i. Biography
Martin Kruithof runs De Lindenhof in Giethoorn with a kitchen language shaped by Hotelschool Amsterdam, military service, a military cooking post, and 12 years in European restaurants. Through Michelin and Gault&Millau recognition, Kruithof has kept the focus on execution, not theatrics.
The Path
Hotelschool Amsterdam was the starting point, but the real range of the craft was built abroad, in Brussels, Paris, Düsseldorf, and Barcelona. Those years gave Martin Kruithof a working comparison across cities and kitchens, and that shows in the way his cooking favors control over excess. Since 1993, De Lindenhof in Giethoorn has been the fixed address where that training has settled into a consistent practice.
The Work Today
At De Lindenhof in Giethoorn, the work is built on pure flavors, minimal plating, and the use of the very best products without overcomplicating the dish. Martin Kruithof’s approach is to keep each element legible on the plate, so the ingredient quality is read first and the composition stays direct. It is a method that relies on restraint, where the technical decision is often what is left out. That restraint carries through in Giethoorn & Tokio, the eel dish with radish, wasabi, and wakame. The name frames it as a meeting of places, while the plate itself stays compact and exact. MRIJ rund met fregola, pesto en tomaat works in the same register: beef, grain, herb, and tomato held in balance, with no need to push beyond the product. The current role in Giethoorn is continuous with the path that led there. Brussels, Paris, Düsseldorf, and Barcelona broadened the references; the return home fixed the work at one address; the kitchen now keeps the same priorities in place. For Kruithof, De Lindenhof is where those parts of the trade remain visible in the plate.
Signature
Martin's signature dishes include Giethoorn & Tokio.
Acclaim
Martin's honors include Two Michelin stars and Ambachtsman van het Jaar (2023).
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Martin
Where did Martin Kruithof train or study?
Martin Kruithof trained at Hotelschool Amsterdam.
What recognition has Martin Kruithof received?
Two Michelin stars.
