Inspiration

Dutch greenhouse restaurants

The idea to use the small greenhouses on our terrace, that were originally placed there for plant exhibitions, as dinner space, got inspired by restaurants that already used greenhouses in their interior before covid. These examples have shown that a greenhouse can easily be transformed into a cozy dining space. We also liked that the interiors link to where the food comes from: from their own greenhouse. As we are also growing part of our food in our own aquaponic greenhouse, the greenhouse-dinging idea appeared to be a great fit for our restaurant. 

Restaurant De Kas

This restaurant in Amsterdam has one large greenhouse where guests can dine. In addition, there are several other greenhouses where they grow ingredients for the restaurant. 

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The Green House

In this greenhouse, just like in restaurant De Kas, the ingredients for the restaurant are grown. The restaurant itself is not in the greenhouse itself but underneath it, on the ground floor.

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Pre-covid private dining

Restaurants that provided a form of private dining pre-covid inspired the arrangement of our restaurant space. The bubbles and igloos that we saw proved that a private dinner could be cozy, and inspired us to transform our greenhouses into the Serres Séparées. 

Igloos in London

In London it turned out to be a tradition that some restaurants place so called Igloos on their terraces in the winter season. Warm bubbles with a table, set in a lounge like setting, often with a beautiful view on the city. It is likely that these Igloos give a similar feeling as our Serres. You can find a list with some nice examples here.

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Bubbles in Canada

In addition to the Igloos in London, it was popular in several Canadian cities to serve dinner in 'bubbles' or 'domes'. Contrary to the London Igloos, the interior was less of a lounge setting and more of a proper dinner table.

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Restaurants that adopted our greenhouse dining concept

Because our dinner concept got attention from media all over the world, we have inspired and supported many restaurants to apply greenhouse dining in their service. We are happy to see others following in our footsteps. 

Dubai Design Week, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

During Dubai Design Week, the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the UAE together with Dutch industry partners staged a series of ‘Serres Séparées’ in d3. The concept allowed visitors, particularly families, to come together in a safe and unique setting, to see, and be seen, while sharing a meal in an intimate space even during these uncertain times.

The service was operated by d3-based restaurant, Molecule Bistro Royale Dubai, who served a conceptual plant based, vegan menu consisting of mostly Dutch produce. During the rest of the day, the greenhouses provided a platform to discuss the importance of water, energy and food.

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Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop, New York, United States

The owners of Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop wanted to give people the feeling that they were in their own world, so they could enjoy themselves without having to worry. They decided to apply the Serres concept to their new restaurant, on the rooftop of a building in the financial district in New York.

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The Darling, Chicago, United States

The owner of the restaurant The Darling in Chicago's The Loop district, says she was inspired by a video by the BBC she saw about Mediamatic ETEN. She wanted to allow people to have 'a night out' again, all while the guests and employees can feel safe. Thanks to Chicago's "Open Street" programme, where restaurants could expand their terraces to the street, a beautiful Rose Garden could be created with 10 little greenhouses.

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The Scenic Supper, Cotswold Hills, United Kingdom

Elsewhere in Europe, the idea of dining in greenhouses was a hit as well. Since July, five small greenhouses can be found in a meadow in the Cotswold Hills in the UK. They were placed there by The Scenic Supper, a new dining experience where people can eat in greenhouses while they enjoy the charming landscape.

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Ofelia, Copenhagen, Denmark

In their own words, directly inspired by the Serres at Mediamatic, café restaurant Ofelia in Copenhagen has also created a terrace with greenhouses, right next to the water and the impressive opera building!

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Anleger 1870 in Hamburg, Germany

Since October of this year, Anleger 1870 in Hamburg, Germany, became the first restaurant in the country to have a terrace with greenhouses. In these greenhouses, two to eight people can enjoy their dinner with a view over the river.

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