The Netherlands is known for appreciating finer things. This year, eight restaurants earned Michelin Green Star awards for promoting eco-friendly cuisine.
Innovative Dutch chefs are reinventing old recipes by merging global culinary techniques with local produce. Restaurant Breda stands out for providing classic flavors with a contemporary flair.
Restaurant Breda
Breda offers an impressive variety of restaurants. These range from intimate, cozy spots to cutting-edge eateries that cater for all. In addition to traditional Dutch fare, Restaurant Breda also offers many specialities from other nations – making it the ideal location to try something new!
This restaurant exudes a cozy living-room feel, ideal for anyone wanting an enjoyable dining experience in a casual environment. Their food is delectable and service is exceptional; their prices are also extremely affordable.
This stunning old building in the center of town houses this new restaurant that serves classic French and Oriental dishes with creative innovations as well as vegetarian and vegan offerings. Chef Wouter van Laarhoven and sommelier Malou Hagenaars have collaborated to craft an original and adventurous menu at this newly opened eatery.
Some years ago, Ginnekenstraat 88 building on Ginnekenstraat was once used to produce Breda beer and Oranjeboom, but today it houses Tante Betsie restaurant, an experience like eating at your favorite aunt’s kitchen! Although their menu may seem small, their chefs specialize in using only quality ingredients. Perfect for relaxing evenings out with friends! Their offerings include pasta dishes, meat dishes, fish and seafood dishes!
Bolenius
Since 2010, Bolenius has been an icon for Dutch cuisine that prioritizes sustainability and local ingredients. Situated at Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district, this lively yet relaxed eatery serves innovative dishes that redefine Dutch culinary tradition. Their menu takes guests through all facets of Dutch agricultural heritage with something for meat eaters, vegetarians, pescetarians and good old omnivores alike!
The dining room is bright and airy, featuring an inviting Scandinavian/Ibiza aesthetic in terms of decor. Parts of its concrete structure remain exposed, giving way to wooden tables and white canvases as additional decor pieces; the room also includes a walk-in wine cabinet.
Owner/chef Luc Kusters puts the “eat local” concept into practice with his own vegetable and herb garden nearby the restaurant, unique for an urban restaurant and inspiring residents of Zuidas to maintain and cultivate green areas within their neighbourhoods.
On our visit, we began with a trio of vegetable nibbles: a pointy cabbage roll seasoned with ground nutmeg; daikon radish filled with black bean puree and semolina cracker served with rosehip puree and sorrel leaves; as well as rosehip puree served on rosehip cracker with rosehip puree and sorrel leaves. As our main course, we enjoyed cooked, grilled and pickled vegetables from the restaurant’s garden: pumpkin, onion, Chioggia beets curly kale and parsley root.
Thijs Meliefste
Thijs Meliefste is located in an idyllic spot overlooking the marina at Veerse Meer lagoon. The restaurant combines authentic classic elements with refined modern details, featuring an intimate summer terrace. Furthermore, guests are able to watch chef work during service and witness additional energy into the atmosphere!
Meliefste’s cuisine draws its inspiration from Zeeland’s land and water resources, using international experience and cooking styles to craft an inspired gastronomic offering, connecting regional flavours with complex international influences – creating something both complex and intriguing – every bite leaves its guests intrigued.
Meliefste’s career first started out as a professional BMX rider; however, soon thereafter he found himself drawn towards culinary arts. Combining both sports and cooking was soon his calling – soon enough he found himself working at Tosca Restaurant in Rotterdam which is well known for their refined Italian fare.
In 2015, Meliefste made a bold step and opened his own restaurant – Meliefste. Since then, this has proven a hugely successful move; visitors from all around the globe flock here regularly and take delight in his flawless dishes and impeccable service – not to mention passion, knowledge, and love of profession come together under one roof at Meliefste.
Ollie Schuiling
Ollie Schuiling is the mastermind and proprietor behind Restaurant Kasteel Heemstede in Houten. This extraordinary fine dining establishment makes culinary dreams come true through Ollie’s highly refined cuisine and his dream team, all within an enchanting location within a moat-surrounded castle basement. Together these factors combine for an unparalleled dining experience that rivals any fairy tale gastronomic journey.
Young chef Martin Scheller hails from Olst village where he worked as kitchen porter at Bokkers Molle and ‘t Veerhuys, prompting him to pursue a culinary career. Attended the Cas Spijkers Academy and eventually gained international experience working at restaurants like FG, De Leest, La Vie in The Netherlands as well as Schloss Schauenstein Switzerland (under Andreas Caminada).
His hallmark style consists of using classic French techniques combined with exotic ingredients for an innovative cuisine featuring complex flavors and delectable sauces, all featuring top-quality fresh ingredients at their core.
His orchestra of flavors can be seen in his combinations of venison with beetroot, cherry and shiso; or in his Taggiasca olive-studded risotto where the acidity from wine vinegar is balanced out by creamy sourdough. His passion for culinary arts can be seen through each dish he presents and in how he guides guests through their meal; supported by an amazing dream team including Maitre D’ My Truong who excels at her profession.
