-legged friend is part of the family, and most families want to take their pets along on holiday. Luxury travel is ready for its new VIP guests, and there is a whole world of business built around taking your best friend on your trip. Airlines allowing pets of all sizes in the cabin are popping up around the world, and luxury pet-friendly hotels are creating all kinds of extras for travelling pet owners. We have written many articles on pet-friendly hospitality offered by hotels and restaurants, and we have even spotted some wonderful terms for it: hosPETality, Bark-cuterie, pup-flight, poochini or a puppicino and dogstronomy. In this article, we have compiled a list of great examples of how to treat your pet guests!
4 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 33
14-8-2026
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:
- Ipsos and IWSR published ‘The Consumer Trends Shaping Adult Beverages’, a new whitepaper commissioned by AB InBev. The study examines the choices and behavior of legal-drinking-age consumers.
- Hard Rock Cafe and Coca-Cola recently launched Hard Rock Rising. This music competition takes place in 34 countries and at 64 Hard Rock Cafes, offering emerging artists a stage.
- Fletcher Hotels continues its growth ambitions with the acquisition of Hotel Marktstad and Slot Hotel Schagen.
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Sinaia Cota 1400 brings alpine-inspired design to Romania’s Bucegi Mountains.
- Spotted on the Instagram account of ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France Charcuterie’ Arnaud Nicolas in Paris: a Croque Monsieur XXL made with pain de mie!
- Also spotted on Instagram: the Caviar Hotline at the Park Lane New York! A fun idea to dedicate a number on your in-room telephone to a specialty of your own.
- And also spotted online: the Pineau des Charentes Spritz.
- Miracle Cocktails Inc., the company behind two of the world’s leading Christmas cocktail pop-ups, Miracle and Sippin’ Santa, unveils The Haunting, its first-ever Halloween pop-up bar experience.
- Burger King Belgium advises all Belgians to leave the flame grilling to them. 😉
Enjoy reading!
the Domino™ will be introduced in the US | A new Detroit-style pizza made for one
13-8-2026
Domino’s Pizza Inc. is introducing the Domino™. Launching nationwide on Aug. 31, the new Detroit-style pizza made for one delivers the demands of today’s modern pizza occasion, providing customization without compromise. Now everyone can enjoy their own pizza, with the toppings they want. Sharing a meal no longer means having to share a pizza.
Will Domino’s Pizza also launch this individual-sized pizza in Europe?
2 minutes read
Research by Hawaiian and a new Hawaiian Summer Salad Mix
11-8-2026
As soon as the temperature rises above 25 degrees, it’s not just our daily schedule that changes, but also what ends up on our plate. Research conducted on behalf of Hawaiian shows that 58.1% of Dutch people swap a heavier meal for a light, fresh option such as a poké bowl or salad. Notably, it’s not just about eating lighter. Dutch consumers turn out to have a real need for freedom of choice: more than half (55.2%) opt for a bowl because it can be fully customized to personal taste. That’s why they’re introducing the Hawaiian Summer Salad Mix.
2 minutes read
The 50 Best Hotels 2026
A pop-up by Kewpie Corporation in London - to show how their Japanese mayo changes one of the world's most iconic sandwiches 
LTR Edwin Muns, Cas Vieleers and Yorick van Gelder – owners of Brasserie De Hofsmid in Buren – credits Raphaël Drent.
Bar Spin where you can play pool - enjoy vinyl - bites and cocktails - credits Anouk Janmaat
Bagels & Beans serves Gkazas' new Sparkling Olive Waters
THE BUTCHER Social Club is opening in Gibraltar
