Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Ikigai, restaurant Salut and the Salsa Shop
28-7-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week: restaurant Salut in De Pijp, lunch concept Ikigai in Leiden, and the latest Salsa Shop opening at Amsterdam Central Station.
In the heart of De Pijp in Amsterdam, Restaurant Salut has opened its doors: an all-day café combining French charm with Mediterranean comfort. The concept comes from the entrepreneurs behind restaurant Bisous. In Leiden, a new lunch spot has launched on Haarlemmerstraat: Ikigai. Here, you can enjoy sandwiches with Japanese toppings on brioche bread, paninis, and special drinks. Lastly, the Salsa Shop recently opened its 18th location. At Amsterdam Central Station, you can now grab a fresh burrito or quesadilla!
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new concepts.
2 minutes read
De Lola | The new pod hotel in The Hague’s ‘De Haagse Bluf’
17-7-2025
As of July 16, 2025, you can experience a new way to stay in The Hague. De Lola Podshotel has opened in ‘De Haagse Bluf’ – the very first true pod hotel in The Hague and the Netherlands. No standard rooms here, but cozy sleep pods: compact, stacked cocoons with everything you need for a comfortable stay right in the city center. De Lola brings the smart and efficient sleep concept, already popular in global cities like Tokyo, New York and London, to the Netherlands. The hotel features 62 pods accommodating up to 70 guests, and a contemporary food concept and a stylish retro 70s-inspired lobby.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 28
14-7-2025
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:
- Nazuna Inc. which operates friendly, luxurious machiya inns in Kyoto, has launched a new experienced-based recruitment model: ‘Stay first, then interview’. An inspiring approach?
- Wouldn’t it be great to have a cookies ATM at your favourite bakery? In Darwin, Australia The Cookie Lab has just that: its very own Cookies ATM.
- The Lobby in Amsterdam has once again affirmed its status as a top wine destination, earning two Wine Spectator’s 2025 Restaurant Awards and they start Cork-Free Mondays.
- Using local events in your marketing strategy is a classic tactic. The Ivy Collection gives us with a great example with their Centre Court Melting Bombe during Wimbledon.
- As of July 1st, McDonald’s Switzerland has introduced a new twist on their iconic McRaclette burger: a chicken version.
- The Aussie Jawssie cocktail and the Sharky Temple mocktail are back at Outback Steakhouse locations across the US. We love the names and the presentation!
- Check out this interesting on QSR Magazine about KFC’s bold new brand: Saucy by KFC is shaking up the fast food world.
- At International Hotel Capital Partners (IHCP), employees can save for personal dreams through their innovative Bucketlist Programme. Here is a great example of how it works.
- On Thursday, July 17, the terrace of WOLF Food Market in Antwerp will once again transform into an open-air cinema. Expect a screening of the movie Pulp Fiction, a Campari Spritz and an exclusive live BBQ by Rambo.
Enjoy reading!
Trends we spotted | Week 27
4-7-2025
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:
- It’s a Dutch tradition, herring parties to celebrate ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’! This year for the for the 30th time, the Hilton Amsterdam received the first keg by fishmonger Jan van As.
- Chef René Redzepi and the team behind restaurant Noma are heading to Los Angeles in 2026.
- Airbnb is official partner of the Tour de France till 2027 and will offer unique experiences to enjoy the Grande Boucle and the communities surrounding the route.
- Dutch hostel chain Stayokay has launched a playful new campaign: ‘This is not a hostel!’
- With rising temperatures, cooling becomes increasingly important. Skycooler provides a refreshing solution for terraces, sports facilities, events, and smaller indoor spaces.
- Hotel brand ibis continues its European expansion, with recent openings in Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Germany, and upcoming locations in Poland and Hungary. The brand now boasts over 2,500 hotels worldwide.
- Thai street food brand Kaimug is the first restaurant in Germany to introduce a robot chef: the Omni by Botinkit.
- At their recent Leadership Experience event, Starbucks announced their first generative-AI powered solution, Green Dot Assist. This system will support their baristas and other green apron partners.
- Accor’s newest luxury brand, Emblems Collection, blends a storied legacy with a visionary redesign. Fiftheen hotels are in the pipeline, including Rimrock Banff, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath in the UK and the Elatos Resort in Greece.
Enjoy reading!
Young entrepreneurs & new locations | Le Smash, Elysianne and Beau
1-7-2025
Every day we spot fun and exciting new concepts. This week: a new Le Smash location in Leiden, restaurant Elysianne in Amsterdam, and Beau in Rotterdam.
Le Smash recently opened its eighth location in the Netherlands at Steenstraat 12 in Leiden. Meanwhile, the ninth location has also already opened in Groningen. Early 2025, restaurant Elysianne opened its doors at Ruysdaelstraat 48 in Amsterdam. Chef Matt Pace and his team serve refined versions of classic Creole dishes from Louisiana. And this Saturday, July 5, Beau will open at Stadhuisplein 23 in Rotterdam—a place to dine, experience, and linger.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new concepts.
2 minutes read
Michelin-starred restaurant Onder de Linden embarks on a new path| Even more local, sustainable and affordable
1-7-2025
Herberg Onder de Linden, located in the village of Aduard in Groningen (in the north of the Netherlands), is becoming even more local and accessible. The Michelin-starred restaurant (*), owned by chef Steven Klein Nijenhuis, is eliminating nearly all ingredients sourced from afar. In addition, the menu now includes an attractively priced three-course option, and two new luxury suites have been added, bringing the total number of guest rooms to six.
3 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 26
27-6-2025
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:
- Spotted on Instagram: a bitterballen claw machine! Our ‘bitterballen’ would probably be cold by the time we manage to grab one.😉 Found at DUS in Utrecht.
- Also spotted on Instagram: a fun way to serve ice cream – Zoo Ice Cream by BoBa in Barcelona!
- Also via Instagram: the Tuna Fight Club – a spectacular dining experience at Notting Hill Fish + Meat Shop.
- Accor Netherlands has been named the official hotel partner of WorldPride 2026 in Amsterdam, taking place from July 25 to August 8, 2025.
- LuminAir, the bar above Amsterdam launches The Menu of Colors, a new cocktail menu inspired by prismatic colors. Artist Lynn Spoor created a matching artwork.
- Starting July 1, fans in the U.S. can take home a tiny piece of McDonald’s with one of 21 mini toys from the Lil McDonald’s Happy Meal.
- J Hotel Shanghai Tower is located at the top of China’s tallest skyscraper and the third-highest in the world.
- The Ruby Group will open its first Greek hotel in 2027, right in the heart of Athens, near Omonia Square.
- Redbrick is known for its iconic Safety Sneakers: sturdy work shoes with the look of casual sneakers. A completely renewed collection is now available.
Enjoy reading!
Trends we spotted | Week 25
23-6-2025
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:
- INK Hotel Amsterdam is turning pink for the tenth time during Pride Amsterdam. This anniversary edition is titled ‘Ten Years of Reflection’. From July 24 through August 3, 2025, it’s called the PINK Hotel.
- Distillers Hotel will bring new life to historic Schiedam distillery. Scheduled to open in 2026.
- Last week Frittenwerk opened their first store in Münich, it’s their 45th store in Germany.
- KYU NYC, a full-service restaurant, is aiming to shake up the New York City lunch scene with the launch of KYU Grab & Go, pick-up point: the window.
- Another window opened in NYC: Buchette del Vino, the city’s first ‘Florentine Wine Window’.
- We came across ‘The World’s First Sky Beach Club’ on Instagram. The location of the Tribe Sky Beach Club? Emsphere Mall in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Inspiration for beach clubs: a Low Tide Golf Game. Looks like fun!
- A great example of a fun little gesture of hospitality: the VIP #DogPerrignon service from SiSo Beach Mallorca.
- The CuliQuiz Top 100 is a nationwide audience award created for and by the Dutch hospitality industry. Applications are open now and the winners will be announced during Gastvrij Rotterdam. Created together with the Week of Hospitality.
- An event by Hospitality Pact marked the official launch of the new platform Discover Hospitality — the central hub of a national digital campaign designed to inspire young adults to pursue a career in hospitality in the Netherlands.
Enjoy reading!
Hyatt opens first Secrets resort in Aruba | Secrets Baby Beach Aruba
17-6-2025
Hyatt is expanding its Inclusive Collection with the launch of Secrets Baby Beach Aruba – an adults-only, all-inclusive resort featuring 304 suites on the serene southeastern coast of Aruba. This is the first Inclusive Collection property on the island, located along the tranquil Baby Beach, known for its white coral sands and clear turquoise waters. Its proximity to the colorful town of San Nicolas – famous for its street murals – makes it ideal for travelers seeking both luxury and local culture. Other Hyatt hotels on Aruba are Hyatt Place Aruba Airport and Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa and Casino.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 24
13-6-2025
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:
- This weekend in New York City for the fans of the HBO MAX series ‘And just like that…”: a ‘Hot Fellas’ Bakery pop-up.
- An Instagram reel by 60 Seconds to Napoli about their ‘Pasta in a pizza bowl’.
- Celebrating 750 years of Amsterdam at Amsterdam Breakfast on 21 June. An initiative by Ron Gastrobar and Cees Holtkamp.
- Nobu Hospitality is expanding in Poland with the upcoming Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences in Kraków, located near the city’s historic Old Town.
- Carvel® Ice Cream, kicks off summer with the first-ever soft serve–dispensing billboard in NYC’s West Village on June 18.
- Chipotle is celebrating fans with a limited-edition collection of 13 temporary tattoos inspired by iconic brand elements, today on June 13.
- Marriott International’s Luxury Group brings back the Luxury Dining Series across Asia Pacific from July to September, featuring culinary events at seven top hotels.
- Pret A Manger is launching a new shop format that features a more spacious, family-friendly environment with made-to-order food and drink service suited to longer, more relaxed visits.
- Albron announced the successful completion of its acquisition of industry peer Hutten. Recently the new name of the new organization was unveiled: Hai – Hutten Albron Impactmakers.
Enjoy reading!
Restaurant Salut in the Pijp in Amsterdam
Restaurant Salut in the Pijp in Amsterdam
Restaurant Salut in the Pijp in Amsterdam
Restaurant Salut in the Pijp in Amsterdam
The Salsa Shop on Station Amsterdam Centraal
The Salsa Shop on Station Amsterdam Centraal
Lunchconcept Ikigai on the Haarlemmerstraat in Leiden
Lunchconcept Ikigai on the Haarlemmerstraat in Leiden
Lunchconcept Ikigai on the Haarlemmerstraat in Leiden
