Oma’s Brings German Gemütlichkeit to Lakes Country

By Missy Hermes, Photos by Erik Osberg

What started out as a cottage industry selling traditional German baked goods at the local farmers markets has become a favorite destination selling European-style entrees and specialty pastries. Dining at Oma’s Restaurant and Bakery in Wadena delivers the “gemütlichkeit” (German for good cheer and friendliness) of a café along the Rhine right here in the Otter Tail region.

The origin story for this distinctly Deutsch restaurant and bakery starts with a German girl who decided to spend a year abroad as a foreign exchange student at Verndale High School. Falling in love with the area, Yvonne Strom encouraged her parents to join her here.

Her mom, Annette Schmidlin, is the Oma (German for grandmother) of the family. She started the business, selling her breads, kuchen, quiche and spätzle at area farmers markets. As demand for their baked goods grew along with Yvonne’s family with young children, they decided to open a specialty bakery and bistro in Wadena. With offerings like Black Forest eclairs and coffee meringue torte, the cafe quickly outgrew its space and has since expanded. Yvonne’s brother, a trained chef, joined the family here in 2021, bringing his repertoire of mouthwatering lunch and dinner entrees Tuesday through Saturday. With a tantalizing menu, Yvonne affirms, “our evening meals are phenomenal, including veal, duck, venison and walleye…our menu changes with the season.” Begin and end meals at Oma’s with appetizer and dessert flights.

Oma’s leans into their German heritage during the holidays with traditional foods and festivals. Dirndls and dancing delight at the fun Oktoberfest feast in the fall featuring wurst, schnitzel and more. Then as Christmas approaches Oma’s hosts a traditional outdoor Weihnachtsmarkt with German candies, cookies, imported goodies and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Sip a steaming mug of Glühwein or coffee.

Patrons can rent Oma’s for private events; “we’ve had a few very special engagement parties and rehearsal dinners,” says Yvonne. That feeling of German geniality, gemütlichkeit, is on hand at Oma’s.