"La vera cucina italiana si sente nel cuore e nel palato."
(True Italian cuisine is felt in the heart and on the palate.).
There are restaurants where you simply eat - and there are restaurants where eating becomes an experience. Oase Due in Essen-Rüttenscheid belongs to the second category. Franco and his wife Ornella have been running this restaurant with heart, passion and a deep love of Italian cuisine for over 30 years. They are supported by Franco's sister-in-law and head chef Tiziano, who has also been an integral part of the team for three decades.
Small, refined and with a very special flair - the Oase Due exudes the charm of a traditional Italian restaurant. The interior is classic and stylish, without conforming to modern trends. Instead, the emphasis is on cosiness, character and a touch of nostalgic elegance, reminiscent of the small, family-run trattorias in Italy. It is a place with soul, where regular guests enjoy the familiar warmth and new visitors immediately feel that they have come to the right place.
A Personalized Welcome with a Personal Touch
"Un buon ristorante inizia con un sorriso sincero."
(A good restaurant starts with an honest smile).
Whether you are a first-time guest or have been coming here for years, Franco welcomes every guest with a warm smile, always stylishly dressed and with the charming warmth that characterises him. His greeting is not just a welcome, but an expression of genuine joy that you can feel immediately.
He accompanies the guests to the table, presents the dishes and takes the time to make personal recommendations - naturally with his unmistakable Italian accent, which makes him as genuine and likeable as he is. His honest, down-to-earth demeanour embodies exactly what Oase Due stands for: an Italian restaurant that is run with passion and authenticity.
This personal touch makes all the difference. He is never short of a humorous line or a quick-witted reply - Franco always has a joke at the ready to lighten the mood and make the visit that little bit more special.
Italian classics and daily surprises
The menu at Oase Due focuses on Italian classics that are prepared with great attention to detail. There is no endless choice here, but dishes that are created with care and the best ingredients. In addition to the tried and tested favourites, seasonal specialities provide variety, perfectly matched to the time of year.
But the speciality at Oase Due is not just the fixed menu - it is the daily recommendations that Franco personally presents to each guest. These dishes are based on the freshest ingredients of the day and always bring new flavours to the plate. Whether it's the finest fish, tender fillet of beef or a special pasta creation - those who are guided by Franco's recommendations will rediscover Italian cuisine time and time again.
For those who are undecided, Franco is on hand with his knowledge and enthusiasm to make the perfect choice for every taste. Whether it's a classic or a dish of the day - here you can experience authentic flavours that will delight you every time.
Ornella's homemade tiramisu - a sweet temptation
"Un dolce fatto con amore ha sempre un sapore speciale."
(A dessert made with love always has a special flavour).
A firm favourite at Oase Due is the homemade tiramisu, which Ornella prepares fresh every morning. Using her own recipe, she creates a dessert that is the perfect end to an indulgent meal. But it's not just the flavour that makes this tiramisu so special - it's the love and warmth with which she prepares it.
I'm already looking forward to her showing me how she makes it one day. For me, it would be hard to imagine a visit to Oase Due without Ornella's tiramisu - not just because of the dessert itself, but also because you can feel how much passion she puts into every single portion.
The Pleasure of Wine à la Oase Due
A good meal deserves the right accompaniment - and at Oase Due, special emphasis is placed on this. The wine selection is carefully chosen and offers the right accompaniment for every dish.
If you are unsure, you can rely on Franco, who gives advice with palpable enthusiasm and always has a recommendation ready. He takes the time to suggest a suitable wine to round off the flavour of the dish, but there is also a selection of delicious drinks for guests who prefer to enjoy non-alcoholic beverages.
And if you - like me - like to drink a light-coloured beer, you can look forward to a well-chilled Stauder Helles Bierchen. 😊
Outdoor seating - lively atmosphere with Italian flair
Especially during the warmer months, the outdoor seating at Oase Due is particularly popular. Located right on the lively Rüttenscheider Straße, it's the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed meal while watching the bustling surroundings.
Whether it's a quick espresso, a glass of wine at the end of the day or an extended dinner - the outdoor seating provides the perfect setting for an enjoyable moment in the open air.
Honoured as one of the top 100 Italian restaurants in Germany
I'm not at all surprised that Oase Due 2024 was recognised by Schlemmer Atlas as one of the top 100 Italian restaurants in Germany - it's absolutely deserved.
This honour confirms what regular guests have long known: Here, people cook with real passion and serve with warmth.
As the Oase Due is almost always fully booked, it is essential to book early, and anyone who has been here will immediately understand why this restaurant is so special.
An experience you'll keep coming back for
There are few places that manage to impress you time and time again – and Oase Due is one of them. No matter how often I come here, the excitement remains the same. Whenever I get a table, I feel as thrilled as on my first visit, knowing that an evening full of great food and warm hospitality awaits me.
The atmosphere, the food, the people - everything just feels right here. Franco has been putting all his passion into this restaurant for over 30 years, and you can feel it in every moment. It is precisely this enthusiasm and dedication that guests want to feel - the feeling of being welcomed and spoilt with culinary delights.
Every visit is special - and I can hardly wait to savour the experience again and again.
"La magia della cucina italiana sta nei dettagli più semplici: la tavola imbandita con cura, il suono delle risate che riempiono la stanza, il brindisi che unisce le persone. Ogni pasto è un'esperienza che scalda il cuore, un viaggio nei sapori che raccontano storie di casa, tradizione e passione autentica."
(The magic of Italian cuisine lies in the small details: the lovingly laid table, the sound of laughter that fills the room, the toast that connects people. Every meal is an experience that warms the heart - a journey through flavours that tell stories of home, tradition and genuine passion).
