Which café will win the title ‘The Favorite Hertog Jan Café of the Netherlands’?

20-7-2026

Brewer AB InBev celebrates the Dutch café as society’s second living room with new nationwide competition. Starting today, hundreds of pubs across the country will compete for the coveted title ‘The Favorite Hertog Jan Café of the Netherlands’. Beer brewer AB InBev is launching a large-scale, national competition under the motto ‘Out of love for cafés’. The goal is to draw attention to the social value of the café, which for many Dutch people serves as a second living room. From July 20 through August 30, beer lovers and regular visitors can vote daily for their favorite (local) pub.

2 minutes read

read more

Ottovino wines & bites brings exceptional wines from small producers to Leiden

7-7-2026

Since the first of July, Leiden has a new wine bar! At Haven 62, Ottovino wines & bites has opened its doors. After a successful first week, during which the team had the opportunity to further refine the concept, Ottovino is now officially introducing itself to the people of Leiden. With more than thirty wines by the glass, a carefully curated wine list and refined bites, the wine bar aims to become a regular meeting place for wine lovers in the city.

We’ve already tried a few of their wines! Great location, a cosy atmosphere, tasty snacks and delicious wines, what more could a wine lover ask for?

2 minutes read

read more

Trends we spotted | Week 27

6-7-2026

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 Lounges chain with 250+ venues in the UK will open its first location overseas in Essen, Germany.
• After weather codes yellow, orange and red, there’s one more colour to watch this summer – Code Purple at Bagels & Beans.
• Brouwerij (brewery) Homeland in Amsterdam launched its own lager, Homeland Puur Pils.
• Pick up your pizza by kayak at the ‘Paddle In’ at Otomat in Ghent.
• Handwritten Collection, a characterful collection of bespoke hotels launched by Accor in 2023, recently announced a significant milestone with the opening of its 50th address.
• At McDonald’s Germany, you can enjoy 23 international product highlights during ‘Mission: World Menu’.
• Travel And Tour World (TTW) recently unveiled its Top 100 Luxury Hotels in the World 2026, a global ranking honouring exceptional properties redefining modern hospitality.
• Great news for Belgian fries lovers heading to Paris, chef Mallory Gabsi has opened his Fry Shop 140 Degrés.
• Wonder, a leading food technology platform, and Zipline, an autonomous delivery service, recently announced a partnership to bring on-demand drone delivery to Wonder locations across Texas.
• Inspiration for ice cream parlours: we spotted ‘Cookies Cloud Cups’ at Ovis Coffees in London.

Enjoy reading!

read more

Île de Bisous brings Mediterranean summer evenings to Amsterdam South

23-6-2026

This summer, Amsterdam South is gaining a temporary Mediterranean hotspot. With the launch of Île de Bisous, Bisous and Strandzuid are joining forces for a two-day waterfront event. On July 10 and 11, Strandzuid will transform into an atmospheric open-air destination inspired by the Côte d’Azur, where gastronomy, entertainment, and togetherness take center stage.

2 minutes read

read more

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!

read more

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

read more

Chef Geert-Jan Vaartjes opens the renewed De Bosberg in Appelscha

21-5-2026

Chef Geert-Jan Vaartjes, known from among others De Librije, La Rive, De Bokkedoorns, and Lauswolt, has completely transformed De Bosberg in Appelscha together with entrepreneur Wybe Iedema. The iconic hospitality venue, located at the foot of the famous Bosberg Tower in the ‘Drents-Friese Wold’ National Park, has officially reopened after an extensive renovation.

2 minutes read

read more

Enjoying ‘royal pairings’ at the restaurants of The Entourage Group during King’s Day

14-4-2026

During King’s Day in Amsterdam, the city transforms into one large festive setting filled with music, boats, and a vibrant sea of orange celebrations. The Entourage Group taps into this atmosphere with a culinary interpretation of this holiday. Across the city, their restaurants open their doors for a day full of flavor, ambiance, and refinement. With special ‘royal pairings’, combinations of dishes and cocktails, each location offers its own take on royal indulgence. Whether you are in the heart of the crowds or looking for a stylish escape, there is a perfect spot for every moment.

2 minutes read

read more

Trends we spotted | Week 15

13-4-2026

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:

• Eberhardjes, the heart-shaped butter biscuits from Amsterdam, are launching a limited-edition pack this month in collaboration with Schiphol, to mark the 100th anniversary of the connection between the city of Amsterdam and the airport.
• Over the past ten years, the Verspillingsfabriek (the Waste Factory) has grown into an impactful production site where circularity, taste and social value come together.
• Since 2024, there has been a ban on single-use plastic cups at events in the Netherlands, but research by the ‘Inspectie Leefomgeving & Transport’(Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate) (ILT) in 2025 shows that the sector is failing to comply. They announced stricter enforcement.
• From 14 to 17 April 2026, Interclean Amsterdam, an international trade fair for the cleaning and hygiene sector, will take place at the RAI Amsterdam. It will conclude with a ‘Feel Good Friday’, a themed day exploring the role of cleaning in the hospitality experience.
• KFC in the US released a single, ‘Finger Lickin’ Machine’. They hope the track will be a new contender for the season’s most popular track. Introduced in combination with a Value-feast meal.
• AI voice agent Rachel called 3,000 Irish pubs to reconstruct the Guinness Price Index.
• McCain Foods launched ‘Brew City® Beer Battered Potato Waves’: a crispy, wavy potato innovation for the hospitality sector in the US and Canada.
• From 21 April, McDonald’s in the US is expanding its value-for-money offering by giving fans more choice on the McValue® menu.
• The Berkeley in London will reopen its exclusive rooftop terrace to the public again in summer 2026. The organize ‘Capri in the City’ near their rooftop pool, for the second year running.
• McDonald’s in Türkiye launched a ‘Drink & Drive’-campaign to raise awareness of road safety. Starring their McCafé.

Enjoy reading!

read more

Will we be able to enjoy lattes for €1 here in the Netherlands too?

13-4-2026

A blog by Leonie van Spronsen on the trend towards cheaper catering, will we soon be able to enjoy lattes for €1 here in the Netherlands too? This blog has previously been published in Dutch on the website of the Van Spronsen & Partners, hospitality consultancy.

2 minutes read

read more