Rotterdam has 12 Michelin stars, and these are the 9-star restaurants.

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Michelin is a well-known tire manufacturer from France, but the company is also famous for its gastronomic guides. The Michelin Guides review and rate restaurants worldwide based on their culinary achievements. The highest distinction a restaurant can receive in the Michelin Guide is three Michelin stars. A restaurant with three stars signifies "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." Two stars mean "excellent cooking, worth a detour." One star indicates "a very good restaurant in its category." A Michelin star is a recognition of a restaurant’s culinary achievements and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the restaurant world. It is a mark of appreciation for the chefs and the staff who work hard to serve outstanding dishes to their guests.

Rotterdam is a city known for its vibrant food culture, so it's no surprise that the city has several Michelin-starred restaurants offering a culinary experience you won't soon forget. In this article, we will look at some of the most famous and popular Michelin-starred restaurants in Rotterdam.

In Rotterdam, you'll find various restaurants that have been awarded Michelin stars. These restaurants offer a unique and exclusive dining experience to their guests. They are places where you can taste the highest quality ingredients combined with the most creative cooking techniques. In a Michelin-starred restaurant, it’s all about perfection and attention to detail. The atmosphere is often stylish and elegant, and the service is personal and attentive. It’s a place where you can indulge yourself, and every dish is presented as a work of art on your plate. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two or a business lunch with clients, a visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant in Rotterdam is a unique and unforgettable experience you certainly shouldn't miss.

FG Restaurant - 2 Michelin stars

François Geurds is a chef who values authenticity and accessibility. In his two-star Michelin restaurant, guests can be themselves and enjoy a unique experience regardless of their dress code. The restaurant has a luxury bar with Kobe beef and white Siberian sturgeon caviar, where you can also enjoy homemade cocktails and vintage champagne. The wine list is award-winning and features 1,350 references. The restaurant has its own flavor lab and is a partner of Foodlab Leiden, a collaboration between Leiden University and Leiden University of Applied Sciences. FG Restaurant also caters to dietary requirements, intolerances, and allergies, including vegetarian and vegan options.

Fred - 2 Michelin stars

The philosophy of Fred revolves around hospitality, discipline, and experience. Fred Mustert is a chef who discovered during his training how much he enjoys cooking and experimenting with new flavor combinations. His cooking style is based on classic French cuisine, but he always adds his own twist and loves recognizability in his dishes. He prefers working with shellfish and fresh seasonal products, and uses many acids, especially citrus, to keep his dishes light and digestible.

Fred offers quality and is always looking for better ingredients to let his guests enjoy the taste. Fred’s restaurant opened in 2008 in Rotterdam and has since earned two Michelin stars. The interior of the restaurant even won an award in 2018. In 2023, Fred will move into the base of The Terraced Tower.

Besides the restaurant, Fred also offers wine and champagne advice and has a boutique with carefully curated products that bring the Fred experience to your home. Orders are carefully packaged and shipped within 24 hours.

Parkheuvel - 2 Michelin stars

Restaurant Parkheuvel focuses on quality, style, personality, creativity, and flavor. The modern building is located in Het Park, close to the Euromast and the Maas River. The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere with a cozy Art Deco interior, designed by the hostess Anja. The terrace offers a beautiful view of the water and passing boats. The kitchen of Erik van Loo is based on quality and authentic flavors. He believes that taste is knowledge, emotion, and feeling, and that cooking is about creating flavors. His son Juliën, who is his right-hand man and Head Chef, combines classic and modern techniques. Erik has worked with suppliers who understand his requirements and share his ideas about taste and quality for years. Erik van Loo is a renowned chef with a distinctive style and has written several successful books, including 'Sauces.' He also has several signature dishes to his name.

Zeezout - 1 Michelin star

Fish restaurant Zeezout is located in the Scheepvaartkwartier of Rotterdam and was founded in 1998. Chef Patrick 't Hart began his career at Restaurant De Engel with Herman den Blijker and managed to earn a Michelin star within four years. Later, he established Restaurant Zeezout, and since then, he has been the owner and head chef of the restaurant. He is known for his careful and honest handling of ingredients and his own cooking style, pampering guests at a reasonable price.

In addition to the food on the plate, the overall experience in the restaurant is also important. The restaurant focuses on consistent quality and attention to guests. Every dish on the menu promises something special, such as diver scallops or Dorade baked in a salt crust. Patrick discovered his passion for cooking at a young age and remains enthusiastic 30 years later. He and his team strive every day to give guests the best possible experience, as these guests contribute to the restaurant’s continued growth. After 20 years, Zeezout has certainly paid off.

Amarone - 1 Michelin star

Restaurant Amarone is located on the lively shopping street Meent in Rotterdam and has a warm and cozy atmosphere thanks to the open kitchen, luxurious armchairs, and fireplace. The Amarone team places great importance on a relaxed interaction with guests, and chef Jan van Dobben’s cuisine is based on French and Japanese cuisine, focusing on the ingredients' flavor. The restaurant's interior features a white three-dimensional wall around the open kitchen, a photo artwork by Casper Faassen, and origami-style lamps above the bar. Guests are welcomed at round tables covered in linen and gray ‘kimono chairs.’ Restaurant Amarone is the pride of Jan van Dobben and hostess-sommelier Yoshiko Van Dobben-Takayama. The restaurant opened in 2006 and has held a Michelin star since 2007. In 2018, Jan van Dobben became the full owner, having become co-owner in 2017. Yoshiko van Dobben-Takayama, originally from Japan and with an oenology degree from France, was named Sommelier of the Year 2020 by Gault&Millau in 2019.

FG Food Labs - 1 Michelin star

At Food Labs by François Geurds, located in an impressive railway tunnel under Rotterdam’s Hofbogen, the search for unique flavor experiences is central. Chef François Geurds, who holds a Michelin star, is the only chef in the Netherlands with his own flavor lab and experiments until perfection is achieved. Only then does the dish reach the guest's plate. FG Bonbons is another highlight of the restaurant. The bonbons, with designs ranging from Mondrian to Delft Blue, have a sleek shell made from Valrhona Guanaja 70% and are produced using crystallized chocolate.

Fitzgerald - 1 Michelin star

Fitzgerald is an award-winning restaurant located at Gelderseplein in Rotterdam's historic Oude Haven. The restaurant is named after writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald and offers an extensive selection of high-quality wines. The interior combines modern design with vintage elements, and there is a beautiful private dining area, a spacious bar, and a secluded courtyard. The kitchen is led by Michael Verhagen and received a Michelin star in 2018. The menu offers à la carte dishes and menus, and there is also a special menu for groups of more than five people. At Fitzgerald, they have a special passion for wine, and the selection is one of the most remarkable in the Netherlands.

Joelia - 1 Michelin star

Joelia is a unique culinary experience that you won’t soon forget. Mario Ridder and his team ensure that you are continuously surprised with unique and special flavors. The wine list is a collection of Mario’s biggest hobby and passion, with a unique collection of 12,000 special bottles. The space exudes passion, and Joelia has received the second-highest distinction from Wine Spectator. Mario's mission is to have every guest leave Joelia amazed by tasting something they have never tasted before, working with the finest ingredients and the best wines. Joelia is a collection of Mario's passion, dreams, travels, flavors, and experiences and is described as young, daring, sexy, and bold.

The Millèn - 1 Michelin star

In the center of Rotterdam, you'll find The Millèn restaurant, owned by chef Wim Severein and located on the first floor of the Rotterdam Marriott Hotel in the iconic Millennium Tower. The restaurant offers gourmets and food lovers a culinary lunch or dinner in a quiet setting. The menu is based on pure seasonal ingredients, carefully selected by passionate suppliers. The restaurant also offers Private Dining for up to 16 people with a Chef's Menu tailored to personal preferences and allergies. Chef Wim Severein draws inspiration from world cuisines and local ingredients to create dishes that are accessible yet exciting with unique flavor combinations. The Millèn was awarded a Michelin star in 2018.