De Librije retains three Michelin stars after Jonnie Boer’s death
The legacy of Jonnie Boer lives on as De Librije retains its three-Michelin stars at this year’s Michelin Guide Awards.
The prestigious chef, one of the Netherlands’ most influential chefs and a trailblazer of modern Dutch cuisine, passed away on April 23, 2025.
Read more: Three-Michelin star chef Jonnie Boer dies aged 60
Restaurant De Librije in Zwolle has retained its three Michelin stars, maintaining the highest accolade in the Michelin Guide Netherlands that it has held continuously since 2004.
Jonnie Boer took over De Librije with his wife Thérèse Boer in 1993, having cooked there since 1989.
He passed away in April 2025 on the island of Bonaire after suffering a pulmonary embolism. He and his wife Thérèse Boer transformed De Librije into one of Europe’s most respected fine dining destinations and a cornerstone of Dutch gastronomy.
Jonnie was a pioneer of modern Dutch terroir-based cuisine, sourcing local produce, foraging, and even fishing himself. His dishes were inventive yet rooted in the Dutch landscape.
Following Jonnie’s passing, head chef Nelson Tanate who had worked alongside him for more than a decade, now leads the kitchen. Nelson is known for continuing Jonnie’s culinary philosophy while bringing a lighter, modern interpretation to the menu.
The recognition was confirmed during the Michelin Guide ceremony in Maastricht on Monday, where Nelson accepted the traditional chef’s jacket on behalf of the restaurant’s
team.
A post on social media from Michelin Guide read: "The Boer family and Chef Nelson Tanate carry the legacy and vision of passing Chef Jonnie Boer with the same passion and creativity, keeping alive an experience that remains truly exceptional."
The Netherlands’ only three-star restaurant
Located in Zwolle, about 120 km east of Amsterdam, De Librije holds three Michelin stars, a status it has maintained since 2004, making it the only three-star restaurant in the Netherlands.
It is celebrated for its inventive use of local produce, strong sense of place, and boundary-pushing flavour combinations that highlight the country’s natural landscape and ingredients.
De Librije remains the only restaurant in the Netherlands to hold three Michelin stars. The award underscores the restaurant’s continued excellence and stability under Nelson’s leadership, following the death of its co-founder and celebrated chef Jonnie Boer earlier this year.
Other recognition
Create by Guido Braeken and GEM. by Soenil Bahadoer were also awarded Two Stars in The MICHELIN Guide Netherlands 2025.
CUE, Chouz, Novaela, Restaurant Calva and Olde Marckt were awarded One Star.
Konijnenvoer in Arnhem and Tres in Rotterdam were awarded a Green Star for their committed vision to the future of gastronomy.
The Michelin Guide Netherlands 2025 features a total of 98 Starred restaurants.
written by abi kinsella
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De Librije retains three Michelin stars after Jonnie Boer’s death
