Oliva
751 N High Point Rd, Madison, WI, 53717
Oliva 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 :
751 N High Point Rd
Madison, WI, 53717 - Phone (608) 831-7776
- Website https://www.olivacuisine.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
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 : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Jacob L.
Our server stole from us. He felt he deserved additional tip and added $10 to the bill after we left. We needed to contact the bank to cancel payment. Also, he was inattentive even though we were the only ones in his section. Food was very oily, basically oozed out of my vegetarian plate. Took it home and had to use 5 paper towels to soak up the excess oil. Ordered tea and got a single 6/8 oz glass instead of a pot. Dessert portions were a bit on the small side (3 triangles of baklava) and did not taste much better than store bought. We won't be back. Update: Talked to the owner/manager about the theft. He was aware of it and had talked to the bank on his end. Unfortunately he said that he would talk to the server about this, which was appalling to me as now knowingly employing someone who steals from their customers. If you do decide to dine here, pay in cash or verify that your card isn't being overcharged. I likely wasn't the first person server #53 stole from, and I probably won't be the last.
(1)Cias H.
First impression, server was rude. He didn't know the menu, tried to correct us on the menu items, and told us that they don't have any Turkish wine (a quarter of the menu). The hummus was unexceptional. The salad came with store bought dressing. My wife did not get a water refill by the ambivalent waiter until after the main course arrived. Our dinners were relatively bland. The gyro, and it is generic gyro not Turkish doner, is kronos. The tzatziki is store bought. My wife's shish kabob came with four chunks for $15. Overall, uninspired cuisine, an inaccurate menu, and shoddy service will not bring us back.
(2)Julie B.
My sister and I went to lunch here for her birthday. The food was great and the service was friendly. The reason why I am only giving this an okay is because the waiter kept leaning over the booth I was sitting in to place food/drinks/bill on our table. The first time it happened, we thought, it's just a bread refill. When he continued to do this the remainder of our meal, we couldn't believe it. Was it too much trouble to walk around the other tables to stand next to our table?
(3)Jen C.
Food is outstanding here! Also, excellent and professional service. Everyone at our table left very happy. Without a doubt, I WILL be back!
(5)Bob A.
Not good italian food. Chicken Parm seems to be frozen chicken patties. Same with the pre-breaded calamari.
(2)Kate G.
I went here for lunch today with my mother-in-law. The decor was nice and the service was pretty good, but a little slow considering the restaurant wasn't that crowded. The turkish bread that they keep refilling was delicious. I got the Mediterranean salad with falafel and it was delicious. The homemade dressing had a very tasty flavor. The falafel was crispy, had a good taste, but I've had better falafels. My mother-in-law got the veggie stew. I didn't try it, but she said it was flavorful and the portion size was good. Overall, we enjoyed this restaurant and it was worth the price. I will definitely come back here.
(4)Tunaidi A.
It was interesting to see both Mediterranean and Italian offerings at Oliva. I'm not sure if specializing in two ethnic foods was necessarily a good idea because both sides were just average. The deluxe pizza was good as it's hard to mess up pizza in my eyes (I'm a pizza lover). The gyro platter was okay, but I've definitely had better and definitely for cheaper as well. I probably liked the stuffed eggplant the most. As for dessert, the baklava wasn't bad. I've only been here once because like I mentioned, you can get both better Mediterranean and better Italian food elsewhere. Nonetheless, if you and a friend want to get dinner together and can't decide on one or the other, then that would be a call for Oliva.
(3)Andy J.
Hands down the best calzone I've had in the Madison area. It was a nice atmosphere and there vice was great. My wife had the gyro platter which was also delicious. If you're in the mood for some good food from the Mediterranean area, this is a great place.
(4)Neel S.
Great middleastern and Italian food also great soups can be a bit pricey but great food.
(5)Tamara C.
I had the calzone, it was a fantastic because the crust was not thick and it was crunchy- so it gave a beautiful tasty to the vegetable filling. I had one with spinach, artichoke, mushroom, and tomatoes. The side sauce was fabulous, and I was able to get more - I'm love sauce with my calzone. The server was fantastic and informed me that all vegetables are as fresh as can be and it tasted it as such.
(4)K L.
Had a very wonderful dinner here. They have lots of vegetarian entrées. I had the vegetable stew, hummus, grape leaves and the fresh bread. It was all completely delicious! I will definitely come back. The service was very friendly and on top of things as well. We sat very close to the fireplace on a cold winters night in Madison, it was warn & toasty. Great job guys!
(5)Eric S.
Great restaurant. Food is fresh and service is excellent. Their strengths are the mediterranean dishes. Kebabs, eggplant dishes, all good. Their salmon weekend special is pretty wonderful too. Never been disappointed with a meal here, go try it!
(5)Ryan C.
Being in a strip mall, it's not a place that many people consider, but it has very good food at a very reasonable price. I recommend the Gyro Doner or the Eggplant Parm, both are excellent. They have good pizza as well, which is very popular with our 5 year old. My only complaint is that they don't have a full bar, just wine and beer, and their selection is pretty limited. But again, very good food at a reasonable price.
(4)Rebecca M.
Oliva is fantastic! As soon as your order is in the server will bring a basket of fresh baked bread to the table. The bread itself is rather unique in that it is both toasty and crispy and soft and chewy at the same time. The servers will keep the baskets of bread coming until your food arrives. As far as the food goes if you like stick to your ribs home cooking and Italian/Mediterranean flavors this is the place for you. I've tried their falafel appetizer, calzone, pizza, and chicken fettuccine. I have yet to be disappointed. Also the baklava is heaven! Perfect balance of pastry, filing, and honey!
(4)Stephanie P.
Tucked away in a smallish strip mall next door to a Peruvian restaurant (the picture of the restaurant here is actually its former location, where the Peruvian place now is), Oliva's mix of Italian and Turkish cuisine is somewhat unexpected, but it's a good place for groups because almost everyone can find something. When you sit down, you get a small basket of Turkish bread, which isn't like pita bread but more like squares of puffy, light foccaccia. We ordered the appetizer combo ($14), which included hummus, olive tapenade, Carrot Delight, and a slightly spicy red pepper dip. For entrees, our group was evenly split between Turkish and Mediterranean. I loved my beef shish kebab, especially the flavorful rice, which sort of reminded me of dim sum sticky rice. The yogurt sauce was envied by my calzone-ordering tablemates, although they were very happy with their giant calzones. The house salad comes with a tangy lemony vinaigrette that's really good and worth trying. We came in fairly late, an hour before closing, when there was only one other table. Soon we were the only table, and from then on we were kind of obsessively stalked by our server, who was popping in every two minutes to refill the bread, ask if we needed anything else at all, and generally hurry us out the door. I didn't care for that part so much - if you're open till 9, you're open till 9. Quit bugging us about the damn bread. In addition to the shish kebab and some veggie Turkish dishes, there's also a sprinkling of traditional pasta dishes, a few salads, and individual pizzas. Prices ranged from $12-16 for dinner entrees, and it looked like they also did some pizza delivery or takeout at the counter. The vibe is casual and friendly and overall I enjoyed it... that server just needs to chill out a little.
(4)Brandon W.
This place serves and eats like a much more expensive restaurant; I stopped by here with a coworker for lunch and was thoroughly impressed. The in-house bread we were started with was fresh, steaming with warmth, and just a delight with the olive oil and grated parmesan provided. I had the Turkish coffee as well, which was excellent. Great body, strong flavor, yet not overly muddy or gritty like I have had in the past. The special today was the veggie stew, which was phenomenal. The cauliflower, carrots, potatoes and celery were saturated with flavor, and were very tender but not mushy; perfect. The chickpeas added a hummus vibe to the dish as well. The whole deal was joined with rice presented in a dome shape, a nice touch. All in all a beautiful and tasty dish. Our server Nick was very informed about the menu items, and able to use very colorful descriptors about any items we asked about. I could almost taste the flavors he was describing. Quite impressive and refreshing, much nicer than being told "it's good," as I'm used to. All this for just over $10? Wow, I am sold. I will most certainly return.
(5)Maurice T.
Just a quick review of their pizzas. We often order an extra large veggie pizza with pepperoni added. They are consistently outstanding, the crust is light and flaky (really one of the best I have had), and they are generous with the ingredients which are always very fresh. It is a great pizza that actually seems pretty healthy when we don't feel like cooking.
(5)Huma S.
A group of friends and I visited Oliva last friday. We ordered a few appetizers. I think Baba Ganoush, Kalamari and Charman. Kalamari was a little bland but the other two were great and very flavorful. I ordered the Beef Kebab and we shared a chocolate cheesecake, both of these dishes were delicious. We had a great time, our waitstaff was gracious and attentive. Will definitely be back!
(4)Ka L.
Came here on a Friday night for dinner! Arrived here with a party of 3 and wait wasn't too bad, perhaps 30 minutes. There was a great couch and fireplace to sit and wait! The lambrosa wine from Italy is nice and bubbly! Very fruity like a fruit juice! Bread was amazing! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside! Olive oil was great! Fried calamari was alright. Chicken kebab was great! Grilled to awesome flavor but was a little dry for my taste. Imam Fainted. eggplant with pine nuts! The sauce was basically tomato, but if you're a vegetarian fan, this is great! Lasagna was great! Light and cheesy. Side note: the waiter misunderstood our order and kindly offered to replace our dish. When we refused as there would be another 15 minutes wait, he was so thoughtful and sent us a chocolate hazelnut cake! I'm not sure if I would be back although the food was great. But there are other places in town for more authentic mediterranean (greek) and italian food.
(4)Pattama H.
The Home made bread was really good with the olive oil they provided. I had the special food which the waiter recommended us. It was a grilled salmon in the green leaf and had a green sauce on the top. It's served with mediteranian style cooked rice. The flavor of all three together was just perfect. Chef knew how to cook salmon very well. Another dish I tried was a chicken kebab. The taste was really good as well. However, the food portion was a bit small when u compared with the price. Maybe it compensates with the welcome bread they serve.
(4)Bill F.
We first went to Oliva about 2 years ago, and absolutely loved it. Last time, a couple of weeks ago, was a huge disappointment and suggests that this restaurant has seen better days. Although it's hard to recall precisely what made our first visit so special, I do remember especially the accompanying rice. It was prepared as I've never had rice before, served in an attractive mound and glistening making it very tempting to eat. The flavor was good and the texture on the firm side. Knowing that the owners are Turks, I later researched to see if I could find out what made it so delectable and special. I learned that Turkish rice is often made with a bit of pasta added, and then I remembered those small white pieces among the rice grains. It was orzo, but I'm sure there was something more than that as the dish was exceptional. The rest of our meal was tasty and memorable that day too. But our visit a couple of weeks ago was quite the opposite. The rice mound was completely undistinctive, ie. no orzo, no spices embedded, and just something you eat to fill up, not to savor. Before that was served with the entree, however, I had lentil soup. That was a huge disappointment as well. Must have come from the top of the pot where few lentils resided because it was very watery with just as few lentils and nothing else of substance either. My lamb shish kabob was just okay. Somewhat hard and dried out, as if it came from a warmer not fresh from the broiler or oven. Their prices are reasonable for good mediterranean food with an occasional Turkish bent. However, the few people at the restaurant on a Friday evening suggets to me that we're not the only ones who became disappointed with Oliva over time.
(2)Darren B.
This is, sadly, a boring Sysco-based restaurant. It's not offensive, but I won't go there again. It's just not all that interesting. I think you're better off at Bunky's.
(2)SF Native M.
Nope. Not liking this place. I've gone there 3 times just to make sure. Mostly bc we live around the corner and also bc we thought it just might have been the dishes i ordered, or the day of the week...blah, blah, blah. Nope, it really is just that the food isn't really that good or tasty.On the Italian side of the menu, the food was bland. No real depth of flavor. On the mediterian side, The falafel was mushy and tasteless. Not a typical falafel -which I don't mind creativity in presentation, but it has to taste good. Event kids didn't like their kids selection. 3 times a charm for me.
(2)Carolyn P.
I went to Oliva's for my birthday lunch I had never been there before but had passed by it often and decided I wanted to try it. I was warmly greeted and was offered a beverage while I waited for the rest of my party. The waiting area in front of the fireplace was very nice for this cold and damp day. The food was very good and it was difficult to make a decision. Oliva is a mediterranean italian restaurant. I had the gyro entree and it was delicious and the bakala was excellent. I highly recommend it and plan to return. Also, the atmosphere is very nice.
(5)Meredith G.
Dude. Oliva's is good. I really love their red lentil soup. I've had the chicken and lamb shish kebab and both are delicious - well seasoned and cooked perfectly - not dry at all. Loving eggplant, I'm really tempted to try the Imam fainted, but i enjoy so much the kebabs, i have yet to do it. It is nice that Oliva's offers a little for everyone. The service has always been good, too.
(4)Rachel L.
When you're in the need for cheesy comfort food, you can't beat the pasta dishes here. Unpretentious and quality food. Just like what your family would make.
(4)Anna V.
Not exactly what I expected- small dining room, very un-pretentious, odd mix of turkish and italian. Somehow it works though. I had to stop myself from licking the plate my baked eggplant came on, and I swear my husband finished his whole plate of baked ziti in under 5 minutes. The service was quick and friendly. I'd come back here but probably more for a week night I don't want to cook and not for a special night out.
(3)Nina O.
We ate there for the first time last weekend, the hubs ordered the lasagna and I had the stuffed eggplant. We also shared an appetizer sampler- the oliva tapenade was wonderful, the Turkish bread is delish- warm and fresh. The stuffed eggplant was good, as was the lasagna; however, the lasagna was steaming, so it may have been microwaved. Not that it's a felony to do so, but it was not expected. We shared baklava for dessert- unlike a previous reviewer's experience, ours was flaky and yummy. Beer and wine only, so know before you go.
(3)Julie A.
I ate here with a couple of friends on Saturday. I mistakenly got the lamb shank instead of the kebabs, but it must have been some good karma, because that lamb was some of most tender and tasty that I have ever had, in a delicious and rich sauce. My friend raved equally about the baked eggplant. My other friend had the tortellini, and really liked it, although she'd had better at restaurants with a primary focus on Italian. The décor was quite nice and the owners and staff very friendly. Pricing was reasonable. Since Oliva is close to my home on the West Side, I will definitely be coming here often!
(4)Danica A.
Excellent service and food! My Gyro plate was super and the pizza was very good and the lamb kebab was memorable: rare and tender. Overall very happy.
(4)Nicole K.
This place is great! Here are the most delicious things I've tried there: -lamb kebobs -chicken parmesan -red lentil soup -even the house dressing on the salads -baklava-- best in town -other Turkish eggplant dishes. The only possible improvements are not even with the food! Things like fresh flowers, seat cushions and/or table candles would add ambiance and comfort but the bottom line is the food is amazing. Note: they also do delivery.
(4)D W.
Offers Italian and Turkish cuisine, hard to go wrong when this place is just down the road. Their bread doesn't look like anything special but is excellent -- light, crisp edges, pillowy soft inside. Both loaves we received were freshly baked and still hot from the oven. Table olive oil has a delicate, wonderful flavor. For dinner (served with soup or salad), I had the Nohutlu Ishpanak (sauteed combination of vegetables and chickpeas served with excellent rice) and my dining companion the Turkish Delight (braised lamb with vegetables over hummus), and both were quite good. Prices reasonable ($13-16), nice but still casual dining ambiance. Would definitely go again.
(4)Amy G.
This restaurant microwaves all the dishes in plastic wrap which has been known to cause cancer. I would stay away. The owners also do not like Americans, just Turkish people.
(1)Timothy S.
After a series of disappointments at restaurants stretching from here to Montana I am happy to say we finally scored some very good food at Oliva! Not only was the food good but the atmosphere was very nice, the settings were elegant and clean and the service was very good. We began with a serving of four slices of delicious bread that I thought he said it was pita bread. It was light and flavorful. We ordered two more later in the meal all complements of the house. I had an eggplant dish with pine nuts called The Imam Fainted. It was served hot with rice and of ample proportion and full of flavor. My companion ordered the Vegetable Stew which was equally delicious. For desert we had the Tiramisu which was well made and very good but didn't wow me. The view outside isn't anything that spectacular. But inside the decorations are fitting with a Mediterranean restaurant and the music was also fitting and at a perfect volume. This is certainly a restaurant we will be back to soon.
(5)Jeff B.
I had the Imam Fainted entree for dinner. That and the lentil soup were very tasty.
(4)Jeremy D.
The place my wife and I go most often for our date nights and we haven't been disappointed yet. We've taken friends and family there and they've all loved it. All the food we've had is really well prepared and tastes great and we end up full, many times walking out with doggy bags. Highly recommend the grape leaf wrapped salmon they regularly have as a special. Only disappointment was going on Valentine's Day without a reservation and being turned away. Also can expect to need a reservation on Friday evenings.
(5)steve d.
This place is quite a find. A very eclectic memo and fine service. I enjoyed a white sauce pizza and my wife enjoyed one of the nightly specials. Service is good!
(4)Julia H.
Been meaning to go here for ages and finally remembered it while trying to decide where to eat. last night We wanted to go someplace on the west side, so I suggested this to my husband. The interior of the restaurant is understated. Service was prompt and friendly. There were a lot of options on the menu, and I had a hard time deciding what to order. Since it was just the two of us, we decided to forgo any appetizers. I definitely want to go back with more people and order the appetizer variety plate. I finally settled on the falafel. My husband got the shrimp mediterranean. We were both very pleased with our dinners and easily cleaned the plates. I'm fairly certain it was the best falafel I have ever had, and I have tried falafel many, many places. It was not at all dry, but super moist and perfectly flavored. Highly recommend. I had a bite of the shrimp dish and it was also really tasty. Lots of vegetables and the shrimp were decently sized. I plan on returning, and I would recommend to others.
(4)Lynn S.
After being warned that the food was bad, we went there anyway. Sad to say it was again yucky. The olive oil for dipping the bread was on the verge of rancid, the cannelloni dinner was tasteless, save for the acidic chunky red sauce smothering it, and the wine was ho-hum. I've had much better food at a fast food restaurant - for a lot less $$$! There are a vast number of really good restaurants in Madison, so don't waste your money at this one.
(1)Vickie M.
First of all, throw away your preconceived ideas of what eggplant is like. Then go to Oliva and order "The Imam Fainted", their baked eggplant dish. They must bake the slices of eggplant for hours ahead of time, until it becomes a nutty, buttery substance that melts in your mouth. They then finish it in the oven with onions, peppers, and pine nuts, and what seems like a coulis of sun-dried tomatoes with it. The final glorious touch is the rice pilaf, which contains the most buttery perfect rice I have eaten in years. My guy had the beef kebabs, which were marinated in a complex but subtle blend of spices then perfectly grilled, and accompanied by the great rice pilaf. Although he is a committed meat eater, he loved my eggplant enough that I think he'll order it next time. Along with the meal they serve a soft, toasted turkish bread that is nothing like a pita. We got some humus to have with it and it was excellent, with something else I couldn't identify in addition to the chick peas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. For dessert I tried the baklava, which sadly was a little on the gooey side - the crispiness possible from the phyllo was probably lost over a few days of sitting. But aside from the baklava, this meal was superb. The waitress was genuinely interested in our opinion of the meal and was very attentive. It's a large space but had some divisions so it still feels comfortable, not cavernous. We have been back numerous times, and have always been pleased. The gyro meat is great, and my kids really like the pizzas. In fact, my son orders pizza with gyro meat on it (off menu), which he sees as the perfect meal. The service has always been great, and one of our favorite servers in town works here. She is always friendly, attentive, and makes us feel at home.
(5)Kathleen S.
I love this place because I like hummus and Mediterranean food. I went here once for a birthday party. We had a good time. The complaints were: Food took too long (they were busy and had just opened), very cold draft blowing in from the front door (wear knee socks!), lighting too bright and they need to use glasses instead of plastic cups. I'm not too wild about the kind of bread they serve as an appetizer, but my date loved it. Olive oil for dipping is plentiful and good quality. The little dinner salad was a bit skimpy. Overall the food is fresh and well presented. When they are busy the restaurant has a warm atmosphere with help from the fireplace and the buzz of the patrons. The wine is good and reasonably priced as is the menu. The tiramisu is fabulous! They are locally owned and operated, the wait staff is very nice and attentive. Located off Old Sauk, next to the Alicia Ashman library across from Dean Care in the old Atlanta Bread Co. location. They outgrew the Grape & Co. location next door. 5 stars as there are not a whole lot of restaurants to choose from on the west side. If they could just tone down that lighting a few notches...
(5)Peter F.
The lentil soup was good, although lentil soup in general is hard to mess up. I want to be very clear about the falafel, however. It was flat out awful. Didn't try the hummus. The bread was okay. The baklava was unfortunately very soggy, not very good at all. On th bright side, they let us stay til 11pm and we weren't the only ones there, the place has a good atmosphere and nice, attentive waitstaff. I wouldn't come here again for mediterranean food. Lastly, my gf had the stuffed eggplant and she said it was ok--the rice pilaf was cooked well but needed more almonds. The eggplant was nothing special.
(2)Ri M.
UPDATE: I still love the food from this restaurant, i have to say they are pretty consistent in their food, however, they really need to work on their customer service, I have been there twice and I had placed a few orders over the phone and all the servers are rude, they make you feel you are bothering them all the time, I dont know if the owner is aware of this or not but seriously, I cannot believe how servers can treat customers bad; I dont go or call to this restaurant more often ONLY because of the rude attitude of the people who work there.
(3)Michael H.
This place rates high on atmosphere - clean, warm, with elegance and color. Our server was efficient and not very friendly. The free bread is incredible - soft with a hard crust and great for dipping or spreading tapenade. I ordered the falafel, which had an unusual consistency (pasty instead of gritty) and had a good flavor. The sides were delicious. I would like to try the italian menu next time. My friend and I attended on a Tuesday evening and many people were coming in as the night went on. Must be a popular place.
(4)Lisa G.
I ordered the falafel entree for lunch ($9) & water to drink. Tastey meal overall, & fillling enough for a warm midday meal. Good service too. This is the first restaurant in the area I've encountered that offers Turkish dönner.
(4)Renee F.
If you're in the mood for gyros but looking for something a little more upscale than a trip to Parthenon, this is your place to go. The gyro plate is served with rice and a small salad. The red lentil soup and fresh bread is delicious. They also serve the best calzone I have found in Madison. Atmosphere is cozy, and service has been decent on every visit.
(4)Rachel M.
We went here the other day to try some place new, after looking on yelp app I saw Oliva it had good reviews, and said it was good for kids, so we went. It was not good, I expected better food for the price, it really was not a place for kids at all! The food was so bland I had the Mediterranean shrimp, it was not what i thought it'd be I could have made this 10x better at home for pennies on the dollar ($13.99), it was some rubbery shrimp sauteed onions, peppers, and tomatoes in some tomato juice, with a little garlic powder. The rice that came with it was dry and pretty tasteless they said it was seasoned with jasmine but I couldn't taste it! We had brought our kids (2 & 3) because the reviews said good for kids, they seemed very annoyed that they were there but they where accommodating. Other patrons seem upset we were there with kids also. (the kids were being well behaved occasionally knocking a fork on the table or getting a little loud giggling but that was it no screaming or crying) *All in all , I won't be back!
(2)Midwest G.
While Turkish food in Madison is not the exotic oddity it used to be, it can be a welcome change from the regular options to local diners. I remembered that they had a weekend salmon special wrapped in grape leaves with a green citrus sauce, along with a small salad and nice serving of saffron rice. It did not disappoint, although the price led me to believe that it was likely farm raised. On this occasion, not a deal breaker.
(3)Victor B.
Has Oliva changed owners? Our experience there last night was nothing like previous times. First, they no longer start you off with flatbread; instead it's your typical Italian bread. Second, they were terribly understaffed; the host was also the waiter for half the restaurant. Third, we waited for over an hour for our meal. When our food finally arrived, the chicken was unbelievably salty. Very disappointing -- I don't think we'll be going back again.
(1)Meghan M.
Great ethnic appetizers on this menu. For a place that is Mediterranean and Italian, I would consider this place just your average Italian restaurant judging the entrees. One page of the menu is dedicated to Pizza and another to Calzones. If you are looking for someplace with a variety of ethnic choices, I would not recommend this place. Atmosphere and service excellent.
(3)Meghana B.
This is one of the best middle eastern cuisine I've had - i like everything here - baba ganouch, kababs, gyro, hummus.... my favorite thing is their freshly baked bread that they serve with the dinner.... I loved their sangria as well..... the atmosphere is quite and cosy.... really nice place to have a peaceful dinner with friends and family.....
(5)Prateek G.
The red lentil soup, shrimp artichoke and imam fainted were out of the world. The service was fantastic as well
(5)E L.
I've been intending to go here since it first opened (since it's been called the west side Bunky's, which is a fav of mine), but didn't get a chance until just last week. We had the olive tapenade with bread as an appetizer, which I really liked (although my dining companion was unimpressed - "it's just olives"). The bread was okay, but cold and a little hard. I had a $2 soda (really, $2 for a glass of soda and I don't even get offered a refill?) and my date chose from the sparse beer selection. My soup came quickly, but was lukewarm. I was expecting greatness, but it was mediocre. I much prefer Bunky's lentil soup. I had the chicken kebab and my date had the BBQ chicken calzone. Both were a disappointment. Maybe because I was comparing it to Bunky's chicken shawarma, which is perfect - thinly sliced, nicely seasoned, plenty of charred vegetables, yummy rice, fabulous hummus, and great yogurt sauce. Oliva's chicken was huge chunks, poorly seasoned, maybe 4 small pieces of onion and 1 of pepper, bland rice, no hummus, and way-too-dilly yogurt sauce. I tried the calzone, which was okay, but we both agreed the calzones at Benvenuto's are better (and bigger) even though they aren't the greatest either. I was ready for this to be my new "go-to" place on the west side. Guess not.
(2)