Three-star restaurant De Librije in Zwolle says reservations are “full until quite some time in the future”. ‘In that regard, we certainly have no problem attracting guests with our restaurant. A beautiful luxury location. In terms of spending, we see that our guests have become more exuberant in their spending post-coronavirus.
Aan de Poel in Amstelveen, with two stars, says business is very good. ‘To be honest, bookings are doing very well. We are very happy with how things are going. There are no problems with staff shortages. In this respect we are in a position of luxury.
Parkheuvel in Rotterdam, which also has two stars, indicates that it was already doing well last year and that the turnover will continue to grow this year. “So it’s very good. Once guests are inside, the sky is the limit. People who come to us can afford it and want to enjoy it.’ Business is also good at the two-star restaurant De Kromme Watergang at Hoofdplaat in Zeeland. “The restaurant runs smoothly.”
But even starred restaurants cannot escape the higher prices for food and energy. “We have certainly noticed some of the price increases. We have tried to postpone it for as long as possible, but even we recently had to raise our prices slightly,” says De Librije.
Price increases
‘Of course we ask for higher prices, there is no other way. But people know what they come for, so that doesn’t concern us,’ says Parkheuvel. The Kromme Watergang says it drives them crazy. ‘It’s no longer funny. All costs are on average about 15 percent higher, not to mention electricity and gas. Unfortunately, we also have to raise prices accordingly.’
The industry organization Koninklijke Horeca Nederland says that “despite corona debts and the energy crisis” things are generally going well among the star companies. ‘However, we cannot say exactly how starred restaurants are doing financially at the moment. What we can say is that most restaurant entrepreneurs currently feel a healthy sense of urgency for the soon-to-be-awarded Michelin stars.”