
Six restaurants with summer vibes
Summer vibes in the city
Summer vibes in Düsseldorf! Tender grilled octopus washed down with an ice-cold Super Bock beer makes for a perfect summer meal – and, of course, has to be enjoyed outside. Whether Scandinavian delicacies in Flingern, spaghetti vongole on a cobbled terrace or Wiener schnitzel while overlooking Hofgarten Park in the city centre, every district of Düsseldorf offers no end of culinary summer vibes.

Bar Olio
Bar Olio opened on Schirmerstrasse in 1999 on the site of an old freight train station. A new quarter has emerged over those 25 years, with only Olio remaining unchanged. A small brick building with a large forecourt that is used as an outdoor seating area when the weather is good. The cobblestones make the tables and chairs wobble a little, along with the wine glasses, but customers don’t mind as it all adds to the charm. Olio is always busy and people queue up waiting to be seated, as reservations can’t be made in advance. But customers don’t just come for the atmosphere and unusual location. They’re also there for the excellent food. Regulars can be sure of finding their favourite dishes on the menu, including red cabbage and ginger salad with teriyaki salmon, ragù alla genovese with rigatoni, Black Angus entrecôte, and crème brûlée. When the seasons turn to summer, Olio has the air of an urban island surrounded by modern architecture and high-rise buildings such as the 25hours Hotel. A hot spot like no other.

So Re
A stunning venue with stunning cuisine. Georgian restaurant So Re is situated on Hoffeldstrasse, at the junction with Lindenstrasse. The trees on Lindenplatz square provide shade for the outdoor seating area, whose location means it usually benefits from a refreshing breeze. The square is lined with old buildings and, shielded from the hustle and bustle of Flingern, customers can relax outside as they sample Georgian specialities. These include Georgian flatbreads with a range of fillings, cabbage pickled in a sauce of walnuts and spices, baby green beans with cashew nuts and lime juice, and grilled meat such as chicken in blackberry sauce. The marinades and spices impart the dishes with the incomparable aromas that are the hallmark of Georgian cooking and make it so unique. The same can be said of the country’s wines. Natia Torchinava, So Re’s owner, is always happy to advise her guests on what to choose.

Schillings at the Schauspielhaus
This is the place to be! One of the loveliest places for outdoor dining in summer is Schillings, nestled between the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus and Hofgarten Park. It’s no surprise that more and more couples are choosing to celebrate their wedding on the restaurant’s idyllic terrace – with a backdrop of majestic trees, birdsong, flowers in full bloom and fluffy white clouds passing overhead through the bright blue sky. Right in the heart of Düsseldorf, just moments from Schadowstrasse and Königsallee, Schillings offers such delicacies as watermelon tataki, quinoa bowls and veal Wiener schnitzel. The restaurant is housed in a wing of the theatre, so diners have been known to spot film stars such as Christian Friedel. And the late night menu is the ideal way to end a warm summer evening. It’s available from 9:30pm until 30 minutes after the curtain falls on the theatre’s final performance of the night.

Café Luso
Porto, Lisbon, the Algarve – Café Luso is the place to go if you’re longing for the taste of your most recent holiday in Portugal. It offers a welcoming atmosphere, especially as it attracts a regular clientele. The restaurant with its outdoor seating area is situated in a quiet neighbourhood. When the weather is warm, the tables outside fill up quickly and Portugal’s Super Bock beer is served ice-cold alongside starters such as gambas al ajillo and pulpo salad. The evocative smell of hot asphalt, garlic and grilled fish hangs in the air during the summer. After all, fish and seafood dominate Luso’s small menu. A typical Portuguese dish is bacalhau, dried cod that is gutted and hung from poles to dry as soon as it has been caught. Octopus skewers are another classic at Luso, which also serves meat and vegetarian dishes. If beer isn’t your tipple, the wine menu comes recommended and includes vinho verde. And the quintessential pastel de nata is the perfect dessert to end this culinary excursion to Portugal.

Nørds
Scandinavian minimalism is well known, and Nørds on Lindenstrasse imparts the genuine cordiality of the Nordic countries. Sebastian Wego, the restaurant’s chef, bubbles with an enthusiasm that immediately captivates diners. He explains the menu and recommends wines in his easygoing and friendly manner. The interior is pared back, uncluttered and yet cosy. The outdoor seating area is situated on the pavement, overlooking Mendelssohnstrasse. It’s less than ten minutes from Am Wehrhahn train station and its constant stream of city traffic. But here, the summer vibe is one of urban living and this is reflected in the restaurant’s modern cuisine. The menu is small yet packed with seasonal ingredients, featuring typical Nordic dishes with seaweed, such as fish balls or seaweed salad with salmon ceviche, wild herb salad and seaweed fries. Nearly all the dishes include fish or seafood, but there is plenty of choice for vegetarians too, including a main course of potato beurre noisette foam, pan-fried mushrooms with pickled onions and cured egg yolk.

Casa Luigi
Anyone with a longing for Italy will feel right at home at Casa Luigi. Even after more than 25 years, owner Gianluigi De Maio still insists on welcoming his guests personally. Alongside seasonal dishes, classics such as gnocchi and ravioli (both homemade), ossobuco and vitello tonnato all come highly recommended. Irresistible aromas wafting out of the open kitchen are sure to whet the appetite. The trattoria is picturesquely located on Hohe Strasse in Carlstadt. But the rear courtyard is the real hidden gem. Sheltered from the wind, the tables are set out under trees, while the cobblestones provide Mediterranean flair. For a sparkling aperitif, try a lovely franciacorta rosé brut. And Gianluigi De Maio will happily advise you on your dolce vita menu choices and accompanying wines.
Text: Cynthia Blasberg
Photos: Visit Düsseldorf // Duy Tran
Schillings: Natasha auf'm Kamp
Main photo, Schillings: Natasha auf'm Kamp