Welcome to Olea
At Olea, a tapas bar in Brooklyn, NY, you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine with a twist. This LGBTQ and women-owned establishment offers a diverse menu with vegan and vegetarian options. The cozy ambiance, outdoor seating, and full bar make it a great spot for brunch, dinner, or happy hour. With friendly staff, free Wi-Fi, and gender-neutral restrooms, Olea is open to all. Whether you're looking for a group gathering or a solo dining experience, Olea's diverse offerings and inclusive atmosphere will leave you feeling satisfied and welcomed.
-
171 Lafayette Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238171 Lafayette Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238 Hotline: (718) 643-7003
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Olea is a charming Mediterranean tapas bar that offers a delightful mix of flavors and dishes to satisfy any palette. This restaurant is a true gem, offering a variety of options for breakfast, brunch, and dinner.
Olea goes above and beyond in terms of utilities, providing services such as reservations, delivery, and takeout. They also cater to a wide range of dietary preferences with vegan and vegetarian options. Customers can enjoy their meal in the outdoor seating area, soaking up the bustling atmosphere of the city.
Owned by members of the LGBTQ and women communities, Olea is a welcoming space that is open to all. Their commitment to inclusivity is evident in their gender-neutral restrooms and covered outdoor seating. In addition, Olea offers catering services and a happy hour for those looking to celebrate special occasions or simply unwind after a long day.
As a food reviewer, I must say that Olea truly stands out for their delicious tapas and Mediterranean dishes. Each bite is bursting with flavor, showcasing the fresh ingredients and skilled preparation that goes into every dish. Whether you're a fan of traditional Mediterranean cuisine or looking to try something new, Olea is the perfect spot to indulge in a culinary adventure.
LOVE this brunch spot! I've been here twice in the last month and I will definitely be back. I always get the Olea breakfast and it's amazing! You can taste the freshness in everything you get. I also got the fried halloumi and it was amazing! Such a unique flavor! You can't go wrong with anything on this menu! Literally 10/10 this place is soooo good and has something for everyone's preferences. I can't wait to go back :)
Loved everything about olea! Food: we ordered three apps and 2 mains for 4 people and it was a great amount of food for us! My favorite was the spicy feta labneh dish - which was just so flavorful and had this honey crunchy bites in the center, which were incredible! The brussel sprouts were also so well made! The halloumi is another winner and thankfully they gave enough to share! The Greek paella was perfect for a warm day - I liked the mix of the dips with the lamb! The braised garlic chicken was well made but not my favorite. I'd come back and just order the apps next time! Ambience: lovely indoor and outdoor area! It got loud by 8pm on Friday night inside, but still very pleasant Service: great service! Price: good prices for portion sizes and quality
We arrived shortly after they opened. The restaurant looked a bit quirky from the outside. We chose outdoor seating as it was a nice and cool morning. The server and staff were courteous and friendly. The food came out at a fair time. Overall, the food was good but not impressive. Not a bad neighbor brunch spot.
Instant favorite! The happy hour specials at Olea are incredible. A full bar menu of specials from 430-630, with cocktails, wine, and beer. The happy hour food specials are friendly to many different diets. I had the impossible vegan "meatballs" which was super flavorful, cooked to perfection and a great portion size for $11. My partner had the chicken shawarma sliders which he loved as well. We shared three dips and my absolute favorite was the feta. The outdoor seating is on a pleasant tree lined street. I cannot wait to come back!
We visited Olea for dinner and while the entire menu looked incredible, the appetizers were really calling out to us, so we ended up ordering more appetizers than entrees but then the 2 entrees that we did order turned out to be absolute bangers. Delicious cocktails and wonderful selection of food. Would absolutely love it if it was my local neighborhood joint. 4.5/5! We picked a trio of dips, including the romesco and roasted beet skordalia, which really hit the spot as a savory dip. For the third- my husband and I are suckers for anything calibrian chili, and we loved the spicy feta labneh, which had the perfect kick paired with a typical creaminess of labneh. We also got the falafel crusted artichoke hearts, and I'm not sure why I was surprised that it tasted so much like falafel but I guess I unreasonably hoping for 70% artichoke hearts with a tiny falafel crust, but instead, it was more like 60% falafel and 40% artichoke hearts. Still delicious. The roasted cremini mushrooms were juicy and flavorful and cooked very well. For our entrees, we decided on the arctic char which was SO good- it was so tender and flavorful without being "fishy" at all. The four of us finished so quickly and I wish it was bigger piece of fish! We also ordered the baked shrimp orzo special of the night, and that was a total banger too. It was like twist on a paella but as a non-paella fan, I absolutely loved this dish and would recommend in a heartbeat if you ever see it on the menu. For drinks, our friend really enjoyed the spanish martini, which had a savoriness thanks to the blue cheese stuff olives. The limoncello collins was allegedly "on the sweeter side" but I actually found it to be really refreshing and I'm a sucker for anything limoncello. The sparkling pear was a bit disappointing because I think it just tasted like a slightly sweet prosecco, and I wish there was more "pear". To round up the night, we shared a dark chocolate olive oil cake, which wasn't as moist as I wanted it to be, but I was still able to enjoy it with the ice cream.
The food is incredible, although the service is a bit slow (I think they have a small kitchen, so that might be why?) In any case, it's a fairly laid back, homey vibe with some rustic charm, and the menu is reasonably priced. I went with a friend for brunch and got the Lamb Hash and Pomegranate Mimosas, both of which were so delicious. We finished off with the bread pudding which is to DIE FOR! Absolutely will be back!
Olea has been a long-time summer favorite of ours with their lovely outdoor seating and great service. It does pay off to come early, as the outdoors is walk-ins only and reservations are also limited inside. The menu retains some delicious staples like the mushrooms and Brussels, while also offering fabulous specials to switch things up. Highly recommend the baby octopus!
TOP NOTCH. Cannot stop thinking about how amazing every single dish was and what a great time I had. For appetizers, we got the falafel crusted artichokes. For mains, we shared the lamb hash and chicken shawarma sliders. And the dessert... don't even get me started on the chocolate cake with vegan whipped cream, sea salt caramel, and coconut ice cream. PERFECTION! There is literally nothing I did not like about this place, the service was splendid and the ambiance speaks for itself. We sat outside but the inside is comfy and cute. Cannot wait to come back!
A friend took me here to celebrate my belated birthday for a nice brunch today. I initially checked out the menu the day before like I usually always do and it made me want to order the entire menu. I have always been a fan of Mediterranean food as I believe it is a nice balance between hearty and healthy. I am a big fan of Brussel sprouts and theirs def hit the spot. Must order if you love Brussel sprouts. The drinks were also tasty and mixed pretty well with just the right amount of alcohol that I felt pretty nice after 2 drinks. We were seated in the corner booth near the bathroom and felt pretty cozy. Seats had a nice portable cushion for your tushy! 9/10 I do recommend
Say! I like Green Eggs and Lamb! I do! I like them, Chris-i-am! And I would eat them in a boat. And I would eat them with a goat. And I will eat them, in the rain. And in the dark. And on a train. And in a car. And in a tree. They are so good, so good, you see! So I will eat them in a box. And I will eat them with a fox. And I will eat them in a house. And I will eat them with a mouse. And I will eat them here and there. Say! I will eat them anywhere! I do so like Green Eggs and Lamb! Thank you! Thank you, Chris I am. In all seriousness, once you get over the weirdness of trying scrambled eggs that frankly look like guacamole, the green eggs and lamb is pretty good here, so long as you're someone who likes cilantro. If not, this definitely is not a dish for you. The coffee isn't great. More like diner coffee. But that's not really what you're coming here for anyway, so I can't dock a star for that. Food comes out quickly and service was fast also, which makes sense given the place is fairly small inside. I would recommend coming on the earlier side for weekend brunch, as it fills up pretty quick. Our party was the first to come in when it opened and there were no inside tables available within 20 minutes (on a saturday). If driving, only street parking really.