Number of cafés in Netherlands continues to decline as Gen Z tends toward coffee bars

There are slightly fewer cafés in the Netherlands in 2026 than a year earlier, according to an analysis of data ANP received from the Chamber of Commerce (KVK). According to the hospitality association Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN), Gen Z not only goes to cafés, but also frequents coffee bars.

On January 1, 2026, there were 10,038 cafés in the KVK trade register, compared to 10,240 a year earlier. So this year, there are 200 fewer cafés.

The number of cafés in the Netherlands has been gradually but steadily declining for years. When ANP first surveyed the KVK about this in 2013, there were still over 12,800 cafés. Since then, this number has decreased by an average of over 210 per year.

According to Marijke Vuijk, chair of KHN, the disappearance of cafés is mainly due to a shift in trend. “We’re seeing Gen Z frequenting the hospitality industry, but these days, it’s much more spread out throughout the day,” she said. “We’re seeing, for example, that coffee bars and fast-food restaurants have become increasingly popular.” The industry association expects the number of cafés to eventually stabilize.

Of all the provinces, Zeeland has the highest number of cafés, relatively speaking, with over 8 cafés per 10,000 residents. Flevoland has the lowest number of cafes per capita.