Olivia's Bistro

From the moment we opened the doors, we were embraced with open arms and a warm welcome that took some of the anxiety from being in a new restaurant. The dim-lighting and contemporary artwork painted a picture of what was to come, and we were actually looking forward to the experience, considering it was an out-of-the-blue evening decision. Service was great! The appetizers were even better, and I definitely recommend the Mussels and Fries to start off with - great, powerful flavors that make the mouth salivate and desire for more. We were also offered bread with olive oil as we decided on what to get, and I do wish the slices of bread had been toasted - just for the extra taste profile, but that didn't deter us. Our entree, the Roasted Chicken, was good also - however, the appetizers were the HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT with their complex flavors while being simple dishes. As for the De Pasquele's Pizza we got - too many toppings which weighed down the pizza, and the thin crust didn't help, which caused the slices unmanageable with one-hand grab. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and am looking forward to visiting soon enough to try other dishes.

We really enjoyed our experience at Olivia’s! Went for my moms birthday and the waiter was more than accommodating. He even gave us a free dessert at the end of the meal for her birthday. We were also given several refills of bread. We had a delicious pasta dish, salmon, cod and the mussels as an appetizer. Several people have written that the flavor of the food isn’t great but I thought all of the dishes were well seasoned and had great mixes of food. For a newer restaurant, we really enjoyed, had great food and had a great time at dinner! Next time we will have to try the drinks.

Had a family Birthday celebration for my daughter’s 23rd . Atmosphere, service and food was outstanding! Shoutout to Desi, waiter Joe (FSC grad) and their entire team. We encourage all to go and enjoy !☘️ The O’Connell family

I don't usually appreciate salads, but there were 2 dishes to call out. Their Spring Mix salad was divine (apple, cucumber, Parmesan, cherry tomato) -- perfectly balanced array of fresh flavors with a sweet citrus dressing. And the Bolognese pasta dish was one of the best I've ever had -- the pasta was wonderfully al dente and the flavors were rich and well infused together, making it a really satisfying experience.

Came in on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was pretty packed. We didn't have reservations but luckily there were 2 bar seats available. Despite an event going on, on the other side of the bar, our server/ bartender was still very attentive. We ordered the Diavolo pizza to share and chicken parm pasta. We didn't say we were sharing the pasta, but they automatically plated 2 plates for us assuming we were sharing, which we were. Not many places would do that automatically. We appreciated this! Both orders were delicious. You can taste the grill / char on the pizza. Will be back to try their other pizzas and pastas

Recently moved to the area and this has quickly become our favorite local spot! Great atmosphere that’s simultaneously cozy and lively, an always-friendly staff, and pizzas that are mouthwateringly delicious (especially the polpette)!

Definitely a very good place to eat,I went on a Sunday afternoon my server was the bartender he was very nice , You definitely need to try the cocktails over here and the calamari salad it was awesome. They have gluten-free pizzas but takes 30 minutes to get it done

Excellent spot for dinner right in the heart of Nonantum (a Burrough of Newton). Went here for dinner with friends and had an overall excellent time. The food was amazing and the service was top notch. The restaurant space itself is also stunning and there is a really nice separate bar area. Highly recommend this spot!

This is an excellent Italian restaurant. Dishes are delicious and we've had great service every time. It tends to be crowded on weekends so I definitely recommend having a reservation. The ambiance is casual, it can be a bit noisy but definitely worth the experience as the menu is pretty flawless.

Went for dinner and it was delicious! They had a Panzanella salad special, which was yummy. Then, we split the margherita and the sausage pizzas! Soooo good! They have a great menu with many options, and their pasta looked delicious (many people next to us had it!) The staff were very kind and gave great recommendations for salads, drinks and food. The parking can be hard because it is on the street in nonantum, but after a few drive-bys, things usually open up! Only thing I wish is that there was more outdoor seating. Looking forward to returning again soon!

A Birthday Bash at Olivia's Bistro: Where Warmth Meets Culinary Wizardry! What a delightful soirée at Olivia's Bistro in Newton! A group of six of us descended upon this culinary haven to celebrate my husband's birthday, and oh boy, did they roll out the red carpet of warmth and flavor. From the get-go, the host showered us with warmth that could melt a snowman's heart. Our table was ready in a jiffy, making me wonder if they had a culinary TARDIS in the kitchen, magically expanding to accommodate hungry celebrators. Now, let's talk about the star of the evening - the food. We kicked off our culinary adventure with the Gnudi; those ricotta dumplings were like a symphony for the taste buds. Flavor explosion, check. Taste bud love, double-check. I might need a moment to reminisce about those little pockets of perfection. The Pork Tenderloin Al Forno? Cooked to perfection, it practically melted in our mouths like butter on a hot biscuit. The Chicken Milanese danced on our palates like a flavorful ballet, and the Squid Ink Pasta with Shrimp and Scallops was a "chef's kiss" moment - or should I say a chef's squid ink smudge? But it wasn't just the food that stole the show; it was the atmosphere. We felt like we stumbled upon a culinary family reunion. The staff didn't just serve us; they embraced us into the Olivia's Bistro family with open arms and genuine smiles. And let's talk about the grand finale - our handcrafted cake. Olivia's Bistro not only allowed us to bring in our masterpiece, but they celebrated it with us, adding the perfect sweet note to an already incredible evening. In summary, Olivia's Bistro isn't just a restaurant; it's a warm, flavorful embrace that turns dining into an experience. From the first hello to the last bite, it's a journey through a culinary wonderland. Consider us smitten and satiated. Bravo, Olivia's Bistro, bravo!

Nice variety of foods from carnivores to vegans. A nice local restaurant with excellent dishes and charm. Service superb!

Prices for the chicken parmesan and chicken milanese were outrageous compared to the tiny piece of chicken we were given. Very disappointed. The chicken was so small for both dishes that we left hungry. Never known an Italian restaurant to give such a small portion with an inflated price. Very disappointing.

We had a wonderful experience tonight! We were looking for a restaurant near Lasell university with gluten free options, and this was the perfect pick. From apps to dessert, we all loved it all. The truffle fries are amazing, as is the bruschetta. The gnocchi and bolognese were so, so delicious! Also, don't skip out on the affogato for dessert!

We have been here a bunch of times and the food is always delicious. The service is a little slow mostly cause they don't have a lot of staff. However, I'm pushy and can usually get my way and the attention of staff to assist me. We have sat at the bar and tables. They need to get better seats as they're not very comfortable to want to stay for a long time. The brick oven is great and the open kitchen is nice to see. This place is a little pricey so we kind of reserve it for a date night but everything and everywhere is pricey these days.

This place is great! We were looking for a nice place to meet family for dinner to catch up and this place did not disappoint! The atmosphere is warm, inviting, modern, and very clean, and the food was excellent! We sat in the dining room but the bar area was just as impressive. There were eight of us and every one of us said they would definitely recommend Olivia's Bistro! For appetizers, we got Gnudi, which are ricotta dumplings, corn passata, pangrattato, and melted leeks. So good! Mussels with garlic butter, parsley, white wine, lemon, and delicious crusty grilled bread. Really good! For the main courses, we got: Orecchiette with broccoli rabe, hot sausage, and pecorino, in a delicious garlic wine sauce. So good! Bolognese rigatoni with veal, beef, and pork. Really yummy! Chicken Milanese with fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, and grana. So good! Others got the grilled Halibut special with crispy green beans! So good! For dessert, we got: Olivia's Tiramisu with cocoa, coffee, and delicious mascarpone. Coppa Raspberries sponge cake with mascarpone cream, and pistachios Bombolini Italian doughnuts with chocolate and powdered sugar. Chef John Hanlon definitely knows what he's doing making delicious Italian modern food with amazing presentation! Check them out!

Went to Olivia's for the first time last week. I have to say, the food was delicious, the cocktails were great, and the atmosphere was warm and cool. Our server was friendly, helpful, and extremely attentive. In the center Nonantum, Olivia's has a rustic yet refined vibe. This neighborhood spot serves up an outstanding Chicken Parm - thin, crispy, and loaded with flavor. And they don't skimp on the robust sauce that more than cover the Parm and pasta. Overall, the entire experience from the time we walked in the door until we left was wonderful.

Second time visiting and it was as good as I recall! Had. the bolognese and the DePasquale pizza - both were very good. Good mix of pastas, Italian classics and pizza - there is something for everyone here. The desert menu looked wonderful and I would have been very happy with anything on it, but sadly we were too full to try anything. Next time! Staff was friendly and efficient. Will definitely return!

Have been to Olivia's multiple times over the last two years. Food is consistently amazing. Meatball pizza and pepperoni pizza are perfect both for eat in and takeout. Outdoor seating is next to a busy intersection, which isn't ideal. Staff is super friendly. They gave me and my wife a free treat because it was our anniversary. Can't wait to go back!

Wanted to love this place based on the reviews but was let down. Perhaps we ordered the wrong things so I am willing to give them another try. Joe, the bartender, was very good and we met the owner, Desmond, who was extremely nice and welcoming. We ordered a pizza and Chicken Parm. Pizza was average, not bad and not great. Chicken Parm was one fairly small chicken breast but my complaint isn't that it was too small my complaint is that I like my Chicken Parm thin and super crisp not soggy. Unfortunately, this was neither thin nor crispy. Restaurant had a very nice atmosphere and next time maybe we should try some of their homemade pastas.

Excellent food and service! We did sort of tapas style and ordered a bunch of things and they were all so good! Such a neighborhood gem!

Everything! Service, Food and Ambience The General Manager and bartender made me feel right at home. I'm new to the area

really love this place! been twice and good is great! Parking tough but once your inside you're In good hands!

While traveling, our family was looking for a nice gluten-free restaurant. This was fantastic. Casual, modern vibe, great service, separate GF menu, dedicated GF fryer, and excellent food. Loved the Truffle Fries with aioli, Baby Kale salad with pears, taleggio, & candied nuts, and Braised Pork with risotto and spicy green beans. My local non-celiac friend who met us there said this is now one of her go-to restaurants. Make a reservation. It's pretty popular.

Yummie thoughtful food. Came for dinner but we also threw a baby shower here on another occasion!

Came in on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was pretty packed. We didn't have reservations but luckily there were 2 bar seats available. Despite an event going on, on the other side of the bar, our server/ bartender was still very attentive. We ordered the Diavolo pizza to share and chicken parm pasta. We didn't say we were sharing the pasta, but they automatically plated 2 plates for us assuming we were sharing, which we were. Not many places would do that automatically. We appreciated this! Both orders were delicious. You can taste the grill / char on the pizza. Will be back to try their other pizzas and pastas

This place is so cute. It surprised me with how good it was. I had only heard of it recently but now we're looking forward to going back. My boyfriend got a special that was essentially a pesto pasta which he added chicken to. I got the tagliatelle with foraged mushrooms, truffle crema and fresh herbs. It was delicious and very al denté. The truffle flavor was very forward but not overpowering. I'm looking forward to trying more of their menu next time.

Great food! We enjoyed Olivia's Board, a fantastic Caesar Salad, and the burrata. Just make sure you make a reservation. We got there early and though tables were empty, they were booked with reservations, so make sure to make a reservation! We lucked out with getting two seats at the bar and the bartender was great. Service was fast. Atmosphere was nice, pretty restaurant.

Only second time here but if consistency is key for a restaurant, they nailed it. Got the bolognese again and one of the best if not the best I've had.

Excellent caesar salad. Bolognese was the best I ever had. Chicken Parmesan was very good! Disappointed with the service.

Everything about this restaurant was truly 5 star - food, service, ambiance loved it all. Our new fav place for Italian cuisine without feeling the need to go North End. Our server was very attentive and friendly! So was the manager (owner?)

Came here with a friend to celebrate my birthday and the food is really good here! We started with the garlic mussels for appetizer. shared 2 pasta dishes (mushroom pasta and seafood pasta) and had the key lime cheesecake. Everything was really good and I would definitely come again for a special occasion.

Food was good. Ordered online and realized after I was charged more. Contacted the online ordering company and was told the menu prices (priced higher than the menu shown on restaurant site) are provided by the shop. I understand a small fee for the online ordering but the food items should be priced the same. Wish I had noticed or it said on the site that prices were higher for online ordering. I could have just called and saved $ on an already high priced menu. Something doesn't sit right with me. If ordering food call to place an order instead of using online ordering.

Just ate at Olivia's, very nice At a baby christening staff was very accadominating great appetizers and salmon w/pesto Good meal. Pizza good stuff Have not been in the place for 40 years, when it was The Adam's Place. The owner is doing a good job. Worth a try ! D. Colantonio

My fiance and I visited Olivia's for the first time this evening for her birthday. And we both had AMAZING meals. This was honestly one of the best experiences I have had in a restaurant in a very long time. Now for the good stuff The complimentary bread and olive oil was absolutely delishes. So right off the bat we knew, we were in for treat. Next out was our appetizer, which was the meatballs. These were hands down the best meatballs I have ever had. They were light, juicy, and full of flavor. The sauce that it came in was also exceptional. You can really tell, everything was homemade. I had the strip steak with truffle fries and carrots. The steaK was cooked PERFECTLY, and the carrots and truffle fries both were on point. She had the chicken parm. The sauce again was PERFECT, chicken was crispy and still juicy, and the pasta was cooked just right. I can't believe we hadn't come to this amazing establishment before. Honestly, probably the best meal you will get in Newton, and would be worth a drive if coming from elsewhere.

Dined here recently and this restaurant is special! Food, service, ambiance are all outstanding. Make a reservation they sell out.

Great mussels! Super service. Really busy... make sure you have a reservation before you rock up! i hosted my special friend's birthday dinner there and they came out with a candle in the flan.. which was perfect!!! Love this place!

I cant believe I hadn't reviewed Olivia's yet. We've been going here for a few years as a date night or with family. The food has always been excellent. We enjoy the Caesar salad, De Pasquales Pizza, Cheese board and many other items on the menu. The Super Tuscan wine is great. Service has always been good as well. We'll keep returning!

Excellent cuisine, service spot on and the ambiance, c'est si bon! Go and enjoy, you won't be disappointed!

This place has my whole heart. My husband and I go here or order takeout from here all the time because he has celiac disease and this restaurant has an entire gluten free menu. He says it's the best gluten free pasta he has ever had! The regular menu is great as well. Always hits the spot and the drinks are quite good as well. We love Olivia's!

Food and service were great. Sitting by the window and watching the world go by was nice. On an warm afternoon I would recommend the outdoor seating. They get very busy and don't take reservations but the tables move quickly.

Haven't been in awhile. Food was good but tables were too close & noise level was too loud.

You can easily drive by this place if you're not looking for it. Olivia's Bistro is a trendy looking, modern Italian place in Newton area. I'm not sure how long it has been there, because I just recently found out about it. PROS: Spacious interior with exposed brick and big windows. Great options for cocktails and a modest beer list. Food is mainly Italian themed, but I can't say my penne was homemade. The mussels appetizer was probably my favorite. Steak frites was nicely prepared and tender. Waitstaff was so polite and nice. CONS: Street parking. For an Italian spot, I'd like to see more homemade pasta specials. I think this place could benefit from some fresh specialty ravioli. It's not hard to make hand made pasta and if you're an Italian place, you don't want to become another Olive Garden variety spot. The chicken parm was mediocre at best. I'd probably order something else next time. OVERALL: I'll be back for sure. This place is a hidden gem in the area, and looks like something you'd see in Back Bay, which is really nice to have in suburbia.

This place is walking distance to my apartment in Watertown, and we know we will be back! We came at 6:00pm on a Sunday evening, and it was perfect. The restaurant itself is lovely. My fiance and I both ordered cocktails, which were delicious. We split the mussels, which were fantastic. We both were about the drink the broth, as it was so delicious. He ordered a pizza, and I ordered the mushroom pasta, which were both fantastic. The server was friendly, informative, and we will definitely be back!

Great food, good service. The chicken Parm was really good and I would get it again. It has a nice atmosphere too!

First visit and most certainly not our last! Fabulous dishes! We ordered 'side' dishes as appetizers and they were shareable portions and soo good! (Truffle risotto, gourmet roasted carrots, brussel sprouts, kale salad). The entrees even better! I was trying to be polite and eat with manners but it was difficult because every bite made me want more and more! I kept the groaning to a minimum, too! Our table ordered the Swordfish and butternut squash ravioli dinner specials, Depasquales pizza, and Tagliatelle. You could not go wrong! Bravo, chef! And thank you for a wonderful dinner service!!

Everything tasted sooooo delicious, friendly and efficient service, great interior design. Highly recommend it!

Hands down the BEST service and food I've ever received. My husband and I always go to Firoella's for Italian food, but we were intrigued by the great reviews here and we were absolutely blown away!!! We arrived with no reservation and because the bar was full the manager came over to let us know the status of the next available seats at the bar. We were seated at the bar within 5 minutes because of the quick service and enjoyed the most amazing meal. We split the De Pasquele's Pizza for an app, I had Chicken Parmesan for my main course and my husband had steak with truffle fries. All of the food was incredible, but the service is what made the experience one to remember. This is definitely our new favorite spot, highly recommend!

What a great little gem in the Nonantum area of Newton. Everything tastes exactly how it should. Started with the meatballs which were hearty and flavorful. The red sauce is rich but not heavy. The agnolotti definitely jumps out on the menu amidst a good selection of pastas and man was it amazing. The balance of the dish with duck, cherries and brown butter is so memorable and keeps you going back for more. The chicken parmigiana is also spectacular. It is the perfect portion of chicken with penne and more of their delicious red sauce. Prices are reasonable and service was phenomenal. Our server Thomas made great recommendations and I can't wait to go back to Olivia's.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt as I was dining solo and only tried one dish. I had the gnuddi which are typically feather light small ricotta dumplings. When my dish arrived, I thought it was a mistake. The gnuddi were the size of large meatballs. They were also super dense, like they had made a biscuit dough and then used ricotta to bind it. Starchy, heavy, and if you come here, do try something else. On the plus side, nice atmosphere. Cute outside area. Hoping that I just ordered wrong and that the rest of the food is awesome per the other reviews.

Amazing! Great staff and great food! My favorites are the mushroom pizza and chicken parm! Cocktails are amazing too! So accommodating too for including the same menus for people who are vegan and/or gluten free!

Great neighborhood gem in Newton. The service is very friendly and attentive. The food is top notch. January came with a special where you get a free order of bruschetta app if you order 2 entrees. The bruschetta was well seasoned (albeit it was a bit cold). The squid ink pasta tasted very briney (my gf didn't like it, but this is exactly what i imagined legit squid ink pasta to taste like). The steak frites was a good portion. We ended up sharing a dessert of affogato & honey cake. The honey cake reminded me of golden grahams, and the affogato is a great combination of vanilla gelato and espresso. Def willing to come back.

The hubby and I had the best dinner date at Olivia's! The food tasted fresh and was full of flavor. Each option sounded so savory that it was hard to pick. We opted for the mussels (the sauce!!), the Margherita pizza (again the sauce!!) and the Nero linguini (spicy just enough, melt in your mouth). The drinks were innovative and had just the right kick to them. Our favorite was Lavender Lemonade. And the service? Superb! Super friendly and welcoming. The hostess, manager and waiter, all had a calm and loving demeanor. Def adding to our favorites!

We enjoyed our first visit. Service was good, as was the spacious interior so we didn't feel unsafe. The food was very good, with the exception of the bread which was cold, hard, and lacked flavor. Also the meatballs that some reviewers raved about was not remarkable, and the multi color carrots served with the steak were undercooked. Apps mussels and bruschetta were delicious. We had the strip steak with truffle fries, the tagliatelle with foraged mushrooms, bolognese with a side of meatballs.

An Italian restaurant in Newton run by a couple of Irish guys? What could possibly go wrong? Nothing in this case. The food is fantastic, killer drinks, super professional staff, warm friendly atmosphere. The place is hopping pretty much every night of the week except Monday when they're closed. Reservations recommended or get there early. For an appetizer, order of the meatballs. Thank me later.

Went for the first time last week. Fabulous! Can't believe we hadn't been before. We shared gnudi for the first time. Delicious. Then shared the gnocchi with short rib. Delicate, pillowy gnocchi-just as it should be. Friends had the pork tenderloin and rigatoni special. All were fantastic. Staff were extremely friendly and waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Couldn't be more pleased.

Vegans and vegetarians: they offer a special "Vegan" menu which has vegetarian options not available on their main menu. If you have dietary concerns, plan to obtain a copy of this menu when you are seated. However, the vegan menu has some cheese references while omitting other cheese references, so I do not know if it is strictly vegan or a liberal use of an hip word compared to 'vegetarian'. I started with a cinnamon toast martini, which was delicious. It was based on rum chats with fireball whisky and was garnished with cinnamon which made for a spectacularly smooth drink. The waitress was unable to hand me the drink directly. So, it was handed to my stepmother to daisy chain to my father and then to me. Assuming a tax would be paid on the booze regardless, I invited the handlers thereof to sample it on the way. For an appetizer, I ordered a vegan arugula salad. This was good but the concentration of the vinegar-based dressing with nothing to dilute it was too strong for me. I'd recommend going light on the dressing or adding it to the side. I wound up dicing up some bread into mock croutons to help absorb the sourness of the dressing. For an entrée, I ordered the vegan parmigiana. They made an utterly delicious dish out of an ordinary "Beyond" burger. They took the patty, breaded and fried it, then melted some mozzarella cheese on it. I don't know if this was a vegan cheese substitute or not. Then, it was served over penne with a flavorful marinara sauce. For dessert, I wowed our table guests by ordering an affogato. They poured a shot of espresso over a smooth, delicious scoop of vanilla gelato. An amaretto cookie was wedged into the assembly and it was a spectacular touch to the end of the meal. They served a spectacular meal and is someplace I look forward to dining at the next time I pass through town.

I AM SO MAD THAT THIS PLACE HAS BEEN OPEN FOR TWO YEARS ANNA I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT!!!! We had what can only be called the perfect Sunday night dinner. The place is warmly decorated and spacious but intimate. The folks who work there treat you like they've been looking forward to you showing up all day. They take reservations. The food: we shared the romaine, very refreshing. I was so pleasantly surprised that they split it into two perfectly sized plates without us asking. We also shared the caccio e pepe and the gnocchi- both delicious, very different, so can't tell you my favorite. The portions are perfectly sized. We went for the red wine (the Chianti was excellent) and we'll definitely be back for the pizza and cocktails and mussels. See you next Sunday.