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In our new featured restaurant section on Life In Düsseldorf, we bring you curated insight into Düsseldorf’s best food spots, from modern or classic to fine dining or street food. Bar Olio with its charming style was definitely a place worth mentioning to our readers.

Bar Olio is a classic in the Düsseldorf food scene, they offer a fine Mediterranean dining experience with Japanese hints, in an informal atmosphere. Just down the road, you’ll also find another Japanese favourite – sumi.

Hidden amid fancy apartment buildings and hotels in Pempelfort, Bar Olio, the garage-like restaurant is like the coolest kid in school who does not need to fit in, but is very popular.

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No Reservations Taken

Bar Olio does not take reservations and the waiting time to get a table can sometimes get long. This should not discourage you, you can have some drinks at the bar whilst waiting, shoulder to shoulder! During warmer days, the wait becomes a rather enjoyable experience, you can then enjoy your drinks in a lively outdoor area until a table frees up.

Once you make it to a table, you can finally understand why the place is so beloved to the local crowd. Dim lights and a natural vintage style sets the tone for an upcoming cozy dinner.

A Japanese twist on Italian Classics

The service staff is prompt and friendly. They will not bring you a printed menu though, this is not how Bar Olio rolls!

Simply raise your head and try to decrypt the handwritten menu on the board. If you read “Udon Bolognese”, it is not your eyes playing tricks on you. They have indeed dared to put an Italian twist on a Japanese classic. Or is it the other way around? A Japanese twist on an Italian classic!?

I know what you might be thinking, it is one of these places trying to create a fusion style by forcing together flavors. Not at Bar Olio, all of their dishes are well-executed, perfectly balanced, and distinctive.

North African or Levantine cuisine is not spared by Bar Olio’s creative touch with their couscous and falafel.

Seafood lovers are spoiled for choice with a wide array of sashimi and grilled fish. If you order the popular Grilled Octopus, snap a picture first. It will likely get you lots of Instagram likes.

With the menu being a seasonal one, you might be lucky to have either a tender Blonde d’Aquitaine steak or Angus entrecôte at times.

Even if there are many sophisticated and delicious options to choose from, many people swear that their simplest pasta dishes are to die for. Their fiery and garlicky Penne Ala Arrabbiata will have you scooping the sauce off of your plate using the warm Italian bread once the pasta is all gone.

“Keine Kreditkarte” – no credit cards

Prices are overall very reasonable when considering what’s on offer. Do bear in mind that credit cards and the (infamous) German EC Karte are not accepted. Cash only!

Bar Olio is the place for a chill evening out with friends. In fact, it could even be suitable for the perfect date night. No more arguments to decide between a Japanese or Italian restaurant, you can have both in one!

Additional Information

Address: Schirmerstraße 54, 40211 Düsseldorf

Opening Hours:

Monday – Saturday: 11AM – 1AM
Sundays: Closed

If you’d like to try out some of your own international cuisines at home, there are a number of awesome international grocery stores around the area that you can check out too! Otherwise, opt-in for a meal prep kit from somewhere like MarleySpoon so you can learn to cook some incredible international dishes from home too!