Olive

Small Restaurant that packs a lot of punch! My girl and I were talking about just eating there everyday in NOLA! But honestly the food is fresh, meat is tender, rice is flavorful. They did not disappoint. Price is really good for the portion size as well.

Absolutely fantastic food. I got the chicken shawarma and it was the best I’ve ever had and also got some red bean lentil soup which was so good. The server was very pleasant, checked in with us at good times, and was quite fast. The decor was also super good, there was a bunch of olive oil bottles used as decor with some being quite high up and which the lights could shine through making them look like they’re glowing which was cool. The music was also good quite pleasant though nothing too of note. If I come back to New Orleans anytime soon I will definitely be coming back here, it was so good <3

The food was good, but the owner’s attitude was disappointing. We arrived at the restaurant at 7:50 PM, knowing it closed at 8:30 PM. Despite our arrival, he refused to let us dine in and only offered us a takeout option. To prevent similar situations from happening in the future, the restaurant should clearly state its closing time on Google. This way, potential customers can make informed decisions and avoid disappointment.

Service was fast and efficient. Food was seasoned perfectly. Loved every bit of the meal. The atmosphere was perfect. Not too loud, not too quiet. Probably the best Mediterranean food I’ve ever had in my life. Highly recommend.

Staff was super friendly, and more importantly the food was incredible! The veggies were all very fresh, the gyro meat was delicious, and the chicken kebabs were maybe the best chicken i have ever eaten. Would definitely go back next time we are in New Orleans

Kinda simple, no fuss vibes, but the food is phenomenal and the prices are super reasonable. Staff was friendly. Fresh, quality and extremely flavorful, quality. Ordered the Olive app and didn't think I was very hungry, but after one bite, I cleaned every plate. Even my mint tea was made with fresh, whole mint leaves. Will def be back!

A local gem, usually for the offices around the area, sometimes few tourists will venture this “far” from French quarter. Authentic Mediterranean food, very tasty and healthy, super fresh. The hummus is a must while you decide your main meal.

During my trip to New Orleans, I was on the hunt for authentic flavors, and Olive completely exceeded my expectations! Hands down, this is the best Lebanese food I’ve had in the city. The dishes are bursting with fresh, traditional flavors, and every bite is just delicious. What truly made the experience even more special was the owner himself, who personally attended to us with warmth and hospitality. He was incredibly friendly, making sure we had everything we needed and even offering great recommendations. I loved this place so much that I ended up eating here three times before leaving NOLA—yes, it’s that good! From the hummus to the shawarma, every dish was made with love and authenticity. If you’re in New Orleans and craving Lebanese cuisine, Olive is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be coming back. Cheers to this hidden gem!

We were looking for a healthy, light meal with vegetarian options and were so glad to have run across this place. Nice and clean little restaurant with great service. Food came out quickly. We tried the falafel, kafta and gyro along with baba ghanoush, tzatziki and rice, all were DELICIOUS!! The falafel were especially fantastic, very flavourful and moist. We seem to have arrived right before the last evening rush so good timing on our part.

Honestly just okay.. The zater bread was too salty but I guess I should've expected that. Fries were undersalted. Ordered the kallaya with vegetables, which tasted great but completely soaked in oil which I didn't love. The salad it came with had too much dressing on it but the green, tomato, cucumber, and onion were a great combo. And the hummus was a little too lemony for my taste. All in all, just an average meal.

My boyfriend and I came here for dinner during the first night of a work conference and the food hit the spot! We were looking for a balanced, filling, and relatively healthy meal and Olive did the job. I ordered the chicken and beef combo and my boyfriend enjoyed his Shakshuka. The food came out fast, and the atmosphere was nice and calm for a Monday night. The person who served us was also friendly and we admired his wallpaper (which he said he did himself). Olive is worth a try if you're in the area!

Walking in town from another food spot that I will not return to and my friend saw this place so we went in. I wish I didn't eat before, however, that didn't stop me from having the Lebanese tea and Baklava while my friend had her meal. The staff was super funny and witty. The decor was really nice. They can get crowded around lunch time so I'm glad we got their sooner. The food was very well priced and was flavorful and vibrant. My friend enjoyed her hummus plate and fries. I only wish it wasn't our last day in town, however, I know better now.

As much as New Orleans' southern cuisine mesmerizes you (from po boys to fried okras to crawfish/lobster to deep-fried alligator to name a few), you MIGHT get tired of the greasiness of it. When that happens to you, a restaurant like Olive comes in handy. My daughter and I were craving for something "healthy" like Mediterranean food to be specific. Upon doing a quick search, this restaurant came up with over 4 star ratings. Looked promising. It was only a few minutes walk from where we were at that time so without wasting any time, we rushed to here. Olive is a very simple-looking restaurant so fancy doesn't necessarily apply to this place. And yet it's more than a quick casual one for sure. As we walked in, we were immediately greeted by a man who told us to jus sit where we would want. We needed a few simple dishes to fill our half-filled stomachs (we ate at a nearby sushi restaurant which was disappointing so before we would spend more money there, we paid the tab and went here.) We set our eyes on the Greek Salad and Grape Leaves (app). They didn't take too long to come out of the kitchen. Well, the restaurant wasn't super busy so that could be why but it might have been that they are simply efficient and prompt in service. Greek Salad - Simply and yet fresh. Good portion, too. All he leaves in the bowl were fresh; nothing tasted old. Grape Leave - I like it when grape leaves are served warm. The size of the grape leaves was decently medium. 6 pieces on the plate. Good portion/good price, hence good value. I bet many people who got tired of eating deep-fried something day after day chose this place and left good reviews (like we did.) In a way, this restaurant exists like a haven for healthy eating. It was a life saver for us.

Great spot to grab a quick bite and some fresh food in New Orleans! We went on Saturday night and had no issues finding a spot. There are quite a few tables/booths. Seems like they do a lot of take out orders also. We ordered a falafel sandwich, gyro sandwich, and shared a tabbouleh. The sandwiches normally come on tortillas but they have the option for pitas which is what we did. The pita bread was super good, not dry at all! The sandwiches don't come with a side but there are a lot of good apps to order instead. Everything was super fresh and was ready super fast! The gentleman working was great, answered our questions and was overall very hospitable!

Pretty good kabobs near our hotel. Very casual inside. We got to go and nice to eat something non fried. Got a mixed chicken and beef shawarma and hummus and peppers both were good. Not mind blowing but good.

We needed a break from Cajun food and found Olive!! Olive's food feels so healthy and is an amazing lunch spot. We ate here twice despite being in NOLA for only 4 days. Every meat is juicy - the chicken shawarma, gyro, and kufta kebab. You just can't go wrong with anything. The hummus is also perfectly nutty and creamy. The service is also great and the guy who works here is very kind!

Stopped by for lunch and found Olive close to our hotel. Such a lovely lunch meal! I ordered the lentils soup and a mixed meats shawarma platter. The lentils soup had great flavor. And the shawarma platter was so full of meat, I requested chicken and beef, and it came with tzatziki, salad and endless pita bread. This platter was gigantic! I am still amazed that I was able the finish it all. The meats were well seasoned and often I don't like too much salt however there was not too much salt in this one, which I was glad of. And of course the hummus was spectacular. Combining all of those flavors were delicious. The service was also good and attentive. And the restaurant during lunch was not overly crowded however still had a good number of tables occupied. Overall great spot for lunch, if you was healthy yes it is, however it was so much food so plan ahead as many dishes are shareable!

We have been here twice now and I know we will just keep going back. The experience at Olive is perfection. They have a generous menu of Mediterranean eats. We stopped in for lunch today and had some zater bread and sandwiches. I went with the chicken shawarma and it was EXCELLENT. The zater bread was good, too. The fries were the only thing that didn't stand out. They were bland and just ok. That being said, everything else made up for it. Also their unsweetened tea is so tasty! The prices are fair and the portions are great. Service is friendly and the space is small but comfortable and intimate. Can't wait to come back!

Food was fantastic. Exceptionally fresh and season just right. Staff was very pleasant and attentive. Not over priced. Would definitely recommend.

Oh my goodness, Olive food is delicious. We had the Lamb chops, Gyro platter, lentil soup, fried cheese and Grape leaf platter (spicy). All was fabulous and we emptied our plates.

This is a great option for those looking for something healthy, allergy friendly, and fresh in the city. As a gluten free vegetarian I ordered the olive appetizers and fried cheese to get a little bit of everything! The falafel, grape leaves, and halloumi, are gluten free without the pita. I simply asked for some cucumbers on the side to dip into things! I loved the salty pickles that came with the fried cheese- they paired so nicely with the super crunchy and flavorful falafel. The cheese itself was salty and crispy, however did not stand out to me. The Turkish coffee and mango drink were both tasty; I was really impressed with the coffee and how strong but not bitter it was- this is a must try if you haven't had it before.

Super tasty! We ordered the shakshuka, the half and half shawarma, and the halloumi for food. We loved the hummus on the side. I also got the Lebanese Iced Tea for a drink which was very refreshing in some humid weather. The service was pretty quick and the people were friendly. I would recommend checking it out.

Food was delicious. Aside from the baklava. Ambiance was quiet. Service was lacking, it took the individual awhile to ask if we wanted anything to drink and to provide the check

I tend to eat light in the Summer, as I pretty much shut down in high humidity. Who knew that Summer lasts into November in New Orleans? So I was looking for a light, but filling breakfast after Mass and stumbled upon Olive walking back to my hotel from St Patrick's. What a pleasant discovery! I ordered the Shakshuka, which came with salad, hummus, and pita. To drink I had a mango juice and a Lebanese tea, which I had never heard of. For dessert, I tried the kullage. (Phyllo dough stuffed with milk custard topped with honey. Like baklava, but with dense custard filling instead of ground nuts.) A Turkish coffee finished the meal off perfectly. The shakshuka was delicious, although the eggs were a little too well done. The salad was fresh and crunchy with a delightful, light vinaigrette. The hummus was flavorful too and seemed to be homemade. The Lebanese tea was a find. Apparently, not from Lebanon, but NOLA! I expected hot tea with mint or something like that. Instead, it's iced tea with rose water, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, with pine nuts sprinkled on top. A refreshing alternative to sweet tea! Liked it so much I got a second glass to-go. This meal was so good I'd like to try their other dishes. If you're looking for excellent Mediterranean food with fast, friendly service and great ambiance, Olive is a top-drawer option in the Downtown area.

I visited on a weekday evening and lucked up on a parking spot right in front of the restaurant. We were able to sit wherever we wanted and chose one of the booths. Service started out good but was nonexistent once more customers came. We started with the Lebanese tea. Ehh, it was okay but we've had better. I ordered the Half and Half Shawarma with chicken and gyro, hummus and a greek salad. It was pretty good and had some interesting flavors. The other guest had the lamb chops which were so tiny. Also the accompanying rice was dry. I'm glad I had the chance to try Olive but the tiny lamb chops and less than stellar service was a turnoff.

Expect a wait if you come during lunch peak hours. We ordered the lebna and hummus dips which were phenomenal. The lebna was super creamy with a nice tang and the hummus had a great nutty flavor! I ordered the gyro plate with rice and salad, I never had gyro like this one which was cut like steak pieces super tender and flavorful. My friends ordered the lamb burger which was devoured within minutes and also the falafel plate. The falafel was very moist and had a unique minty/herby flavor to it. Overall the food was delicious and we couldn't stop eating and nibbling at it.

Tried this place on my trip to New Orleans. We started off with Turkish Coffee, Hummus and Veggie Grape Leaves. For mains, I had Falafel Sandwich. Food was delicious. The server was super polite and attentive. The ambiance was decent. I would definitely recommend this place! Must try!

Absolutely delicious! Everything we ordered was incredibly fresh, and the service was top-notch. The hummus, fried haloumi, and beef & gyro shawarma were all amazing. We couldn't get enough! The prices were also very reasonable for the quality of food and service we received. Five out of five, easily! Can't wait to go back.

I love a good find. We had other plans today, but parades made those impossible. I was craving Greek food, and we found this place. Wow. The server was warm and helpful. He made recommendation and even suggested a different appetizer since humus came with my entree. The Lebanese tea with rose water was superb. The two apps we ordered Falafel and Zatar Bread were so good. I ordered shawarma at his suggestion, and hubs ordered the Kabobs. Both were incredible. This is a cute, place in New Orleans that probably gets overlooked for big names. Try it.

Food was sooo good. Raja is so friendly. He made great recommendations. Kullage was the perfect dessert finish and try their Lebanese tea.

Greek salad, hummus and zatar bread were fantastic. This is a great quick spot to grab lunch.

Olive never disappoints! The food is always delicious, the staff is great and the restaurant is clean. It is a perfect spot for lunch

Everything was soo good, really tasty. Good Service, food and pleasant atmosphere . .

The food here is amazing, I had the Kallaya. It wasn't just good, it will change your life! Must have item for sure. Thank you Olive!

We got here right before they closed (after a night of eating reception food - much of which was fried) and just got a lentil soup but by god if it wasn't the best lentil soup I've had in a while, and I only had a couple sips. Meant to go back during our trip but never got around to it.

After indulging in the decadent delights of New Orleans, my taste buds craved something lighter, so we looked up a salad & found-- Olive. What a delightful surprise! The food was delicious! It was busy & Rafat, was the only gentleman working & still provided exceptional service. His attentiveness and warmth truly enhanced our experience. We highly recommend Olive! Thank you for making the final stop of our trip even more memorable! Ps: I would have posted a pic of our food (beef shawarma, chicken shawarma, fattoush salad & hummus) however we ate it pretty quickly!

If I could rate beyond 5 stars, I would. Everything here was TOP NOTCH! The service, the food, & the pricing. My husband & I ordered several things between us, so we could try a little of what we both love. The hummus, dolmatas, babbagoonush & beef swarma were mouth watering & so delicious. The tabouli was the BEST I've ever tried. The owner, HanI, was friendly & accommodating when we asked for more pita bread, & took dessert to go. We're only in New Orleans a few more days, so we'll be back to Olive, for sure:) A MUST TRY for everyone in New Orleans.

Delicious, fresh food. Nice staff. Reasonable prices. This would be in my regular rotation if I lived in NOLA.

Is it crazy that the best Greek food I've had is here?? The gyros plate was perfect: tender meat, bright veggies, soft pita, and more than enough food for one person. I ended up taking half of it home with an extra side of hummus and pita, which was just delicious the next day!

This is a good place if you're looking for a break from the cajun style food prevalent in the French Quarter. It was just a short walk from our hotel in the French Quarter. My wife got the Vegetarian Plate and I ordered the Gyro Plate. Both had fresh ingredients and were flavorful and tasty. The plates had generous portions and came with a basket of warm pita bread. The restaurant was quiet when we stopped in. The owner at the counter was friendly and the service overall was very good overall. The restaurant was well-kept and clean. Prices were also similar to a fast food combo meal.

Food came out quickly and the waiter was very nice, attentive, and funny as well. It was a quiet place and well cooled during a hot day.

Excellent vegan options, both flavorful and unique. The service was very fast, perfectly priced and delicious--absolutely FANTASTIC!

Delicious food!! It was my second time here. Great platters and good appetizers. They are fast and friendly. Nice atmosphere for lunch or dinner. I will come back next time I am in New Orleans.

Great spot for lunch and the portions are massive! I ordered a falafel appetizer for the table and for my meal I ordered the Half and Half Shwarma platter. It was cooked and seasoned so well. Delicious hummus and homemade pita served as well. Service was very friendly and did not rush us through our meal. Place was clean and had some music on to set the mood. It was great, definitely would go back!

I discovered Olive during my Virgin Hotel stay. I needed a restaurant within walking distance that had good reviews. I ordered the lamb kabobs, hummus, and rice meal with a sweet tea. My food came out quickly with everything looking appealing. Originally, I was hesitant about the hummus due to the Yelp reviews but decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because it was very flavorful and exceeded my expectations. The pita for the hummus could have been better. It was lacking flavor and too hard for my liking. The lamb kabobs were tender and juicy and a nice accompaniment to the rice. I'm generally hesitant about trying sweet teas at restaurants since everyone's level of sweet is subjective. Olive does a good job when it comes to sweeting their tea. I didn't have to add more sugar or dilute it with ice because they went overboard. The tea was just right. I enjoyed my experience with Olive and will visit again during my next trip to NOLA.

Absolutely outstanding food: taste, quality and portion-wise. We had been craving Arabic cuisine and this restaurant delivered! We went for a very early dinner, had excellent service and a great meal. We highly recommend this restaurant as a must visit in New Orleans!

Great service!!! Food very flavorful and nicely plated. You won't be sorry to visit this NOLA establishment!!

First off I don't understand any of the bad reviews, especially the ones saying the hummus lacked flavor. The hummus here has so much flavor that it punched me in the mouth, stole my lunch money and came back with more flavor it bought with the money. I was staying nearby with my NOLA newbie partner, and we were looking for somewhere for lunch. A lot of nearby places were closed by the mid afternoon, and then this popped up when I searched for vegan options. It had a 4.8 on Google and 5 stars on here. I saw what type of food it was and we immediately walked over. It's not very clear whether it's table service or order at the counter for sit down or takeout, so we went to the counter. We looked at the menu for a couple minutes and then a guy came asking if we were doing dine in or takeout. We said dine in and he told us to sit wherever we wanted. I got an order of hummus and peppers and my partner got the shrimp plate. I tried the hummus with a fork first and the lemon flavor punched me in the mouth so hard, it hit me really fast. It was so smooth and creamy, my partner tried it and agreed. They tried their shrimp dish and the facial expression response said it all. I tried some of the veggies in the dish, and they were seasoned so so so well I added some to my hummus and made a little (very thin not thick like most is) pita pocket. I wasn't sure if the peppers were supposed to be sliced peppers or what, and honestly I was in such food heaven I forgot about that part until writing this. The combo of the cooked veggies and and hummus was a combo I wish was on the menu. Partners dish also came with a salad with a dressing on it I want to keep in my fridge. We both lost our minds over what we were eating, and I am not ashamed to say I licked the plate. I've been to Israel and I told the owner (?) who was our server that and how this was on par with hummus I had there. Turns out he's from there and as he spoke I heard his Israeli accent and it all made sense. He's been making it every morning for 10 years and it SHOWS. I wish TSA didn't count hummus as a cream/liquid (I've learned that the hard way) because I wanna bring it home with me. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are wonderful. I want to go back again and will definitely be bringing people here on my next trip.

Showed up during a busy evening rush. We didn't have to wait too long at all for a table or for our food. One man was running the whole dining room. He did it with a smile. He was very busy but kept his smile and sense of humor. The food was fantastic! We had Kufta, gyro plate, beef schwarma and chicken kabobs. Everything was so good. Highly recommend!!

We ordered the alert deputizer.Week salad and catfish platter and they're all of them.We're out of this world along with the dips were all fabulously delicious! Highly recommend the Kallak! The service with also very attentive, polite and welcoming! The restaurant is decorated with Olive oil bottles and Lebanese style plates.

I'm sorry to disagree with so many fellow Yelpers, but Olive is either having a bad day or folks here are not familiar with authentic Lebanese cuisine. The Gyro sandwich was wrapped in a flour tortilla instead of a pita, there were no tomatoes nor tzatziki that I was expecting, and the Gyro meat was scarce and poorly seasoned. Plus, I asked for Lebanese tea as part of my side and got artificially sweetened lemon tea from their machine. If you're a fan of authentic Lebanese, I'd recommend you keep looking.

A gem of a find near the SuperDome stadium. After a few days of decadent eating in New Orleans, it was a welcomed relief to have a grilled salad with gyro... The salad was light, refreshing and the gyro was one of the best I've tasted.... I got very much a neighborhood vibe from the restaurant and all the take out and doordash orders we saw go through the place. They have an extensive Mediterranean / Middle Eastern menu and we will definitely be back whenever we're back in New Orleans area... Service was good and on a Sunday night, the dining area was busy but not full. After a Saints victory, the area has a whole had a lot of family and revelers walking around the neighborhood...

We came here for dinner after a couple days of eating lots of heavy cajun food, and honestly this was easily one of our favorite meals in New Orleans. Prices are reasonable and portions are generous -- for a group of five, we shared an appetizer and four entrees (including a salad), and all left incredibly satisfied, with even a bit of leftovers. - FALAFEL (6 pieces): The falafel were crispy and still tasted fresh and not too dry/dense, with a mild kick from the spices - GRILLED SALAD ($11.99): Green salad topped with gyro. The salad was simple and fresh, and the gyro was tender and less greasy than other I've had - HALF AND HALF SHAWARMA ($15.99): A plate with our choice of chicken and beef shawarma, as well as default sides of hummus and salad - OLIVE COMBINATION KABAB ($19.99): This came with kufta, chicken kabab, beef kabab. The beef kabab was perhaps slightly dry but went well with the hummus and rice (which we swapped out the salad for) - GRILLED CATFISH PLATE ($14.99): Catfish covered in grilled veggies (carrots, squash, zucchini, onion). We got this one with hummus and baba ganuj The food also came with a generous basket of pita bread. It was the thin kind and nothing super special on its own, but a great vehicle for soaking up the dips and sauces and making mini wraps. The restaurant was mostly empty when we showed up at 7:30, but full by the time we left.

This place is a gem! While staying at the Intercontinental Hotel nearby, we loved the warm hospitality and delicious food at Olive. We are now regulars. Besides the deluxe appetizer platter, we recommend the blackened catfish, and healthy salads with different toppings such as chicken, beef, or gyro meat. The salad dressing takes three hours to make, according to the friendly proprietor--so tasty! The falafel sandwich is crispy goodness, the hummus is smooth and perfectly seasoned, the lentil soup is tasty, and the zatar bread boasts a delightful blend of spices. We recommend the mint tea (real mint leaves) and baklava to round out the meal. Also, the place is family-friendly and can accommodate groups, while doing a brisk take-out business. The ambiance is casual with music playing at a nice volume that allows for conversation. What makes Olive special is the guys who work so hard and really care about their customers. We can't wait to return, not just to try more items on their extensive menu, but also to enjoy their obvious pleasure in delighting us with memorable, mouthwatering meals.

Authentic food created with skill and love, excellent service and fair prices. Make sure you give it a try, for a quiet dine in experience or great take out.

I love the food and the service there. Everyone is always so nice and everything is always so fresh. I bring a lot of my friends here and eat here often . The ambiance is very warming and welcoming. 11/10 would recommend to anyone :)

Very solid place!! Got the combo chicken and beef shawarma, with salad and baba ganoush! Everything was perfectly flavorful and the meat was not dry. Loved the seasoning. The salad could have had less dressing on it, so if you prefer light dressing maybe just ask for it on the side. What a nice, refreshing meal and break from all the heavy cajun/southern food around. Great service, very friendly waiter.