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
Raffles Hotels & Resorts unveils ‘The Butler Did It Collection’ | Available Exclusively At Printemps
19-2-2026
Raffles Hotels & Resorts introduces ‘The Butler Did It Collection’, a playful, curated line of fashion and home goods available exclusively at Printemps New York and Paris through March 10, 2026. Created in collaboration with Globe-Trotter, Frette, and Christofle, the collection captures Raffles’ signature elegance, whimsical glamour, and attention to detail. From cashmere jumpers and velvet slippers to bespoke luggage and reimagined coffee cups, each piece brings a touch of the Raffles experience into everyday life. It’s a first glimpse of how the brand’s refined lifestyle will soon extend beyond its hotels.
2 minutes read
A Homecourt Suite in the recently opened Anthem Hotel in LA’s Stadium District
19-2-2026
Game day doesn’t have to end at the final buzzer—and concert night shouldn’t stop at the encore. In Los Angeles’ buzzing Stadium District, The Anthem Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is turning event-driven travel into an experience of its own. Just steps from the city’s biggest venues, the 179-room lifestyle hotel blends sports, music, and culture into a stay that feels like part of the show. With immersive suites and high-energy programming, The Anthem isn’t just near the action—it keeps the momentum going long after the crowd heads home. For the NBA All Star Game they created a Homecourt Suite!
Another great example on how to capitalize on events in your neighbourhood! And about Vinyl Wellness.
2 minutes read
Soixante in Antwerpen | Where Polish soul and international finesse meet
17-2-2026
In Antwerp, Soixante is steadily building a distinctive culinary identity where Polish roots and international refinement reinforce each other. Under the leadership of chef Jakub “Kuba” Blogowski, a cuisine emerges that is both personal and technically precise: recognizable in flavor, thoughtful in execution, and driven by a clear ambition to continuously refine. The restaurant has received a score of 13.5 in the Gault&Millau guide and is listed in the Michelin Guide, where it is praised for its refined cuisine, focus on vegetables and seafood, and bold flavor combinations.
2 minutes 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!
The Gibson Guitar Experience at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale
13-2-2026
This spring, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale will debut the Gibson Guitar Experience, a monthlong collaboration with iconic music brand Gibson, celebrating more than 130 years of craftsmanship. Running April 10 through May 10 and timed with the Tortuga Music Festival, the initiative transforms the oceanfront resort into a music-inspired destination. Select elements of the experience, including Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Fort Lauderdale, and Sea La Vie Sundeck, are open to both non-hotel guests and hotel visitors, while guests reserving Club Lounge accommodations can enjoy additional amenities.
It’s a great idea for a hotel to capitalize on the music theme when there’s a festival taking place nearby.
2 minute read
Chili’s® Grill & Bar has a special National Margarita Day promotion
12-2-2026
Another great example on how to use a special day provided by Chili’s Grill & Bar for National Margarita Day on February 22nd. As we’re mentioning in our trendmails (you can subscribe here) on Thursday, national and international days are great marketing tools! We publish those days a few weeks ahead, so you’ll we able to create your own promotion!
2 minutes read
Janine Bakery & Restaurant | Two concepts, one soul
10-2-2026
In the heart of Amsterdam in the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel, Janine Bakery & Restaurant opened its doors: a place where the influences of Italian cuisine meet the free, spontaneous dining culture of San Francisco. A city where sourdough, coffee, and pizza are part of the everyday life.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 6
10-2-2026
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:
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe is celebrating Valentine’s Day with pets, featuring the limited-time Puppy Power Bowl, available through 3 March.
- Starbucks has reached a significant recycling milestone: polypropylene cold to go beverage cups are now recyclable for more than 60% of US households.
- IKEA and Tiny Chef are launching a new mini-series from 2 to 9 February, celebrating the joy of plant-based cooking with the beloved stop-motion character Tiny Chef.
- Wendy’s is marking Singles Awareness Day on 15 February with a special in-app offer: a Dave’s Single® cheeseburger.
- Kwalitaria is the first major Dutch snack chain to introduce completely plastic-free packaging, with fries and snack trays protected by a biodegradable seaweed coating.
- Vaseline® and Red Lobster are launching a temporary Valentine’s Day Kissing Booth in Times Square, from February 10 to 12, featuring exclusive menu items and the new Lip Therapy® collection.
- Café Teichner dal 1922 in Rome is serving an espresso with hazelnut cream and chocolate at Piazza di San Lorenzo in Lucina 15.
Enjoy reading!
Public Sauna Culture comes to New York City with ‘Culture of Bathe-ing’-Festival
6-2-2026
Beginning February 12 and running through March 1, 2026, ‘Culture of Bathe-ing’ will transform Domino Park on the Williamsburg waterfront into the site of an unprecedented bathing experiment. The festival marks the first event of its kind in New York City and the largest sauna village ever staged in the United States.
2 minutes read
VITAL gives “Food and Whatever” extra meaning with the launch of the VITAL GYM
6-2-2026
VITAL, the school catering formula from FHC Formulebeheer, gives the slogan “Food and Whatever” extra meaning. VITAL already stands for tasty and healthy food in balance, so that pupils and teachers can get the best out of themselves every day. With the launch of the VITAL GYM, VITAL is expanding that balance: in addition to healthy food, exercise will take on a more prominent role.
Reading time: 1 minute
Montblanc and Claridge’s launch ‘Love Letters from London’ by Charlie Child
5-2-2026
This Valentine’s week, Montblanc and Claridge’s come together to celebrate the art of handwritten romance with ‘Love Letters from London’. To mark the launch of the new Meisterstück Romeo & Juliet writing instruments, Montblanc invites everyone to put pen to paper and share heartfelt messages with the people who make life meaningful. For the first time ever, the legendary Mayfair hotel Claridge’s partners with Montblanc to present ‘Love Letters from London’, appointing British artist and poet Charlie Child as Claridge’s first-ever Poet-in-Residence during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day (10th–13th February 2026).
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 5
3-2-2026
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:
- Airbnb has partnered with chef-led meal delivery service CookUnity to provide prepared meals through Airbnb Services, aiming to simplify dining for travellers and local residents.
- Thompson Hotels collaborates with BERO to expand non-alcoholic offerings and bar programming.
- McDonald’s Germany launches new platform, for everyone who is really hungry.
- AMMOS AMAALA is the first resort of the AMMOS group in the Middle East, located in Saudi Arabia. The resort will open this spring.
- Pizza Hut Dubai hosted a fine-dining Supper Club nobody saw coming.
- ALL Accor has recently announced the launch of its ALL Accor app in ChatGPT designed to enrich the experience of its growing customer base.
- McDonald’s in the US debuts exclusive McNugget® Caviar just in time for Valentine’s Day – at no cost to fans.
- Restaurant Nela in Amsterdam introduces the Family Friendly Affair brunch on Sundays.
- Bagels & Beans has turned 30. What started in 1996 as a quirky café on Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam has grown over the past thirty years into a unique franchise formula with almost 90 locations throughout the Netherlands.
Enjoy reading!
The HEINZ KegChup | The first-ever keg of HEINZ Ketchup!
3-2-2026
Just in time for the Big Game, HEINZ is cracking open a bold new way to enjoy America’s favorite condiment. Introducing the HEINZ KegChup: the first-ever keg filled with unmistakably rich HEINZ ketchup. Inspired by a solution the beer industry has relied on for decades to ensure fans never run dry, the HEINZ KegChup makes sure watch parties are never short on the crowd’s favorite condiment, because an empty ketchup bottle might be an even bigger party foul than a dry keg.
1 minute read
abc kitchens introduces a seasonal vegetable bouquet for Valentine’s Day
2-2-2026
For the first time this Valentine’s Day, abc kitchens has elevated a classic romantic gesture. In place of flowers, guests will be presented with a seasonal vegetable bouquet, a one-off creation curated by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Executive Chef Ben Boeynaems. Gifted to every table booked on the evenings of 13th February and 14th February, each bouquet is paired with a take-home recipe from Ben, bringing a taste of abc home and extending celebrations beyond the restaurant.
1 minute read
Restaurant JAQ celebrates Valentine’s Day with an exclusive dinner Inspired by Atelier JAQ
30-1-2026
On Saturday, February 14th, Restaurant JAQ in Rotterdam will host an exclusive 3-course Valentine’s dinner featuring cava and specially crafted cocktails. During the evening, guests will be immersed in the artistic world of Atelier JAQ. This special night is dedicated to love, creativity, and gastronomy, offering a refined experience for couples or friends who wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a unique way.
2 minutes read
From Brussels to Antwerp | Fernand Obb puts the croquette centre stage
30-1-2026
The Brussels-based delicatessen concept Fernand Obb will open a new location in Antwerp in the spring of 2026, on the corner of Paleisstraat and Anselmostraat. The popular and approachable concept by chef-founder Cédric Mosbeux, known for its award-winning artisan grey shrimp croquettes and Belgian classics, will thus gain a third location, featuring its own Antwerp twist.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 4
27-1-2026
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:
- Did you know that 1 in 8 Americans has worked at a McDonald’s restaurant at some point? McDonald’s in the US taps into this insight with McDonald’s Arches & Ambition, the 1 in 8 Mentorship Program.
- Bouldering is also fairly popular in the Netherlands. Recently, we came across two new variations: moving climbing walls.
- Happy Doggo: squeaky dog toys shaped like fries, sandwiches and burgers at McDonald’s France. Likely a hit with many Dutch dog lovers and McDo fans as well!
- Burger King US introduced The Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper as part of its ‘Whopper by You’ initiative.
- McDonald’s Germany launched a new vegetarian platform with the introduction of five plant-based products: Veggie lovers welcome.
- On Saturday 31 January, Stooges’ Funhouse opens in Het Industriegebouw on Rotterdam’s Goudsesingel. This will be their second location in Rotterdam.
- From February 26 until the next edition of De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE, a musical get-together, hits the road. Every Thursday evening, a different traditional pub hosts a night full of music, friendship and atmosphere: Amstel LIVE in the pub.
- Van Gelder Netherlands, producer of plant-based products, launched a unique range of seven fully plant-based sauces and dressings for the foodservice market during HORECAVA 2026.
Enjoy reading!
Pizza Hut’s new un-Italian pasta campaign | Approved by the toughest food critics: Italians?
26-1-2026
A funny campaign by Pizza Hut in Dubai! They recently launched pasta – and not just any pasta. According to the company their pasta is creamy, cheesy, overloaded with sauce and proudly breaking every Italian culinary rule. The brand even calls it un-Italian pasta. Knowing this would never win over traditional Italians, Pizza Hut decided to do something bold: challenge Italian identity itself.
1 minute read
Longevity & Wellbeing Club Surrenne launches retreats at the Maybourne Riviera
26-1-2026
Surrenne, the wellness and longevity club founded in London and located within The Emory hotel in Belgravia, is launching a new series of four-night transformational retreats at Surrenne Riviera, set within the clifftop Maybourne Riviera on the Côte d’Azur. Extending beyond private membership and hotel guests, the retreats bring Surrenne’s signature philosophy—combining science, ancient wisdom and nature—to a wider audience.
We recently wrote about ‘Longevity Everyday’ by Novotel, both examples of which show that the concept of longevity can be interpreted broadly!
2 minutes read
Novotel introduces ‘Longevity Everyday’ | Wellbeing as standard
23-1-2026
Novotel, part of Accor, presents ‘Longevity Everyday’, a global strategy with which the hotel brand aims to structurally integrate wellbeing, vitality and sustainability into the daily experience of travellers. With more than 600 hotels in over 60 countries, Novotel is responding to the growing focus on physical and mental health while travelling. Whereas many wellbeing programmes are complex or exclusive, Novotel makes healthy choices practical, accessible and applicable.
2 minute read
Young Poelzicht talent given the spotlight | Wine Bar & Bistro Petit Caveau has opened in Tiel
23-1-2026
Since January 7 2026, the Betuwe region in the Netherlands has gained a new culinary hotspot: Wine Bar & Bistro Petit Caveau in Tiel. Located in one of the oldest listed buildings in the historic city centre at Korenbeursplein 1. Edwin Muns, an experienced entrepreneur joins forces with young talents Camilo van Drumpt Sanstra and Olivier Landewers from Brasserie Poelzicht. The result is an intimate venue where fresh Mediterranean bistro dishes, genuine hospitality and a distinctive wine list come together.
2 minutes read
Reservation system FRANK conquers the top of Dutch gastronomy
9-1-2026
Even before its official launch, the Dutch reservation system FRANK has already gained a prominent position within Dutch gastronomy. While the system will officially debut on 12 January 2026 at the Wine Professional trade fair in Amsterdam, numerous leaders in Dutch gastronomy are already working with the software. Its focus on AI and seamless integration of reservations and guest data already make FRANK the new standard for hospitality.
2 minute read
New Dutch brand Bo&Co introduces locally produced organic syrups
9-1-2026
The new Dutch brand Bo&Co is introducing a range of locally produced organic syrups, developed for professional use in the hospitality and retail sectors. The brand is launching with five flavours: Lemon, Strawberry, Raspberry, Lemongrass–Ginger and Elderflower, made with carefully selected organic ingredients. The official market launch of Bo&Co will take place during Horecava 2026.
1 minute read
Layan Life by Anantara Herbal Remedy with TTM Consultation 
Layan Life by Anantara - Thai Traditional Medicine
Layan Life by Anantara - Exterior
Anantara Layan Phuket Resort
Anantara Layan Phuket Resort
