Trends we spotted | Week 13

31-3-2026

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:

• Horecava is taking the next step in its culinary positioning with the arrival of the Gault&Millau Netherlands guide launch in Amsterdam.
• Speaking of April Fools’ jokes: BJ’s Restaurants is launching a bold Pizookie with a sweet-and-savory twist on April 1 — the ‘Sweet Heat Pepperoni Pizookie®’.
• Planet Hollywood has announced plans to open a large-scale resort, including hotels, a casino, and an entertainment complex, in Tbilisi.
• Travel and Tour World recently published its list of the 50 safest travel destinations for 2026. Due to geopolitical tensions, travelers are increasingly choosing stable countries with strong infrastructure and reliable systems. Find out where the Netherlands ranks!
• Anantara Ubud Bali Resort has recently launched an initiative to release the endangered Bali starling (a bird species) into the jungle. The first two pairs will be released on Earth Day.
• Grubhub is launching a pilot program for drone delivery by Dexa at Wonder in Green Brook, New Jersey.
• NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, in collaboration with Planteray Rum, has completed the world’s first certified underwater rum aging process.
• This week, among others: we spotted  ‘Wearable Cones’ on Instagram, handy for the ice cream season? And a funny April Fools’ post by the Nuttington Post about ‘McSushi’.

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At Otomat on the menu this spring | ‘You’ve Got The L’Oeuf’ pizza or egg benedict pizza and pitchers of spritz

27-3-2026

Spring is just around the corner, and at Otomat that means a fresh update to the menu, with new dishes and a brand-new look. From 25 March 2026, Otomat is introducing a new spring menu featuring lighter flavours, new vegetarian options, such as the ‘You’ve Got The L’Oeuf’ pizza (aka Egg Benedict pizza) and spritz pitchers, as well as a few surprising twists on classics.

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Grand Café Het Noorden in Aalten starts ‘Het Noorden Offline Resort’

27-3-2026

Dining out without phones on the table for a change. In a time when screens are everywhere, Grand Café Het Noorden in Aalten is deliberately choosing the opposite approach. Starting in April, the hospitality business is launching a striking experiment: Het Noorden Offline Resort. Upon arrival, guests can voluntarily hand in their smartphones to be stored in a secure locker. In return, they receive an offline menu featuring puzzles, games, and other table activities.

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Bagels & Beans introduces the Caffeine Compass | Discover your personal caffeine rhythm

26-3-2026

From strategic sipper to double-shot thinker, insight into how coffee affects your energy. These days, we measure just about everything. Our steps. Our sleep. Our screen time. But our caffeine intake often remains overlooked. Even though coffee is a fixed part of the daily rhythm for many Dutch people: nearly 80% drink coffee weekly, averaging around 3 to 4 cups per day. With the Caffeine Compass, Bagels & Beans provides insight into what that means for your energy throughout the day.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 12

23-3-2026

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:

• Padbol, an energetic Argentine game that combines padel and football on a fenced-off court.
• Lighthouse is launching the first ChatGPT app for direct hotel bookings, featuring AI-driven, reliable hotel information.
• 24H Chefs, a biennial initiative with Gault&Millau, sees top chefs cook for 24 hours to raise funds for War Child and the Prinses Máxima Centrum.
• Bagels & Beans is expanding to nearly 100 locations, preparing for international expansion and appointing Carolien Vergouwe as managing director.
• The ‘Wissel ’ns Wat!’ campaign encourages the Dutch to make plant-based choices and offers a newsroom on the protein transition.
• Design & Wijn, in collaboration with Wijngoed Gelders Laren, is launching Portique, a Dutch port-style wine in a limited edition of just 438 bottles.
• Le Pain Quotidien is opening a location at Designer Outlet Roermond, thereby expanding its presence in the Netherlands.
• HEINEKEN has reached 1,500 alcohol-free tap points in The Netherlands and is promoting responsible 0.0 draught beer consumption at sports clubs.
• Het Noorden celebrates its 160th anniversary with Noorden Blond, a speciality beer brewed by Brouwerij Wentersch.
• Nine new properties join the global Relais & Châteaux collection.

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Layan Life by Anantara | A new generation of women-focused longevity retreats

23-3-2026

Layan Life by Anantara, the brand’s flagship wellness retreat at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, introduces a new collection of women-focused longevity retreats designed to support and empower women at every life stage. From tech-overloaded teens to women navigating midlife hormonal changes and those seeking strength and vitality later in life, the programmes address evolving wellbeing needs.

2 minutes read

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KAGE Lab opens in Brussels | Tea-based drinks, built like cocktails

20-3-2026

After launching their tea and matcha collection in 2024 and opening Kage Specialty Tea, KAGE announces the opening of Kage Lab, a new concept set to open in April 2026 at Rue Lesbroussart 20 in Brussels. KAGE Lab introduces a new approach to daytime drinks: tea-based beverages developed with the precision and techniques of cocktail bars.

2 minutes read

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Amice Amsterdam opens its doors

13-3-2026

Chefs Michael Wolf and Jordy Koopmans are opening Amice in Amsterdam. This marks the next step in their shared passion: a place that is truly their own. The two have known each other since 2009 and worked side by side in the kitchen for many years, including at Envy and later at Wolf Atelier.

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De Herberg van Smallingerland is ready for the future with son Jurmen and a revamped concept

13-3-2026

Freddy Bult and Aukje Westerhof have been at the helm of the De Herberg van Smallingerland since 1995. After 31 years, a new chapter is beginning now that their son Jurmen has officially become a co-owner. Jurmen has gained experience at top establishments such as Landgoed Lauswolt and Kaatje bij de Sluis. With the arrival of son Jurmen Bult as a partner and chef, the future of the family business in the historic listed building dating from 1791 is firmly secured. In addition, the restaurant is introducing a more accessible format, offering à la carte dining alongside the tasting menu.

2 minute read

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Villa Kakelbont | Old hospitality legend returns to Rotterdam

10-3-2026

You walk in and it feels as if time has stood still. This month, hospitality legend Villa Kakelbont made its comeback in the centre of Rotterdam, on Halvemaanpassage behind the Meent. Once the café of the Oude Haven, now a new place: a warm living room for the city. With a vintage interior, board games and pub classics on the menu, you’ll soon find yourself staying the whole evening.

Reading time: 2 minutes

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