New Summer Drinks | Will we also go for a Sarti Spritz, a Matchatini or a Spicy Sauvy B?

8-7-2025

We’ve been enjoying glorious summer weather for a few weeks now, and the popular seasonal drinks are already known. Mocktails, cocktails, spritz variations, rosé, and white wine remain favourites. Still, we’re seeing some new developments, both here in the Netherlands and around the world. Hard seltzers have firmly established themselves here in the Netherlands, especially at festivals, and alcohol-free beer is becoming increasingly popular. We’re curious whether summer drinks like the Sarti Spritz, the Matchatini, Osan Drinks, Established, and wines such as Kaiken Disobedience from Argentina will become more common. We do have our doubts about the Spicy Sauvy B, but luckily, the choice is yours!

3 minutes read read more

Catalonia, the best gastronomy in the world | Campaign by the Generalitat de Catalunya

7-7-2025

When you’re travelling to the Spanish region of Catalonia this summer and you’re a foodie – check out all 62 Michelin-starred restaurants in the region. Three of these are ranked among the best in the world. Catalonia aims to reinforce its leadership as a preeminent culinary destination in Europe and globally. Around one hundred Michelin-starred chefs and traditional cuisine chefs are uniting behind the message: ‘Catalonia, the best gastronomy in the world.’

2 minutes read

read more

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 45^th 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!

read more

Trends we spotted | Week 21

27-5-2025

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:

• Belgian winemakers are launching a new quality label for sparkling wines from Belgian soil: BelBul.
• Belgian poké bowl chain Hawaiian has reached a special milestone with the opening of their 50th outlet.
• British climate-positive vodka brand Sapling is now also available in the Netherlands.
• The Sandwich Series, an inspiration for hospitality companies.
• The ‘Press for Picnic’ pop-up from Blank Street in New York, nice idea for summer?
• Parmigiano Reggiano Gran Riserva 36 months with black summer truffle from Bonat Farm!
• Ahead of World Ocean Day (June 8), Novotel is celebrating one year of sustainable collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Enjoy reading! read more

Young entrepreneurs & new locations | Satay Club, FRIT’ZZA and Design & Wijn

13-5-2025

Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week: Satay Club and Design & Wine in Amsterdam and FRIT’ZZA in Utrecht.

In the heart of Amsterdam, at Haarlemmerstraat 47, Satay Club has opened its doors: a fast-casual restaurant bringing authentic Javanese street food to the city, with satay from the charcoal grill taking center stage. FRIT’ZZA is the first restaurant in the Netherlands to serve traditional Neapolitan pizza fritta, fried pizza, Italy’s favorite street food. And at Haarlemmerdijk 129 in Amsterdam, you’ll find Design & Wijn, a unique wine store where Dutch quality wine and design come together.

We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams lots of fun and success with their concepts.

2 minutes read

read more

A unique caviar dessert at R21 in Amsterdam

8-5-2025

Caviar continues to grow in popularity and is increasingly appearing in surprising combinations. Back in April 2023, we wrote about caviar ‘bumps’, but now we’re seeing pairings with pizza and even desserts — as recently spotted in the United States. A striking sweet-and-salty combination! Caviar bumps have now gained popularity in Europe too, but would we see caviar appear in desserts here as well? That seemed uncertain, until we discovered a similar dessert at restaurant R21 in Amsterdam. Their creation, a combination of Asetra caviar with crème fraîche ice cream and feuilletine, sounds absolutely delicious!

2 minutes read

read more

Young Entrepreneurs & New Concepts | Gyojasang, MOSH!, and Fine-Dining Restaurant NORRA

28-4-2025

Every day, we spot fun and inspiring new concepts. This week: Gyojasang, smashburger temple MOSH!, and fine-dining restaurant NORRA. NORRA recently opened its doors in Bilthoven, offering three different menus and a power lunch. In Amsterdam, Gyojasang promises a full Korean dining and experience concept, with authentic dishes, cocktails, private karaoke rooms and a photobooth. The opening is planned for early May. Meanwhile, in Bruges, smashburger hotspot MOSH! will open at the end of May. Founders Tom Degroote and Pieter Vermeersch – childhood friends from the hardcore music scene – are combining their passion for artisanal smashburgers, natural wine, and music.

We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams a lot of fun and success with their concepts.

2 minutes read

read more

Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Restaurant Terroir Grand Cru, Drippy’s and Jahagir’s Kitchen

15-4-2025

Every day we spot fun, new concepts. This week, two new restaurants, in Hulst and Amsterdam and a second location for the smashburger concept Drippy’s in Rotterdam. A new meeting place on the Oude Binnenweg! Fine dining restaurant Terroir Grand Cru, opened in Hulst early January. In the heart of the southern region Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, chef Colin de Moor serves the flavours of this region combined with influences from further afield. And on the Amstelveenseweg in Amsterdam, Jahagir’s Kitchen opened in February. The Jahagir brothers serve the rich, diverse flavours of India with a modern twist.

We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams a lot of fun and success with their concepts. More information below!

2 minutes read

read more

Trends we spotted | Week 15

14-4-2025

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:

• Hedonism Wines creates an ‘eggcelent Easter display’ – they’re definitely ready for the Easter Season. Does your restaurant have Easter decorations?
• The Big Egg Hunt comes to Canary Wharf this Easter – a free art trail organized by conservation charity Elephant Family in collaboration with Clarence Court.
• Duke’s Mayonnaise teams up with chef Mason Hereford. Together they are launching limited-edition kitchen tools. This year a deviled egg tray and a mayo spatula. Inspiration?
• Subway® teams up with Doritos® for another unexpected and limited available footlong innovation: Footlong nachos.
• Berry Espresso, created by Di Pacci Coffee Company. Check out how they create an espresso with a touch of berry flavour in Australia.
• Sproud, the Swedish company behind a range of pea-based milk alternatives, announces the launch of ‘Barista ZERO’ in the Dutch market.
• The Handwritten Collection will open new hotels in Amsterdam, Grand Canal Boutique Hotel, and Le Marin Boutique Hotel in Rotterdam.
• SPROOMZ is the new name for the Dutch mushroom producer Oakfield and they have international ambition.
• And the SALSA SHOP opened their flagshipstore in the Reguliersbreestraat in Amsterdam, it’s their 17^th location in the Netherlands and they also have international ambition.
• As of April 3rd 2025 Mandarin Oriental officially assumed management of the legendary Hôtel Lutetia, unveiling its new identity as Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris.
• Family Style Food Festival, the first-ever festival at the intersection of food and streetwear with a curated lineup of the best chefs, restaurants, brands and entertainment will make its debut in New York City.

Enjoy reading!

read more

Young entrepreneurs & new concepts | Granelli, ‘Bij Daaf & Maan’ and Café de Gaper

8-4-2025

Every day we spot fun, new concepts. This week, three new concepts, in Scheveningen and two in our “own” city of Leiden. After successful establishments at Market 27 and Market 33, two urban food stations in Amsterdam, Granelli is now also serving its artisanal Italian dishes in the lively Foodhall Scheveningen. ‘Bij Daaf & Maan’ is a cosy coffee and lunch shop in a characteristic corner building on the Nieuwe Rijn in Leiden, where you can enjoy creative coffees, fresh tea and local sweets. And late last year, Café de Gaper opened at Rapenburg 97 in Leiden. And there they are making guests happy with delicious food, fine wines, affordable and a casual ambiance.

We wish these entrepreneurs and their teams a lot of fun and success with their concepts. More information below!

2 minutes read

read more