I am a huge fan of modern food halls. The whole concept of having a space dedicated to good food, where people can try new cuisines worldwide, sit together, and enjoy live music and events is amazing. It’s almost like crafting an environment where people can live at their best. These places have life. I’ve always thought this while studying these business models deeply for a lovely project I worked on years ago. It’s also the feeling I get whenever I visit Foodhallen Amsterdam | Rotterdam in Amsterdam.

Cannibale Royale is a successful restaurant (5 units in Amsterdam and 1 in Rotterdam) with a strong and unusual concept: “When you cross a chic French brasserie with a macabre mancave” (source: their website). We’ve been there, and the food, especially the meat, is indeed extraordinary. I won’t dwell on this point, but it’s important to mention before continuing. Without a good product, all efforts to create a pleasant experience will fall flat and be seen as "all style and no substance."