Restaurants Are Going Horse Girl
The hospitality industry is embracing horse-themed branding, coinciding with the Chinese zodiac's year of the horse. New establishments like Derby Cup Coffee and Pony's are reflecting this trend with equine-inspired decor and menus. This movement highlights a blend of nostalgia and modernity in restaurant aesthetics, appealing to both tradition and contemporary tastes.
- ▪Derby Cup Coffee opened in New York City with a focus on Kentucky Derby themes.
- ▪The Paddock in Eugene, Oregon, has been rebranded with a nostalgic menu and horse-themed decor.
- ▪Pony's, a cocktail bar set to open in Brooklyn, continues the trend with a playful horse motif.
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Food and Restaurant TrendsRestaurants Are Going Horse GirlFrom the long-awaited Il Cavallini to upcoming bars like Pony’s, it’s the year of the horse in hospitalityby Francky KnappJun 3, 2026, 5:37 PM UTCFacebookLinkThe Paddock Menu Masood ShahFrancky Knapp is a staff writer at Eater, and an award-winning writer with bylines in GQ, VICE, The Daily Beast, and other publications. A curious home cook with a deep love of Polish cabbage rolls, her devotion to food service journalism knows no bounds.According to the Chinese zodiac, it’s the year of the horse — and that’s abundantly clear in hospitality.In February, Derby Cup Coffee swung open its New York City doors with an unbuttoned approach to Kentucky Derby prep.
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