Trends we spotted | Week 38
19-9-2025
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:
- Heineken Hoek on the Leidseplein in Amsterdam gets a new bistro concept, hearty food without fuss.
- Central Perk Coffeehouse, the iconic Friends hangout, is coming to Times Square this fall.
- The Belgium Sake Festival will take place on Octobre 4 & 5 in Antwerp.
- Restaurant Suus, the restaurant of Hotel De Plesman and culinary hotspot in The Hague, has a new chef and a new menu. And their deli Suusje has opened.
- Great tiny gesture: Scarlet Letter cocktail at Mr. Fogg’s in London.
- Mandarin Oriental will debut Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai in October 2025, located in the iconic Wasl Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road.
- Radisson Hotel Group opens Radisson Collection The National Hotel, Brussels, located at the prestigious The National Golf Brussels, 15 minutes from the city centre.
- We recently came across a great example of HosPETality – a BARKUTERIE Board – at BrewDog South Eveleigh in Australia!
- The first NYC Bakery Run takes place this weekend, we wonder when the first Bakery Run will be held in Amsterdam?
Enjoy reading!
DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre and Haven Hotel Rotterdam officially opened
19-9-2025
On Thursday, September 18, two renovated hotels at the Leuvehaven in Rotterdam were officially opened: DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre and Haven Hotel Rotterdam, Curio Collection by Hilton. Both are located directly on the Maas River with views of the Erasmus Bridge and within walking distance of iconic city highlights such as the Markthal, the Maritime Museum, and Kop van Zuid. The hotels are directly connected but each offers its own distinctive experience.
2 minutes read
First restaurants receive the Dutch quality label ‘Gezellig’
15-9-2025
On September 24, 2025, the first ten businesses in the hospitality sector will be awarded the new, Dutch, hospitality quality label ‘Gezellig’ in Grolloo. This independent label, initiated by hospitality expert Jeannine Sok and entrepreneur Sven Heijkoop, shines a spotlight on front-of-house staff and aims to contribute to the professionalization of the industry. At the same time, the consumer magazine ‘Gezellig’ will be launched, featuring the certified businesses and inspiring stories from the hospitality sector.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 33
15-8-2025
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:
- Polish bakery brand Fit Cake, with over 80 locations in Poland, has opened its first Canadian store on Toronto’s Bloor Street West, offering signature gluten- and sugar-free treats!
- Sugar-free vanilla ice cream at restaurant Sel Gris in Knokke-Heist, proof that dietary restrictions can still taste delicious! And why not put in on your menu?
- The world’s only Michelin three-star vegan restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, will serve meat and fish again. Check out all the details of this change in the article.
- Xi Home Dumplings -The dumpling Bay in London, together with Marley Bones Dog Food, is serving free doggy dumplings from National Dog Day through September 9.
- Located in Hollywood, California, the Tesla Diner combines a supercharging station, a classic American diner and a drive-in experience, all in one.
- In the US, The Peach Cobbler Factory created mobile units to bring its desserts to smaller towns and other events.
- IHG Hotels & Resorts Brings ‘Bed on the Baseline’ to the 2025 US Open.
- Dave & Buster’s has opened its second location in India—a 22,000 sq. ft. venue on the fourth floor of the Infiniti Mall in Mumbai, in partnership with the Malpani Group. And they have many upcoming venues planned!
Enjoy reading!
The Doggy Route to Happiness | The world’s first sightseeing tour for dogs
12-8-2025
Last weekend, Helsinki, known as the happiest capital in the world, launched The Doggy Route to Happiness, believed to be the world’s first sightseeing tour designed especially for dogs. The event coincided with the World Dog Show 2025 and attracted over 1,000 dogs and their owners.
2 minutes read
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Kamer le Deux en Rabajà Wine & Kitchen
12-8-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week, Kamer le Deux that will open by the end of this month on the Maliestraat in The Hague and in Leiden opened an Italian Wine bar, Rabajà Wine & Kitchen on the Morsstraat.
Kamer le Deux will open at the end of August in the former Bistrot Deux la Place location. Guests can look forward to a Mediterranean menu with classic French flavors. Kamer le Deux will sometimes feature live music. A beautiful tribute to the previous owner Marc Cruellas, who made dining at his restaurant special with his French chansons! The wine bar Rabajà has already opened its doors in June. Here, you can enjoy a fine glass of Italian wine paired with treats such as paccheri fritti, olive ascolane, and chuletas de cordero alla plancha.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new concepts.
2 minutes read
HosPETality | Tail-wagging ideas to pamper four-legged guests
11-8-2025
On August 26, it’s International Dog Day once again – the perfect moment to share some more fun examples of how the four-legged friends of guests are welcomed in hotels and restaurants. More and more, we see reels showing even large dogs going on holiday, sometimes even flying on planes! Honestly, I can’t imagine taking our office dog Jimmy on a long flight… In this article other examples of HosPETality, like: the Chief Happiness Officer at the Fairmont Tokyo, enjoying a martini, beer or ice cream with your dog, off-leash play areas, a ‘Dog Stick Library’ and more. ^Marjolein
This article follows up on our earlier HosPETality piece from 2022, with more examples of pet-friendly initiatives.
3 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 32
8-8-2025
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:
- Inspiration for restaurant chains? Hard Rock Cafe announced the five finalists for its annual World Burger Tour.
- Spotted at an Instagram reel – A £2 toilet trip in Budapest at – POP&ROLL Art Toilet. Combining art, design and utility!
- The 4-star citizenM Dublin St. Patrick’s hotel recently opened with a chaotic pillow fight, great idea!
- Starting August 12, McDonald’s invites fans in the U.S. on a nostalgic journey to McDonaldland.
- Since the end of July, you can enjoy a special drink at all participating Burger King restaurants in Germany: The Summernades! Drinks topped with cotton candy.
- To celebrate the festive opening of the Efteling Grand Hotel, the Efteling placed the world’s largest ribbon bow on the façade of its new luxury hotel. Guinness World Record!
- This summer, McDonald’s Germany invites guests on a global culinary journey with 22 international menu items from 17 countries. Mit Mecces um die Welt.
- Since August 1st, Postillion Hotels has been serving Plant First: their entire food offering, from lunch and dinner buffets to walking dinners and snacks, now has a plant-based foundation.
- The inspiration for the 2025 Duvel Designer Glass comes from artist Loes van Delft. With her design for the iconic glass, she and Duvel advocate for connection and softness.
Enjoy reading!
Young Entrepreneurs & new locations | Summer Terrace by Bisous, de IJshaven en Foodmaster
5-8-2025
Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week, a unique summer collaboration: Summer Terrace by Bisous, a charming new ice cream shop in Leiden called De IJshaven, and a new owner for Foodmaster Alphen aan den Rijn.
Restaurant Bisous is closed for the month of August and has launched Summer Terrace by Bisous on the terrace of restaurant Daalder. In Leiden, a new artisanal ice cream shop has opened at Haven 20: De IJshaven – the dream of entrepreneurs Esther and Zoë. And in Alphen aan den Rijn, Foodmaster has welcomed a new owner. In addition to the standard menu, she will introduce specialty items such as homemade rendang.
We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams the best of luck and lots of fun with their new concepts.
2 minutes read
ICE! by the Gaylord Hotels returns for the 2025 Holiday Season
4-8-2025
This winter, the iconic holiday attraction ICE! by the Gaylord Hotels returns to six U.S. resorts, offering guests a magical walk-through world of hand-carved ice sculptures, live shows, and family-friendly Christmas activities. The event features over 2 million pounds of ice, sculpted into scenes from classic holiday stories by master artisans from Harbin, China.
We wrote about ICE! by Gaylord Hotels back in 2023, but who doesn’t love this iconic holiday tradition? It’s also a great reminder to start planning your own Christmas event. This experience is especially inspiring for smaller hotel or restaurant chains looking to create memorable, guest-attracting holiday moments.
2 minutes read
Heineken Hoek on Leidseplein in Amsterdam has a new bistro concept 
Heineken Hoek on Leidseplein in Amsterdam has a new bistro concept 
Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai will open this October
Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai will open this October
Radisson Collection The National Hotel, Brussels at the golfcourse
Radisson Collection The National Hotel, Brussels at the golfcourse
Rendering Central Perk Coffeehouse is coming to Times Square this fall
Restaurant Suus in The Hague has a new chef and the Suusje deli has opened
The Belgium Sake Festival will take place on Octobre 4 & 5 in Antwerp
