Celebrated table

Lyf's

Chef Martijn Stroosma cooks French-leaning bistro dishes with mostly organic produce at Lyf's, Hoofdstraat 73, Beetsterzwaag. Michelin Recommended 2026.

The story

Lyf's in Drachten: French Bistro Cooking at Hoofdstraat 73

Lyf's is a bistro at Hoofdstraat 73 in Beetsterzwaag (Drachten), named Michelin Recommended in 2026. Chefs Martijn Stroosma and Moniek Stroosma-de Jong run it, and lunch is as busy as dinner.

French cooking with a bistro pulse

Martijn cooks French cuisine with the occasional Eastern note. Wadden Sea oysters come classic or with kimchi, lime and furikake, and a foamy mustard soup arrives with croutons, bacon and chives. Gault&Millau gave Lyf's 13 points in 2026, pointing to fair prices and flavor-rich plates.

What reaches the table

The dinner menu splits into cold and warm starters. Salmon tataki with apple, kohlrabi and goat's yoghurt sits beside quail with eendenlever and honey-thyme jus, and an oxtail bouillon comes with roasted onion and camembert. Reviewers singled out smoked duck breast with shaved duck liver and truffle mayonnaise, plus steak tartare of Frisian beef. Dessert is a farmer's yogurt soufflé with Madagascar vanilla ice cream.

Organic sourcing and service

About three quarters of the suppliers work fully organic or biodynamic, according to the restaurant. Moniek's hospitality gets as much praise as the food, and the floor team will adjust dishes on request. Wines are matched to the plates, with beer on tap as an alternative.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
Gault&Millau
13
13
2026
Lekker500
Top 500
2026
Michelin
Recomended
Recomended

Ambience

A glimpse inside

Details

At a glance

Gault&Millau 2026 — 13
Lekker500 2026 — Top 500
Michelin 2026 — Recomended
Services Dinner, Farm To Table, Lunch, Outdoor Seating, Parking, Private Parties

History

On the record

2026
Lekker500 — Top 500

A charming spot run by chefs Martijn Stroosma and Moniek Stroosma-de Jong with a bistro vibe, located in the center of Beetsterzwaag. Lunch here is just as popular as dinner, so making a reservation is essential. Paired with a beautiful glass of Viognier Sélection Parcellaire from Domaine de Castelnau 2024, we indulge in deliciously meaty Wadden Sea oysters, available in the classic version or an Eastern-inspired variant with kimchi, lime, and furikake. Martijn cooks French cuisine, and we savor a rich, foamy mustard soup served with croutons, bacon bits, and chives. What stands out is the warmth and hospitality of the hosts, Gydo Reinders and Stefano Kramer. They radiate a cozy, down-to-earth charm that immediately puts you at ease. Moreover, they are knowledgeable and happy to accommodate any requests if something on the menu needs adjusting. From the wine list, we choose the MiP Côtes de Provence Rosé 2024. It’s a fruity, herbal, floral, fresh, and clean wine that pairs beautifully with the various small bites served throughout the meal. All the dishes are delicious, but a real standout is the smoked duck breast served with generous shavings of duck liver and truffle mayonnaise. The steak tartare made from Frieslander Weiderund beef also deserves a mention. But what truly brings us joy is the dessert. A perfectly executed farmer’s yogurt soufflé with Madagascar vanilla ice cream, accompanied by a mango sunflower with a core of dark chocolate, chocolate mousse, and meringue. A warm welcome to Lekker!

2026
Gault&Millau — 13

Consistently packed from lunch through dinner. That says something about the fair pricing of chef Martijn Stroosma’s flavor-rich cuisine, about Moniek’s warm hospitality, and about Lyf’s cozy premises and...

Location

Find us

Hoofdstraat 73, Beetsterzwaag, 9244 CM, Netherlands
Drachten, Netherlands
+31 512 385 538
info@lyfs.nl
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