Olive Tree Café
4614 Kilauea Ave,Ste 107, Honolulu, HI, 96816
Olive Tree Café Menu
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Fazoli's is an Italian-American fast casual restaurant chain headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. It was founded in 1988and is now owned by Sentinel Capital Partners. As of 2015, there are 213 Fazoli's located nationwide. The restaurant chain specializes in Italian cuisine and dishes. Carl Howard is the company's president and CEO.
Fazoli's offers a menu of traditional Italian favorites — highlighted by our famous, mouthwatering, garlic bread sticks — combined with a service experience not typically found in the QSR industry and served in a newly re-imagined restaurant environment. And it's all available to our guests at a great price and value. With over 200 restaurants, explosive growth and a booming sales trajectory, Fazoli's has established itself as a leader in the Quick-Service Restaurant segment.
Today, Fazoli's menu consists of classic Italian dishes, baked pastas, their signature Submarinos sandwiches, and other foods, such as:
Twice Baked Lasagna
Chicken Parmigiano
Italian Deli Trio
seasonal salads
Turkey Mozzarella Fresco
Meatball da Vinci
The Primo Italiano
Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza
New York Style Cheesecake
Baked Spaghetti
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
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Address :
4614 Kilauea Ave,Ste 107
Honolulu, HI, 96816 - Phone (808) 737-0303
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Categories
Greek Cuisine
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
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Stephanie M.
The Olive Tree is a tasty little treat for the Kahala neighborhood. The relaxed vibe is very welcoming; though the seating situation draws a bit of anxiety if you have to wait for an open table! I'll start with the end first: The Baklava (deserves capitalization here) is the sweetness that you can't wait to get to at the end of the meal. You really can't go wrong with any of the main entrees... just make sure you get a taste of that pita and hummus! And to start, the white beans in tomato sauce are SO delicious--I order them each time I am there. It's an easy place to grab dinner with a friend or two; but wouldn't recommend it for a big group.
(4)Jon K.
Nice place next to Kahala Mall. Seating can be a challenge, but the food was tasty and worth the wait. You can order take out, so that's another option. It's BYOB so come prepared. Parking can be tight, but there's street parking if the lot is full.
(4)Jasmine N.
OPA! Since you can BYOB its nice place for a greek dinner. Everything I've tried so far has been good. The Lemon egg soup is surprisingly yummy. Who would have thought the two go together. It's savory with a tang. The hummus and pita are yummy, the chicken souvlaki was juicy and the salad that came with it was to die for. There is limited seating inside and outside. You order and wait.. This is when you can start the party with your beverages. You pay when you pick up your food. They only take cash. A cute place with good food. Must try/ Tips: BYOB and cups because they charge $0.25 per cup, My friends park in the mall or across the street.
(4)Thaila K.
Delicious food...hummus is the best I've had! Food is ordered at the counter. Mellow, laid back style. Service is good. Perfect for date nights...good vibe. The vibe and outdoor atmosphere is such a good mix for great conversations...if this is a date night, I hope you didn't plan on seeing a movie or at least not until an hour or two later because you might get lost in good food and good company...losing track of time. It does get crowded, you WILL have to wait. Or, you can choose to eat there on off times or days of the week which frankly...there really isn't an "off" time for them but once in awhile if you are lucky there's a parking space and a table open :) BYOB. There is a wine shop next door so if you didn't remember to bring your favorite merlot, you can purchase one there.
(5)Skye W.
Despite the construction the restaurant is undergoing outside, it didn't change the taste of the food. Their plate sizes are generous and the atmosphere is fun and relaxing. Plus, you can bring your own wine, etc. They provide the cups for 50 cents, if you don't feel like bringing your own.
(4)Maddow S.
This is one of our favorite restaurants. The food is fresh and delicious -- be sure to check out the specials. The baklava is the freshest I've ever tasted and is very delicious. Sure, its often busy and the parking is limited, but the food is yummy and the staff is very nice. We often order carry out and head out to the beach to enjoy it. Delicious fresh food + friendly staff = worth the effort..
(5)Jordan K.
The food was delicious but I recommend ordering takeout since the wait is always long. Also, the service wasn't that great as well as other patrons waiting on tables like vultures. Would get it again but I'm going to call the order in.
(4)Kimmy T.
Except the problem finding the seat, this place is really great! But I guess it cannot be helped. Too many people wants to eat this place! I love their lamb souvlaki and mussels appetizer! This is BYOB and next door (wine shop) has reasonable good wine selection!
(5)Justin P.
This is the standard for Greek food on Oahu. Everything works together on the plate, their hummus in on a totally different level. The dressing on their salads is wonderful and light. The tomatos, and I hate tomatos, are delicious. I had their falafel, and it was delicious, but I always go for the lamb souvlakiwhen I'm there.... really good! Their Baklava is amazing as well.....
(5)Edmund L.
This place is awesome. BYOB and a cork fee of only $0.50? awesome. Located right next to a cool wine shop selling large varieties of wine? uber-awesome The food is is delicious. For some odd reason, I feel as if I just polished down sushi after I am done eating here. I don't know why. You order and pay when your food is ready. -Lamb souvlaki is tasty and comes with a small salad on the side. -The baba ganoush here is the best I have ever had and goes well with the pita bread. The hummus is okay. -Cornish game hen isn't too bad. The meat feels like it just falls off the bone. The dish is a special and not always on the menu. It is half a hen with salad and pita -The caviar appetizer is worth trying. The dolmas are done well here and has a nice kick and pop in your mouth. -The tabouleh salad is one of my favorites. Minty with powerful sharp flavor from the lemon juice makes this a refreshing appetizer to get your taste buds started -The cappuccino is okay but not great. But then you barely notice the difference at the end of the meal when you've already had a decent bit of wine to drink already. -The baklava.....good sized, sweet, flaky, and nutty. Excellent piece of goodness. Just splendid taste and texture. Good place and environment to come with friends, converse, and enjoy your food. The atmosphere has the feel of that little neighborhood cafe that everyone loves. Outdoor seating also gives you some extra dining buddies. There are cats nearby but there are mostly 2 that stand out. That is because they aren't scared of humans and they actually hang out and lounge around the outside of the cafe dining area. They aren't aggressive and are really cool to watch. One is a smooth all tan colored cat and the other has orange & black stripes/dots on it. I think these cats are not strays but rather housecats that either escaped or ones that the owner allows to leave the house and they go back home at night. Whatever, they definitely seem to be comfortable around humans. They lay around and sleep on their bellies or lay on their backs and people watch, right in the middle of the walkway. Cool cats
(5)Mark W.
Food was good, but the place is TINY and LOUD. Everyone is on top of each other -- the cook, the cashier, the sit-down customers and the take-out customers. There are not nearly enough tables and seats. There are maybe a total of 6-8 two person tables (maybe a couple 4 person tables) on the inside and 8-10 two to four person tables outside; plus the take-out line and the regular food line is all the same so there is a constant state of confusion with everyone. The service was slow too. There is no wait staff so you have to go and stand in the take-out line when your food is ready and if there is no table for you, then guess what; you are now a take-out customer even if you don't want to be... Staff is friendly, but this is not a good place for a Saturday night unless you like noise, crowded places and not enough places to sit.
(1)Evan R.
This is some of the best Greek food on the island, and it's BYOB!!! But I've gotta agree with other reviewers that the service and seating arrangements definitely knock off a star. Because it's somewhat slow and first-come-first-serve for seating, it's really hard to go with a group and you inevitably feel like a vulture hovering over your potential prey for any sign that they might be finishing that last pita so you can take their table. I really like the lamb there, and they make great hummus. The tomatoes are always really fresh and I think you'll like anything you get there.
(4)Island Boy B.
I was somewhat hard pressed to give Olive Tree Cafe a 4 star rating, but for the most part, my 2 experiences with Olive Tree Cafe were quite pleasant. In traditional Greek fashion (my teacher was Greek and he told me that his family still pays everything in cash till this day), Olive Tree Cafe only takes cash. So it was annoying that I had to walk to Bank of Hawaii to take out cash for our meal (and get charged $3 for using their ATM). This is kind of a disservice to their customers in this day in age, and although their food is good, this setback could deter potential customers from patronizing their restaurant. That out of the way, my three companions and I enjoyed a simple meal of chicken souvlaki, pita, beans, and hummus. (since I was flying to the mainland that evening, I threw in a lamb shaorma to avoid having to eat plane food). Simple Greek faire. All in all, it wasn't the best Greek food I've had, but the quality and freshness was exceptional. Their Pita bread is some of the best I've had, but make sure its warm when you eat it. The outdoor cafe is charming and we had the perfect weather for dining al fresco. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to try some of the other dishes recommended by Yelpers.
(4)Meep M.
Why I haven't eaten here sooner is a mystery to me. I had eaten at Kafe Europa earlier for lunch w/my bf and was sorely disappointed. Luckily my bf (being the elite yelper that he is) knew exactly where to go to get our fix. As Rachel Ray would say.....YUM O! Their Caviar Spread was delicious. I tried to refrain from inhaling the whole plate. We also ordered their Lamb Kabob and Chicken Special Combo. There was not a bite left. With out meal, we washed it all down with a bottle of Pinot Noir bought at their side wine store (which btw had very reasonably priced wine). If u don't want to buy from their store, ur able to bring ur own since their BYOB. I've only been here once and I want to return already. The food is great, byob is a plus, but it's the energy that makes this place. It's people making connections through food, drinks and laughter. I do recommend saving room for their Baklava.
(5)Wendall H.
Good food and reasonably priced. Only issue is limited seating. With no wait or host service it is a scramble to get a table. The food is worth it though.
(4)Christine B.
To be honest, When I first saw this place, it never really piqued my interest. But my boyfriend, when we were cruising around Kahala mall after class one day, spontaneously felt like trying it for dinner. I was quite reluctant at first because of pricing and the seating isn't great and is overly crowded, but i must say, the food is absolutely scrumptious! Doesn't give you that crappy junk food feeling after eating a Heart-attack bag of mcdonalds(which i haven't eaten at in forever and glad i haven't). For those who like bread and eggplant, i highly recommend the Baba Ghanoush . Thin, soft slices of pita bread with two scoops of this hearty eggplant dip. You can't go wrong with this treat!
(4)Mark Y.
I love this place. It has a really cool, yuppie hang out type of vibe, very laid back and relaxed (well, once you commandeer a seat that is). No corkage fee for the bottles of wine you either bring with you or buy from the shop next door and they offer refills when you buy a soda too. After all the years of coming here, the food has never disappointed us. I remember eating here when they used to serve lunch on Fridays and weekends and even before they had the seating and awning outside; it was always good. The Hummus here is the best, we always get it with an extra order of pita which is only 75 cents more. The other things we usually get are the Chicken souvlaki and the Shaorma, both are terrific and come with a small green salad. The ingredients used are always fresh and I always drool over their tomatoes, they're juicy and taste like the ones I'd grow at home. I've tried most other things on the menu like the Falafal and the Fish or Lamb souvlaki too, all good. One of the downers like others have mentioned is the seating situation. There is no order in getting a table so you just have to stand around and wait for people to leave. There are other people standing around also so you really need to position yourself strategically. We've remedied this by making sure we're here at 5pm or shortly thereafter, otherwise we avoid coming here. This one time we got into it with this bossy pregant chinese girl who thought she could bully people around. I won't go through the whole story but it ended with her yelling at her henpecked husband... "DAMN IT, JUST GO ORDER THE FOOD! THESE GUYS ARE ASSHOLES! MY DINNER'S RUINED!" Poor husband, he had a glazed look over his face like he was in shellshock, I felt sorry for him but secretly enjoyed watching her little meltdown. And for the record, WE WERE THERE before they were, but I digress. Anyway, some other downers: It's cash only, (and local checks too I think), but I wish they would take plastic. And, when you eat inside, the music is soooo loud, it makes you want to do the plate-smashing dance like Anthony Quinn did in Zorba the Greek. Although, when it's hot and muggy out, sitting inside has its benefits since it's air conditioned. So if you come, remember to bring cash and maybe some elbow pads and a helmet, you might need it to get a table unless you come at 5 like we do.
(5)Charity Y.
The Mussels, Hummus & Baba Ganoush, and Baklava were all a delicious, hit the spot trio of appetizers! They now offer a combo plate of Hummus (1 scoop) and Baba Ganoush (1 scoop), just order extra pita bread with it. The Baklava was just the right amount of sweet. It's also Cash only.
(4)Jude A.
My favorite cafe in Honolulu! Authentic Greek food, the best Avgolemono soup you'll ever have! Everything on the menu is onolicious. BYOB
(5)Anna D.
HUMMUS, PITA BREAD, SOUVLAKI, GRAPELEAVES, SALAD, EGGPLANT = oral orgasm! I love this place! if they ever closed down I'd be so depressed. how can you go wrong when everythign on the menu is so good and it's BYOB? dont forget, they're always busy and open only for dinner. see you there!
(5)Jay K.
No complaints here :)! I like to call and ask if they have fresh ahi
(4)Kehau S.
The Olive Tree Cafe has been a Kahala hot spot for close to two decades. (You know you're from Kahala if you know what was in that location before the Olive Tree, and no - I'm not telling you.) It's fantastic. It's always busy (a.k.a. crowded). They open nightly at 5 pm. (They're only open for dinner.) You order at the counter. You seat yourself. There are tables inside and outside. (They bus your table after you leave.) They only take cash or personal checks. They're known for their take out, orders start coming in daily around 4:30 (first pick up is at 5:15 pm). Their number, 737-0303 (737 "olive tree, olive tree" - another Kahala insider tip). Everything is good. Seriously. Everything is good. The hummus is fantastic. I suggest ordering it with cucumbers and feta (extra charge, but worth it). The prices are great. Dinner for two including an appetizer is usually under $30. The portions are big; the taste is bigger. I've been getting the chicken slovaki plate for about 20 years. I never get tired of it. (There is also fish and lamb slovaki and a nice assortment of fantastic greek food.) They also regularly have specials. They're always good. They're greek salad is the best in town. People ask to buy their dressing and sauces. They don't sell them. It's also BYOB. Corkage is 50 cents per person. The owner of the restaurant owns a little shop adjacent to the restaurant; you can pick up wine there. The shop also sells gelato in case you want dessert after. The parking is hard. The lot (the drive way Diamond Head of the Kahala McDonald's) is small. There are about 20 spaces. They're usually full. If you find a spot, you're lucky. There's street parking. A lot of people park at McDonald's next door. If only the nation of Greece was doing as well as The Olive Tree Cafe.
(5)Christine L.
You know I woke up the other day with a serious craving for good Greek food. Now, I live in the Bay Area where you can find just about any type of food you could possible imagine. But I will admit the best Greek food I have had out of Greece is Olive Tree Cafe. And I miss it! My mom and I would often stop at this place on our way home from work, or a long beach day. The wait for a table in the small restaurant is totally worth it! We would usually order and extra big serving of hummus with pita. Mom loved the mussels, and I would get the Lamb Souvlaki. Their food was always served very fresh and tasting amazing. And you can't go wrong with fresh baklava. Their baklava is the only reason I eat anything with nuts in it. I wish I had Olive Tree Cafe in Nor Cal =( I need some good Greek over here!
(4)Michelle S.
The very best falafel I have ever had. This place is just as good as the food that I had while in Greece. We always order hummus with an extra order of pita. The lemon soup is to die for, the dolmas melts in your mouth, husband loves the mussels and the lamb shwarma, and the giant beans are delicious. My husband says he could drink the salad dressing from the Greek salad with a straw. If you are therre on a Thursday try the eggplant special - so good! Only negatives would be finidng a seat, it pays to come early, and I wish they were open during the day too!
(5)Emi H.
If Olive Tree Cafe was a man I'd be ALL OVER that good lovin'! Nestled behind the Kahala Mall McDonald's, Olive Tree Cafe is the one restaurant I would buy if I had the means to do so. You must try the HUMMUS. Oh the HUMMUS. With extra pita bread of course! My fave entree is the chicken or fish Tslouvaki (is that spelled right?) which comes with a nice green salad. Greek food is very heart healthy so that's another plus! They also have fallafel sandwiches as well for those of you looking for a vegetarian option. And of course you'll need to finish it off with a piece of baklava & espresso. Most entrees will run you $12 and dessert is $3. They don't do coins at the Olive Tree Cafe so everything with tax always equals a full dollar amount. I like the cozy atmosphere and I'd recommend sitting outside if possible because the Greek music that blairs indoors will slowly drive you insane. (RED RUM! RED RUM!) It's BYOB so chug down that ouzo or your favorite bottle of wine. The thing that astounds me about the Olive Tree Cafe is that they are always busy no matter what day of the week. Every few months the owner will go on vacation for a week, completely shut down the operation and it will be just as busy as he left it when he opens the doors again. IT'S THAT GOOD!
(5)Cat T.
Ok... the service could definitely be better, that being said the food was soooo good that I'm giving this place full stars. I LOVED the greek salad and hummus. Omg, it was da-bomb. My falafel was okay, so next time I will be trying the lamb souvlaki like all my friends did and said they enjoyed. We also got the feta cheese appetizer which was great too. But definitely the greek salad and hummus was fantastic. BYOB too! I am going to be back and try the lamb and fish souvlaki. I remember the guy at the counter mentioned the fish being good and reviews on her mention that as well. As other people mentioned, its small shop, so its quite busy. Parking is right outside of store or on the streets of Kahala. Not too hard to find though.
(5)Esther K.
holymolymatrimony. I love this place! I've never appreciated Greek food as much as I did at Olive Tree Cafe. The Fresh Fish Souvlaki was delicious! Dear Lord, someone stop me from eating the hummus and pita bread. NOM NOM NOM everyday
(5)Ka'imi L.
4 stars for Olive Tree Cafe! Just went for a quick dinner here on a Friday night. The Pros: Ordered the Chicken Souvlaki which tasted very delicious. I love the fact that they have BYOB with no corkage fee. And the price can't be beat for good greek food! The Cons: Was a little stuffy, but I definitely got over that after drinking a few bottles of wine! Def recommend for casual eating. Go early otherwise you'll end up fighting for a place to sit.
(4)Stephanie F.
Their chicken pita is delicious but they raised the price :( the sauce is great that they use for all the pitas tzatziki Sauce -they use fresh fish Daily so call ahead to find the fish of the day so u r not stuck with a dry fish :)
(4)Erica W.
I have been here a few times. Last night I tried their daily special of a cornish hen stuffed with spinach. This dish came with a side of potatoes and greek salad, and pita bread. The cornish hen was juicy and not dried at all. I did wish the salad came with greek olives. The employees are always friendly and the place clean. The layout is you order first and then pay when you pick up the food (the same counter where you order). The seating is on your own, so if you are coming with a group of people send someone to snag a table. My only complaint, too many tables and chairs that no matter if you sit inside or on the lanai, everything is cramped.
(4)J P.
This right here is a damn crime of deliciousness!!! Everything is exquisite. I love the lamb, and their humus is off the chain. The only thing that sucks is that they don't take cards, just cash... Next door is owned by the owner as well and they sell amazing wines. Buy a bottle there, and just ask for some glasses at the front where you order your food and enjoy a nice open air dinner. Perfect spot for a date!
(5)Brian M.
Limited kitchen/grill space combined with this being a go to restaurant for locals means you need to bring patience with your wine. The food is fresh and the place has a good spirit but ...the dishes lack authenticate taste - short on sharp flavor. Seems mediocracy has set the local standard. Americanized Mediterranean food that somehow works.
(2)Jana M.
One of hubby's favorite places. He is more into greek food than I am, and he prefers this place over all the other greek places in town. I love the chicken souvlaki! They are often crowded though, even early on. So be prepared to hunt for a table or wait... It's a weird system where you order and then they call you and then you pay. That's the only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5. I'd rather pay when I order and get it over with vs. dealing with money and try to pick up food. Would be nice if they brought food out too, plenty places just use numbers.
(4)Nat N.
I'm not an expert when it comes to Greek cuisine, but I think this is as good as it gets (in Hawaii). We went on a Wednesday night just before 7 pm and were lucky to score two parking spots in the parking lot. Great timing. The hummus was prepared and ready for pick up well ahead of our entrees, which was a definite plus since we didn't get our entrees until 30 minutes later. Wish it came with a few more slices of pita bread. My lamb souvlaki was excellent. The lamb was juicy and spiced perfectly. My friend ordered the shaorma and licked the plate clean. The 30 minute wait for our food was definitely worth it!
(5)Chrishinda D.
WHOA!!! I found this place using Yelp and the reviews were on point (thank you Yelpers). I got the fish special and so glad I did... it was prepared to perfection. There wasn't a morsel left on my plate. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Katie G.
We love Olive Tree Cafe! The organic chicken souvlaki is delicious as are their specials which seem to change every few weeks. Fresh good eats.
(5)Sharon W.
I m not a big Yelp person, but if there is 1 place i shud write a review, it'd b this place. I love the Olive Tree. I mean really, really luv it. It is my all-time, go to, favorite restaurant! I've been coming here for two decades now n just never seem to get tired of it. This is definitely my "where do I feel like eating?" restaurant. This place is gr8 if u like simple. Everything about this place is well...simple. The menu: There isn't much to choose from, but what they do have on the menu is absolutely delicious!!! I think I've tried almost everything on the menu including their specials, but when I can't decide, I can always count on their fish souvlaki. Staff: I have to say they r awesome since there doesn't seem to be a lot of them, but they keep a smile even when the place is cranking n the phones r ringing. Tables: Finding a table can be a lil tricky, but that's ok, it is BYOB! Parking, Nay...unless u r one of those lucky ones who always find parking. I'm not, so I actually park at the mall n then just walk over. Restrooms: upstairs w a key. Hope this helps n I hope u enjoy!
(5)Marlene A.
Excellent lamb there. The eggplant is fab too. Byob makes this restaurant even better!!
(4)Amber G.
This place is the bomb dot com! I suggest getting here right when they open or else plan on waiting for a table. All the dishes are amazing and you really can't go wrong with what you pick. It's BYOB with no bottle charge. :) major plus! They only accept cash so make sure you bring some. There is a wine store right next door if you forgot to bring a bottle and the olive tree provides you with glasses. Not ideal for big groups or kids. Make it a date night spot.
(5)Kathy A.
It's a solid four star review! After watching Mission Impossible we trekked over to Kahala to wait about a half hour for the Cafe to open. There is seating outside with small cafe tables under the traditional blue awning. Promptly at 5:00 the doors opened with ten people already waiting. There is a limited menu with two specials changing each day. No need of the specials we ordered: Avgo Lemono Soup - a bowl of pure heaven, half puréed-half semi solid full bodied with a light lemon flavor. This is my favorite soup from a Greek restaurant in San Jose and I am happy that I've found a place in 808 to enjoy it again. Baba Guanoush with pita bread - yummy, silky, flavorful. Wonderful serving with a divot in each mound filled with olive oil. I will order this whenever it's on the menu and it's a must try here. Mussel ceviche - I would eat a double order of this for a meal another time. Cleaned, ice cold mussels. Not a traditional ceviche but it is topped with an olive oil, lemon, caper sauce that is outstanding. Tabbouleh - heathy serving, great fresh fresh fresh and the dressing was light, flavorful and matched perfectly. Greek Salad - one of the best Greek Salads I have ever tasted. The feta cheese was whisked into the dressing which gave it an interesting consistency. Very good. Fresh fish Souvlaki - today the fresh catch was Opah and it was grilled, served in pita. Split three ways, it was fantastic, fresh, flavorful. New Zealand Lamb Souvlaki - I am a lamb fanatic, this did not disappoint, again split three ways. To top it all off.....Baklava! Officially awesome. Seems like a ton of food however we did not take anything home. The servings are not huge or pricy so you can order plates and share as we did. Lien went next door to Oliver's Liquor, specializing in Greek fare and picked up some pistachio Halva to enjoy with the bottle of Prosecco she brought for dinner. As if it couldn't get better....it's bring your own bottle, BYOB. If you forget or didn't know, Oliver's opens next door at 5:00 too. Thank you Lien for a great choice for dinner, the bottle of Prosecco and the beautiful Ravel roses! Will be back soon.
(4)Cody Z.
Solid Saturday night of eating mussel ceviche Greek salad Shaoma entree baklava dessert ice tea good times
(4)Scott B.
My wife and I shared the stuffed eggplant with salad. The portions are not large and it was adequate in flavor. The staff are very helpful and friendly. There is seating both inside and outside. This is a solid three star restaurant.
(3)Diana L.
What better place to go to for my cheat meal than to Olive Tree?? First of all, bring cash! Unless you're one of the few that carries a check book around... They don't accept credit or debit cards. But if you're there and realize you forgot your cash and check, luckily there are ATMs in the area you can briskly walk to before your food is finished. They don't take payment up front. You pay when you get your last order. The menu is short, but that just means that their items are quality. And it sure is quality! I usually order their chicken souvlaki. So tender and flavorful. Flavor and juices just burst in your mouth with every bite. Also, they are BYOB! If you forget your bottle of wine or beer, not to worry! They've got a wine shop next door. How convenient, huh? This place is tucked away next to Kahala Mall. Don't drive too fast or you'll miss the driveway to turn in! And lastly, the service: excellent. So fast and SO friendly. Enjoy!
(4)Meg M.
Olive Tree could only be better if there was a statue of a male greek god in the middle of the plaza and wine flowing from marble fountains. Their falafel is to-die-for, their pita is fluffy yet flavorful and their vegetables are crisp and fresh! I would highly recommend a date night here (with friends or love interests) very soon, You should prepare for your night by getting a nice bottle of wine or a couple of craft beers (yes, I am an alcohol snob!) and bringing a sweater, as it can get chilly on the patio. (Sitting on the patio is part of the experience!) If you forgot to BYOB, there is a charming little wine and beer shop next door to Olive Tree. Start by ordering at the counter.... the hummus and pita or any of their unique salads (which you can view in the glass case) make a great starter. There isn't a wide variety of entrees but all are flavorful and delicious. My boyfriend loves the chicken dish and I crave the falafel. Each comes with a small greek salad. Their greek salad is excellent and the large portion is enough for a table to share. The food comes out next to the register and then you pay- BRING CASH! This is a great spot on island... enjoy your time here :)
(5)Murray B.
Every once awhile I get a craving for Greek food and last night was one of those times! I almost always get the souvlaki platter which meant the lamb arrived in a pita all sauced up and ready to eat. Ordering the platter also meant I was deserving of a small side salad (lucky me!) that comes with a tasty dressing that I liked. Although the menu is limited overall, my vegetarian friend was still pleased with her order. Since it took roughly 20 minutes before our platters were ready, it proved advantageous that one of my friends ordered hummus and pita bread to nibble on while we waited. BYOB if you feel like having beer or wine with dinner. You also have the option of eating indoors (with the a/c going of course) or outdoors on their patio. Parking lot is a little small but manageable. If you arrive at dinner rush hour, be prepared to stand until a table opens up for your party. I hope the menu becomes more extensive at some point. I will be back next time my Greek food craving hits!
(4)Hannah Q.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place yet. This is by far, one of my favorite restaurants on the island. There are so many reasons to be turned off by it (limited parking, limited seating, extremely loud, crowded, always long lines, cash only) BUT its one of those restaurants where the negatives in some way add to the total ambiance and vibe--great ambiance and great vibes. Complicated I know, but once you come you'll understand. Above all, excellent food quality! Everything is served fresh, they always have new and different special items on the menu. If they haven't sold out yet, all specials are a must. Every special we've tried thus far have been amazing. Otherwise, I'd highly recommend the following: Toubouleh salad: so fresh, crisp, clean, strong herbs. The best part is the dressing that always comes on the side. Hummus or baba ganoush: delicious!! I want to believe its all homemade but I'm not entirely sure. Either way, they taste homemade and come with toasted pita bread. Souvlaki lamb: pita pocket with grilled or roasted lamb and the white Greek yogurt sauce--yum! Baklava: oh this dessert is so good here and unlike anything you'll try on the island. It's extremely sweet but airy and fun to eat. Byob: another plus! If you forgot your own bottle of wine, they conveniently have a wine store next door.
(5)Morgan M.
I've been here a few times, main reason being it's super close to my house and my mom loves the food. Don't get me wrong... I love Greek food, but so rarely do I have a craving for it that I'd probably go way less frequently if I were just eating by myself. That being said: it's good. Really good. Probably some of the best Greek food on the island. The restaurant itself is relatively small. You walk in and see a counter to order at (pay when you pick up your entree). There are around 5 tables inside and a bunch more outside. However, some of the outdoor seating is so close to the parking lot, that I'm not sure how appetizing it'd be smelling car exhaust your entire meal. Obviously, I always opt for indoor seating. Now, for what makes me not a huge fan of Olive Tree Cafe: it's usually crowded. That's not usually a problem for me, except that it's usually understaffed as well. (I did see a HELP WANTED sign at the front, so maybe this will change soon!) There's usually one person at the front (two if you're lucky) who deals with taking orders, calling orders, cashier duties, etc. Having to deal with both taking orders and handing them out once they're ready usually causes a backup. The wait to order isn't that bad. The killer is the wait for your actual food. I'm assuming they ask you to pay when you get the food so they can put your order in as soon as possible, but I'd hate to see the result if they tried any other system... You're usually looking at a 15-20 minute wait for your food, sometimes more. Our hummus appetizer took over 10 minutes to get out. I know you're not grinding the beans back there yourself... When I was there last, I saw at least 3 different people go to the counter and ask if the food was ready yet/what the holdup was. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it takes a while. Now, I'd understand the wait if this was a more upscale restaurant, but they present themselves as more of a fast casual place. My last issue with this place is the size of your portions. They should use smaller plates or something because the plates really give the illusion that you're not given a lot of food (especially for the prices). However, I would like to note that I have never left Olive Tree Cafe hungry in all the times I've been there. For me, this is just a presentation issue. I started with the bad because I'm always a little salty after ordering and waiting so long for the food, and those thoughts always run through my mind as I'm sitting and waiting. However, every single time, as soon as I get my food, those thoughts disappear. Because the food is really, really good. Like, really good. Everything tastes fresh and comes out nice and warm. And you are going here because you want Greek food, right? If that's so, then you won't be disappointed. Oh, and another plus is that it's BYOB. They charge you some change for a glass in lieu of a corkage fee. Ask about their special for the day, also!
(3)Jasmine O.
I love Olive Tree Cafe! Customer service is top notch, the food is so awesome... great prices for great food and portion size. I personally could not finish my dish but then again I am a super light eater. I had a "Shaorma" - Which is a spicy ground lamb patty with tomato & onion, served with tatini sauce. I normally do not enjoy spicy foods but this was really good. Again, did not get to eat it all and saved the remainder for the next day but it was tasty! I want to try their greek salad with feta cheese. Sounds great right about now... Possibly to return this weekend for a salad! This little place can get really crowded fast so there may be a little wait for seating.
(4)Jin M.
This place is AMAZEBALLS. Oh man. SO many vegan/vegetarian options- I'm in LOVE. The falafel, oh the falafel... Here's what you need to get: Falafel platter, Tabouleh, Dolmadakia, Hummus, Baba ghanoush. All for you! Just kidding, you can share. I guess. I wouldn't. Mmmmmm, I just thought about the food in my head and I started drooling. That's how good this place is. You just need to go. But first, limited parking. There are only a handful amount of parking spots right on the lot but it's usually packed. If you can't find street parking and McDonald's is also full, there's garage parking right across the street for free. The restaurant is BYOB with a cheap glass fee so bring a bottle of wine or some beer! And of course, limited seating and very crowded. Maybe one day they will expand.. But until then, I promise you, the food is totally worth waiting for.
(5)Amanda K.
This place stays busy so I was excited to try it. While service was friendly, the food was disappointing. Their version of a gyro was just blah. I am a huge fan of Greek food so maybe my expectations were set too high. But the best part was the side salad to me. I would go back to try something else, but the menu was pretty small. Overall, not the best place for Greek on the island.
(3)Paul L.
My boss loves Olive Tree. I don't know why. I'm required to order take-out food from this place regularly. Each time it is a big hassle. There was no sensible plan in arranging the counter in relation to the tables. Customers standing waiting to be noticed by the unfriendly staff have their butts in the faces of those already seated trying to eat. Ask for a glass of water, and they charge you for the cup. The so-called music is too loud and obnoxious. The food costs too much, and the prices are not as cheap as their on-line menu suggests.
(1)Darrin D.
I really like this place, the food is really good, and it's in a cool non touristy part of town. But, I had to bring it down to three stars because; They don't serve any alcohol They don't take credit cards And, the seating is limited, and "first come first serve".
(3)Stephanie K.
Food here is delicious! Mussels are so delicious and fresh. The chicken and lamb souvlaki are both great. I try and come every time I visit Oahu. BYOB is a great perk.
(5)Gina H.
I love their baba ganoush!!! I always order extra pita. Sometimes their customer service is lacking but it's probably because they are always busy or maybe it's their culture. I won't hold it against them because they are never rude. It's byob so bring your own wine or drink.
(4)Lori L.
Scoring one of the tables at the popular Olive Tree Cafe makes me feel like a boss, I don't know why, but it does. Mostly outdoor seating, crowded, and with a view of the parking lot; it's still a great place to unwind in the early evening when it's not hot but still light out. Order at the counter and bring cash to pay when your name is called. The menu is small, just a few appetizers, a few pita sandwiches and plates, and baklava for dessert. I like both the Greek Caviar and Baba Ghanoush to start, go ahead and spring for the extra pita. For entrees, I go with either the Lamb Souvlaki, Fresh Fish Souvlaki, or Falafel Pita Sandwich which comes with a small Greek Salad. Portions are on the smaller side so getting some appetizers for the table is a good way to make sure everyone has enough and you're not waiting too long for your meal. The restaurant is BYOB, but you have to pay for ice and cups if you ask for them. Come for dinner, relax, sit, and enjoy.
(3)hisako s.
This is my favorite place. Taste good, healthy and high cost-performance. No credit card. BYOB, no corkage fee. Very casual. Find a table first, then order at the counter. Cheers!
(5)Russel M.
Over the last 4 yrs the service is still great and the food is better than ever. Parking can be a little tough but if your lucky a space will open up. Tip: There are specials during the week that are quite good but they run out so order when you arrive.
(4)CC C.
I used to love this place - ate there 2x week because the prices were reasonable, the food was consistently good, and it was a cute place to hang out with friends. Now, sadly it's turned into a place for the rich who can afford $14 chicken pitas with a tiny side salad. I get you gotta increase prices as costs go up, but $14?!? I ate here barely 3 months ago and it was $10. Is there no end in sight ? Will the same souvlaki cost $20 next year?? We just paid $35 for 2 souvlakis and 1 50/50 hummus & baba ganoush with extra pita. Never have I spent more than $25 here for the same amount of food not 3 months ago. Until the owners do something about its price gouging ways, I will NEVER dine here again. I was a loyal customer for 15+ years, but I cant support a place who chooses to alienate loyal customers for a fatter bottom line.
(1)Lei K.
The food is really good. I love the fresh,clean flavors. Its healthy food that is full of great flavors. My favorite is the bulgar wheat salad and the falafel plate . This is a place I return to time and time again.
(5)Rissa K.
I came here today with few gfs after hiking and boy were we hungry! We got there 10 mins before opening time at 5pm and we noticed there was already a crowd of ppl waiting. People waiting usually means a good sign! I ordered their chicken saffron rice which is a special that you can only order on Tuesdays I was told. Wow I was def in for a surprise because it was yummy! The dinner entree came with pita bread slices and house salad. This place is great fast and friendly service and not to mention byob too! Ooh and you must try their baklava! Yummy!
(4)Amara E.
The freshest and most consistent Greek restaurant on the island. Separating itself from the pack, this place has more than gyros and falafel. The loyal regulars and long lines are a testament to Olive Tree Cafe's quality. For appetizers, their Tarama salata (caviar spread) is a winner for me. The dish is a creamy spread containing carp roe, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and mashed beans with pita served on the side. Rich, but not too filling, it's the perfect starter! Best Greek Salad on the Island! Fresh olives, tomatos, onions. The dressing is made in-house and the feta is amazing. My addiction to this salad is so bad, it's gotten to the point that I will drive all the way over to Kahala just to pick up this dish. If you're a fan of lamb, they offer a special every Wednesday. The lamb falls right off the bone and doesn't have that horrible lamb aftertaste. A limited item that is worth trying! I've been coming here every weekend for the past few months and have grown to really love dining here. The food is consistently fresh and delicious. It' s a very popular restaurant and it is ALWAYS packed. Parking can be tight, seats are limited and they only accept cash or check. I usually call ahead for takeout to avoid the headache. Keep doing what you're doing Olive Tree! You've scored another loyal regular.
(5)Karen S.
This is a great place to carry-out. Fabulous food! Pick up the food and go to Bay Street Park (towards Hawaii Kai).
(5)Richard K.
Olive Tree Cafe is an awesome spot for a low-key, relaxed night of great Greek food. It's located next to Kahala Mall (park there if there isn't parking in the little private lot) with indoor/outdoor seating. The format for ordering is a bit different here so I'll break it down for you: - Stand in line at the front counter. Place your order and give them your name. No need to pay now, you pay when you pick up your food. - After you order, quickly find a table (if you don't already have a friend saving one for you) because spots here fill up quickly. - They'll call your name over a loudspeaker (but it's sometimes soft, so listen for it) and you go inside to pick up your order from the back/side counter. - Get your CASH (no credit cards and only local checks with ID) ready; this is when you pay. - Bring your dishes back to your table with you and enjoy. Aside from the great food (the baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves and souvlaki are my favorites), this place is also BYOB so come prepared with your bottle of wine. Conveniently, there is a wine shop next door if you forget (I bet that place makes a killing too). I most enjoy Olive Tree while sitting outside on a breezy night and talking story with good friends over tasty food and wine.
(5)Ko J.
The most amazing Greek food in Hawaii, by far! I usually get the falafel platter with a side of half hummus/half baba ganoush and occasionally I'll get a couple of other sides. I'm never disappointed! The food is so flavorful and perfectly seasoned. The only downfalls are that seating is a little limited and sometimes it takes awhile to get your food, as the line is long but the delicious and healthy food is worth the wait!
(5)Carrie G.
I will share my VIP tips about this place bc I love my Yeeps... Call ahead and get takeout. It takes about 20 mins for a to go order on a slow night. Next door is a wine and Greek market. Grab an order of Feta from the deli (the French feta is what they serve next door) , a can of stuffed grape leaves and a jar of giant fava beans. Or the taramasalata. These are the SAME items they sell at the Olive Tree for 3x less portion for 3x extra $. You're welcome. ;) Grab a plate of what you enjoy- the lamb souvlaki, and shaorma are my favs. Also, get a tabouli salad to even it out. Extra pita and tzatziki sauce are worthy extras. If you sub tzatziki for tahini sauce its better IMO. Take it home and enjoy the cheaper, amped up version of what they sell in the comfort of home with your own wine in a proper wine glass. I'm a foodie, so I have my own hummus, olives, truffle salt and olive oil I add to amp it up. I also make my own baba ghanouj from scratch which blows theirs away. PS-Their salad is really good- they use proper greens, cucumbers and tomatoes. The feta topper from the market next door makes it even better. If you're willing to spend a bit of extra time and effort to cap off the Olive Tree's base dishes, you too can take it to the next level. Again, some of the dishes the restaurant offers are available in the extract same recipe in the market next door, so you can DIY a VIP experience in front of a Netflix at home.
(4)Lael W.
Always good, unique flavors, simple menu. It gets crowded so order take out ahead of time and eat on the beach! Love it.
(5)Dap C.
The food is excellent . It taste fresh and healthy. I really love this place. The staff there are very friendly and happy. Treats customers great. The customers are a different story. Seem to be a snotty and if you're a local be prepared to feel a little Uncomfortable since some of the customers there can make you feel out of place. Let's just say some of the customers had there nose in the air so to speak. Other then that the food is great and the staff are totally awesome
(5)Krysten I.
I like Olive Tree Cafe for the ambiance and food. It gets really crowded as they are only open for dinner, are really popular and have a smaller establishment. I've had to wait for a table on several occasions, but it is self-seat, so you have to act like a vulture in order to steal away an emptying table before someone else does. I love the stuffed grape leaves, babaganoush, Greek salad and souvlaki. :) ohhh and the baklava? Yum!! It's reasonably priced and they are byob. I find it weird that they charge $0.50 for water, but hand out glasses for wine willy nilly. When they're crowded, the parking lot fills up and you have to find street parking or park in the McDonald's lot. The tables also take a long time to get bussed, but the workers are very apologetic and friendly about it. The food also takes awhile, so bring a good bottle of wine and good company to kill the time. There is a wine store next door if you forget/don't have time to bring a bottle.
(4)Gene H.
Good: food is always awesome. My wife loves the specials. I think the eggplant is Wednesday's. Killa! I always get the fish Slovakia and grape leaves. The lemon soup is pretty good, as well. BYOB is another perk. BAD: cash only, this might help keep prices down being Kahala, so I don't mind too much. Parking sucks! I started parking at BOH in the evenings. I hope I never get towed, hasn't happened yet.
(4)Jesslynn A.
The food is good, sometimes it's great and sometimes it's not. They are notoriously slow, but it's not consistently worth the wait. The food (like the prices) can be very inconsistent. The salad dressing tastes different every time. sometimes it's amazing, and sometimes not so much...the quality of chicken I have received has also been variable. They round your total to the nearest $.25 (or apparently to the nearest dollar as she did today, rounding my total from $13.35 to $14.00) The price is another subject of contention, as I paid $4 less for the exact same chicken souvlaki dish I ordered exactly one week ago. I'm not sure if this is a recent price increase or simply a mistake either this or last week.
(3)Kammy U.
Hands down the best hummus I've ever had. It's super creamy and downright delicious! The chicken souvlaki is my most favorite dish, and I would recommend the mango nectar drink to quench your thirst. Keep in mind that they are only open from 5-10 pm every day, and they are always very busy. The last time my boyfriend and I went, we were there waiting about 45 minutes to an hour (in line to order and then for our food). The parking is horrible. I would skip trying to find parking in their lot and just go straight to McDonalds or Kahala mall parking.
(5)AJ L.
Best food I've had in Hawaii this trip. It's been here forever and I never knew it! The food is fresh and fabulous. Snag a table before you order because it is always full. Order from the counter and they call out your name with your food. you go in, pick it up and pay. By the way, the same people own the wine shop next door and will add your beer or wine to your order. I can recommend the fish souvlaki and the falafel souvlaki. We also ordered an appetizer of the beans that came with warm pits bread. It's cash only by the way. Oh, they discourage lingering, but I do not. They do not take big groups - just so you know. But still, this is a fun place!
(5)Diane K.
For a few years, I lived with a friend who is originally from Larissa, Greece and quickly learned to love Greek cuisine. Spanakopita. Souvlaki. Pilafi. Feta! Olive Tree Cafe brought me back to the time my friend's Mom visited and I ate non-stop Mediterranean and savored every tzatziki-infused moment. Everything on the menu is of quality and impeccable flavoring. If it weren't so busy all the time, I'd have to eat here everyday. This is no exaggeration! It. Would. Be. Done. They have a few odd rules like no change (yes, no coins), no credit cards and paying AFTER your food is ready (not when the order is taken). Oftentimes, genius is accompanied by quirks. Any other place, no. For Olive Tree, anything. Musts: Dolmades - stuffed grape leaves with tzatziki dipping sauce. Chicken souvlaki - chicken skewers wrapped in fresh pita bread, served with greek salad Fish souvlaki - fish skewers wrapped in fresh pita bread, served with greek salad If I wasn't filled to capacity with delicious food, I would've ordered the hummus and the tomato salad. Next time, my plan is to order take out (EVERYTHING on their menu) and have a heavenly week of Greek delights. I love you, Olive Tree!
(5)Jennifer S.
I've driven by this place for years and I've always heard good things. Every time I've been by, they've been busy. So they must be good, right? Well I finally had the opportunity to try it. We went on a Friday evening at 7:30 and the tables were full and there was a line for the food. Luckily, people were leaving and we got a table fairly quickly. You'll have to stand in line to place your order with the friendly staff. And you don't pay then (which I thought was a little strange). They take your name and will call you when you're food is ready. I think it took about 20 minutes for us to get our food. When they call you, that's when you pay. Cash only oh, unless you carry personal checks around with you. We ordered the rolled grape leaves dish (Dolmades), the babaghanoush, and I had the fish Souvlaki. The grape leaves were yummy, bite sized morsels with a rice mixture in the middle. I'm not a fan of eggplant so I didn't really care for the babaghanoush. The fish Souvlaki was great! Next time though, I think I'm going to ask for the sauce on the side because it was a little messy with it in there. Actually, next time I'd like to try the lamb Souvlaki. Free refills on your sodas and they sell Aqua Panna bottled water. Another plus, it's BYOB!!! The parking lot is small and now that Wahoo's isn't there, there's a little more parking but it does fill up. Restrooms need a key (at the cashier) and is located up the stairs.
(4)Mahina C.
This place is by far nothing short of delicious. Everything from soup to salad to main dishes, i always leave here full and yet keeping a lingering feeling to come back for more. So after coming here a few times, let me break down Olive tree etiquette... This place is BYOB so alcohol is always welcomed! if you come empty handed, good news that there is a store next door to buy some! After ordering at the register, which I highly recommend the Shawarma, they'll call you back up to pick up your food, then pay. Cash only!!! so make sure you stop by the ATM beforehand. There is seating outside & in, and it's not a huge place either so it's always a take your chance to eat here kind of deal, but it's definitely worth the wait for parking, seating & of course the food!
(4)Jade S.
I absolutely love love this place, best Greek food on the island, always good service, thank god we found parking this time :) always coming back
(5)Bogdan K.
Omg!!! The service is so bad..... Ordered by phone the second time. Was told 5:25 and writing this review at 5:45p while waiting in line to get takeout. Last time we came here we were told they forgot to place our order !!!! There is really no reason that im back here, perhaps that's my own fault. The food is good, but be prepared to wait for hours and get some stupid excuse when it shows up incorrect or cold !
(1)Patrick G.
What a lovely low-key, no-fuss, Greek restaurant we have ourselves here. The food was very good, and the atmosphere was very casual. Two things that I enjoy when experiencing new restaurants. The restaurant itself is tiny. I mean four cramped tables inside and 10 cramped tables outside crowded. The parking lot is also extremely small. The good news about this aspect is that there is always plenty of parking at the Kahala Mall or on the backstreets around the corner. Once inside, diners get to experience the act of ordering at the counter and patiently surveying the land until a table opens up. If a table does happen to open up, or if you are lucky enough to arrive and spot an open table, pounce on it as soon as you can. There will be many potential suitors vying for this tables hand in dining, so you better act fast. After you are made to work for a seat, diners will be notified by the PA system or by a yell that their food is ready to be picked up at the food counter. The food was great. I had the hummus and the cornish game hen special. It was stuffed with artichoke and feta, and it was served with potatoes, salad, and pita. It was a great all-around meal. I definitely crave it sometimes - including now, since I am writing about it. Some other quick kills when describing the restaurant include: BYOB - there is even a wine store in the same shopping center; cash only; be prepared to pay for cups/ice, the staff were friendly and took the time to explain specials in great detail; if you don't want to wait, order take out; the only negative was the perception of being a little dirty. Overall, this was a great restaurant with a casual atmosphere. Prepare for lots of people, but lots of great food.
(4)Raelyn B.
I came here on a whim, because a friend suggested it. Apparently it's suppose to be really good, but you know it's never better than the original? I visited greece about a month back and the lamb there compared to here, is a lot more better. I don't think I've never tried lamb anywhere else on the island but here. I swear we waited ten minutes at the front of the line to take our order, then waited another half an hour for our food. Maybe 15 minutes to find a table. People actually brought out their own chairs to sit outside. I got Shaorma, a lamb patty in a pita bread with their special sauce and tomatoes. I've had better, if it wasn't for the bread, I wouldn't have rated it 2 stars. I'll come back though, try something else. I won't give up. It just won't be any time soon.
(2)R W.
We arrived at 5:20 pm and they open at 5 so we thought we would be arriving before the dinner rush. There is minimal parking and you have to wait in line for a long time to place your order. Once you place your order you must find a table in the small indoor space (6 small tables) or outdoor space (11 tables some medium size) and then you sit and wait an even longer time for your food. Once they call your name over a loud speaker you pick up your food at the counter and pay. The amount of time that we waited was ridiculous!!! The food was ok and had small portions sizes.....but not worth the wait. We ate our food and waited an additional 20 minutes just for them to call our name so we could pick up our baklava dessert at the counter. Their ordering processing needs help. We won't be back. Disappointed.
(2)Missy G.
Omg sooo yum! Our group shared a bunch of appetizers. The Greek caviar was the best thing ever. It was basically tons of garlic and olive oil which I love. I pretty much ate that app myself and would recommend it to anyone, especially garlic lovers such as myself. The hummus was good. Definitely homemade, but a bit grainy for my liking. All of the pita was warm which is a must but worth mentioning. The feta and olives were good as well. I liked that they give you a big block of feta rather than feta pieces. Regarding the entrees, there was a slight mixup. They accidentally made me a lamb plate instead of a fish plate but they were able to quickly make a fish plate for me before everyone else was finished eating. The fish was fresh though a teeny bit dry. The sauce was sooooo good. Super delish tzatziki!!! The side salad was super yummy too. I really liked the dressing and all of the veggies were fresh. My bf really enjoyed his lamb plate. This place has downsides tho. The cash only is antiquated and the fact that they don't even have an ATM in the restaurant is annoying. Also, we came on a Sunday night and it was a 35 minute wait for our food. We were going to take the food to-go but we were lucky enough to score a table outside. It's also annoying that you pay after your meal. This place just seems really backwards. We had 45 minutes for dinner and that was not enough time for this place which is silly considering it's a casual dining establishment. The walk to the ATM, the mess-up on the entree, and the paying upon pickup of the meals just slowed everything down when it was already busy.
(4)Adam K.
If you have 4 hours to kill, cmon in and order. But If you want to eat within a normal timeframe order ahead. It legit took about 1 hour to get the food from the time we ordered it. Place was PACKED, we had multiple patrons try to vulture our chairs. I noticed a trend in Hawaiian service, there is no multi-tasking. Food was good though, but not great. Hummus was two scoops put on a plate. That took about 1 hour. Then the entrees came out, after another 30 minutes. I am ordering ahead of time if I go here again, right by the movie theater though.
(3)Ella H.
Great service, the cashier lady was very friendly and professional. The food was superb, we had to order more! Definitely coming here again. It's very crowded around dinner time, between 6-8pm, and parking is limited. But it's definitely worth the wait.
(5)Lina P.
Its Cash Only, and theres no obvious signs that will tell you. I read it on yelp! Its BYOB, bring your own cups (or its .48cents each) and wine key if its not twist off. You get inline, order, give your name, and they'll call you to pick up each plate over the intercom. On your last entree, they'll ring you up, so have your cash on you. They're super busy, especially with take out orders, so you gotta be as efficient as possible (know your order, how much silverware you need, extra plates, cups). Good beginners order are the egg lemon soup, hummus, and fish soulvaki. It was good, but I have to admit that I've had better hummus. Thats just me though...
(4)Lien V.
I have a love affair with Olive Tree Cafe ever since the summer of 2000. I love coming here on a regular basis and back in the day, I used to walk to OTC for my weekly dinner meals. It was always a treat to eat here and I really enjoyed walking back home after I "pigged out". The walk back home would only take less than 10 minutes in this neighborhood but I figure it was better than driving such a short distance but more than anything, walking gives me an excuse to eat more here... hehehe. The food was amazing then and is still amazing now. I have not had a bad meal here at all. These people know what they're doing and they do it extremely well. The menu is small but what they make, they make it good. Olive Tree Cafe has it down to a science. Located across from the Kahala Elementary School and adjacent to McDonald's, Olive Tree Café is a small restaurant with mostly outdoor seating but there are some indoor tables where there is AC but it is too cold for me. The décor is really cute and you can see the Mediterranean influence, including the Greek music playing in the background. Since it is BYOB, you can pay 50 cents to use their little glasses for your wine. Ordering is at the counter and you pay when they call your name. It's cash or local checks only. Kitchen is small but the staff is extremely efficient but sometimes you might have to wait a little longer for them to wipe down your table. My "must-have" staples when I get here: baba ghanoush, Greek salad, New Zealand lamb souvlaki, mussel ceviche and tabouleh salad. This is Greek food at its best; the flavors are so phenomenal! Since I am not a fan of hummus, baba ghanoush (roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas) is my ultimate answer to hummus and I could keep eating this all night long. Their house made pita bread is so good and addicting! Then, there's the authentic Greek salad, it's out of this world and I love their homemade dressing (which I have not been able to imitate as to date) and I feel good eating this salad. The entire garden seemed to be packed in this plate of fresh lettuce, yellow bell peppers, red onions and grape tomatoes. As far eating lamb goes, I don't order it unless it is not gamey. I do order the lamb here and enjoy it more than I expected so now the lamb souvlaki is one of my favorite selections. Lamb kabobs made here (perfectly grilled on a skewer for hours) is not gamey but very tender and juicy wrapped up in that warm pita bread. It is simply delicious served with the tzatziki sauce and the accompanying side of fresh salad. Another great dish is the mussel ceviche. When I first ordered their mussel ceviche, a light bulb went on in my head :-) This is a fantastic, healthy source of protein for my dinner because it is not a red meat. A hint of fresh ginger served on top of the mussels really make this dish. Another yummy salad I'm totally a fan of is the tabbouleh salad; it has the perfect combination of bulghur wheat grains, minced parsley and mint herbs, lots of diced cucumbers, tomatoes and onions served with their lemon vinaigrette dressing. So tasty and satisfying. What is nice about coming here is that if you forget your wine, you can walk next door to their market and buy a bottle of wine or beer. They even sell cheese, crackers and of course, their yummy halva. This Middle Eastern confection known as halva (made from sesame seeds mixed with honey or sugar) taste almost like fudge, is such an awesome and addicting dessert; I prefer it over baklava. Coming to eat at Olive Tree Cafe is always a treat for me and I think it is the best Greek restaurant in Hawaii and even better than some mainland Greek restaurants. Parking could be a problem sometimes since they share the parking lot with Subway and Wahoo's Fish Tacos. But I've always found parking along side of Pahoa Street or Kahala Mall. Olive Tree Cafe is my must-go-to-places to eat good at anytime.
(5)Mark S.
Great neighborhood restaurant in Kahala, tucked in a strip mall. Don't let the location fool you. There is a wine shop next to it owned by the same guy. BYOB/BYOW. The menu hardly changes but the food is always consistently great and fresh. The organic chicken souvlaki is a favorite and the falafel is a good vegetarian option. The New Zealand mussels are great with a dash of lemon and capers. The tabbouleh salad is light and refreshing, but if you're ordering a souvlaki skip the salad unless you're really hungry (small salad comes with souvlaki entree). But don't skip the baklava (made fresh daily) because it's probably the best I've had on the island. You can either sit inside or if you're lucky, get a table outside where it's more of a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Cash only.
(5)Geralyn L.
We were looking for a restaurant for dinner and drove south from Waimanelo. We looked at several places but they were empty so decided they must not be that great. So as we neared the beginning of H1 we decided to give up. We exited H1 and tried to find the on ramp. We ended up finding The Olive Tree. What a wonderful find. The place was packed and the food delicious.
(4)Amy Y.
Wow, this place gets really busy during peak hours. Must be really good. I came here around 7ish, danggg...it was full. It took us awhile to find a table since there was like 5 of us. Anyways, I order a mahi mahi souvlaki, includes the pita bread and the salad with dressing. I didn't like the dressing because it was really sour. The mahi mahi was really good with pita bread. Mmmmm...definitely will come back to try some thing else. My friend told me on Tuesdays, there are specials..not sure what it is though.
(4)Kelly W.
This place is delicious! It gets 3 stars for their customer service...a friend and I went here for dinner and they were pretty busy. The cashier ignored us for a good 5 minutes while the line grew then told us she'd put in our food order when we told her we had a table. Needless to say, we asked for the food to go, assuming that within the 20 minute wait time she gave us, we could find a table (and we did). The souvlaki is delicious (though I think it's comparable to big fat greek). Byob and cash only! They charge for cups (which I find a little ridiculous but ya need a drink with dinner!).
(3)Lee L.
Not a lot of selection but consistently delicious. It's always packed so send an advance member of your group to snag a table or be prepared to wait. Waiting isn't so bad though when you can spend the time in the adjacent liquor store picking out drinks to compliment your meal :) The salad dressing isn't to be missed and the Chicken Shwarma is my favorite.
(4)Jennifer T.
I was not impressed. I've had far better Greek food for Less. I found the food over sauced overpriced and the music was too loud. Tasty but for $14 the small cubes of lamb in doughy pita was just .... Lacking. The mussels ceviche was very good. It's weird how you pay for your meal only after everything comes out. Food for 3 people $60.00. Too expensive for what it is
(3)Ryan D.
This place serves up the best Greek food on the island.
(5)Jaq. M.
How can you not like the Olive Tree Cafe? The food is reliable and consistent, the ambiance can be romantic if you've enjoyed enough BYOB wine to drown out your neighbor's conversation, both the food and restaurant are clean, and the fish souvlaki doesn't disappoint. Why didn't I give it 5 stars? Simple: 1. Hard to get a table, and when you do get one, your'e almost always inches away from your neighbor. 2. Cash only - and a little too pricey 3. Though the food is consistent, it's not amazing. Grape leaves are bland and spice-less, the bakhlava is dry, the plated feta is nothing different than that I can buy at a store, and the portions are rather small for the price. But forget about the negatives. Olive Tree is still one of the best places for casual dining in Kahala.
(4)C S.
Really enjoy the food here but have to give the restaurant an overall rating of '3' due to cost and ambiance. A $13 souvlaki!!! I swear this place used to serve food for $8-10. I know costs in Hawaii are high, but really! While tasty, prices for souvlaki (pita, meat, sauce and a side of lettuce) should not exceed $10. I may be biased but in Greece (yes, Greece), you can get a huge, delicious souvlaki filled with fries, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, sauce, and hot sauce for $3-5! Also for this place, ambiance is eh. It's a cute, casual atmosphere but there is no parking. Also, restaurant faces out towards the parking lot. It does have the redeeming quality of being conveniently locating next to a wine store. For that matter, the restaurant is great for byob. Enjoy, but be willing to dish out $$ for a simply made dish.
(3)Kanya G.
Such a cool place! I'm a little sad I haven't discovered this place earlier. It's BYOB and certainly at a perfect location since there's a wine shop next door. There's seating inside and outside, which I really like. The atmosphere is very chill. I'd love to bring my favorite wine here and dine outside... seems like a lot of people like to do that. This place can get crowded! I've tried the hummus and baba ghanoush with slightly crispy pita bread, and lamb & organic chicken souvlaki. So delicious. Surprisingly the chicken souvlaki was more flavorful than the lamb. Also, love their ginger ale with its unlimited refills. On my next visit here, I'll try their falafel and baklava!
(5)Danielle H.
I really love this place. The food is fresh, yummy, and reasonably priced. I think I come here about once a week and the ritual is always the same. I find a seat (there aren't many!) and my boyfriend waits in line to order. He then sits at our table and I pick out a bottle of wine from the store right next door. We almost always order hummus with extra pita, a tabbouleh salad (for me), and a fish shwarma. The food comes out promptly and we have a great time pretending to be all grown up with wine and greek food. Overall I love this place, but there are a few downsides. They are always packed and seating is limited. They will not let you order unless you've got a table. Go in off hours or order takeout to avoid this. They've only ever been super nice to me but I have heard they can be a little short with people, particularly when it's slammed and a customer can't/won't be patient. Just be nice. They work hard.
(4)Rachael O.
Very good Greek food in a convenient location near the Kahala Mall. The only thing I didn't like so much was being steered away from my original order to the daily special. In the moment, it felt a little pushy. However, the pastitsio was the best I've ever had, so it was a great recommendation. The baba ganoush was a little peanuty tasting (maybe heavy on the sesame?) but creamy and good and the salad that came with my entree was crisp and fresh. As other reviewers mentioned, it's cash only, so come prepared. The other little quirk was that you don't pay until you pick up your food (as opposed to when you order at the counter). I would rather pay at the start, so I can wash my hands or at least break out the Purell after handling cash. Paying at the time of pickup throws a slight wrench in this, but it's a minor complaint. Good for dining with a friend or a date.
(4)Aimee N.
Tried the babaghanoush and hummus pita appetizer and next time I will go all out with the babaghanoush, it's made out of eggplant and omg delicious! I ordered the falafel plate and I'm glad I shared an appetizer because it was a bit small for the average adult. But it came with a Greek salad with yummy dressing! My boyfriend ordered the lamb souvlaki which was yummy and tender but I preferred my falafel :) There was an issue when we paid, apparently they forgot to give us $10 in change and there was no way to prove it since we didn't get a receipt. So after we realized it we went back maybe 10 minutes later and they were a little suspicious but quickly gave us our change even though they said "we always give receipts" lol umm I think they just get really busy and lose track of things. I'm glad we were able to get our change back though!
(4)Kaori K.
Very tiny cozy restaurant. I like the outside table. Good ambience! I think it's a best place to eat Greek food on this island. Pretty busy anytime. If you want appetizer, you better go earlier :)
(4)Luke G.
Opa! The best Greek on the island of Oahu! It's a small mom and pop restaurant but the food is always amazing! Be sure and bring cash as they do not accept credit or debit! It's also BYOB. The seating and parking is limited so you may want to get here early or order to go. Everything is made fresh and from scratch!
(5)Kris B.
Very casual restaurant - you order at the counter, grab your table, and wait for the cashier with the long hair and goatee to seductively call your name so you can pick up your food. Please note it's CASH ONLY - but it is located near Kahala mall, so you should be able to find an ATM somewhere near enough. The place is kinda sneaky, hidden in the corner behind McDonald's. I had the shaorma, and it was definitely delicious. But I looked around at the plates my friends and I ordered, and it seems the amount of sauce they put in the dishes is inconsistent. Be wary of this! Your plate might be on the drier side (like mine) or the sauce could be oozing out uncontrollably onto your shirt. There isn't a whole lot of space at this place - I wanna say no more than a dozen tables with 2 & 4 seats to a table. Parking seems on the limited side as well. Olive Tree Cafe is BYOB and there is a wine shop right next door, so that's pretty cool. Would come back for the food, but the space/presentation is not largely appealing to me.
(4)Coco A.
Olive Tree Cafe - is OKAY.. But is is certainly not amazing or 'as good as it gets' and any Greek (including myself) or those familiar with Mediterranean cuisine would agree. Maybe it is because we are in Hawaii and although we have great sushi and noodle places there is limited Mediterranean cuisine, so Olive Tree is held at a much lower standard than it would be if it were located elsewhere or had more competition. Olive Tree is BYOB, has a relaxed atmosphere, outdoor seating, and a menu that never seems to change - which are all great, but it is also lacking in so many areas that people seem to overlook. 1. Overpriced for quality of food - The food and quality is equal to typical Greek street food / fast food - yet the prices are higher. I have gone there several times and the food comes out cold - is it really too much to ask to get a hot souvlaki?! 2. The Greek salad is not a 'Greek' salad - it is full of lettuce (which is not how authentic Greek salads are made) and has micro sized pieces of partially dissolved feta cheese in the dressing. 3. The place charges for everything - extra dressing,cups,etc. 4. Is it dirty - look at the floors, windows and outside area. 5. Since they only take cash and are likely saving on taxes - you think they could afford to add larger pieces of feta and give you a small paper cup for free. 6. They only take cash. 7. Cross contamination - employees go from handling food to cash to register to clearing tables. 8. Great to have outside seating, but you are sitting in a parking lot on old tables and chairs. Ghetto al fresco dining. 9. Very rude owner. This guy, Savaas is so rude. He never says hello or even thanks you for supporting his business. 10. The store - Oliver next store, owned by Olive Tree owner, Savaas, is also way over priced. There are so many regulars and loyal Kahala customers who have been supporting Olive Tree or years, it is ashamed that we are being overcharged. 11. Did I mention the owner is so rude! I ordered a gelato and wanted 1 of each flavor. He said "No" yelled at me and said "I am the owner" and "I don't want to mix the gelato"... What a crazy and rude man! I feel sorry for his employees.
(2)Michael C.
This place is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!! The staff must be the owners or related to the owners since they all seem to love working there and it shows in the tasty food and friendly service. The food is very reasonable considering you are in Honolulu. We ordered the Greek salad, hummus, the fish, lamb and chicken (organic) souvlakis. All were delish!! We will RECOMMEND this place to all our friends or maybe not since we dont want to see the lines getting any longer than they already are. 5 stars for sure!!
(5)Dawn O.
I am so happy that Olive Tree Cafe uses biodegradable take out containers! I always loved Olive Tree, but even more so now.
(5)Lindsey S.
I've been here so many times I can't even count. I love everything on their menu. I've had everything at least once, or tried it from someone who shared with me. FAVORITE: Main: FIsh, they always make it amazing sides: BABAGANOUSH and FETA...!so good! The one thing that i don't like is how much sauce they add to the meat in the pita... waaay too much i always scrape it all off.. I've asked them not to add it and it only worked once =/ BUT its still amazing melt in your mouth crazy good! I'll miss this place in 3 months when we leave to Virginia =( Also.. the seating is sooo limited we opt to take the food home sometimes and have a nice dinner at the beach or home.
(4)Quyen N.
Finally checked out this restaurant when I treated my hiking amigo to goodbye/farewell dinner before he took off off island indefinitely. The restaurant setup is a little weird: stand in line to order dishes, in the meanwhile pick out an available table, pick up your order when called and pay at that time. My amigo fortuitously found an empty table while waiting for me to arrive on the scene. We stood in line to order; he left his stuff at the table to mark our territory. What I ordered: stuffed grape leaves (yummy!), baba ganoush (excellent!), yeagantes (giant beans, so healthy!), and baklava (fresh batch from the oven, sweet!). Since I tipped so generously, we got an extra piece of baklava, which I gave to my friend. In the end: great mom and pop restaurant! Probably my favorite Mediterranean restaurant on island! Useful tips for me: Cash only. Can park at Kahala Mall and walk over since the adjacent parking is limited. BYOB - nominal fee for cups if you want to use the cafe's.
(4)Ursula S.
There is outside seating but we were told we couldn't have our dog outside. Very disappointing. One more restaurant crossed off my list.
(1)Tito C.
awesome food and friendly service. THEY DO NOT DELIVER. Just wanted to correct the erroneous listing showing up on YELP. This restaurant DOES NOT DELIVER, please change that and correct the listing. Whoever put the listing in Yelp checked delivery which if were true i would order every day!
(5)Jaimy B.
Olive Tree is one of my all time favorite places to eat! I love the outdoor seating and that it's B.Y.O.B., with a wine store they opened next door! I usually get a gyro. I also LOOOOVVVEEE their baklava! It is to die for!! Their salads are also very good. Fresh, refreshing, and savory. The portions are big. My friends and I end up splitting the salad. Their hummus and pita breads are fantastic as well! I love the way they make both!!! I LOVE OLIVE TREE! I recommend!
(5)Ezra K.
Idk why people give it bad reviews. We were blown away with the food. The only 2 things is it's hard to get a table (cuz it's very popular) and it's cash only. You order at counter and pay when you pick up. We lucked out and got a table because we went before 6. But right after droves of people arrived. They could expand for sure. Explosion of flavor so delicious. Will def go again
(5)Nicholas C.
BEST FOOD EVER!! Falafel was delish ahi was delish everything was 5 star quality! Highly recommend to anybody wanting to try Greek food! This was my first taste of greek food ever and what a good choice it was, cant wait to go back to this place, thank u yelp for telling me about this place!
(5)Carol B.
I always get either the fish or chicken souvlaki. Both are excellent and the quality is always the same everytime. Love the homemade dressing. They are always super busy and it's best to call in your order and have someone else drive while you run in to pick it up.
(5)Shelley E.
Wow I didn't know I already wrote a review on the Olive Tree. It was a bad review. It was before I honed in on my creative juices. The food here is really good, affordable, and consistent. BUT this review gets better. I always get the Yeagantes, mussels and now caviar spread for appetizer. I love the falafel here and if they have braised lamb shank for special, GET IT. Trust me, this review gets better. Channel your inner vulture. If you don't swarm around a table with crazy eyes you'll never get one. You must be swift as well, or someone more aggressive can steal it from you, OR you can place you open bottle of wine on the table BEFORE the guests leave. Here is where it gets good. My GF's and I were enjoying our appetizers and wine when the table next to us got up to leave. They had finished their meal and I see there is an entirely full bottle of wine there. We are like WHAT?? They just left it there??? OMG. Even the table on the opposite side was tripping out. So well like any normal wine loving alcoholic we contemplated taking it. The other table in fact was egging us on to do it. SO we did. But first since we thought this was so awesome that the wine Gods were blessing us we wanted to capture the moment. SO we all took turns passing the bottle around and taking pictures. Then it happens. A voice. A female voice behind says "Did you take our wine?" OMG OMG OMG what do we do? We DID take their wine, OMG OMG ok stay calm. I turn around and was like "OH yes, sorry we just wanted to take a picture of it" (omg please buy it, please don't go bat shit crazy on us) "Here you can have it back, we didn't drink it or anything. we are sorry" OMG OMG kill me now, this is SOOOOOO embarrassing. I place the wine bottle back on the table and she gave us a quick lecture on how that's the way you are supposed to save a table. I have gone there tons of times and never placed my OPEN bottle of alcohol on a table that was STILL occupied. I felt like it was an honest mistake. Fortunately she turned to be really nice. We went next door and bought the same bottle of wine and started up a conversation with our poor wine victim and ended cracking up over the whole situation. Thank god we didn't start drinking the wine! It could have been a throw down of some sorts and I being the crossfitter would probably have had to defend everyone. I love this place. You never know who you are going to meet :-)
(5)Kaylee W.
Shaorma is the best on the menu!!! And the hummus is delicious. Baklava is to die for! Love this restaurant.
(5)Heidi K.
I love Olive Tree! Everything is so flavorful, healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced. I love that they make so much of the menu (like the hummus, sauces, baklava) in house and make an effort to support local and buy mostly organic. Oliver next store is so convenient. Love their organic wines, raw goat cheeses, and local gelato. I'm always down for OT! :))
(5)Karen E.
Who loves Greek food?! I DO!!!!!!! This place is a long time favorite that I hope will still be here for years to come. A few tips when dining in -Make one of your friends grab a table as soon as one opens up even if there's dirty plates on it don't worry someone will come by and wipe it down for you -You can bring your own wine ( I usually don't since I don't drink) If you forget there's a shop right next door with a large selection of wine -Get the special of the day what ever it is you won't regret it I'll just mention two things that is a must when coming here. Hummus with extra pita to start your meal and then end it with an order or two of baklava! Parking is tight so you might want to find street parking or maybe just park at Kahala mall. Make sure mall security doesn't catch you. ENJOY!!!!!
(5)Stephanie T.
Favorite thing to order is the falafel plate! Best vegetarian bang for your buck on their menu. If you start ordering things a la carte the cost can add up quite a bit. Dont get confused when you order, decide what you want while standing in line. Once you order find a seat, if your lucky, you will pay when you go to pick up your food from the counter after its ready. One great thing is it is BYOB so bring some wine or beer with you to enjoy with your dinner. If you forget it, there is a little store next door that has a good selection. They usually have a wine and bottle opener attached to the counter. Bring cash as that is all they take!
(4)Kev O.
Went here on a recommendation from a friend and am very happy we did! Parking is a little tight, but you can park next door at McD's. Seating is outside/inside (more on the outside) and the place is BYOB. They'll even provide glasses if you need! It's very casual, you walk up to the counter to order. The menu is written on a board with food on display in a counter window. All the cooking is done right where you order which is cool if you want to watch the magic happen. You don't pay after you order, like a take out, only when you pick up your order. Cash or check payment ONLY by the way! (which kinda sucks) My wife and I ordered tabouleh salad, souvlaki with lamb, rice wrapped in grape leaves and baklava for dessert. Mind you we shared this together and walked away with full stomachs. The salad was outstanding - very fresh veggies and everything tasted balanced. The lamb was super tender too! The grape leaf thing is rice with olive oil and herbs, wrapped in leaves. It came with a nice dipping sauce (yogurt I think). My wife didn't like it, but I enjoyed it. The baklava was flaky, and wasn't overly sweet or heavy. Very tasty! The dishes came out very quickly. Overall it had a great atmosphere - nice background music, friendly staff and cozy.
(4)Vera S.
Positives: Lamb souvlaki - cubes of tender lamb wrapped in pita bread with tahini and greens. Tahini sauce and dressing on the greens are so delicious. BYOB - There is a greek deli and wine shop next door if you forget! Negatives: Wait time for food is about 35 to 40 minutes. Hummus is not the freshest that I've tasted.
(4)Dan M.
About once every 2 months, my craving for Greek food gets the best of me. A simple gyro DROWNING in tzatziki sauce, and I am one happy 30-year old boy. But since it was Saturday night and was feeling a little ballsy (shows you how exciting my life is), I wondered how I could satisfy this craving, while trying something new at the same time. Mr. Gyro, you're going to have to wait till next time because I want to OPA up my life with some real Mediterranean fare. Olive Tree Cafe didn't hit the spot, it effin' DESTROYED it. As soon as I was parking my car, I already started to get excited. It's a really simple, but charming place situated on the corner near Kahala Mall. As expected, it was busy, but that really added to the already fun-looking atmosphere. The Greek music was super loud inside, so we sat outside and turned on our imagination noggins to pretend we had a stunning view of Santorini from our table rather than the Dodge Ram with 15 ''Keep the Country COUNTRY" bumper stickers on the back. But who cares about the lack of view, that's not why you come here. Taking a peak at the other tables, everyone seems to be having a great time, and the fact it's BYOB is probably half the reason. Forgot your bottle of booze? No worries as there's a wine shop next door! My wife ordered the Lamb Souvlaki and I got the Saturday special for myself, a spinach, cheese and herb-stuffed cornish hen over a bed of roasted potatoes and a Greek salad. The lamb in the souvlaki was so juicy and flavorful and the tzatziki had the perfect amount of mildness to not overwhelm the meat. The pita also had a nice chewiness to it as well. The stuffed cornish hen was incredible. Great portion sizes and I was actually sad when I look the final bite. It was a terrific combination of veggies, meat and potatoes, all done in a very healthy and flavorful way. I didn't even know there was a daily special until someone ordered it...so ALWAYS ask what the special is, or else you'll be missing out as it's not written on the menu. Olive Tree Cafe is a casual restaurant that throws in a dash of fun. I totally look forward to coming back again.
(5)Suz E.
If you are looking for something on the healthy side then this local favorite is sure to please. Just get there early as the parking lot is a nightmare (only reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars). Best, fresh greek salad I've ever had in my life! If I could recreate it, I'd eat it every day. Really everything is the bomb diggity and it's BYOB. If you've forgotten your bottle, there is a wine store next door :).
(4)S. R.
absolutely awesome!! I go there a few times a year... always fresh and they service organic chicken in the chicken falafel with a yummy yogurt sauce.. very nice staff and pretty quick service... I am a concierge in Waikiki and send plenty people that have a car. Keep up the great work Olive Tree!!!
(5)Effie S.
I have been coming to this great place for many years. This restaurant just does everything right. They don't try too hard. Don't expect to be served. Expect to search for a table, go next door for some alcohol, order your food, then wait for your name to be called. You don't need anything more because although the menu is small, once you get your food, you'll be very happy. All the items are yummy but I'm partial to the fish souvlaki ($15). Plus, the food is affordable and healthy. I've heard that the owner, a charming man, tries to locally source his ingredients. Yay! One important thing to note is that they don't take reservations. It's first come first served. And it's always busy. But it's worth it...that's why everyone's here.
(5)S. B.
This place not only has delicious Mediterranean food & BYOB it has a special energy that is always pleasant. Attracts an eclectic crowd, and usually busy from the moment they open till close. I've had most of the menu, and yes everything is good! The specials are on a weekly rotation, my favorites are Wednesday & Friday... The other mega bonus is this place is open till 10pm! That just doesn't exist in my neighborhood.
(5)Reid I.
I think the food is delicious but overprice and the concept of the restaurant should be changed. I know that this restaurant has been here for a while and there is a reason for it and the amount of people that eat here. But the thing that I don't like is when it's a busy night and all the tables are taken. Although, I luckily got a table when we arrived. So on to ordering. I had to go inside and look at the menu first to see what I will order, while my girlfriend sits a the table to make sure no one will take it. When I decided what I wanted I walked back to the table outside and my girlfriend went inside to see what she will order. When she decided, she came back to the table and I went back to the order line to order the food. I ordered the hummus appetizer and the chicken souvlaki for dinner. My girlfriend ordered the lamb souvlaki. Like I said it was delicious but a little overpriced at more than $13.00.
(3)Marina D.
This is the best Greek food I've had on this island! I'm a vegetarian, so the falafel is the perfect entree of choice for me. The hummus is so yummy as well! If you're looking for mediterranean cuisine, this is the place to be. It's BYOB, which is awesome. Cash-only also adds to the quaintness of the string lights on the lanai and Greek music playing. It's gets busy especially in the evenings on the weekends but that never comes as a shock because it's well worth the wait.
(5)Kayko T.
Forever will be one of my favorites restaurant to wine and dine at. I've been coming here for years and even in my travels there hasn't been anything better.
(5)Bradley W.
Nice, quaint restaurant for a date night. There are cozy outdoor tables that are casually romantic, simply add wine! It's BYOB and the food is really good. I recommend the lamb souvlaki. The ambience is crowded and a little boisterous at times, but it all adds to the Greek cafe feeling.
(5)Debbie R.
To me, BEST Greek food on the island. Couple that with its BYOB, and its a hands down, winner winner chicken dinner. No, you won't find any chicken dinners here, but you will find the following mouthwatering, satisfying Greek faves: Schwarma, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Falafel, Baba Ghanoush, Dolmadakia, Mussel Ceviche, Tabouleh and Greek Salad. They also have daily specials, often fish. Keep in mind, CASH only and parking is a little bit tight, you may have to park on the street. Seating is even tighter, so you might want to just do take out. Also, they are only open for dinner. Also, if you forget to bring your wine, there just so happens to be a wine shop RIGHT next door . . was it planned that way?? Hmmmm. . . . Many reviewers state that this place is pricier than other Greek/Mediterranean options. I disagree. For the portions, the price is very reasonable.
(5)Angel W.
After almost a year I've been back here 2x in the last 2 weeks. The food is just as good as I remember it from the past. I must've gotten lucky these last 2 times, too, because we got a table right away. I can remember standing and hovering over tables of people clearly done with food but enjoying their wine and conversation for what felt like hours. Seemed like there were different faces at the counter so not sure if there are new owners or just new staff. I ordered my favorites: hummus with extra pita bread, mussels and greek salad. My friends also got the lamb soulvaki and and chicken dish. There is limited parking so we parked at Kahala mall and walked over. Think I might need to get take out soon when I'm in the area. The best Greek food in town, hands down.
(5)K B.
Always good and BYOB. It gets busy around 5:30 so you'll have to wait for a table. Don't be put off by the slowish service, remember it's Greece! Their domaldes and feta/olive appetizers are great. Make sure to try the soup too... Yum
(5)Barry L.
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. For over 18 years have enjoyed consistently fresh, tasty Greek food. The Greek salad and dressing is tasty, The lemon egg drop soup is Greek comfort food. The Baba Ghanoush can't get any better. The Mussells Ceviche is out of this world (even if you don't like seafood). The Soulvaki (chicken, fish or Lamb) is killer. Five of us eat here regularly and we pay about $80. Always come away with the wow experience and you will too!
(5)Doris D.
The wait and seating are terrible situations but that's because the cafe is a place to linger over a bottle of wine (BYOB). We chose to avoid the prime dinner rush and headed over to the cafe after a movie, at about 9pm. The tables are still filled up but the wait for the food isn't as terrible (still bad but not as bad). We lucked out and got a table outside and had a nice 2-hour dinner. I got the falafel which was very tasty but watch out for the inevitable and very intense garlic and onion breath! My husband got the schwarma which was very good as well. Cash only!
(4)LeaDan Y.
I would have to call this my personal fave for Greek food on Oahu but last night was my first time. Whether you choose to park at Kahala Mall or in the lot, theres space. The food isnt dry like most of the Greek places in Hawaii. You can either bring your own drinks or purchase something from the Greek liquor store next door, which they also own. They are clearly a popular establishment as they were busy and honestly, one of the reasons I have avoided them for so long has been the line, but again, i think the food was worth it. Once you get to the front of the line, the wait for the food isnt so bad. The baklava was perfect, no overpowering sweetness that you often find in the store.
(4)David L.
The best Greek food on island. Waited couple minutes for table. Group of 8 everyone happy!
(5)Jeannanicole D.
Greek/Mediterranean restaurants are sparse in our neck of the woods. With such a small basis for comparison, accurate reviews weren't expected going in. To start, I had the Tarama Salata (greek caviar spread) served with warm pita, olive oil and lemon. The pita was the star of the show and had an enjoyable temperature and consistency. The spread was richer than expected. Cheese and roe mix well but I am not a fan of richer foods. If you are, you won't be disappointed. The lemon and olive oil add some freshness to alleviate the heaviness of the spread. I ordered the Shaorma platter. Spicy ground lamb patty with tomato & onion, served with tatini sauce on warm pita. I have to say, the bad taste in my mouth wasn't left by the patty itself. Although a little dry, it was rather tasty. The haphazard way it was slapped together with an almost disgusting amount of tatini sauce, tomato and onion that should've had a much finer cut and smashed into a rubbery pita made it inedible. It was difficult to take such a big bite just to have the contents fall out. I tried cutting it but the pita was too tough to cut. I gave up and ate the mixed green salad with the house dressing. To my delight, the salad was refreshing and wonderful. The nice thing about Olive tree is that you can enjoy some wine, specialty beverages (I really enjoyed the mango juice) cheese, and tapas in a BYOB atmosphere. Perfect for casual conversation. The cashier, who was extremely efficient and helpful, is the only reason a third star was awarded.
(3)Franklin A.
This is a nice low key place to eat that has wonderful Greek/Mediterranean food. I like coming here with friends because the appetizers are great to share and there's a wine store right next door (BYOB) so it's a great place to meet in the early evening and talk story with friends for a little while. The greatest challenge is probably a) parking and b) seating. Parking is easy to take care of by parking on the street in the surrounding neighborhood or at Kahala Mall. The seating can be terrible because it's such a great spot to sit and talk story with friends for long periods of time. Occasionally you'll get some folks that hover around you but that's the exception rather than the norm. I usually get the falafel or the lamb souvlaki - both are excellent and come with salad. Hummus with pita is a great starter and even better for sharing over the wine that you brought with you or picked up from next door. I also recently had a couple of their soups which are also outstanding. Overall the quality of the food - the care, love, ingredients, and tradition that are part of every dish - is one reason why we've come back to this place over and over again.
(4)Lianne S.
I too am a fan of this wonderful restaurant. A few things: Maybe it was just an off night but Olive Tree used to be SO much busier. I mean, if you didn't get there shortly after it opened at 5pm you were really taking your chances at getting a table. I haven't been in probably two years before I went last week and I noticed they have a new sign up that says you have to leave within 45 minutes of getting your food. This was definitely somewhere that people would hang out for hours.. so perhaps the time limit has cut down on how packed it can be. Food usually takes about 30++ minutes, sometimes much longer depending on how busy they are. Not only do you have all of the other people dining in, this is an extremely popular spot for takeout. Everything here is good. Over the years I've had pretty much everything on their menu. I usually get the hummus + greek salad and have a few nibbles from my date's meal.
(5)Kim M.
A GOOD SIGN I went to Olive Tree Cafe for the first time with a friend on an early evening. It was nice to see that there were already patrons inside just after opening. Regulars? Always a good sign. WEDNESDAY = LAMB yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… My friend did all of the ordering because he is an Olive Tree Cafe regular. We went on Wednesday specifically for their lamb; he and I both love lamb. I don't even know in detail what he ordered, but all the dishes were excellent. Salad, muscles, hummus, lamb, fish... all of it. yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… BAKLAVA yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… Being the heifer that I am...even after all that delicious pant-button-popping food, I wanted dessert. Olive Tree Cafe's baklava was divine. If I wasn't so full, I would have probably ordered another. And one to go... LEFTOVERS Of course we had leftovers. And guess who took 'em home and ate 'em later that night?!! Hah, yours truly! :) PARKING Parking is a bit limited because the lot is shared among other businesses in the area... But really, who the eff cares?! Parking is the least of your problems. You need to get down to Olive Tree to get your grind on. If there's a will, there's a way... and if there weren't any parking available in that immediate shared lot, I'd park on the street somewhere and walk. Seriously... Be a better "you," and walk. VERDICT I'm pretty stoked to say that I now love Greek food more than ever. And I can't wait to go back. I'm also glad Kahala Mall is nearby, so I have somewhere to walk off that delicious food. Olive Tree Cafe, thank you. Keep doing what you're doing. Yelp 365 - #042/365
(4)Alysha K.
I'm all about pupus, wine, and chillin' out. And Olive Tree Cafe is one of the best places to do this. I basically love everything about it here! The indoor/outdoor seating areas, decor, Greek music, BYOB, customer service, and of course, food! Let me tell you the baba ganoush (eggplant spread) is so deeeeelish! I will never come back here without ordering some of this goodness. And the best part about it is you can get a combo of 1 scoop + 1 scoop of hummus. Both drizzled with olive oil. The mussels are also very tasty, and who could go wrong with a plate of feta cheese?! Although it says they close at 10, you are welcome to stay while they clean up ~midnight. The people there are really friendly and personable. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)Tom W.
I went to Olive Tree when it first opened a number of years ago and we ordered three dinner plates. Have visited since then only under protest. Frankly, I'm surprised they are still in business. My wife asked for a side of the yogurt sauce and was told "no" you can't have it. I approached the server certain that it was a misunderstanding. I suggested they charge us 50 cents or something for a tablespoon of the special sauce. NO, we can't do that (evidently this is NOT Burger King and you cannot have it 'your way'). You mean you "won't do that". Maybe by now they have figured out that they can charge a dollar or two for another scoop of sauce, but it looks from some of the reviews that this place still has an attitude. No credit cards? Truly? In this day and age? I guess the people that put multi-stars on this place don't mind being treated like they are being done a huge favor by someone taking their money and being told "cash only" on top of it. To top it off, the call-in orders go though the same cashier as the sit-downs so you can't order for the take-outs and the take-outs can't pick up for the order-ins. Makes for a lot of aggravation at the end of a day. Me, I like a place that treats you like a friend or a family instead of an inconvenience. I see a number of reviews give this place a high-star rating yet complain about the long wait for placing an order and impossibility of finding a table (despite being next to the parking lot). Maybe if half of the customers stop going here (as I have), the slow service problem will be solved because they won't have as many victims. . . I mean customers.
(1)Yee Ting W.
this place serves up really good greek-mediterranean homestyle food...it has been in the same location for decades in a building across of kahala mall...it's very low key and BYOB if you decide to eat in...they only take cash...some of the must haves are their baba ganoush with pita bread, falafels and gyros...they have specials everyday as well..they have a mini market to pick up wines, cheeses and bread if you decide to take something home or buy wine with your meal
(4)Michael P.
Everything is good - really enjoy the Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves).
(4)Syed S.
Great food but too crowded. I can wait longer if I really want to have delicious Pita & Hummus. I am fast guy waiting longer than 10 min is too much for me as I can use that time taking one more wave for surfing :-) They also have store on back where you can buy some of merchandise which they use. I wont mind going there again and eat.
(4)Shannon P.
Fair prices and pretty tasty food for the most part. Waited in line for 20+ minutes and had to wait another 30 for my shawarma. Comes with an ono salad with perfect salad dressing. We're talking dressing made for kings here. The lamb was burnt a little and nothing like that heavenly street food shawarma you get in New York. I had an order of yeagantes (giant Greek White beans) which is always a good choice. Too much oil and manini portion for the price, but at least it comes with some pita to soak it up.
(3)Coreen L.
Great Greek food though this place is always packed so you'll have to be patient (or hope for good timing). Also check their hours, they are a little different than most eateries. Bring your own wine and/or adult drinks or stop by the little store next door with some super options.
(4)Jennifer H.
Let me start off by saying 'European' eateries with the tiny little tables and those string lights make me weak in the knees, so this review may be biased already. Everytime we drive by this place it's always busy, so we decided to try it out. Located on the back side of Kahala Mall between Wahoo's and McD's, there is often little parking. It is also located next to a wine shop, and the restaurant is BYOB-- how convenient ;). If not, Long's is just right around the corner. There is a cute little outdoor seating area and limited indoor seating as well. They have a sufficient menu covering all the proteins and of course vegetarian options as well. They have a fresh catch that varies daily. My boyfriend and I each got our own souvlaki (basically grilled meat with onions and sauce in a soft pita with a side of Greek salad). He had the lamb which he tells me is delicious (I don't eat lamb so I wasn't gonna try any). & I had the organic chicken which was phenomenal. The service was great, the counter staff were very sweet. Cash only though! This restaurant is in no means fast food deli kind of place, so enjoy that wine and imagine you aren't in Hawaii for a second. The wait is worth it, promise.
(4)Reiko S.
Love the food!!! We usually have the hummus, babaghanoush and fish soulvalki. It's healthy and light. Very satisfying all around. BYOB
(5)Jason W.
Very good food! You get what you pay for here in taste! The portions on the appetizers are little small in my opinion, especially if you want to share with more than two people but the entrees are pretty packed. I really enjoy the Fish, the salads, and the ambiance. It gets a little packed and sometimes is hard to find seating but it certainly has a bit of character about it. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Kelsey S.
I'm sorry, but I don't get why ratings are so high for this place. The menu is limited and the more recognizable dishes are lacking in flavor. Take for example, the hummus. When I think of hummus I think smooth and garlicy. Hummus here is thick, pasty and it sticks to the roof of your mouth. It reminds me of the texture peanut butter has. Add to the fact that it has absolutely no flavor and you've got a total fail. What saves this place from a 2-star rating is the lamb. Now, that was good. The portion size is big enough to share with a friend (unless your friend is a dude in which case, tell him to get his own). Don't get this lamb dish mixed up with the Souvlaki lamb. Make sure you ask the cashier for the lamb special. Parking is limited so I'd suggest parking at Kahala Mall and walking over. Don't forget to come with a bottle of wine or two to go with your meal (BYOB), but in case you do, there's a wine shop right next store.
(3)DJ Nocturna R.
Always the best in Hawaii in Greek cuisine and VERY REASONABLY priced. The ambiance is spectacular. I've seen many moons there and it's a place where everyone knows your name. Next door is a little store where you can get the wine to compliment your meal. Even the girls working there are helpful and sweet. No wonder many people flock to the Olive Tree for healthy good dinners !!! See you there!
(5)Will B.
I'm not really Greek food fan, so take those 4 stars seriously! There are some tasty dishes to be eaten here. The hummus is excellent, and baba ganoush is not far behind. Get either with extra pita for an awesome appetizer. I frequently get the lamb souvlaki when my wife brings me here. The falafel is also a solid option. Quirks: There are tables, but this is an order-at-the-counter place. You have to pay for water (something like 50 cents for a soda-sized cup), and they don't take credit cards. On the other hand, it's BYOB, so bring your water bottle or wine (or buy wine at the shop next door) and you'll be good. There's often a wait for the food, so call ahead with your order!
(4)Chelsea A.
I wish I could give 3 1/2 stars. The food is very nice, but the order layout is slightly confusing. Cash only. You're eating right on the parking lot. You get the idea. I know that Hawaii is hard pressed for eatery space but it leaves a little to be desired. One thing though, if they have the large beans in tomato sauce--get two orders. That sauce is like a drug.
(3)Sheron C.
Considering how busy the place is and how much they charge for their food, I would think they could afford to pay for credit card machines. And the food was okay, but I was not over the moon about it. Perhaps having to jockey for space in line, than hover for a table, and wait for the food was just too much and overshadowed the cuisine. I do believe that the reason for the place's popularity has less to do with their food and more to do with a general lack of decent greek food on Oahu. I might give the place another try if I don't have to contend with crowds again. And if the 2nd experience is any different, I will certainly update my review.
(2)A U.
My go to Greek spot-regularly get take out from here. Highly recommended !
(5)Patrick C.
For God's sake shut off the bloody bouzouki music! I want to say good things about this place, I really do. Not that it needs my help. It's always busy. You have to fight for a table and I have never eaten badly there. But the experience is only a cut above a fast food joint. You bring your own bottle, queue to place your order, sit at cramped tables sometimes before they have been bussed, wait for the announcement over the loud speaker to go queue again to pick up your order and all the while that damned music. Do yourself a favor, order it for takeout - and be prepared to pay extra for the takeout comntainers.
(3)Amber W.
Like the guy you've been friends with forever that turns out to be a perfect fit for you, it took me awhile to realize that Olive Tree is one of the best restaurants in Honolulu. I'd been here a bunch of times and then all of a sudden last night, staring me in the face: I've not appreciated what we've had all these years. *gets down on one knee* "retrieves napkin and continues eating*
(5)Jenn H.
Nom Nom Nom!!! Love this place. Not cheap. But good Greek ain't cheap, apparently. I have been to cheap Greek places, and they ain't good. No siree. You have to scramble to get a table on the weekends, because they go pretty quickly. Hawkeye isn't fast enough to get a table there. And he's fast. It isn't all for naught, though. The food is well worth it. As are the portions and the setting. It has all the qualities of most things in Hawaii, outside of Waikiki - it is quaint, cute, initimate and sometimes annoying - and with all the stray cats, it gets really annoying - but its nice and down home and the food is top notch. Gotta love that it is BYOB ....and low and behold there is a liquor store not, five feet away from it (literally). Love me some Olive Tree, but only as a treat of course :)
(4)Captain B.
This place is a joke as far as how ridiculously slow they are, even for a relaxed Hawaiian's expectations. We stood in line for 20 minutes, with only 1 person in front of us. The cashier would just ignore the line for long periods of time as if they didn't exist. We order of food to go, to discover it will be another 25 minutes for that. Not surprisingly multiple people left after waiting in line for too long.
(1)Amber M.
The food at the olive tree cafe is delicous. Fresh, made to order. Excellent customer service, and take out if you dont want to Wait 30 mins for your food. Byob or wine as well. Packed everytime Ive gone in, open later in the day.
(4)Karissa K.
I'm not the biggest fan of Greek food but the hummus here is awesome! If you like your hummus more bean-y this is the place to go! Friendly staff and there's a wine shop next door! It's BYOB so it works out great! I'm not a huge fan of their main dishes but that's because I'm not a huge Greek food fan. The atmosphere is always awesome! My favorite is sitting outside. Always nice and relaxing after any day. Be sure to check this place out at least once-even if you aren't crazy about Greek food.
(4)Nicole R.
YUM...I absolutely love Olive Tree Cafe! The food is excellent: simple, traditional Greek preparations that are so satisfying and delicious, you'll be back soon for more. The little twinkly lights on the patio makes for a rather romantic setting -- perfect for a low key date night! Olive Tree is BYOB (which I love) so be sure to grab a yummy bottle of red on your way out the door. The portions here aren't huge, so go ahead an order appetizers to start. The hummus is excellent and they have the freshest tomatoes I've ever had on the Island. Every single thing I've ever ordered at Olive Tree has been delicious, so you really can't go wrong! So why isn't this a 5 star review? Good question. Olive Tree isn't perfect...here are some things to keep in mind before you go: - Olive Tree is a cash only establishment. Annoying, but I don't expect they'll be changing this any time soon, so be prepared and have $$ in your wallet. - The service isn't anything to write home about. Gruff at best. You place your order at the counter, snag a table, then pay for your food when they call your name. You carry your own food to the table. - The restaurant is tiny and there are only a handful of tables indoors and on the patio. Come early if you don't want to wait too long. If you don't want to deal with less than stellar service, consider getting your meal to go. Yep, Olive Tree does carry out! I've done this several times with friends, and it sure beats waiting an hour to get a table. The owners get major bonus points from me for using all biodegradable carry out packaging, too!
(4)Meghan P.
Here's a good way to get your friends to be annoyed with you -- 1) Let your friends arrive to Olive Tree first, order their own food, pick up beer (liquor store is right next to the restaurant), and get a table outdoors 2) Call ahead to order your food 3) Arrive and start drinking friends' beer 4) Go inside to find that your food is ready and bring it out to start eating 5) Somewhat apologize when your friends' food isn't ready even though they ordered first because the Olive Tree Cafe decided not to start making the food until they had a reminder (they claimed they didn't start making the food since our friends didn't have a table yet while they were ordered the food...??) We didn't actually want to annoy our friends though and the unreasonably long wait for their food was really not necessary. I ordered a greek salad for dinner and luckily added soup on at the last minute because the salad (around $7 I think) was really not much food! Also, they are cash only and don't have an ATM...
(3)Tricia L.
I had some hummus and the lamb souvlaki. It was ok. Not awesome, just ok. It's a nice place to socialize and have a few with your buddies. It's always busy that's for sure.
(3)Paul T.
Definitely a favorite for excellent Greek food... Wednesday's Special = Lamb Shank ;o)... Aloha...
(5)Sherylynn S.
This restaurant is ahmazing! I love their Fish Souvlak. The dining area are very casual and nice lighting in the evening. Tuesday nights are oddly crowded, but what can I say? Their food are delicious. The best part is you can BYOD, so it is really nice to chill with friends or family there with your favorite bottle of wine. Now I am straving, maybe I'll check in tonight! ;)
(4)Kasey M.
This is one of my favorite Greek restaurants in Honolulu. You won't find the typical gyro on the menu but you can find similarly delicious options. My husband and I both really like the lamb souvlaki. It is similar to a gyro (actually I don't know the difference), with a ground lamb patty in a pita bread with tsaziki sauce. What makes theirs the best is that the meat is really juicy. It has. Lot of taste too it but isn't super gamey. The souvlakis come with a small salad (which could be better) and also come in chicken or fish but I haven't tried either. I also had the shaorma. I didn't like this as much as the meat wasn't as juicy and the tahini sauce is definitely not as good as the tsaziki sauce. Of course we finished our meal off with some baklava. It was very flaky and tastes of honey and nuts. It isn't the best baklava out there but it is good. Other notes ...it is byob and there is a wine store next door for convenience. It is a bit pricey for Greek food, maybe $15-20 per person. It is crowded so get there early. And their daily specials are super popular and run out early
(4)Vivian H.
Must Order: Lamb Souvlaki, Hummus, Falafel, Baklava I heart this place. Really I do. Make sure you have cash when you come here. Also it's BYOB so grad something from next door or Whole Foods. Especially some Ouzo to cleanse your palate after dinner. Start off with some hummus. Yummy appetizer to keep you satiated while you wait for your food. Because on busy nights, you'll definitely wait. Now for the lamb. I love the lamb souvlaki with it's chunky pieces of perfectly cooked lamb tucked into a pillow of pita w/ tzatziki sauce and veggies. I love the way small chunks of lamb will roll out of your pita and you quickly stuff it back in before your dining partner swipes it from you. I enjoy everything about the lamb souvlaki! If you're able, depending on your dining partner or level of hungriness, order the falafel. It's a great follow-up or supplement to the lamb. Whatever is in the falafel is goood so go for it! Make sure to save room for baklava. Sharing may not be an option in this case. The beautifully flaky filo dough and sugary baklava makes you want to keep going until you're scraping your fork all over your plate to get any last flavors into your mouth. Great food and great place to go with friends or a dinner date!
(5)Kelly G.
How did this place get 4 stars?! The amount of food you get for your money is NOT worth it! As a Greek enthusiast, this is is ridiculous. I am also so sad that Yelp has misled me. Hummus, baba ganoush, lamb slouvaki, fish slouvaki, hummus plate = $50?!?!? Not even worth it. The hummus was chunky, baba ganoush yummy. You need extra pita to help finish those off. The slouvakis are marinated well, but portions seem small. Island yelpers, please go to mainland and try the real cheap and delicious filling Greek food. This place was definitely not a 4 star place.
(1)Jennifer L.
Two great things happened two days ago! First, I got to see my best buddy from high school. Second, I FINALLY GOT TO TRY GREEK FOOD!! They always say to make your first impression remarkable and my first experience dining at Olive Tree Cafe will definitely be placed in the little treasure box hidden inside my heart :) My friend mentioned that he was craving mediterranean so we yelped it and found this amazing restaurant. When we got there, It was really crowded but we were sooooo lucky to grab a table right outside. We ordered the Tabouleh Salad, Fish Souvlaki, and Hummus with Pita Bread. Oh My Goodness!! The Hummus was delicious!! It tasted so FRESH!! I thought my Fish Souvlaki was tender and very flavorful. It was my first time trying a Tabouleh Salad so I wasn't sure what to expect. But after my first bite, my tummy was smiling. In a small bite, I could taste the fresh ingredients and the taste of the parsley and mint was very refreshing. Although we were both full, we decided to end our meal with baklava and cappuccino. The baklava was oh so sweet but I couldn't believe how quickly I finished it even after claiming that I was full :P The atmosphere was very comfy and relaxing. The only negative thing about this place was that the intercom system was semi-broken so whenever they would call on an order, we couldn't make out the name so my friend stood up to check on our order literally around 10 times before it was really ours! They should seriously get that fixed! Other than that, I'm definitely coming back here for my next greek fix. p.s. Cash only and BYOB!
(5)Sean Q.
One of our favorite restraints on Oahu. Great food, great vibe. Only negative is the limited seating but in the end adds to the ambiance.
(5)Vincent Q.
I've wanted to eat here for nearly a year. Last time, I had planned to go after taking a trip to Hanauma Bay, didn't happen. This time, a last minute shopping adventure ended us at Olive Tree Cafe. I went with my friend to the wine shop next door, but he said he'd only have one glass. I surely didn't want to drink the rest of the bottle myself, so we skipped it. The lack of alcohol may have made the experience a little less intoxicating. (Note: Some people get bothered by this, but it is cash only.) Hummus- 3-stars- Served in two scoops with olive oil and pita bread. This very smooth hummus was soft and creamy. The flavor was light, and not too much extra ingredients were added to give it pizazz. I've had hummus from all over, so this one didn't strike my mouth hard. Baba Ghanoush- 3 1/2-stars- Served similarly to the hummus--you get two scoops, olive oil, and pita bread. We both found this dish to have more flavor, even though it was even more creamy than the hummus. The earthy flavors seemed to make the difference. Mussels- 4 1/2-stars- The champion of the menu. Mussel, hopefully steamed, are light in flavor, yet only slightly chewy, easily eaten. It is the sauce, the garnish which makes the greatest difference--a mixture of green onion, garlic, olive oil, and I could only wish some white wine, and topped with capers. The flavor is tart, strong, like a mixture of salty brine and vinegar. I wanted to eat the dropped pieces off the cabbage used as a bed for the mussels. Yet, too, the flavor was overwhelming compared to the mussel. Made separately, the taste was the same, as utterly good as it was. Lamb Souvlaki- 4 1/2-stars- The lamb is cooked to be soft and chewy. The creamy sauce with dill and hints of lemon make the dish complete. It is utterly wet, dripping with juices. All this is wrapped in a pita, served with a light vinaigrette salad--onion, tomato, arugula, cucumber, red lettuce, and romaine. The flavors are bold enough and strong enough to challenge your senses, but not overwhelmingly so. It's comforting and delicious. Lamb Shaorma- 3 1/2-stars- The texture of the ground lamb was like hummus, but fried. Yet, there was still a hint of a curried flavor to this patty. Between the pita, this time there are slices of tomato and onions. Definitely not as juicy, but also less flavorful than the souvlaki. We both shared, and we both agreed, the Souvlaki is the way to go. Atmosphere- Wow, this place gets crowded and fast. It's set up almost like a fast-food restaurant--except the food isn't fast, and most people sit and eat. There are not a lot of tables here, I'd say get here early or just take out. With this said, the space gets tight and sometimes you need to fight the line to get to your food. Still, with so many people drinking wine from next door, everyone is pretty much cheery and laid-back here.I just wish they closed some parking spots to make more seating. I think people would be willing to walk a little farther just to eat here. Service- First, you stand in line. You order your food from the counter, but you don't pay. As your food is prepared, they'll call our your name and your order. At this time, you pay, and probably leave your tip. If you have a table, you wait nearby waiting for the food to be prepared. Generally, the wait is five to fifteen minutes, depending on your dish. Other than this, no one really helps you, but also, no one really bothers you either--except if they're waiting for your table. If you want water, you can go to the counter and get some cups of water. Conclusion- The food is good. Some parts are definitely worth coming back for, but I assume you should also want to drink some wine, too. Eating together, talking story, this is what the place seems to really be about. Don't go expecting speedy food, or a tremendous amount of service. You serve yourself some delicious Greek food, and hopefully have someone good to sit and share it with.
(4)Jennifer L.
We were playing at the nearby Kahala Community Park and wanted to grab a bite on the way home. Mr. L searched Yelp mobile for what would be good and Olive Tree came up as *the* place to go with a 4.5 star average and about 150 reviews. yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… We hadn't been thinking Greek food in Hawaii, but what the heck? We love Greek food. It wasn't the fastest place to go with our over-tired toddler and the parking lot was full, but we were glad we went. The other Yelpers were onto something. After staring at the menu board yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… for a while, we decided on: * Pita and hummus yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… The hummus has a noticeable cumin flavor, which isn't my favorite, but it's a subjective thing. It's a good quality hummus. The pita was homemade and served warm. * Greek salad yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… Fresh and good - I would've liked a little more feta. * Chicken souvlaki wrap. Perfectly balanced and delicious. * Lamb shank plaki special yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… It wasn't our top pick (it was very heavy), but it wasn't bad. Everything was freshly made and tasty. This is a real find. 4.5 stars - we'd return in a heartbeat.
(5)Ka'ili H.
This whole month my Greek tooth felt sad and neglected...so when my close friends from work and I finally decided to have dinner (several months in the works btw!) I was elated and thrilled when she suggested, Olive Tree. I had to silently tell myself not to jump up and scream! (I really really like Greek food, okay) It's just outside Kahala Mall, near subway and cleverly adjacent to a wine shop!! Parking is limited, but, my friend parked across the street on the road, so if you think outside the box, it's really not that much of a problem. It starts getting crowded AT 5pm, when they open, so just a warning. Met up at about 740pm, luckily my friend was able to save a table and ordered some hummus while she was waiting for us. Ready to order one of my friends got the Sharoma (?) her fave, I ordered the lamb slouvaki (open) & mussels, my other friend ordered the chicken slouvaki. 25minute wait. We munched on the delicious hummus while patiently waiting for our entrees, I was starving!! Mussels came out first. What I LOVE about these mussels AND the Olive Tree staff, is that they take it one step further. They separate the mussel from the shell!! So it's not a tug of war between you and the shell, you just bite or fork the whole marvelous, seasoned, capered, with feta cheese, mussel into your awaiting mouth! (yes, at another Greek place i had to fight for that mussel...and it just made me frustrated, I wanna concentrate on eating the darn thing!) Next up, our orders were finished, went to the counter to pick them up and paid. Price for my two favorite dishes went up 50 cents. Oh wells, economy is bad, yada yada. Another thing I love about Olive Tree, is they know what I mean when i say, "open," i don't want eat it like a sandwich, I want those pita pieces. I just like it that way. The lamb was cooked so well, I've eaten at places where the lamb was tough and less seasoned. Here, I'm always happy with my lamb!! The salad was covered with dressing, but it's light and tastey, lots of veggies, consisting of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions. It was a good portion as well. They cut up several pieces of pita bread for me, which made me and my tummy smile the WHOLE TIME! We also shared a piece of the baklava. The very first time I tried theirs, it was way too sweet. This time, it was just right. I could even taste cinnamon in it!! Lovely balance of flavors. The staff this night was very friendly and patient. We ended up staying at this joint until 1130pm!! None of them came around to shoo us away, it was a pretty steady night after we sat down so there weren't any customers waiting for a table or anything. Olive Tree Cafe you always make my friends & I happy with the Greek food you make so deliciously!! We will definitely keep coming back for more. Thank you for satisfying my Greek tooth and taking your food a step further than most other restaurants, all of those little things matter!!
(5)Kate G.
They do have a mean Greek Salad, but I've had better Greek food. Maybe I'm just missing the gyros twice the size and half the price in Seattle or maybe I just have high expectations that Olive Tree didn't meet.
(3)Tamra P.
If you are what you eat, then Greek Gods must eat at Olive Tree. But being Greek Gods, they must somehow forbid mere mortals from sitting because the fight here for a table would almost require divine intervention. Hubby and I decided to recreate our first official dinner date and return to the Olive Tree. It was packed as usual, and we were ravenous so we scarfed a pita/hummus plate while waiting for a table. Luckily he has patience to spare and it kinda rubs off on me, so no humans were harmed. Seriously, they should think about some sort of sign up system because had we not been in a good mood, tummies may have prevailed in the hunt for a table and there may have been a causalty or two. Hence the docking of a star for a mere 4 star review of fantabulous food at a BYOB joint that is uber affordable. I can be a cheap date, but only if the food delivers. Pretty much anything you eat here will be delicious.
(4)Kaiulani K.
I've loved this place since I first came here over 10 years ago. This was possibly my first positive introduction to greek food and to lamb. Now days, my favorite food is greek food and my favorite is (duh, do I need to say it?) LAMB! And it's all thanks to Olive Tree. My first bite of lamb souvlaki and I was smitten like Aphrodite was smitten with Adonis, like Hades was smitten with Persephone, like Zeus was smitten with... anything that had two legs (sometimes four). Just a bit of Greek mythology humor for you. Anyway, did I mention I took 3 years of Greek language and thought in college? Or that I'm pursuing it as a PhD. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?! OLIVE TREE CAFE MAY HAVE DIRECTED THE ENTIRE COURSE OF MY LIFE!!! Amazeballs, right? Or as we'd say in Greek... well, we'd never say amazeballs in Greek. We're too highly educated for that. The point is the food here is fantastic, and as demonstrated in my TRUE account of my experience here - life changing! Literally! My favorite is the souvlaki, any of them are a good choice. I also like the mussels, which are super fresh and tasty. I have to sheepishly admit (hey, are ewe catching all these lamb references?) that I don't stray too far from my herd of favorites to try new things because I love my favs so much. But, for the sake of being a better yelper, I am determined to try new menu items and describe them in detail to you. However, the most important thing is that you meander alongside Kahala Mall, find this hidden treasure, cash in hand (cash only!) and grab your greek grub!
(4)Cintamani A.
Another example of people on Yelp either being ridiculously generous with their reviews or have never ventured outside of Hawaii to try real food by real restaurants. It was a good place in the '90s. Now it's just ok and boring. Nothing special or memorable that I would want to come back or spend my money on food that is overpriced for what you get. How can anyone made such a mediocre hummus is beyond me. It's over-hyped by people who obviously have never had bothered to try the cafes that are in Downtown that actually serve delicious Greek food. Better priced, satisfying and damn good compared to here. Oh, and the atmosphere is completely lacking unless you dining in a restaurant with music that is blaring so you don't have to hear your dinner companion, like being smushed up in a tight space with a outdated method of service by a staff out of their depth.
(2)Jennifer L.
It's hard for me to star this place because while they are pretty damn decent (comparatively on OAHU, that is)...overall I'd only rate it 3 stars. Their hummus is pretty good but I dare say I've had just as good hummus at Trader Joe's and that's just supermarket stuff. It's hard to go wrong with hummus, though, I suppose. I do both simultaneously like and dislike the fact their hummus is mixed with a big dollop of olive oil for us. Their pita bread is good and warm - very good consistency/texture. My boyfriend bought the New Zealand lamb souvlaki, which was good, but not mindblowing. Next time, I'd try the fish. As for myself, I was torn between ordering shaorma or falafel. I went for falafel since I love falafels. Decent, good, but nothing special. I'm satisfied with what we ordered but nothing leaves me going "OH MY GOD WE HAVE TO GO BACK." Oh well!
(4)Daveuhlicous D.
Want Greek? Eat here! I've eaten at a few of the Greek places on island, and this is the king of the castle...or like maybe the Zeus of Mount Olympus. You know, because it's Greek? Okay maybe not. Food: AMAZING! I have their special every time I go. My guests have had the Souvlaki, and I've tried it, and it's good. I've had their lamb shank twice. It's amazing. The babaganoush and hummus are both incredibly delicious. The wine store next door offers a good selection to accompany your meal (or you can bring your favorite). Either way, the whole meal is delicious! Ambiance: I'm a fan of the whole order at a counter and wait for your name to be called concept. I love a BYOB restaurant. The whole outside seating situation seals the deal for me. I brought a great girl here one time and she told me that she didn't feel like she was in Hawaii anymore. It's that serious. Service: Service is hard to shine at a "counter service" restaurant. These guys make it happen. They're really helpful with the menu selection. They're accommodating in excess. Perfect example: I brought a friend one time, and we had to leave suddenly as our meal came out. I asked really quick to get it to go...not a problem. Within minutes I had some takeout boxes and was on my way. Dude was awesome. I don't give out a 5-star unless I'm certain you're going to have a great experience every time. Here I have no problems giving one out.
(5)Malish K.
One of my favorite places in Honolulu. Go here at least once a week, sometimes three or four :) Must try the soup!!! Get the yogurt drink, whatever its called, especially on a hangover, its perfect :) Also the fish is delish! Theres no alcohol but you can go next door and get a bottle of wine and drink it with your dinner. Place is packed at nights so you may have to wait for a table unless you get there early. The greeks like to take their time :)
(5)Jillian P.
LOVE! Had a dinner date with an old coworker of mine here! :) My boss recommended this joint for Greek and can I just say that I was NOT disappointed?! My recent reviews have been on restaurants that I've eaten at a long time ago! So I can't tell you the exact details of my experience (hopefully I'll be able to update this one day), but if I'm giving it a five star and saying I love it, you best believe it's true! I know I had a lamb souvlaki and it was mighty tasty! Plus the hummus was really good too. :) It was EXTREMELY busy when we went (well, we actually got there before the rush) so if you're going, I suggest hitting it up around 6ish, if not earlier!
(5)Kalei F.
YES TO OLIVE TREE!! I haven't been here in awhile and what a mistake I was ever gone for that long! I've been to Greece and eaten all their wondrous food there, but this is definitely the best Greek on the Island!! We had the hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, shawarma, lamb souvlaki, and chicken souvlaki!! What a feast! Everything was very tasty!! The hummus was perfectly creamy, the baba ganoush had a nice smokey flavor and sweetness along with the eggplant. The falafel, which is chickpeas mixed with spices, was VERY delicious! I LOVE that they put this secret sauce on it (probably tzatziki sauce with some other magical goodness), and have it all sandwiched in the middle of their wonderful pita bread. It was very moist and flavorful, not like other falafels I've had here. The shawarma.....aaahhh the shawarma.....very flavorful and unique in how they prepare it. I do like it here! The souvlakis were flavored very well and moist too!! We devoured everything!! The salad is definitely not a Greek salad.....I've had very flavorful salads somewhere else....especially with the traditional feta!! Their pita bread is definitely delicious and I think one of the best I've had!! All in all, this is an awesome place!! And it's BYOB!! That store next door does have original wines from Greece...must try any wines from the Sigalas winery in Santorini!! DELICIOUS!!! YIAMAS!!!
(5)Thomas O.
Yassou! Opah! The only plates I be smashing here are the Hummus with Pita, New Zealand Lamb Souvlaki and the Falafel sandwich and boy do they make me want to marry into a Big Fat Greek family. Food from this wonderful country has got to be my second comfort food (to Korean!) and it never disappoints, nor do I ever turn it down. I could eat this stuff fah days! I digress, so back to the food! The Lamb is cooked so tenderly and is adequately sauced with tahini or tzatziki. Love. The salad they serve is also delicious and a great compliment to the toasted pita and slightly charred lamb chunks of the souvlaki. I even put some insai the pita for a mock-gyro effect. Lets not forget the wanna-be Samoan dish, Falafel. Or should I say, "Perfection in Fried Chickpea Form?" Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than Greek Marina, that's fasho. Eat outside for the real café ambiance. One of my favorite places, as witnessed by the 5 stars!
(5)Denise K.
BYOB, Yay! I'd say this place is the best greek food on island. I've tried quite a few things here and everything was great! Portions are good for sharing so I'd recommend you and your friends go family style so you can try more things. I like the outdoor seating too!
(4)RB19971 R.
One of the best places in Honolulu to eat. We keep going back and we are yet to have a bad meal. The atmosphere is super casual - ie picnic chairs etc and added bonus is that it's BYO Love it!
(5)Dawna E.
This place is bomb. Best babaganoush I've ever had, and if you ask nicely, you can get a split order with the hummus. The menu is limited but tasty. It is BYO and there is a cute wine shop next door where you can pick up a bottle of your booze of choice. My main complaint with Olive Tree Cafe is that it keeps getting busier and busier, and it seems they aren't keeping up with the increased traffic. You order at the counter and find a table; they call your name on the loudspeaker when your food is ready. There is VERY limited seating, and large parties often take over all of the tables. More than once I've found myself out of luck when trying to fight for a table, if I arrive after 5:30 or so. Lately I've taken to calling in the order ahead of time, to pick up and enjoy the lovely babaganoush from the comforts of home.
(4)Kevin M.
You gotta try the the shaorma or the falafel on your first, or even second visit. The tahini sauce is what makes both dishes. It was absolutely delicious and the pita was the best I've had. (Might be worth saying I don't eat Greek food often.) The staff was chill, but the only gripe I took was that our order took way too freaking long. I could literally drive back to my house in Manoa and grab a book to pass the time. But was it worth it? I guess it depends on your order. If you're okay with waiting till Christmas (Exaggeration! Don't kill me!) for quality Greek food, then I would definitely check this place out. As long as you got cash and maybe your own cup or bottle for BYOB service, you'll love this place!
(4)Barb L.
Da best falafel ever!!!! We went to Honolulu back in Feb. A friend recommended them to us. It was late...we were exhausted (with the jet lag - 3 hours...) Our girl was GRUMPYYYYY....but when the food came? Oh boy.....she was a happy camper.... The falafel was sooooo delicious! On our way out, I had to tell the lady behind the counter....
(5)Tom H.
For a CA expat Olive Tree Cafe is an awesome flash back to fresh, delicious, affordable food like in northern CA. The food is freshly prepared and if you time it right you will see huge fresh fish getting carried in the side door for the night. Especially for non meat eaters you can get those huge white beans in a tomato sauce which are very tasty, or the hummus or baba ganoush with pita, sometimes the half eggplant roasted as a special, and then the falafel or fish pitas all of which are great. Fresh made, popping tasty flavors, and a laid back but fun atmosphere. BYOB rocks when you pay roughly $1 if you need an empty glass for your own wine. Some more indoor seating would be great for my wife who gets cold (yup, even here on Oahu), but with a sweatshirt in tow she will brave the outside seating for the delicious food. Execution tips: 0) Bring some good wine from home, or Whole Foods around the other side of the mall, or the wine shop next door. 1) Divide and conquer if possible with someone staking out a table while the other person heads in to order. 2) Enter from the door by Wahoos and the wine shop. 3) Glance at the menu overhead and also the display case down low for specials. 4) Order over the display case when you make it to the head of the line (ask for wine (shot) glasses if you need them). 5) Go hang out while you wait, awhile, for your order to start to get called out on the speakers for you to go pick up some plates. 6) ENJOY 7) When you finally pick up the last item from your ticket then you pay. 8) SAVOR
(4)Tyra K.
Mediterranean here I come!!!! The one and only place in Hawaii that has the actual european atmosphere I miss... I come here to relax and enjoy the company of friends sippin on some good wine (from the store next door) and slowly enjoying every bite of my meal yummy, plus the nice breeze and greek music just give me a feeling of being closer to home... Ahh can't love this place more than I do... Seriously! :) Its amazing that even with such a simple menu people always come back, yes its all because the food is fresh and tasty, done with so much quality and love, why wouldn't they wanna come back... Sometimes there is also a surprise like a special of the day, which is only served for some period of time, like just recently they were serving this great dish (baked eggplant with different cheeses and seasonings) mmm was so amazing.. No matter what you order from their menu you can never go wrong its all just so delish... Everyone should also give the yogurt a try, it has an awkward taste for those who haven't grew up on it, but it goes perfect with the food and you might acquire a taste for it, therefore why not give it a try... One tip for the new comers to this place, make sure you are not starving cuz there will be a big wait, it's just always so busy here... Gonna b coming back soon :)))
(5)Jim M.
3 stars for the food!! Probably the best Greek food in Honolulu. The lamb souvlaki is awesome. The staff is nice enough. Unfortunately I just can't bring myself to give them more stars. DON'T go anywhere near here at dinner time any night of the week. The number of people wanting tables far outweigh the number of tables available. It is not uncommon for a large table to "park" there for hours. Once you have a table then the vultures circle. If you can get here before 6 or after 9 your experience will be better. Otherwise check out The Fat Greek on Waialae Avenue and St. Louis Road. The food is almost as good and the atmosphere is better.
(3)Kelly G.
I LOVE this place like everyone else ..... usually get the falafel plate "to go" after my nephews baseball practice across the street - if we dine in we do a assortment ... mussels, baba ganoush, hummus, souvlaki, tabouleh, special of the day, etc. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD !!! ..... food & service I do not get here as much as I would like ... wish they would have better parking, more seating, and open for lunch - in a perfect world right ? Anyway Chad K. said they are opening in Manoa - yay .. cant wait !
(5)Nancy M.
Yummy Greek food and priced swell. Bring cash or use the atm at the bar next door. you must try the egg lemon soup; simple and delish. their daily specials are always great. they get really crowded because they're that good.
(4)Sheryl G.
what: a modern, hip and affordable greek cafe! something good: love the food here! and it's so casual and laid back, you can buy wine at the shop next door and wait till your food is ready! it's serve yourself, so you need to wait for your food to be cooked and then bring your dishes back to your table :) ! i love the portion sizes and it's a fun place with lots of people!! something not so good: if you order a lot it can be difficult to save your table and bring the food back to the table! also, it's soooo packed here, and you need a table in order to place an order!! my solution, bring lots of people to help you :D something to try: hummus and pita bread.
(5)Rissa M.
For the all the hype about this place and it's reputation as being "theeeeeeee best" Greek place on Oahu, I was expecting much much more. First of all. Holy- Crowded. My friend and I rolled up to this joint at around 7pm on a thursday night. The line was going all the way from the cashier counter and getting squished into the door from where you enter. There was way too much stimulation here for me. The place was full of people shuffling past you to actually get in and out of the door so that they can pick up their food from the pick-up counter, and the poor kitchen people trying to squeeze past you to get back to work after bussing tables and what-not. We figured that the food HAD to amazing so we waited in line for a good 15 minutes before actually being able to order (and then waited another good 20 minutes for our food to come out). The place was packed so we agreed to tag-team our restaurant experience. My friend went to look for a table to sit down while I stood in line to order the food. My tip to you is to do the same when you come here on a crowded night. We ordered: - Shawarma plate. This was alright. It came in the shape of a patty, which freaked me out a little. Comes with a side Greek Salad and wrapped in a slice of Pita -Falafel Plate. Comes with 3-4 falafel balls wrapped in a slice or Pita and Greek Salad. Falafel was....alright. I've had better. - Greek Salad. Wouldn't have ordered this if I knew that plates came with it already (no thanks to the person who took my order). TIP: Order the dressing on the side. They super soaked our salad. -Side Pita and Hummas. Hummas was aiiight. I've had better (and it came from my own kitchen and food processor). The pita was slightly hardened which indicated to me that the pita was not fresh. Okay so we went a little overboard for just two girls, but we decided that we would not like to stand in line again if it turned out the food was not substantial. TIPS. -CASH ONLY. If you forget to bring cash, Wahoo's has an ATM in their digs, located literally right next door. -Only open for dinner. My first attempt to eat here was on a weekday during the lunch hour. That was a fail -BYOB. You can walk over to the little wine store next door and have it with your meal. Pairs perfectly. -Parking sucks. Just skip the lot and look for street parking. -People camp out here so you have to be lucky, or assertive enough to get a table. -This place is casual! EXTREMELY casual. You are not being waited on so it kind of reminded me of the food court at Ala Moana. You order your food first, and then wait for it to be made at the pick-up counter. You pay after you've receive your food. If you order appetizers and ask for them to come out before your entree, you will have to get up twice to go and get your food from the counter. Doesn't sound so bad in writting, but remember the crowdedness!!! (and the waiting you will have to do for other people to pay their food before you can actually get yours from the counter) Conclusion? The food was pretty decent, but not great enough for me to want to go through all the trouble we did just to eat here again. I don't do well in crowds when I have an empty stomach, and especially when people are hovering RIGHT over my table for a good 10 minutes to waiting for me to leave. I think they need more help here! The poor cashier was doing a million things at once--including taking care of take-out orders, bagging the food, putting together the plates for people who were eating-in, handling money, etc, etc. Check it out for yourself and find out what the hype is. Also, if anyone was any other recommendations for Greek food here on Oahu, please let me know! Thanks!
(3)Chloe T.
Good food and nice service! We had to wait for a table for several minutes, which wasn't the greatest. I definitely enjoyed the food and my time at the restaurant, but would pick The Fat Greek over Olive Tree any day.
(3)Brent K.
One of the old favorites, OYOB and the food is great ! Some times it's a pain in the ass waiting for tables. And parking sucks, Small parking lot. Good thing for street parking. Greek food is simple yet tasty.
(3)Deborah C.
Have always loved this place and had I written this earlier they would have received five stars. I absolutely love the food here, but when I ate at Olive Tree Cafe on Thursday night service was terrible even though they weren't busy. After waiting and waiting and waiting for my order to be called, I noticed guests who arrived after we did were getting their food. When I went in to inquire when our order would be coming out, the girl at the counter ignored me. And ignored me and ignored me and ignored me until she could do so no longer. When I finally asked about my order, she said it would be 10 more minutes. I asked whether that was for the appetizer or entrée. She went and looked for my order, found it and told me it was for my appetizer. It would've been nice if she had at least admitted they forgot about my order or lost it or whatever. As it turns out, appetizer and entrée arrived together. Not what I wanted but oh well.
(3)Mae L.
If you want pretty genuine Greek Cuisine, this is the place to get it. I love this place and their food, but there are definitely some tips you should be aware of when you come here. If you're prepared, it will make your dining experience at Olive Tree Cafe a really good one. If you're not prepared, you may end up a little frustrated. I love the ambience of the place. It gives you the feeling of a European street café, except without the whole European street thing. :) Since the place is so small and intimate, you never know if you'll run into someone you know and end up talking story for hours. This is the kind of atmosphere it gives off. Every time we've been here, some friend will just walk up to a table and start talking and next thing you know, they're pulling up a chair! The cafe itself is a tiny little store set in a small office building on Kilauea Avenue next to Subway and Wahoo's Tacos. The store is quite small, with only the counter and about four tables inside. Then there's a small lanai/patio seating area that wraps around the storefront with small metal and porcelain café tables. I'd say there's about 12-15 tables outside, varying between 2 seaters to 6 tops. A lot of people bring their own wine; to use the café's glasses, you just pay a minimal corkage fee. (Not sure what it is, though.) It's a really cute dining experience, if you ask me. Here is what you need to bear in mind: 1. They are a cash only establishment, much like many of Honolulu's restaurants still are (though lots are converting over to accepting cards now). So make sure you have bills on you. But if you forgot, Bank of Hawaii's Kahala location is literally right around the corner. Or there is an ATM machine (not sure which bank) inside of Wahoo's Tacos if you don't want to walk as far as Bankoh. 2. The place is vegetarian friendly, but not entirely vegan friendly. You might ask that they hold the feta or put it on the side, but some of the sauces may have feta or yogurt in them. Something to think about. 3. There are wait times involved and they don't do reservations. If you're in a hurry, this is not the place for you. This is the place where you come, order, and you're here to cruise. Table seating is limited (first come, first served), you may have to wait quite awhile before you can snag a seat. If the kitchen is busy, they will get backed up and you may end up waiting further for your food. 4. Don't expect servers and waiters. They will call your order over a loud speaker and you come pick it up at the counter. Again, there may be a considerable wait time if they're busy. 5. They're often busy. Like I said, the food is good and the atmosphere is cute, so people really gravitate toward this place. 6. They are open for dinner hours only. Here are some challenges you may face: If you're in a hurry to eat, you'll get frustrated. Due to the limited seating and busyness of the kitchen, you have to be prepared for some wait times. The parking isn't the best situation, since the lot shares with an office building, Subway and Wahoo's tacos, and the spaces are limited as well. But you can always do street parking or park in the mall lot around the corner. Oh, and there are the usual stray cats begging for food, so don't be surprised if a cat walks up to you and starts mewing for scraps. I love the simple menu, the casual atmosphere and the sidewalk café feel of Olive Tree Café. If you're patient and just relax, your dining experience will be pretty awesome.
(4)Maggie M.
This is definitely the best Greek food you can get on this island, the quality is really great. Any of their Souvlaki are great, the sauce is soo good! I think their greek salad dressing is delicious too. The food is absolutely great, but downsides are that it can be a little pricey, the restaurant is small, so it's crowded if you're eating there, and I believe it's BYOB. Seriously, if you haven't eaten here yet, you should really go
(5)Janice M.
Last night a few of us went to this restaurant after several other people recommended it, and it was worth the drive from Mililani to Kahala! We ordered hummus and mussels as appetizers, and had the special (lasagna), shaorma, and souvlaka for dinner, which we all shared. I am usually not a fan of hummus, but found it delicious! I also recommend asking about the specials, which aren't written down on their menu. The restaurant is also BYOB, but don't worry because there's a wine store right next door! The prices were very affordable (our two appetizers and three dishes cost $65). Unfortunately there is a very small parking lot, so be prepared to park in the McDonalds parking lot or on the side of the road. Try out this little hole in the wall, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Pualena P.
This is the go-to dinner spot for me and my Sex in the City wannabe girlfriends! We can bring our own wine, sit outside "cafe-style" and eat delicious food in a casual, welcoming setting. I have only ordered one thing since I started eating here and I'm perfectly happy with my one-hit-wonder. I order the Fish Souvlaki. It is to DIE for. Actually, all of the souvlakis are good! ...and to be honest, I don't know what else they serve? I'd like to try something else some time, but I don't know if I can go there and NOT order one of my favorite meals on the planet! Their prices have gone up a few dollars over the years, so this place has become more of a treat than a regular pit stop, but I still think it's totally worth it! The sauce they use in the souvlakis is absolutely magical. The souvlakis come with a greek salad that I love and I can never figure out why. I mean, the ingredients are fresh and delicious, but it isn't an unusual salad with anything crazy. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the dressing...more magic I think! Ok, ok, I have tried other things that my friends and family ordered. The lamb, chicken and the falafel souvlakis are also good...but in my opinion, the fish is better. ;) They also have baklava to satisfy your post-meal sweet tooth. Seating is limited but I never have to wait too long to snag a table. It's also BYOB/W (woop woop!) but there is a conveniently located wine shop adjacent to the restaurant. Parking can be a real pain, but the Kahala Mall parking lot is about a 45 second walk away. (I'm not sure why it always seems soooo much further to me, but it really isn't.) and don't forget, it's cash only! (checks are okay too, I think...) so be sure to hit the ATM before you go! (...lucky for you, if you forget, Bank of Hawaii is just across the way. Phew!)
(5)Ayako T.
Awesome food!!!!!! I usually get fresh fish souvlaki, or lamb souvlaki. Mango Nector Juice without ice :) Cash only, so have your cash ready.
(5)Curtis C.
This was one of our favorite places to eat and drink wine in HNL. As many people note, it's so popular that there are often waits, and the self-service table issue can get a little sketchy. People eye-balling you impatiently as you try and finish your meal. That part makes it a little strange, and inconvenient, but none the less, the food never disappointed. Standouts: Muscle "ceviche". So good, "ccooked with lemon juice, topped with capers and herbs. caviar dip- thought I was tasting the best humus ever, and a friend pointed out that it was their caviar dip. Amazing flavor profiles Lamb Shank special- fall of the bone goodness. Super traditional, and yummy. Fish souvlaki. They always use the ctach of the day, so it varies from Mahi, to ono, to whatever, but it's always fresh and cooked perfectly. Giant Greek white beans in tomato sauce. So simple, but SO good! The deli next door sells the dried beans, so you can make your own. So go, get a bottle of wine, or three, from the shop next door, and enjoy!
(4)Jonathan L.
I always passed by this place numerous times but have yet to tried it until now. Came here after working out and I was super hungry. When I parked I noticed cats everywhere. I kinda wondered if this place is sanitary. It was around 9PM and it was still crowded. BTW this place is cash only. I ordered the falafel which that cost $9.56. Our food came out quickly. The falafel was wrapped in pita bread drizzled with some type of sauce. There was also salad that came with the meal. I didn't know the falafel had no meat inside but it tasted very meaty. I think it was the sauce that made the falafel. Don't know what it is but I like it. I ate everything literally in a minute. Yum. Great place to go and this place is also BYOB. The only thing is you have to pay 50 cent for a cup even for water :( This is why I gave this place only four stars.
(4)Darby C.
I ate here 4 times on my past trip to Oahu. It's my favorite restaurant right now. I could eat here nightly. The avgo lemonos soup, hummus, and lamb souvlaki are my favorites. Unreal how good everything is. I only wish they had more seating and were open at lunch. Oh and accepted credit cards.
(5)andrew h.
Came in tonight around 9:15 and left at 10 with an empty stomach. We waited 45 minutes and our food never came out, we were sitting right in front of the cashier! Have some class and apologize and reassure your customers the food is taking longer than expected. Everyone waiting for food was very frustrated, no consolidation was done. Ive been coming here for years but I will never come back. Food is OK Its just a hassle eating here, parking is limited, only accepts cash, limited seating...... And service doesn't deserve one star
(1)Steven T.
Lots of people like this place because of good food, no doubt. And that's about it - the rest just sucks. First you need some luck to find a parking space in that tiny parking lot for a such crowded place. Street parking around is not any better. Next, the place is so crowded that you have to fight to get your orders in because the counter area is like a fish market packed with people fighting their way to get order their orders in. And the worst part for me is that nobody cares if you don't have a table. Once you've placed your order, you're on your own to grab your table - often left standing around like moron waiting for a table for up to an hour. There's no numbering system whatsoever or even first come first served basis. Whoever quickest scores -- wild West style. Other minuses are pricey food, small portions, and cash only. It's a amazing there are people out there willing to suck it up just for a plate of tasty food. As long as there are people piling in this place to get a piece of the action, the owner doesn't care to improve anything because he doesn't have to.
(1)Lauren N.
One of my fave places to eat! Everything I've tried here has been good. Some of my favorites are the hummus, baba ganoush, the caviar spread, shaorma and falafel. When ordering the hummus and babas, I always make sure to order extra pita on the side. The falafel is so moist and yummy. Definitely one of the best falafels on the island. The only downside to this place is the small parking lot that fills up quickly. I usually try to circle a couple times and end up parking in the street or at kahala mall. The place is always packed but I've never had to wait more than a few minutes for a seat. One of the best parts about eating here besides the delicious food is that it's BYOB with no corkage fee! Reasonable, delicious food with a side of your favorite wine or beer. Doesn't get any better than that.
(5)Hawaiian G.
This is going to be one of our favorite places to eat! My hubby and I were missing some good authentic Greek food (had them when we lived on the mainland) and I have searched high and low for some places that seem to cater to locals (and not tourist-y) and found this place on Yelp (Thanks Yelp!). We shared the grape leaves stuffed with rice and Lemon Egg Soup as Appetizers. Oh my goodness - they were both so FRESH and yummy! Next time I'm ordering my own soup (LOL) For main, hubby and I had the Chicken Souvlaki (comes with a small portion of greek salad on your plate) - DEEE-LICIOUS. The chicken is cooked with lots of yummy seasoning, the sauce is yummy and just the right amount of onions all inside a nice sized pita bread. For dessert, we shared the Baklava - and oh man oh man it was crispy on the outside and moist/syrup-y/sweet on the inside. LOVEEEEED it! Helpful Tips: (1) CASH only (2) Come early if you want a parking space and a table. If you can't find a parking space, you can park on the street or at the Kahala Mall parking lot and walk (3) You don't pay when you order, and you need some patience as they may not take your order right away (even when it's your turn) if they are super busy. (4) BYOB - liquor store next door if you want some alcohol. The place also has a variety of sodas, fruit juices, coffee, tea, etc. (5) Saw a lot of people picking up take out orders - if you're in a rush, call your order in advance and pick up your yummy food! Edited to Add: Let's not forget the Aloha spirit people..... This is a SMALL restaurant with limited seating. It is probably not the greatest idea to have a "family reunion" or some huge gathering here, but the times I have been there, I see families hoarding all the tables and chairs and having a party. Also tourists in groups of 7, 8, 10....drinking tons of beer, sitting around and reading tour guide books or playing with their smartphone - while people are standing around with their plates wishing they could find a table. Most people should get the hint when the workers from the restaurant come out and take away your empty dishes, etc but some do not (LOL). I have also seen couples (with their empty wine bottles and empty plates and nothing to do) stalling "on purpose" when they notice others waiting around for their table. Just don't get it. This cafe is a high energy, busy restaurant - not Starbucks or a Lounge Bar. Seriously, enjoy your food, enjoy your night with your friends but it would be nice if you can MIND the others trying to find seats and leave when you're done eating.
(5)Justin M.
food. i enjoyed the food a great deal. i had the lamb souvlaki and tasted a few of the appetizers (baba ganoush, cheese platter, yeagantis). The lamb was grilled perfectly and well seasoned, and offset beautifully with yoghurt sauce in a warm toasted pita wrap, with a side salad (mixed greens, onion, cherry tomatoes, and vinaigrette). basic, but just what i've been craving for weeks. the baba ganoush was exceptional (smooth texture, gently spiced, with fresh pita) and the cheese platter featured a buttery manchego and a corfiot noumboulo--think greek prosciutto, but soft and a bit less salty. uncomplicated and satisfying all around. the price is a bit high for what they offer; this is true across pretty much the entire menu. food gets a four (good, but i didn't see god). environment. went on a sunday night, and it was altogether, unjustifiably hectic. groups waiting between tables to snag open seating and a line out the door, with a bonus pile-up at the pick-up counter. lots of upset faces. ideally a restaurant with open seating provides four-tops and two-tops to accommodate both small and large parties (easily pushed together to create seating for larger groups as needed). olive tree, however, opts mostly for four-tops resulting in big tables being monopolized in many cases by twosome diners, as others stand around looking on in a slow simmer. olive tree is byob. this is nice, given that they run a small wine shop in the next space over (across from subway), but also painful as tables take forever to turn over. i noticed that, because people had to be aggressive and grab what they could get right away, the tables really didn't get cleaned off. it's funny that really not too many places have outdoor seating areas in this town given that it is hawaii. but the seating at olive tree is wrapped around the restaurant directly on the parking lot, and without a lot of protection when the rain starts coming down. environment gets a one (stressful and combative). service. i think they were short a staff member or two. the man at the register looked practically homicidal as he zapped back and forth from the register to the food service counter. i mentioned the lines and crowds -- they needed two people organizing food and drink and one person manning the register, but had one person trying to do it all and doing a pretty bad job of it. the kitchen staff also looked hard pressed, like they too were about to lose it completely. nothing we ordered should have taken the hour it took them to get it to us (read: two forevers). and then they forgot to give me my baklava. and i paid for it. and i didn't remember until after we left the restaurant (yes, partly my fault, but still should not happen, and more prone to happening when there is an hour between when you order the food and when you actually receive it). service gets a one (forgetting to give me food i ordered is automatic demerits, even though i felt pretty bad for the staff). tips and tricks. - check out the cute little greek market next door. - if you get a table or tables and have extra seating, offer to share with others. - don't be the d-bags who sit around an extra hour polishing off your bottle of wine per person. - if it's busy, cut your losses and go somewhere else immediately. maybe this place is lovely and worthwhile when it isn't a competition between the staff and the customers to see who can look more pissed off. overall. obviously, there is something to this place because there were crowds and people were willing to put up with the poorly managed nightmare scenario, as presented, and maybe some day I will give it another try. But for now, it gets a two (rhymes with booo).
(2)Stacie P.
This place is hap, hap, happening! I went to dinner here last night with my sister and cousin and every table was occupied, the line to order went out the door and people just kept coming. I've driven by here countless times and I always think Olive Garden when I pass by and thought they served Italian food but much to my surprise it was all Greek to me. I love Greek food, especially since it's more vegetarian than meat. I'm not a vegetarian but there are just some days I prefer to eat like one. The place is super casual. You order at the counter, wait for your name to be called, pick up your food and pay when your order is ready and find a seat. There's both indoor and outdoor seating with more outdoor than indoor seats. You can BYOB. They provide you wine glasses and have a variety of different wine openers available for use next to the register; pop your bottle and leave the wine opener for the next person. We sat outside and it was funny to watch everyone coming in with their bottles of wine in tow. The menu is not that extensive, especially when it comes to the entrees but they do have specials - just remember to ask as they were advertised. Between the 3 of us we ordered 2 Falafels and a special, which was half an eggplant stuffed with cheese and some other non meat products I can't remember. My sister and I split the falafel and eggplant so I got to taste both and they were GOOD! The falafel was super yummy thanks to their delicious tahini sauce that's slathered all over it. Our entrees come with a salad and pita bread. For some reason I thought the salad was super yummy; I don't know if they do anything special to it other than cut up lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers but I am a fan. In addition to our entrees we ordered the hummus and grape leaves for appetizers. I wish I had known all of our dishes came with pita bread (maybe I didn't read the menu well) otherwise I would've just ordered hummus since we had quite a bit of carbs to go around with the pita from our entrees, as well as the appetizers; this is my only critique. The grape leaves were surprisingly tasty. I've had grape leaves before and I didn't really care for them so when my sister wanted to order them I wasn't all that excited but they turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We all agreed that we're coming back again. Next time, though, I'll remember to bring more wine since one bottle was definitely not enough for us. Also, I'll remember to bring cash; they don't accept debit or credit cards. Ironically enough, though, they will take a personal check with a photo ID; aren't checks archaic nowadays?
(4)Duncan H.
Love Olive Tree because their food is consistent. Every time I go I always know that my food will be fresh and the same quality. I'm a huge fan on falafel and dolmas. The soup is also very, very good. Seating can sometimes be tough to find, but hey what can you expect since everyone in the neighborhood loves this place. Don't forget it's BYOB!
(5)Jules F.
How can food that tastes this good be this inexpensive? Highly recommend the lamb or fish souvlaki (I have actually seen them bring in an 80 pound fish with 2 big Greek guys, through their doorway. It's THAT fresh.) Only thing you have to watch out for is the Friday and Saturday lineup, because the locals know about this place. Generally a 45 min wait so go early or get takeout on weekends. Also, it's BYOB with a wine shop next door. As if it weren't already inexpensive!
(5)Christian R.
Hold tight
(4)Traci C.
Hands down, my FAVORITE place to have Greek food! This place has been here since I was growing up, and the funny thing is...I always order the same things each time I go. I like to order the chicken souvlaki (which is pretty much like a pita bread stuffed with chicken, onions, and some kind of sauce that is AMAZING), grape leaves, and hummus with extra pita bread. A few tips for the hungry: make sure you get a table ASAP because they are usually busy all the time (unless you go right when it opens). Parking isn't the easiest either, so you may have to park in McDonald's next door or in Kahala Mall. The food can take a little longer as well, sometimes 25-30 minutes, so take-out is always an option.
(5)Annie W.
The lamb shaorma is not my favorite here. It's grounded up lamb, flattened to patty style, served in hummus, tahini like sauce wrapped in pita bread. I'm not sure if it was the spices, but it smelled and tasted sort of weird to me. I can pass on this one for $9.50 and pay a bit more for their souvlaki. The lamb souvlaki was a different story. Chunk of lamb, cooked on a skewers and then released onto a nice sized pita bread. The amount of dill yogurt sauce they laid over it was a bit much, but the meat was still heavenly. Take a bite and see how perfectly red it's cooked and there is absolutely no gamey taste. I couldn't help, but to think of how much more tastier it would have been, if there were some hot sauce to add to this dish. With that said, we came, we tried and we still heart The Fat Greek. I would still return for the souvlaki, but the cash only deal is not cool. I do however appreciate the fact that they accept local checks. Finding a seat is like pulling teeth here. It's a chill ambiance and I understand why the BYOB is so common with a small wine store next door.
(3)Nicole A.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. When I lived in the neighborhood, I ate here at least twice a week. Back on the mainland now, but I still crave this place! Everything is good!
(5)Ashleigh C.
I'll start off with saying that I love this places atmosphere. The decor definitely had me feeling like I had escaped to Greece. Alright so the food.. was just okay to me. I ordered the hummus to begin my meal. The hummus was boring and the pita bread was mediocre. Then I had the chicken souvlaki which was tasty. The portions were smaller than I expected as well. The dressing on their side salads was pretty good too, it had a nice saltiness.Before I left I had ordered their special for that day "to go"; it was a Greek version of lasagna, again it was tasty but I would't say there was anything special about it. I'd eat here again but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit. I must say though, if you want some delicious Mediterranean food, visit It's Good and Healthy Cafe Downtown. I'll be posting a review on them soon.
(3)Florence K.
Arguably one of the best, or THE best Greek restaurant in Hawaii...or of the ones I have tried, and I think I've been to quite a few. Located next to Wahoo's Fish Tacos near Kahala Mall, this place really is a treat for those who are craving Greek. Unfortunately, there aren't many parking stalls out in front so you may be better off parking near McDonalds in the mall. Food here is delicious! I ordered the lamb souvlaki and I got warm pita bread stuffed with juicy pieces of lamb and great tzatziki sauce. I also tried a bite of my boyfriend's shaorma, which I really enjoyed the flavor of. The spices really mixed well in the patty. Olive tree Cafe has the best Greek food I have yet tried. They offer a good variety of food although I'll still probably stick with the lamb souvlaki the next time I return. I just enjoyed it that much! The restaurant was packed as we grabbed the table that opened up in front of us as we walked in. They only accept cash, so make sure you're prepared when you order!
(5)Crissy K.
Screw it. Despite the ever-rising prices and the fact that they take a while to get your food to you, this place deserves five stars. BEST GREEK FOOD EVER. OK, so I haven't been to Greece . . . but I challenge you to find a better babaghanoush. You won't. It just isn't possible. Plus, I hadn't been here in forever (last time I tried to go, they were closed for deep cleaning), and the guy still remember who I was. I'm fairly convinced that said guy has worked here forever because he gets free food. Heck, the prospect of free Olive Tree makes ME consider that second job.
(5)Angela K.
Good greek food in Hawaii! yes! One of my favorite Greek/Mediterranean foods are falafels! and this place had some pretty good ones - wished they didn't drench it in the sauce in the pita, so I can enjoy the flavor and texture of the balls. Came with a side salad that i ended up stuffing into the pita to become a more complete pita sandwich. Paired it up with a cup of their mango nectar - thick mango sherbet like drink. yummy! Hummus was good with the warm pitas. The guy even gave us more pitas with no charge - mahalos! However, when i wanted a cup of water, he wanted to charge me 50cents. odd that didn't charge me for the extra pitas but did for the water cup. Would come back to get my greek/mediterranean fix. there's a wine bar next door, would come back with some wine with my dinner next.
(4)kristine f.
Mmmmm...!!! Olive Tree makes me happy happy. I love their Baba Ganoush and Hummus. The warm slices of pita dabbed with Olive oil and a generous serving of hummus makes me happy. I usually get the chicken or lamb soulvaki. Though, the last time the lamb was a little gamey but nonetheless still very tender. I love how simple the menu is but the food is far from simple. The refills on soda are free, who does that nowadays?! The people behind the counter are also very helpful with selections. I always leave happy. Try the Tabouleh Salad it's fresh and oh so tasty and is perfect for sharing. My only complaint about Olive Tree is the lack of parking and sparse seating area. I had dinner with my girlfriends last week and I had to park at the mall and walk over, which isn't such a big deal. But when you're hungry and all you can think about is that savory pita slathered with Hummus it seems like a big deal to park a block away.
(4)Trish P.
this place is..... just ok. i'm giving them a 3 b/c the food was not horrible. it was pretty good, but it seemed more like something you should get from a food truck rather than a restaurant. i tried the falafel and their shaorma sandwiches. their falafel is a hearty eating sandwich, but a little on the small side. AND at over $9 i was expecting more food. the shaorma is the same thing.... it is a tasty sandwich, similar to a gyro, but the meat is in a more patty like form. this too is over $9. the sandwiches come with a small side salad, but again.... at over $9? thats a bit pricey for the amount of food, and the overall quality. i would have been able to overlook cost if the service was stellar, or if there was something about the atmosphere that just blew me away - but those things did not happen.... the guy taking your order was pretty stoic and a little impatient, and really no one looked happy to be in there. i can NOT see myself visiting this place regularly - but, if one of my friends wants to eat here, and i'm in the area, i'll probably go. just an FYI - this place is BYOB and CASH ONLY.
(3)Elyse Q.
Their food is border line average/nasty. Service is okay. Price for the portions are unreasonable. The environment is unpleasant. I had the Lamb Souvlaki: Pita bread tastes like it's from costco (definitely not fresh). Lamb was okay a little too chewy. Sauce had too much garlic (I like food with lots of garlic but this made me feel nauseous). Leaves in the salad were wilted. Dressing given was bland. Service: Line wait is about 10 minutes Food wait is over 20 minutes (which I don't get because the composition of the food is not that complicated) Don't accept credit or debit cards (this is inconvenient but fine) Don't accept PENNIES!!! (Apparently they are too good for pennies) They are semi polite (probably because they are crazy busy) You pay when you get your food (this made me feel awkward, but whatever) There is no area for those who ordered take out to wait. Either wait awkwardly by the second door way that has heavy in and out traffic orrrrr get into a beef with the other table sharks :( Make sure you ask for forks and napkins because I had none!!! I know they're busy but I mean COME ON!!! That's restaurant basics. What am I supposed to do go back to my cave man roots and eat with my hands. Seriously. Price to portions: The Lamb Souvlaki which contains sauce and about a small handful of meat in a pita with a small side salad (ummm...okay where did my $12.00 go?) Environment: Music is a little too loud for such a small room but they play Greek music... cool for the first few minutes. Spaces between tables and tables to traffic areas are way too cramped. Tables are round and small. I was touching knees with my friends if I scooted in but if I scooted out i would be in the walk way :( Furniture is kinda cute All around decor...boring
(2)Arthur S.
Probably the best greek food place ive been too, open in the evenings. The place itself isn't very big which leaves limited seating, i believe there is covered outside seating, but since it is so popular it is best to go early. It can be a little loud everyone is socializing and having a great time. I had the spread, since im a fan of caviar, the rice, and a dish wrapped in some sort of leaves with olives. I also tried a meat dish called baklava which was great. They have other things and meats to chose from which can be wrapped in a fullafle, as well as salads. But id have to say the food is not only delicious but very healthy! so you cant go wrong here :)
(5)Justin E.
One of my favorite places in the world to eat! Outstanding food: lemon rice soup (forgot the greek name) and the feta cheese / olive plate are my favorites. So why not five stars? Because they don't take credit cards. Some people are yelping about parking, but when it's completely full, it's worth the 1 minute walk to just park at Kahala mall (where there's always abundant parking) and walk over - minor inconvenience. But not taking credit cards when a normal meal for two runs $25-$40 is a significant inconvenience. I've always wondered why some restaurants do that. Is it a matter of principle? If so, I can understand a little... credit card companies have got a line in our bloodstreams skimming 2-3% off practically every transaction that occurs in the world (not to mention then also charging 10%-23% APR on the customer side for any revolving balance)... vampires. But, bank cards with a visa or mc logo are another story, which I depend on. Nobody carries large amounts of cash on a regular basis anymore, and so visits to places like Olive Tree require extra forethought and a trip to the nearby FHB ATM. I understand them not wanting to pay the 2-3% on every transaction, but I think they should then offer the customer a choice... pay cash for regular prices, or offer credit card processing for an additional, small fee. That's what they used to do at gas stations... remember those days? Anyhoo, nuff said.
(4)Whisper L.
food was okay but SERVICE SUCKS! Impatient ppl not adept at customer service.
(1)Jesse C.
Byob with a nice wine store next door. What more can you ask for? Ah yes. Great greek food! I dont know why I havent found this place sooner but I absolutely love it here. The lamb soulvaki is onolicious. (I've tried the fish and chicken. Lamb by far is the best choice.) If you order the hummus or baba ghanoush get an extra of pita bread. You'll thank me later. I didnt think the Dolmathakia (grape leaves stuffed with rice) would work for me but it totally does. The only thing I didnt like was the baklava. Its drenched with honey; much too sweet for me. As everyone else says, come early. It gets crowded and there are a limited number of seats. You pay after you recieve your meal but they wont make your food till you have a seat. So be an early bird, bring a bottle of wine, put your okole down, and gourge on the greek grinds.
(4)Karen D.
Yassou, Olive Tree Cafe'! After hearing so much about you, it's good to meet you--finally. As a loyal customer of The Fat Greek, I was skeptical that your food would impress me more than theirs. But as I say in my headline, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Having read about you in advance from my fellow Yelpers, I chose to visit you on a weekday evening at 5:00pm when you would be less busy. I had no trouble parking in your small shared parking lot. I was first in line (after the numerous call-in orders), so I received my food relatively quickly and got my pick of tables on the lanai. This made my meal much more enjoyable than it might have been otherwise! I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed your food as much as my beloved Fat Greek! I even liked your salad better because your salad dressing is nóstima--delicious! (I just wish you would put kalamata olives in it and give me more feta cheese on top.) For comparison purposes, I ordered the lamb souvlaki and domathes, my favorites at TFG. I liked yours as much, but not more than, The Other Place. For my final comparison, not to mention top off an 'onolicious meal, I ordered your baklava, which I like from you-know-where. Yours was equally good but the portion size is much bigger! Lastly, it was kind of fun to listen to cheesy Greek music in the background (where it belongs) instead of loud soul music that blasts me out of my seat at times and makes it hard to converse at TFG. (I like soul music, but not that much!) Because I like you a lot, I will tell my fellow Yelpers that you are located on Kilauea right behind Kahala Mall at Pahoa. Accessing your parking lot is a pain in the 'okole, so I will let everyone know that to pull into your undersized parking lot, you must approach from the Kilauea side and pull into the driveway immediately after you pass McDonald's. If you pass it and come to Pahoa, just turn 'ewa (right) and park on the street--you probably wouldn't have gotten a space anyway. A really important thing my Yeeps need to know is that you are one of those annoying places that is CASH ONLY and that you are BYOB but that you charge for every cup (I would bring glasses from home). Your method of ordering is a little quirky--customers order at the counter, wait at the table, pick up at the counter, and then pay. Your in-house soft drink prices are decent--a soda is just $0.96 and you don't charge for refills. Awwwright! Olive Tree Cafe', you converted me from a doubter to a believer, and I am now a fan. A hui hou! Yelp 365 Challenge #19/365
(4)Shay F.
I love love love the hummas here. That's the best. Today I had the falafa...however you spell that. It's these spicy vegetarian balls. LoL.
(4)Kit T.
Dear owner - your sorta decent food is ruined time and again by obnoxious servers contriving to make OTC their friends' playground - rudeness, picking and choosing who to serve and in what order, happily chatting and showering attention on certain parties and actively ignoring others, laughingly letting one sprawling hipster take over three tables during the dinner rush - not eating or ordering anything for the 45 minutes we were there as people waited in line and got turned away for tables. Who is watching this hen house? Time to clean house and pay more attention to the hiring process. Plus, I think it is illegal (in addition to stingy and inhuman) to charge for water (!?), restaurants must provide water on request. Dear servers: If you must be a self-important douche bag, go work for a velvet rope nightclub. Otherwise, wake up and smell the humanity.
(2)Darren N.
Getting there: Easy to find and access from the street. Parking is free but space is limited. Alternate parking can be found a short walk over at the mall. Ambiance: Cafe style seating indoors and outdoors. The chairs are plastic but are level and comfortable enough; the tables are smooth surfaced and not low quality painted metal. Service: Friendly and courteous table preparation and food delivery but since it is a cafe you must grab your own seat and account for your own utensils and drinks. No courtesy water. Food: Based on the hummus and olive oil pita bread, lamb slouvaki, and baklava, I can say that Greek food is something I can enjoy despite being picky. The food was tasty. Who to bring: Bring no more than 4 in my opinion because space and seating is limited. How much to bring: Enough dough to pay for a movie ticket and some popcorn if you plan on ordering more than just one dish. Verdict: Due to the fact that Greek food is not something I seek out and the fact that it seems to be a lot of hassle to get a table since the place is popular (and could stand to expand to a larger sized restaurant) I can only give this place 3 stars. Final notes: They only accept cash.
(3)Fawn L.
This place is good. I'm not a big Greek food person, but I will continue to eat here. I always get their fish pita thing & salad. I've had their baklava as well & it's tasty. If you come here expect to wait! It takes about 15 minutes to order, 20-45 minutes to find a table, & about 20-30 minutes to get your food. Get there early if you can.
(3)J W.
Love this place & am only taking off a star because they don't take credit cards. Lemon soup is divine. The Greek lasagna is yummy with the right amount of creamy cheese & lamb (weekly special). Caviar dip yummy (get extra pita & great w/ lemon). Stuffed grape leaves & Greek salad...everything is perfect in taste! We prefer take out because it gets crowded & parking is tight.
(4)Malia D.
Best Greek food on the island of Oahu
(5)Guava G.
I'm a frequent customer at this place! I have no complaints in the service or the quality of food. My favorite things to eat are the salads, Souvlaki, mussels, babaganoush, soup, and they usually have a special every night that has never been disappointing. It is a trusted go-to for take-out for us. Just call ahead and make sure you have cash at pick up!
(5)Karen L.
Ordered the Fish and friend ordered the Lamb. Both served wrapped in a pita with dressing. Salad has a vey good dressing on it. I will go again! Only bad thing is waiting for your food. But that happens when it is all cooked fresh I guess. It is a BYOB but the wine shop is the very next door over. A nice fit.
(4)Ira J.
I love Olive Tree Café like a good man loves a good woman. A good man doesn't love his woman except for her faults. He doesn't love her in spite of her faults. He loves all of her; her faults included. While Olive Tree Café does a lot of thing rights, she does have some faults. Getting a table from her is the most obvious one; everyone seems to love her and she doesn't have enough tables to satisfy them all. Getting my table requires me to have a keen eye, quick reflexes, a plan, and having a partner helps. She offers no service to speak of; I stand in line to order. One of her staff calls my name when my appetizers are ready, and I go back to her counter to get them myself. I am called again when my entrées are ready. Her staff will bus her tables, but due to the seating issues, they likely won't clear my dishes until after someone else is at my table; and similarly, I will likely be seated before the dishes of the previous diners have been cleared. She only accepts cash. I wouldn't mention this as a fault if it were not for her next fault. That is that she is kind of pricey for a cash only establishment. I can sit inside or out, but either way my view will be of her tiny parking lot. I usually find little specks of black stuff at the bottom of my water glass. I don't know what it is, but it's heavy enough that it stays put at the bottom as I drink from the top. I politely don't mention it. To do otherwise would not be very gentlemanly. She's never open for lunch. I get to spend time with her on her schedule, not mine. Yes, I love all these faults of hers. While Olive Tree Café does some things wrong, she does have plenty of beautiful aspects. Obviously, her food is exceptional: I always start with a bowl of her Avgo Lemono (egg lemon soup). It is so hot and tasty, just like a first kiss when you haven't seen your woman in a long while. Occasionally, I'll also have her pita with hummus; it's warm, soft and enticing. For the main course, most often, I will get her lamb souvlaki. She serves it up hot, saucy and so satisfying! She never gives me more than I can handle, nor does she leave me wanting for more. Dinner with a good woman deserves a good wine. She has that covered. She allows BYOB, and she doesn't charge me a corkage fee. Her ambience and her festive atmosphere seem magical. It's like staring into the eyes of a beautiful woman. I love the way she makes me feel by just being with her. So, when it comes to Olive Tree Café for me, it is not about making a weighted list of her pros verses her cons, nor is it about considering what changes might make her better. It's about loving the whole experience just the way she is. This review, my 100th, is my love letter to Olive Tree Café. Don't change a thing about yourself!
(5)Manda S.
Whenever I'm in the Kahala area, I tend to get a craving for Greek...except it's always during lunch-time and the Olive Tree Cafe isn't open. Sad Panda. :( I've been dying to try this place forever and I finally got the chance to come for dinner last week. This place definitely lived up to my expectations: - BF, Friend, and I all got the lamb souvlaki. It comes with a full kabob's worth of lamb in a respectable sized warm pita and served with that tasty white sauce (I wanna say it's called tzatziki) with a salad on the side. I really enjoyed my food--I was the first to finish at the table! I really liked the salad. The sauce wasn't overpowering and it complemented the perfectly cooked lamb very nicely. Only con to this dish is that bigger eaters might not be satisfied. I was happy but BF and Friend wish they had ordered 2 plates. - The staff here is awesome. I was eyeing out that scrumptious looking baklava the entire time I was standing in line and the cashier guy noticed, cut me a sample piece, and let me try it. It tasted very rich in honey--it was heavenly. If you order this, I promise you won't be dissapointed. - This place also has a really cool atmosphere--it's BYOB so bring your own wine, kick back, and enjoy awesome food with good friends! (If you didn't bring your own, Olive Tree has a little shop next to it that sells Greek wine and other tasty things) I'd come to this place every night for dinner if I could--the specials change regularly and they all look extremely delicious. I'm definitely getting the hummus next time, and perhaps an appetizer? As a side note: - Olive Tree is CASH ONLY. - BF and Friend are more experienced with the Greek eateries on this island then I am. They thought the food was good but for the price and portion size, you can get better elsewhere. - This lot can get pretty crazy (it's shared between Olive Tree, Subway, and Wahoo's Kahala). Pass through it and I'd say there's a 50/50 chance you'll get lucky but if you see a line of cars sticking out the driveway, I recommend parking on the street.
(4)Jenny C.
Oh-my-awesomeness. I don't think I've had good Greek food until I dined here! We got here early on a weeknight so we didn't have to deal with much of a crowd. Very casual sit-down eatery - we noticed a lot of older relaxed folks come in with their own bottles of wine. On to the food! Hummus with Pita Bread - Can't get better than this. The pita bread was fresh, hot, soft, pillowy and perfect. The hummus - this beats any version you buy in the supermarket by far. I tasted a strong sesame flavor...and a bit of a kick. And garlic, who doesn't love garlic? The perfect dish, truly. Lamb Souvlaki - Wonderful! A whole pita served with a skewer of perfectly cooked lamb (unskewered of course) along with a generous helping of tzatziki sauce. The souvlaki is served along side a simple greek salad which was GREAT. I need their salad dressing recipe - because that stuff is like crack. I noticed that they had a big bunch of take-out orders before they even opened, boxes were being stacked up as we were dining. Reasonable price and great food - you can't go wrong! Cash only.
(5)Kristine M.
Why the 3 stars? When I spend my hard earned money, I expect AWESOMENESS in return. I don't feel awesome when I eat here. The only thing that keeps me from screaming out in frustration is the falafel in my mouth. True, the food is quite delicious. I also really do enjoy the chicken souvlaki. What I don't enjoy is the not-so-awesome service. You have to wait in a long line to order - some buttheads will cut and pretend to be looking at the menu, this happened to me... twice. You can only pay cash... SURPRISE!!! You have to pay for a cup of water - mine had weird little things floating around at the bottom, didn't notice it till I was 3/4 done. You have to practically knock people out to get a table - jump on it, or you'll be waiting around forever. Most of the staff are really nice and friendly! One is not. He helped two people who WEREN'T in line while I waited patiently in front of the register. He laughed and made jokes, opened a bottle of wine, then when it was my turn, he made eye-contact, and walked to the back of the kitchen. Seriously... what the??? Another guy came by asking if I had been helped yet. Uhhhh... no. Then when it was time to pick up my order, same dude kept it waiting on the side while he counted money. Grrrrrrr... Considering the service, I think there are better places out there. Places located in Koko Marina. It starts with a "G" and rhymes with "Reek Marina". Hahahahah!!!
(3)Angelica Z.
The fish souvlaki was ok - nothing to write home about. It was tasty, but nothing amazing. The portion size was a little disappointing -- 13.50 for a little side salad and the souvlaki (with no table service, either)???? That's a little too steep for my law school student budget. A few friends had the lamb souvlaki. The general consensus was that it was standard (nothing crazy) and overly dry. Parking was pretty limited-I felt lucky to get a parking spot! I do wish I could give this place an additional 1/2 star, since they accommodated our group of 8. The lady taking our orders was also very pleasant and helpful. Overall, I was underwhelmed, which is a huge disappointment since I wanted to like this cute cafe!
(3)Michelle H.
Anytime I am in the mood for Greek, Olive Tree is always my first choice. Make sure you have cash, get there early and bring your own wine. I came here last night and tried their Shaorma instead of the lamb Souvlaki that I usually order. I am so glad I tried something new because it was great. I liked it much better than the sometimes hit or miss souvlaki. If you do order the souvalki, always go with lamb. The chicken and fish souvlaki are a bit dry for my liking. Also, the tarama salata or the greek caviar spread is a must try!! Oh and there is a wine shop right next door, making it all too easy to buy new bottles of wine when the first bottle runs out :) Great atmosphere and good food.
(4)Brent S.
Great food, always crowded. We don't come here often because it's always super crowded and it takes a while to get your food. But it's definitely worth the wait. Plus it's pretty cheap for the quality you get. The Lamb Souvlaki is extremely flavorful with a decent portion size. I could eat the Hummus with Pita Bread everyday. My wife always gets the Baklava. And even their salad dressing is the perfect compliment. They do take phone orders, so actually, we should probably just do that to avoid the wait.
(4)Cy C.
In the words of a Greek poet, "The greatest pleasure of life is love." Let me just say I love me some Olive Tree Cafe. One word, "nostimo" which means delicious in Greek. Okay I'll be honest I looked up the definition, but I couldn't find the words to describe my love in English. I believe the best way to honor this wonderful place is to describe this place in its native language. May Mount Olympus continue to bless us mortals with gifts like the Olive Tree Cafe. Okay not to sound over dramatic but ohhhh the hummus with pita would make the greek gods of Mount Olympus happy. When I was asked if I wanted to eat greek food, I had to think about that. See my only recollection of greek food is Gyros from Jack in a box. Quick note, why do they pronounce it Year-ohs...I can never say it correctly. So was my fast food Gyro eating butt ready for real greek food? Olive Tree Cafe has a small parking lot (only negative) and hard to find parking. We had to find street parking, luckily we had more luck finding a table. Okay remember my theory if there is a line it must be good and yes there was a line. I love greek food, or is it just this place? Recommend going early and expect a wait for a table. We ordered the tabouleh (herb salad with awesome dressing), hummus (see above) and Lamb Tslouvaki. Okay I can dip that Tslouvaki white sauce with anything. Great food and a lot healthier than a plate lunch. Definitely worth every dollar. Thank you Zeus!!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!........BYOB!!!! (nuff said) HOORAY for OLIVE TREE CAFE
(4)Sean K.
We've got a Live One here! No ZOmbies, Braaaain Eaters or Walking Dead at the Olive Tree. A quaint, fabulous Greek restaurant tucked into a condensed corner by the Kahala Mall serves up some of the best Greek food and ambiance on the islands. As you approach the restaurant it's clear that seating is limited and highly desired. One could say it's first cone first served, but it's really based on your ability to stand in the right place at the right time. Waiting for a table is worth it. However, if your with more than 6 people you better have a serious strategy or be willing to wait. Most tables occupy 4-6 people. The food is great. The Olive Tree offers all of the essential, well known Greek-style dishes and more. When you go, ask about the special. It's usually something off the 'beaten' path and it's usually great. The energy, the simple decor, the tight quarters and the festive Mediterranean style music supplement the splendid tastes. The Olive Tree is a fantastic place to wet your appetite, meet with friends and to rejuvenate your desire to travel to far off lands with exotic smells, sounds and faces. The prices are average. Pay as you pick up, seat yourself and BYOB. "Not to ZomBie"; there is way to much life pumping at the Olive Tree.
(5)Janet K.
If you want Greek food, this is the place to go! In my opinion, it's the best on this island. They have daily specials which include my favorites: Tuesday's Chicken Saffron (chicken in a tomato saffron sauce over basmati rice) or Sunday's Spanokopita. My other favorites include... Fish Souvlaki Mussel Ceviche (appetizer) Taramasalata (appetizer an alternative to hummus) Stuffed Grape Leaves (appetizer) BYOB and you can buy a nice bottle of wine next door (same owner). No corkage fee! Cash only! Get there early because it gets ridiculously packed.
(5)Tyler D.
Hands down the best Greek eats on Oahu. It isn't as cheap as some of the other spots, but it is the best we have here. I think the sauces could be a little better (I like some spicy sauce like at the fat greek), but other than that, this place is the bomb. Great apps too. It is a bit of a gourmet Greek spot.
(5)Ryan D.
Very good food. It has the appearance of a family run business; the service was helpful and friendly. Highly recommend.
(5)Ben Y.
Too long of a wait
(1)Margaret W.
Really tatsy food, small venue, reasonable prices, byob. It gets packed, the owner seems to be frazzled but very nice. Overall, delish place to stop for dinner, I only wish it were larger and opened earlier.
(4)Katie K.
I'm a sucker for Greek food. Throw some lamb in warm pita bread and I'm in heaven. I think Olive Tree Cafe is right up there at the top when it comes to Greek food in Honolulu. So far I have only tried the Lamb Souvlaki but it was amazing and I'll have a hard time trying anything but this! The lamb was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. And the other reviews aren't kidding--the salad dressing that comes with the side Greek salad (included with the souvlaki; $12 for the plate) is delicious! Unfortunately they are only open for dinner so I can't eat here everyday. Damn you night job! And although they are a tad bit pricier than the Fat Greek (I'm comparing it to my normal order of a gyro plate), the quality of their food is sooooo worth it! I even saw a sign that they use local farms for the greens and veggies--yay! I was so stoked with everything on my plate, from the lamb and tzaziki sauce to the perfectly ripe cherry tomatoes, that I will probably be back for more take out on my next night off! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
(5)LesliAnn K.
Over the past couple years, I have become a bonafide Greek food fan. Maybe its that hummus, or yogurt tzatziki sauce, but I just LOVE Greek food. Its so fun and exotic. And on the island, I have to say that this place has the best Greek food. I love the atmosphere, with the vines hanging down from the ceiling, Greek music playing, Blue and white color scheme, outdoor casual setting, Perfect for a casual date, to catch up with the girls (maybe a small group since space is tight) under the twinkling Christmas lights hung all year round. Souvlaki!!!! Fish or Lamb is my recommendation. Right next door there's a wine shop that has all kinds of Greek specialties and products including Greek cheese, gelato. I don't have to leave the island to feel like I've stepped into Greece, even for a little bit! Just a tip, BYOB, because they charge you 50 cents for a cup of water...no way you say?...oh yes they do.
(4)Elle T.
Here's another example of a restaurant in Honolulu that was once very good, but over the years has let its standards in all significant areas (quality, quantity, customer service) slide waaaaaaay downhill. I've been here twice in the last eight months or so. In my second to last visit, I noticed the changes in the quality of their meats (which were dry), the tastefulness of their hummus and baba ganoush (which were bland and overly oily), and the freshness of the produce in their salad (which were old, almost wilting). I overlooked these issues because I have always enjoyed coming here with friends, and thought it could've been a one-time thing. Service here was never very friendly, so I didn't take notice of that during this visit. However, in my most recent visit several weeks ago, the things I mentioned above were glaringly bad, too much so to ignore. I ordered take out. Despite the fact that I tipped the owner when I arrived, he barely made eye contact with me and didn't even have the decency to hand my order to me. Second, when I got home, the salad looked completely unappetizing. Like something you'd expect from a fast food chain. I ordered the lamb souvlaki, and it was disgusting. The cuts of meat were fatty, chewy, and dry. I shudder just thinking about it. Lastly, I see that they now charge for wine glasses, which is total BS. First of all, THIS IS NOT A "CORKAGE FEE" as others have described it, so customers are not getting off cheap in that area. Corkage fees apply only to places that have licenses to sell liquor. These restaurants in turn charge a fee to customers who bring in their own wine in order to compensate for money lost in alcohol sales. Restaurants like Olive Tree that have no liquor license cannot charge corkage fees, which is why other BYOB restaurants do not charge you for bringing in your own alcohol. Sure, you can bring your own glasses and avoid Olive Tree's so-called "glass fee," which is only 50 cents per glass. But it's the principle behind this policy that really irks me. They actually have the nerve to state that they are trying to conserve water by asking customers to bring in their own glasses. WTF??? This is NOT an environmentally-friendly policy, I don't care how they try to spin it- customers who bring in their own glasses will still need to wash them at home, so water is still being used, only at the customers' expense. Or, customers will bring in paper or plastic cups which will be thrown away at the end of their meal (still no benefit to the environment!).
(2)Mark F.
I've eaten here three times. I've lived 1/2 of my life in Europe and had access to excellent Greek restaurants. The Greek flavors at the Olive Tree Cafe are quite good, but the portions are small generally, and small for the price. You have to stand in line to order, and then your name is called out so that you can go pick up your food at the counter. The white Zaziki sauce they use is way too thin and should be made of strained Greek yoghurt which has had much of the water removed. Unfortunately, the Olive Tree Cafe is about as good as it gets for Honolulu where overall I find restaurants disappointing compared to all the ethnic restaurants I've experienced in Germany. This restaurant needs to find a new location and expand their menu. Parking is usually a problem, and seating is crowded and tight.
(2)John F.
Excellent, really ono Greek food, cooked to perfection. You should order the specials of the evening, which always change, and go back many times to try all the items on their menu. Prices are reasonably good. The only negatives are: 1) you better get there by 5:30 p.m., otherwise you won't find any parking, unless you park at Kahala Mall and walk over. 2) The place is always packed, and you will have to wait for a table to empty if you get there after 6 p.m. (They don't take reservations). The small wine shop adjoining the restaurant makes money big time, because their prices are reasonable, wine selection is very good, and Olive Tree has no liquor license, so you can buy or bring your own wine, beer, or ouzo.
(4)COURTNEY K.
Fun little outdoor seating place to BYOB with friends.
(4)Annie H.
I was super stoked to try this place based on the reviews here. Their avgolemono soup is GREAT. Everything else is kind of meh (we had falafel and a gyro). Needs more seasoning and more punch. And the salad tasted like it had been dressed a few hours ago - ick. The pita and hummus are gooood though. Staff is nice, though, and the patio is great. I like the wine/cheese shop next door better than the restaurant itself - I think it's the same owners. CASH ONLY!! Kind of a minus for me, but as long as I know beforehand, whatever.
(3)Allysa L.
This place can't get any better. Olive Tree Cafe has become my favorite dinner place. Food is good, I love the specials. BYOB and glasses. I see people bringing little coolers and pretty glassware, this place has such a great vibe, its always enjoyable to go. Food is priced very well. Their Lamb and Fish souvlaki comes with a salad (very fresh, not the pale iceberg prepackaged kind.) I like to get their hummus and pita bread as an appetizer but they have other great ones. I wish they had more seating but the lack of multiple tables makes the place seem cozy so doesn't affect me enough to stop coming.
(5)a c.
I heart Olive Tree Cafe. My friends & I have been eating here for the past ten years. We love the food, the atmosphere & the music they play. We almost always order their fish souvlakis, 1/2 & 1/2 hummus & baba ghanoush, mussels, giant bean salad, egg lemon soup & baklava. Their ingredients are always fresh & their pitas soft. It's a quick decision on a hungry night. I would easily give Olive Tree five stars, but they started charging their patrons for water cups which I find petty & greedy. Especially when our tab is easily $50+. Aside from that, if you want Mediterranean food, this is the place to be!
(4)Awa R.
Best greek food on the island!! Can get crowded on the weekends so come early. BYOB and wine is always a plus! Highly recommend! :)
(4)Jonn D.
Rating: 4/5 (There's always room for improvement...and parking is one of 'um.) Date(s) visited: 12/08/2010, once before this visit. Food: 4/5 Drink: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Parking: 2/5 I was craving Greek cuisine tonight, and this is the place to go. Food: Good. I would type what I had, but I can't spell the item. Sovlaki? Drinks: BYOB Baby! You can bring anything you want. There's a wine shop next door, so that's a bonus. Service: They got the food out pretty quickly, even though the place was packed. Atmosphere: More outside seating than indoor seating. Price: Pricey, but if you're craving for some Greek Food, it won't matter. Parking: During peak dinner dining hours, parking is impossible.
(4)Liz C.
I love this little tast of Greece in the middle of Honolulu! My sister-in-law took me here the other night and it was awesome. We definantley ran into some of her friends there so i am thinking that it is a pretty regular spot here. I loved the Tabuloueh salad and the chicken sluvlaki ( I think I spelled that wrong and its 7 am and I dont want to google the spelling, you guys are smart figure it out). Wine shop next door, but I would bring a bottle from home as they do not serve liquor. I will be back!
(4)Marie M.
Okay seriously this place is super overrated! I came here do to all the good ratings from other yelpers when really I should've been reading the bad ratings. First of all I thought I was going to get some real authentic Greek food when I came here but what I got was something you would expect to get at a fast food joint at best. I ordered the swoarma slovaki which was suppose to be a spicy ground lamb patty with tomatoes and onions along with a tahini sauce. First of all the lamb was cold and bland, the tomatoes didn't seem fresh at all, the sauce was watery (my understanding is that it's suppose to be made with yogurt) and the pita was obviously store bought not fresh. All of that disappointment for over $9. The side salad was pretty fresh but still that doesn't validate the disappointment for a first time eater of Greek food! I also ordered the hummus with pita for an appetizer which cost another $5. And to be honest I was even more disappointed with this dish then I was with the main dish. First of all the hummus was super bland. It was like eating mashed up cardboard, not to mention that they put way too much oil on it which did absolutely nothing for the quality. And the little pita pieces that came with it was still store bought, soggy and seriously too small to fill anyone's appetite! The baklava was pretty good though and was moist (the most flavorful thing that I ordered) but as small as the piece was and it cost me almost $3. REALLY?!?! If I wanted fast food I would've just went to McDonald's since I was parked in their parking lot anyway (parking at OTC sucks!). I will definitely not be going back to this place again. My search for real Greek food continues.
(1)Anna K.
I love the food here. The atmosphere is really chill since you order at the counter and wait for your name to be called. The workers come by every now and then to clean up but they pretty much leave you alone to eat. The bad part about this place is the small parking lot and limited seating. However, you can park on the street if you don't mind walking. I suggest that you go when it opens or around 8 to beat the rush. It's byob so you can always pick up drinks from Longs or their own wine store which is located next to the restaurant itself. My favorite thing has to be the falafel, mussels, and hummus. The falafel is sooooooooooo good that I don't even share because it pains me to share it with someone so that they can have a taste. Get your own! Jk.. but not really.
(5)Russell G.
I love this place. It is worth me driving from Waikele to Kahala Mall for it. You can call ahead and order to go, you can come in and order to go or you can eat at the venue. The place itself is very small. There are a few tables inside and some more tables outside on the lanai which has an awning to block form the sun or occasional rain. Avoid the hours of 5-8pm because the place is packed and you will have a hard time finding a table to sit. The menu has lots of items to try and the price is reasonable. From talking to different patrons, I got the feeling just about everything on the menu is good but I usually stick to the chicken souvalki. I can eat that all day. This place also has some very loyal customers. I spoke with several people on different occasions that fly in from other islands and make a point to stop at this restaurant while in town. A place with such loyal clientel is definitely worth a try.
(4)Patrick Q.
This is one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. I've traveled extensively and lived in a few major cities, and I can't think of another place that really seems to draw me back to it like Olive Tree Cafe. The seating situation is terrible, but makes for an interesting challenge when you first arrive. When you're eating, expect to have people hover near your table as you get close to finishing. You can avoid this by ordering to go, and driving up the block to one of the parks on the beach (Down Kilauea Ave, make left on Pueo, Left on Kahala and Waialae Beach Park is on your right) . Bring a bottle of wine and they'll provide the glasses and corkscrew. The food has always been excellent. Whenever I have friends visiting HI, I implore them to go there. Anyone who does, winds up going back more than once and thanking me profusely for the recommendation. Bring cash!!!
(5)Ryan S.
I say 5 stars for the food and 2 stars for the aggressive patrons. Olive Tree has great Mediterranean and I come regularly. Everything is always fantastic except for the self-righteous "regulars" that come slightly more often than me. I absolutely love the food, but when I get booted from my table because my order got called and I go to get it, even though my stuff and drinks are there, I get a little miffed. It's not the restaurant's fault when you have bully regulars... Watch out and stay strong.
(4)Rebecca M.
I am contemplating whether or not to review this place because i don't want other people to find it! This place has the BEST greek food on the island BY FAR. It is mouth watering heaven. It's also super busy and crowded all the time. Plus the staff is so sweet.
(5)Jenn T.
This tiny little joint is located at the corner behind kahala mall, nearby the (junk) subway. I have been here MANY MANY MANY times on different occasions and I have always had an awesome experience. They have amazing greek food here!! My oh my do they have amazing hummus! It's one of the best that I've had. They also make a really awesome bean salad made with garbanzo beans. I usually get the lamb tslovaki (that doesn't look like it's spelled right?) which comes with a delicious salad. One of the best parts about this restaurant is that it's BYOB. It's the perfect location for a nice date, catching up with friends or just hanging out on a friday night. They definitely let you stay as long as you want and drink as much as you can bring! :) There is mostly seating outside (covered) but very few tables (1-2 i think) inside the actual restaurant. And since people tend to linger and have a great time, seating is pretty hard to find on a crowded night. They do have take out order service, but sometimes that can take awhile due to the busy kitchen. Just make sure you call in ahead of time. As for the restaurant, it's clean and the service is pretty friendly. They don't have a waiter service, as its more of an order, pick up and eat there type of joint. My only other gripe about this place is that they only take cash, which makes it difficult to pay if you're trying to take friends out (and if you're asian like me, you're going to fight over the bill!). Luckily, there's BOH (thats my bank!) is right next door! Parking is also a huge problem on a busy night. The parking lot is small, but I think you could get away with parking at the mall or at mcdonalds nearby! (but don't blame me if you get towed by some odd reason!)
(4)Rita L.
went on a really busy night, a wednesday night...sooo hungry, but had to wait in a long ass line to order! We ordered the usual, baba ganoush, hummus, lamb soulvaki, and shoarma. After we ordered, we sat down and our baba and hummus was ready in 2 minutes! Wow, we were soo happy. AFter enjoying our appetizers our name was called and our food was ready! Talk about great service! I love the food! I mean this place is always happening. And I love BYOB, especially for 48 cents a glass! I love how you can pick up gelato next door or more wine! My experiances at Olive Tree has always been sooo great!
(5)Little D.
my regular take out order: spinach pie on weekend or fish svlaki anyday, and baklava. always very good. CASH ONLY. parking: limited. but you can park by mcdonald side. BYOB: if you dine in, you can get wine next door oliver or the longs behind the restaurant or anywhere. i usually eat my food at home. every year, this restaurant closes for about a month. good to check before going. YELP 365 - 97/365
(5)Michelle M.
I'm glad that my favorite foodie friend decided that Saturday was a great night for Greek! Seems that several dozen others had the same idea...the place was packed and the line was practically out the door. So this was my very first venture in Greek fare sine arriving on the island. I had to have the chicken Souvlaki and Greek Salad...while I waited, I noticed that they featured a Jamon Serrano and Manchego Cheese appetiizer...Boy, I can't recall the last time I had such a great Serrano Ham! The flavors were fresh...tomatoes were a bit soft for my liking, but I was really pleased with my meal. I will surely have to go back in a few...definitely one of my new likes here in my new home!
(4)Bouskikekoa N.
I started a Yelp account just bc of this restaurant. My husband and I are both foodies, have culinary degrees, and food is our life.. and we love critiquing restaurants. and this one by far has the WORST SERVICE EVER. We went there with a group of 4 ordered over $100 worth of food and this kid with the dreads kicked us out bc he said we were loitering, when we were still continuley going up to order food ... such as deserts. But all the older people that were there that we guess were regulars were treated much nicer when then didnt have anything on their table. I feel sorry for this restaurant bc I work at a place where I reccommend food all the time to guests and this would have been one of the greek places I would have reccommended but I assure you I tell everybody how horrible this place is and how to go to the fat greek instead. its really sad bc that kid shouldnt be talking to guests he should stay in the back where he belongs bc your restaurant just lost a lot of money thru us going with friends and now the horrible reviews and bad word of mouth I will give to all the guests I reccommend for going out to eat. He even looked like he was going to fight us at the end of the night. If you are a new customer expect the service to be horrible.
(1)Troy M.
I'm not sure if this is a four or five star review, so I'll state my cases for each. 5: Pleasant outdoor seating area... 4: located in a boring strip mall. 5: BYOB... 5: with a wine merchant directly next door! 4: Good, but not fantastic food... 4: that takes a while to come out. 5: The mussels were pretty good... 4: but the dolmas were somewhat average. This place was fun, tasty, and pleasant, but lacked that extra something to make me click on the fifth star.
(4)Ian T.
Greek food without olives?! Fun spot with a diverse scene inside. Definitely the place to bring a small party - much more than that and you're hunting for seats. Dug the tzatziki though - helped out with the lamb.
(3)Aris S.
Normally I would have given this place four stars; however, the last few times I have gone have caused the rating to drop down. We frequented this place a couple of times a week for quite some time, now. The food was great and the ambiance was great. We would dine in once a week and do take out once a week. I also shopped at Oliver next door (same owners). The last few times I have gone my orders were incorrect. Tonight I picked up take out and when I got home, there was a hair in one of the sandwiches. Mistakes happen, and I called to inform them of the situation. The guy who answered the phone apologized, said they would replace it and refund my money. This seemed fitting as I had to drive back there to have my order replaced. When I got there, the food was ready but they didn't refund my money. The thing is, they had already said they would and I have been there twice now for one order. So I get the food home (second order) and sit down and the food is ICE COLD. Now I know it's take out but I live around the corner and have gotten take out many times from there and it has been hot when I get home. So I call the guy back to tell him and they are RUDE!!!!! This is horrible customer service and judging by my last few visits, it is indicative of the direction the place is going. I will not be back. This was the final straw for me. I wasted time and gas for horrible service. They lost a VERY good customer. I will also inform all my friends as to not go there. I did recommend a lot of people to this place and they will ALL be told how downhill it has gone.
(1)Sean W.
This is my favorite Greek restaurant on the island! Their lamb gyros come with real chunks of lamb seasoned perfectly. The homemade hummus is awesome as well. The muscles are light and extremely refreshing and would definitely order those again. Also, the baklava is light and not too saturated.. it's wonderful. One of my favorite parts of this place is that there is a small wine shop next door; you can pick a nice wine and bring it over for dinner next door... such a great idea! We had a 2007 La Posta Concina Blend... 60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, 20% Syrah... it was fantasic!
(5)Ickis M.
There was no parking to be found. They don't take cards and when we asked where to find an ATM the guy was rude. The music was loud and too fast, and the rude guy was the last straw. We left and went to "The Fat Greek" instead and were very glad we did.
(1)Michelle L.
i hardly eat greek/mediterranean food. my last experience was at pyramids, KINDA same food. well, olive tree cafe kicked pyramid's butt. oh, and i didn't get an upset stomach afterwards lol. we got the hummus, lamb souvlaki, and fish souvlaki...along with a soda, our bill was a little over $30. the hummus was really good. one of the best i've eaten. the lamb and fish souvlaki were good too. i liked that it came with a small salad. i absolutely loved the atmosphere of the outdoor seating; it was very quaint and cute. i will definitely be back to try other items. 5 stars for the food and atmosphere only since service was pretty minimal.
(5)Paul K.
What a perfect night out! Cafe style with delicious and healthy foods!
(5)lauryn g.
The Olive Tree needs to be reincarnated and replanted through out Honolulu- I Went to eat with my friend last night, and realized how much of a quality place it is. There is an Olive Tree community that exists there! It is a model for how to do a quaint restaurant well.
(5)Jessie D.
4.25 out of 5. Greek food in Hawaii is an interesting concept. In the multi cultural environment that we live in, it's pretty easy to find food of different ethnicities. Oddly enough, I didn't even know this spot existed until a few weeks ago, stumbling on to it while headed through the drive thru next door. Greek food, huh? That's gotta be worth a shot. So, when the opportunity arose to try something new, had to put this at the top of the list. Thankfully enough, the place it just outside of my workplace, so I really didn't have a need to find parking. The lot there is pretty small, so park at the mall and walk there. The first thing that struck me was the wine shop next door. This was quickly clarified as I saw the BYOB sign in the restaurant. The atmosphere is quite lively, with Greek music blaring over the speakers, only to be interrupted by the sound of laughter (from nearby tables) or the loudspeaker announcements of ready orders. The payment system is quite interesting, too, as you order the food, wait until your order is called, then pay right before taking your dinner back to the table. Thankfully, the helpful staff explain that to you after you order. Speaking of waiting, that's pretty much all you do for a bit. The service is quick, all things considered, because this place is hella popular. Then again, dinner on a Saturday night would tend to be that way. I had the hummus (highly recommended) and the lamb souvlaki (HIGHLY recommended). @miss_cher had the chicken souvlaki (also recommended, if you're not feeling the lamb). Overall, a pretty yummy experience and definitely gonna get a return trip. Now, for the 4.25... the seating is dumb limited. Thankfully, we lucked out and got a spot quickly, but, as the night went on, some people got kinda chippy over seats. Avoid that by spending your wait time looking for an available spot. Usually the tables turn over quite quickly, unless you're us and spend time taking pictures of your food. Also, negative points for cash or check only. It's 2010 people, you can get mobile pay systems for android, iPhone, and blackberry, from numerous vendors. Can't really give it the 5 because of this. It's a very solid 4, however. Great food, good conversation, and BYOB. it's a winning combination.
(4)Chad K.
Not like this place needs another great review but being that I just ate here the other night with a friend I might as well add to the long list. Yes, who doesnt love the hummus here though I wish they'd give more pita bread, still doesnt stop me though. Their Lamb soulvaki makes my mouth water and the yogurt they add to it makes it all the more delicious. The parking can get quite crowded but thats to be expected of a place with such a great reputation. * I also learned that The Olive Tree is opening up in Manoa!!! sweeeet! that place will be a gold mind!
(5)VG d.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THE FOOD HOW eVER it comes with PAIN =:0{ As everyone else has said: the seating is bad AND the wait can be really long AND I've had my order sit on the counter and get cold because they didn't call it out (no apologies either) AND they don't take credit cards! (for this there really is no excuse) and - this one really irks me - you cannot get glass of water with your meal without paying a buck for it. (Come on, now, this is serious nickle-and-dime-ing, don't-cha think?) But I have to admit: I LOVE the food! YUM-MEEEEE! And I appreciate the BYOB. Thanks!!!
(4)Lilly N.
I heard wonders about this place. I thought give it a try with a takeout order. I explain it was my first time there and no, didn't take the time to come and review it here first. This guy took my order and told me to wait 20 minutes. I went outside and decided to get a bottle of wine and put gas in my car, just making time . Came back 15 minutes later to find out the food had been sitting there at the counter for a while, noone has called me while waiting in my car utside, and the cherry on top.... NO!!! THEY DONT TAKE CREDIT CARDS... AND THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT. I went home hungry, no food and having a toast to never, ever,,, going back to that place. ASSUME!! you know the definition and that's what you made accomplish tonite
(1)Jenifer G.
When you feel like tickling your taste buds for some healthful and complex goodness, you can count on Olive Tree! It can get extremely crowded, especially on a Friday evening, but it has an open atmosphere, the food is consistently good, and it's easy on the wallet. I'd recommend going on a weeknight so that you are pretty much guaranteed a table (although some nights may be more crowded than others, as each day features a daily special of the week). The hummus ($4.95) is freshly warm and creamy, with just the right amount of olive olive in it. Again, the pita slices that come with it are perfectly baked and toasted, and I almost always need to order extra pita bread to go with the delicious hummus because it's just that good. I usually order the falafel pita (~$8.95) -- the deliciously freshly baked and toasted pita bread is probably one of the best I've had on Oahu, and it comes with a wonderful Greek salad, with such a tasty dressing. I can't say it came with olives, but oh well, I don't feel like I'm missing those little things too much after I have a bite or two anyway, so it makes do. I've tried a few of the other dishes, the lamb and chicken souvlaki ~$9.95), and shaorma (~$9.95?). They are all good, however my favorite by far is still the falafel. They are full of those scrumptious little balls of heaven! I thought these things were baked but found out recently that they are deep fried. That's scary, but I think I'll continue eating them, thanks. :-) I haven't tried any of their specials and am sure I'm missing out big time, but I have faith that I'll be ordering that sometime in the near future. You can come with a bottle of wine or beers, so it can be a fun place to hang out with friends, it's just a little tricky trying to find enough tables or seats, so keep a keen eye and be on patient mode! I hate to bring in another venue into the picture, but I am compelled to to bring this up. If they started serving this amazing hot sauce (I need to find out what's in it!) that they have at The Fat Greek, then they would seriously be kicking it up a notch. No joke. For those of you who have been to The Fat Greek, you know what I'm talking about!
(4)Kylie K.
I just went to the Olive tree the other day, and the food was not as good as it use to be. Usually the food is really good. I usually order the chicken or lamb souvlaki and you can't go wrong with the pricepoint. The place is always crowded, and almost always no parking.
(3)Julie H.
Even on a "quiet" Monday evening, Olive Tree is busy. The reasonable prices, delicious food and BYOB, make this a favorite for East Honolulu residents. Start with either the Baba Ganoush, Hummus or the Mussels. The Baba Ganoush and Hummus are perfectly nutty and well balanced in flavors. Be sure to get an extra pita though! The Mussels are topped with olive oil, capers, garlic and herbs and are wonderful, if you like mussels. They offer the Souvlaki in either Lamb, Chicken or Fish all of which are full of flavor and tasty. But if you like lamb, go with the lamb. It stands out above the rest. They sometimes offer the Greek Lasagna as a special, which is something else I highly recommend. It's not exactly Moussaka, because it does use noodles at the bottom, and not eggplant, but similar with the cheese and lamb meat. Delicious! The decor, music and outdoor seating only make this place all the more charming. And if you forgot to BYOB, just pop over to the shop next door and pick up a bottle! The only problem is parking is very limited in the small lot and it does get crowded on the weekends. But as long as you're willing to wait for good food, and frankly, I really think you should, it is well worth it!
(5)Chris F.
I have had many enjoyable meals at the Olive Tree Cafe! The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, welcoming for couples and families. The food is delicious, healthy and what makes its better is that its BYOB. Souvlaki's are delicious and you have a great deal of authentic PUPU options. Desert, you must try the Baklava, its not as good as my grandmothers but its close :) Thank you for the great food, atmosphere and keep up the good work!
(5)Emiko T.
Holy mother of Aphrodite this is an amazing restaurant. If the swell of people cramped inside doesn't thoroughly convince you of the mouth-watering menu options, don't worry, the food will take care of that for you. I ordered the special of the week (or was it day?) which was an eggplant stuffed with tomatoes and goat cheese and a melange of all kinds of other scrumptuous delights that I wouldn't be able to pick out but it was a HUGE portion. Can't beat the BYOB option, making the customers all very friendly and intoxicatedly happy to give up their table to you after they're finished. Service is unbelievably friendly and they call you by name (not number) and in such a noisy restaurant they're able to call a worker over to clean off your table. Any tips on the time of day when it's the least crowded? Screw it. I'd fight the line any day to work my way down Olive Tree's menu. Can't wait to return!!
(5)Maria C.
I Love this place. Get here early or you might have a long wait for a table. My faves: Fish souvlaki, roe hummus, grape leaves, lamb shank (on Wednesdays).
(5)Noe K.
Have been going to Olive Tree for years and years. Last night again we had a fab meal--babah ganouch(SP?) and chicken souvlaki. YUMMMMMMM Always consistent and always packed with people.
(4)Theresa T.
Fresh Mediterranean fare right in Honolulu for a reasonable price, done and there. Such a cute spot with limited seating inside and a small wrap around patio outside. You are in charge of finding your own table and then ordering at the counter so you may end up waiting. Their payment process is a bit confusing for first timers, but just wait until you pick up your order at the counter and make sure to bring cash because there are no credit or debit cards accepted. Winning dishes are definitely the appetizers and specifically the hummus, grape leaves, and greek salad (solid dressing). Their pita bread is fantastic. Wish there were more options via the entree section and there could easily be more vegetarian options. Great policy on BYOB. No corkage and you can even bring your own glasses if you don't want to spend the dollar per glass to use the in house glassware. If you forgot wine just head next door and grab a bottle at Oliver's. Good appetizers, fast cooking, causal dining.
(3)Jesse K.
Very good food. Getting more expensive. (12.+-something for a small fish souvlaki) Fish souvlaki is the bomb. I don't order any other dish. It could have a couple more chunks of fish in it, though... Dessert: best baklava I have ever had. I like the BYOB places. Good spot! Be prepared for a line.
(4)Al D.
This place is overrated and overpriced. The falafel sandwich hardly came with falafel and if you wanted to add hummus, you had to buy the full, $5 side hummus. The workers tried to tell me that the tahini sauce that came witht he sandwich was similar to hummus but I know my Mediterranean food and when I ask for hummus on my sandwich, it's b/c I want freaking hummus. The soup was just ok. Just tasted like chicken rice soup with some lemon squeezed in. The fish sandwich was ok, but there was not enough fish to justify the price. The babaganoush was just ok. The baklavah was fair but you're better off getting it at Da Spot where you get much better service, food options, and comfort.
(2)Katie L.
First off, let me start by saying that the food here is Good! My friend and I decided to try this place on a Friday Night - it was CROWDED! I ordered the shoarma (sorry if I'm spelling it wrong!) and my friend ordered a lamb kabob platter. We also shared a humus appetizer. The pita bread is amazing and the salad is equally delicious. However, for the price you pay and - not to mention the LONG wait - what you get - its kinda slim and disappointing. Also, you have to seat yourself - and, its super crowded so you end up standing around and watching people eat waiting for the slightest indication that they are done so that you can swoop in on their table. I felt sooo rude watching people eat - but it seemed okay to everyone.... Seems to be a good place to open a bottle of wine, eat some greek food and just have good conversation with good friends. All in all, not a bad place to go - and it was fun to try something new. I just don't know if the price is worth it...but, it is in Kahala.
(3)Steph v.
I crave you! Always busy, great staff, fantastic food. I always get the fish "open" which means they cut the pita and put it on the side. I like to make my own. Take the pita, spread a little hummus, add some of the salad with a cucumber and onion, and place the fish (dipped in the tzatziki sauce) on top! And I ask for a side of feta, that's if I don't already order the Greek salad. Babaganoush, stuffed grape leaves, soup all to die for. I don't really like lamb, and I've tried!! So many times I try to like it but it's still not my first choice but the shawarma is a lamb patty, I love it!! Get the baklava for dessert! Cash only but BYOB! Parking sucks! I would hate to be the subway next door! Take out takes about 15-30 min depending on the time and how busy they are.
(5)Ali K.
I was never a fan of hummus till I tried the one here. It's so creamy and garlicky and tastes great with the warm, fresh pita bread it comes with. The Greek Salad, Lamb Souvlaki, Fish Souvlaki all are awesome. Grab a bottle of Calera Chardonnay from next door. It goes great with all the food.
(5)Jon L.
I think in Hawaii, you're going to have to pay a premium for decent greek food. This is the only greek place that's decent and versatile enough to go with your friends or even with a date (maybe not for a first, these local girls are tricky). I would always go with the lamb, the souvlaki is popular. The place is great for 2 reasons: 1) good food, 2) BYOB. A good technique is to ride your bike, with a backpack full of wine and beer. A great place for grubbing, drinking, and sitting around for a long time afterwards. Apparently they do this in Europe.
(4)L. T.
Great service! Great food!! I love the veggie falafel and the Greek salad is AWESOME!! The salad dressing...I could drink it! Server told me it is a special sauce that includes feta cheese and some kind of Greek cheese. It's Delish! The Shaorma is really great also! Totally worth it!! Love this place!
(5)grace g.
Everyones reviews says it all! This place is great! Food, service and people are wonderful. It does get busy and you feel as though you are stalking people to get a table. Haha. Their hummus comes with some olive oil on it, that just taste good! I had slouvaki here for the first time and that was tasty! The falafel is yummy, and I am not a vegetarian and I still loved it. Their baklava is to die for!!!! We also brought 2 bottles of wine with us. They provided the glasses and corkscrews. Delish place and totally worth the wait!
(5)Tofutti T.
This is one of our favorite restaurants. The pita is delicious and aromatic, the babaganoush is the best I've had in the islands, the tarama salata is salty and tart with a lovely texture, the feta is wonderfully complex, and the baklava is oooooh soooo gooood. I love everything about the food here!!! The worst part about it is the limited number of tables, but I disagree with some of the reviewers who complain about people eating leisurely -- delicious foods are meant to be savored and enjoyed with good company!! If you want a guaranteed seat, do take out! Anyway, my complaint about the limited seating is negated by the fact that there is a fab little wine store next door and Olive Tree is BYOB! Yeah, baby!!!!
(5)Kimberly L.
Ages I've been wanting to try this place--Yelpers been hypin' it up, and my Israeli buds say it's the closest thing to "home food" they've been able to find in Hawaii. Big words, my friends. Suffice it to say that just one hour after devouring an entire ribeye steak, I was able to consume an Olive Tree Cafe Mahi Souvlaki plate, plus some baba ganoush. Impressive? I think so. Only good food can be consumed when bursting! You know what's even more impressive? The plate was takeout and at least 20 minutes old when I ate it! Yes, it was that good. I'm relatively new to Mediterranean food, but the baba ganoush definitely had that scrumptious flame-broiled eggplant taste I so desire. The tahini was garlicky and thick and creamy. The tzaziki was garlicky too, and thinner than expected but still made an excellent salad dressing. And my first experience with souvlaki was a good one! Morsels of nicely seasoned and moist fish with onion in a delicious bread somewhere halfway between pita and naan. Olive Tree Cafe, you deserve all the 5-star reviews :)
(5)Dana T.
I have to preface my review by saying that I really like the food at Olive Tree Cafe. However, after my last 2 experiences, I have decided that I probably will not be going back in the future. The last time I visited was to order take-out at about 5pm in the afternoon. They are very busy and I expected to wait a bit...however the wait was RIDICULOUS! When I walked in the cashier had just finished taking and order and I was next in line. She asked me very nicely to wait as she had to call an order that was ready. She then proceeded to serve two phone order customers and continue to call other orders while I (and about 3 people behind me) continued to wait. I stood there waiting to even place my order for over 20 minutes. Realizing that I was not about to be served anytime soon and that they would need even more time to prepare my order, I finally walked out without placing an order. This was the second time something like this has happened at Olive Tree. In fact, someone actually told me that they have found it is not worth the hassle unless you call in your order ahead of time. I guess unless you do so you should plan to wait a long time before even being served.
(1)Lauren K.
When you think Hawaii local cuisine, Greek is not one of the first things that come to mind. Guess again world. Hawaii can compete! Four things: 1) BYOB, 2) hummus appetizer, 3) souvlaki (lamb or chicken), and 4) cash only. A simple restaurant tucked behind McDonald's at Kahala Mall. The fact that it's BYOB is pretty cool. You can either bring your own things or purchase wine/beer next door. The hummus is to die for! Silky smooth texture, not too much garlic and tahini, and the toasted pita...pure bliss. And the souvlaki is really tasty as well. The meat is seasoned and grilled well and is complemented with their tzatziki sauce. And the salad that comes with the souvlaki has an awesome dressing. Good casual place to eat, drink, and chat with friends. Just make sure that you get here a little early (or late) because it does get fairly crowded. Oh, and make sure you have cash...they don't take credit cards.
(4)Max L.
Parking can be tricky and waits long but the food is worth it. Lamb souvlaki every time. Get a seat outside and bring a bottle too. Cash only. They have messed up either my order, or somebody I was with twice though so be warned. Still, great food.
(4)Hal W.
Great spot, great food, great experience. Requirements for a good time: Patience, kindness (to other patrons) and a willingness to accept the fact that good food doesn't have to be served by a waiter. Pros: Prices- People who've said this place is expensive need to eat at some other places around town. These are not spendy entree's! The food is awesome. Very fresh, tasty and you can tell it is prepared with care. We ate and drank for less than $30. Cons: Can't really think of any... other than this isn't really your typical dining experience. OK, maybe one: it's tough to find a table, and when you do, it's easy to feel guilty eating in front of those who've not gotten a table yet... but get past that, and you're golden. Seriously, though, this place is a no-nonsense kind of dining experience. Pretentious and uppety it is not. The hummus is a great appetizer and make sure to ask for an additional Pita. I also recommend the Greek beer under the counter at their package store next door. Great spot for a first date too.
(4)Michael M.
Having heard plenty great things about this place I decided to give it a try. The size of the place totally took me off guard. I was definitely was expecting a place a bit bigger, but hey, some of the best places are your 'hole in the walls'. Wasn't too thrilled about having to wait till a table opened up. Luckily we didn't have to wait too long till we snatched a table up. I found the grape leaves quite tasty but didn't think too much of the lamb and beef (or was it chicken) souvlaki. Now perhaps my pallet was off that day or something because I've heard so many great things about these dishes. It's been quite some time since I've had good Mediterranean eats so I wouldn't be qualified as to say whether or not it's authentic. I would advise sitting outside rather than indoors. Just by standing in wait I observed that any type of conversation inside would be quite difficult. You'd be competing with ordering customers, kitchen commotion, the staff, the other seated patrons, and not to mention the Greek music blaring. Either way I'm always up for another go for this place.
(3)Benjamin A.
The seating is inadequate, and the staff moves at their own leisurely pace, but this place is a winner. Pretty much everything I've had is delicious, from the Lamb Shwarma to the Chicken Souvlaki and Hummus. Baklava makes a nice finish, too. Take a word of advice: call ahead, get your order "to go" and eat at home in front of the TV. Yum!
(4)Mike C.
lets get to this- all food is great. I'm not an expert when it comes to greek food, but it tastes good to me. However its a little pricey, which of course is hawaii. i can deal with it. i usually get it "to go"- cause i HATE dining here. first of all, its usually crowded and when people start rockin the BYOB wine they brought, they tend to perch forever and you're sanding around like a moron waiting for something to open up. i'm already over this place by the time i find a seat. its a shame cause the food is pretty good
(3)Brian A.
Located behind Kahala Mall, the Olive Tree Cafe is one of a very few Greek places in Honolulu. Portions to me are a bit on the small side for the price you are paying. When you order it has more of a butcher shop or deli feel to it. The hummus is really good and you can also BYOB or wine. I usually order the gyros which aren't too bad. Plenty of Kahala locals frequent this place and it can get really busy. The inside is really cramped and small, but fortunately there is a veranda where you can sit and enjoy the outdoors. I would actually suggest sitting outside. The parking lot is right there and shouldn't be too bad, although there was a few times where we just had to wait.
(4)Food L.
I'm not one to write a review but I thought I needed to in this case. I've been to the olive tree maybe 3 times and thought this place was fairly good but felt it had small portions for the amount I paid. It wasn't until my last experience that I know I will never eat there again. I took my husband to dinner there for the first time this past friday and he ordered the lamb souvlaki. He ended up with extremely bad food poisoning. He has not been able to keep anything down for the past two days. On another note, my husband was not impressed by the portion and taste for the amount he paid. I never gave it much thought but it's true that you don't get much for the amount you pay. I don't know why it gets so crowded. Maybe because it's BYOB but there are other places that offer that as well and give you a lot more food for what you would pay here. The soulvaki is lacking in flavor and the meat portion is the size of a kebab. It took us 30 min to get our food and all they had to do was grill a kebab and stick some sauce in between a pita bread that's store bought and throw a side salad on a plate. Not sure why it took that long. If you want small portion and willing to pay more than what the food is worth than this is your place.
(2)Terry T.
One of the best mussels i've tried when i was here. Great atmosphere as well, you can purchase wine next door and just relax with your meal.
(4)Jewelyn T.
Hmmm, where to start?! First and last experience! I don't understand why everyone raves about this place! I've been really craving greek food since I been visiting the islands. SO I went on yelp to see where I could find me some yummy greek food on Oahu. I've been dying to come here since I found this place on yelp... while researching before flying into Hawaii. Went by last night around 745pm. What I didn't like: - the parking sucks! But luckily we scored the only open spot when we pulled into the tiny parking lot. But on a plus side, it is free. - the long line! I waited over 10 mins. in that line. (this is the only place I've been to in Hawaii that has such a long line! I don't mind waiting in a line if the food is great... but it didn't meet my expectations) - waiting 30 mins. for the food to be made! (that's almost an hour after walking through the doors to get my order in my hands) - the food wasn't that great! * lamb (sad looking) * baklava (had better) * hummus/pita (hummus was okay, pita was probably the best thing i had from everything i ordered) * greek salad (had better) * tzaziki sauce (had better) ... not to mention, small portions and pricey for what you get! - bad customer service! (I think that they are so busy trying to get everyone's ordered made that they forget about the customer service!) ** we did takeout, because there was no open tables! They need more seating! Which was a bummers because I wanted to eat there. - no menus! (I asked for a menu to go and they didn't have any... how am I suppose to call in an order if I don't know what's on the menu?!... the guy ended up writing down the phone number on the takeout box, how lame is that?) - cash or local checks only! (so for all you debit card people, stop by the atm before heading here) Our bill was around $50 for 2 people. Atleast I can say I tried it! I won't be back again! I rather hit up the other greek spot in town and not deal with the long wait and the crowd... and actually have a table to enjoy the food. Come here if you like waiting, loud noise, dealing with crowds and a small parking lot filled with cars. ** Best bet, call in your order... and have someone drive you there so you can run in and pick up your order! Do a drive by. Sorry in my opinion, this is a 2 star (for good pita bread) ! Wish I could say 5 like everyone else. (I guess I'm spoiled with LA's hot spot!)
(2)Grace C.
Living on the Leeward side of the island, venturing into town was a rare occasion. I had Olive Tree Cafe for the first time about 5 years ago. I remembered ordering lamb souvlaki and pita/hummus and splitting them with my sister. I remember it being so delicious. The lamb wasn't gamy, the pita was the perfect texture. I remember every bite. Especially the ever-so-rich chocolate pyramid which they said was only available on occasion. It was delicious. I haven't had Olive Tree Cafe until this past year. My fiancée Myk and I make a point to cone here every month or so because it is really just as good as it was the first time. Everything is delicious. Finding a place to sit is almost a game as the staff does not seat you. In fact, the staff doesn't even serve you. Once you order, you have to wait for your name to be called for you to pick up your order from the counter and PAY after you've picked up your order. Not that I mind this one bit, just saying is all. 'tis BYOB, save for a small fee for bringing your own poison/using one of their chilled cups/cup if ice/cup of water. Only one dollah, brah! It gets quite loud as everyone tends to try and speak to their party louder than the very Balkan/Eastern Euro fanfare playing in the background but OTC has a really genuine atmosphere. Love this place. Especially the little Greek deli/wine shop next to it (Oliver's). Awesome selection of cheeses, wines, Ouzo, halva. Don't forget to order your baklava. :D OPA!
(4)Alice R.
I'm the last to party on this one. I can't believe I haven't eaten here already in my numerous visits to the island. It meets my most important criteria of "makes me drool just thinking of eating here" and "so damn cheap I can take a bunch friends out to dinner." It's great that it's BYOB with the convenience of the wine store next door. I can't recommend a specific dish because everything I tasted was delicious! I have heard the osso buco is divine but only offered on Wed. I'll be back for sure. The only drawbacks as other reviewers have is there is limited seating inside and the outside seating doesn't have much ambiance since it is adjacent to the parking lot. But, I can overlook this stuff because the food is that good.
(4)B H.
Yum. Simple tasty and reasonably priced !
(5)Matt W.
Olive Tree has got the best set-up on the island of any small independently-owned restaurant I've been to. Consistently high-quality, authentic Greek food, mostly-reasonable prices, and a fun, festive atmosphere make it the king of Kahala Mall area restaurants--even the also-delicious Green Door Restaurant didn't stand a chance in its new location in the same shopping plaza, and closed within a year. The only thing Olive Tree is missing is alcohol--but wait! Right next door is the Olive Tree's companion wine , gelato and sundries shop so you can BYOB (with a sizeable selection of under $10 bottles if you're a budget drinker like me) and still keep it in the family. Genius. No wonder we have to stalk out soon-to-be leaving guests on the patio and pounce on the first available table every time we come. My girlfriend and I have developed a few regular dishes we rotate through each time we go, and the consistency in these dishes has been amazing--always fresh and tasty hummus, great pita bread (which is also conveniently made available to take home from the wine shop next door); the best grape leaves I've ever had, wonderful babaganoush, and the piece de resistance, fresh mussels 'cooked' by marinating in lemon juice and topped with capers. This dish is so great that the Fat Greek, a competing restaurant on Waialae, has tried and failed to copy the recipe--they don't even come close. I've seen some less-than-favorable reviews of the shaorma here--perhaps those reviewing it have never tried it with lamb, which I've found to be consistently phenomenal. The greek salad is wonderful as well, and the feta, olives, and saucy standards of any good greek restaurant--salad dressing, tzaziki, tahini, etc--have never let us down. Yes, the restaurant is cash-only, and the prices may be high to some folks, especially when you can't decide between all those tasty pupus and end up ordering most of them, but I'm pretty poor and still can't help going back as often as I can. The service is bare bones--you order and pick up your own dishes at the counter. I find the occasionally surly, prideful, smartass or no-nonsense attitude of the staff that some folks have complained about an essential part of the atmosphere. Plus, once they recognize you, they're usually nicer to you. The Olive Tree is one of the three or four restaurants on Oahu that my girlfriend and I have visited continuously since we discovered it--at least once a month, budget permitting. We will continue to invite any new friends, or strangers to the island and/or Greek cuisine to experience a charming and delicious dining experience. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
(5)Christie P.
I was excited to try a new restaurant in Honolulu that wasn't Asian inspired. The place was PACKED (good sign)! And about near impossible to find a table (parking too). Looking at the menu, it seems pretty limited in comparison to other Greek places I've been to. I thought it was fun that if you wanted alcohol you had to go next door to the wine/beer/Greek shop. Hubby and I shared the Greek salad and the Chicken Souvlaki. Everything was really tasty except for the pita. It had obviously been sitting on the grill to stay warm for a long time and was really hard (though considering how busy they were, I didn't understand how it was possible). As to be expected on the island... cash only.
(4)Justin F.
Great Greek food. A tough place to get a table, a bit loud, no intimacy, but amazing food in general. Had the Lamb Souvlaki, Lamb shank, Tomato Salad, and Feta with olives... all excellent!
(4)HeySugarSugar M.
I don't know what the big deal is. The wait was definitely not worth the food. yah it was good, but I've had a way better experience at the fat greek.
(3)Jeremy C.
Now understand, this review is based entirely on the fact that I just came back from New Zealand, and needed lamb in a bad way. So if you don't like New Zealand or lamb, then save yourself the time. I will say, the lamb at The Olive Tree is amazing, AND it's from New Zealand, if you can believe that. The only reason for my 4 star rating is that fact that they are only open from 5 to 10pm and the lamb is only served on Wednesdays. If you plan on going for the lamb, call today (wed) and reserve the actual dish for next week, because it will be sold out by then. That's how other worldly good that damn meat is.!
(4)C W.
This was another great meal during our trip to HI. We got a table outside: some of us went next door for some wine and some went inside to order. The food was fresh and delicious. The pita is really good and we ordered more of it for our meals. All four of us left stuffed. It was a great evening. I would visit here often if I lived there. Odd to find a place that lets you pay at the end of your meal. I guess they know that you will keep ordering the great food!
(5)Tiffany A.
On the corner of Kilauea and Pahoa is this little place I like to call my Greek haven. Just the sheer numbers of people coming through (especially for dinner) kind of gave me an answer to my question of "Is this place good?" Consuming the food confirmed it like a rock. Olive Tree Cafe has to be some of the best Greek I've had here on the island although it's a fairly limited amount of experience. Everything just tasted so good that I wanted to inhale it! Starting with the Hummus (HOM) and the Baba Ganoush. Oh. Em. Gee. So dam good I basically ate the rest of the Baba Ganoush by itself when the pita bread ran out haha. Then when the souvlaki's came... I was in heaven! I have to say my favorite thing was the Lamb Souvlaki we had but I can't complain about anything else because it was just as fabulous :) One down turn, it can be quite packed and if you're sitting inside can be hectic and you can't hear if your meal is ready. But other than that, real good stuff :)
(4)Olivia D.
I used to think baba ghanoush was disgusting until I ate it here. Now I drool over it--and don't even think about dipping your pita bread into my baba ghanoush, buddy--get your own! Sometimes, I even get two. I haven't had anything here that I don't like. For appetizers, they also serve hummus, really good fool (giant beans stewed with tomatoes), mussels, and salads. Their salads are big, fresh, and all very tasty, especially the taboulleh (and I hate parsley). And I almost forgot my favorite: The argo lemono (chicken, egg, & lemon) soup. Imagine a rich chicken broth thickened with egg and made tart with lemon with rice and parsley flakes on top . . . mmm! It's like a savoury lemon custard. I usually have the lamb souvlaki--cubes of tender lamb in a pita with tahini and greens. The slow braised lamb shank special is highly touted, but I prefer the flavor of the roasted cubes of lamb that come in the souvlaki. There is a huge selection of fun non-alcoholic drinks, and fresh baked baklava is always available. If you plan on eating during peak times, it is crazy busy here, so plan on either staking out a table or else call ahead and do takeout. The staff is always friendly, even though it is a madhouse.
(5)Carol M.
Love this place. It's good food and good value, which is why it's packed all the time. It's not fast food but the tables do seem to turn over so you'll have someplace to sit. The parkings awful but there is street parking and pay parking at the adjacent post office for a fee.
(5)Justine I.
This place is my favorite place to eat greek food on this island!!! The chicken, fish and lamb slovaki is amazing. Can't go wrong with either or. Also the baba ganoush is amazing. You can also ask for extra pita with your baba ganoush which is recommended. The mini salad that comes with the dish is also to die for! I will lick the dressing off the plate if I wan't in public! Another reason that this place is awesome is that its BYOB! Bring your own wine opener and glasses but they do provide a bottler opener and glass. There is a fee but I'm not sure the cost so bring your own to avoid paying a little extra. The house soup is also very tasty. Goes well with salad and baba ganoush or hummus. There is outdoor seated available which is really nice. This is a popular and busy place so if you don't want to wait, you can call in your order ahead of time and pick up your order. When it's busy, parking may be hard to find but there is also street parking. You can park in the post office lot next door but there is a fee. If you forgot to buy beer or wine before you go to this place, there is a small shop next door that sells wine and beer. They also have a public restroom upstairs but ask for the key before going. Staff is friend and very helpful! Great place to eat and and highly recommended!!!!
(5)Chani M.
Olive Tree is my go-to spot when I'm too lazy to cook. It's always bustling, so I usually grab a bottle of wine from the shop next door, and take my food to go. I have yet to be disappointed by anything on their menu. It's always fresh and tasty!
(5)Bill T.
You might be able to hear the background music by Van Morrison "My mama SAID, the'd be days like this..." when everything you seem to have in your life is in a slump. It's cloudy outside and you just want to go home and go to sleep and wake up in a new day. But you have to eat and anything at home either has to be made or is going to make you feel worse for having eaten it. On days like this, I call Olive Tree order take out. I don't waste my time waiting for an open table or standing in line to order. I call, get a falafel, some type of slouvaki (sp?) and maybe some fresh made hummus. They have it ready in 20 mins or so, I park illegally and run in the side to to the side counter and pay for my order...I always tip generously at the counter as well - they're good people there. I'm not Greek, but there is something about this food that when I get home and eat the slightly spicy vegetable balls in the falafel, or the sauce in the slouvaki, and the true wholesomeness of all of their food, I find a comfort that washes away my day and just makes me want to hug my family. I don't know what it is, but it's powerful. And it's delicious!
(5)Chantelle T.
Ahhh delicious! The Lamb Souvlaki is amazing and I would order it again in a heartbeat. The falafel is also pretty delicious -- the texture was creamy and rich unlike other falafel I've had in LA. I would actually give them 5-stars for their food, but the portions are pretty small for the price and parking is ridiculous during the dinner rush.
(4)Kyle M.
Overrated, in my opinion. BYOB a great restaurant does not make.
(2)Burke B.
As a Mediterranean food afficionado, I can report that the food here is excellent, and the staff very friendly and efficient. Unpretentious atmosphere. They are crowded every night of the week, which also tells you something. The "pros" vastly outweigh the "cons" (which are lack of parking and not enough seats). Definitely by far the best Greek restaurant in Honolulu, one of the best neighborhood restaurants in Hawaii, and it would stand up well with Greek/Mediterranean restaurants on the mainland as well.
(5)Negean V.
Lamb souvlaki was great!! Tabouli was yummy! You can get Wine next door or bring your own beer which is cool. Would definitely go back. Service was good.
(5)Melissa B.
I am a big fan of mediterranean food and place has one of the best falafel I have ever tasted. I had the hummus, dolmas and chicken shawarma which were good too, but after having the falafel I never ordered anything else. The place can get super busy so you have to be on it to order and pick up your food. You also have to stake out your sitting area but most people are friendly and will let you share a table. We met a really nice and interesting couple here. They also have a nice Greek market right next door where you can grab a bottle of wine or any other Greek treats to take home or enjoy with your food.
(5)Jon W.
I've been eating here for years and have always gotten great service . This is a cafe so to expect the kind of service you get from Michelles might be a bit much to ask. The food quality is great and the flavors yummy. I have no problem with standing to pick up my appetizers as one yelper complained about. Geez its a casual cafe just chill. That being all said i cant believe all these complaints here about the music, the lines and waits. Then theres those who say this is only the best greek food in Hawaii but doesnt compare to greek food in europe. Come on! Really? Yes theres waits but thats because the food is good. Yes parking is limited to what you can find but whats new about that in Hawaii. Of course you'll find better greek food in europe but seriously if you can say best in Hawaii it cant be bad. I say all you complainers just need to grab a bottle wine grow some patience have a glass and just enjoy the casual cafe atmosphere. Stop whinning. Oh and i think the only reason the charge to use the glasses for byob wine is because of all those cheap bast!@#'s that take them home. And... They charge for paper cups because they give free refills on the sodas and cheapo's ask for water and get soda refills. Geez!
(5)Johnny C.
food wasnt bad. however no service and the clerk was taking our order was rude, and the portions were extremly small for the price. and cash only business. byob concept. We will never go there again!
(1)Tracy J.
I haven't eaten much Greek food. And I'm sure I've never been to a Greek restaurant. But I would definitely return to this little place. Yes, you have to wait for a table but we went on a Saturday night at 7PM and we didn't wait more than 10 minutes...I'd say that's reasonable. It's BYOB and we did just that. A friend brought a nice Zin that went well with everything. There were four of us and we each got an appetizer and an entree. On the table, there were stuffed grape leaves (I know there's a name for this but for the life of me, I cannot think of it), some beans, baba ganoush and the cheese and olive tray. I tasted some of all of it, and I'm sure true Greek lovers, will ohh and ahh over them but my fave was the beans the cheese and olive tray. The selling point for me was the lamb souvlaki. The pita bread was warm and soft and really...well...perfect. I don't eat much lamb either but this was good and mixed well with the yogurt sauce. A salad came with it and it was tasty. And the price...$20 for my soda, souvlaki and cheese and olive tray. I will definitely come here again, even though I have to wait for a table.
(4)Darren S.
come in and enjoy the onolicious food in the background of mediterranean music.... and for those who enjoy a glass of wine with their meals, you can BYOB or even stop next door and pick up a bottle for your meals.
(3)Chris D.
This place brought me what i've missed when I'm in Greece. You can sit outside enjoy your meal and BYOB, that you can't do in Greece. (I got a nice bottle of white from the deli next door). The souvlaki was delish as well as the dolmathaki.
(5)Eric X.
The food here is good. It's about as authentic a greek/mediterranean dining experience as you can get in Hawaii. There are others that I consider on par, but most others disagree. I am not sure why. The shawarma here is a patty of ground meats...hardly as good as real shawarma -- it doesn't even have hummus on it. The portions are god awful small too, and the prices are higher than some other greek choices. So this places loses a star on value. Then there is the thing that just kills this place for me -- the whole first come first serve, incredibly limited seating. It's just frustrating and stressful waiting for a table trying to make sure you don't get jumped by the 10 other groups waiting. Also, what is so damn great about eating outside in a parking lot? If they had twice the seating and twice the portions, then I'd consider tihs a 5 star joint.
(3)Iokepa D.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! Besides the fact being really close to my house, the food is amazing. I have tried everything on the menu and there was never anything I was disappointed in. When my family visits us from Japan we always hit this spot up. Even though its next to McDonalds and in a parking lot, I find the ombiance cozy and enjoyable. For Med food there is nothing that compares to quality of the Olive Tree Cafe! Downside is you have to get there early because its a little difficult to get tables considering its first come first serve and there are generally 8 of us.
(5)Devon S.
Is it fair to decrease a rating for a place just because it wasn't exactly what you were expecting? Maybe, maybe not. When my friends invited me to Olive Tree for dinner, i thought it would be a nice restaurant with a wide variety of Greek delicacies. Well, i was abruptly, though not unpleasantly, surprised at what this place turned out to be. It was more like ordering food at a DMV rather than a restaurant. Nevertheless, it was quite tasty. Let's go into specifics: The Food - For appetizers, we ordered the mussels, the eggplant dip (it has a name, i forget what it was called), and the feta cheese. For entrees, I had the lamb souvkaki while my counterparts had the chicken ones. Excellent. All of it. The mussel ceviche was incredible. The pita bread was warm and soft with a little bit of crisp. We saupped up every last bit of eggplant, olives, and cheese on the plate. The lamb meat was grilled just right. My only beef (excuse the pun) is that their menu was like really small. What i really wanted was some nice lamb shanks or moussaka. It felt more like a fast food joint. Service - Very good considering how busy it was. We didn't want very long for anything. The servers were more like buss boys, though, cause you have to get up and get your own food and whatnot. Still, they very friendly to us. Didn't seem bothered by the high number of people they had to get to. Ambiance - The place was jam packed. In fact, we were blessed that we got a table just as a group was leaving. Again, i was expecting a more "formal" setting, but it was more fast-foody. But hey, if your food is good, this is the result. Too many people to serve at one time. Ahh, what the hell. Why should this places rating suffer just cause of my ignorance? Was gonna give it 3 stars, but ill go ahead and give it four solid. 3.5 would be most accurate, i suppose. Still looking for that definitive Greek eatery on Oahu.
(4)Sita L.
hmm, this is one of those places where you get the feeling your need to be a regular to get the service. Last minute decision to order TAKE OUT, since it was so crowded and we came early. Lets face it, between Wahoo and Subway, parking was a zoo. Parked in Post Office parking lot which you do have to pay! The ordering was ok, of course I had to make sure we had the cash. ! I like their mussels ceviche very much, was it worth the wait?? NO, I don't think so. I was told 30 minutes, yeah right? I watched people that ordered way after us get their food, all the people that where on first name basis got meals before us, even though they ordered when they walked in. So, it appears to be a clicky place. It is good, but how the hell can you screw up chicken with yogurt? I mean really? Greek salad? not rocket science either. And lets face it, your sitting overlooking a busy parking lot!! lol But many people had lots of wine, so I'm sure they didn't mind or care after awhile!!lol
(3)Rania L.
I have resisted writing this review because I didn't feel that Olive Tree needs another person raving about their food. But, I'm finally giving in... We eat at Olive Tree at least every 2 weeks. What I love about this place is the consistency of their food. Its always delicious, always fresh, always tastes the same every, single time!! I mean, not even chain restaurants have this kind of consistency (and thats the whole purpose of chain restaurants). I always get either the fish souvlaki or the falafel souvlaki...and my husband always gets lamb. Its so delicious...even their salad dressing is awesome. The only negative is my husband never gets full because their portions are small. Oh, and actually there is another negative-their coke is always flat or watery and I don't drink alcohol. I think they should let people BYO Drink and not just BYOB!!
(5)Lizzie S.
Wowie yum yum!!!! A bit skeptical, no one comes to Hawaii for the Greek food, but dayum! This is NOT a tourist spot. Out behind the Mcdonald's at Kahala mall this place serves super fresh and delicious Greek food to locals. The menu is not huge, but it is delicious. I tried a little hummus (yum), babaganouj (omnomnom), taramsalata (DELICIOUS) and a simple Greek salad. DH had the mahi mahi souvlaki and it was great. BYOB no corkage and there's a Greek deli/wine store next door owned by the same people. I saw a bottle of Crios Torrontes through the window, one of my favorite wines. As we lest (at closing, we stayed forever!) someone pulled up in a giant truck with two freshly caught mahi mahi. Monday would have been a great day to eat mahi at the Olive Tree Cafe.
(5)Tania G.
The best Greek & Mediterranean food I've had on the island. Fresh, healthy ingredients at a good price point. My favorites are the baba ganoush, mussels, dolma, greek salad, fish slouvaki & baklava. My hubby enjoys either the greek salad or the shaorma. I like to take out but I call ahead as you can have a 1/2 hour wait for take out during the peak times. If you want to eat there, you can also bring your own wine but they will provide glasses. Forgot your wine? Check out the Greek grocery right next there.
(5)Bran Y.
every item served here is yum mmm yum yum. They hate domesticated animals though boo.
(4)mona l.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE. Ok I have only been to one other Greek restaurant on the island but this my friends is by far the best I have ever tasted in my life. I seriously think they put crack in the food. I have not ordered one thing that I thought tasted horrible. Everything is so DELICIOUS-ONO. And that is why I think there is some kind of food crack in the food because I cannot stop ordering and eating more food. I frequent this place often and take all my visiting guest to the island here to feast. There is only 2 down falls....... DON DON DUN 1. they do not except debit cards . cash only. I never carry cash so I always have to remember to get dinero before I go. 2. Is the sitting arrangement there. I wish they could organize it better. So it is a seat yourself place. First come first serve. So you go in and order your food. You let the girl know if you got a table or not. If you don't she well tell you to let her know when you do. Now just an FYI they are always packed. Never seen it quiet. If you get there and there is a table available right away its a miracle on Kilauea Ave. If not it is a waiting game. You and everyone else is like a bunch of hyenas hovering over tables watching the other lions eat and waiting for people to leave so you can snatch their table. This would be fine but some people are rude and have not etiquette. You can get there and be waiting for awhile and some new patron can just show up and haven't been there not even five minutes and take a table that should be yours. Just because they were quicker to get to the table when someone was leaving. Now they know its yours but they are down right rude. FOR THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT DO THIS DON"T WORRY YOU WELL GET TO EAT JUST WAIT YOUR TURN. THERE ARE STARVING PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH THAT HAVEN'T EATEN IN DAYS COMPARED TO MY YOUR 4 HOURS. SO WAIT YOUR TURN. Other then those two things its worth the wait. It is a great place to bring wine or beer , eat great food with great company.
(4)Stephanie T.
Had the chicken souvlaki. Very tasty. We shared the dolmas and the yeagantes (giant beans). That was ok, the tomato sauce tasted like it was from a can. Overall pretty tatsy. The place was packed from the minute we walked in to the minute we left. Apparently we were the only ones who didnt bring a bottle of wine. I had already had my share of beach cocktails earlier and was in no condition to go and mix my liquor. It will cost about $20.00 for a cab ride from the beach hotels. But totally worth it.
(4)Dave K.
I agree with everyone, the best Greek grub on the island; well, I haven't eaten at every Greek joint on the island, but this is top tata's yet. Everything I've had is awesome. My only complaint: No credit cards! C'mon! You get 5 stars anyway, love you ;) Auf.
(5)Maggie M.
I've never had a bad meal here and i eat here a few times a month. The key to a good restaurant is consistency and they're food is always prepared the way you expect it. Perfect every time. I just wish they were open for lunch.
(5)Vivienne K.
amazing greek food in Hawaii, just wish they were open during the day.
(5)My S.
I've been here twice. Both times the food was amazing and perfect with the price points. Expect to wait for food and a table. Don't go if you starving. People who are HAngry (hungry + angry) are not fun to wait with. BYOB and plastic cups (they charge about $1 a glass). Here is our timeline: Got to the Olive Tree at 6:45pm. The tables were all being occupied and were unable to get seated until 7:25. Food ordered immediately and was told by the nice lady taking the order that we'd get our food by 8pm. WRONG! We got our appetizers at 8:20pm. And our entrées at 845pm. Order: -Hummus, so fresh. -Baba ganous, a little strong on the seasoning for me, but my husband loved it and said it was the best he's had. -Yeagantes (sp?) it's a giant beans with a light tomato flavor and herbs. It comes with pita. A Must try. We asked for more pita bread. -lamb soulvaki- meat was a little over cook so it was chewy. -fish soulvaki- fish was perfectly cooked. Both came with a side of Greek salad (amazing dressing) and the meat was wrapped up in a pita bread with tzatziki sauce. I'd probably come back and try another entree. And order the same appetizers. First time we went here was over a year ago.... We arrived early (5:30pm) and got two tables to seat a group of 8-10. And there was no charge for cups.
(4)Matt C.
Good Greek food for a decent price! I came here with my girlfriend tonight around 8pm and it was packed! They don't take reservations so your best bet is to find a seat first then order. If you look at their counter displays they show you what the apps look like. When you are done ordering, then you must wait a bit. Tonight we had the hummus ($4.78) and baba ghanoush ($5.74) for our apps. I liked the hummus more because it was tastier but the ghanoush is healthier since the main ingredient is eggplant. The pita bread didn't last longer than the spread so i recommend that you order more pita bread since it costs only 75 cents extra. For the main course we had New Zealand Lamb Souvaki ($13.38) and Shaorma (9.56). Both dishes look like huge sized soft tacos from taco bell and it comes with salad. The shaorma is a lamb patty that is soft, spicy, and covers most of the pita bread while the lamb souvaki is more chewier but only covers half of the pita bread so expect to eat plain pita for a bit. The total came out to $37 and I am full. The downside is their parking because they are limited but you can always park at the mall or on the street, the walk isn't that far but overall the atmosphere, customer service, and wait time is above average. As mentioned in other reviews that you can BYOB. I'm a fan and I will be here again.
(4)David N.
5 stars. Yes, 5. And it's not because the woman in line behind me accidentally touched my butt. Then proceeded to apologize by not apologizing because she liked it. Oh reverse sexual harassment, how I love you...especially when committed by a young, 20-something blond woman. Lol. But I digress. This review is about the restaurant, which as far as I can tell, is pretty amazing. The food, while it didn't seem to be cooked by Mediterraneans, had just as good Mediterranean flavor. Other people didn't mind the seeming lack of Mediterranean cooks because the place was packed. And plates of food kept coming out one after the other. Just be mindful of a few things. While the food is 5 star worthy, as is the byob atmosphere, the restaurant is small. So is the parking lot. And there always, always, always is a line to order. Hence, you could be waiting for your food as long as your table. Let's just say about 20ish minutes? So be patient , stay calm, drink that bottle of wine you brought, and you'll get your plate. Your mouth wateringly good and delicious plate will find it's way to your belly. Don't worry.
(5)Keesha G.
Taziki good, hummus needs lemon juice, lamb souvlaki is tough as heck. Not many traditional choices like moussaka, keftedes, passtichio, spanikopita or sweet treats. Took like 30 minutes to get my plate of food out. I love Greek food and can cook it in my sleep. This is too expensive for what you get.
(2)Chris T.
This bustling Greek restaurant is going gangbusters. Get there early if you want a table or plan on waiting 20 minutes or so . The atmosphere is unique--the Greek music adds to the ambiance and the food is the best of its kind in town. We had the spanakopita, caviar salad and mussels ceviche. All of it was very tasty and the pita bread was fresh and warm. This isn't fine dining but if you want some healthy Mediterranean food in a pleasant but casual setting this is it. BYOB and if you forgot there's a Greek wine and food shop next door.
(5)Jon K.
Nice place next to Kahala Mall. Seating can be a challenge, but the food was tasty and worth the wait. You can order take out, so that's another option. It's BYOB so come prepared. Parking can be tight, but there's street parking if the lot is full.
(4)Scott B.
My wife and I shared the stuffed eggplant with salad. The portions are not large and it was adequate in flavor. The staff are very helpful and friendly. There is seating both inside and outside. This is a solid three star restaurant.
(3)Marlene A.
Excellent lamb there. The eggplant is fab too. Byob makes this restaurant even better!!
(4)Amber G.
This place is the bomb dot com! I suggest getting here right when they open or else plan on waiting for a table. All the dishes are amazing and you really can't go wrong with what you pick. It's BYOB with no bottle charge. :) major plus! They only accept cash so make sure you bring some. There is a wine store right next door if you forgot to bring a bottle and the olive tree provides you with glasses. Not ideal for big groups or kids. Make it a date night spot.
(5)Darrin D.
I really like this place, the food is really good, and it's in a cool non touristy part of town. But, I had to bring it down to three stars because; They don't serve any alcohol They don't take credit cards And, the seating is limited, and "first come first serve".
(3)Stephanie K.
Food here is delicious! Mussels are so delicious and fresh. The chicken and lamb souvlaki are both great. I try and come every time I visit Oahu. BYOB is a great perk.
(5)Gina H.
I love their baba ganoush!!! I always order extra pita. Sometimes their customer service is lacking but it's probably because they are always busy or maybe it's their culture. I won't hold it against them because they are never rude. It's byob so bring your own wine or drink.
(4)Stephanie M.
The Olive Tree is a tasty little treat for the Kahala neighborhood. The relaxed vibe is very welcoming; though the seating situation draws a bit of anxiety if you have to wait for an open table! I'll start with the end first: The Baklava (deserves capitalization here) is the sweetness that you can't wait to get to at the end of the meal. You really can't go wrong with any of the main entrees... just make sure you get a taste of that pita and hummus! And to start, the white beans in tomato sauce are SO delicious--I order them each time I am there. It's an easy place to grab dinner with a friend or two; but wouldn't recommend it for a big group.
(4)Sharon W.
I m not a big Yelp person, but if there is 1 place i shud write a review, it'd b this place. I love the Olive Tree. I mean really, really luv it. It is my all-time, go to, favorite restaurant! I've been coming here for two decades now n just never seem to get tired of it. This is definitely my "where do I feel like eating?" restaurant. This place is gr8 if u like simple. Everything about this place is well...simple. The menu: There isn't much to choose from, but what they do have on the menu is absolutely delicious!!! I think I've tried almost everything on the menu including their specials, but when I can't decide, I can always count on their fish souvlaki. Staff: I have to say they r awesome since there doesn't seem to be a lot of them, but they keep a smile even when the place is cranking n the phones r ringing. Tables: Finding a table can be a lil tricky, but that's ok, it is BYOB! Parking, Nay...unless u r one of those lucky ones who always find parking. I'm not, so I actually park at the mall n then just walk over. Restrooms: upstairs w a key. Hope this helps n I hope u enjoy!
(5)Kathy A.
It's a solid four star review! After watching Mission Impossible we trekked over to Kahala to wait about a half hour for the Cafe to open. There is seating outside with small cafe tables under the traditional blue awning. Promptly at 5:00 the doors opened with ten people already waiting. There is a limited menu with two specials changing each day. No need of the specials we ordered: Avgo Lemono Soup - a bowl of pure heaven, half puréed-half semi solid full bodied with a light lemon flavor. This is my favorite soup from a Greek restaurant in San Jose and I am happy that I've found a place in 808 to enjoy it again. Baba Guanoush with pita bread - yummy, silky, flavorful. Wonderful serving with a divot in each mound filled with olive oil. I will order this whenever it's on the menu and it's a must try here. Mussel ceviche - I would eat a double order of this for a meal another time. Cleaned, ice cold mussels. Not a traditional ceviche but it is topped with an olive oil, lemon, caper sauce that is outstanding. Tabbouleh - heathy serving, great fresh fresh fresh and the dressing was light, flavorful and matched perfectly. Greek Salad - one of the best Greek Salads I have ever tasted. The feta cheese was whisked into the dressing which gave it an interesting consistency. Very good. Fresh fish Souvlaki - today the fresh catch was Opah and it was grilled, served in pita. Split three ways, it was fantastic, fresh, flavorful. New Zealand Lamb Souvlaki - I am a lamb fanatic, this did not disappoint, again split three ways. To top it all off.....Baklava! Officially awesome. Seems like a ton of food however we did not take anything home. The servings are not huge or pricy so you can order plates and share as we did. Lien went next door to Oliver's Liquor, specializing in Greek fare and picked up some pistachio Halva to enjoy with the bottle of Prosecco she brought for dinner. As if it couldn't get better....it's bring your own bottle, BYOB. If you forget or didn't know, Oliver's opens next door at 5:00 too. Thank you Lien for a great choice for dinner, the bottle of Prosecco and the beautiful Ravel roses! Will be back soon.
(4)Cody Z.
Solid Saturday night of eating mussel ceviche Greek salad Shaoma entree baklava dessert ice tea good times
(4)Diana L.
What better place to go to for my cheat meal than to Olive Tree?? First of all, bring cash! Unless you're one of the few that carries a check book around... They don't accept credit or debit cards. But if you're there and realize you forgot your cash and check, luckily there are ATMs in the area you can briskly walk to before your food is finished. They don't take payment up front. You pay when you get your last order. The menu is short, but that just means that their items are quality. And it sure is quality! I usually order their chicken souvlaki. So tender and flavorful. Flavor and juices just burst in your mouth with every bite. Also, they are BYOB! If you forget your bottle of wine or beer, not to worry! They've got a wine shop next door. How convenient, huh? This place is tucked away next to Kahala Mall. Don't drive too fast or you'll miss the driveway to turn in! And lastly, the service: excellent. So fast and SO friendly. Enjoy!
(4)Chrishinda D.
WHOA!!! I found this place using Yelp and the reviews were on point (thank you Yelpers). I got the fish special and so glad I did... it was prepared to perfection. There wasn't a morsel left on my plate. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Meg M.
Olive Tree could only be better if there was a statue of a male greek god in the middle of the plaza and wine flowing from marble fountains. Their falafel is to-die-for, their pita is fluffy yet flavorful and their vegetables are crisp and fresh! I would highly recommend a date night here (with friends or love interests) very soon, You should prepare for your night by getting a nice bottle of wine or a couple of craft beers (yes, I am an alcohol snob!) and bringing a sweater, as it can get chilly on the patio. (Sitting on the patio is part of the experience!) If you forgot to BYOB, there is a charming little wine and beer shop next door to Olive Tree. Start by ordering at the counter.... the hummus and pita or any of their unique salads (which you can view in the glass case) make a great starter. There isn't a wide variety of entrees but all are flavorful and delicious. My boyfriend loves the chicken dish and I crave the falafel. Each comes with a small greek salad. Their greek salad is excellent and the large portion is enough for a table to share. The food comes out next to the register and then you pay- BRING CASH! This is a great spot on island... enjoy your time here :)
(5)Murray B.
Every once awhile I get a craving for Greek food and last night was one of those times! I almost always get the souvlaki platter which meant the lamb arrived in a pita all sauced up and ready to eat. Ordering the platter also meant I was deserving of a small side salad (lucky me!) that comes with a tasty dressing that I liked. Although the menu is limited overall, my vegetarian friend was still pleased with her order. Since it took roughly 20 minutes before our platters were ready, it proved advantageous that one of my friends ordered hummus and pita bread to nibble on while we waited. BYOB if you feel like having beer or wine with dinner. You also have the option of eating indoors (with the a/c going of course) or outdoors on their patio. Parking lot is a little small but manageable. If you arrive at dinner rush hour, be prepared to stand until a table opens up for your party. I hope the menu becomes more extensive at some point. I will be back next time my Greek food craving hits!
(4)Hannah Q.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place yet. This is by far, one of my favorite restaurants on the island. There are so many reasons to be turned off by it (limited parking, limited seating, extremely loud, crowded, always long lines, cash only) BUT its one of those restaurants where the negatives in some way add to the total ambiance and vibe--great ambiance and great vibes. Complicated I know, but once you come you'll understand. Above all, excellent food quality! Everything is served fresh, they always have new and different special items on the menu. If they haven't sold out yet, all specials are a must. Every special we've tried thus far have been amazing. Otherwise, I'd highly recommend the following: Toubouleh salad: so fresh, crisp, clean, strong herbs. The best part is the dressing that always comes on the side. Hummus or baba ganoush: delicious!! I want to believe its all homemade but I'm not entirely sure. Either way, they taste homemade and come with toasted pita bread. Souvlaki lamb: pita pocket with grilled or roasted lamb and the white Greek yogurt sauce--yum! Baklava: oh this dessert is so good here and unlike anything you'll try on the island. It's extremely sweet but airy and fun to eat. Byob: another plus! If you forgot your own bottle of wine, they conveniently have a wine store next door.
(5)Jin M.
This place is AMAZEBALLS. Oh man. SO many vegan/vegetarian options- I'm in LOVE. The falafel, oh the falafel... Here's what you need to get: Falafel platter, Tabouleh, Dolmadakia, Hummus, Baba ghanoush. All for you! Just kidding, you can share. I guess. I wouldn't. Mmmmmm, I just thought about the food in my head and I started drooling. That's how good this place is. You just need to go. But first, limited parking. There are only a handful amount of parking spots right on the lot but it's usually packed. If you can't find street parking and McDonald's is also full, there's garage parking right across the street for free. The restaurant is BYOB with a cheap glass fee so bring a bottle of wine or some beer! And of course, limited seating and very crowded. Maybe one day they will expand.. But until then, I promise you, the food is totally worth waiting for.
(5)Amanda K.
This place stays busy so I was excited to try it. While service was friendly, the food was disappointing. Their version of a gyro was just blah. I am a huge fan of Greek food so maybe my expectations were set too high. But the best part was the side salad to me. I would go back to try something else, but the menu was pretty small. Overall, not the best place for Greek on the island.
(3)Paul L.
My boss loves Olive Tree. I don't know why. I'm required to order take-out food from this place regularly. Each time it is a big hassle. There was no sensible plan in arranging the counter in relation to the tables. Customers standing waiting to be noticed by the unfriendly staff have their butts in the faces of those already seated trying to eat. Ask for a glass of water, and they charge you for the cup. The so-called music is too loud and obnoxious. The food costs too much, and the prices are not as cheap as their on-line menu suggests.
(1)Morgan M.
I've been here a few times, main reason being it's super close to my house and my mom loves the food. Don't get me wrong... I love Greek food, but so rarely do I have a craving for it that I'd probably go way less frequently if I were just eating by myself. That being said: it's good. Really good. Probably some of the best Greek food on the island. The restaurant itself is relatively small. You walk in and see a counter to order at (pay when you pick up your entree). There are around 5 tables inside and a bunch more outside. However, some of the outdoor seating is so close to the parking lot, that I'm not sure how appetizing it'd be smelling car exhaust your entire meal. Obviously, I always opt for indoor seating. Now, for what makes me not a huge fan of Olive Tree Cafe: it's usually crowded. That's not usually a problem for me, except that it's usually understaffed as well. (I did see a HELP WANTED sign at the front, so maybe this will change soon!) There's usually one person at the front (two if you're lucky) who deals with taking orders, calling orders, cashier duties, etc. Having to deal with both taking orders and handing them out once they're ready usually causes a backup. The wait to order isn't that bad. The killer is the wait for your actual food. I'm assuming they ask you to pay when you get the food so they can put your order in as soon as possible, but I'd hate to see the result if they tried any other system... You're usually looking at a 15-20 minute wait for your food, sometimes more. Our hummus appetizer took over 10 minutes to get out. I know you're not grinding the beans back there yourself... When I was there last, I saw at least 3 different people go to the counter and ask if the food was ready yet/what the holdup was. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it takes a while. Now, I'd understand the wait if this was a more upscale restaurant, but they present themselves as more of a fast casual place. My last issue with this place is the size of your portions. They should use smaller plates or something because the plates really give the illusion that you're not given a lot of food (especially for the prices). However, I would like to note that I have never left Olive Tree Cafe hungry in all the times I've been there. For me, this is just a presentation issue. I started with the bad because I'm always a little salty after ordering and waiting so long for the food, and those thoughts always run through my mind as I'm sitting and waiting. However, every single time, as soon as I get my food, those thoughts disappear. Because the food is really, really good. Like, really good. Everything tastes fresh and comes out nice and warm. And you are going here because you want Greek food, right? If that's so, then you won't be disappointed. Oh, and another plus is that it's BYOB. They charge you some change for a glass in lieu of a corkage fee. Ask about their special for the day, also!
(3)Jasmine O.
I love Olive Tree Cafe! Customer service is top notch, the food is so awesome... great prices for great food and portion size. I personally could not finish my dish but then again I am a super light eater. I had a "Shaorma" - Which is a spicy ground lamb patty with tomato & onion, served with tatini sauce. I normally do not enjoy spicy foods but this was really good. Again, did not get to eat it all and saved the remainder for the next day but it was tasty! I want to try their greek salad with feta cheese. Sounds great right about now... Possibly to return this weekend for a salad! This little place can get really crowded fast so there may be a little wait for seating.
(4)Lori L.
Scoring one of the tables at the popular Olive Tree Cafe makes me feel like a boss, I don't know why, but it does. Mostly outdoor seating, crowded, and with a view of the parking lot; it's still a great place to unwind in the early evening when it's not hot but still light out. Order at the counter and bring cash to pay when your name is called. The menu is small, just a few appetizers, a few pita sandwiches and plates, and baklava for dessert. I like both the Greek Caviar and Baba Ghanoush to start, go ahead and spring for the extra pita. For entrees, I go with either the Lamb Souvlaki, Fresh Fish Souvlaki, or Falafel Pita Sandwich which comes with a small Greek Salad. Portions are on the smaller side so getting some appetizers for the table is a good way to make sure everyone has enough and you're not waiting too long for your meal. The restaurant is BYOB, but you have to pay for ice and cups if you ask for them. Come for dinner, relax, sit, and enjoy.
(3)hisako s.
This is my favorite place. Taste good, healthy and high cost-performance. No credit card. BYOB, no corkage fee. Very casual. Find a table first, then order at the counter. Cheers!
(5)Russel M.
Over the last 4 yrs the service is still great and the food is better than ever. Parking can be a little tough but if your lucky a space will open up. Tip: There are specials during the week that are quite good but they run out so order when you arrive.
(4)CC C.
I used to love this place - ate there 2x week because the prices were reasonable, the food was consistently good, and it was a cute place to hang out with friends. Now, sadly it's turned into a place for the rich who can afford $14 chicken pitas with a tiny side salad. I get you gotta increase prices as costs go up, but $14?!? I ate here barely 3 months ago and it was $10. Is there no end in sight ? Will the same souvlaki cost $20 next year?? We just paid $35 for 2 souvlakis and 1 50/50 hummus & baba ganoush with extra pita. Never have I spent more than $25 here for the same amount of food not 3 months ago. Until the owners do something about its price gouging ways, I will NEVER dine here again. I was a loyal customer for 15+ years, but I cant support a place who chooses to alienate loyal customers for a fatter bottom line.
(1)Lei K.
The food is really good. I love the fresh,clean flavors. Its healthy food that is full of great flavors. My favorite is the bulgar wheat salad and the falafel plate . This is a place I return to time and time again.
(5)Rissa K.
I came here today with few gfs after hiking and boy were we hungry! We got there 10 mins before opening time at 5pm and we noticed there was already a crowd of ppl waiting. People waiting usually means a good sign! I ordered their chicken saffron rice which is a special that you can only order on Tuesdays I was told. Wow I was def in for a surprise because it was yummy! The dinner entree came with pita bread slices and house salad. This place is great fast and friendly service and not to mention byob too! Ooh and you must try their baklava! Yummy!
(4)Amara E.
The freshest and most consistent Greek restaurant on the island. Separating itself from the pack, this place has more than gyros and falafel. The loyal regulars and long lines are a testament to Olive Tree Cafe's quality. For appetizers, their Tarama salata (caviar spread) is a winner for me. The dish is a creamy spread containing carp roe, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and mashed beans with pita served on the side. Rich, but not too filling, it's the perfect starter! Best Greek Salad on the Island! Fresh olives, tomatos, onions. The dressing is made in-house and the feta is amazing. My addiction to this salad is so bad, it's gotten to the point that I will drive all the way over to Kahala just to pick up this dish. If you're a fan of lamb, they offer a special every Wednesday. The lamb falls right off the bone and doesn't have that horrible lamb aftertaste. A limited item that is worth trying! I've been coming here every weekend for the past few months and have grown to really love dining here. The food is consistently fresh and delicious. It' s a very popular restaurant and it is ALWAYS packed. Parking can be tight, seats are limited and they only accept cash or check. I usually call ahead for takeout to avoid the headache. Keep doing what you're doing Olive Tree! You've scored another loyal regular.
(5)Karen S.
This is a great place to carry-out. Fabulous food! Pick up the food and go to Bay Street Park (towards Hawaii Kai).
(5)Richard K.
Olive Tree Cafe is an awesome spot for a low-key, relaxed night of great Greek food. It's located next to Kahala Mall (park there if there isn't parking in the little private lot) with indoor/outdoor seating. The format for ordering is a bit different here so I'll break it down for you: - Stand in line at the front counter. Place your order and give them your name. No need to pay now, you pay when you pick up your food. - After you order, quickly find a table (if you don't already have a friend saving one for you) because spots here fill up quickly. - They'll call your name over a loudspeaker (but it's sometimes soft, so listen for it) and you go inside to pick up your order from the back/side counter. - Get your CASH (no credit cards and only local checks with ID) ready; this is when you pay. - Bring your dishes back to your table with you and enjoy. Aside from the great food (the baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves and souvlaki are my favorites), this place is also BYOB so come prepared with your bottle of wine. Conveniently, there is a wine shop next door if you forget (I bet that place makes a killing too). I most enjoy Olive Tree while sitting outside on a breezy night and talking story with good friends over tasty food and wine.
(5)Stephanie F.
Their chicken pita is delicious but they raised the price :( the sauce is great that they use for all the pitas tzatziki Sauce -they use fresh fish Daily so call ahead to find the fish of the day so u r not stuck with a dry fish :)
(4)Carrie G.
I will share my VIP tips about this place bc I love my Yeeps... Call ahead and get takeout. It takes about 20 mins for a to go order on a slow night. Next door is a wine and Greek market. Grab an order of Feta from the deli (the French feta is what they serve next door) , a can of stuffed grape leaves and a jar of giant fava beans. Or the taramasalata. These are the SAME items they sell at the Olive Tree for 3x less portion for 3x extra $. You're welcome. ;) Grab a plate of what you enjoy- the lamb souvlaki, and shaorma are my favs. Also, get a tabouli salad to even it out. Extra pita and tzatziki sauce are worthy extras. If you sub tzatziki for tahini sauce its better IMO. Take it home and enjoy the cheaper, amped up version of what they sell in the comfort of home with your own wine in a proper wine glass. I'm a foodie, so I have my own hummus, olives, truffle salt and olive oil I add to amp it up. I also make my own baba ghanouj from scratch which blows theirs away. PS-Their salad is really good- they use proper greens, cucumbers and tomatoes. The feta topper from the market next door makes it even better. If you're willing to spend a bit of extra time and effort to cap off the Olive Tree's base dishes, you too can take it to the next level. Again, some of the dishes the restaurant offers are available in the extract same recipe in the market next door, so you can DIY a VIP experience in front of a Netflix at home.
(4)Mahina C.
This place is by far nothing short of delicious. Everything from soup to salad to main dishes, i always leave here full and yet keeping a lingering feeling to come back for more. So after coming here a few times, let me break down Olive tree etiquette... This place is BYOB so alcohol is always welcomed! if you come empty handed, good news that there is a store next door to buy some! After ordering at the register, which I highly recommend the Shawarma, they'll call you back up to pick up your food, then pay. Cash only!!! so make sure you stop by the ATM beforehand. There is seating outside & in, and it's not a huge place either so it's always a take your chance to eat here kind of deal, but it's definitely worth the wait for parking, seating & of course the food!
(4)Jade S.
I absolutely love love this place, best Greek food on the island, always good service, thank god we found parking this time :) always coming back
(5)Bogdan K.
Omg!!! The service is so bad..... Ordered by phone the second time. Was told 5:25 and writing this review at 5:45p while waiting in line to get takeout. Last time we came here we were told they forgot to place our order !!!! There is really no reason that im back here, perhaps that's my own fault. The food is good, but be prepared to wait for hours and get some stupid excuse when it shows up incorrect or cold !
(1)Patrick G.
What a lovely low-key, no-fuss, Greek restaurant we have ourselves here. The food was very good, and the atmosphere was very casual. Two things that I enjoy when experiencing new restaurants. The restaurant itself is tiny. I mean four cramped tables inside and 10 cramped tables outside crowded. The parking lot is also extremely small. The good news about this aspect is that there is always plenty of parking at the Kahala Mall or on the backstreets around the corner. Once inside, diners get to experience the act of ordering at the counter and patiently surveying the land until a table opens up. If a table does happen to open up, or if you are lucky enough to arrive and spot an open table, pounce on it as soon as you can. There will be many potential suitors vying for this tables hand in dining, so you better act fast. After you are made to work for a seat, diners will be notified by the PA system or by a yell that their food is ready to be picked up at the food counter. The food was great. I had the hummus and the cornish game hen special. It was stuffed with artichoke and feta, and it was served with potatoes, salad, and pita. It was a great all-around meal. I definitely crave it sometimes - including now, since I am writing about it. Some other quick kills when describing the restaurant include: BYOB - there is even a wine store in the same shopping center; cash only; be prepared to pay for cups/ice, the staff were friendly and took the time to explain specials in great detail; if you don't want to wait, order take out; the only negative was the perception of being a little dirty. Overall, this was a great restaurant with a casual atmosphere. Prepare for lots of people, but lots of great food.
(4)Raelyn B.
I came here on a whim, because a friend suggested it. Apparently it's suppose to be really good, but you know it's never better than the original? I visited greece about a month back and the lamb there compared to here, is a lot more better. I don't think I've never tried lamb anywhere else on the island but here. I swear we waited ten minutes at the front of the line to take our order, then waited another half an hour for our food. Maybe 15 minutes to find a table. People actually brought out their own chairs to sit outside. I got Shaorma, a lamb patty in a pita bread with their special sauce and tomatoes. I've had better, if it wasn't for the bread, I wouldn't have rated it 2 stars. I'll come back though, try something else. I won't give up. It just won't be any time soon.
(2)R W.
We arrived at 5:20 pm and they open at 5 so we thought we would be arriving before the dinner rush. There is minimal parking and you have to wait in line for a long time to place your order. Once you place your order you must find a table in the small indoor space (6 small tables) or outdoor space (11 tables some medium size) and then you sit and wait an even longer time for your food. Once they call your name over a loud speaker you pick up your food at the counter and pay. The amount of time that we waited was ridiculous!!! The food was ok and had small portions sizes.....but not worth the wait. We ate our food and waited an additional 20 minutes just for them to call our name so we could pick up our baklava dessert at the counter. Their ordering processing needs help. We won't be back. Disappointed.
(2)Missy G.
Omg sooo yum! Our group shared a bunch of appetizers. The Greek caviar was the best thing ever. It was basically tons of garlic and olive oil which I love. I pretty much ate that app myself and would recommend it to anyone, especially garlic lovers such as myself. The hummus was good. Definitely homemade, but a bit grainy for my liking. All of the pita was warm which is a must but worth mentioning. The feta and olives were good as well. I liked that they give you a big block of feta rather than feta pieces. Regarding the entrees, there was a slight mixup. They accidentally made me a lamb plate instead of a fish plate but they were able to quickly make a fish plate for me before everyone else was finished eating. The fish was fresh though a teeny bit dry. The sauce was sooooo good. Super delish tzatziki!!! The side salad was super yummy too. I really liked the dressing and all of the veggies were fresh. My bf really enjoyed his lamb plate. This place has downsides tho. The cash only is antiquated and the fact that they don't even have an ATM in the restaurant is annoying. Also, we came on a Sunday night and it was a 35 minute wait for our food. We were going to take the food to-go but we were lucky enough to score a table outside. It's also annoying that you pay after your meal. This place just seems really backwards. We had 45 minutes for dinner and that was not enough time for this place which is silly considering it's a casual dining establishment. The walk to the ATM, the mess-up on the entree, and the paying upon pickup of the meals just slowed everything down when it was already busy.
(4)Adam K.
If you have 4 hours to kill, cmon in and order. But If you want to eat within a normal timeframe order ahead. It legit took about 1 hour to get the food from the time we ordered it. Place was PACKED, we had multiple patrons try to vulture our chairs. I noticed a trend in Hawaiian service, there is no multi-tasking. Food was good though, but not great. Hummus was two scoops put on a plate. That took about 1 hour. Then the entrees came out, after another 30 minutes. I am ordering ahead of time if I go here again, right by the movie theater though.
(3)Ella H.
Great service, the cashier lady was very friendly and professional. The food was superb, we had to order more! Definitely coming here again. It's very crowded around dinner time, between 6-8pm, and parking is limited. But it's definitely worth the wait.
(5)Lina P.
Its Cash Only, and theres no obvious signs that will tell you. I read it on yelp! Its BYOB, bring your own cups (or its .48cents each) and wine key if its not twist off. You get inline, order, give your name, and they'll call you to pick up each plate over the intercom. On your last entree, they'll ring you up, so have your cash on you. They're super busy, especially with take out orders, so you gotta be as efficient as possible (know your order, how much silverware you need, extra plates, cups). Good beginners order are the egg lemon soup, hummus, and fish soulvaki. It was good, but I have to admit that I've had better hummus. Thats just me though...
(4)Lien V.
I have a love affair with Olive Tree Cafe ever since the summer of 2000. I love coming here on a regular basis and back in the day, I used to walk to OTC for my weekly dinner meals. It was always a treat to eat here and I really enjoyed walking back home after I "pigged out". The walk back home would only take less than 10 minutes in this neighborhood but I figure it was better than driving such a short distance but more than anything, walking gives me an excuse to eat more here... hehehe. The food was amazing then and is still amazing now. I have not had a bad meal here at all. These people know what they're doing and they do it extremely well. The menu is small but what they make, they make it good. Olive Tree Cafe has it down to a science. Located across from the Kahala Elementary School and adjacent to McDonald's, Olive Tree Café is a small restaurant with mostly outdoor seating but there are some indoor tables where there is AC but it is too cold for me. The décor is really cute and you can see the Mediterranean influence, including the Greek music playing in the background. Since it is BYOB, you can pay 50 cents to use their little glasses for your wine. Ordering is at the counter and you pay when they call your name. It's cash or local checks only. Kitchen is small but the staff is extremely efficient but sometimes you might have to wait a little longer for them to wipe down your table. My "must-have" staples when I get here: baba ghanoush, Greek salad, New Zealand lamb souvlaki, mussel ceviche and tabouleh salad. This is Greek food at its best; the flavors are so phenomenal! Since I am not a fan of hummus, baba ghanoush (roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas) is my ultimate answer to hummus and I could keep eating this all night long. Their house made pita bread is so good and addicting! Then, there's the authentic Greek salad, it's out of this world and I love their homemade dressing (which I have not been able to imitate as to date) and I feel good eating this salad. The entire garden seemed to be packed in this plate of fresh lettuce, yellow bell peppers, red onions and grape tomatoes. As far eating lamb goes, I don't order it unless it is not gamey. I do order the lamb here and enjoy it more than I expected so now the lamb souvlaki is one of my favorite selections. Lamb kabobs made here (perfectly grilled on a skewer for hours) is not gamey but very tender and juicy wrapped up in that warm pita bread. It is simply delicious served with the tzatziki sauce and the accompanying side of fresh salad. Another great dish is the mussel ceviche. When I first ordered their mussel ceviche, a light bulb went on in my head :-) This is a fantastic, healthy source of protein for my dinner because it is not a red meat. A hint of fresh ginger served on top of the mussels really make this dish. Another yummy salad I'm totally a fan of is the tabbouleh salad; it has the perfect combination of bulghur wheat grains, minced parsley and mint herbs, lots of diced cucumbers, tomatoes and onions served with their lemon vinaigrette dressing. So tasty and satisfying. What is nice about coming here is that if you forget your wine, you can walk next door to their market and buy a bottle of wine or beer. They even sell cheese, crackers and of course, their yummy halva. This Middle Eastern confection known as halva (made from sesame seeds mixed with honey or sugar) taste almost like fudge, is such an awesome and addicting dessert; I prefer it over baklava. Coming to eat at Olive Tree Cafe is always a treat for me and I think it is the best Greek restaurant in Hawaii and even better than some mainland Greek restaurants. Parking could be a problem sometimes since they share the parking lot with Subway and Wahoo's Fish Tacos. But I've always found parking along side of Pahoa Street or Kahala Mall. Olive Tree Cafe is my must-go-to-places to eat good at anytime.
(5)Mark S.
Great neighborhood restaurant in Kahala, tucked in a strip mall. Don't let the location fool you. There is a wine shop next to it owned by the same guy. BYOB/BYOW. The menu hardly changes but the food is always consistently great and fresh. The organic chicken souvlaki is a favorite and the falafel is a good vegetarian option. The New Zealand mussels are great with a dash of lemon and capers. The tabbouleh salad is light and refreshing, but if you're ordering a souvlaki skip the salad unless you're really hungry (small salad comes with souvlaki entree). But don't skip the baklava (made fresh daily) because it's probably the best I've had on the island. You can either sit inside or if you're lucky, get a table outside where it's more of a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Cash only.
(5)Geralyn L.
We were looking for a restaurant for dinner and drove south from Waimanelo. We looked at several places but they were empty so decided they must not be that great. So as we neared the beginning of H1 we decided to give up. We exited H1 and tried to find the on ramp. We ended up finding The Olive Tree. What a wonderful find. The place was packed and the food delicious.
(4)Amy Y.
Wow, this place gets really busy during peak hours. Must be really good. I came here around 7ish, danggg...it was full. It took us awhile to find a table since there was like 5 of us. Anyways, I order a mahi mahi souvlaki, includes the pita bread and the salad with dressing. I didn't like the dressing because it was really sour. The mahi mahi was really good with pita bread. Mmmmm...definitely will come back to try some thing else. My friend told me on Tuesdays, there are specials..not sure what it is though.
(4)Kelly W.
This place is delicious! It gets 3 stars for their customer service...a friend and I went here for dinner and they were pretty busy. The cashier ignored us for a good 5 minutes while the line grew then told us she'd put in our food order when we told her we had a table. Needless to say, we asked for the food to go, assuming that within the 20 minute wait time she gave us, we could find a table (and we did). The souvlaki is delicious (though I think it's comparable to big fat greek). Byob and cash only! They charge for cups (which I find a little ridiculous but ya need a drink with dinner!).
(3)Lee L.
Not a lot of selection but consistently delicious. It's always packed so send an advance member of your group to snag a table or be prepared to wait. Waiting isn't so bad though when you can spend the time in the adjacent liquor store picking out drinks to compliment your meal :) The salad dressing isn't to be missed and the Chicken Shwarma is my favorite.
(4)Jennifer T.
I was not impressed. I've had far better Greek food for Less. I found the food over sauced overpriced and the music was too loud. Tasty but for $14 the small cubes of lamb in doughy pita was just .... Lacking. The mussels ceviche was very good. It's weird how you pay for your meal only after everything comes out. Food for 3 people $60.00. Too expensive for what it is
(3)Ryan D.
This place serves up the best Greek food on the island.
(5)Jaq. M.
How can you not like the Olive Tree Cafe? The food is reliable and consistent, the ambiance can be romantic if you've enjoyed enough BYOB wine to drown out your neighbor's conversation, both the food and restaurant are clean, and the fish souvlaki doesn't disappoint. Why didn't I give it 5 stars? Simple: 1. Hard to get a table, and when you do get one, your'e almost always inches away from your neighbor. 2. Cash only - and a little too pricey 3. Though the food is consistent, it's not amazing. Grape leaves are bland and spice-less, the bakhlava is dry, the plated feta is nothing different than that I can buy at a store, and the portions are rather small for the price. But forget about the negatives. Olive Tree is still one of the best places for casual dining in Kahala.
(4)C S.
Really enjoy the food here but have to give the restaurant an overall rating of '3' due to cost and ambiance. A $13 souvlaki!!! I swear this place used to serve food for $8-10. I know costs in Hawaii are high, but really! While tasty, prices for souvlaki (pita, meat, sauce and a side of lettuce) should not exceed $10. I may be biased but in Greece (yes, Greece), you can get a huge, delicious souvlaki filled with fries, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, sauce, and hot sauce for $3-5! Also for this place, ambiance is eh. It's a cute, casual atmosphere but there is no parking. Also, restaurant faces out towards the parking lot. It does have the redeeming quality of being conveniently locating next to a wine store. For that matter, the restaurant is great for byob. Enjoy, but be willing to dish out $$ for a simply made dish.
(3)Kanya G.
Such a cool place! I'm a little sad I haven't discovered this place earlier. It's BYOB and certainly at a perfect location since there's a wine shop next door. There's seating inside and outside, which I really like. The atmosphere is very chill. I'd love to bring my favorite wine here and dine outside... seems like a lot of people like to do that. This place can get crowded! I've tried the hummus and baba ghanoush with slightly crispy pita bread, and lamb & organic chicken souvlaki. So delicious. Surprisingly the chicken souvlaki was more flavorful than the lamb. Also, love their ginger ale with its unlimited refills. On my next visit here, I'll try their falafel and baklava!
(5)Danielle H.
I really love this place. The food is fresh, yummy, and reasonably priced. I think I come here about once a week and the ritual is always the same. I find a seat (there aren't many!) and my boyfriend waits in line to order. He then sits at our table and I pick out a bottle of wine from the store right next door. We almost always order hummus with extra pita, a tabbouleh salad (for me), and a fish shwarma. The food comes out promptly and we have a great time pretending to be all grown up with wine and greek food. Overall I love this place, but there are a few downsides. They are always packed and seating is limited. They will not let you order unless you've got a table. Go in off hours or order takeout to avoid this. They've only ever been super nice to me but I have heard they can be a little short with people, particularly when it's slammed and a customer can't/won't be patient. Just be nice. They work hard.
(4)Rachael O.
Very good Greek food in a convenient location near the Kahala Mall. The only thing I didn't like so much was being steered away from my original order to the daily special. In the moment, it felt a little pushy. However, the pastitsio was the best I've ever had, so it was a great recommendation. The baba ganoush was a little peanuty tasting (maybe heavy on the sesame?) but creamy and good and the salad that came with my entree was crisp and fresh. As other reviewers mentioned, it's cash only, so come prepared. The other little quirk was that you don't pay until you pick up your food (as opposed to when you order at the counter). I would rather pay at the start, so I can wash my hands or at least break out the Purell after handling cash. Paying at the time of pickup throws a slight wrench in this, but it's a minor complaint. Good for dining with a friend or a date.
(4)Aimee N.
Tried the babaghanoush and hummus pita appetizer and next time I will go all out with the babaghanoush, it's made out of eggplant and omg delicious! I ordered the falafel plate and I'm glad I shared an appetizer because it was a bit small for the average adult. But it came with a Greek salad with yummy dressing! My boyfriend ordered the lamb souvlaki which was yummy and tender but I preferred my falafel :) There was an issue when we paid, apparently they forgot to give us $10 in change and there was no way to prove it since we didn't get a receipt. So after we realized it we went back maybe 10 minutes later and they were a little suspicious but quickly gave us our change even though they said "we always give receipts" lol umm I think they just get really busy and lose track of things. I'm glad we were able to get our change back though!
(4)Kaori K.
Very tiny cozy restaurant. I like the outside table. Good ambience! I think it's a best place to eat Greek food on this island. Pretty busy anytime. If you want appetizer, you better go earlier :)
(4)Luke G.
Opa! The best Greek on the island of Oahu! It's a small mom and pop restaurant but the food is always amazing! Be sure and bring cash as they do not accept credit or debit! It's also BYOB. The seating and parking is limited so you may want to get here early or order to go. Everything is made fresh and from scratch!
(5)Kris B.
Very casual restaurant - you order at the counter, grab your table, and wait for the cashier with the long hair and goatee to seductively call your name so you can pick up your food. Please note it's CASH ONLY - but it is located near Kahala mall, so you should be able to find an ATM somewhere near enough. The place is kinda sneaky, hidden in the corner behind McDonald's. I had the shaorma, and it was definitely delicious. But I looked around at the plates my friends and I ordered, and it seems the amount of sauce they put in the dishes is inconsistent. Be wary of this! Your plate might be on the drier side (like mine) or the sauce could be oozing out uncontrollably onto your shirt. There isn't a whole lot of space at this place - I wanna say no more than a dozen tables with 2 & 4 seats to a table. Parking seems on the limited side as well. Olive Tree Cafe is BYOB and there is a wine shop right next door, so that's pretty cool. Would come back for the food, but the space/presentation is not largely appealing to me.
(4)Coco A.
Olive Tree Cafe - is OKAY.. But is is certainly not amazing or 'as good as it gets' and any Greek (including myself) or those familiar with Mediterranean cuisine would agree. Maybe it is because we are in Hawaii and although we have great sushi and noodle places there is limited Mediterranean cuisine, so Olive Tree is held at a much lower standard than it would be if it were located elsewhere or had more competition. Olive Tree is BYOB, has a relaxed atmosphere, outdoor seating, and a menu that never seems to change - which are all great, but it is also lacking in so many areas that people seem to overlook. 1. Overpriced for quality of food - The food and quality is equal to typical Greek street food / fast food - yet the prices are higher. I have gone there several times and the food comes out cold - is it really too much to ask to get a hot souvlaki?! 2. The Greek salad is not a 'Greek' salad - it is full of lettuce (which is not how authentic Greek salads are made) and has micro sized pieces of partially dissolved feta cheese in the dressing. 3. The place charges for everything - extra dressing,cups,etc. 4. Is it dirty - look at the floors, windows and outside area. 5. Since they only take cash and are likely saving on taxes - you think they could afford to add larger pieces of feta and give you a small paper cup for free. 6. They only take cash. 7. Cross contamination - employees go from handling food to cash to register to clearing tables. 8. Great to have outside seating, but you are sitting in a parking lot on old tables and chairs. Ghetto al fresco dining. 9. Very rude owner. This guy, Savaas is so rude. He never says hello or even thanks you for supporting his business. 10. The store - Oliver next store, owned by Olive Tree owner, Savaas, is also way over priced. There are so many regulars and loyal Kahala customers who have been supporting Olive Tree or years, it is ashamed that we are being overcharged. 11. Did I mention the owner is so rude! I ordered a gelato and wanted 1 of each flavor. He said "No" yelled at me and said "I am the owner" and "I don't want to mix the gelato"... What a crazy and rude man! I feel sorry for his employees.
(2)Michael C.
This place is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!! The staff must be the owners or related to the owners since they all seem to love working there and it shows in the tasty food and friendly service. The food is very reasonable considering you are in Honolulu. We ordered the Greek salad, hummus, the fish, lamb and chicken (organic) souvlakis. All were delish!! We will RECOMMEND this place to all our friends or maybe not since we dont want to see the lines getting any longer than they already are. 5 stars for sure!!
(5)Dawn O.
I am so happy that Olive Tree Cafe uses biodegradable take out containers! I always loved Olive Tree, but even more so now.
(5)Lindsey S.
I've been here so many times I can't even count. I love everything on their menu. I've had everything at least once, or tried it from someone who shared with me. FAVORITE: Main: FIsh, they always make it amazing sides: BABAGANOUSH and FETA...!so good! The one thing that i don't like is how much sauce they add to the meat in the pita... waaay too much i always scrape it all off.. I've asked them not to add it and it only worked once =/ BUT its still amazing melt in your mouth crazy good! I'll miss this place in 3 months when we leave to Virginia =( Also.. the seating is sooo limited we opt to take the food home sometimes and have a nice dinner at the beach or home.
(4)Quyen N.
Finally checked out this restaurant when I treated my hiking amigo to goodbye/farewell dinner before he took off off island indefinitely. The restaurant setup is a little weird: stand in line to order dishes, in the meanwhile pick out an available table, pick up your order when called and pay at that time. My amigo fortuitously found an empty table while waiting for me to arrive on the scene. We stood in line to order; he left his stuff at the table to mark our territory. What I ordered: stuffed grape leaves (yummy!), baba ganoush (excellent!), yeagantes (giant beans, so healthy!), and baklava (fresh batch from the oven, sweet!). Since I tipped so generously, we got an extra piece of baklava, which I gave to my friend. In the end: great mom and pop restaurant! Probably my favorite Mediterranean restaurant on island! Useful tips for me: Cash only. Can park at Kahala Mall and walk over since the adjacent parking is limited. BYOB - nominal fee for cups if you want to use the cafe's.
(4)Ursula S.
There is outside seating but we were told we couldn't have our dog outside. Very disappointing. One more restaurant crossed off my list.
(1)Tito C.
awesome food and friendly service. THEY DO NOT DELIVER. Just wanted to correct the erroneous listing showing up on YELP. This restaurant DOES NOT DELIVER, please change that and correct the listing. Whoever put the listing in Yelp checked delivery which if were true i would order every day!
(5)Jaimy B.
Olive Tree is one of my all time favorite places to eat! I love the outdoor seating and that it's B.Y.O.B., with a wine store they opened next door! I usually get a gyro. I also LOOOOVVVEEE their baklava! It is to die for!! Their salads are also very good. Fresh, refreshing, and savory. The portions are big. My friends and I end up splitting the salad. Their hummus and pita breads are fantastic as well! I love the way they make both!!! I LOVE OLIVE TREE! I recommend!
(5)Ezra K.
Idk why people give it bad reviews. We were blown away with the food. The only 2 things is it's hard to get a table (cuz it's very popular) and it's cash only. You order at counter and pay when you pick up. We lucked out and got a table because we went before 6. But right after droves of people arrived. They could expand for sure. Explosion of flavor so delicious. Will def go again
(5)Shelley E.
Wow I didn't know I already wrote a review on the Olive Tree. It was a bad review. It was before I honed in on my creative juices. The food here is really good, affordable, and consistent. BUT this review gets better. I always get the Yeagantes, mussels and now caviar spread for appetizer. I love the falafel here and if they have braised lamb shank for special, GET IT. Trust me, this review gets better. Channel your inner vulture. If you don't swarm around a table with crazy eyes you'll never get one. You must be swift as well, or someone more aggressive can steal it from you, OR you can place you open bottle of wine on the table BEFORE the guests leave. Here is where it gets good. My GF's and I were enjoying our appetizers and wine when the table next to us got up to leave. They had finished their meal and I see there is an entirely full bottle of wine there. We are like WHAT?? They just left it there??? OMG. Even the table on the opposite side was tripping out. So well like any normal wine loving alcoholic we contemplated taking it. The other table in fact was egging us on to do it. SO we did. But first since we thought this was so awesome that the wine Gods were blessing us we wanted to capture the moment. SO we all took turns passing the bottle around and taking pictures. Then it happens. A voice. A female voice behind says "Did you take our wine?" OMG OMG OMG what do we do? We DID take their wine, OMG OMG ok stay calm. I turn around and was like "OH yes, sorry we just wanted to take a picture of it" (omg please buy it, please don't go bat shit crazy on us) "Here you can have it back, we didn't drink it or anything. we are sorry" OMG OMG kill me now, this is SOOOOOO embarrassing. I place the wine bottle back on the table and she gave us a quick lecture on how that's the way you are supposed to save a table. I have gone there tons of times and never placed my OPEN bottle of alcohol on a table that was STILL occupied. I felt like it was an honest mistake. Fortunately she turned to be really nice. We went next door and bought the same bottle of wine and started up a conversation with our poor wine victim and ended cracking up over the whole situation. Thank god we didn't start drinking the wine! It could have been a throw down of some sorts and I being the crossfitter would probably have had to defend everyone. I love this place. You never know who you are going to meet :-)
(5)Kaylee W.
Shaorma is the best on the menu!!! And the hummus is delicious. Baklava is to die for! Love this restaurant.
(5)Lael W.
Always good, unique flavors, simple menu. It gets crowded so order take out ahead of time and eat on the beach! Love it.
(5)Dap C.
The food is excellent . It taste fresh and healthy. I really love this place. The staff there are very friendly and happy. Treats customers great. The customers are a different story. Seem to be a snotty and if you're a local be prepared to feel a little Uncomfortable since some of the customers there can make you feel out of place. Let's just say some of the customers had there nose in the air so to speak. Other then that the food is great and the staff are totally awesome
(5)Krysten I.
I like Olive Tree Cafe for the ambiance and food. It gets really crowded as they are only open for dinner, are really popular and have a smaller establishment. I've had to wait for a table on several occasions, but it is self-seat, so you have to act like a vulture in order to steal away an emptying table before someone else does. I love the stuffed grape leaves, babaganoush, Greek salad and souvlaki. :) ohhh and the baklava? Yum!! It's reasonably priced and they are byob. I find it weird that they charge $0.50 for water, but hand out glasses for wine willy nilly. When they're crowded, the parking lot fills up and you have to find street parking or park in the McDonald's lot. The tables also take a long time to get bussed, but the workers are very apologetic and friendly about it. The food also takes awhile, so bring a good bottle of wine and good company to kill the time. There is a wine store next door if you forget/don't have time to bring a bottle.
(4)Gene H.
Good: food is always awesome. My wife loves the specials. I think the eggplant is Wednesday's. Killa! I always get the fish Slovakia and grape leaves. The lemon soup is pretty good, as well. BYOB is another perk. BAD: cash only, this might help keep prices down being Kahala, so I don't mind too much. Parking sucks! I started parking at BOH in the evenings. I hope I never get towed, hasn't happened yet.
(4)Erica W.
I have been here a few times. Last night I tried their daily special of a cornish hen stuffed with spinach. This dish came with a side of potatoes and greek salad, and pita bread. The cornish hen was juicy and not dried at all. I did wish the salad came with greek olives. The employees are always friendly and the place clean. The layout is you order first and then pay when you pick up the food (the same counter where you order). The seating is on your own, so if you are coming with a group of people send someone to snag a table. My only complaint, too many tables and chairs that no matter if you sit inside or on the lanai, everything is cramped.
(4)Jesslynn A.
The food is good, sometimes it's great and sometimes it's not. They are notoriously slow, but it's not consistently worth the wait. The food (like the prices) can be very inconsistent. The salad dressing tastes different every time. sometimes it's amazing, and sometimes not so much...the quality of chicken I have received has also been variable. They round your total to the nearest $.25 (or apparently to the nearest dollar as she did today, rounding my total from $13.35 to $14.00) The price is another subject of contention, as I paid $4 less for the exact same chicken souvlaki dish I ordered exactly one week ago. I'm not sure if this is a recent price increase or simply a mistake either this or last week.
(3)Kammy U.
Hands down the best hummus I've ever had. It's super creamy and downright delicious! The chicken souvlaki is my most favorite dish, and I would recommend the mango nectar drink to quench your thirst. Keep in mind that they are only open from 5-10 pm every day, and they are always very busy. The last time my boyfriend and I went, we were there waiting about 45 minutes to an hour (in line to order and then for our food). The parking is horrible. I would skip trying to find parking in their lot and just go straight to McDonalds or Kahala mall parking.
(5)Diane K.
For a few years, I lived with a friend who is originally from Larissa, Greece and quickly learned to love Greek cuisine. Spanakopita. Souvlaki. Pilafi. Feta! Olive Tree Cafe brought me back to the time my friend's Mom visited and I ate non-stop Mediterranean and savored every tzatziki-infused moment. Everything on the menu is of quality and impeccable flavoring. If it weren't so busy all the time, I'd have to eat here everyday. This is no exaggeration! It. Would. Be. Done. They have a few odd rules like no change (yes, no coins), no credit cards and paying AFTER your food is ready (not when the order is taken). Oftentimes, genius is accompanied by quirks. Any other place, no. For Olive Tree, anything. Musts: Dolmades - stuffed grape leaves with tzatziki dipping sauce. Chicken souvlaki - chicken skewers wrapped in fresh pita bread, served with greek salad Fish souvlaki - fish skewers wrapped in fresh pita bread, served with greek salad If I wasn't filled to capacity with delicious food, I would've ordered the hummus and the tomato salad. Next time, my plan is to order take out (EVERYTHING on their menu) and have a heavenly week of Greek delights. I love you, Olive Tree!
(5)Jennifer S.
I've driven by this place for years and I've always heard good things. Every time I've been by, they've been busy. So they must be good, right? Well I finally had the opportunity to try it. We went on a Friday evening at 7:30 and the tables were full and there was a line for the food. Luckily, people were leaving and we got a table fairly quickly. You'll have to stand in line to place your order with the friendly staff. And you don't pay then (which I thought was a little strange). They take your name and will call you when you're food is ready. I think it took about 20 minutes for us to get our food. When they call you, that's when you pay. Cash only oh, unless you carry personal checks around with you. We ordered the rolled grape leaves dish (Dolmades), the babaghanoush, and I had the fish Souvlaki. The grape leaves were yummy, bite sized morsels with a rice mixture in the middle. I'm not a fan of eggplant so I didn't really care for the babaghanoush. The fish Souvlaki was great! Next time though, I think I'm going to ask for the sauce on the side because it was a little messy with it in there. Actually, next time I'd like to try the lamb Souvlaki. Free refills on your sodas and they sell Aqua Panna bottled water. Another plus, it's BYOB!!! The parking lot is small and now that Wahoo's isn't there, there's a little more parking but it does fill up. Restrooms need a key (at the cashier) and is located up the stairs.
(4)Heidi K.
I love Olive Tree! Everything is so flavorful, healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced. I love that they make so much of the menu (like the hummus, sauces, baklava) in house and make an effort to support local and buy mostly organic. Oliver next store is so convenient. Love their organic wines, raw goat cheeses, and local gelato. I'm always down for OT! :))
(5)Karen E.
Who loves Greek food?! I DO!!!!!!! This place is a long time favorite that I hope will still be here for years to come. A few tips when dining in -Make one of your friends grab a table as soon as one opens up even if there's dirty plates on it don't worry someone will come by and wipe it down for you -You can bring your own wine ( I usually don't since I don't drink) If you forget there's a shop right next door with a large selection of wine -Get the special of the day what ever it is you won't regret it I'll just mention two things that is a must when coming here. Hummus with extra pita to start your meal and then end it with an order or two of baklava! Parking is tight so you might want to find street parking or maybe just park at Kahala mall. Make sure mall security doesn't catch you. ENJOY!!!!!
(5)Stephanie T.
Favorite thing to order is the falafel plate! Best vegetarian bang for your buck on their menu. If you start ordering things a la carte the cost can add up quite a bit. Dont get confused when you order, decide what you want while standing in line. Once you order find a seat, if your lucky, you will pay when you go to pick up your food from the counter after its ready. One great thing is it is BYOB so bring some wine or beer with you to enjoy with your dinner. If you forget it, there is a little store next door that has a good selection. They usually have a wine and bottle opener attached to the counter. Bring cash as that is all they take!
(4)Kev O.
Went here on a recommendation from a friend and am very happy we did! Parking is a little tight, but you can park next door at McD's. Seating is outside/inside (more on the outside) and the place is BYOB. They'll even provide glasses if you need! It's very casual, you walk up to the counter to order. The menu is written on a board with food on display in a counter window. All the cooking is done right where you order which is cool if you want to watch the magic happen. You don't pay after you order, like a take out, only when you pick up your order. Cash or check payment ONLY by the way! (which kinda sucks) My wife and I ordered tabouleh salad, souvlaki with lamb, rice wrapped in grape leaves and baklava for dessert. Mind you we shared this together and walked away with full stomachs. The salad was outstanding - very fresh veggies and everything tasted balanced. The lamb was super tender too! The grape leaf thing is rice with olive oil and herbs, wrapped in leaves. It came with a nice dipping sauce (yogurt I think). My wife didn't like it, but I enjoyed it. The baklava was flaky, and wasn't overly sweet or heavy. Very tasty! The dishes came out very quickly. Overall it had a great atmosphere - nice background music, friendly staff and cozy.
(4)Vera S.
Positives: Lamb souvlaki - cubes of tender lamb wrapped in pita bread with tahini and greens. Tahini sauce and dressing on the greens are so delicious. BYOB - There is a greek deli and wine shop next door if you forget! Negatives: Wait time for food is about 35 to 40 minutes. Hummus is not the freshest that I've tasted.
(4)Dan M.
About once every 2 months, my craving for Greek food gets the best of me. A simple gyro DROWNING in tzatziki sauce, and I am one happy 30-year old boy. But since it was Saturday night and was feeling a little ballsy (shows you how exciting my life is), I wondered how I could satisfy this craving, while trying something new at the same time. Mr. Gyro, you're going to have to wait till next time because I want to OPA up my life with some real Mediterranean fare. Olive Tree Cafe didn't hit the spot, it effin' DESTROYED it. As soon as I was parking my car, I already started to get excited. It's a really simple, but charming place situated on the corner near Kahala Mall. As expected, it was busy, but that really added to the already fun-looking atmosphere. The Greek music was super loud inside, so we sat outside and turned on our imagination noggins to pretend we had a stunning view of Santorini from our table rather than the Dodge Ram with 15 ''Keep the Country COUNTRY" bumper stickers on the back. But who cares about the lack of view, that's not why you come here. Taking a peak at the other tables, everyone seems to be having a great time, and the fact it's BYOB is probably half the reason. Forgot your bottle of booze? No worries as there's a wine shop next door! My wife ordered the Lamb Souvlaki and I got the Saturday special for myself, a spinach, cheese and herb-stuffed cornish hen over a bed of roasted potatoes and a Greek salad. The lamb in the souvlaki was so juicy and flavorful and the tzatziki had the perfect amount of mildness to not overwhelm the meat. The pita also had a nice chewiness to it as well. The stuffed cornish hen was incredible. Great portion sizes and I was actually sad when I look the final bite. It was a terrific combination of veggies, meat and potatoes, all done in a very healthy and flavorful way. I didn't even know there was a daily special until someone ordered it...so ALWAYS ask what the special is, or else you'll be missing out as it's not written on the menu. Olive Tree Cafe is a casual restaurant that throws in a dash of fun. I totally look forward to coming back again.
(5)Suz E.
If you are looking for something on the healthy side then this local favorite is sure to please. Just get there early as the parking lot is a nightmare (only reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars). Best, fresh greek salad I've ever had in my life! If I could recreate it, I'd eat it every day. Really everything is the bomb diggity and it's BYOB. If you've forgotten your bottle, there is a wine store next door :).
(4)S. R.
absolutely awesome!! I go there a few times a year... always fresh and they service organic chicken in the chicken falafel with a yummy yogurt sauce.. very nice staff and pretty quick service... I am a concierge in Waikiki and send plenty people that have a car. Keep up the great work Olive Tree!!!
(5)Effie S.
I have been coming to this great place for many years. This restaurant just does everything right. They don't try too hard. Don't expect to be served. Expect to search for a table, go next door for some alcohol, order your food, then wait for your name to be called. You don't need anything more because although the menu is small, once you get your food, you'll be very happy. All the items are yummy but I'm partial to the fish souvlaki ($15). Plus, the food is affordable and healthy. I've heard that the owner, a charming man, tries to locally source his ingredients. Yay! One important thing to note is that they don't take reservations. It's first come first served. And it's always busy. But it's worth it...that's why everyone's here.
(5)S. B.
This place not only has delicious Mediterranean food & BYOB it has a special energy that is always pleasant. Attracts an eclectic crowd, and usually busy from the moment they open till close. I've had most of the menu, and yes everything is good! The specials are on a weekly rotation, my favorites are Wednesday & Friday... The other mega bonus is this place is open till 10pm! That just doesn't exist in my neighborhood.
(5)Reid I.
I think the food is delicious but overprice and the concept of the restaurant should be changed. I know that this restaurant has been here for a while and there is a reason for it and the amount of people that eat here. But the thing that I don't like is when it's a busy night and all the tables are taken. Although, I luckily got a table when we arrived. So on to ordering. I had to go inside and look at the menu first to see what I will order, while my girlfriend sits a the table to make sure no one will take it. When I decided what I wanted I walked back to the table outside and my girlfriend went inside to see what she will order. When she decided, she came back to the table and I went back to the order line to order the food. I ordered the hummus appetizer and the chicken souvlaki for dinner. My girlfriend ordered the lamb souvlaki. Like I said it was delicious but a little overpriced at more than $13.00.
(3)Marina D.
This is the best Greek food I've had on this island! I'm a vegetarian, so the falafel is the perfect entree of choice for me. The hummus is so yummy as well! If you're looking for mediterranean cuisine, this is the place to be. It's BYOB, which is awesome. Cash-only also adds to the quaintness of the string lights on the lanai and Greek music playing. It's gets busy especially in the evenings on the weekends but that never comes as a shock because it's well worth the wait.
(5)Kayko T.
Forever will be one of my favorites restaurant to wine and dine at. I've been coming here for years and even in my travels there hasn't been anything better.
(5)Bradley W.
Nice, quaint restaurant for a date night. There are cozy outdoor tables that are casually romantic, simply add wine! It's BYOB and the food is really good. I recommend the lamb souvlaki. The ambience is crowded and a little boisterous at times, but it all adds to the Greek cafe feeling.
(5)Debbie R.
To me, BEST Greek food on the island. Couple that with its BYOB, and its a hands down, winner winner chicken dinner. No, you won't find any chicken dinners here, but you will find the following mouthwatering, satisfying Greek faves: Schwarma, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Falafel, Baba Ghanoush, Dolmadakia, Mussel Ceviche, Tabouleh and Greek Salad. They also have daily specials, often fish. Keep in mind, CASH only and parking is a little bit tight, you may have to park on the street. Seating is even tighter, so you might want to just do take out. Also, they are only open for dinner. Also, if you forget to bring your wine, there just so happens to be a wine shop RIGHT next door . . was it planned that way?? Hmmmm. . . . Many reviewers state that this place is pricier than other Greek/Mediterranean options. I disagree. For the portions, the price is very reasonable.
(5)Angel W.
After almost a year I've been back here 2x in the last 2 weeks. The food is just as good as I remember it from the past. I must've gotten lucky these last 2 times, too, because we got a table right away. I can remember standing and hovering over tables of people clearly done with food but enjoying their wine and conversation for what felt like hours. Seemed like there were different faces at the counter so not sure if there are new owners or just new staff. I ordered my favorites: hummus with extra pita bread, mussels and greek salad. My friends also got the lamb soulvaki and and chicken dish. There is limited parking so we parked at Kahala mall and walked over. Think I might need to get take out soon when I'm in the area. The best Greek food in town, hands down.
(5)K B.
Always good and BYOB. It gets busy around 5:30 so you'll have to wait for a table. Don't be put off by the slowish service, remember it's Greece! Their domaldes and feta/olive appetizers are great. Make sure to try the soup too... Yum
(5)Barry L.
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. For over 18 years have enjoyed consistently fresh, tasty Greek food. The Greek salad and dressing is tasty, The lemon egg drop soup is Greek comfort food. The Baba Ghanoush can't get any better. The Mussells Ceviche is out of this world (even if you don't like seafood). The Soulvaki (chicken, fish or Lamb) is killer. Five of us eat here regularly and we pay about $80. Always come away with the wow experience and you will too!
(5)Doris D.
The wait and seating are terrible situations but that's because the cafe is a place to linger over a bottle of wine (BYOB). We chose to avoid the prime dinner rush and headed over to the cafe after a movie, at about 9pm. The tables are still filled up but the wait for the food isn't as terrible (still bad but not as bad). We lucked out and got a table outside and had a nice 2-hour dinner. I got the falafel which was very tasty but watch out for the inevitable and very intense garlic and onion breath! My husband got the schwarma which was very good as well. Cash only!
(4)LeaDan Y.
I would have to call this my personal fave for Greek food on Oahu but last night was my first time. Whether you choose to park at Kahala Mall or in the lot, theres space. The food isnt dry like most of the Greek places in Hawaii. You can either bring your own drinks or purchase something from the Greek liquor store next door, which they also own. They are clearly a popular establishment as they were busy and honestly, one of the reasons I have avoided them for so long has been the line, but again, i think the food was worth it. Once you get to the front of the line, the wait for the food isnt so bad. The baklava was perfect, no overpowering sweetness that you often find in the store.
(4)David L.
The best Greek food on island. Waited couple minutes for table. Group of 8 everyone happy!
(5)Jeannanicole D.
Greek/Mediterranean restaurants are sparse in our neck of the woods. With such a small basis for comparison, accurate reviews weren't expected going in. To start, I had the Tarama Salata (greek caviar spread) served with warm pita, olive oil and lemon. The pita was the star of the show and had an enjoyable temperature and consistency. The spread was richer than expected. Cheese and roe mix well but I am not a fan of richer foods. If you are, you won't be disappointed. The lemon and olive oil add some freshness to alleviate the heaviness of the spread. I ordered the Shaorma platter. Spicy ground lamb patty with tomato & onion, served with tatini sauce on warm pita. I have to say, the bad taste in my mouth wasn't left by the patty itself. Although a little dry, it was rather tasty. The haphazard way it was slapped together with an almost disgusting amount of tatini sauce, tomato and onion that should've had a much finer cut and smashed into a rubbery pita made it inedible. It was difficult to take such a big bite just to have the contents fall out. I tried cutting it but the pita was too tough to cut. I gave up and ate the mixed green salad with the house dressing. To my delight, the salad was refreshing and wonderful. The nice thing about Olive tree is that you can enjoy some wine, specialty beverages (I really enjoyed the mango juice) cheese, and tapas in a BYOB atmosphere. Perfect for casual conversation. The cashier, who was extremely efficient and helpful, is the only reason a third star was awarded.
(3)Franklin A.
This is a nice low key place to eat that has wonderful Greek/Mediterranean food. I like coming here with friends because the appetizers are great to share and there's a wine store right next door (BYOB) so it's a great place to meet in the early evening and talk story with friends for a little while. The greatest challenge is probably a) parking and b) seating. Parking is easy to take care of by parking on the street in the surrounding neighborhood or at Kahala Mall. The seating can be terrible because it's such a great spot to sit and talk story with friends for long periods of time. Occasionally you'll get some folks that hover around you but that's the exception rather than the norm. I usually get the falafel or the lamb souvlaki - both are excellent and come with salad. Hummus with pita is a great starter and even better for sharing over the wine that you brought with you or picked up from next door. I also recently had a couple of their soups which are also outstanding. Overall the quality of the food - the care, love, ingredients, and tradition that are part of every dish - is one reason why we've come back to this place over and over again.
(4)Lianne S.
I too am a fan of this wonderful restaurant. A few things: Maybe it was just an off night but Olive Tree used to be SO much busier. I mean, if you didn't get there shortly after it opened at 5pm you were really taking your chances at getting a table. I haven't been in probably two years before I went last week and I noticed they have a new sign up that says you have to leave within 45 minutes of getting your food. This was definitely somewhere that people would hang out for hours.. so perhaps the time limit has cut down on how packed it can be. Food usually takes about 30++ minutes, sometimes much longer depending on how busy they are. Not only do you have all of the other people dining in, this is an extremely popular spot for takeout. Everything here is good. Over the years I've had pretty much everything on their menu. I usually get the hummus + greek salad and have a few nibbles from my date's meal.
(5)Kim M.
A GOOD SIGN I went to Olive Tree Cafe for the first time with a friend on an early evening. It was nice to see that there were already patrons inside just after opening. Regulars? Always a good sign. WEDNESDAY = LAMB yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… My friend did all of the ordering because he is an Olive Tree Cafe regular. We went on Wednesday specifically for their lamb; he and I both love lamb. I don't even know in detail what he ordered, but all the dishes were excellent. Salad, muscles, hummus, lamb, fish... all of it. yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… BAKLAVA yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… Being the heifer that I am...even after all that delicious pant-button-popping food, I wanted dessert. Olive Tree Cafe's baklava was divine. If I wasn't so full, I would have probably ordered another. And one to go... LEFTOVERS Of course we had leftovers. And guess who took 'em home and ate 'em later that night?!! Hah, yours truly! :) PARKING Parking is a bit limited because the lot is shared among other businesses in the area... But really, who the eff cares?! Parking is the least of your problems. You need to get down to Olive Tree to get your grind on. If there's a will, there's a way... and if there weren't any parking available in that immediate shared lot, I'd park on the street somewhere and walk. Seriously... Be a better "you," and walk. VERDICT I'm pretty stoked to say that I now love Greek food more than ever. And I can't wait to go back. I'm also glad Kahala Mall is nearby, so I have somewhere to walk off that delicious food. Olive Tree Cafe, thank you. Keep doing what you're doing. Yelp 365 - #042/365
(4)Alysha K.
I'm all about pupus, wine, and chillin' out. And Olive Tree Cafe is one of the best places to do this. I basically love everything about it here! The indoor/outdoor seating areas, decor, Greek music, BYOB, customer service, and of course, food! Let me tell you the baba ganoush (eggplant spread) is so deeeeelish! I will never come back here without ordering some of this goodness. And the best part about it is you can get a combo of 1 scoop + 1 scoop of hummus. Both drizzled with olive oil. The mussels are also very tasty, and who could go wrong with a plate of feta cheese?! Although it says they close at 10, you are welcome to stay while they clean up ~midnight. The people there are really friendly and personable. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)Tom W.
I went to Olive Tree when it first opened a number of years ago and we ordered three dinner plates. Have visited since then only under protest. Frankly, I'm surprised they are still in business. My wife asked for a side of the yogurt sauce and was told "no" you can't have it. I approached the server certain that it was a misunderstanding. I suggested they charge us 50 cents or something for a tablespoon of the special sauce. NO, we can't do that (evidently this is NOT Burger King and you cannot have it 'your way'). You mean you "won't do that". Maybe by now they have figured out that they can charge a dollar or two for another scoop of sauce, but it looks from some of the reviews that this place still has an attitude. No credit cards? Truly? In this day and age? I guess the people that put multi-stars on this place don't mind being treated like they are being done a huge favor by someone taking their money and being told "cash only" on top of it. To top it off, the call-in orders go though the same cashier as the sit-downs so you can't order for the take-outs and the take-outs can't pick up for the order-ins. Makes for a lot of aggravation at the end of a day. Me, I like a place that treats you like a friend or a family instead of an inconvenience. I see a number of reviews give this place a high-star rating yet complain about the long wait for placing an order and impossibility of finding a table (despite being next to the parking lot). Maybe if half of the customers stop going here (as I have), the slow service problem will be solved because they won't have as many victims. . . I mean customers.
(1)Yee Ting W.
this place serves up really good greek-mediterranean homestyle food...it has been in the same location for decades in a building across of kahala mall...it's very low key and BYOB if you decide to eat in...they only take cash...some of the must haves are their baba ganoush with pita bread, falafels and gyros...they have specials everyday as well..they have a mini market to pick up wines, cheeses and bread if you decide to take something home or buy wine with your meal
(4)Michael P.
Everything is good - really enjoy the Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves).
(4)Syed S.
Great food but too crowded. I can wait longer if I really want to have delicious Pita & Hummus. I am fast guy waiting longer than 10 min is too much for me as I can use that time taking one more wave for surfing :-) They also have store on back where you can buy some of merchandise which they use. I wont mind going there again and eat.
(4)Shannon P.
Fair prices and pretty tasty food for the most part. Waited in line for 20+ minutes and had to wait another 30 for my shawarma. Comes with an ono salad with perfect salad dressing. We're talking dressing made for kings here. The lamb was burnt a little and nothing like that heavenly street food shawarma you get in New York. I had an order of yeagantes (giant Greek White beans) which is always a good choice. Too much oil and manini portion for the price, but at least it comes with some pita to soak it up.
(3)Coreen L.
Great Greek food though this place is always packed so you'll have to be patient (or hope for good timing). Also check their hours, they are a little different than most eateries. Bring your own wine and/or adult drinks or stop by the little store next door with some super options.
(4)Jennifer H.
Let me start off by saying 'European' eateries with the tiny little tables and those string lights make me weak in the knees, so this review may be biased already. Everytime we drive by this place it's always busy, so we decided to try it out. Located on the back side of Kahala Mall between Wahoo's and McD's, there is often little parking. It is also located next to a wine shop, and the restaurant is BYOB-- how convenient ;). If not, Long's is just right around the corner. There is a cute little outdoor seating area and limited indoor seating as well. They have a sufficient menu covering all the proteins and of course vegetarian options as well. They have a fresh catch that varies daily. My boyfriend and I each got our own souvlaki (basically grilled meat with onions and sauce in a soft pita with a side of Greek salad). He had the lamb which he tells me is delicious (I don't eat lamb so I wasn't gonna try any). & I had the organic chicken which was phenomenal. The service was great, the counter staff were very sweet. Cash only though! This restaurant is in no means fast food deli kind of place, so enjoy that wine and imagine you aren't in Hawaii for a second. The wait is worth it, promise.
(4)Reiko S.
Love the food!!! We usually have the hummus, babaghanoush and fish soulvalki. It's healthy and light. Very satisfying all around. BYOB
(5)Jason W.
Very good food! You get what you pay for here in taste! The portions on the appetizers are little small in my opinion, especially if you want to share with more than two people but the entrees are pretty packed. I really enjoy the Fish, the salads, and the ambiance. It gets a little packed and sometimes is hard to find seating but it certainly has a bit of character about it. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Kelsey S.
I'm sorry, but I don't get why ratings are so high for this place. The menu is limited and the more recognizable dishes are lacking in flavor. Take for example, the hummus. When I think of hummus I think smooth and garlicy. Hummus here is thick, pasty and it sticks to the roof of your mouth. It reminds me of the texture peanut butter has. Add to the fact that it has absolutely no flavor and you've got a total fail. What saves this place from a 2-star rating is the lamb. Now, that was good. The portion size is big enough to share with a friend (unless your friend is a dude in which case, tell him to get his own). Don't get this lamb dish mixed up with the Souvlaki lamb. Make sure you ask the cashier for the lamb special. Parking is limited so I'd suggest parking at Kahala Mall and walking over. Don't forget to come with a bottle of wine or two to go with your meal (BYOB), but in case you do, there's a wine shop right next store.
(3)DJ Nocturna R.
Always the best in Hawaii in Greek cuisine and VERY REASONABLY priced. The ambiance is spectacular. I've seen many moons there and it's a place where everyone knows your name. Next door is a little store where you can get the wine to compliment your meal. Even the girls working there are helpful and sweet. No wonder many people flock to the Olive Tree for healthy good dinners !!! See you there!
(5)Will B.
I'm not really Greek food fan, so take those 4 stars seriously! There are some tasty dishes to be eaten here. The hummus is excellent, and baba ganoush is not far behind. Get either with extra pita for an awesome appetizer. I frequently get the lamb souvlaki when my wife brings me here. The falafel is also a solid option. Quirks: There are tables, but this is an order-at-the-counter place. You have to pay for water (something like 50 cents for a soda-sized cup), and they don't take credit cards. On the other hand, it's BYOB, so bring your water bottle or wine (or buy wine at the shop next door) and you'll be good. There's often a wait for the food, so call ahead with your order!
(4)Chelsea A.
I wish I could give 3 1/2 stars. The food is very nice, but the order layout is slightly confusing. Cash only. You're eating right on the parking lot. You get the idea. I know that Hawaii is hard pressed for eatery space but it leaves a little to be desired. One thing though, if they have the large beans in tomato sauce--get two orders. That sauce is like a drug.
(3)Pualena P.
This is the go-to dinner spot for me and my Sex in the City wannabe girlfriends! We can bring our own wine, sit outside "cafe-style" and eat delicious food in a casual, welcoming setting. I have only ordered one thing since I started eating here and I'm perfectly happy with my one-hit-wonder. I order the Fish Souvlaki. It is to DIE for. Actually, all of the souvlakis are good! ...and to be honest, I don't know what else they serve? I'd like to try something else some time, but I don't know if I can go there and NOT order one of my favorite meals on the planet! Their prices have gone up a few dollars over the years, so this place has become more of a treat than a regular pit stop, but I still think it's totally worth it! The sauce they use in the souvlakis is absolutely magical. The souvlakis come with a greek salad that I love and I can never figure out why. I mean, the ingredients are fresh and delicious, but it isn't an unusual salad with anything crazy. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the dressing...more magic I think! Ok, ok, I have tried other things that my friends and family ordered. The lamb, chicken and the falafel souvlakis are also good...but in my opinion, the fish is better. ;) They also have baklava to satisfy your post-meal sweet tooth. Seating is limited but I never have to wait too long to snag a table. It's also BYOB/W (woop woop!) but there is a conveniently located wine shop adjacent to the restaurant. Parking can be a real pain, but the Kahala Mall parking lot is about a 45 second walk away. (I'm not sure why it always seems soooo much further to me, but it really isn't.) and don't forget, it's cash only! (checks are okay too, I think...) so be sure to hit the ATM before you go! (...lucky for you, if you forget, Bank of Hawaii is just across the way. Phew!)
(5)Ayako T.
Awesome food!!!!!! I usually get fresh fish souvlaki, or lamb souvlaki. Mango Nector Juice without ice :) Cash only, so have your cash ready.
(5)Curtis C.
This was one of our favorite places to eat and drink wine in HNL. As many people note, it's so popular that there are often waits, and the self-service table issue can get a little sketchy. People eye-balling you impatiently as you try and finish your meal. That part makes it a little strange, and inconvenient, but none the less, the food never disappointed. Standouts: Muscle "ceviche". So good, "ccooked with lemon juice, topped with capers and herbs. caviar dip- thought I was tasting the best humus ever, and a friend pointed out that it was their caviar dip. Amazing flavor profiles Lamb Shank special- fall of the bone goodness. Super traditional, and yummy. Fish souvlaki. They always use the ctach of the day, so it varies from Mahi, to ono, to whatever, but it's always fresh and cooked perfectly. Giant Greek white beans in tomato sauce. So simple, but SO good! The deli next door sells the dried beans, so you can make your own. So go, get a bottle of wine, or three, from the shop next door, and enjoy!
(4)Jonathan L.
I always passed by this place numerous times but have yet to tried it until now. Came here after working out and I was super hungry. When I parked I noticed cats everywhere. I kinda wondered if this place is sanitary. It was around 9PM and it was still crowded. BTW this place is cash only. I ordered the falafel which that cost $9.56. Our food came out quickly. The falafel was wrapped in pita bread drizzled with some type of sauce. There was also salad that came with the meal. I didn't know the falafel had no meat inside but it tasted very meaty. I think it was the sauce that made the falafel. Don't know what it is but I like it. I ate everything literally in a minute. Yum. Great place to go and this place is also BYOB. The only thing is you have to pay 50 cent for a cup even for water :( This is why I gave this place only four stars.
(4)AJ L.
Best food I've had in Hawaii this trip. It's been here forever and I never knew it! The food is fresh and fabulous. Snag a table before you order because it is always full. Order from the counter and they call out your name with your food. you go in, pick it up and pay. By the way, the same people own the wine shop next door and will add your beer or wine to your order. I can recommend the fish souvlaki and the falafel souvlaki. We also ordered an appetizer of the beans that came with warm pits bread. It's cash only by the way. Oh, they discourage lingering, but I do not. They do not take big groups - just so you know. But still, this is a fun place!
(5)J P.
This right here is a damn crime of deliciousness!!! Everything is exquisite. I love the lamb, and their humus is off the chain. The only thing that sucks is that they don't take cards, just cash... Next door is owned by the owner as well and they sell amazing wines. Buy a bottle there, and just ask for some glasses at the front where you order your food and enjoy a nice open air dinner. Perfect spot for a date!
(5)Jasmine N.
OPA! Since you can BYOB its nice place for a greek dinner. Everything I've tried so far has been good. The Lemon egg soup is surprisingly yummy. Who would have thought the two go together. It's savory with a tang. The hummus and pita are yummy, the chicken souvlaki was juicy and the salad that came with it was to die for. There is limited seating inside and outside. You order and wait.. This is when you can start the party with your beverages. You pay when you pick up your food. They only take cash. A cute place with good food. Must try/ Tips: BYOB and cups because they charge $0.25 per cup, My friends park in the mall or across the street.
(4)Nat N.
I'm not an expert when it comes to Greek cuisine, but I think this is as good as it gets (in Hawaii). We went on a Wednesday night just before 7 pm and were lucky to score two parking spots in the parking lot. Great timing. The hummus was prepared and ready for pick up well ahead of our entrees, which was a definite plus since we didn't get our entrees until 30 minutes later. Wish it came with a few more slices of pita bread. My lamb souvlaki was excellent. The lamb was juicy and spiced perfectly. My friend ordered the shaorma and licked the plate clean. The 30 minute wait for our food was definitely worth it!
(5)Jana M.
One of hubby's favorite places. He is more into greek food than I am, and he prefers this place over all the other greek places in town. I love the chicken souvlaki! They are often crowded though, even early on. So be prepared to hunt for a table or wait... It's a weird system where you order and then they call you and then you pay. That's the only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5. I'd rather pay when I order and get it over with vs. dealing with money and try to pick up food. Would be nice if they brought food out too, plenty places just use numbers.
(4)Darby C.
I ate here 4 times on my past trip to Oahu. It's my favorite restaurant right now. I could eat here nightly. The avgo lemonos soup, hummus, and lamb souvlaki are my favorites. Unreal how good everything is. I only wish they had more seating and were open at lunch. Oh and accepted credit cards.
(5)andrew h.
Came in tonight around 9:15 and left at 10 with an empty stomach. We waited 45 minutes and our food never came out, we were sitting right in front of the cashier! Have some class and apologize and reassure your customers the food is taking longer than expected. Everyone waiting for food was very frustrated, no consolidation was done. Ive been coming here for years but I will never come back. Food is OK Its just a hassle eating here, parking is limited, only accepts cash, limited seating...... And service doesn't deserve one star
(1)Steven T.
Lots of people like this place because of good food, no doubt. And that's about it - the rest just sucks. First you need some luck to find a parking space in that tiny parking lot for a such crowded place. Street parking around is not any better. Next, the place is so crowded that you have to fight to get your orders in because the counter area is like a fish market packed with people fighting their way to get order their orders in. And the worst part for me is that nobody cares if you don't have a table. Once you've placed your order, you're on your own to grab your table - often left standing around like moron waiting for a table for up to an hour. There's no numbering system whatsoever or even first come first served basis. Whoever quickest scores -- wild West style. Other minuses are pricey food, small portions, and cash only. It's a amazing there are people out there willing to suck it up just for a plate of tasty food. As long as there are people piling in this place to get a piece of the action, the owner doesn't care to improve anything because he doesn't have to.
(1)Lauren N.
One of my fave places to eat! Everything I've tried here has been good. Some of my favorites are the hummus, baba ganoush, the caviar spread, shaorma and falafel. When ordering the hummus and babas, I always make sure to order extra pita on the side. The falafel is so moist and yummy. Definitely one of the best falafels on the island. The only downside to this place is the small parking lot that fills up quickly. I usually try to circle a couple times and end up parking in the street or at kahala mall. The place is always packed but I've never had to wait more than a few minutes for a seat. One of the best parts about eating here besides the delicious food is that it's BYOB with no corkage fee! Reasonable, delicious food with a side of your favorite wine or beer. Doesn't get any better than that.
(5)Hawaiian G.
This is going to be one of our favorite places to eat! My hubby and I were missing some good authentic Greek food (had them when we lived on the mainland) and I have searched high and low for some places that seem to cater to locals (and not tourist-y) and found this place on Yelp (Thanks Yelp!). We shared the grape leaves stuffed with rice and Lemon Egg Soup as Appetizers. Oh my goodness - they were both so FRESH and yummy! Next time I'm ordering my own soup (LOL) For main, hubby and I had the Chicken Souvlaki (comes with a small portion of greek salad on your plate) - DEEE-LICIOUS. The chicken is cooked with lots of yummy seasoning, the sauce is yummy and just the right amount of onions all inside a nice sized pita bread. For dessert, we shared the Baklava - and oh man oh man it was crispy on the outside and moist/syrup-y/sweet on the inside. LOVEEEEED it! Helpful Tips: (1) CASH only (2) Come early if you want a parking space and a table. If you can't find a parking space, you can park on the street or at the Kahala Mall parking lot and walk (3) You don't pay when you order, and you need some patience as they may not take your order right away (even when it's your turn) if they are super busy. (4) BYOB - liquor store next door if you want some alcohol. The place also has a variety of sodas, fruit juices, coffee, tea, etc. (5) Saw a lot of people picking up take out orders - if you're in a rush, call your order in advance and pick up your yummy food! Edited to Add: Let's not forget the Aloha spirit people..... This is a SMALL restaurant with limited seating. It is probably not the greatest idea to have a "family reunion" or some huge gathering here, but the times I have been there, I see families hoarding all the tables and chairs and having a party. Also tourists in groups of 7, 8, 10....drinking tons of beer, sitting around and reading tour guide books or playing with their smartphone - while people are standing around with their plates wishing they could find a table. Most people should get the hint when the workers from the restaurant come out and take away your empty dishes, etc but some do not (LOL). I have also seen couples (with their empty wine bottles and empty plates and nothing to do) stalling "on purpose" when they notice others waiting around for their table. Just don't get it. This cafe is a high energy, busy restaurant - not Starbucks or a Lounge Bar. Seriously, enjoy your food, enjoy your night with your friends but it would be nice if you can MIND the others trying to find seats and leave when you're done eating.
(5)Justin M.
food. i enjoyed the food a great deal. i had the lamb souvlaki and tasted a few of the appetizers (baba ganoush, cheese platter, yeagantis). The lamb was grilled perfectly and well seasoned, and offset beautifully with yoghurt sauce in a warm toasted pita wrap, with a side salad (mixed greens, onion, cherry tomatoes, and vinaigrette). basic, but just what i've been craving for weeks. the baba ganoush was exceptional (smooth texture, gently spiced, with fresh pita) and the cheese platter featured a buttery manchego and a corfiot noumboulo--think greek prosciutto, but soft and a bit less salty. uncomplicated and satisfying all around. the price is a bit high for what they offer; this is true across pretty much the entire menu. food gets a four (good, but i didn't see god). environment. went on a sunday night, and it was altogether, unjustifiably hectic. groups waiting between tables to snag open seating and a line out the door, with a bonus pile-up at the pick-up counter. lots of upset faces. ideally a restaurant with open seating provides four-tops and two-tops to accommodate both small and large parties (easily pushed together to create seating for larger groups as needed). olive tree, however, opts mostly for four-tops resulting in big tables being monopolized in many cases by twosome diners, as others stand around looking on in a slow simmer. olive tree is byob. this is nice, given that they run a small wine shop in the next space over (across from subway), but also painful as tables take forever to turn over. i noticed that, because people had to be aggressive and grab what they could get right away, the tables really didn't get cleaned off. it's funny that really not too many places have outdoor seating areas in this town given that it is hawaii. but the seating at olive tree is wrapped around the restaurant directly on the parking lot, and without a lot of protection when the rain starts coming down. environment gets a one (stressful and combative). service. i think they were short a staff member or two. the man at the register looked practically homicidal as he zapped back and forth from the register to the food service counter. i mentioned the lines and crowds -- they needed two people organizing food and drink and one person manning the register, but had one person trying to do it all and doing a pretty bad job of it. the kitchen staff also looked hard pressed, like they too were about to lose it completely. nothing we ordered should have taken the hour it took them to get it to us (read: two forevers). and then they forgot to give me my baklava. and i paid for it. and i didn't remember until after we left the restaurant (yes, partly my fault, but still should not happen, and more prone to happening when there is an hour between when you order the food and when you actually receive it). service gets a one (forgetting to give me food i ordered is automatic demerits, even though i felt pretty bad for the staff). tips and tricks. - check out the cute little greek market next door. - if you get a table or tables and have extra seating, offer to share with others. - don't be the d-bags who sit around an extra hour polishing off your bottle of wine per person. - if it's busy, cut your losses and go somewhere else immediately. maybe this place is lovely and worthwhile when it isn't a competition between the staff and the customers to see who can look more pissed off. overall. obviously, there is something to this place because there were crowds and people were willing to put up with the poorly managed nightmare scenario, as presented, and maybe some day I will give it another try. But for now, it gets a two (rhymes with booo).
(2)Stacie P.
This place is hap, hap, happening! I went to dinner here last night with my sister and cousin and every table was occupied, the line to order went out the door and people just kept coming. I've driven by here countless times and I always think Olive Garden when I pass by and thought they served Italian food but much to my surprise it was all Greek to me. I love Greek food, especially since it's more vegetarian than meat. I'm not a vegetarian but there are just some days I prefer to eat like one. The place is super casual. You order at the counter, wait for your name to be called, pick up your food and pay when your order is ready and find a seat. There's both indoor and outdoor seating with more outdoor than indoor seats. You can BYOB. They provide you wine glasses and have a variety of different wine openers available for use next to the register; pop your bottle and leave the wine opener for the next person. We sat outside and it was funny to watch everyone coming in with their bottles of wine in tow. The menu is not that extensive, especially when it comes to the entrees but they do have specials - just remember to ask as they were advertised. Between the 3 of us we ordered 2 Falafels and a special, which was half an eggplant stuffed with cheese and some other non meat products I can't remember. My sister and I split the falafel and eggplant so I got to taste both and they were GOOD! The falafel was super yummy thanks to their delicious tahini sauce that's slathered all over it. Our entrees come with a salad and pita bread. For some reason I thought the salad was super yummy; I don't know if they do anything special to it other than cut up lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers but I am a fan. In addition to our entrees we ordered the hummus and grape leaves for appetizers. I wish I had known all of our dishes came with pita bread (maybe I didn't read the menu well) otherwise I would've just ordered hummus since we had quite a bit of carbs to go around with the pita from our entrees, as well as the appetizers; this is my only critique. The grape leaves were surprisingly tasty. I've had grape leaves before and I didn't really care for them so when my sister wanted to order them I wasn't all that excited but they turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We all agreed that we're coming back again. Next time, though, I'll remember to bring more wine since one bottle was definitely not enough for us. Also, I'll remember to bring cash; they don't accept debit or credit cards. Ironically enough, though, they will take a personal check with a photo ID; aren't checks archaic nowadays?
(4)Duncan H.
Love Olive Tree because their food is consistent. Every time I go I always know that my food will be fresh and the same quality. I'm a huge fan on falafel and dolmas. The soup is also very, very good. Seating can sometimes be tough to find, but hey what can you expect since everyone in the neighborhood loves this place. Don't forget it's BYOB!
(5)Jules F.
How can food that tastes this good be this inexpensive? Highly recommend the lamb or fish souvlaki (I have actually seen them bring in an 80 pound fish with 2 big Greek guys, through their doorway. It's THAT fresh.) Only thing you have to watch out for is the Friday and Saturday lineup, because the locals know about this place. Generally a 45 min wait so go early or get takeout on weekends. Also, it's BYOB with a wine shop next door. As if it weren't already inexpensive!
(5)Christian R.
Hold tight
(4)Traci C.
Hands down, my FAVORITE place to have Greek food! This place has been here since I was growing up, and the funny thing is...I always order the same things each time I go. I like to order the chicken souvlaki (which is pretty much like a pita bread stuffed with chicken, onions, and some kind of sauce that is AMAZING), grape leaves, and hummus with extra pita bread. A few tips for the hungry: make sure you get a table ASAP because they are usually busy all the time (unless you go right when it opens). Parking isn't the easiest either, so you may have to park in McDonald's next door or in Kahala Mall. The food can take a little longer as well, sometimes 25-30 minutes, so take-out is always an option.
(5)Annie W.
The lamb shaorma is not my favorite here. It's grounded up lamb, flattened to patty style, served in hummus, tahini like sauce wrapped in pita bread. I'm not sure if it was the spices, but it smelled and tasted sort of weird to me. I can pass on this one for $9.50 and pay a bit more for their souvlaki. The lamb souvlaki was a different story. Chunk of lamb, cooked on a skewers and then released onto a nice sized pita bread. The amount of dill yogurt sauce they laid over it was a bit much, but the meat was still heavenly. Take a bite and see how perfectly red it's cooked and there is absolutely no gamey taste. I couldn't help, but to think of how much more tastier it would have been, if there were some hot sauce to add to this dish. With that said, we came, we tried and we still heart The Fat Greek. I would still return for the souvlaki, but the cash only deal is not cool. I do however appreciate the fact that they accept local checks. Finding a seat is like pulling teeth here. It's a chill ambiance and I understand why the BYOB is so common with a small wine store next door.
(3)Nicole A.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. When I lived in the neighborhood, I ate here at least twice a week. Back on the mainland now, but I still crave this place! Everything is good!
(5)Ashleigh C.
I'll start off with saying that I love this places atmosphere. The decor definitely had me feeling like I had escaped to Greece. Alright so the food.. was just okay to me. I ordered the hummus to begin my meal. The hummus was boring and the pita bread was mediocre. Then I had the chicken souvlaki which was tasty. The portions were smaller than I expected as well. The dressing on their side salads was pretty good too, it had a nice saltiness.Before I left I had ordered their special for that day "to go"; it was a Greek version of lasagna, again it was tasty but I would't say there was anything special about it. I'd eat here again but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit. I must say though, if you want some delicious Mediterranean food, visit It's Good and Healthy Cafe Downtown. I'll be posting a review on them soon.
(3)Florence K.
Arguably one of the best, or THE best Greek restaurant in Hawaii...or of the ones I have tried, and I think I've been to quite a few. Located next to Wahoo's Fish Tacos near Kahala Mall, this place really is a treat for those who are craving Greek. Unfortunately, there aren't many parking stalls out in front so you may be better off parking near McDonalds in the mall. Food here is delicious! I ordered the lamb souvlaki and I got warm pita bread stuffed with juicy pieces of lamb and great tzatziki sauce. I also tried a bite of my boyfriend's shaorma, which I really enjoyed the flavor of. The spices really mixed well in the patty. Olive tree Cafe has the best Greek food I have yet tried. They offer a good variety of food although I'll still probably stick with the lamb souvlaki the next time I return. I just enjoyed it that much! The restaurant was packed as we grabbed the table that opened up in front of us as we walked in. They only accept cash, so make sure you're prepared when you order!
(5)Crissy K.
Screw it. Despite the ever-rising prices and the fact that they take a while to get your food to you, this place deserves five stars. BEST GREEK FOOD EVER. OK, so I haven't been to Greece . . . but I challenge you to find a better babaghanoush. You won't. It just isn't possible. Plus, I hadn't been here in forever (last time I tried to go, they were closed for deep cleaning), and the guy still remember who I was. I'm fairly convinced that said guy has worked here forever because he gets free food. Heck, the prospect of free Olive Tree makes ME consider that second job.
(5)Angela K.
Good greek food in Hawaii! yes! One of my favorite Greek/Mediterranean foods are falafels! and this place had some pretty good ones - wished they didn't drench it in the sauce in the pita, so I can enjoy the flavor and texture of the balls. Came with a side salad that i ended up stuffing into the pita to become a more complete pita sandwich. Paired it up with a cup of their mango nectar - thick mango sherbet like drink. yummy! Hummus was good with the warm pitas. The guy even gave us more pitas with no charge - mahalos! However, when i wanted a cup of water, he wanted to charge me 50cents. odd that didn't charge me for the extra pitas but did for the water cup. Would come back to get my greek/mediterranean fix. there's a wine bar next door, would come back with some wine with my dinner next.
(4)kristine f.
Mmmmm...!!! Olive Tree makes me happy happy. I love their Baba Ganoush and Hummus. The warm slices of pita dabbed with Olive oil and a generous serving of hummus makes me happy. I usually get the chicken or lamb soulvaki. Though, the last time the lamb was a little gamey but nonetheless still very tender. I love how simple the menu is but the food is far from simple. The refills on soda are free, who does that nowadays?! The people behind the counter are also very helpful with selections. I always leave happy. Try the Tabouleh Salad it's fresh and oh so tasty and is perfect for sharing. My only complaint about Olive Tree is the lack of parking and sparse seating area. I had dinner with my girlfriends last week and I had to park at the mall and walk over, which isn't such a big deal. But when you're hungry and all you can think about is that savory pita slathered with Hummus it seems like a big deal to park a block away.
(4)Trish P.
this place is..... just ok. i'm giving them a 3 b/c the food was not horrible. it was pretty good, but it seemed more like something you should get from a food truck rather than a restaurant. i tried the falafel and their shaorma sandwiches. their falafel is a hearty eating sandwich, but a little on the small side. AND at over $9 i was expecting more food. the shaorma is the same thing.... it is a tasty sandwich, similar to a gyro, but the meat is in a more patty like form. this too is over $9. the sandwiches come with a small side salad, but again.... at over $9? thats a bit pricey for the amount of food, and the overall quality. i would have been able to overlook cost if the service was stellar, or if there was something about the atmosphere that just blew me away - but those things did not happen.... the guy taking your order was pretty stoic and a little impatient, and really no one looked happy to be in there. i can NOT see myself visiting this place regularly - but, if one of my friends wants to eat here, and i'm in the area, i'll probably go. just an FYI - this place is BYOB and CASH ONLY.
(3)Elyse Q.
Their food is border line average/nasty. Service is okay. Price for the portions are unreasonable. The environment is unpleasant. I had the Lamb Souvlaki: Pita bread tastes like it's from costco (definitely not fresh). Lamb was okay a little too chewy. Sauce had too much garlic (I like food with lots of garlic but this made me feel nauseous). Leaves in the salad were wilted. Dressing given was bland. Service: Line wait is about 10 minutes Food wait is over 20 minutes (which I don't get because the composition of the food is not that complicated) Don't accept credit or debit cards (this is inconvenient but fine) Don't accept PENNIES!!! (Apparently they are too good for pennies) They are semi polite (probably because they are crazy busy) You pay when you get your food (this made me feel awkward, but whatever) There is no area for those who ordered take out to wait. Either wait awkwardly by the second door way that has heavy in and out traffic orrrrr get into a beef with the other table sharks :( Make sure you ask for forks and napkins because I had none!!! I know they're busy but I mean COME ON!!! That's restaurant basics. What am I supposed to do go back to my cave man roots and eat with my hands. Seriously. Price to portions: The Lamb Souvlaki which contains sauce and about a small handful of meat in a pita with a small side salad (ummm...okay where did my $12.00 go?) Environment: Music is a little too loud for such a small room but they play Greek music... cool for the first few minutes. Spaces between tables and tables to traffic areas are way too cramped. Tables are round and small. I was touching knees with my friends if I scooted in but if I scooted out i would be in the walk way :( Furniture is kinda cute All around decor...boring
(2)Arthur S.
Probably the best greek food place ive been too, open in the evenings. The place itself isn't very big which leaves limited seating, i believe there is covered outside seating, but since it is so popular it is best to go early. It can be a little loud everyone is socializing and having a great time. I had the spread, since im a fan of caviar, the rice, and a dish wrapped in some sort of leaves with olives. I also tried a meat dish called baklava which was great. They have other things and meats to chose from which can be wrapped in a fullafle, as well as salads. But id have to say the food is not only delicious but very healthy! so you cant go wrong here :)
(5)Thaila K.
Delicious food...hummus is the best I've had! Food is ordered at the counter. Mellow, laid back style. Service is good. Perfect for date nights...good vibe. The vibe and outdoor atmosphere is such a good mix for great conversations...if this is a date night, I hope you didn't plan on seeing a movie or at least not until an hour or two later because you might get lost in good food and good company...losing track of time. It does get crowded, you WILL have to wait. Or, you can choose to eat there on off times or days of the week which frankly...there really isn't an "off" time for them but once in awhile if you are lucky there's a parking space and a table open :) BYOB. There is a wine shop next door so if you didn't remember to bring your favorite merlot, you can purchase one there.
(5)Skye W.
Despite the construction the restaurant is undergoing outside, it didn't change the taste of the food. Their plate sizes are generous and the atmosphere is fun and relaxing. Plus, you can bring your own wine, etc. They provide the cups for 50 cents, if you don't feel like bringing your own.
(4)Maddow S.
This is one of our favorite restaurants. The food is fresh and delicious -- be sure to check out the specials. The baklava is the freshest I've ever tasted and is very delicious. Sure, its often busy and the parking is limited, but the food is yummy and the staff is very nice. We often order carry out and head out to the beach to enjoy it. Delicious fresh food + friendly staff = worth the effort..
(5)Jordan K.
The food was delicious but I recommend ordering takeout since the wait is always long. Also, the service wasn't that great as well as other patrons waiting on tables like vultures. Would get it again but I'm going to call the order in.
(4)Vivienne K.
amazing greek food in Hawaii, just wish they were open during the day.
(5)My S.
I've been here twice. Both times the food was amazing and perfect with the price points. Expect to wait for food and a table. Don't go if you starving. People who are HAngry (hungry + angry) are not fun to wait with. BYOB and plastic cups (they charge about $1 a glass). Here is our timeline: Got to the Olive Tree at 6:45pm. The tables were all being occupied and were unable to get seated until 7:25. Food ordered immediately and was told by the nice lady taking the order that we'd get our food by 8pm. WRONG! We got our appetizers at 8:20pm. And our entrées at 845pm. Order: -Hummus, so fresh. -Baba ganous, a little strong on the seasoning for me, but my husband loved it and said it was the best he's had. -Yeagantes (sp?) it's a giant beans with a light tomato flavor and herbs. It comes with pita. A Must try. We asked for more pita bread. -lamb soulvaki- meat was a little over cook so it was chewy. -fish soulvaki- fish was perfectly cooked. Both came with a side of Greek salad (amazing dressing) and the meat was wrapped up in a pita bread with tzatziki sauce. I'd probably come back and try another entree. And order the same appetizers. First time we went here was over a year ago.... We arrived early (5:30pm) and got two tables to seat a group of 8-10. And there was no charge for cups.
(4)Matt C.
Good Greek food for a decent price! I came here with my girlfriend tonight around 8pm and it was packed! They don't take reservations so your best bet is to find a seat first then order. If you look at their counter displays they show you what the apps look like. When you are done ordering, then you must wait a bit. Tonight we had the hummus ($4.78) and baba ghanoush ($5.74) for our apps. I liked the hummus more because it was tastier but the ghanoush is healthier since the main ingredient is eggplant. The pita bread didn't last longer than the spread so i recommend that you order more pita bread since it costs only 75 cents extra. For the main course we had New Zealand Lamb Souvaki ($13.38) and Shaorma (9.56). Both dishes look like huge sized soft tacos from taco bell and it comes with salad. The shaorma is a lamb patty that is soft, spicy, and covers most of the pita bread while the lamb souvaki is more chewier but only covers half of the pita bread so expect to eat plain pita for a bit. The total came out to $37 and I am full. The downside is their parking because they are limited but you can always park at the mall or on the street, the walk isn't that far but overall the atmosphere, customer service, and wait time is above average. As mentioned in other reviews that you can BYOB. I'm a fan and I will be here again.
(4)David N.
5 stars. Yes, 5. And it's not because the woman in line behind me accidentally touched my butt. Then proceeded to apologize by not apologizing because she liked it. Oh reverse sexual harassment, how I love you...especially when committed by a young, 20-something blond woman. Lol. But I digress. This review is about the restaurant, which as far as I can tell, is pretty amazing. The food, while it didn't seem to be cooked by Mediterraneans, had just as good Mediterranean flavor. Other people didn't mind the seeming lack of Mediterranean cooks because the place was packed. And plates of food kept coming out one after the other. Just be mindful of a few things. While the food is 5 star worthy, as is the byob atmosphere, the restaurant is small. So is the parking lot. And there always, always, always is a line to order. Hence, you could be waiting for your food as long as your table. Let's just say about 20ish minutes? So be patient , stay calm, drink that bottle of wine you brought, and you'll get your plate. Your mouth wateringly good and delicious plate will find it's way to your belly. Don't worry.
(5)Keesha G.
Taziki good, hummus needs lemon juice, lamb souvlaki is tough as heck. Not many traditional choices like moussaka, keftedes, passtichio, spanikopita or sweet treats. Took like 30 minutes to get my plate of food out. I love Greek food and can cook it in my sleep. This is too expensive for what you get.
(2)Deborah C.
Have always loved this place and had I written this earlier they would have received five stars. I absolutely love the food here, but when I ate at Olive Tree Cafe on Thursday night service was terrible even though they weren't busy. After waiting and waiting and waiting for my order to be called, I noticed guests who arrived after we did were getting their food. When I went in to inquire when our order would be coming out, the girl at the counter ignored me. And ignored me and ignored me and ignored me until she could do so no longer. When I finally asked about my order, she said it would be 10 more minutes. I asked whether that was for the appetizer or entrée. She went and looked for my order, found it and told me it was for my appetizer. It would've been nice if she had at least admitted they forgot about my order or lost it or whatever. As it turns out, appetizer and entrée arrived together. Not what I wanted but oh well.
(3)Brian M.
Limited kitchen/grill space combined with this being a go to restaurant for locals means you need to bring patience with your wine. The food is fresh and the place has a good spirit but ...the dishes lack authenticate taste - short on sharp flavor. Seems mediocracy has set the local standard. Americanized Mediterranean food that somehow works.
(2)Mae L.
If you want pretty genuine Greek Cuisine, this is the place to get it. I love this place and their food, but there are definitely some tips you should be aware of when you come here. If you're prepared, it will make your dining experience at Olive Tree Cafe a really good one. If you're not prepared, you may end up a little frustrated. I love the ambience of the place. It gives you the feeling of a European street café, except without the whole European street thing. :) Since the place is so small and intimate, you never know if you'll run into someone you know and end up talking story for hours. This is the kind of atmosphere it gives off. Every time we've been here, some friend will just walk up to a table and start talking and next thing you know, they're pulling up a chair! The cafe itself is a tiny little store set in a small office building on Kilauea Avenue next to Subway and Wahoo's Tacos. The store is quite small, with only the counter and about four tables inside. Then there's a small lanai/patio seating area that wraps around the storefront with small metal and porcelain café tables. I'd say there's about 12-15 tables outside, varying between 2 seaters to 6 tops. A lot of people bring their own wine; to use the café's glasses, you just pay a minimal corkage fee. (Not sure what it is, though.) It's a really cute dining experience, if you ask me. Here is what you need to bear in mind: 1. They are a cash only establishment, much like many of Honolulu's restaurants still are (though lots are converting over to accepting cards now). So make sure you have bills on you. But if you forgot, Bank of Hawaii's Kahala location is literally right around the corner. Or there is an ATM machine (not sure which bank) inside of Wahoo's Tacos if you don't want to walk as far as Bankoh. 2. The place is vegetarian friendly, but not entirely vegan friendly. You might ask that they hold the feta or put it on the side, but some of the sauces may have feta or yogurt in them. Something to think about. 3. There are wait times involved and they don't do reservations. If you're in a hurry, this is not the place for you. This is the place where you come, order, and you're here to cruise. Table seating is limited (first come, first served), you may have to wait quite awhile before you can snag a seat. If the kitchen is busy, they will get backed up and you may end up waiting further for your food. 4. Don't expect servers and waiters. They will call your order over a loud speaker and you come pick it up at the counter. Again, there may be a considerable wait time if they're busy. 5. They're often busy. Like I said, the food is good and the atmosphere is cute, so people really gravitate toward this place. 6. They are open for dinner hours only. Here are some challenges you may face: If you're in a hurry to eat, you'll get frustrated. Due to the limited seating and busyness of the kitchen, you have to be prepared for some wait times. The parking isn't the best situation, since the lot shares with an office building, Subway and Wahoo's tacos, and the spaces are limited as well. But you can always do street parking or park in the mall lot around the corner. Oh, and there are the usual stray cats begging for food, so don't be surprised if a cat walks up to you and starts mewing for scraps. I love the simple menu, the casual atmosphere and the sidewalk café feel of Olive Tree Café. If you're patient and just relax, your dining experience will be pretty awesome.
(4)Sheryl G.
what: a modern, hip and affordable greek cafe! something good: love the food here! and it's so casual and laid back, you can buy wine at the shop next door and wait till your food is ready! it's serve yourself, so you need to wait for your food to be cooked and then bring your dishes back to your table :) ! i love the portion sizes and it's a fun place with lots of people!! something not so good: if you order a lot it can be difficult to save your table and bring the food back to the table! also, it's soooo packed here, and you need a table in order to place an order!! my solution, bring lots of people to help you :D something to try: hummus and pita bread.
(5)Chris T.
This bustling Greek restaurant is going gangbusters. Get there early if you want a table or plan on waiting 20 minutes or so . The atmosphere is unique--the Greek music adds to the ambiance and the food is the best of its kind in town. We had the spanakopita, caviar salad and mussels ceviche. All of it was very tasty and the pita bread was fresh and warm. This isn't fine dining but if you want some healthy Mediterranean food in a pleasant but casual setting this is it. BYOB and if you forgot there's a Greek wine and food shop next door.
(5)Jenn H.
Nom Nom Nom!!! Love this place. Not cheap. But good Greek ain't cheap, apparently. I have been to cheap Greek places, and they ain't good. No siree. You have to scramble to get a table on the weekends, because they go pretty quickly. Hawkeye isn't fast enough to get a table there. And he's fast. It isn't all for naught, though. The food is well worth it. As are the portions and the setting. It has all the qualities of most things in Hawaii, outside of Waikiki - it is quaint, cute, initimate and sometimes annoying - and with all the stray cats, it gets really annoying - but its nice and down home and the food is top notch. Gotta love that it is BYOB ....and low and behold there is a liquor store not, five feet away from it (literally). Love me some Olive Tree, but only as a treat of course :)
(4)Captain B.
This place is a joke as far as how ridiculously slow they are, even for a relaxed Hawaiian's expectations. We stood in line for 20 minutes, with only 1 person in front of us. The cashier would just ignore the line for long periods of time as if they didn't exist. We order of food to go, to discover it will be another 25 minutes for that. Not surprisingly multiple people left after waiting in line for too long.
(1)Amber M.
The food at the olive tree cafe is delicous. Fresh, made to order. Excellent customer service, and take out if you dont want to Wait 30 mins for your food. Byob or wine as well. Packed everytime Ive gone in, open later in the day.
(4)Karissa K.
I'm not the biggest fan of Greek food but the hummus here is awesome! If you like your hummus more bean-y this is the place to go! Friendly staff and there's a wine shop next door! It's BYOB so it works out great! I'm not a huge fan of their main dishes but that's because I'm not a huge Greek food fan. The atmosphere is always awesome! My favorite is sitting outside. Always nice and relaxing after any day. Be sure to check this place out at least once-even if you aren't crazy about Greek food.
(4)Nicole R.
YUM...I absolutely love Olive Tree Cafe! The food is excellent: simple, traditional Greek preparations that are so satisfying and delicious, you'll be back soon for more. The little twinkly lights on the patio makes for a rather romantic setting -- perfect for a low key date night! Olive Tree is BYOB (which I love) so be sure to grab a yummy bottle of red on your way out the door. The portions here aren't huge, so go ahead an order appetizers to start. The hummus is excellent and they have the freshest tomatoes I've ever had on the Island. Every single thing I've ever ordered at Olive Tree has been delicious, so you really can't go wrong! So why isn't this a 5 star review? Good question. Olive Tree isn't perfect...here are some things to keep in mind before you go: - Olive Tree is a cash only establishment. Annoying, but I don't expect they'll be changing this any time soon, so be prepared and have $$ in your wallet. - The service isn't anything to write home about. Gruff at best. You place your order at the counter, snag a table, then pay for your food when they call your name. You carry your own food to the table. - The restaurant is tiny and there are only a handful of tables indoors and on the patio. Come early if you don't want to wait too long. If you don't want to deal with less than stellar service, consider getting your meal to go. Yep, Olive Tree does carry out! I've done this several times with friends, and it sure beats waiting an hour to get a table. The owners get major bonus points from me for using all biodegradable carry out packaging, too!
(4)Meghan P.
Here's a good way to get your friends to be annoyed with you -- 1) Let your friends arrive to Olive Tree first, order their own food, pick up beer (liquor store is right next to the restaurant), and get a table outdoors 2) Call ahead to order your food 3) Arrive and start drinking friends' beer 4) Go inside to find that your food is ready and bring it out to start eating 5) Somewhat apologize when your friends' food isn't ready even though they ordered first because the Olive Tree Cafe decided not to start making the food until they had a reminder (they claimed they didn't start making the food since our friends didn't have a table yet while they were ordered the food...??) We didn't actually want to annoy our friends though and the unreasonably long wait for their food was really not necessary. I ordered a greek salad for dinner and luckily added soup on at the last minute because the salad (around $7 I think) was really not much food! Also, they are cash only and don't have an ATM...
(3)Tricia L.
I had some hummus and the lamb souvlaki. It was ok. Not awesome, just ok. It's a nice place to socialize and have a few with your buddies. It's always busy that's for sure.
(3)Paul T.
Definitely a favorite for excellent Greek food... Wednesday's Special = Lamb Shank ;o)... Aloha...
(5)Sherylynn S.
This restaurant is ahmazing! I love their Fish Souvlak. The dining area are very casual and nice lighting in the evening. Tuesday nights are oddly crowded, but what can I say? Their food are delicious. The best part is you can BYOD, so it is really nice to chill with friends or family there with your favorite bottle of wine. Now I am straving, maybe I'll check in tonight! ;)
(4)Kasey M.
This is one of my favorite Greek restaurants in Honolulu. You won't find the typical gyro on the menu but you can find similarly delicious options. My husband and I both really like the lamb souvlaki. It is similar to a gyro (actually I don't know the difference), with a ground lamb patty in a pita bread with tsaziki sauce. What makes theirs the best is that the meat is really juicy. It has. Lot of taste too it but isn't super gamey. The souvlakis come with a small salad (which could be better) and also come in chicken or fish but I haven't tried either. I also had the shaorma. I didn't like this as much as the meat wasn't as juicy and the tahini sauce is definitely not as good as the tsaziki sauce. Of course we finished our meal off with some baklava. It was very flaky and tastes of honey and nuts. It isn't the best baklava out there but it is good. Other notes ...it is byob and there is a wine store next door for convenience. It is a bit pricey for Greek food, maybe $15-20 per person. It is crowded so get there early. And their daily specials are super popular and run out early
(4)Vivian H.
Must Order: Lamb Souvlaki, Hummus, Falafel, Baklava I heart this place. Really I do. Make sure you have cash when you come here. Also it's BYOB so grad something from next door or Whole Foods. Especially some Ouzo to cleanse your palate after dinner. Start off with some hummus. Yummy appetizer to keep you satiated while you wait for your food. Because on busy nights, you'll definitely wait. Now for the lamb. I love the lamb souvlaki with it's chunky pieces of perfectly cooked lamb tucked into a pillow of pita w/ tzatziki sauce and veggies. I love the way small chunks of lamb will roll out of your pita and you quickly stuff it back in before your dining partner swipes it from you. I enjoy everything about the lamb souvlaki! If you're able, depending on your dining partner or level of hungriness, order the falafel. It's a great follow-up or supplement to the lamb. Whatever is in the falafel is goood so go for it! Make sure to save room for baklava. Sharing may not be an option in this case. The beautifully flaky filo dough and sugary baklava makes you want to keep going until you're scraping your fork all over your plate to get any last flavors into your mouth. Great food and great place to go with friends or a dinner date!
(5)Kelly G.
How did this place get 4 stars?! The amount of food you get for your money is NOT worth it! As a Greek enthusiast, this is is ridiculous. I am also so sad that Yelp has misled me. Hummus, baba ganoush, lamb slouvaki, fish slouvaki, hummus plate = $50?!?!? Not even worth it. The hummus was chunky, baba ganoush yummy. You need extra pita to help finish those off. The slouvakis are marinated well, but portions seem small. Island yelpers, please go to mainland and try the real cheap and delicious filling Greek food. This place was definitely not a 4 star place.
(1)Jennifer L.
Two great things happened two days ago! First, I got to see my best buddy from high school. Second, I FINALLY GOT TO TRY GREEK FOOD!! They always say to make your first impression remarkable and my first experience dining at Olive Tree Cafe will definitely be placed in the little treasure box hidden inside my heart :) My friend mentioned that he was craving mediterranean so we yelped it and found this amazing restaurant. When we got there, It was really crowded but we were sooooo lucky to grab a table right outside. We ordered the Tabouleh Salad, Fish Souvlaki, and Hummus with Pita Bread. Oh My Goodness!! The Hummus was delicious!! It tasted so FRESH!! I thought my Fish Souvlaki was tender and very flavorful. It was my first time trying a Tabouleh Salad so I wasn't sure what to expect. But after my first bite, my tummy was smiling. In a small bite, I could taste the fresh ingredients and the taste of the parsley and mint was very refreshing. Although we were both full, we decided to end our meal with baklava and cappuccino. The baklava was oh so sweet but I couldn't believe how quickly I finished it even after claiming that I was full :P The atmosphere was very comfy and relaxing. The only negative thing about this place was that the intercom system was semi-broken so whenever they would call on an order, we couldn't make out the name so my friend stood up to check on our order literally around 10 times before it was really ours! They should seriously get that fixed! Other than that, I'm definitely coming back here for my next greek fix. p.s. Cash only and BYOB!
(5)Sean Q.
One of our favorite restraints on Oahu. Great food, great vibe. Only negative is the limited seating but in the end adds to the ambiance.
(5)Vincent Q.
I've wanted to eat here for nearly a year. Last time, I had planned to go after taking a trip to Hanauma Bay, didn't happen. This time, a last minute shopping adventure ended us at Olive Tree Cafe. I went with my friend to the wine shop next door, but he said he'd only have one glass. I surely didn't want to drink the rest of the bottle myself, so we skipped it. The lack of alcohol may have made the experience a little less intoxicating. (Note: Some people get bothered by this, but it is cash only.) Hummus- 3-stars- Served in two scoops with olive oil and pita bread. This very smooth hummus was soft and creamy. The flavor was light, and not too much extra ingredients were added to give it pizazz. I've had hummus from all over, so this one didn't strike my mouth hard. Baba Ghanoush- 3 1/2-stars- Served similarly to the hummus--you get two scoops, olive oil, and pita bread. We both found this dish to have more flavor, even though it was even more creamy than the hummus. The earthy flavors seemed to make the difference. Mussels- 4 1/2-stars- The champion of the menu. Mussel, hopefully steamed, are light in flavor, yet only slightly chewy, easily eaten. It is the sauce, the garnish which makes the greatest difference--a mixture of green onion, garlic, olive oil, and I could only wish some white wine, and topped with capers. The flavor is tart, strong, like a mixture of salty brine and vinegar. I wanted to eat the dropped pieces off the cabbage used as a bed for the mussels. Yet, too, the flavor was overwhelming compared to the mussel. Made separately, the taste was the same, as utterly good as it was. Lamb Souvlaki- 4 1/2-stars- The lamb is cooked to be soft and chewy. The creamy sauce with dill and hints of lemon make the dish complete. It is utterly wet, dripping with juices. All this is wrapped in a pita, served with a light vinaigrette salad--onion, tomato, arugula, cucumber, red lettuce, and romaine. The flavors are bold enough and strong enough to challenge your senses, but not overwhelmingly so. It's comforting and delicious. Lamb Shaorma- 3 1/2-stars- The texture of the ground lamb was like hummus, but fried. Yet, there was still a hint of a curried flavor to this patty. Between the pita, this time there are slices of tomato and onions. Definitely not as juicy, but also less flavorful than the souvlaki. We both shared, and we both agreed, the Souvlaki is the way to go. Atmosphere- Wow, this place gets crowded and fast. It's set up almost like a fast-food restaurant--except the food isn't fast, and most people sit and eat. There are not a lot of tables here, I'd say get here early or just take out. With this said, the space gets tight and sometimes you need to fight the line to get to your food. Still, with so many people drinking wine from next door, everyone is pretty much cheery and laid-back here.I just wish they closed some parking spots to make more seating. I think people would be willing to walk a little farther just to eat here. Service- First, you stand in line. You order your food from the counter, but you don't pay. As your food is prepared, they'll call our your name and your order. At this time, you pay, and probably leave your tip. If you have a table, you wait nearby waiting for the food to be prepared. Generally, the wait is five to fifteen minutes, depending on your dish. Other than this, no one really helps you, but also, no one really bothers you either--except if they're waiting for your table. If you want water, you can go to the counter and get some cups of water. Conclusion- The food is good. Some parts are definitely worth coming back for, but I assume you should also want to drink some wine, too. Eating together, talking story, this is what the place seems to really be about. Don't go expecting speedy food, or a tremendous amount of service. You serve yourself some delicious Greek food, and hopefully have someone good to sit and share it with.
(4)Jennifer L.
We were playing at the nearby Kahala Community Park and wanted to grab a bite on the way home. Mr. L searched Yelp mobile for what would be good and Olive Tree came up as *the* place to go with a 4.5 star average and about 150 reviews. yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… We hadn't been thinking Greek food in Hawaii, but what the heck? We love Greek food. It wasn't the fastest place to go with our over-tired toddler and the parking lot was full, but we were glad we went. The other Yelpers were onto something. After staring at the menu board yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… for a while, we decided on: * Pita and hummus yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… The hummus has a noticeable cumin flavor, which isn't my favorite, but it's a subjective thing. It's a good quality hummus. The pita was homemade and served warm. * Greek salad yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… Fresh and good - I would've liked a little more feta. * Chicken souvlaki wrap. Perfectly balanced and delicious. * Lamb shank plaki special yelp.com/biz_photos/wKGQ… It wasn't our top pick (it was very heavy), but it wasn't bad. Everything was freshly made and tasty. This is a real find. 4.5 stars - we'd return in a heartbeat.
(5)Ka'ili H.
This whole month my Greek tooth felt sad and neglected...so when my close friends from work and I finally decided to have dinner (several months in the works btw!) I was elated and thrilled when she suggested, Olive Tree. I had to silently tell myself not to jump up and scream! (I really really like Greek food, okay) It's just outside Kahala Mall, near subway and cleverly adjacent to a wine shop!! Parking is limited, but, my friend parked across the street on the road, so if you think outside the box, it's really not that much of a problem. It starts getting crowded AT 5pm, when they open, so just a warning. Met up at about 740pm, luckily my friend was able to save a table and ordered some hummus while she was waiting for us. Ready to order one of my friends got the Sharoma (?) her fave, I ordered the lamb slouvaki (open) & mussels, my other friend ordered the chicken slouvaki. 25minute wait. We munched on the delicious hummus while patiently waiting for our entrees, I was starving!! Mussels came out first. What I LOVE about these mussels AND the Olive Tree staff, is that they take it one step further. They separate the mussel from the shell!! So it's not a tug of war between you and the shell, you just bite or fork the whole marvelous, seasoned, capered, with feta cheese, mussel into your awaiting mouth! (yes, at another Greek place i had to fight for that mussel...and it just made me frustrated, I wanna concentrate on eating the darn thing!) Next up, our orders were finished, went to the counter to pick them up and paid. Price for my two favorite dishes went up 50 cents. Oh wells, economy is bad, yada yada. Another thing I love about Olive Tree, is they know what I mean when i say, "open," i don't want eat it like a sandwich, I want those pita pieces. I just like it that way. The lamb was cooked so well, I've eaten at places where the lamb was tough and less seasoned. Here, I'm always happy with my lamb!! The salad was covered with dressing, but it's light and tastey, lots of veggies, consisting of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions. It was a good portion as well. They cut up several pieces of pita bread for me, which made me and my tummy smile the WHOLE TIME! We also shared a piece of the baklava. The very first time I tried theirs, it was way too sweet. This time, it was just right. I could even taste cinnamon in it!! Lovely balance of flavors. The staff this night was very friendly and patient. We ended up staying at this joint until 1130pm!! None of them came around to shoo us away, it was a pretty steady night after we sat down so there weren't any customers waiting for a table or anything. Olive Tree Cafe you always make my friends & I happy with the Greek food you make so deliciously!! We will definitely keep coming back for more. Thank you for satisfying my Greek tooth and taking your food a step further than most other restaurants, all of those little things matter!!
(5)Kate G.
They do have a mean Greek Salad, but I've had better Greek food. Maybe I'm just missing the gyros twice the size and half the price in Seattle or maybe I just have high expectations that Olive Tree didn't meet.
(3)Tamra P.
If you are what you eat, then Greek Gods must eat at Olive Tree. But being Greek Gods, they must somehow forbid mere mortals from sitting because the fight here for a table would almost require divine intervention. Hubby and I decided to recreate our first official dinner date and return to the Olive Tree. It was packed as usual, and we were ravenous so we scarfed a pita/hummus plate while waiting for a table. Luckily he has patience to spare and it kinda rubs off on me, so no humans were harmed. Seriously, they should think about some sort of sign up system because had we not been in a good mood, tummies may have prevailed in the hunt for a table and there may have been a causalty or two. Hence the docking of a star for a mere 4 star review of fantabulous food at a BYOB joint that is uber affordable. I can be a cheap date, but only if the food delivers. Pretty much anything you eat here will be delicious.
(4)Kaiulani K.
I've loved this place since I first came here over 10 years ago. This was possibly my first positive introduction to greek food and to lamb. Now days, my favorite food is greek food and my favorite is (duh, do I need to say it?) LAMB! And it's all thanks to Olive Tree. My first bite of lamb souvlaki and I was smitten like Aphrodite was smitten with Adonis, like Hades was smitten with Persephone, like Zeus was smitten with... anything that had two legs (sometimes four). Just a bit of Greek mythology humor for you. Anyway, did I mention I took 3 years of Greek language and thought in college? Or that I'm pursuing it as a PhD. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?! OLIVE TREE CAFE MAY HAVE DIRECTED THE ENTIRE COURSE OF MY LIFE!!! Amazeballs, right? Or as we'd say in Greek... well, we'd never say amazeballs in Greek. We're too highly educated for that. The point is the food here is fantastic, and as demonstrated in my TRUE account of my experience here - life changing! Literally! My favorite is the souvlaki, any of them are a good choice. I also like the mussels, which are super fresh and tasty. I have to sheepishly admit (hey, are ewe catching all these lamb references?) that I don't stray too far from my herd of favorites to try new things because I love my favs so much. But, for the sake of being a better yelper, I am determined to try new menu items and describe them in detail to you. However, the most important thing is that you meander alongside Kahala Mall, find this hidden treasure, cash in hand (cash only!) and grab your greek grub!
(4)Cintamani A.
Another example of people on Yelp either being ridiculously generous with their reviews or have never ventured outside of Hawaii to try real food by real restaurants. It was a good place in the '90s. Now it's just ok and boring. Nothing special or memorable that I would want to come back or spend my money on food that is overpriced for what you get. How can anyone made such a mediocre hummus is beyond me. It's over-hyped by people who obviously have never had bothered to try the cafes that are in Downtown that actually serve delicious Greek food. Better priced, satisfying and damn good compared to here. Oh, and the atmosphere is completely lacking unless you dining in a restaurant with music that is blaring so you don't have to hear your dinner companion, like being smushed up in a tight space with a outdated method of service by a staff out of their depth.
(2)Jennifer L.
It's hard for me to star this place because while they are pretty damn decent (comparatively on OAHU, that is)...overall I'd only rate it 3 stars. Their hummus is pretty good but I dare say I've had just as good hummus at Trader Joe's and that's just supermarket stuff. It's hard to go wrong with hummus, though, I suppose. I do both simultaneously like and dislike the fact their hummus is mixed with a big dollop of olive oil for us. Their pita bread is good and warm - very good consistency/texture. My boyfriend bought the New Zealand lamb souvlaki, which was good, but not mindblowing. Next time, I'd try the fish. As for myself, I was torn between ordering shaorma or falafel. I went for falafel since I love falafels. Decent, good, but nothing special. I'm satisfied with what we ordered but nothing leaves me going "OH MY GOD WE HAVE TO GO BACK." Oh well!
(4)Daveuhlicous D.
Want Greek? Eat here! I've eaten at a few of the Greek places on island, and this is the king of the castle...or like maybe the Zeus of Mount Olympus. You know, because it's Greek? Okay maybe not. Food: AMAZING! I have their special every time I go. My guests have had the Souvlaki, and I've tried it, and it's good. I've had their lamb shank twice. It's amazing. The babaganoush and hummus are both incredibly delicious. The wine store next door offers a good selection to accompany your meal (or you can bring your favorite). Either way, the whole meal is delicious! Ambiance: I'm a fan of the whole order at a counter and wait for your name to be called concept. I love a BYOB restaurant. The whole outside seating situation seals the deal for me. I brought a great girl here one time and she told me that she didn't feel like she was in Hawaii anymore. It's that serious. Service: Service is hard to shine at a "counter service" restaurant. These guys make it happen. They're really helpful with the menu selection. They're accommodating in excess. Perfect example: I brought a friend one time, and we had to leave suddenly as our meal came out. I asked really quick to get it to go...not a problem. Within minutes I had some takeout boxes and was on my way. Dude was awesome. I don't give out a 5-star unless I'm certain you're going to have a great experience every time. Here I have no problems giving one out.
(5)Malish K.
One of my favorite places in Honolulu. Go here at least once a week, sometimes three or four :) Must try the soup!!! Get the yogurt drink, whatever its called, especially on a hangover, its perfect :) Also the fish is delish! Theres no alcohol but you can go next door and get a bottle of wine and drink it with your dinner. Place is packed at nights so you may have to wait for a table unless you get there early. The greeks like to take their time :)
(5)Jillian P.
LOVE! Had a dinner date with an old coworker of mine here! :) My boss recommended this joint for Greek and can I just say that I was NOT disappointed?! My recent reviews have been on restaurants that I've eaten at a long time ago! So I can't tell you the exact details of my experience (hopefully I'll be able to update this one day), but if I'm giving it a five star and saying I love it, you best believe it's true! I know I had a lamb souvlaki and it was mighty tasty! Plus the hummus was really good too. :) It was EXTREMELY busy when we went (well, we actually got there before the rush) so if you're going, I suggest hitting it up around 6ish, if not earlier!
(5)Kalei F.
YES TO OLIVE TREE!! I haven't been here in awhile and what a mistake I was ever gone for that long! I've been to Greece and eaten all their wondrous food there, but this is definitely the best Greek on the Island!! We had the hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, shawarma, lamb souvlaki, and chicken souvlaki!! What a feast! Everything was very tasty!! The hummus was perfectly creamy, the baba ganoush had a nice smokey flavor and sweetness along with the eggplant. The falafel, which is chickpeas mixed with spices, was VERY delicious! I LOVE that they put this secret sauce on it (probably tzatziki sauce with some other magical goodness), and have it all sandwiched in the middle of their wonderful pita bread. It was very moist and flavorful, not like other falafels I've had here. The shawarma.....aaahhh the shawarma.....very flavorful and unique in how they prepare it. I do like it here! The souvlakis were flavored very well and moist too!! We devoured everything!! The salad is definitely not a Greek salad.....I've had very flavorful salads somewhere else....especially with the traditional feta!! Their pita bread is definitely delicious and I think one of the best I've had!! All in all, this is an awesome place!! And it's BYOB!! That store next door does have original wines from Greece...must try any wines from the Sigalas winery in Santorini!! DELICIOUS!!! YIAMAS!!!
(5)Thomas O.
Yassou! Opah! The only plates I be smashing here are the Hummus with Pita, New Zealand Lamb Souvlaki and the Falafel sandwich and boy do they make me want to marry into a Big Fat Greek family. Food from this wonderful country has got to be my second comfort food (to Korean!) and it never disappoints, nor do I ever turn it down. I could eat this stuff fah days! I digress, so back to the food! The Lamb is cooked so tenderly and is adequately sauced with tahini or tzatziki. Love. The salad they serve is also delicious and a great compliment to the toasted pita and slightly charred lamb chunks of the souvlaki. I even put some insai the pita for a mock-gyro effect. Lets not forget the wanna-be Samoan dish, Falafel. Or should I say, "Perfection in Fried Chickpea Form?" Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than Greek Marina, that's fasho. Eat outside for the real café ambiance. One of my favorite places, as witnessed by the 5 stars!
(5)Denise K.
BYOB, Yay! I'd say this place is the best greek food on island. I've tried quite a few things here and everything was great! Portions are good for sharing so I'd recommend you and your friends go family style so you can try more things. I like the outdoor seating too!
(4)RB19971 R.
One of the best places in Honolulu to eat. We keep going back and we are yet to have a bad meal. The atmosphere is super casual - ie picnic chairs etc and added bonus is that it's BYO Love it!
(5)Dawna E.
This place is bomb. Best babaganoush I've ever had, and if you ask nicely, you can get a split order with the hummus. The menu is limited but tasty. It is BYO and there is a cute wine shop next door where you can pick up a bottle of your booze of choice. My main complaint with Olive Tree Cafe is that it keeps getting busier and busier, and it seems they aren't keeping up with the increased traffic. You order at the counter and find a table; they call your name on the loudspeaker when your food is ready. There is VERY limited seating, and large parties often take over all of the tables. More than once I've found myself out of luck when trying to fight for a table, if I arrive after 5:30 or so. Lately I've taken to calling in the order ahead of time, to pick up and enjoy the lovely babaganoush from the comforts of home.
(4)Kevin M.
You gotta try the the shaorma or the falafel on your first, or even second visit. The tahini sauce is what makes both dishes. It was absolutely delicious and the pita was the best I've had. (Might be worth saying I don't eat Greek food often.) The staff was chill, but the only gripe I took was that our order took way too freaking long. I could literally drive back to my house in Manoa and grab a book to pass the time. But was it worth it? I guess it depends on your order. If you're okay with waiting till Christmas (Exaggeration! Don't kill me!) for quality Greek food, then I would definitely check this place out. As long as you got cash and maybe your own cup or bottle for BYOB service, you'll love this place!
(4)Barb L.
Da best falafel ever!!!! We went to Honolulu back in Feb. A friend recommended them to us. It was late...we were exhausted (with the jet lag - 3 hours...) Our girl was GRUMPYYYYY....but when the food came? Oh boy.....she was a happy camper.... The falafel was sooooo delicious! On our way out, I had to tell the lady behind the counter....
(5)Tom H.
For a CA expat Olive Tree Cafe is an awesome flash back to fresh, delicious, affordable food like in northern CA. The food is freshly prepared and if you time it right you will see huge fresh fish getting carried in the side door for the night. Especially for non meat eaters you can get those huge white beans in a tomato sauce which are very tasty, or the hummus or baba ganoush with pita, sometimes the half eggplant roasted as a special, and then the falafel or fish pitas all of which are great. Fresh made, popping tasty flavors, and a laid back but fun atmosphere. BYOB rocks when you pay roughly $1 if you need an empty glass for your own wine. Some more indoor seating would be great for my wife who gets cold (yup, even here on Oahu), but with a sweatshirt in tow she will brave the outside seating for the delicious food. Execution tips: 0) Bring some good wine from home, or Whole Foods around the other side of the mall, or the wine shop next door. 1) Divide and conquer if possible with someone staking out a table while the other person heads in to order. 2) Enter from the door by Wahoos and the wine shop. 3) Glance at the menu overhead and also the display case down low for specials. 4) Order over the display case when you make it to the head of the line (ask for wine (shot) glasses if you need them). 5) Go hang out while you wait, awhile, for your order to start to get called out on the speakers for you to go pick up some plates. 6) ENJOY 7) When you finally pick up the last item from your ticket then you pay. 8) SAVOR
(4)Tyra K.
Mediterranean here I come!!!! The one and only place in Hawaii that has the actual european atmosphere I miss... I come here to relax and enjoy the company of friends sippin on some good wine (from the store next door) and slowly enjoying every bite of my meal yummy, plus the nice breeze and greek music just give me a feeling of being closer to home... Ahh can't love this place more than I do... Seriously! :) Its amazing that even with such a simple menu people always come back, yes its all because the food is fresh and tasty, done with so much quality and love, why wouldn't they wanna come back... Sometimes there is also a surprise like a special of the day, which is only served for some period of time, like just recently they were serving this great dish (baked eggplant with different cheeses and seasonings) mmm was so amazing.. No matter what you order from their menu you can never go wrong its all just so delish... Everyone should also give the yogurt a try, it has an awkward taste for those who haven't grew up on it, but it goes perfect with the food and you might acquire a taste for it, therefore why not give it a try... One tip for the new comers to this place, make sure you are not starving cuz there will be a big wait, it's just always so busy here... Gonna b coming back soon :)))
(5)Jim M.
3 stars for the food!! Probably the best Greek food in Honolulu. The lamb souvlaki is awesome. The staff is nice enough. Unfortunately I just can't bring myself to give them more stars. DON'T go anywhere near here at dinner time any night of the week. The number of people wanting tables far outweigh the number of tables available. It is not uncommon for a large table to "park" there for hours. Once you have a table then the vultures circle. If you can get here before 6 or after 9 your experience will be better. Otherwise check out The Fat Greek on Waialae Avenue and St. Louis Road. The food is almost as good and the atmosphere is better.
(3)Kelly G.
I LOVE this place like everyone else ..... usually get the falafel plate "to go" after my nephews baseball practice across the street - if we dine in we do a assortment ... mussels, baba ganoush, hummus, souvlaki, tabouleh, special of the day, etc. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD !!! ..... food & service I do not get here as much as I would like ... wish they would have better parking, more seating, and open for lunch - in a perfect world right ? Anyway Chad K. said they are opening in Manoa - yay .. cant wait !
(5)Nancy M.
Yummy Greek food and priced swell. Bring cash or use the atm at the bar next door. you must try the egg lemon soup; simple and delish. their daily specials are always great. they get really crowded because they're that good.
(4)Rissa M.
For the all the hype about this place and it's reputation as being "theeeeeeee best" Greek place on Oahu, I was expecting much much more. First of all. Holy- Crowded. My friend and I rolled up to this joint at around 7pm on a thursday night. The line was going all the way from the cashier counter and getting squished into the door from where you enter. There was way too much stimulation here for me. The place was full of people shuffling past you to actually get in and out of the door so that they can pick up their food from the pick-up counter, and the poor kitchen people trying to squeeze past you to get back to work after bussing tables and what-not. We figured that the food HAD to amazing so we waited in line for a good 15 minutes before actually being able to order (and then waited another good 20 minutes for our food to come out). The place was packed so we agreed to tag-team our restaurant experience. My friend went to look for a table to sit down while I stood in line to order the food. My tip to you is to do the same when you come here on a crowded night. We ordered: - Shawarma plate. This was alright. It came in the shape of a patty, which freaked me out a little. Comes with a side Greek Salad and wrapped in a slice of Pita -Falafel Plate. Comes with 3-4 falafel balls wrapped in a slice or Pita and Greek Salad. Falafel was....alright. I've had better. - Greek Salad. Wouldn't have ordered this if I knew that plates came with it already (no thanks to the person who took my order). TIP: Order the dressing on the side. They super soaked our salad. -Side Pita and Hummas. Hummas was aiiight. I've had better (and it came from my own kitchen and food processor). The pita was slightly hardened which indicated to me that the pita was not fresh. Okay so we went a little overboard for just two girls, but we decided that we would not like to stand in line again if it turned out the food was not substantial. TIPS. -CASH ONLY. If you forget to bring cash, Wahoo's has an ATM in their digs, located literally right next door. -Only open for dinner. My first attempt to eat here was on a weekday during the lunch hour. That was a fail -BYOB. You can walk over to the little wine store next door and have it with your meal. Pairs perfectly. -Parking sucks. Just skip the lot and look for street parking. -People camp out here so you have to be lucky, or assertive enough to get a table. -This place is casual! EXTREMELY casual. You are not being waited on so it kind of reminded me of the food court at Ala Moana. You order your food first, and then wait for it to be made at the pick-up counter. You pay after you've receive your food. If you order appetizers and ask for them to come out before your entree, you will have to get up twice to go and get your food from the counter. Doesn't sound so bad in writting, but remember the crowdedness!!! (and the waiting you will have to do for other people to pay their food before you can actually get yours from the counter) Conclusion? The food was pretty decent, but not great enough for me to want to go through all the trouble we did just to eat here again. I don't do well in crowds when I have an empty stomach, and especially when people are hovering RIGHT over my table for a good 10 minutes to waiting for me to leave. I think they need more help here! The poor cashier was doing a million things at once--including taking care of take-out orders, bagging the food, putting together the plates for people who were eating-in, handling money, etc, etc. Check it out for yourself and find out what the hype is. Also, if anyone was any other recommendations for Greek food here on Oahu, please let me know! Thanks!
(3)HeySugarSugar M.
I don't know what the big deal is. The wait was definitely not worth the food. yah it was good, but I've had a way better experience at the fat greek.
(3)Jeremy C.
Now understand, this review is based entirely on the fact that I just came back from New Zealand, and needed lamb in a bad way. So if you don't like New Zealand or lamb, then save yourself the time. I will say, the lamb at The Olive Tree is amazing, AND it's from New Zealand, if you can believe that. The only reason for my 4 star rating is that fact that they are only open from 5 to 10pm and the lamb is only served on Wednesdays. If you plan on going for the lamb, call today (wed) and reserve the actual dish for next week, because it will be sold out by then. That's how other worldly good that damn meat is.!
(4)Chani M.
Olive Tree is my go-to spot when I'm too lazy to cook. It's always bustling, so I usually grab a bottle of wine from the shop next door, and take my food to go. I have yet to be disappointed by anything on their menu. It's always fresh and tasty!
(5)Katie K.
I'm a sucker for Greek food. Throw some lamb in warm pita bread and I'm in heaven. I think Olive Tree Cafe is right up there at the top when it comes to Greek food in Honolulu. So far I have only tried the Lamb Souvlaki but it was amazing and I'll have a hard time trying anything but this! The lamb was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. And the other reviews aren't kidding--the salad dressing that comes with the side Greek salad (included with the souvlaki; $12 for the plate) is delicious! Unfortunately they are only open for dinner so I can't eat here everyday. Damn you night job! And although they are a tad bit pricier than the Fat Greek (I'm comparing it to my normal order of a gyro plate), the quality of their food is sooooo worth it! I even saw a sign that they use local farms for the greens and veggies--yay! I was so stoked with everything on my plate, from the lamb and tzaziki sauce to the perfectly ripe cherry tomatoes, that I will probably be back for more take out on my next night off! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
(5)LesliAnn K.
Over the past couple years, I have become a bonafide Greek food fan. Maybe its that hummus, or yogurt tzatziki sauce, but I just LOVE Greek food. Its so fun and exotic. And on the island, I have to say that this place has the best Greek food. I love the atmosphere, with the vines hanging down from the ceiling, Greek music playing, Blue and white color scheme, outdoor casual setting, Perfect for a casual date, to catch up with the girls (maybe a small group since space is tight) under the twinkling Christmas lights hung all year round. Souvlaki!!!! Fish or Lamb is my recommendation. Right next door there's a wine shop that has all kinds of Greek specialties and products including Greek cheese, gelato. I don't have to leave the island to feel like I've stepped into Greece, even for a little bit! Just a tip, BYOB, because they charge you 50 cents for a cup of water...no way you say?...oh yes they do.
(4)Sheron C.
Considering how busy the place is and how much they charge for their food, I would think they could afford to pay for credit card machines. And the food was okay, but I was not over the moon about it. Perhaps having to jockey for space in line, than hover for a table, and wait for the food was just too much and overshadowed the cuisine. I do believe that the reason for the place's popularity has less to do with their food and more to do with a general lack of decent greek food on Oahu. I might give the place another try if I don't have to contend with crowds again. And if the 2nd experience is any different, I will certainly update my review.
(2)A U.
My go to Greek spot-regularly get take out from here. Highly recommended !
(5)Ko J.
The most amazing Greek food in Hawaii, by far! I usually get the falafel platter with a side of half hummus/half baba ganoush and occasionally I'll get a couple of other sides. I'm never disappointed! The food is so flavorful and perfectly seasoned. The only downfalls are that seating is a little limited and sometimes it takes awhile to get your food, as the line is long but the delicious and healthy food is worth the wait!
(5)Elle T.
Here's another example of a restaurant in Honolulu that was once very good, but over the years has let its standards in all significant areas (quality, quantity, customer service) slide waaaaaaay downhill. I've been here twice in the last eight months or so. In my second to last visit, I noticed the changes in the quality of their meats (which were dry), the tastefulness of their hummus and baba ganoush (which were bland and overly oily), and the freshness of the produce in their salad (which were old, almost wilting). I overlooked these issues because I have always enjoyed coming here with friends, and thought it could've been a one-time thing. Service here was never very friendly, so I didn't take notice of that during this visit. However, in my most recent visit several weeks ago, the things I mentioned above were glaringly bad, too much so to ignore. I ordered take out. Despite the fact that I tipped the owner when I arrived, he barely made eye contact with me and didn't even have the decency to hand my order to me. Second, when I got home, the salad looked completely unappetizing. Like something you'd expect from a fast food chain. I ordered the lamb souvlaki, and it was disgusting. The cuts of meat were fatty, chewy, and dry. I shudder just thinking about it. Lastly, I see that they now charge for wine glasses, which is total BS. First of all, THIS IS NOT A "CORKAGE FEE" as others have described it, so customers are not getting off cheap in that area. Corkage fees apply only to places that have licenses to sell liquor. These restaurants in turn charge a fee to customers who bring in their own wine in order to compensate for money lost in alcohol sales. Restaurants like Olive Tree that have no liquor license cannot charge corkage fees, which is why other BYOB restaurants do not charge you for bringing in your own alcohol. Sure, you can bring your own glasses and avoid Olive Tree's so-called "glass fee," which is only 50 cents per glass. But it's the principle behind this policy that really irks me. They actually have the nerve to state that they are trying to conserve water by asking customers to bring in their own glasses. WTF??? This is NOT an environmentally-friendly policy, I don't care how they try to spin it- customers who bring in their own glasses will still need to wash them at home, so water is still being used, only at the customers' expense. Or, customers will bring in paper or plastic cups which will be thrown away at the end of their meal (still no benefit to the environment!).
(2)Mark F.
I've eaten here three times. I've lived 1/2 of my life in Europe and had access to excellent Greek restaurants. The Greek flavors at the Olive Tree Cafe are quite good, but the portions are small generally, and small for the price. You have to stand in line to order, and then your name is called out so that you can go pick up your food at the counter. The white Zaziki sauce they use is way too thin and should be made of strained Greek yoghurt which has had much of the water removed. Unfortunately, the Olive Tree Cafe is about as good as it gets for Honolulu where overall I find restaurants disappointing compared to all the ethnic restaurants I've experienced in Germany. This restaurant needs to find a new location and expand their menu. Parking is usually a problem, and seating is crowded and tight.
(2)John F.
Excellent, really ono Greek food, cooked to perfection. You should order the specials of the evening, which always change, and go back many times to try all the items on their menu. Prices are reasonably good. The only negatives are: 1) you better get there by 5:30 p.m., otherwise you won't find any parking, unless you park at Kahala Mall and walk over. 2) The place is always packed, and you will have to wait for a table to empty if you get there after 6 p.m. (They don't take reservations). The small wine shop adjoining the restaurant makes money big time, because their prices are reasonable, wine selection is very good, and Olive Tree has no liquor license, so you can buy or bring your own wine, beer, or ouzo.
(4)COURTNEY K.
Fun little outdoor seating place to BYOB with friends.
(4)Annie H.
I was super stoked to try this place based on the reviews here. Their avgolemono soup is GREAT. Everything else is kind of meh (we had falafel and a gyro). Needs more seasoning and more punch. And the salad tasted like it had been dressed a few hours ago - ick. The pita and hummus are gooood though. Staff is nice, though, and the patio is great. I like the wine/cheese shop next door better than the restaurant itself - I think it's the same owners. CASH ONLY!! Kind of a minus for me, but as long as I know beforehand, whatever.
(3)Allysa L.
This place can't get any better. Olive Tree Cafe has become my favorite dinner place. Food is good, I love the specials. BYOB and glasses. I see people bringing little coolers and pretty glassware, this place has such a great vibe, its always enjoyable to go. Food is priced very well. Their Lamb and Fish souvlaki comes with a salad (very fresh, not the pale iceberg prepackaged kind.) I like to get their hummus and pita bread as an appetizer but they have other great ones. I wish they had more seating but the lack of multiple tables makes the place seem cozy so doesn't affect me enough to stop coming.
(5)a c.
I heart Olive Tree Cafe. My friends & I have been eating here for the past ten years. We love the food, the atmosphere & the music they play. We almost always order their fish souvlakis, 1/2 & 1/2 hummus & baba ghanoush, mussels, giant bean salad, egg lemon soup & baklava. Their ingredients are always fresh & their pitas soft. It's a quick decision on a hungry night. I would easily give Olive Tree five stars, but they started charging their patrons for water cups which I find petty & greedy. Especially when our tab is easily $50+. Aside from that, if you want Mediterranean food, this is the place to be!
(4)Wendall H.
Good food and reasonably priced. Only issue is limited seating. With no wait or host service it is a scramble to get a table. The food is worth it though.
(4)Christine B.
To be honest, When I first saw this place, it never really piqued my interest. But my boyfriend, when we were cruising around Kahala mall after class one day, spontaneously felt like trying it for dinner. I was quite reluctant at first because of pricing and the seating isn't great and is overly crowded, but i must say, the food is absolutely scrumptious! Doesn't give you that crappy junk food feeling after eating a Heart-attack bag of mcdonalds(which i haven't eaten at in forever and glad i haven't). For those who like bread and eggplant, i highly recommend the Baba Ghanoush . Thin, soft slices of pita bread with two scoops of this hearty eggplant dip. You can't go wrong with this treat!
(4)Edmund L.
This place is awesome. BYOB and a cork fee of only $0.50? awesome. Located right next to a cool wine shop selling large varieties of wine? uber-awesome The food is is delicious. For some odd reason, I feel as if I just polished down sushi after I am done eating here. I don't know why. You order and pay when your food is ready. -Lamb souvlaki is tasty and comes with a small salad on the side. -The baba ganoush here is the best I have ever had and goes well with the pita bread. The hummus is okay. -Cornish game hen isn't too bad. The meat feels like it just falls off the bone. The dish is a special and not always on the menu. It is half a hen with salad and pita -The caviar appetizer is worth trying. The dolmas are done well here and has a nice kick and pop in your mouth. -The tabouleh salad is one of my favorites. Minty with powerful sharp flavor from the lemon juice makes this a refreshing appetizer to get your taste buds started -The cappuccino is okay but not great. But then you barely notice the difference at the end of the meal when you've already had a decent bit of wine to drink already. -The baklava.....good sized, sweet, flaky, and nutty. Excellent piece of goodness. Just splendid taste and texture. Good place and environment to come with friends, converse, and enjoy your food. The atmosphere has the feel of that little neighborhood cafe that everyone loves. Outdoor seating also gives you some extra dining buddies. There are cats nearby but there are mostly 2 that stand out. That is because they aren't scared of humans and they actually hang out and lounge around the outside of the cafe dining area. They aren't aggressive and are really cool to watch. One is a smooth all tan colored cat and the other has orange & black stripes/dots on it. I think these cats are not strays but rather housecats that either escaped or ones that the owner allows to leave the house and they go back home at night. Whatever, they definitely seem to be comfortable around humans. They lay around and sleep on their bellies or lay on their backs and people watch, right in the middle of the walkway. Cool cats
(5)Mark W.
Food was good, but the place is TINY and LOUD. Everyone is on top of each other -- the cook, the cashier, the sit-down customers and the take-out customers. There are not nearly enough tables and seats. There are maybe a total of 6-8 two person tables (maybe a couple 4 person tables) on the inside and 8-10 two to four person tables outside; plus the take-out line and the regular food line is all the same so there is a constant state of confusion with everyone. The service was slow too. There is no wait staff so you have to go and stand in the take-out line when your food is ready and if there is no table for you, then guess what; you are now a take-out customer even if you don't want to be... Staff is friendly, but this is not a good place for a Saturday night unless you like noise, crowded places and not enough places to sit.
(1)Island Boy B.
I was somewhat hard pressed to give Olive Tree Cafe a 4 star rating, but for the most part, my 2 experiences with Olive Tree Cafe were quite pleasant. In traditional Greek fashion (my teacher was Greek and he told me that his family still pays everything in cash till this day), Olive Tree Cafe only takes cash. So it was annoying that I had to walk to Bank of Hawaii to take out cash for our meal (and get charged $3 for using their ATM). This is kind of a disservice to their customers in this day in age, and although their food is good, this setback could deter potential customers from patronizing their restaurant. That out of the way, my three companions and I enjoyed a simple meal of chicken souvlaki, pita, beans, and hummus. (since I was flying to the mainland that evening, I threw in a lamb shaorma to avoid having to eat plane food). Simple Greek faire. All in all, it wasn't the best Greek food I've had, but the quality and freshness was exceptional. Their Pita bread is some of the best I've had, but make sure its warm when you eat it. The outdoor cafe is charming and we had the perfect weather for dining al fresco. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to try some of the other dishes recommended by Yelpers.
(4)Rita L.
went on a really busy night, a wednesday night...sooo hungry, but had to wait in a long ass line to order! We ordered the usual, baba ganoush, hummus, lamb soulvaki, and shoarma. After we ordered, we sat down and our baba and hummus was ready in 2 minutes! Wow, we were soo happy. AFter enjoying our appetizers our name was called and our food was ready! Talk about great service! I love the food! I mean this place is always happening. And I love BYOB, especially for 48 cents a glass! I love how you can pick up gelato next door or more wine! My experiances at Olive Tree has always been sooo great!
(5)Little D.
my regular take out order: spinach pie on weekend or fish svlaki anyday, and baklava. always very good. CASH ONLY. parking: limited. but you can park by mcdonald side. BYOB: if you dine in, you can get wine next door oliver or the longs behind the restaurant or anywhere. i usually eat my food at home. every year, this restaurant closes for about a month. good to check before going. YELP 365 - 97/365
(5)Michelle M.
I'm glad that my favorite foodie friend decided that Saturday was a great night for Greek! Seems that several dozen others had the same idea...the place was packed and the line was practically out the door. So this was my very first venture in Greek fare sine arriving on the island. I had to have the chicken Souvlaki and Greek Salad...while I waited, I noticed that they featured a Jamon Serrano and Manchego Cheese appetiizer...Boy, I can't recall the last time I had such a great Serrano Ham! The flavors were fresh...tomatoes were a bit soft for my liking, but I was really pleased with my meal. I will surely have to go back in a few...definitely one of my new likes here in my new home!
(4)Nicholas C.
BEST FOOD EVER!! Falafel was delish ahi was delish everything was 5 star quality! Highly recommend to anybody wanting to try Greek food! This was my first taste of greek food ever and what a good choice it was, cant wait to go back to this place, thank u yelp for telling me about this place!
(5)Carol B.
I always get either the fish or chicken souvlaki. Both are excellent and the quality is always the same everytime. Love the homemade dressing. They are always super busy and it's best to call in your order and have someone else drive while you run in to pick it up.
(5)Chloe T.
Good food and nice service! We had to wait for a table for several minutes, which wasn't the greatest. I definitely enjoyed the food and my time at the restaurant, but would pick The Fat Greek over Olive Tree any day.
(3)Brent K.
One of the old favorites, OYOB and the food is great ! Some times it's a pain in the ass waiting for tables. And parking sucks, Small parking lot. Good thing for street parking. Greek food is simple yet tasty.
(3)Patrick C.
For God's sake shut off the bloody bouzouki music! I want to say good things about this place, I really do. Not that it needs my help. It's always busy. You have to fight for a table and I have never eaten badly there. But the experience is only a cut above a fast food joint. You bring your own bottle, queue to place your order, sit at cramped tables sometimes before they have been bussed, wait for the announcement over the loud speaker to go queue again to pick up your order and all the while that damned music. Do yourself a favor, order it for takeout - and be prepared to pay extra for the takeout comntainers.
(3)Evan R.
This is some of the best Greek food on the island, and it's BYOB!!! But I've gotta agree with other reviewers that the service and seating arrangements definitely knock off a star. Because it's somewhat slow and first-come-first-serve for seating, it's really hard to go with a group and you inevitably feel like a vulture hovering over your potential prey for any sign that they might be finishing that last pita so you can take their table. I really like the lamb there, and they make great hummus. The tomatoes are always really fresh and I think you'll like anything you get there.
(4)Dana T.
I have to preface my review by saying that I really like the food at Olive Tree Cafe. However, after my last 2 experiences, I have decided that I probably will not be going back in the future. The last time I visited was to order take-out at about 5pm in the afternoon. They are very busy and I expected to wait a bit...however the wait was RIDICULOUS! When I walked in the cashier had just finished taking and order and I was next in line. She asked me very nicely to wait as she had to call an order that was ready. She then proceeded to serve two phone order customers and continue to call other orders while I (and about 3 people behind me) continued to wait. I stood there waiting to even place my order for over 20 minutes. Realizing that I was not about to be served anytime soon and that they would need even more time to prepare my order, I finally walked out without placing an order. This was the second time something like this has happened at Olive Tree. In fact, someone actually told me that they have found it is not worth the hassle unless you call in your order ahead of time. I guess unless you do so you should plan to wait a long time before even being served.
(1)Lauren K.
When you think Hawaii local cuisine, Greek is not one of the first things that come to mind. Guess again world. Hawaii can compete! Four things: 1) BYOB, 2) hummus appetizer, 3) souvlaki (lamb or chicken), and 4) cash only. A simple restaurant tucked behind McDonald's at Kahala Mall. The fact that it's BYOB is pretty cool. You can either bring your own things or purchase wine/beer next door. The hummus is to die for! Silky smooth texture, not too much garlic and tahini, and the toasted pita...pure bliss. And the souvlaki is really tasty as well. The meat is seasoned and grilled well and is complemented with their tzatziki sauce. And the salad that comes with the souvlaki has an awesome dressing. Good casual place to eat, drink, and chat with friends. Just make sure that you get here a little early (or late) because it does get fairly crowded. Oh, and make sure you have cash...they don't take credit cards.
(4)Max L.
Parking can be tricky and waits long but the food is worth it. Lamb souvlaki every time. Get a seat outside and bring a bottle too. Cash only. They have messed up either my order, or somebody I was with twice though so be warned. Still, great food.
(4)Hal W.
Great spot, great food, great experience. Requirements for a good time: Patience, kindness (to other patrons) and a willingness to accept the fact that good food doesn't have to be served by a waiter. Pros: Prices- People who've said this place is expensive need to eat at some other places around town. These are not spendy entree's! The food is awesome. Very fresh, tasty and you can tell it is prepared with care. We ate and drank for less than $30. Cons: Can't really think of any... other than this isn't really your typical dining experience. OK, maybe one: it's tough to find a table, and when you do, it's easy to feel guilty eating in front of those who've not gotten a table yet... but get past that, and you're golden. Seriously, though, this place is a no-nonsense kind of dining experience. Pretentious and uppety it is not. The hummus is a great appetizer and make sure to ask for an additional Pita. I also recommend the Greek beer under the counter at their package store next door. Great spot for a first date too.
(4)Michael M.
Having heard plenty great things about this place I decided to give it a try. The size of the place totally took me off guard. I was definitely was expecting a place a bit bigger, but hey, some of the best places are your 'hole in the walls'. Wasn't too thrilled about having to wait till a table opened up. Luckily we didn't have to wait too long till we snatched a table up. I found the grape leaves quite tasty but didn't think too much of the lamb and beef (or was it chicken) souvlaki. Now perhaps my pallet was off that day or something because I've heard so many great things about these dishes. It's been quite some time since I've had good Mediterranean eats so I wouldn't be qualified as to say whether or not it's authentic. I would advise sitting outside rather than indoors. Just by standing in wait I observed that any type of conversation inside would be quite difficult. You'd be competing with ordering customers, kitchen commotion, the staff, the other seated patrons, and not to mention the Greek music blaring. Either way I'm always up for another go for this place.
(3)Benjamin A.
The seating is inadequate, and the staff moves at their own leisurely pace, but this place is a winner. Pretty much everything I've had is delicious, from the Lamb Shwarma to the Chicken Souvlaki and Hummus. Baklava makes a nice finish, too. Take a word of advice: call ahead, get your order "to go" and eat at home in front of the TV. Yum!
(4)Mike C.
lets get to this- all food is great. I'm not an expert when it comes to greek food, but it tastes good to me. However its a little pricey, which of course is hawaii. i can deal with it. i usually get it "to go"- cause i HATE dining here. first of all, its usually crowded and when people start rockin the BYOB wine they brought, they tend to perch forever and you're sanding around like a moron waiting for something to open up. i'm already over this place by the time i find a seat. its a shame cause the food is pretty good
(3)Brian A.
Located behind Kahala Mall, the Olive Tree Cafe is one of a very few Greek places in Honolulu. Portions to me are a bit on the small side for the price you are paying. When you order it has more of a butcher shop or deli feel to it. The hummus is really good and you can also BYOB or wine. I usually order the gyros which aren't too bad. Plenty of Kahala locals frequent this place and it can get really busy. The inside is really cramped and small, but fortunately there is a veranda where you can sit and enjoy the outdoors. I would actually suggest sitting outside. The parking lot is right there and shouldn't be too bad, although there was a few times where we just had to wait.
(4)Awa R.
Best greek food on the island!! Can get crowded on the weekends so come early. BYOB and wine is always a plus! Highly recommend! :)
(4)Jonn D.
Rating: 4/5 (There's always room for improvement...and parking is one of 'um.) Date(s) visited: 12/08/2010, once before this visit. Food: 4/5 Drink: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Parking: 2/5 I was craving Greek cuisine tonight, and this is the place to go. Food: Good. I would type what I had, but I can't spell the item. Sovlaki? Drinks: BYOB Baby! You can bring anything you want. There's a wine shop next door, so that's a bonus. Service: They got the food out pretty quickly, even though the place was packed. Atmosphere: More outside seating than indoor seating. Price: Pricey, but if you're craving for some Greek Food, it won't matter. Parking: During peak dinner dining hours, parking is impossible.
(4)Liz C.
I love this little tast of Greece in the middle of Honolulu! My sister-in-law took me here the other night and it was awesome. We definantley ran into some of her friends there so i am thinking that it is a pretty regular spot here. I loved the Tabuloueh salad and the chicken sluvlaki ( I think I spelled that wrong and its 7 am and I dont want to google the spelling, you guys are smart figure it out). Wine shop next door, but I would bring a bottle from home as they do not serve liquor. I will be back!
(4)Marie M.
Okay seriously this place is super overrated! I came here do to all the good ratings from other yelpers when really I should've been reading the bad ratings. First of all I thought I was going to get some real authentic Greek food when I came here but what I got was something you would expect to get at a fast food joint at best. I ordered the swoarma slovaki which was suppose to be a spicy ground lamb patty with tomatoes and onions along with a tahini sauce. First of all the lamb was cold and bland, the tomatoes didn't seem fresh at all, the sauce was watery (my understanding is that it's suppose to be made with yogurt) and the pita was obviously store bought not fresh. All of that disappointment for over $9. The side salad was pretty fresh but still that doesn't validate the disappointment for a first time eater of Greek food! I also ordered the hummus with pita for an appetizer which cost another $5. And to be honest I was even more disappointed with this dish then I was with the main dish. First of all the hummus was super bland. It was like eating mashed up cardboard, not to mention that they put way too much oil on it which did absolutely nothing for the quality. And the little pita pieces that came with it was still store bought, soggy and seriously too small to fill anyone's appetite! The baklava was pretty good though and was moist (the most flavorful thing that I ordered) but as small as the piece was and it cost me almost $3. REALLY?!?! If I wanted fast food I would've just went to McDonald's since I was parked in their parking lot anyway (parking at OTC sucks!). I will definitely not be going back to this place again. My search for real Greek food continues.
(1)Anna K.
I love the food here. The atmosphere is really chill since you order at the counter and wait for your name to be called. The workers come by every now and then to clean up but they pretty much leave you alone to eat. The bad part about this place is the small parking lot and limited seating. However, you can park on the street if you don't mind walking. I suggest that you go when it opens or around 8 to beat the rush. It's byob so you can always pick up drinks from Longs or their own wine store which is located next to the restaurant itself. My favorite thing has to be the falafel, mussels, and hummus. The falafel is sooooooooooo good that I don't even share because it pains me to share it with someone so that they can have a taste. Get your own! Jk.. but not really.
(5)Russell G.
I love this place. It is worth me driving from Waikele to Kahala Mall for it. You can call ahead and order to go, you can come in and order to go or you can eat at the venue. The place itself is very small. There are a few tables inside and some more tables outside on the lanai which has an awning to block form the sun or occasional rain. Avoid the hours of 5-8pm because the place is packed and you will have a hard time finding a table to sit. The menu has lots of items to try and the price is reasonable. From talking to different patrons, I got the feeling just about everything on the menu is good but I usually stick to the chicken souvalki. I can eat that all day. This place also has some very loyal customers. I spoke with several people on different occasions that fly in from other islands and make a point to stop at this restaurant while in town. A place with such loyal clientel is definitely worth a try.
(4)Patrick Q.
This is one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. I've traveled extensively and lived in a few major cities, and I can't think of another place that really seems to draw me back to it like Olive Tree Cafe. The seating situation is terrible, but makes for an interesting challenge when you first arrive. When you're eating, expect to have people hover near your table as you get close to finishing. You can avoid this by ordering to go, and driving up the block to one of the parks on the beach (Down Kilauea Ave, make left on Pueo, Left on Kahala and Waialae Beach Park is on your right) . Bring a bottle of wine and they'll provide the glasses and corkscrew. The food has always been excellent. Whenever I have friends visiting HI, I implore them to go there. Anyone who does, winds up going back more than once and thanking me profusely for the recommendation. Bring cash!!!
(5)Ryan S.
I say 5 stars for the food and 2 stars for the aggressive patrons. Olive Tree has great Mediterranean and I come regularly. Everything is always fantastic except for the self-righteous "regulars" that come slightly more often than me. I absolutely love the food, but when I get booted from my table because my order got called and I go to get it, even though my stuff and drinks are there, I get a little miffed. It's not the restaurant's fault when you have bully regulars... Watch out and stay strong.
(4)Rebecca M.
I am contemplating whether or not to review this place because i don't want other people to find it! This place has the BEST greek food on the island BY FAR. It is mouth watering heaven. It's also super busy and crowded all the time. Plus the staff is so sweet.
(5)Jenn T.
This tiny little joint is located at the corner behind kahala mall, nearby the (junk) subway. I have been here MANY MANY MANY times on different occasions and I have always had an awesome experience. They have amazing greek food here!! My oh my do they have amazing hummus! It's one of the best that I've had. They also make a really awesome bean salad made with garbanzo beans. I usually get the lamb tslovaki (that doesn't look like it's spelled right?) which comes with a delicious salad. One of the best parts about this restaurant is that it's BYOB. It's the perfect location for a nice date, catching up with friends or just hanging out on a friday night. They definitely let you stay as long as you want and drink as much as you can bring! :) There is mostly seating outside (covered) but very few tables (1-2 i think) inside the actual restaurant. And since people tend to linger and have a great time, seating is pretty hard to find on a crowded night. They do have take out order service, but sometimes that can take awhile due to the busy kitchen. Just make sure you call in ahead of time. As for the restaurant, it's clean and the service is pretty friendly. They don't have a waiter service, as its more of an order, pick up and eat there type of joint. My only other gripe about this place is that they only take cash, which makes it difficult to pay if you're trying to take friends out (and if you're asian like me, you're going to fight over the bill!). Luckily, there's BOH (thats my bank!) is right next door! Parking is also a huge problem on a busy night. The parking lot is small, but I think you could get away with parking at the mall or at mcdonalds nearby! (but don't blame me if you get towed by some odd reason!)
(4)Sean W.
This is my favorite Greek restaurant on the island! Their lamb gyros come with real chunks of lamb seasoned perfectly. The homemade hummus is awesome as well. The muscles are light and extremely refreshing and would definitely order those again. Also, the baklava is light and not too saturated.. it's wonderful. One of my favorite parts of this place is that there is a small wine shop next door; you can pick a nice wine and bring it over for dinner next door... such a great idea! We had a 2007 La Posta Concina Blend... 60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, 20% Syrah... it was fantasic!
(5)Christie P.
I was excited to try a new restaurant in Honolulu that wasn't Asian inspired. The place was PACKED (good sign)! And about near impossible to find a table (parking too). Looking at the menu, it seems pretty limited in comparison to other Greek places I've been to. I thought it was fun that if you wanted alcohol you had to go next door to the wine/beer/Greek shop. Hubby and I shared the Greek salad and the Chicken Souvlaki. Everything was really tasty except for the pita. It had obviously been sitting on the grill to stay warm for a long time and was really hard (though considering how busy they were, I didn't understand how it was possible). As to be expected on the island... cash only.
(4)Justin F.
Great Greek food. A tough place to get a table, a bit loud, no intimacy, but amazing food in general. Had the Lamb Souvlaki, Lamb shank, Tomato Salad, and Feta with olives... all excellent!
(4)Tiffany A.
On the corner of Kilauea and Pahoa is this little place I like to call my Greek haven. Just the sheer numbers of people coming through (especially for dinner) kind of gave me an answer to my question of "Is this place good?" Consuming the food confirmed it like a rock. Olive Tree Cafe has to be some of the best Greek I've had here on the island although it's a fairly limited amount of experience. Everything just tasted so good that I wanted to inhale it! Starting with the Hummus (HOM) and the Baba Ganoush. Oh. Em. Gee. So dam good I basically ate the rest of the Baba Ganoush by itself when the pita bread ran out haha. Then when the souvlaki's came... I was in heaven! I have to say my favorite thing was the Lamb Souvlaki we had but I can't complain about anything else because it was just as fabulous :) One down turn, it can be quite packed and if you're sitting inside can be hectic and you can't hear if your meal is ready. But other than that, real good stuff :)
(4)Ickis M.
There was no parking to be found. They don't take cards and when we asked where to find an ATM the guy was rude. The music was loud and too fast, and the rude guy was the last straw. We left and went to "The Fat Greek" instead and were very glad we did.
(1)Michelle L.
i hardly eat greek/mediterranean food. my last experience was at pyramids, KINDA same food. well, olive tree cafe kicked pyramid's butt. oh, and i didn't get an upset stomach afterwards lol. we got the hummus, lamb souvlaki, and fish souvlaki...along with a soda, our bill was a little over $30. the hummus was really good. one of the best i've eaten. the lamb and fish souvlaki were good too. i liked that it came with a small salad. i absolutely loved the atmosphere of the outdoor seating; it was very quaint and cute. i will definitely be back to try other items. 5 stars for the food and atmosphere only since service was pretty minimal.
(5)Olivia D.
I used to think baba ghanoush was disgusting until I ate it here. Now I drool over it--and don't even think about dipping your pita bread into my baba ghanoush, buddy--get your own! Sometimes, I even get two. I haven't had anything here that I don't like. For appetizers, they also serve hummus, really good fool (giant beans stewed with tomatoes), mussels, and salads. Their salads are big, fresh, and all very tasty, especially the taboulleh (and I hate parsley). And I almost forgot my favorite: The argo lemono (chicken, egg, & lemon) soup. Imagine a rich chicken broth thickened with egg and made tart with lemon with rice and parsley flakes on top . . . mmm! It's like a savoury lemon custard. I usually have the lamb souvlaki--cubes of tender lamb in a pita with tahini and greens. The slow braised lamb shank special is highly touted, but I prefer the flavor of the roasted cubes of lamb that come in the souvlaki. There is a huge selection of fun non-alcoholic drinks, and fresh baked baklava is always available. If you plan on eating during peak times, it is crazy busy here, so plan on either staking out a table or else call ahead and do takeout. The staff is always friendly, even though it is a madhouse.
(5)Carol M.
Love this place. It's good food and good value, which is why it's packed all the time. It's not fast food but the tables do seem to turn over so you'll have someplace to sit. The parkings awful but there is street parking and pay parking at the adjacent post office for a fee.
(5)Justine I.
This place is my favorite place to eat greek food on this island!!! The chicken, fish and lamb slovaki is amazing. Can't go wrong with either or. Also the baba ganoush is amazing. You can also ask for extra pita with your baba ganoush which is recommended. The mini salad that comes with the dish is also to die for! I will lick the dressing off the plate if I wan't in public! Another reason that this place is awesome is that its BYOB! Bring your own wine opener and glasses but they do provide a bottler opener and glass. There is a fee but I'm not sure the cost so bring your own to avoid paying a little extra. The house soup is also very tasty. Goes well with salad and baba ganoush or hummus. There is outdoor seated available which is really nice. This is a popular and busy place so if you don't want to wait, you can call in your order ahead of time and pick up your order. When it's busy, parking may be hard to find but there is also street parking. You can park in the post office lot next door but there is a fee. If you forgot to buy beer or wine before you go to this place, there is a small shop next door that sells wine and beer. They also have a public restroom upstairs but ask for the key before going. Staff is friend and very helpful! Great place to eat and and highly recommended!!!!
(5)Bill T.
You might be able to hear the background music by Van Morrison "My mama SAID, the'd be days like this..." when everything you seem to have in your life is in a slump. It's cloudy outside and you just want to go home and go to sleep and wake up in a new day. But you have to eat and anything at home either has to be made or is going to make you feel worse for having eaten it. On days like this, I call Olive Tree order take out. I don't waste my time waiting for an open table or standing in line to order. I call, get a falafel, some type of slouvaki (sp?) and maybe some fresh made hummus. They have it ready in 20 mins or so, I park illegally and run in the side to to the side counter and pay for my order...I always tip generously at the counter as well - they're good people there. I'm not Greek, but there is something about this food that when I get home and eat the slightly spicy vegetable balls in the falafel, or the sauce in the slouvaki, and the true wholesomeness of all of their food, I find a comfort that washes away my day and just makes me want to hug my family. I don't know what it is, but it's powerful. And it's delicious!
(5)Chantelle T.
Ahhh delicious! The Lamb Souvlaki is amazing and I would order it again in a heartbeat. The falafel is also pretty delicious -- the texture was creamy and rich unlike other falafel I've had in LA. I would actually give them 5-stars for their food, but the portions are pretty small for the price and parking is ridiculous during the dinner rush.
(4)Kyle M.
Overrated, in my opinion. BYOB a great restaurant does not make.
(2)Jon W.
I've been eating here for years and have always gotten great service . This is a cafe so to expect the kind of service you get from Michelles might be a bit much to ask. The food quality is great and the flavors yummy. I have no problem with standing to pick up my appetizers as one yelper complained about. Geez its a casual cafe just chill. That being all said i cant believe all these complaints here about the music, the lines and waits. Then theres those who say this is only the best greek food in Hawaii but doesnt compare to greek food in europe. Come on! Really? Yes theres waits but thats because the food is good. Yes parking is limited to what you can find but whats new about that in Hawaii. Of course you'll find better greek food in europe but seriously if you can say best in Hawaii it cant be bad. I say all you complainers just need to grab a bottle wine grow some patience have a glass and just enjoy the casual cafe atmosphere. Stop whinning. Oh and i think the only reason the charge to use the glasses for byob wine is because of all those cheap bast!@#'s that take them home. And... They charge for paper cups because they give free refills on the sodas and cheapo's ask for water and get soda refills. Geez!
(5)Johnny C.
food wasnt bad. however no service and the clerk was taking our order was rude, and the portions were extremly small for the price. and cash only business. byob concept. We will never go there again!
(1)Tracy J.
I haven't eaten much Greek food. And I'm sure I've never been to a Greek restaurant. But I would definitely return to this little place. Yes, you have to wait for a table but we went on a Saturday night at 7PM and we didn't wait more than 10 minutes...I'd say that's reasonable. It's BYOB and we did just that. A friend brought a nice Zin that went well with everything. There were four of us and we each got an appetizer and an entree. On the table, there were stuffed grape leaves (I know there's a name for this but for the life of me, I cannot think of it), some beans, baba ganoush and the cheese and olive tray. I tasted some of all of it, and I'm sure true Greek lovers, will ohh and ahh over them but my fave was the beans the cheese and olive tray. The selling point for me was the lamb souvlaki. The pita bread was warm and soft and really...well...perfect. I don't eat much lamb either but this was good and mixed well with the yogurt sauce. A salad came with it and it was tasty. And the price...$20 for my soda, souvlaki and cheese and olive tray. I will definitely come here again, even though I have to wait for a table.
(4)Darren S.
come in and enjoy the onolicious food in the background of mediterranean music.... and for those who enjoy a glass of wine with their meals, you can BYOB or even stop next door and pick up a bottle for your meals.
(3)Chris D.
This place brought me what i've missed when I'm in Greece. You can sit outside enjoy your meal and BYOB, that you can't do in Greece. (I got a nice bottle of white from the deli next door). The souvlaki was delish as well as the dolmathaki.
(5)Eric X.
The food here is good. It's about as authentic a greek/mediterranean dining experience as you can get in Hawaii. There are others that I consider on par, but most others disagree. I am not sure why. The shawarma here is a patty of ground meats...hardly as good as real shawarma -- it doesn't even have hummus on it. The portions are god awful small too, and the prices are higher than some other greek choices. So this places loses a star on value. Then there is the thing that just kills this place for me -- the whole first come first serve, incredibly limited seating. It's just frustrating and stressful waiting for a table trying to make sure you don't get jumped by the 10 other groups waiting. Also, what is so damn great about eating outside in a parking lot? If they had twice the seating and twice the portions, then I'd consider tihs a 5 star joint.
(3)Iokepa D.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! Besides the fact being really close to my house, the food is amazing. I have tried everything on the menu and there was never anything I was disappointed in. When my family visits us from Japan we always hit this spot up. Even though its next to McDonalds and in a parking lot, I find the ombiance cozy and enjoyable. For Med food there is nothing that compares to quality of the Olive Tree Cafe! Downside is you have to get there early because its a little difficult to get tables considering its first come first serve and there are generally 8 of us.
(5)Devon S.
Is it fair to decrease a rating for a place just because it wasn't exactly what you were expecting? Maybe, maybe not. When my friends invited me to Olive Tree for dinner, i thought it would be a nice restaurant with a wide variety of Greek delicacies. Well, i was abruptly, though not unpleasantly, surprised at what this place turned out to be. It was more like ordering food at a DMV rather than a restaurant. Nevertheless, it was quite tasty. Let's go into specifics: The Food - For appetizers, we ordered the mussels, the eggplant dip (it has a name, i forget what it was called), and the feta cheese. For entrees, I had the lamb souvkaki while my counterparts had the chicken ones. Excellent. All of it. The mussel ceviche was incredible. The pita bread was warm and soft with a little bit of crisp. We saupped up every last bit of eggplant, olives, and cheese on the plate. The lamb meat was grilled just right. My only beef (excuse the pun) is that their menu was like really small. What i really wanted was some nice lamb shanks or moussaka. It felt more like a fast food joint. Service - Very good considering how busy it was. We didn't want very long for anything. The servers were more like buss boys, though, cause you have to get up and get your own food and whatnot. Still, they very friendly to us. Didn't seem bothered by the high number of people they had to get to. Ambiance - The place was jam packed. In fact, we were blessed that we got a table just as a group was leaving. Again, i was expecting a more "formal" setting, but it was more fast-foody. But hey, if your food is good, this is the result. Too many people to serve at one time. Ahh, what the hell. Why should this places rating suffer just cause of my ignorance? Was gonna give it 3 stars, but ill go ahead and give it four solid. 3.5 would be most accurate, i suppose. Still looking for that definitive Greek eatery on Oahu.
(4)Sita L.
hmm, this is one of those places where you get the feeling your need to be a regular to get the service. Last minute decision to order TAKE OUT, since it was so crowded and we came early. Lets face it, between Wahoo and Subway, parking was a zoo. Parked in Post Office parking lot which you do have to pay! The ordering was ok, of course I had to make sure we had the cash. ! I like their mussels ceviche very much, was it worth the wait?? NO, I don't think so. I was told 30 minutes, yeah right? I watched people that ordered way after us get their food, all the people that where on first name basis got meals before us, even though they ordered when they walked in. So, it appears to be a clicky place. It is good, but how the hell can you screw up chicken with yogurt? I mean really? Greek salad? not rocket science either. And lets face it, your sitting overlooking a busy parking lot!! lol But many people had lots of wine, so I'm sure they didn't mind or care after awhile!!lol
(3)Rania L.
I have resisted writing this review because I didn't feel that Olive Tree needs another person raving about their food. But, I'm finally giving in... We eat at Olive Tree at least every 2 weeks. What I love about this place is the consistency of their food. Its always delicious, always fresh, always tastes the same every, single time!! I mean, not even chain restaurants have this kind of consistency (and thats the whole purpose of chain restaurants). I always get either the fish souvlaki or the falafel souvlaki...and my husband always gets lamb. Its so delicious...even their salad dressing is awesome. The only negative is my husband never gets full because their portions are small. Oh, and actually there is another negative-their coke is always flat or watery and I don't drink alcohol. I think they should let people BYO Drink and not just BYOB!!
(5)Lizzie S.
Wowie yum yum!!!! A bit skeptical, no one comes to Hawaii for the Greek food, but dayum! This is NOT a tourist spot. Out behind the Mcdonald's at Kahala mall this place serves super fresh and delicious Greek food to locals. The menu is not huge, but it is delicious. I tried a little hummus (yum), babaganouj (omnomnom), taramsalata (DELICIOUS) and a simple Greek salad. DH had the mahi mahi souvlaki and it was great. BYOB no corkage and there's a Greek deli/wine store next door owned by the same people. I saw a bottle of Crios Torrontes through the window, one of my favorite wines. As we lest (at closing, we stayed forever!) someone pulled up in a giant truck with two freshly caught mahi mahi. Monday would have been a great day to eat mahi at the Olive Tree Cafe.
(5)Tania G.
The best Greek & Mediterranean food I've had on the island. Fresh, healthy ingredients at a good price point. My favorites are the baba ganoush, mussels, dolma, greek salad, fish slouvaki & baklava. My hubby enjoys either the greek salad or the shaorma. I like to take out but I call ahead as you can have a 1/2 hour wait for take out during the peak times. If you want to eat there, you can also bring your own wine but they will provide glasses. Forgot your wine? Check out the Greek grocery right next there.
(5)Bran Y.
every item served here is yum mmm yum yum. They hate domesticated animals though boo.
(4)mona l.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE. Ok I have only been to one other Greek restaurant on the island but this my friends is by far the best I have ever tasted in my life. I seriously think they put crack in the food. I have not ordered one thing that I thought tasted horrible. Everything is so DELICIOUS-ONO. And that is why I think there is some kind of food crack in the food because I cannot stop ordering and eating more food. I frequent this place often and take all my visiting guest to the island here to feast. There is only 2 down falls....... DON DON DUN 1. they do not except debit cards . cash only. I never carry cash so I always have to remember to get dinero before I go. 2. Is the sitting arrangement there. I wish they could organize it better. So it is a seat yourself place. First come first serve. So you go in and order your food. You let the girl know if you got a table or not. If you don't she well tell you to let her know when you do. Now just an FYI they are always packed. Never seen it quiet. If you get there and there is a table available right away its a miracle on Kilauea Ave. If not it is a waiting game. You and everyone else is like a bunch of hyenas hovering over tables watching the other lions eat and waiting for people to leave so you can snatch their table. This would be fine but some people are rude and have not etiquette. You can get there and be waiting for awhile and some new patron can just show up and haven't been there not even five minutes and take a table that should be yours. Just because they were quicker to get to the table when someone was leaving. Now they know its yours but they are down right rude. FOR THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT DO THIS DON"T WORRY YOU WELL GET TO EAT JUST WAIT YOUR TURN. THERE ARE STARVING PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH THAT HAVEN'T EATEN IN DAYS COMPARED TO MY YOUR 4 HOURS. SO WAIT YOUR TURN. Other then those two things its worth the wait. It is a great place to bring wine or beer , eat great food with great company.
(4)Stephanie T.
Had the chicken souvlaki. Very tasty. We shared the dolmas and the yeagantes (giant beans). That was ok, the tomato sauce tasted like it was from a can. Overall pretty tatsy. The place was packed from the minute we walked in to the minute we left. Apparently we were the only ones who didnt bring a bottle of wine. I had already had my share of beach cocktails earlier and was in no condition to go and mix my liquor. It will cost about $20.00 for a cab ride from the beach hotels. But totally worth it.
(4)Dave K.
I agree with everyone, the best Greek grub on the island; well, I haven't eaten at every Greek joint on the island, but this is top tata's yet. Everything I've had is awesome. My only complaint: No credit cards! C'mon! You get 5 stars anyway, love you ;) Auf.
(5)Maggie M.
I've never had a bad meal here and i eat here a few times a month. The key to a good restaurant is consistency and they're food is always prepared the way you expect it. Perfect every time. I just wish they were open for lunch.
(5)Maggie M.
This is definitely the best Greek food you can get on this island, the quality is really great. Any of their Souvlaki are great, the sauce is soo good! I think their greek salad dressing is delicious too. The food is absolutely great, but downsides are that it can be a little pricey, the restaurant is small, so it's crowded if you're eating there, and I believe it's BYOB. Seriously, if you haven't eaten here yet, you should really go
(5)Janice M.
Last night a few of us went to this restaurant after several other people recommended it, and it was worth the drive from Mililani to Kahala! We ordered hummus and mussels as appetizers, and had the special (lasagna), shaorma, and souvlaka for dinner, which we all shared. I am usually not a fan of hummus, but found it delicious! I also recommend asking about the specials, which aren't written down on their menu. The restaurant is also BYOB, but don't worry because there's a wine store right next door! The prices were very affordable (our two appetizers and three dishes cost $65). Unfortunately there is a very small parking lot, so be prepared to park in the McDonalds parking lot or on the side of the road. Try out this little hole in the wall, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Paul K.
What a perfect night out! Cafe style with delicious and healthy foods!
(5)lauryn g.
The Olive Tree needs to be reincarnated and replanted through out Honolulu- I Went to eat with my friend last night, and realized how much of a quality place it is. There is an Olive Tree community that exists there! It is a model for how to do a quaint restaurant well.
(5)Food L.
I'm not one to write a review but I thought I needed to in this case. I've been to the olive tree maybe 3 times and thought this place was fairly good but felt it had small portions for the amount I paid. It wasn't until my last experience that I know I will never eat there again. I took my husband to dinner there for the first time this past friday and he ordered the lamb souvlaki. He ended up with extremely bad food poisoning. He has not been able to keep anything down for the past two days. On another note, my husband was not impressed by the portion and taste for the amount he paid. I never gave it much thought but it's true that you don't get much for the amount you pay. I don't know why it gets so crowded. Maybe because it's BYOB but there are other places that offer that as well and give you a lot more food for what you would pay here. The soulvaki is lacking in flavor and the meat portion is the size of a kebab. It took us 30 min to get our food and all they had to do was grill a kebab and stick some sauce in between a pita bread that's store bought and throw a side salad on a plate. Not sure why it took that long. If you want small portion and willing to pay more than what the food is worth than this is your place.
(2)Terry T.
One of the best mussels i've tried when i was here. Great atmosphere as well, you can purchase wine next door and just relax with your meal.
(4)Jewelyn T.
Hmmm, where to start?! First and last experience! I don't understand why everyone raves about this place! I've been really craving greek food since I been visiting the islands. SO I went on yelp to see where I could find me some yummy greek food on Oahu. I've been dying to come here since I found this place on yelp... while researching before flying into Hawaii. Went by last night around 745pm. What I didn't like: - the parking sucks! But luckily we scored the only open spot when we pulled into the tiny parking lot. But on a plus side, it is free. - the long line! I waited over 10 mins. in that line. (this is the only place I've been to in Hawaii that has such a long line! I don't mind waiting in a line if the food is great... but it didn't meet my expectations) - waiting 30 mins. for the food to be made! (that's almost an hour after walking through the doors to get my order in my hands) - the food wasn't that great! * lamb (sad looking) * baklava (had better) * hummus/pita (hummus was okay, pita was probably the best thing i had from everything i ordered) * greek salad (had better) * tzaziki sauce (had better) ... not to mention, small portions and pricey for what you get! - bad customer service! (I think that they are so busy trying to get everyone's ordered made that they forget about the customer service!) ** we did takeout, because there was no open tables! They need more seating! Which was a bummers because I wanted to eat there. - no menus! (I asked for a menu to go and they didn't have any... how am I suppose to call in an order if I don't know what's on the menu?!... the guy ended up writing down the phone number on the takeout box, how lame is that?) - cash or local checks only! (so for all you debit card people, stop by the atm before heading here) Our bill was around $50 for 2 people. Atleast I can say I tried it! I won't be back again! I rather hit up the other greek spot in town and not deal with the long wait and the crowd... and actually have a table to enjoy the food. Come here if you like waiting, loud noise, dealing with crowds and a small parking lot filled with cars. ** Best bet, call in your order... and have someone drive you there so you can run in and pick up your order! Do a drive by. Sorry in my opinion, this is a 2 star (for good pita bread) ! Wish I could say 5 like everyone else. (I guess I'm spoiled with LA's hot spot!)
(2)Grace C.
Living on the Leeward side of the island, venturing into town was a rare occasion. I had Olive Tree Cafe for the first time about 5 years ago. I remembered ordering lamb souvlaki and pita/hummus and splitting them with my sister. I remember it being so delicious. The lamb wasn't gamy, the pita was the perfect texture. I remember every bite. Especially the ever-so-rich chocolate pyramid which they said was only available on occasion. It was delicious. I haven't had Olive Tree Cafe until this past year. My fiancée Myk and I make a point to cone here every month or so because it is really just as good as it was the first time. Everything is delicious. Finding a place to sit is almost a game as the staff does not seat you. In fact, the staff doesn't even serve you. Once you order, you have to wait for your name to be called for you to pick up your order from the counter and PAY after you've picked up your order. Not that I mind this one bit, just saying is all. 'tis BYOB, save for a small fee for bringing your own poison/using one of their chilled cups/cup if ice/cup of water. Only one dollah, brah! It gets quite loud as everyone tends to try and speak to their party louder than the very Balkan/Eastern Euro fanfare playing in the background but OTC has a really genuine atmosphere. Love this place. Especially the little Greek deli/wine shop next to it (Oliver's). Awesome selection of cheeses, wines, Ouzo, halva. Don't forget to order your baklava. :D OPA!
(4)Alice R.
I'm the last to party on this one. I can't believe I haven't eaten here already in my numerous visits to the island. It meets my most important criteria of "makes me drool just thinking of eating here" and "so damn cheap I can take a bunch friends out to dinner." It's great that it's BYOB with the convenience of the wine store next door. I can't recommend a specific dish because everything I tasted was delicious! I have heard the osso buco is divine but only offered on Wed. I'll be back for sure. The only drawbacks as other reviewers have is there is limited seating inside and the outside seating doesn't have much ambiance since it is adjacent to the parking lot. But, I can overlook this stuff because the food is that good.
(4)B H.
Yum. Simple tasty and reasonably priced !
(5)Matt W.
Olive Tree has got the best set-up on the island of any small independently-owned restaurant I've been to. Consistently high-quality, authentic Greek food, mostly-reasonable prices, and a fun, festive atmosphere make it the king of Kahala Mall area restaurants--even the also-delicious Green Door Restaurant didn't stand a chance in its new location in the same shopping plaza, and closed within a year. The only thing Olive Tree is missing is alcohol--but wait! Right next door is the Olive Tree's companion wine , gelato and sundries shop so you can BYOB (with a sizeable selection of under $10 bottles if you're a budget drinker like me) and still keep it in the family. Genius. No wonder we have to stalk out soon-to-be leaving guests on the patio and pounce on the first available table every time we come. My girlfriend and I have developed a few regular dishes we rotate through each time we go, and the consistency in these dishes has been amazing--always fresh and tasty hummus, great pita bread (which is also conveniently made available to take home from the wine shop next door); the best grape leaves I've ever had, wonderful babaganoush, and the piece de resistance, fresh mussels 'cooked' by marinating in lemon juice and topped with capers. This dish is so great that the Fat Greek, a competing restaurant on Waialae, has tried and failed to copy the recipe--they don't even come close. I've seen some less-than-favorable reviews of the shaorma here--perhaps those reviewing it have never tried it with lamb, which I've found to be consistently phenomenal. The greek salad is wonderful as well, and the feta, olives, and saucy standards of any good greek restaurant--salad dressing, tzaziki, tahini, etc--have never let us down. Yes, the restaurant is cash-only, and the prices may be high to some folks, especially when you can't decide between all those tasty pupus and end up ordering most of them, but I'm pretty poor and still can't help going back as often as I can. The service is bare bones--you order and pick up your own dishes at the counter. I find the occasionally surly, prideful, smartass or no-nonsense attitude of the staff that some folks have complained about an essential part of the atmosphere. Plus, once they recognize you, they're usually nicer to you. The Olive Tree is one of the three or four restaurants on Oahu that my girlfriend and I have visited continuously since we discovered it--at least once a month, budget permitting. We will continue to invite any new friends, or strangers to the island and/or Greek cuisine to experience a charming and delicious dining experience. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
(5)Meep M.
Why I haven't eaten here sooner is a mystery to me. I had eaten at Kafe Europa earlier for lunch w/my bf and was sorely disappointed. Luckily my bf (being the elite yelper that he is) knew exactly where to go to get our fix. As Rachel Ray would say.....YUM O! Their Caviar Spread was delicious. I tried to refrain from inhaling the whole plate. We also ordered their Lamb Kabob and Chicken Special Combo. There was not a bite left. With out meal, we washed it all down with a bottle of Pinot Noir bought at their side wine store (which btw had very reasonably priced wine). If u don't want to buy from their store, ur able to bring ur own since their BYOB. I've only been here once and I want to return already. The food is great, byob is a plus, but it's the energy that makes this place. It's people making connections through food, drinks and laughter. I do recommend saving room for their Baklava.
(5)Michelle S.
The very best falafel I have ever had. This place is just as good as the food that I had while in Greece. We always order hummus with an extra order of pita. The lemon soup is to die for, the dolmas melts in your mouth, husband loves the mussels and the lamb shwarma, and the giant beans are delicious. My husband says he could drink the salad dressing from the Greek salad with a straw. If you are therre on a Thursday try the eggplant special - so good! Only negatives would be finidng a seat, it pays to come early, and I wish they were open during the day too!
(5)Amber W.
Like the guy you've been friends with forever that turns out to be a perfect fit for you, it took me awhile to realize that Olive Tree is one of the best restaurants in Honolulu. I'd been here a bunch of times and then all of a sudden last night, staring me in the face: I've not appreciated what we've had all these years. *gets down on one knee* "retrieves napkin and continues eating*
(5)Mark Y.
I love this place. It has a really cool, yuppie hang out type of vibe, very laid back and relaxed (well, once you commandeer a seat that is). No corkage fee for the bottles of wine you either bring with you or buy from the shop next door and they offer refills when you buy a soda too. After all the years of coming here, the food has never disappointed us. I remember eating here when they used to serve lunch on Fridays and weekends and even before they had the seating and awning outside; it was always good. The Hummus here is the best, we always get it with an extra order of pita which is only 75 cents more. The other things we usually get are the Chicken souvlaki and the Shaorma, both are terrific and come with a small green salad. The ingredients used are always fresh and I always drool over their tomatoes, they're juicy and taste like the ones I'd grow at home. I've tried most other things on the menu like the Falafal and the Fish or Lamb souvlaki too, all good. One of the downers like others have mentioned is the seating situation. There is no order in getting a table so you just have to stand around and wait for people to leave. There are other people standing around also so you really need to position yourself strategically. We've remedied this by making sure we're here at 5pm or shortly thereafter, otherwise we avoid coming here. This one time we got into it with this bossy pregant chinese girl who thought she could bully people around. I won't go through the whole story but it ended with her yelling at her henpecked husband... "DAMN IT, JUST GO ORDER THE FOOD! THESE GUYS ARE ASSHOLES! MY DINNER'S RUINED!" Poor husband, he had a glazed look over his face like he was in shellshock, I felt sorry for him but secretly enjoyed watching her little meltdown. And for the record, WE WERE THERE before they were, but I digress. Anyway, some other downers: It's cash only, (and local checks too I think), but I wish they would take plastic. And, when you eat inside, the music is soooo loud, it makes you want to do the plate-smashing dance like Anthony Quinn did in Zorba the Greek. Although, when it's hot and muggy out, sitting inside has its benefits since it's air conditioned. So if you come, remember to bring cash and maybe some elbow pads and a helmet, you might need it to get a table unless you come at 5 like we do.
(5)Charity Y.
The Mussels, Hummus & Baba Ganoush, and Baklava were all a delicious, hit the spot trio of appetizers! They now offer a combo plate of Hummus (1 scoop) and Baba Ganoush (1 scoop), just order extra pita bread with it. The Baklava was just the right amount of sweet. It's also Cash only.
(4)Jude A.
My favorite cafe in Honolulu! Authentic Greek food, the best Avgolemono soup you'll ever have! Everything on the menu is onolicious. BYOB
(5)Anna D.
HUMMUS, PITA BREAD, SOUVLAKI, GRAPELEAVES, SALAD, EGGPLANT = oral orgasm! I love this place! if they ever closed down I'd be so depressed. how can you go wrong when everythign on the menu is so good and it's BYOB? dont forget, they're always busy and open only for dinner. see you there!
(5)Jay K.
No complaints here :)! I like to call and ask if they have fresh ahi
(4)Kehau S.
The Olive Tree Cafe has been a Kahala hot spot for close to two decades. (You know you're from Kahala if you know what was in that location before the Olive Tree, and no - I'm not telling you.) It's fantastic. It's always busy (a.k.a. crowded). They open nightly at 5 pm. (They're only open for dinner.) You order at the counter. You seat yourself. There are tables inside and outside. (They bus your table after you leave.) They only take cash or personal checks. They're known for their take out, orders start coming in daily around 4:30 (first pick up is at 5:15 pm). Their number, 737-0303 (737 "olive tree, olive tree" - another Kahala insider tip). Everything is good. Seriously. Everything is good. The hummus is fantastic. I suggest ordering it with cucumbers and feta (extra charge, but worth it). The prices are great. Dinner for two including an appetizer is usually under $30. The portions are big; the taste is bigger. I've been getting the chicken slovaki plate for about 20 years. I never get tired of it. (There is also fish and lamb slovaki and a nice assortment of fantastic greek food.) They also regularly have specials. They're always good. They're greek salad is the best in town. People ask to buy their dressing and sauces. They don't sell them. It's also BYOB. Corkage is 50 cents per person. The owner of the restaurant owns a little shop adjacent to the restaurant; you can pick up wine there. The shop also sells gelato in case you want dessert after. The parking is hard. The lot (the drive way Diamond Head of the Kahala McDonald's) is small. There are about 20 spaces. They're usually full. If you find a spot, you're lucky. There's street parking. A lot of people park at McDonald's next door. If only the nation of Greece was doing as well as The Olive Tree Cafe.
(5)Christine L.
You know I woke up the other day with a serious craving for good Greek food. Now, I live in the Bay Area where you can find just about any type of food you could possible imagine. But I will admit the best Greek food I have had out of Greece is Olive Tree Cafe. And I miss it! My mom and I would often stop at this place on our way home from work, or a long beach day. The wait for a table in the small restaurant is totally worth it! We would usually order and extra big serving of hummus with pita. Mom loved the mussels, and I would get the Lamb Souvlaki. Their food was always served very fresh and tasting amazing. And you can't go wrong with fresh baklava. Their baklava is the only reason I eat anything with nuts in it. I wish I had Olive Tree Cafe in Nor Cal =( I need some good Greek over here!
(4)Kimmy T.
Except the problem finding the seat, this place is really great! But I guess it cannot be helped. Too many people wants to eat this place! I love their lamb souvlaki and mussels appetizer! This is BYOB and next door (wine shop) has reasonable good wine selection!
(5)Justin P.
This is the standard for Greek food on Oahu. Everything works together on the plate, their hummus in on a totally different level. The dressing on their salads is wonderful and light. The tomatos, and I hate tomatos, are delicious. I had their falafel, and it was delicious, but I always go for the lamb souvlakiwhen I'm there.... really good! Their Baklava is amazing as well.....
(5)Katie G.
We love Olive Tree Cafe! The organic chicken souvlaki is delicious as are their specials which seem to change every few weeks. Fresh good eats.
(5)Emi H.
If Olive Tree Cafe was a man I'd be ALL OVER that good lovin'! Nestled behind the Kahala Mall McDonald's, Olive Tree Cafe is the one restaurant I would buy if I had the means to do so. You must try the HUMMUS. Oh the HUMMUS. With extra pita bread of course! My fave entree is the chicken or fish Tslouvaki (is that spelled right?) which comes with a nice green salad. Greek food is very heart healthy so that's another plus! They also have fallafel sandwiches as well for those of you looking for a vegetarian option. And of course you'll need to finish it off with a piece of baklava & espresso. Most entrees will run you $12 and dessert is $3. They don't do coins at the Olive Tree Cafe so everything with tax always equals a full dollar amount. I like the cozy atmosphere and I'd recommend sitting outside if possible because the Greek music that blairs indoors will slowly drive you insane. (RED RUM! RED RUM!) It's BYOB so chug down that ouzo or your favorite bottle of wine. The thing that astounds me about the Olive Tree Cafe is that they are always busy no matter what day of the week. Every few months the owner will go on vacation for a week, completely shut down the operation and it will be just as busy as he left it when he opens the doors again. IT'S THAT GOOD!
(5)Cat T.
Ok... the service could definitely be better, that being said the food was soooo good that I'm giving this place full stars. I LOVED the greek salad and hummus. Omg, it was da-bomb. My falafel was okay, so next time I will be trying the lamb souvlaki like all my friends did and said they enjoyed. We also got the feta cheese appetizer which was great too. But definitely the greek salad and hummus was fantastic. BYOB too! I am going to be back and try the lamb and fish souvlaki. I remember the guy at the counter mentioned the fish being good and reviews on her mention that as well. As other people mentioned, its small shop, so its quite busy. Parking is right outside of store or on the streets of Kahala. Not too hard to find though.
(5)Esther K.
holymolymatrimony. I love this place! I've never appreciated Greek food as much as I did at Olive Tree Cafe. The Fresh Fish Souvlaki was delicious! Dear Lord, someone stop me from eating the hummus and pita bread. NOM NOM NOM everyday
(5)Ka'imi L.
4 stars for Olive Tree Cafe! Just went for a quick dinner here on a Friday night. The Pros: Ordered the Chicken Souvlaki which tasted very delicious. I love the fact that they have BYOB with no corkage fee. And the price can't be beat for good greek food! The Cons: Was a little stuffy, but I definitely got over that after drinking a few bottles of wine! Def recommend for casual eating. Go early otherwise you'll end up fighting for a place to sit.
(4)Justin E.
One of my favorite places in the world to eat! Outstanding food: lemon rice soup (forgot the greek name) and the feta cheese / olive plate are my favorites. So why not five stars? Because they don't take credit cards. Some people are yelping about parking, but when it's completely full, it's worth the 1 minute walk to just park at Kahala mall (where there's always abundant parking) and walk over - minor inconvenience. But not taking credit cards when a normal meal for two runs $25-$40 is a significant inconvenience. I've always wondered why some restaurants do that. Is it a matter of principle? If so, I can understand a little... credit card companies have got a line in our bloodstreams skimming 2-3% off practically every transaction that occurs in the world (not to mention then also charging 10%-23% APR on the customer side for any revolving balance)... vampires. But, bank cards with a visa or mc logo are another story, which I depend on. Nobody carries large amounts of cash on a regular basis anymore, and so visits to places like Olive Tree require extra forethought and a trip to the nearby FHB ATM. I understand them not wanting to pay the 2-3% on every transaction, but I think they should then offer the customer a choice... pay cash for regular prices, or offer credit card processing for an additional, small fee. That's what they used to do at gas stations... remember those days? Anyhoo, nuff said.
(4)Whisper L.
food was okay but SERVICE SUCKS! Impatient ppl not adept at customer service.
(1)Jesse C.
Byob with a nice wine store next door. What more can you ask for? Ah yes. Great greek food! I dont know why I havent found this place sooner but I absolutely love it here. The lamb soulvaki is onolicious. (I've tried the fish and chicken. Lamb by far is the best choice.) If you order the hummus or baba ghanoush get an extra of pita bread. You'll thank me later. I didnt think the Dolmathakia (grape leaves stuffed with rice) would work for me but it totally does. The only thing I didnt like was the baklava. Its drenched with honey; much too sweet for me. As everyone else says, come early. It gets crowded and there are a limited number of seats. You pay after you recieve your meal but they wont make your food till you have a seat. So be an early bird, bring a bottle of wine, put your okole down, and gourge on the greek grinds.
(4)Burke B.
As a Mediterranean food afficionado, I can report that the food here is excellent, and the staff very friendly and efficient. Unpretentious atmosphere. They are crowded every night of the week, which also tells you something. The "pros" vastly outweigh the "cons" (which are lack of parking and not enough seats). Definitely by far the best Greek restaurant in Honolulu, one of the best neighborhood restaurants in Hawaii, and it would stand up well with Greek/Mediterranean restaurants on the mainland as well.
(5)Negean V.
Lamb souvlaki was great!! Tabouli was yummy! You can get Wine next door or bring your own beer which is cool. Would definitely go back. Service was good.
(5)Karen D.
Yassou, Olive Tree Cafe'! After hearing so much about you, it's good to meet you--finally. As a loyal customer of The Fat Greek, I was skeptical that your food would impress me more than theirs. But as I say in my headline, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Having read about you in advance from my fellow Yelpers, I chose to visit you on a weekday evening at 5:00pm when you would be less busy. I had no trouble parking in your small shared parking lot. I was first in line (after the numerous call-in orders), so I received my food relatively quickly and got my pick of tables on the lanai. This made my meal much more enjoyable than it might have been otherwise! I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed your food as much as my beloved Fat Greek! I even liked your salad better because your salad dressing is nóstima--delicious! (I just wish you would put kalamata olives in it and give me more feta cheese on top.) For comparison purposes, I ordered the lamb souvlaki and domathes, my favorites at TFG. I liked yours as much, but not more than, The Other Place. For my final comparison, not to mention top off an 'onolicious meal, I ordered your baklava, which I like from you-know-where. Yours was equally good but the portion size is much bigger! Lastly, it was kind of fun to listen to cheesy Greek music in the background (where it belongs) instead of loud soul music that blasts me out of my seat at times and makes it hard to converse at TFG. (I like soul music, but not that much!) Because I like you a lot, I will tell my fellow Yelpers that you are located on Kilauea right behind Kahala Mall at Pahoa. Accessing your parking lot is a pain in the 'okole, so I will let everyone know that to pull into your undersized parking lot, you must approach from the Kilauea side and pull into the driveway immediately after you pass McDonald's. If you pass it and come to Pahoa, just turn 'ewa (right) and park on the street--you probably wouldn't have gotten a space anyway. A really important thing my Yeeps need to know is that you are one of those annoying places that is CASH ONLY and that you are BYOB but that you charge for every cup (I would bring glasses from home). Your method of ordering is a little quirky--customers order at the counter, wait at the table, pick up at the counter, and then pay. Your in-house soft drink prices are decent--a soda is just $0.96 and you don't charge for refills. Awwwright! Olive Tree Cafe', you converted me from a doubter to a believer, and I am now a fan. A hui hou! Yelp 365 Challenge #19/365
(4)Shay F.
I love love love the hummas here. That's the best. Today I had the falafa...however you spell that. It's these spicy vegetarian balls. LoL.
(4)Kit T.
Dear owner - your sorta decent food is ruined time and again by obnoxious servers contriving to make OTC their friends' playground - rudeness, picking and choosing who to serve and in what order, happily chatting and showering attention on certain parties and actively ignoring others, laughingly letting one sprawling hipster take over three tables during the dinner rush - not eating or ordering anything for the 45 minutes we were there as people waited in line and got turned away for tables. Who is watching this hen house? Time to clean house and pay more attention to the hiring process. Plus, I think it is illegal (in addition to stingy and inhuman) to charge for water (!?), restaurants must provide water on request. Dear servers: If you must be a self-important douche bag, go work for a velvet rope nightclub. Otherwise, wake up and smell the humanity.
(2)Darren N.
Getting there: Easy to find and access from the street. Parking is free but space is limited. Alternate parking can be found a short walk over at the mall. Ambiance: Cafe style seating indoors and outdoors. The chairs are plastic but are level and comfortable enough; the tables are smooth surfaced and not low quality painted metal. Service: Friendly and courteous table preparation and food delivery but since it is a cafe you must grab your own seat and account for your own utensils and drinks. No courtesy water. Food: Based on the hummus and olive oil pita bread, lamb slouvaki, and baklava, I can say that Greek food is something I can enjoy despite being picky. The food was tasty. Who to bring: Bring no more than 4 in my opinion because space and seating is limited. How much to bring: Enough dough to pay for a movie ticket and some popcorn if you plan on ordering more than just one dish. Verdict: Due to the fact that Greek food is not something I seek out and the fact that it seems to be a lot of hassle to get a table since the place is popular (and could stand to expand to a larger sized restaurant) I can only give this place 3 stars. Final notes: They only accept cash.
(3)Fawn L.
This place is good. I'm not a big Greek food person, but I will continue to eat here. I always get their fish pita thing & salad. I've had their baklava as well & it's tasty. If you come here expect to wait! It takes about 15 minutes to order, 20-45 minutes to find a table, & about 20-30 minutes to get your food. Get there early if you can.
(3)J W.
Love this place & am only taking off a star because they don't take credit cards. Lemon soup is divine. The Greek lasagna is yummy with the right amount of creamy cheese & lamb (weekly special). Caviar dip yummy (get extra pita & great w/ lemon). Stuffed grape leaves & Greek salad...everything is perfect in taste! We prefer take out because it gets crowded & parking is tight.
(4)Malia D.
Best Greek food on the island of Oahu
(5)Guava G.
I'm a frequent customer at this place! I have no complaints in the service or the quality of food. My favorite things to eat are the salads, Souvlaki, mussels, babaganoush, soup, and they usually have a special every night that has never been disappointing. It is a trusted go-to for take-out for us. Just call ahead and make sure you have cash at pick up!
(5)Karen L.
Ordered the Fish and friend ordered the Lamb. Both served wrapped in a pita with dressing. Salad has a vey good dressing on it. I will go again! Only bad thing is waiting for your food. But that happens when it is all cooked fresh I guess. It is a BYOB but the wine shop is the very next door over. A nice fit.
(4)Ira J.
I love Olive Tree Café like a good man loves a good woman. A good man doesn't love his woman except for her faults. He doesn't love her in spite of her faults. He loves all of her; her faults included. While Olive Tree Café does a lot of thing rights, she does have some faults. Getting a table from her is the most obvious one; everyone seems to love her and she doesn't have enough tables to satisfy them all. Getting my table requires me to have a keen eye, quick reflexes, a plan, and having a partner helps. She offers no service to speak of; I stand in line to order. One of her staff calls my name when my appetizers are ready, and I go back to her counter to get them myself. I am called again when my entrées are ready. Her staff will bus her tables, but due to the seating issues, they likely won't clear my dishes until after someone else is at my table; and similarly, I will likely be seated before the dishes of the previous diners have been cleared. She only accepts cash. I wouldn't mention this as a fault if it were not for her next fault. That is that she is kind of pricey for a cash only establishment. I can sit inside or out, but either way my view will be of her tiny parking lot. I usually find little specks of black stuff at the bottom of my water glass. I don't know what it is, but it's heavy enough that it stays put at the bottom as I drink from the top. I politely don't mention it. To do otherwise would not be very gentlemanly. She's never open for lunch. I get to spend time with her on her schedule, not mine. Yes, I love all these faults of hers. While Olive Tree Café does some things wrong, she does have plenty of beautiful aspects. Obviously, her food is exceptional: I always start with a bowl of her Avgo Lemono (egg lemon soup). It is so hot and tasty, just like a first kiss when you haven't seen your woman in a long while. Occasionally, I'll also have her pita with hummus; it's warm, soft and enticing. For the main course, most often, I will get her lamb souvlaki. She serves it up hot, saucy and so satisfying! She never gives me more than I can handle, nor does she leave me wanting for more. Dinner with a good woman deserves a good wine. She has that covered. She allows BYOB, and she doesn't charge me a corkage fee. Her ambience and her festive atmosphere seem magical. It's like staring into the eyes of a beautiful woman. I love the way she makes me feel by just being with her. So, when it comes to Olive Tree Café for me, it is not about making a weighted list of her pros verses her cons, nor is it about considering what changes might make her better. It's about loving the whole experience just the way she is. This review, my 100th, is my love letter to Olive Tree Café. Don't change a thing about yourself!
(5)Melissa B.
I am a big fan of mediterranean food and place has one of the best falafel I have ever tasted. I had the hummus, dolmas and chicken shawarma which were good too, but after having the falafel I never ordered anything else. The place can get super busy so you have to be on it to order and pick up your food. You also have to stake out your sitting area but most people are friendly and will let you share a table. We met a really nice and interesting couple here. They also have a nice Greek market right next door where you can grab a bottle of wine or any other Greek treats to take home or enjoy with your food.
(5)Manda S.
Whenever I'm in the Kahala area, I tend to get a craving for Greek...except it's always during lunch-time and the Olive Tree Cafe isn't open. Sad Panda. :( I've been dying to try this place forever and I finally got the chance to come for dinner last week. This place definitely lived up to my expectations: - BF, Friend, and I all got the lamb souvlaki. It comes with a full kabob's worth of lamb in a respectable sized warm pita and served with that tasty white sauce (I wanna say it's called tzatziki) with a salad on the side. I really enjoyed my food--I was the first to finish at the table! I really liked the salad. The sauce wasn't overpowering and it complemented the perfectly cooked lamb very nicely. Only con to this dish is that bigger eaters might not be satisfied. I was happy but BF and Friend wish they had ordered 2 plates. - The staff here is awesome. I was eyeing out that scrumptious looking baklava the entire time I was standing in line and the cashier guy noticed, cut me a sample piece, and let me try it. It tasted very rich in honey--it was heavenly. If you order this, I promise you won't be dissapointed. - This place also has a really cool atmosphere--it's BYOB so bring your own wine, kick back, and enjoy awesome food with good friends! (If you didn't bring your own, Olive Tree has a little shop next to it that sells Greek wine and other tasty things) I'd come to this place every night for dinner if I could--the specials change regularly and they all look extremely delicious. I'm definitely getting the hummus next time, and perhaps an appetizer? As a side note: - Olive Tree is CASH ONLY. - BF and Friend are more experienced with the Greek eateries on this island then I am. They thought the food was good but for the price and portion size, you can get better elsewhere. - This lot can get pretty crazy (it's shared between Olive Tree, Subway, and Wahoo's Kahala). Pass through it and I'd say there's a 50/50 chance you'll get lucky but if you see a line of cars sticking out the driveway, I recommend parking on the street.
(4)Jenny C.
Oh-my-awesomeness. I don't think I've had good Greek food until I dined here! We got here early on a weeknight so we didn't have to deal with much of a crowd. Very casual sit-down eatery - we noticed a lot of older relaxed folks come in with their own bottles of wine. On to the food! Hummus with Pita Bread - Can't get better than this. The pita bread was fresh, hot, soft, pillowy and perfect. The hummus - this beats any version you buy in the supermarket by far. I tasted a strong sesame flavor...and a bit of a kick. And garlic, who doesn't love garlic? The perfect dish, truly. Lamb Souvlaki - Wonderful! A whole pita served with a skewer of perfectly cooked lamb (unskewered of course) along with a generous helping of tzatziki sauce. The souvlaki is served along side a simple greek salad which was GREAT. I need their salad dressing recipe - because that stuff is like crack. I noticed that they had a big bunch of take-out orders before they even opened, boxes were being stacked up as we were dining. Reasonable price and great food - you can't go wrong! Cash only.
(5)Kristine M.
Why the 3 stars? When I spend my hard earned money, I expect AWESOMENESS in return. I don't feel awesome when I eat here. The only thing that keeps me from screaming out in frustration is the falafel in my mouth. True, the food is quite delicious. I also really do enjoy the chicken souvlaki. What I don't enjoy is the not-so-awesome service. You have to wait in a long line to order - some buttheads will cut and pretend to be looking at the menu, this happened to me... twice. You can only pay cash... SURPRISE!!! You have to pay for a cup of water - mine had weird little things floating around at the bottom, didn't notice it till I was 3/4 done. You have to practically knock people out to get a table - jump on it, or you'll be waiting around forever. Most of the staff are really nice and friendly! One is not. He helped two people who WEREN'T in line while I waited patiently in front of the register. He laughed and made jokes, opened a bottle of wine, then when it was my turn, he made eye-contact, and walked to the back of the kitchen. Seriously... what the??? Another guy came by asking if I had been helped yet. Uhhhh... no. Then when it was time to pick up my order, same dude kept it waiting on the side while he counted money. Grrrrrrr... Considering the service, I think there are better places out there. Places located in Koko Marina. It starts with a "G" and rhymes with "Reek Marina". Hahahahah!!!
(3)Angelica Z.
The fish souvlaki was ok - nothing to write home about. It was tasty, but nothing amazing. The portion size was a little disappointing -- 13.50 for a little side salad and the souvlaki (with no table service, either)???? That's a little too steep for my law school student budget. A few friends had the lamb souvlaki. The general consensus was that it was standard (nothing crazy) and overly dry. Parking was pretty limited-I felt lucky to get a parking spot! I do wish I could give this place an additional 1/2 star, since they accommodated our group of 8. The lady taking our orders was also very pleasant and helpful. Overall, I was underwhelmed, which is a huge disappointment since I wanted to like this cute cafe!
(3)Michelle H.
Anytime I am in the mood for Greek, Olive Tree is always my first choice. Make sure you have cash, get there early and bring your own wine. I came here last night and tried their Shaorma instead of the lamb Souvlaki that I usually order. I am so glad I tried something new because it was great. I liked it much better than the sometimes hit or miss souvlaki. If you do order the souvalki, always go with lamb. The chicken and fish souvlaki are a bit dry for my liking. Also, the tarama salata or the greek caviar spread is a must try!! Oh and there is a wine shop right next door, making it all too easy to buy new bottles of wine when the first bottle runs out :) Great atmosphere and good food.
(4)Brent S.
Great food, always crowded. We don't come here often because it's always super crowded and it takes a while to get your food. But it's definitely worth the wait. Plus it's pretty cheap for the quality you get. The Lamb Souvlaki is extremely flavorful with a decent portion size. I could eat the Hummus with Pita Bread everyday. My wife always gets the Baklava. And even their salad dressing is the perfect compliment. They do take phone orders, so actually, we should probably just do that to avoid the wait.
(4)Cy C.
In the words of a Greek poet, "The greatest pleasure of life is love." Let me just say I love me some Olive Tree Cafe. One word, "nostimo" which means delicious in Greek. Okay I'll be honest I looked up the definition, but I couldn't find the words to describe my love in English. I believe the best way to honor this wonderful place is to describe this place in its native language. May Mount Olympus continue to bless us mortals with gifts like the Olive Tree Cafe. Okay not to sound over dramatic but ohhhh the hummus with pita would make the greek gods of Mount Olympus happy. When I was asked if I wanted to eat greek food, I had to think about that. See my only recollection of greek food is Gyros from Jack in a box. Quick note, why do they pronounce it Year-ohs...I can never say it correctly. So was my fast food Gyro eating butt ready for real greek food? Olive Tree Cafe has a small parking lot (only negative) and hard to find parking. We had to find street parking, luckily we had more luck finding a table. Okay remember my theory if there is a line it must be good and yes there was a line. I love greek food, or is it just this place? Recommend going early and expect a wait for a table. We ordered the tabouleh (herb salad with awesome dressing), hummus (see above) and Lamb Tslouvaki. Okay I can dip that Tslouvaki white sauce with anything. Great food and a lot healthier than a plate lunch. Definitely worth every dollar. Thank you Zeus!!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!........BYOB!!!! (nuff said) HOORAY for OLIVE TREE CAFE
(4)Sean K.
We've got a Live One here! No ZOmbies, Braaaain Eaters or Walking Dead at the Olive Tree. A quaint, fabulous Greek restaurant tucked into a condensed corner by the Kahala Mall serves up some of the best Greek food and ambiance on the islands. As you approach the restaurant it's clear that seating is limited and highly desired. One could say it's first cone first served, but it's really based on your ability to stand in the right place at the right time. Waiting for a table is worth it. However, if your with more than 6 people you better have a serious strategy or be willing to wait. Most tables occupy 4-6 people. The food is great. The Olive Tree offers all of the essential, well known Greek-style dishes and more. When you go, ask about the special. It's usually something off the 'beaten' path and it's usually great. The energy, the simple decor, the tight quarters and the festive Mediterranean style music supplement the splendid tastes. The Olive Tree is a fantastic place to wet your appetite, meet with friends and to rejuvenate your desire to travel to far off lands with exotic smells, sounds and faces. The prices are average. Pay as you pick up, seat yourself and BYOB. "Not to ZomBie"; there is way to much life pumping at the Olive Tree.
(5)Janet K.
If you want Greek food, this is the place to go! In my opinion, it's the best on this island. They have daily specials which include my favorites: Tuesday's Chicken Saffron (chicken in a tomato saffron sauce over basmati rice) or Sunday's Spanokopita. My other favorites include... Fish Souvlaki Mussel Ceviche (appetizer) Taramasalata (appetizer an alternative to hummus) Stuffed Grape Leaves (appetizer) BYOB and you can buy a nice bottle of wine next door (same owner). No corkage fee! Cash only! Get there early because it gets ridiculously packed.
(5)Ben Y.
Too long of a wait
(1)C W.
This was another great meal during our trip to HI. We got a table outside: some of us went next door for some wine and some went inside to order. The food was fresh and delicious. The pita is really good and we ordered more of it for our meals. All four of us left stuffed. It was a great evening. I would visit here often if I lived there. Odd to find a place that lets you pay at the end of your meal. I guess they know that you will keep ordering the great food!
(5)Bouskikekoa N.
I started a Yelp account just bc of this restaurant. My husband and I are both foodies, have culinary degrees, and food is our life.. and we love critiquing restaurants. and this one by far has the WORST SERVICE EVER. We went there with a group of 4 ordered over $100 worth of food and this kid with the dreads kicked us out bc he said we were loitering, when we were still continuley going up to order food ... such as deserts. But all the older people that were there that we guess were regulars were treated much nicer when then didnt have anything on their table. I feel sorry for this restaurant bc I work at a place where I reccommend food all the time to guests and this would have been one of the greek places I would have reccommended but I assure you I tell everybody how horrible this place is and how to go to the fat greek instead. its really sad bc that kid shouldnt be talking to guests he should stay in the back where he belongs bc your restaurant just lost a lot of money thru us going with friends and now the horrible reviews and bad word of mouth I will give to all the guests I reccommend for going out to eat. He even looked like he was going to fight us at the end of the night. If you are a new customer expect the service to be horrible.
(1)Troy M.
I'm not sure if this is a four or five star review, so I'll state my cases for each. 5: Pleasant outdoor seating area... 4: located in a boring strip mall. 5: BYOB... 5: with a wine merchant directly next door! 4: Good, but not fantastic food... 4: that takes a while to come out. 5: The mussels were pretty good... 4: but the dolmas were somewhat average. This place was fun, tasty, and pleasant, but lacked that extra something to make me click on the fifth star.
(4)Ian T.
Greek food without olives?! Fun spot with a diverse scene inside. Definitely the place to bring a small party - much more than that and you're hunting for seats. Dug the tzatziki though - helped out with the lamb.
(3)Aris S.
Normally I would have given this place four stars; however, the last few times I have gone have caused the rating to drop down. We frequented this place a couple of times a week for quite some time, now. The food was great and the ambiance was great. We would dine in once a week and do take out once a week. I also shopped at Oliver next door (same owners). The last few times I have gone my orders were incorrect. Tonight I picked up take out and when I got home, there was a hair in one of the sandwiches. Mistakes happen, and I called to inform them of the situation. The guy who answered the phone apologized, said they would replace it and refund my money. This seemed fitting as I had to drive back there to have my order replaced. When I got there, the food was ready but they didn't refund my money. The thing is, they had already said they would and I have been there twice now for one order. So I get the food home (second order) and sit down and the food is ICE COLD. Now I know it's take out but I live around the corner and have gotten take out many times from there and it has been hot when I get home. So I call the guy back to tell him and they are RUDE!!!!! This is horrible customer service and judging by my last few visits, it is indicative of the direction the place is going. I will not be back. This was the final straw for me. I wasted time and gas for horrible service. They lost a VERY good customer. I will also inform all my friends as to not go there. I did recommend a lot of people to this place and they will ALL be told how downhill it has gone.
(1)Tyler D.
Hands down the best Greek eats on Oahu. It isn't as cheap as some of the other spots, but it is the best we have here. I think the sauces could be a little better (I like some spicy sauce like at the fat greek), but other than that, this place is the bomb. Great apps too. It is a bit of a gourmet Greek spot.
(5)Ryan D.
Very good food. It has the appearance of a family run business; the service was helpful and friendly. Highly recommend.
(5)Margaret W.
Really tatsy food, small venue, reasonable prices, byob. It gets packed, the owner seems to be frazzled but very nice. Overall, delish place to stop for dinner, I only wish it were larger and opened earlier.
(4)Kimberly L.
Ages I've been wanting to try this place--Yelpers been hypin' it up, and my Israeli buds say it's the closest thing to "home food" they've been able to find in Hawaii. Big words, my friends. Suffice it to say that just one hour after devouring an entire ribeye steak, I was able to consume an Olive Tree Cafe Mahi Souvlaki plate, plus some baba ganoush. Impressive? I think so. Only good food can be consumed when bursting! You know what's even more impressive? The plate was takeout and at least 20 minutes old when I ate it! Yes, it was that good. I'm relatively new to Mediterranean food, but the baba ganoush definitely had that scrumptious flame-broiled eggplant taste I so desire. The tahini was garlicky and thick and creamy. The tzaziki was garlicky too, and thinner than expected but still made an excellent salad dressing. And my first experience with souvlaki was a good one! Morsels of nicely seasoned and moist fish with onion in a delicious bread somewhere halfway between pita and naan. Olive Tree Cafe, you deserve all the 5-star reviews :)
(5)Jessie D.
4.25 out of 5. Greek food in Hawaii is an interesting concept. In the multi cultural environment that we live in, it's pretty easy to find food of different ethnicities. Oddly enough, I didn't even know this spot existed until a few weeks ago, stumbling on to it while headed through the drive thru next door. Greek food, huh? That's gotta be worth a shot. So, when the opportunity arose to try something new, had to put this at the top of the list. Thankfully enough, the place it just outside of my workplace, so I really didn't have a need to find parking. The lot there is pretty small, so park at the mall and walk there. The first thing that struck me was the wine shop next door. This was quickly clarified as I saw the BYOB sign in the restaurant. The atmosphere is quite lively, with Greek music blaring over the speakers, only to be interrupted by the sound of laughter (from nearby tables) or the loudspeaker announcements of ready orders. The payment system is quite interesting, too, as you order the food, wait until your order is called, then pay right before taking your dinner back to the table. Thankfully, the helpful staff explain that to you after you order. Speaking of waiting, that's pretty much all you do for a bit. The service is quick, all things considered, because this place is hella popular. Then again, dinner on a Saturday night would tend to be that way. I had the hummus (highly recommended) and the lamb souvlaki (HIGHLY recommended). @miss_cher had the chicken souvlaki (also recommended, if you're not feeling the lamb). Overall, a pretty yummy experience and definitely gonna get a return trip. Now, for the 4.25... the seating is dumb limited. Thankfully, we lucked out and got a spot quickly, but, as the night went on, some people got kinda chippy over seats. Avoid that by spending your wait time looking for an available spot. Usually the tables turn over quite quickly, unless you're us and spend time taking pictures of your food. Also, negative points for cash or check only. It's 2010 people, you can get mobile pay systems for android, iPhone, and blackberry, from numerous vendors. Can't really give it the 5 because of this. It's a very solid 4, however. Great food, good conversation, and BYOB. it's a winning combination.
(4)Chad K.
Not like this place needs another great review but being that I just ate here the other night with a friend I might as well add to the long list. Yes, who doesnt love the hummus here though I wish they'd give more pita bread, still doesnt stop me though. Their Lamb soulvaki makes my mouth water and the yogurt they add to it makes it all the more delicious. The parking can get quite crowded but thats to be expected of a place with such a great reputation. * I also learned that The Olive Tree is opening up in Manoa!!! sweeeet! that place will be a gold mind!
(5)VG d.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THE FOOD HOW eVER it comes with PAIN =:0{ As everyone else has said: the seating is bad AND the wait can be really long AND I've had my order sit on the counter and get cold because they didn't call it out (no apologies either) AND they don't take credit cards! (for this there really is no excuse) and - this one really irks me - you cannot get glass of water with your meal without paying a buck for it. (Come on, now, this is serious nickle-and-dime-ing, don't-cha think?) But I have to admit: I LOVE the food! YUM-MEEEEE! And I appreciate the BYOB. Thanks!!!
(4)Lilly N.
I heard wonders about this place. I thought give it a try with a takeout order. I explain it was my first time there and no, didn't take the time to come and review it here first. This guy took my order and told me to wait 20 minutes. I went outside and decided to get a bottle of wine and put gas in my car, just making time . Came back 15 minutes later to find out the food had been sitting there at the counter for a while, noone has called me while waiting in my car utside, and the cherry on top.... NO!!! THEY DONT TAKE CREDIT CARDS... AND THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT. I went home hungry, no food and having a toast to never, ever,,, going back to that place. ASSUME!! you know the definition and that's what you made accomplish tonite
(1)Jenifer G.
When you feel like tickling your taste buds for some healthful and complex goodness, you can count on Olive Tree! It can get extremely crowded, especially on a Friday evening, but it has an open atmosphere, the food is consistently good, and it's easy on the wallet. I'd recommend going on a weeknight so that you are pretty much guaranteed a table (although some nights may be more crowded than others, as each day features a daily special of the week). The hummus ($4.95) is freshly warm and creamy, with just the right amount of olive olive in it. Again, the pita slices that come with it are perfectly baked and toasted, and I almost always need to order extra pita bread to go with the delicious hummus because it's just that good. I usually order the falafel pita (~$8.95) -- the deliciously freshly baked and toasted pita bread is probably one of the best I've had on Oahu, and it comes with a wonderful Greek salad, with such a tasty dressing. I can't say it came with olives, but oh well, I don't feel like I'm missing those little things too much after I have a bite or two anyway, so it makes do. I've tried a few of the other dishes, the lamb and chicken souvlaki ~$9.95), and shaorma (~$9.95?). They are all good, however my favorite by far is still the falafel. They are full of those scrumptious little balls of heaven! I thought these things were baked but found out recently that they are deep fried. That's scary, but I think I'll continue eating them, thanks. :-) I haven't tried any of their specials and am sure I'm missing out big time, but I have faith that I'll be ordering that sometime in the near future. You can come with a bottle of wine or beers, so it can be a fun place to hang out with friends, it's just a little tricky trying to find enough tables or seats, so keep a keen eye and be on patient mode! I hate to bring in another venue into the picture, but I am compelled to to bring this up. If they started serving this amazing hot sauce (I need to find out what's in it!) that they have at The Fat Greek, then they would seriously be kicking it up a notch. No joke. For those of you who have been to The Fat Greek, you know what I'm talking about!
(4)Kylie K.
I just went to the Olive tree the other day, and the food was not as good as it use to be. Usually the food is really good. I usually order the chicken or lamb souvlaki and you can't go wrong with the pricepoint. The place is always crowded, and almost always no parking.
(3)Julie H.
Even on a "quiet" Monday evening, Olive Tree is busy. The reasonable prices, delicious food and BYOB, make this a favorite for East Honolulu residents. Start with either the Baba Ganoush, Hummus or the Mussels. The Baba Ganoush and Hummus are perfectly nutty and well balanced in flavors. Be sure to get an extra pita though! The Mussels are topped with olive oil, capers, garlic and herbs and are wonderful, if you like mussels. They offer the Souvlaki in either Lamb, Chicken or Fish all of which are full of flavor and tasty. But if you like lamb, go with the lamb. It stands out above the rest. They sometimes offer the Greek Lasagna as a special, which is something else I highly recommend. It's not exactly Moussaka, because it does use noodles at the bottom, and not eggplant, but similar with the cheese and lamb meat. Delicious! The decor, music and outdoor seating only make this place all the more charming. And if you forgot to BYOB, just pop over to the shop next door and pick up a bottle! The only problem is parking is very limited in the small lot and it does get crowded on the weekends. But as long as you're willing to wait for good food, and frankly, I really think you should, it is well worth it!
(5)Chris F.
I have had many enjoyable meals at the Olive Tree Cafe! The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, welcoming for couples and families. The food is delicious, healthy and what makes its better is that its BYOB. Souvlaki's are delicious and you have a great deal of authentic PUPU options. Desert, you must try the Baklava, its not as good as my grandmothers but its close :) Thank you for the great food, atmosphere and keep up the good work!
(5)Emiko T.
Holy mother of Aphrodite this is an amazing restaurant. If the swell of people cramped inside doesn't thoroughly convince you of the mouth-watering menu options, don't worry, the food will take care of that for you. I ordered the special of the week (or was it day?) which was an eggplant stuffed with tomatoes and goat cheese and a melange of all kinds of other scrumptuous delights that I wouldn't be able to pick out but it was a HUGE portion. Can't beat the BYOB option, making the customers all very friendly and intoxicatedly happy to give up their table to you after they're finished. Service is unbelievably friendly and they call you by name (not number) and in such a noisy restaurant they're able to call a worker over to clean off your table. Any tips on the time of day when it's the least crowded? Screw it. I'd fight the line any day to work my way down Olive Tree's menu. Can't wait to return!!
(5)Maria C.
I Love this place. Get here early or you might have a long wait for a table. My faves: Fish souvlaki, roe hummus, grape leaves, lamb shank (on Wednesdays).
(5)Noe K.
Have been going to Olive Tree for years and years. Last night again we had a fab meal--babah ganouch(SP?) and chicken souvlaki. YUMMMMMMM Always consistent and always packed with people.
(4)Theresa T.
Fresh Mediterranean fare right in Honolulu for a reasonable price, done and there. Such a cute spot with limited seating inside and a small wrap around patio outside. You are in charge of finding your own table and then ordering at the counter so you may end up waiting. Their payment process is a bit confusing for first timers, but just wait until you pick up your order at the counter and make sure to bring cash because there are no credit or debit cards accepted. Winning dishes are definitely the appetizers and specifically the hummus, grape leaves, and greek salad (solid dressing). Their pita bread is fantastic. Wish there were more options via the entree section and there could easily be more vegetarian options. Great policy on BYOB. No corkage and you can even bring your own glasses if you don't want to spend the dollar per glass to use the in house glassware. If you forgot wine just head next door and grab a bottle at Oliver's. Good appetizers, fast cooking, causal dining.
(3)Jesse K.
Very good food. Getting more expensive. (12.+-something for a small fish souvlaki) Fish souvlaki is the bomb. I don't order any other dish. It could have a couple more chunks of fish in it, though... Dessert: best baklava I have ever had. I like the BYOB places. Good spot! Be prepared for a line.
(4)Al D.
This place is overrated and overpriced. The falafel sandwich hardly came with falafel and if you wanted to add hummus, you had to buy the full, $5 side hummus. The workers tried to tell me that the tahini sauce that came witht he sandwich was similar to hummus but I know my Mediterranean food and when I ask for hummus on my sandwich, it's b/c I want freaking hummus. The soup was just ok. Just tasted like chicken rice soup with some lemon squeezed in. The fish sandwich was ok, but there was not enough fish to justify the price. The babaganoush was just ok. The baklavah was fair but you're better off getting it at Da Spot where you get much better service, food options, and comfort.
(2)Katie L.
First off, let me start by saying that the food here is Good! My friend and I decided to try this place on a Friday Night - it was CROWDED! I ordered the shoarma (sorry if I'm spelling it wrong!) and my friend ordered a lamb kabob platter. We also shared a humus appetizer. The pita bread is amazing and the salad is equally delicious. However, for the price you pay and - not to mention the LONG wait - what you get - its kinda slim and disappointing. Also, you have to seat yourself - and, its super crowded so you end up standing around and watching people eat waiting for the slightest indication that they are done so that you can swoop in on their table. I felt sooo rude watching people eat - but it seemed okay to everyone.... Seems to be a good place to open a bottle of wine, eat some greek food and just have good conversation with good friends. All in all, not a bad place to go - and it was fun to try something new. I just don't know if the price is worth it...but, it is in Kahala.
(3)Steph v.
I crave you! Always busy, great staff, fantastic food. I always get the fish "open" which means they cut the pita and put it on the side. I like to make my own. Take the pita, spread a little hummus, add some of the salad with a cucumber and onion, and place the fish (dipped in the tzatziki sauce) on top! And I ask for a side of feta, that's if I don't already order the Greek salad. Babaganoush, stuffed grape leaves, soup all to die for. I don't really like lamb, and I've tried!! So many times I try to like it but it's still not my first choice but the shawarma is a lamb patty, I love it!! Get the baklava for dessert! Cash only but BYOB! Parking sucks! I would hate to be the subway next door! Take out takes about 15-30 min depending on the time and how busy they are.
(5)Ali K.
I was never a fan of hummus till I tried the one here. It's so creamy and garlicky and tastes great with the warm, fresh pita bread it comes with. The Greek Salad, Lamb Souvlaki, Fish Souvlaki all are awesome. Grab a bottle of Calera Chardonnay from next door. It goes great with all the food.
(5)Jon L.
I think in Hawaii, you're going to have to pay a premium for decent greek food. This is the only greek place that's decent and versatile enough to go with your friends or even with a date (maybe not for a first, these local girls are tricky). I would always go with the lamb, the souvlaki is popular. The place is great for 2 reasons: 1) good food, 2) BYOB. A good technique is to ride your bike, with a backpack full of wine and beer. A great place for grubbing, drinking, and sitting around for a long time afterwards. Apparently they do this in Europe.
(4)L. T.
Great service! Great food!! I love the veggie falafel and the Greek salad is AWESOME!! The salad dressing...I could drink it! Server told me it is a special sauce that includes feta cheese and some kind of Greek cheese. It's Delish! The Shaorma is really great also! Totally worth it!! Love this place!
(5)grace g.
Everyones reviews says it all! This place is great! Food, service and people are wonderful. It does get busy and you feel as though you are stalking people to get a table. Haha. Their hummus comes with some olive oil on it, that just taste good! I had slouvaki here for the first time and that was tasty! The falafel is yummy, and I am not a vegetarian and I still loved it. Their baklava is to die for!!!! We also brought 2 bottles of wine with us. They provided the glasses and corkscrews. Delish place and totally worth the wait!
(5)Tofutti T.
This is one of our favorite restaurants. The pita is delicious and aromatic, the babaganoush is the best I've had in the islands, the tarama salata is salty and tart with a lovely texture, the feta is wonderfully complex, and the baklava is oooooh soooo gooood. I love everything about the food here!!! The worst part about it is the limited number of tables, but I disagree with some of the reviewers who complain about people eating leisurely -- delicious foods are meant to be savored and enjoyed with good company!! If you want a guaranteed seat, do take out! Anyway, my complaint about the limited seating is negated by the fact that there is a fab little wine store next door and Olive Tree is BYOB! Yeah, baby!!!!
(5)Jamie C.
You might have to fight for a table but it'll be worth it. The food here is fantastic! And BYOB!
(4)Kenji M.
Always crowded. Fresh, simple, vibrant food. It's not ever going to be one of those places that is going to give you the best dish you ever had, but it's always well cooked, well seasoned, simple and seems authentic. Can't really ask for more!
(5)rupa k.
The only good Greek food on the island. I love that we live so close to this place b/c it is FANTASTIC. We must get take out once every 2 weeks. Be warned, if you're dining in, there's a wait, but it BYOB, which is nice. I always get the Shawarma and their falafel and hummus are good too. I love their spanokopita - it's not too greasy and tastes so fresh. To avoid the wait, phone in your order and pick up and you won't be disappointed!
(5)Tyrone H.
I am always surprised by the amazing rush of people at the Olive Tree on a random weeknight. I was in there with my girlfriend two weeks ago and there were no tables (as per regular) and as people finished up there were well-put announcements to kindly "vacate the tables so other customers may find a seat"; now last week, there was a slightly different story. As all the tables were taken when my girlfriend and I arrived, we patiently waited after putting in our order. There was one three top of, shall we say, elderly folks that was sitting there after eating when we arrived, and a person with an outdoor table sitting alone with a bottle of wine and waiting for his food. There were a few people other than us waiting, but no announcement came, and the people who were sitting at those tables when we arrived were still there when we left. Our departure was delayed by the fact that our order didn't go in until a half hour after we got a table. When we ordered, the person at the counter told us to "tell her when we got a table." After sitting down, I went to her and said, "We have a table," to which she replied, "we'll have someone wipe it down for you." Someone wiped it down, and my girlfriend and I sat. We waited a half-an-hour before finally asking about our appetizer. The reply was, "I asked you to tell me when you got a table." Now, I understand being busy, and I understand how a written system can be difficult, but this is clearly not the best customer service response. Because I love the restaurant, and the people are very nice (don't let my quotes fool you, they were all spoken in very nice tones), I can give the restaurant a pass on the last issue. It wasn't a deal-breaker in any way. I would just hope that reviews like this (again, not a criticism of their food at all, it's delicious!) might help them to strategize a plan that can bring a little consistency to their table-seating, order-timing process.......or maybe I should just have different expectations when I go there (which I will still do, a lot) than at other restaurants.
(4)Stacey K.
I don't really understand why people rave about this place... the meat and fish is always dry and the tzatziki is generic. It like a bad tourist restaurant in Athens.. at best. We really need some good Greek food out here!
(2)Paul Z.
Eaten here quite often as it is close by. When our children come from the mainland they like the outdoor atmosphere, which is very pleasant. Good people watching, very busy for a small restaurant, you may need to wait. So atmosphere 5 stars. Food is similar to what you might find from a NY street vendor (a little upgraded), normally good quality, Americanized Greek, tasty, and filling. So food 5 stars, for what it is. No table service one orders at the counter, and they come out and clean the tables as people leave. As stated by some reviewers the youngish "haole" man at the counter, I'm "haole", can be quiet rude. Once I asked him for forks 5 times, and it was not that busy, I thought maybe like my sister he could not hear out of one ear, but he turned around and stated "I heard you the first time". He is lucky I'm not a big local guy or he might not be with us today (but I'm sure he is smart enough not to do that to a big local guy, after all we "haoles" are not THAT stupid). I did however tell him how I felt and he slunk away with a pathetic excuse. He must be a really good cashier and not make any order mistakes, I have never had a wrong order; otherwise I think the owner who seems very smart would have replaced him. Now when I go there I have other members of my party order so as not to be irritated. Service is 4 stars for what little service there is (I am leaving him out of the equation) They have a great little store next door, with wine (some good Greek and Spanish wines), great cheeses and cold smoked meat cuts, you can buy these and eat them at your table. About $10 -25, per person. BYOB Sometimes hard to get parking Overall a good place, definitely not fine dining, but a great little local hangout. 5 stars.
(5)C O.
Great Greek food. Actually, by far the best greek food in Honolulu---hands down. Unfortunately, the service prevents this from being a five star. The staff is rude and complacent and there is little motivation to move people through quickly. On the most recent occasion we dined here the staff allowed their friends to cut in line to order and pick up food.......
(4)Stephanie G.
This is the best Greek Food that you can find on the island, and I may just say that since my husband works there, but I think that it is the best. Their Lamb is not Colorodo Lamb, but New Zealand so it doesn't have that gamey taste to it. Their Falafels are a must. All of their appetizers are delicious. I can say that I have tried everything on the menu and all is delicious. It is a BYOB, but the Oliver next door is convienent if you want to buy some liquior.
(5)Alyssa K.
Best Greek Food I've ever had! I love the babaganoush. So excellent. The staff is friendly and I love the lively music. 5 stars!
(5)Noeru N.
i am in love with their lamb souvlaki and hommos with xtra pita... everything is SOO fresh.. my only rants - boo on parking! boo on limited seats! boo on cash only! make sure you go with someone so you can tag team the "hover over tables to get them to inhale their food faster" game.. i've had times where my food was ready before i found a table.. definitely drop in next door to get a bottle of greek vino!
(4)Tadd T.
This is hands-down the best Greek restaurant on the island, and I don't want to hear anything different. It's called selective hearing, remember? Where else can you tuck into a pita full of grilled 'ahi just off the auction block this morning, dressed with tzatziki made with Savas Mojarrad's house-made yogurt? Nowhere else, that's right. Avgolemono is not a wimpy soup, bright with the fresh tang of lemon, nor will it make your teeth scream from acidic assault. Stuffed grape leaves taste like everybody else's but the smoky baba ghanoush will haunt your dreams. And you can't have just one piece of the warm, gooey pistachio baklava--they must sprinkle nicotine over the top, 'cause it's the most addictive sweet I've had all year.
(5)Melissa K.
I don't understand why this place is so well-rated. My lamb souvlaki was ok, but I've had better Greek food elsewhere. It also seemed a bit pricey to me. P.S. They charge you if you want a glass.
(3)Shiloh S.
This is another of my favorite places to eat along with grand cafe. The enviornment is chill. Food is good. I usually get the hummus and pita as and appetizer and the shoarma as the main course. Everything else that I have tried there has been good also. I would get there early because the seating can be a little hard to get. Bring your own wine is always good too. The only bad thing is cash only. I forgot a few times and had to go to the bank. No big deal since it's right around the corner. So if you haven't been to Olive Tree Cafe bring cash, wine and some friends and you will love it.
(5)Lisa P.
They keep the menu real simple because it works!!!!! Everything is great here. The fish souvlaki is awesome. I have seen the guys actually carry in the fresh seafood that they caught minutes before. Also the mussels and hummus are great starters. Come with cash and wine, and expect it to be packed. Don't worry a table will open up by the time your food is ready. If you end up short on wine then you can just go next door and purchase a bottle (same owners.) Stimulating conversations abound (thanks to the wine) and by the end of the night the lively music will have you wanting to get up and dance.
(5)Kaili N.
i really don't know anything about greek food but everything i've tried on this menu is super good like everyone says. the last time my bf and i went, we ordered so much food that the waitress asked us, "is it just the two of you?" and when we went to the counter to pick up our food she said, "let me know if you need take out containers." maybe she was trying to tell us something but nope, we didn't need any containers and we ate enough to feed a small village. it's yummy freshness!
(5)Carol L.
The best greek restaurant on the island! Chikcen souvalki and baba ganoudh are a must! Do the phone order thing other be prepared to wait and I do mean wait!
(5)Emily R.
This place is great!! My boyfriend and I stopped for takeout and couldn't even wait till we got home to start eating!! The hummus and pita appetizer was amazing.....I'm trying to find a recipe similar to the one they serve just so I can have it anytime. I had the Greek salad which was good, but the dressing made an simple salad AMAZING! My boyfriend had fish souvlaki....amazing is not even the word. The warm pita bread with the cucumber sauce (similar to gyro sauce but better) and fresh fish was out of this world. I will definitely be getting the fish souvlaki the next time we go....we have added the Olive Tree Cafe to our list of favorites to share with visitors from the mainland. Two thumbs way up!!!
(5)A A.
Wonderful food - I always go for the slouvaki (fish, lamb, chicken - doesn't matter - any choice is a good one!). The dish comes with a side salad with perfect dressing for the meal. Casual atmosphere and outdoor dining. It tends to be crowded, so go early or be prepared for a long wait. Order as soon as you get there - they will call your name when your food is ready. BYOB!!!!
(5)Rob G.
Everything we tied was tasty: lamb souvlaki, chicken souvlaki, and falafel sandwiches, with nice side salad, and I especially loved the hummus for its spicy savory goodness - most places you only taste garlic and sesame, this had a very complex layer of spices. Besides, anyplace you can get reasonably priced food that is BYOB with no corkage gets high ratings in my book! As others have said, It can get busy, so be prepared for a bit of a wait, Also, you might want to look for street parking, since the parking lot is small and has an awkward layout.
(4)Danielle Y.
Okay, so after you've found a parking space (Congratulations!!!!!), you stand in line, and order. While standing in line it's not a bad idea to start stalking your future table. Because you need to start. As Soon As Possible. Anyway, you get in line, and you order. They say "tell us when you get a table, then we'll start your food." And you weep a little, because the kitchen smells so good and those people with NO FOOD but half a bottle of wine seem to have settled in for the evening. Still, you don't want to begrudge them their table, as you hope to be them soon. This might be the time to be mercenary folks. Then you might tell them you've decided to take it to go. And you really mean it, until you see two ladies leaving their table and you nab it. SCORE! So you take the glasses they offer you and drink your bottle of wine. And then, after much time, your name is called, and you collect your food. And oh, the food. We all ordered different things, but I can personally vouch for the super deliciousness of the greek caviar, the hummus, and the chicken souvlaki. Yummmmmmmy. Well worth my table-vulture ways, and what probably would have been a longish wait if there were no bottle of wine. Also, CASH ONLY. There's a BOH nearby, so it's not the worst thing that ever happened, but be prepared! So, in sum: If you are planning to eat in, bring bottles (yes, plural) of wine. If you are taking out, call ahead! I wanted to give it four stars because it was not a relaxing dining experience...but who are we kidding? I'd go back tomorrow, even if I knew it was going to be busy-er.
(5)Julie H.
I went here with some friends who are "regulars" and loved everything about it. We shared a variety of dishes but my absolute favorite was my fresh fish souvlaki - several hunks of fresh fish (I think it was mahi) in a lemony sauce inside a pita, with a nice little Greek salad. They had just taken a big pan of fresh baklava uut of the oven and it was delicious I'd go there again any time!
(5)Ll P.
Amazing food!!! Worth going out of your way. Seating is a huge issue - they do not seat you, you just volcher a table. But even if you had to stand it would be worth it!
(5)Lynne T.
Went at 6 for dinner and we were lucky enough to get the last table. It gets very crowded so take-out is ideal. The falafel was too tiny and tasted dry but it was filled with many different spices, perfectly balancing each other out. I love their pita bread! We figured out you can buy a bag of pita bread from the wine store next door (the figs are good there too!). Their baklava is too big and sweet for one person, maybe for 2 or 3 people. It has the perfect amount of nut to honey to pastry ratio! Parking is hard in the tiny lot so if there isn't any parking there is a ton at the mall. It is very easy to walk to the restaurant.
(4)Nick B.
friends took me to this local delight and i was thoroughly impressed. I never have been one for greek food, but if all greek food came like this, then i would absolutely love it. We ordered the hummus appetizer, had bubble lemonade, and lamb. amazing. i will go back to this place. the store hours are only from 5-10 in the evening. seating is limited, but it is worth it. if you dont want to wait for a seat, call ahead and order your food for pickup. plus it is byob
(5)Lei L.
I adore this place in Kahala. BYOB, fresh fish & the best mussels in town!
(5)Corinne K.
I tend not to come here as often as I like mostly because it's 1) always crowded 3) sometimes nowhere to sit 2) parking kinda sucks 3) food takes along time to come out. I really do like the food tho'. Normally get the shawarma, mussels and hummus. Love the hummus. Cash only is a bummer. Lately been getting take-out but check your order because once they forgot some stuff. Another time they had someone else's name on MY order and they kept calling that name before they realized (after 20 minutes) the error and my food was sitting there getting cold. Like that it's BYOB. They own the wine store next door if you forget to BYO. Outdoor seating is nice ..if you can get it.
(4)Tolkien L.
Best Greek Food on the island, been there many times over the years, get the humus, lamb, beef, salad and ginger bottled drink and call it a night.
(5)Daniel D.
BYOB, simple classic greek. Good food, period.
(4)Natalie L.
i've been going to the olive tree cafe for about 10 years or so and i love it now as much as i did back then! the food is delicious and the staff is great. i have never eaten something there i didn't want to eat again. i also really love picking up wine and pita from oliver next door. the pita is the same one they use at the restaurant and under $5 for a huge bag of it. pita, some homemade hummus, and chilled moscofilero wine; you can have an olive tree night at home without having to stalk anyone for a table!
(5)JDizzle D.
Great place.... just go, u will return again and again... nice little market next door where you can buy wine and also good yogurt to make your own tziki sauce.
(5)Galina V.
If you are a tourist (like us), you may be misguided by the great reviews here. It's a nice place for locals - not expensive, quite tasty food (comparable but just about average relative to what you'd get in NYC and a just bit below average the local fast food in the Meditarrenean). But the environment is nowhere close to being romantic or vacation-style: it's in the middle of a cemented mall, neighboring McDonalds and Macy's, the loudly played greek music does not mask the car noises, you do not see / smell the ocean anywhere, etc. Also, the portions are quite small - for $12 you get a special consisting of fish/meat (well prepared) wrapped in a pita brad and (surpisingly tasty) salad. It seems that most of their clients are locals who bring your own bottle of wine and order some food to spend an evening, or many of them just stop by to get take-outs. So, overall, I would recommend this place to a tourist only if you are 1) in the area, 2) do not want to spend much money on food, 3) do not mind eating decent food in a place that looks almost like a fast food cafeteria.
(3)Marcia H.
I am definitely coming back to this place. Although we had to wait in line and take our food to go because the place was packed, I really enjoyed the food; the lamb souvlaki was well cooked, and the side salad was nice and fresh. They don't sell any wine, but next door, they sell wine that you can bring to the restaurant (or home with your food).
(5)Jeff H.
Warning, if you prefer to have someone wait on you, don't like a busy restaurant, and are partial to bland Greek food, this isn't the place for you. However, if those things aren't an issue for you, you'll *love* this restaurant. The food was fantastic. We ordered a hummus appetizer, a chicken sovlaki sandwich, a felafel sandwich plate, a bottle of apple cider, and two orders of baklava. Dinner was ready in no time, was delicious, and of ample portions. At only $33 or so for the entire meal, we were extremely pleased with our experience. If you've never been here before, here are some things to keep in mind. First, find and secure a table *before* you order or you won't get your order in the rotation until you do so. Second, listen for your name being called as they don't bring the food out to you. The portions are large, so you may want to make several trips to get all your food or have someone come up with you when your name is called. Third, dress is extremely casual. We felt very overdressed in a pair of slacks and short-sleeve collared shirts (her and I both). Most everyone there was wearing jeans or shorts and a t-shirt. Fourth, parking can be a pain as this place seems to be perpetually busy. In the thirty or so minutes were there in total we saw more than 20 orders come up (not counting all the phoned-in to go orders that came up too). I would recommend taking any street parking you can find that's close and not bothering with even trying the parking lot.
(5)tafkam c.
Saba, the owner, is DA MAN. he's a great guy, real friendly and down to earth - have been there many times until late into the night and it is always a blast to be able to enjoy the wonderful food there in the company of friends. he opened up the store next door maybe a couple years ago now but it's always been BYOB here. every once in a while there is some impromptu - or planned - musical goings on and it's a great vibe. the mussels are my favorite here - you must try them! usually when i am in town from socal, i am with a friend who is also visiting from the bay area and it's a favorite hang spot for us. it can get crowded here so plan appropriately.
(5)Dan P.
after waiting almost a half an hour in a line that was only three or four people deep, and then waiting another half an hour for a sloppily prepared hummus and store bought pita bread ($4.95), and yet another half an hour for our main courses (Lamb Souvlaki $14.95, Falafel $13.95) which were equally overpriced and overcooked. When my wife and I finally got to the counter to pick up our main courses, we noticed that they had out a lamb souvlaki and a fish souvlaki. When we told the casher (a man that I can only describe as greasy and unkempt, who seemed to have a genuine dislike for customers in need of food), he tried to argue with us and say that was what she had ordered; impossible since my wife is a strict vegetarian. The portions were very, very small considering the prices, and the lamb was dry and chewy, due to being severely undercooked. One might wonder if it were served on time, that the lamb may have been better. The falafel was very dry, over seasoned and overcooked. The dryness of the falafel was grossly overcompensated by an enormous over-drenching of tahini sauce, which was way too thin and ran all over the hands, plate, and tiny salad.
(1)Kayfo T.
The best Greek food in Honolulu! The lamb souvlaki is my favorite. The hummus is great- but you have to order extra pita bread to finish it. It's always crowded, so be prepared to wait for a table to leave- and grab it fast! The decor is very "cute-outdoorsy-European-cafe-ish" complete with outside seating, hanging plants and soft white Christmas lights lining the overhead canopy. BYOB, but they charge to use their cups (I believe it's around 50 cents per cup...NOT wine glasses!). There's also a very reasonably priced liquor store next door, so buy a bottle of Chianti and walk over!
(5)glenn m.
One of my all time favorite spots. After a long day at the beach. BYOB and have some good grinds.
(5)Alan N.
First off...this place is an organizational nightmare!!! It's a walk up counter to order your food...(word to the wise)...grab a table first becuase if they're busy they won't start cooking your food until you have a table. ??? If it's busy you might end up throwing a right hook, and a left, to get a seat. People were milling around like scavengers asking people how soon they were leaving and if they could have they're extra chairs, etc. Forcing patrons to hurry up and get out!!! RUDE. Only a few, poorly thought out "round" tables, inside and outside. They would be able to accommodate many more if it was "family style" seating consisting of long tables or at least square ones. Then they will bring out your first course to you, however, for your second or main courses, they call your name to pick up your own food and are awkwardly forced to pay then. WTF? Most complicated system ever. Meanwhile people are staring at you with frustration to nab your table. DO NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED! The food is tasty an well priced. The menu is limited and a tad bit misleading...if you want a kebab plate make sure you specify that you don't want it as a sandwich. ???? BYOB is nice, but do the limited seating at peak hour...you'd be lucky to finish enjoying your wine. If it's busy...opt to take it to go...save yourself the frustration and confusion. I will go back but NEVER when it's busy and I hope they install a suggestion box. Much needed.
(2)Mary K.
The best item on the menu for vegetarians (in my opinion) is the falafel. The falafel is excellent and I understand that the fava beans in the falafel is imported from Greece or somewhere in the Middle East (I forgot exactly where...). So, the taste is simply exquisite! Their falafel is unlike any I've tasted! I ate at the Olive Tree Cafe sometime in May or June of 2007. I ordered the baba ghannough, but was disappointed. I'm not sure if I received the wrong order because it did not look like baba ghannough. I was just roughly chopped up eggplant with little or no spices. The place is always crowded! Which tells you about the place! Where there's a crowd, there is good food!!!!
(4)Kathryn D.
I miss this place. Yes, it is serve yourself and generally sit outside next to a parking lot, BUT they have the BEST Falafel ever made outside of Greece. The Hummus is world class, even the Feta and Olives plate will make you want to grab a flight to Athens. Maybe they have a secret tunnel to the Greek Islands here since Hawaii is almost directly on the other side of the planet. I have never had a single dish here that was not simply outstanding. If you didn't bring a cold bottle of wine to drink with your meal, then try a Ginger People Ginger Beer. It goes great with their food.
(5)billy s.
The food here is really good - nearly everything I've ordered in the many years I've been eating here has been tasty. Prices are a little high for what you get.
(4)Pam L.
This place is always hopping and there's a reason why--excellent food, reasonable prices, friendly staff, very casual but lively atmosphere in one of the nicest towns.
(4)Lizzie C.
Went here for dinner and got some sort of grilled chicken plate with a salad and a pita bread. It was really good! They also have other meat selections like fish or steak. This place is mostly outdoor seating, and they don't have a liqour license, but they own the wine store next door where you can purchase various wines and drink it outside with your meal.
(4)Lee Ann M.
Poorly thought out with the seating. People snatch up seats and there us no way to reserve one. Fail for terrible setup and lack of seating. However, the food is very tasty, the dolmades were very tasty and the hummus was good.
(3)JJ W.
I don't think I've had a bad meal at Olive Tree. The shawarma and falafel are excellent. I like their indoor/outdoor dining option, even though the outdoor part is basically in the parking lot. But no one seems to notice, and everyone is usually in a pretty good mood. Probably because it's BYOB. We also get take-out from here often, and service is pleasant and quick. Probably faster to get your food with take-out than dining in....and just as yummy.
(5)Christine W.
The best Greek food you'll get on the island...everything tastes great, it's BYOB & inexpensive, and totally unpretentious. Great salad, the best hummus, & the mussel cerviche ROCKS!
(5)raechelle v.
Best Greek food on the island and reasonable prices. Only down side, very small and cramped. Gets very crowded and I got a little people sick. Other than that, ono food!
(4)Pars L.
The wine store next door is NO accident I tell you. Given that it is theeee best Greek food in town, Oliver (their deli & wine shop) is right there when you can use a refreshing beverage while you wait... which I figured out by now that between 6-8:30PM can be super busy! The Thursday special "Imam Bayaldi" or half-round eggplant roasted with this mouth watering tomato herb sauce and topped with cheeeeeeeeeeeeese. Mmm... Try the Leese Fitch Cab. Cheapest in town.. and they were the first to carry it. :) My secret for like, a minute, then Willaims Sonoma featured it in there mag and in was ova! Whole Foods carries it, but I say support the local mom and pop shops as much as possible... + only the freshest ingredients and almost everything is made from scrrrratch! Impressive. Famega is grrrrrrrrrrrreat for all of yous who like white. It's from Portugal... dry... gives the impression of sweetness, but it is dry-- with a little sparkle! Simply delightful. 50cents for water or a cute wine glass is nuthin.. Try with the fish souvlaki. Hope the fresh catch is ono. The falafel is bombastic. The mussels should be copyrighted. Yum. Keep trying Fat Greek. :O P.S. Lots of return patrons that come a few times a week. That tells ya somethin... I'm one of them. See you on Bulgarian night--- every Friday when they all gather from all over the island-- all 25 of them. Kind of a little social spot, but don't ask why- it's in Kahala. +the food is divine! :)
(5)Harry P.
I've lived in Greece, and I was shocked at how delicious and authentic this place (in Hawaii) was. How can you go wrong? You can buy a bottle of wine from the shop next door and drink and eat outside. Delicious, fresh-made small plates of authentic Greek food. Perfect if (like us) you want a one day break from Hawaiian food.
(4)K E.
i'm a frequent patron of Olive Tree Cafe.. in fact, being a resident of Kailua i found myself visiting Olive Tree as a little treat to myself when I knew I wanted something fresh, healthy, good and Greek to eat :) it wasn't only until recently that i had noticed the hospitality and kindness from not only the employee taking my order and money but the chef and the workers who work there. i recently had an incident where i grabbed the wrong persons take out order.. honest mistake, two people with the same name and almost the same order. i called back Olive Tree and the told me to come right back and they'd take care of my original food order. instantly i came back and almost without question the chef and cashier insisted on refunding me 100% and made my food, all brand new. THAT IS GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. although there were no apologies needed, i felt like i really needed to be apologizing to them for not checking my order before i left. all in all... this makes me want to come back to "OTC" and eat there every night. the food is great. never have i once been disappointed. i've tried ALMOST everything on their menu and have always been impressed. the only downside of this wonderful place is how popular it is. if you plan to have a romantic night and dine in, remember to come at least half an hour early.. WITH a bottle of wine and some good company. everything is made on the spot and fresh that i never mind waiting for my food.. however if you're in a rush, take out is always a smart way to go. LOVE THIS PLACE. IT'S REALLY AS GOOD AS IT GETS.
(5)Robert M.
Good Greek food at reasonable prices. You order at the counter and they bring to you seat either inside or out. I always enjoy the gyros and my vegetarian son enjoys a number of their appetizers.
(4)Jocelyn L.
"was expecting more. not that great"
(2)Jeff B.
This is a great little greek restaurant with ~$12 plates and it is byob so feel free to bring a nice bottle along or buy one and the wine shop next door. There is a minimal charge for wine glasses ($0.50/ea?). My only issue is I almost always have problems finding parking. The counter service can be spotty as well. Bring cash because I do not believe they take credit cards.
(4)Only L.
Consistently fresh. Quality always good.
(5)David G.
It's hard not to like this place. Everything I have ever tried was just great! They offer an extensive menu along with a great selection of wine and desserts. The place can get a little too crowded and too noisy so make sure you don't want to relax while you eat; you will find it very difficult to do so. If you have never been you should really plan on going soon. You will like it...
(4)Sarah F.
Olive Tree! My favorite cafe style greek place in Honolulu! Everything is just really fresh and delicious. The hommus is very garlic-y and soooo good. Also, the mussels are amazing. I love the fish souvlaki, always perfectly cooked. The staff there are really nice people as well. They don't take reservations, so come early. Ask about nightly specials! My absolute favorite is the Chicken Saffron on basmati rice. Pure heaven. It's BYOB, but there is a little wine store next door, just in case you forgot to bring wine. I really like the Santorini white wine. You MUST go to Olive Tree Cafe.
(5)Erin L.
I get Olive Tree cravings! Best Greek food on Oahu! Tabouleh is just the way I like it, with just the right balance of lemon and olive oil. Fine bulgar and lots of parsley! The chicken souvlaki is excellent...Especially if you like white meat. The greek salad & pita bread that comes with the platter is simple, but delicious because it's usually very fresh! The baklava can give you an orgasmic experience, but there have been a couple of times where it didn't live up to it's normal expectation. Pros: 1) Excellent food 2) BYOB 3) Nice outdoor seating 4) Best Greek food on Oahu Cons: 1) Little over-priced for the ambiance, especially since they only take cash...Who knows what they really report?! (Restaurants that only accept cash or check is a red flag to auditors)
(5)Peter H.
Place is freaking tasty. The crowd and the rudeness from the employess will keep me from not coming back.
(3)William K.
Small, but spectacular. It's a must-eat for Honoluluites. The falafel, which comes with a greek salad and vinaigrette, is amazing. The cafe-style seating can be an issue, but if you're patient and can wait 15 minutes (or don't mind introducing yourself and sitting with others), it's never impossible.
(5)First L.
Healthy fresh food with the right proportions of ingredients always. I bet the recipe for their salad dressing must be highly protected. I tried to bribe many of the cooks to get it, but never succeeded.
(5)Scott R. D.
Boy did I feel left out here tonight! I was the only table that didn't bring my own bottle of wine. There is a store right next door if you forget too. Alas, I was alone and didn't think a whole bottle was appropriate. I had the chicken souvlaki. It was tender and tasty, with the tzaziki sauce a bit garlicky. The salad that accompanied it was fine, but just like the Fat Greek, lacking Greek Olives. The pita was light and fluffy. It's also a couple of bucks cheaper than the Fat Greek. The place was fairly empty when I got there around 6 and was slammin' busy by the time I left.
(3)Grand Master J.
I agree, the best greek food in Honolulu. Love the lamb and the mussels are fresh.
(4)Donna D.
I like the fact that it is a BYOB you can just grab a wine next door. Their food taste great, & not over priced. But, the space is a bit limited. Its not cool when its busy.
(4)Leslie G.
The food is good. The problem is the place & the parking lot are so tiny. Also, the prices are a bit high, since I can get just as good food downtown for lunch at cheaper price.
(4)Anne B.
I don't think I'll be going back to the Olive Tree Cafe. I don't like the whole- we'll call your name when the food is ready service. Also, the portions are very small for the price. MY boyfriend and I weren't very hungry but decided to get a bite there but the one plate we split still wasn't enough for our limited appetites. Wasn't impressed.
(1)Stephanie H.
I have been back many MANY times since my first review, and it has yet to dissapoint. My new favorites include the falafel pita, the feta cheese and olive appetizer and the Greek salad.
(5)Jessica K.
This food is 100% awesome!!! It was the first time I've dined here.. And it's absolutely wonderful! Lamb soulvaki and hummus is my favorite. My friend had the special.. A braised lamb shank.. W tomato and orzo... Equally as wonderful! I recommend this spot.. For fresh, healthy Greek food everytime!
(5)Michelle O.
Ok, not sure what's up with that photo. Olive Tree Cafe DOES NOT look like that from the outside In fact, there's blue & white striped awning over the outdoor seating but maybe this is what it looked like a while ago... Around 5:15PM I arrived to a crowded pkg lot & a line of patrons snaking out the door, while 60% of the tables were already occupied. (I hadn't been here before & was there on a referral from a self proclaimed 'foodie'). I overhear what must be Hawaii's version of the 'soup nazi' yellin @ patrons in front of me that there are 'no extra orders of [fill in the blank] if it's not scrawled on the whiteboard menu' and repeating 'PAY WHEN YOU PICK UP'. This young woman reminded me of an annoyed teenager, the kind that believes everyone on earth is a freakin moron. Anyhow, I knew what I wanted so we didn't have a problem when I ordered. I requested the Shaorma (still don't know how to pronounce it) but it's basically a lamb patty topped with hummus or tahini, onion, & tomato, folded btwn the best pita bread I've ever had served with a small mixed green salad. Overall, it was a good dinner. Not the best greek/med I've ever had but the spices made it flavorful and the portion was priced well @ $10.01 (including tax). As I waited, I also noted their BYOB policy. You get charged 48 cents per person to crack open your own bottle of wine or beer and an additional 48 cents per cup/glass/ice. They also offered a full selection of espresso drinks. The crowd was pretty diverse on Sat night--all ages/ethnicities/couples/families/trendy dressed groups, etc. The intermittent sunrays peeking through the clouds, the patrons & overall atmosphere/vibe reminded me of my Portland days, dining on 23rd Ave. It didn't feel like I was in Hawaii at all. Other important notes, if you've never been: 1. It's cash or local check only. 2. Seating is tight. A handful of small tables for 3 max indoors & more seating outside for tables that can accommodate 4 comfortably 3. Parking is a challenge, given the limited spaces but if you really wanted to, I'm sure you could park in the McD's lot next door 4. You must wait in line to order & then 'PAY WHEN YOU PICK UP' your order.
(3)Brad Y.
I would love to give a higher rating.. but, like pretty much everything in Hawaii, the food is overpriced. Delicious! But still overpriced. Seating is extremely limited, so try to come during a non-peak time.
(3)papaya s.
I can deal with the crowds, tiny table spaces, and horrible parking. The food, after all, is great. What I really cannot handle with, however, is the rushed and unfriendly service that I too often encounter. I've stood at the front of the line and was completely ignored for minutes until they were ready to deal with me... not even a "hi," "just a sec," or "thanks for waiting." Price-wise, I think it's a little high for the portions you receive. The Greek salad (~$8), is awesome, but not nearly enough to fill the belly of my 5'2", 108 lb body. I always end up purchasing an appetizer (giant white beans with pita) too, and then my meal is approaching $15. I also don't like that they charge 41 cents per person for BYOB even if you bring your own glasses. We once tried to spare the expense by providing our own glassware, but were charged nonetheless. Overall, this place is worth a try, but I think they're operating on auto-pilot these days, resting on their reputation and not doing much to continue earning customer's patronage. And while the food is quality, the monetary price and the headache risks really diminish any desire I might have to return.
(3)Cheryl K.
I must admit, when I go to any Greek restaurant I always order the gyro sandwich or gyro plate. So this review is pretty much limited to the food being gyros. Not a big fan of their gyro plate for some reason. It seemed a little different from the other Greek places we eat at. I normally frequent the Fat Greek and Greek Marina. The gyro tasted a little different and not as tasty as the lamb we normally get. I did like the fact that we could bring our own wine. That was a plus. But it was super duper crowded and if you are on a date its pretty hard to have convo. Pretty good for bigger groups though. But overall okay experience. The food was not as tasty as I thought it would be but perhaps I need to try other things on the menu. Anyways, good ambiance, quick service, and a pretty lively place.
(3)Jannet L.
1 star off b/c the seating is crazy, cramped and they are only open for dinner. otherwise the food is really yummy! tarama salata was so good - not too salty like some places. spanakopita was excellent, flaky and delish. their pita is so chewy and yummy too. i guess take out is the way to go but it's a bit inconvenient even for that...
(4)Mike K.
The food was good but somewhat standard and basic Greek fare. It's apparent that the Kahala crowd likes it but considering the parking, seating and the wait, I'd opt for the Fat Greek on Waialae.
(2)k k.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE olive tree cafe!!! I always have a craving for olive tree cafe. My favorite dish there is the spicy falafel. It's so good, probably the best falafel I have ever had. I also love to eat their hummus. It has just the right amount of garlic and it's so creamy. The only thing is they don't serve it with enough pita bread, so I normally order two extra breads. Their pita bread is so yummy. The great thing is you can buy the same thing at the grocery store next door. It comes frozen, and all you have to do is heat it up in a pan. It tastes exactly the same!! In the past, I have also had the chicken souvlaki, fish souvlaki, and the lamb shawarma. All of those dishes were delicious too. I have never really had anything that I didn't like. You must try this place!!! My only gripe is I wish they would open for lunch!!
(5)First Name L.
Disclaimer: I've never hated Mediterranean food but I've never really gone out of my way to eat it. I'm just running out of restaurants in Honolulu. I've tried two places in Hawaii, Olive Tree and Greek Marina. Sigh... I went on a Sunday night at 7pm. Yeah, I know, peak dining time. I saw the line and the wait for tables but said F it, I want to eat and I had to find out what all the hype was about. We had the Mussel Ceviche and Chicken Souvlaki. Both were really good. The Mussels had good flavor and very tasty. The Souvlaki was good too. There's a BUT here. First of all, I'm probably a spoiled B**ch and like to have positive dining experiences. I don't like lining up to order and I don't like going to a restaurant and being forced to hover over other diners to nab a table ahead of other people. I came to eat, unwind, have a nice dinner, and a glass of wine. Granted I was there at peak hours I didn't care for the experience and have no desire to eat a restaurant where I have to beat others to an open table. So we stood there while staring at these people eating dinner. We made them feel uncomfortable, we hovered over them, several tables at a time.... suspense was building... who was going to leave first? Is it them or that big group that just seemed to be sitting there drinking away or that family with the sleeping kids... NO, it's the obnoxious yuppies over there, they had to go, their conversation was plain stupid, they took turns talking about themselves and their stupid pointless lives. But wait... that other couple is eyeing our tables, better make a move so they know it's MINE (-; Yeah, put them in their place. Unfortunately more groups have placed their orders and now there's 4 groups scouting out tables and this obnoxious couple squeeze past my wife and I to scope out the tables we were waiting for... the nerve! What was I, a fixture? So we made yet another move to put them in their place. Finally we get a table... so glad it was those damn noisy yuppies (: Bye... so nice of you to leave a dirty table. Inconsiderate bastards. Yes, we got someone to clean our table, went next door got a nice bottle of Riesling, sat, relaxed, drank, picked up our food when it was done and ate. We had to sit facing the parking lot because we didn't want to see all the people waiting for us to hurry up and finish eating. The food was good but not worth this BS. And in comparison, Greek Marina in Hawaii Kai had better food without all the stress of waiting for a table. The portions at Olive Tree were small but that's in comparison to Greek Marina. The food was flavorful but again not like the other place... blah blah blah... I don't think anyone is still reading this review. Go find out for yourself!
(3)R K.
No contest. The best Greek food on Oahu. Service can be a little slow and the place gets congested. Still worth it once in a while.
(4)Lynn T.
ok...you know this is one of my favorite places to go. I love the ceviche mussels! I always get the fresh fish souvlaki paired with a tasty green salad. On those days that I just want a glass of wine and some appetizers...I love getting the mussels as well as a plate of cheese with olives! I love to sit outside and just hang with my friends. This place gets busy though so they don't really want you to stay too long! There is a sign up now that says not to lounge. Yes, you must try this place if you haven't already!!!
(5)Oly C.
Place is always busy! Wednesday is the best, they have the Lamb special. I crave the mussels, it's the best part on the menu. Considered an appetizer for $12 for 6 pieces but so worth it. BYOB--there's a wine store next door (same owner--smart, saves on liquor license for the restaurant). The only thing I don't like is the parking, very small parking, never enough tables, and CASH ONLY.
(4)Erika A.
Great food! Only 4 stars, because they need more tables...wish they were open for lunch. We go everytime we are in Honolulu, but almost always have to get takeout because there is no where to sit.
(4)Jin Hee K.
Great food, BYOB and you can park next door at the post office if there's no parking there!
(5)olga k.
I have been coming to this place for over a decade... First there were less olives in the salad, then there were no olives in the salad, you had to pay extra for that, then the fettah cheese is getting nonexistent, and that is just the story with the aide-salad. The prices keep coming up, and the quality is slowly going down... I remember when they had that awesome bottle opener in the front, then it was sold since someone offered enough money for that... So sad. I stopped coming.
(3)Carlos M.
Great good; however, seating and drink selection is very limited.
(4)lindsey m.
i love this place! the chicken souvlaki is delicious. the pita bread is so soft and the hummus is great. also i like the fact that it is BYOB!
(5)Joe E.
If you can get a table, this is one of my favorite restaurants to eat at!
(5)Andrew Y.
Last week, I ate here for only the second time and the food was how I remembered it......awesome. This time, I had the lamb souvlaki, stuffed grape leaves, cheese & olives w/ pita bread, and the caviar spread. My lamb souvlaki was a bit too small for me, but with the delicious appetizers, BYOB, company of friends, it made my experience here very much enjoyable.
(4)Kimo S.
Bar none, I mean no bar so BYOB and next door the owner has a deli for cheese drinks and canned foods. Order then find a table, open your wine, go to the deli for more, and relax. Always busy because it is good, and bring cash. You will return.
(5)Jesse W.
4/17/10: Dinner Saturday night with wife and a friend, we arrived just before 6:30pm and beat the crowds. After grabbing the first table we saw, one of us went to order. Restaurant is an unusual format, order at counter, pick up at counter (after your number is called, also pay when you pickup the entrees) and tables are bused by someone. I would have expected a sit down format, but I guess this works better for them. I ordered the fish souvlaki, wife had flafel, friend has chix souvlaki, we also ordered the egg soup, tabouli and hummus plate. Good foods all around, would be less pleasant if we had the stress of looking for a table. BYOB, corkage is $1 for restaurant provided glasses.
(4)SuperRockStar N.
Yum, eat here- try to get a table outside. The wait is worth it, food is soo yummy! Uncle Nicos NYC island style! Go to Olivers next door for a bottle of wine, sodas, and Spanish mineral water. Parking is tight, there will be a line, but eat here. The baklava is outstanding, it oozes honey but is not too wet and not too sweet. Magic!
(5)Goro S.
i'm addicted to the taramasalata...my other gotos are the mussel ceviche and fish souvlaki...my wife loves the greek salad...i'm biased as i even had them cater our wedding reception...
(5)Ninja N.
my favorite greek restaurant! GET the... -fish souvlaki ( isaw them carry in a fresh catch from the boat to their restaurant!) -mussle appetizer -smoked salmon caviar appetizer YUMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
(5)Matt M.
We'd been told for years that this was "the place" for the best Greek food and the best experience. We were, to put it mildly, underwhelmed. The food was good, not great. Certainly not the best. Small portions and somewhat limited meat options. Prices seemed reasonable. The service at the counter was average. The eating in (outside on the lanai) experience was not great. You sit next to a parking lot with cars coming and going and idling next to you to pick up their orders. BYOB is not a plus or a negative. It is what it is. If we were to go again, we would recommend take-out.
(2)Ly N.
Somehow our order got messed up and we waited an hour and a half before we even got the salad. I admit that it might have tainted my impression. I got the lamb slouvaki and it was good, but yes, i've had much better elsewhere (unfortunately not here on the island).
(3)Francesca S.
This place is great. The food is delicious and authentic. I love that it's BYOB. Whenever I visit Oahu, I make it a point to go to Olive Tree.
(4)Angelica C.
I dream about this place. Get the hummus to start - it's freshly made and served with a little pool of olive oil on top and warmed pita bread. Also order the fish souvlaki sandwich. I swear they catch the fish themselves (usually mahi mahi) just before they serve it to you. It's marinated in a lemon juice/garlic/onion/evoo/dill/oregano mixture, skewered and grilled to perfection. It comes with a Greek salad side (add extra kalamata and feta). The restaurant is BYOB so bring your favorite beer or wine. There's a great little liquor store next door in case you forget. Olive Tree gets really busy - ordering isn't a problem but getting a table can be challenging - be prepared.
(5)Anjelika J.
MMMM... so good!!!!! It's yummilicious fo' sho. Anything you order from here will make you happy in love with Greek food (well at least the Greek food they serve there). The falafel is done perfectly. Not overdone... just perfect. The dessert is yummy... *drool* 3 reasons for the one less star (and I'll shove it all under one star): * they only accept cash (so note to the one w/o cash, there's a Bank of Hawaii ATM down the street and if that one's broke, there's one at Long's Kahala) and... * the parking sucks! and... * the dining area is small... so prepare to wait or take out. enjoy!
(4)H J.
Go early, buy a bottle of wine next door, or bring your own, order a few pupus and try the falafel (the fish is good too- always fresh but sometimes overcooked and dry). Enjoy the outdoor seating and lively atmosphere. As long as you get a table, you won't be disappointed. Dinner for two with one pupu and two appetizers- about $30. Good to know: you order at the counter and pay (cash only) when you pick up your entres.
(5)Geri S.
One of my FAVORITE places to eat of all time. The fish or chicken souvlakis are unbeatable. The price is very reasonable too and I hope it never goes up. Some days can be very busy, the line will be out the door and you won't have a place to sit and your food will take 45 min to be ready. Worth the wait. If not, call your order in advance. I memorized the phone number. 737-0303. It's like 737 OLIVE TREE OLIVE TREE!
(5)Erin J.
I order the falafel which comes with a greek salad and a cafe americana. I still felt a little hungry afterwards. Not my first choice for falafel in Honolulu but I'd go back.
(3)Nori L.
Small portions. Greek marina in Hawaii kai is way better.
(3)Tara S.
Since crowds and noise annoy me, I usually call in my order for take out. The quality of the food seems to vary somewhat between good and great. I usually get the felafel, which is just amazing when it's great - and can be nicely spicy (maybe from the sauce?). I don't know where they get their tomatoes, but they're served ripe with some actual flavor. I think they have the best hummus in town, too. I usually park next door at the McDonald's.
(4)Kathy N.
If you love Greek food, this is the place to go! I really enjoy eating here when I'm craving hummus, greek salad and the chicken or fish souvlaki are so yummy! Don't forget your beer or wine!
(5)