i. Biography
Koen Lenaerts, chef and owner of Nage in Antwerp since 2021, has moved through kitchens in a way that reads as method rather than momentum. The route from Dôme to Veranda to Lewis, and then to the restaurant that now carries his authorship, is built on service, repetition, and the discipline of doing the work correctly night after night. French technique and a contemporary bistro sensibility sit underneath that path, with à la minute cooking as the working center.
Coming Up
Progress in a kitchen is often measured by repetition before it is measured by title, and Koen Lenaerts’ early posts at Dôme, Veranda, and Lewis reflect that logic. Each role added another layer of control: pace, rhythm, and the kind of confidence that comes from working in a room where standards are enforced every service. Those years gave shape to the voice that would later become Nage. Since 2021, Koen has held the dual role of chef and owner at Nage.
Where They Are Now
At Nage, the food is framed as contemporary bistronomy with French product cuisine. That places the restaurant in a register that favors clarity over excess: bistro ease on one side, French technique on the other, and ingredients left with enough room to register on their own terms. It is a direct style, polished without being fussy. Lenaerts cooks à la minute and keeps French technique at the core, filtered through a contemporary bistro sensibility. The method depends on timing and heat as much as on composition, with each plate assembled in the moment rather than held at distance from the pass. The opening of Nage was also shaped by the partnership behind it, giving the restaurant the feel of a project that was prepared deliberately rather than thrown together.
Honors
The major dated milestone in his career is the summer 2021 opening of Nage in Antwerp with Niki Van Sant, following his work at Dôme, Veranda, and Lewis.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Koen
What is Koen Lenaerts's current role?
As of 2026, Koen Lenaerts is chef and owner.
Where did Koen Lenaerts work before?
Koen Lenaerts's earlier career included Dôme, Veranda, and Lewis.
