Olla Cocina

Beautiful restaurant and service was fantastic! Popped in for dinner- had the fried calamari and homemade salsa & chips- yum- have never had friend lemon so good and the peppers!! We split the street corn and beef birria tacos. Would definitely go again - just make sure to bring your appetite!!

Hey everyone! Just had an incredible dining experience at this restaurant and had to share! Let me break it down for you: the Camarones a la Diabla were seriously spicy, but the taste was out of this world, and the presentation was on point. Plus, the portion size was just right, so you'll definitely leave satisfied. And the Street Corn? Oh my goodness, not only was it delicious, but the presentation was also Instagram-worthy! Perfectly grilled and topped with all the fixings. Now, onto the drinks—the Sangria was yum, but watch out, it packs a punch! And the Chicha Morada? Absolutely delicious and served in such a charming way. Oh, and did I mention the ambience? It's top-notch, and they've got great music playing too! Overall, a fantastic dining experience with flavorful dishes, strong drinks, and food that looks as good as it tastes. You've gotta check this place out!

Situated in San Pedro Square, this restaurant boasts delightful interiors and a charming atmosphere. Visiting on a Sunday night meant the place was relatively quiet, allowing us to secure a side hall for ourselves, which was perfect as we were accompanied by kids. There were few vegetarian main course options. Enchilada was good and so was the kid size burrito. Ordered a carafe of Classic Margarita which I recommend. It was worth and gives about 4 glasses.

Great food but cold, Great atmosphere, My waiter spent more time talking to co workers then giving me service. Im a great tiper but he got nothing he was that bad

The place is absolutely gorgeous! The staff is also quite nice, apart from that, the food is... fine at best. We ordered the following: .Blistered Shishito Peppers: Underwhelming. They were ok, nothing special. I would've liked them more if they weren't as soggy. .Chicken Mole Enchiladas: While the plate looked very authentic I was underwhelmed. The tortillas were too thick and not tasty at all, while the chicken was not to my liking. It wasn't seasoned properly and overall didn't taste good, not separately not as a whole dish. I wouldn't recommend this if you're looking for good Mexican cuisine. As for the mole, I think it was a nice effort, but I think the Doña María from the supermarket is superior in every way. .Shrimp tacos: They were ok, nothing special. Wouldn't order again if I were to come back. If you're looking for a cute place I would stop by for a drink maybe, but I'd skip it if you're looking for delicious Mexican food.

The tortilla chips are oily and thick. The waiter is excellent and always around the table.

Came by to Olla in a big group and we ended up sitting outside. Order first and staff will bring the food out to you. I ended up getting a steak burrito for myself. Super wide burrito. Wish the meat quality was a bit better. Also had chips and guac and calamari to share. Both were tasty. Staff mixed up our orders a lot...but its reasonable since our party is big. The order first and take a number system is one of my least favorites since staff can be aimlessly wandering to drop food off, and might get it wrong. At the time we went, traffic was blocked off. You can park on the street or nearby garages.

The place looks great! The staff was a bit slow but nice. The food was delicious and fresh. Big portions. Tasty cocktails. Prices are OK

TL;DR: Come here if you're looking to enjoy a classy night of good food that's bound to please everyone. Skip out on the Birria and order the Chile Relleno if you're looking for something filling yet refreshing. Otherwise, be forewarned you will be charged an extra 5% to account for the employee's "living wage"-- a charge that is added pre-tip. parking: - Even though I arrived here on a Friday evening, we had no trouble finding free street parking about a 5-minute walk away. wait time: - zero wait time as the location was big enough to accommodate several parties at the same time. ambiance: - There is a beautiful outdoor eating area that is perfect for enjoying San Jose's usual cool weather. The indoor area is just as nice with it's modern and classy high-ceiling concept. service: - fast and thoughtful. food: [Worth It] - Polanco Poloma Alcoholic Drink: Perfectly sweetened with the right amount of alcohol to get a small buzz if you're a tiny adult :) - Chips & Salsa: Freshly made chips and salsa. The chips were a bit oily and hard for my taste but if you don't mind that, then you'll love it! - Chile Relleno: Shocking this dish was the BEST thing I had here. Even though it came with rice and lots of heavy sauce, it left a surprisingly refreshing aftertaste. If I wasn't already full with everything else I ordered, I would've eaten the entire plate! [Not Worth It] - Quesabirria with Consume: I've tasted birria before and this was not it. If anything, this was a diluted and sad version of the real thing :( restroom: - Extremely clean and modern with a hint of gold and brass accents littered throughout the stalls.

Very cute place! Though, I will note that you probably go here more for the environment than the food. I ordered the Mole Poblano Tamales and the portion size was on the smaller side. I also ordered the stone beer which was refreshing and had a salted rim. The service was okay, nothing special. Friendly ish but didn't do anything extra that would make you say they were super great.

Stopped by for a quick bite before a meeting. The staff was friendly, and the restaurant is pretty open for larger groups (we had 8 in ours). I had the Pablano Caesar Salad and added some chicken. The salad was a nice size, and they were pretty generous with the chicken (kinda surprising, honestly). My ding here comes from the inability to split group tickets. Our waiter mentioned he wasn't able to split the ticket beyond two separate tickets. We used Apple Pay, but were surprised to find we weren't able to pay a certain amount through the restaurant's pay service. It may be a part of their settings to ensure they receive payment. If I were in a management position, I would consider tickets to be separated beyond two tickets, or allowing customers to pay separately using their digital payment service. This may improve the group dining experience, overall.

I've passed by this place many times and finally got to try it. The restaurant is beautiful and there's lots of indoor and outdoor seating. I thought the ceviche was decently good and there was a generous amount of avocado. The Swiss chard enchiladas were delicious. I thought the enchilada filling was unique and I could eat a lot of it. I would definitely order this again. Overall I had a lovely experience here and it's a perfect place for a date night or a cute spot to bring friends!

Been here before and loved it. Came by again on a Friday after checking their web page, parked in DT San Jose which is not easy and then walked to the restaurant to find out they were closed for a private party. Not Cool. If I had not checked your site then my bad. I suppose I could have called and done a double check But your web site should be up to date. Very disappointing and cost us time we did not have.

I visited Olla Cocina on Sunday prior to attending an event at SAP. I had looked at the reviews and was excited for my meal. I'll start with the best part of the meal: the salsa, guacamole and chips and the street corn. Sadly that's where it ends. We ordered the ceviche and it was bland. No amount of lime and salsa could salvage it. The mole enchiladas and tamales were disappointing due to the taste of the mole. It didn't taste fresh or even have a good taste. The fish tacos were mediocre and I don't know if it's due to the cold tortilla that they came on. We did get a couple of cocktails and they were so sweet that it made them not enjoyable. Service was ok. There was a delay in getting our food and our server was letting us know. The restaurant was busy and I'm glad that I had made a reservation.

Perfect spot for a nice warm sunny day in SJ. In the heart of San Pedro square Olla has both indoor and outdoor seating. The service was great and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The margaritas were very fresh, it felt as if they had just pick the limes off the tree. Loved the fresh chips and guacamole, and believe me, you can mess up chips & guacamole. Wasn't all that impressed w/ their birria taco but on the other hand the fish tacos were on point. There is also a weekday happy hour menu, perfect for when you get off work:)

We went here on a Tuesday during lunch and were seated upon entering. Food came out fast and staff was friendly. We got the Chips/guacamole and the corn as our appetizers. The chips are crunchy and fresh. Just standard chips. The corn was also good, dipped it in the chips. We got birria tacos and tamales as well as pozole. Birria meat was super juicy and tender. It came with 2 tacos. The pozole was tangy, salty, and savoury. It had chunks of meat and fried tortilla strips. I enjoyed my visit and will come back!

Food was so good! Pricing was not as bad as I thought it would be. Cozy vibes that make my gringa friends happy.waiters were super attentive. The dessert wasn't my favorite but the overall experience was still a 5/5. One of the biggest factors in most of my reviews of restaurants heavily depends on my experience in the bathroom. If I go to a restaurant and I see they don't have any soap in their dispensers it raises questions in me of their cleanliness. That was not the case in this restaurant. Their bathroom was immaculate and fully stocked. I felt comfortable using their restroom and going back to eating after washing my hands. I will definitely be going back with more of my friends. Beautiful and clean

Was really excited to try this place and it was a general disappointment. Not a busy lunch hour at all and I was eating solo. After being seated for ten min I had to find someone to take my order nobody ever came to the table. The margarita tasted like mezcal even tho it wasn't listed to have it in it. Food was overpriced and the fish taco was more like a cabbage and avocado taco with a bite of fish. I looked around at other tables food walking out and all the portions are tiny and nothing remarkable. Pretty bummed at the whole overall experience.

Such an amazing location in San Pedro Square, perfect spot to come to on the weekend! The ambiance was wonderful, they had beautiful decor! The bar area was nice and they had plenty of delicious cocktails to choose from. The Yucatán cocktail was amazing!

I was very skeptical and was pleasantly surprised as to how authentic the different dishes were. The service was excellent and we ate outside since we had our dog with us. The waitress had someone bring him a bowl of water. We love to people watch and it was a quiet Monday evening so sitting outdoors creates a great ambiance. We started with the guac and chips. The salsa that comes with it stole the show! Not Spicey but very flavorful. We ordered the mole enchiladas, enchiladas suiza, and mole tamales. The tortillas for the enchiladas were handmade corn tortillas and had a great flavor. The churros were good and the flan was ok. The fresh whip cream that came with it was a bust. It literally tasted like dirt. Other than dessert the dinner was excellent!

The food was super flavorful. My group also ordered the chips with guacamole and salsa. (Not picture) my group all loved their dishes which were hot and well seasoned. I also ordered a prickly pear margarita. The flavor was sweet , but not too sweet. My group also loved the ambiance, was quite loud at time but bearable. Went on a busy Saturday, but got seating for a table of 6 right away. Our waiter was super helpful and patient. Was very attentive to my party and answered all the questions we had regarding drinks and the menu.

Came by for a private event the other night and it was a decent experience. Olla has both indoor and outdoor dining options. Despite being a private event with a buffet table, I was impressed and surprised that we have uniformed waitstaff that would come by our table to take drink orders. Staff was also on hand to take away used plates, impressive. The buffet itself was quite impressive, including NY steak that was served medium, salmon that was medium, guacamole, tacos, bacon wrapped shrimp, along with ceviche. Despite being a buffet, the food quality was good and fresh batches were constantly brought out from the kitchen. The toilets were decent as well, although a touch tired.

Olla Cocina delivered a dining experience marked by flawless service and enchanting decor. The restaurant's aesthetic, both indoors and outdoors, is well designed and easy to find. However, navigating parking can be a challenge as the establishment is situated on a pedestrian-only street - consider street parking or the nearby garage. The menu at Olla Cocina is short and sweet, featuring a variety of flavors. While the shrimp tacos pleasantly surprised with a light fry, the birria taco disappointed, lacking moisture and proper seasoning. The shishito peppers, however, stood out. It's important to note that chips and salsa come at an extra cost, but a small side of guacamole is included. Despite the occasional inconsistency in dishes, the overall ambiance was tranquil with a modest crowd, potentially influenced by the NYE weekend. For those seeking a margarita experience and open to an unconventional twist on tacos, Olla Cocina is worth exploring.

This spot is gorgeous and fantastic spot for large groups. I have been here over two years ago and the aesthetic upgraded a ton for a more Spanish feel. It's a beautiful spot, and great for photos of your party. Our server was great and kept accommodating our group of ladies rather quickly. The fish tacos were pretty good. The tortillas and the guacamole were my favorite part. The Birria and chicken didn't look to grand. I would say this is a great spot for appetizers and drinks.

Overall really enjoyed the food here! Everything was delicious and I was impressed with the chicha morada mocktail. Pleasant ambience inside as well - a great place for an easy happy hour or lunch meal. I will say it's a little on the pricier side, but it is comparable to other restaurants in the area and competitive with its neighbors. I have a soft spot in my heart for birria tacos (the ones with the consomme) so the fact that they offer than here makes me super happy! No complaints about service either. I'm looking forward to coming back sometime.

camarones a la diabla were perfect level of spice!! expect some heat!!! elote also bomb! quick service! thanks brandon! very aesthetic and spacious restaurant!! located in the heart of san pedro so it's a nice walk to other bars etc

Situated in San Pedro Square, this restaurant boasts delightful interiors and a charming atmosphere. Visiting on a Sunday night meant the place was relatively quiet, allowing us to secure a side hall for ourselves, which was perfect as we were accompanied by kids. There were few vegetarian main course options. Enchilada was good and so was the kid size burrito. Ordered a carafe of Classic Margarita which I recommend. It was worth and gives about 4 glasses.

Cool spot chips are fresh and crispy. The place is clean and open/spacious, got here about 5. San Pedro square was pretty busy, but was able to be seated right away with a party of 4. Here are some notables: Barria tacos are missing something. They aren't bad at all, just needs something. Maybe if it was served with the "au jus" you typically get with Barilla. Shrimp tacos are cooked perfectly. They are breaded, but not greasy. Calamari hard shishito peppers and fried lemon slices, once again cooked to perfection. Whoever is on the fryer tonight is on point. Beans held their own: it tasted "fresh" like not too heavy w lard, almost refreshing. They had a really good taste with the cheese mixed in Service is very fast. Order and got good in what felt like 2 mins. We barely broke Into the calamari and the main courses came out. Fun fact( the tacos come in an order of 2, but the waiter asked it if I wanted 3. This was perfect being that my wife and I got to share and I didn't hork down all her food:

They are good at presentation of the food. The ambiance is picture perfect in all areas. And the service is the best!!!! They really make sure to make care of you and leave feeling satisfied. Love this food highly recommend!!!!

What a lovely place in San Pedro Square! We live in SF and decided to drop in for dinner just as we were taking a little trip to South Bay. The ambiance is beautiful and has nice wooden touches which really elevated the experience. Service was very quick and attentive and we were able to sit down, get drinks, food and pay the bill within an hour and 10. Given, we did go on a Sunday night around 730pm after Halloweekend. Taco salad was HUGE for its price and have a great lunch for the next day! Prices are extremely fair and if we ever come back to SJ, we would definitely come back here.

Great Mexican spot in San Pedro Square! The Spicy Margarita had such a nice flavor with a nice kick to it. The chips and salsa/guacamole were pretty good, the salsa is on the spicier side. The enchiladas were pretty flavorful. Our server was very nice and had great service. The ambiance is nice, the music is on the louder side but the restaurant has a great vibe.

Adding another review for Olla! Sat at the bar tonight for dinner and Brianna took care of me. She said she's a newbie but I couldn't tell even on a busy Friday night! Met the manager, Guy, tonight. He was hustling just as much as the rest of the crew which is always nice to see. Ordered the usual shrimp burrito and prickly pear margarita. Never disappoints.

Lively spot in Downtown San Jose with all the music from the street and people walking around. Service was great as they were attentive given how busy they were. Started with nachos and a few drinks. Nachos were crispy, and the salsas were made fresh with the right amount of kick. The drinks were too strong, and some of the drinks didn't have salt around the rim. However, tacos were delicious as the meat was cooked well, and tortillas had the right texture as well as crisp, which made up for the drinks.

I've been to San Jose many of times but decided to try Olla on cinco de Mayo. Great vibes. Our server was so nice and helpful with the menu, I just don't remember his name. But i must rave about the Poblano Caesar salad (w shrimp) omg it's delicious and a must try!!!!!

We came to Olla Concina with a group of 8 adults and 2 kids. It was Mexican Independence Day, so we wanted to celebrate by having some Mexican food. Olla Cocina is dog friendly inside and out, so our two pups were able to join as well. Everyone was pretty happy with their meals. I had the pozole, and it was probably some of the best pozole that I've had. I tried the ceviche which was so good as well. Definitely recommend!

Came by to Olla in a big group and we ended up sitting outside. Order first and staff will bring the food out to you. I ended up getting a steak burrito for myself. Super wide burrito. Wish the meat quality was a bit better. Also had chips and guac and calamari to share. Both were tasty. Staff mixed up our orders a lot...but its reasonable since our party is big. The order first and take a number system is one of my least favorites since staff can be aimlessly wandering to drop food off, and might get it wrong. At the time we went, traffic was blocked off. You can park on the street or nearby garages.

Rainy slow day food was good, but not excellent. Ambience is modern Mexican barrio style? Not sure too many design elements no theme. Servers walk around with stern faces, no smiles, not friendly, but professional. Ordered carne asada it was very chewy to the point all the meat was stuck in my teeth (carry floss)! Homemade tortillas, guacamole, chips was the highlight. The churros (do not order) they are barely any masa and all sugar Too much sugar! Birria tacos were very good. In all would have rated higher if better service provided. You don't upscale your restaurant by being snobbish NOT Mexican way. Hay que ser más amables y está carrito el precio de la comida.

Delicious and great ambiance. I went back three days later and had the mole after the fish tacos the first time.

I've ordered Door Dash from here a handful of times and Olla has totally missed items and gave me something completely different, each time. DoorDash offers little refund, but when I call Olla to tell them and it's loud in the restaurant, they give up on trying to hear me and hang up. Screw this place.

Located in San Pedro Square, the area is quite bustling. There's quite a bit of noise with the loud music and the large amount of people talking. Our server was really energetic and funny. Great job on his part for making our dining experience enjoyable. Pollo con mole (5/5): it really hit the spot on this one. The chicken was tender and came clean off the bone. As for the rest of the meal, I was dead silent devouring it. The refried beans were so delicious. The cheese topping was perfect with them. Olla is a great place for some delicious food. I would definitely come back here. The service is pretty good, and the food is even better. The interior decor really sets the vibe.

Cute spot in downtown San Jose! It was a rather warm day when I stopped by but it felt like they had AC running, so it wasn't too warm inside (unlike some of the other spots on this strip). The spicy margarita wasn't spicy at all so I'm not sure if I would order that again. It was slightly disappointing but the overall margarita was good. The carne asada was also good and the meat was cooked well. The dish needed a bit of salt but other than that all the flavors went together perfectly and the tortillas were the perfect texture!

Came here New Year's Eve for lunch and it was a nice experience with a quiet place! The food tasted good with a few veggie options! The service was nice and speedy as well! We got the chips and guac to share and they were a good starter and I got the fried avocado tacos which were delicious! The interior is very nice and pleasing to the eye! Will be coming back sometime!

Maybe a 2.5. The staff is nice enough, but service is slow and the food is meh. We got guacamole, salsa and chips and ran out of chips (still had half our guac) while waiting for our 5 entrees. Margarita glasses were empty. Waiter missed a golden opportunity to sell more drinks by not checking on us. Two entrees arrived and we were finally able to get more chips. The other 3 entrees arrived 10 minutes later. Street corn was delicious. Refried beans and rice were the best tasting parts of our entrees but were COLD. Enchiladas Suiza sauce was overly limey and not creamy at all, and the chicken was not tasty. Beef Birria Tacos were disappointing. You can find better enchiladas, tacos & birria elsewhere.

Really good food. Happy hour bargains include drinks but also tacos, chips/guac and quesadillas. Friendly service and reasonable prices.

Mixed bag but I'd definitely come again. Service was attentive if you caught their attention but often flagging down a cab could've been faster despite the number of staff passing by without a glance. Meeting some colleagues for Happy Hour before 6, the Ceviche Tostada was great and I should've ordered a few especially at the HH price! The fried battered fish in taco was good but lacked the ceviche wow factor that I even left a bite or two after eating the fish. Needed more of a flavor punch. Hence double down on ceviche next time! Drinks is probably what folks come for here. The spicy marg was good. But the somewhat sweeter drink I ordered first, Le Quebradora was even better and quenching. But notice that the HH prices applied for a pitcher and not the glass, so keep that in mind if you're thinking 1/2 off drinks. Enjoy!

We were going through the San Pedro market and git attracted to the ambiance and plenty of seating options. The restaurant is well designed with the Hacienda style interiors. We ordered Ceviche, Fish tacos and churros. Ceviche is not bad we felt like they could have add more lemon. The ceviche also had Guacamole which added more creamy texture and it is good for eating with nachos as a dip. Fish tacos are horrible, the fish fried in the batter was very oily and under seasoned. I also felt the fish little under cooked. I literally left the fish and had the tortillas. Corn tortillas are good and they are definitely not store bought. Churros are ok, I felt it bit chewy and the dough is not cooked tough. They could have made it more crispier. No complaints on the service, it was fast and gave us suggestions, we cannot blame them for the taste.

If I had to describe this place in one word, it would be "alright." The margaritas in the pitcher feel like a good deal, but they seem to be watered down a bit. Food is okay. I will say that the location is super convenient and the decor is super cute. The service is usually friendly, but I wouldn't go there when they are busy. That being said, friends and I still go there because of the convenient location, but I never crave it.

The location is very cute and welcoming. Everyone is very kind and attentive, our waiter was great. The drinks were very good as well! However, I'd say the food was very bland. Everything needed salt or some kind of flavor. I had to add hot sauce to my pozole, tacos and salsa for some kind of flavor. The tacos were very soggy and the chips and salsa were bland. It was disappointing.

Server was extremely rude and had no customer service at all, when I asked for a off menu drink she looked at me like I was a crazy person. The food was alright but not worth the price tag. Definitely won't be coming back

The food and drinks here are so good! The Sangria and Margarita pitchers are delicious and good for a group. The enchiladas are so good and the calamari is nice and light, as well as the sauce that comes with it. The beans are soo flavorful and delicious. I love the ambiance here: the inside is nicely decorated and the restaurant is open to be able to people-watch. The service is pretty quick and the staff is nice. A big group can easily be accommodated and quickly served.

Came here to celebrate a friend's bridal shower. The food and service was great! As soon as I and the host walked in, Matthew greeted us and asked us if needed any help. He was very attentive to our needs and made sure everything was in place prior to the guests arriving. Once the guests arrived, Matthew and his team immediately greeted them with a glass of mimosa and escorted them to the table. Each guest was very impressed with the food, the layout, and service. We even had enough to take home for the next day! The chicken was very tender and the beef birria was very tasty. The guacamole was yummy and so were the homemade chips and tortillas! Highly recommend for a a celebration or just a casual meal. You will not be disappointed!

The nachos and the flan have to be on your table when you visit this bright and modern Mexican restaurant. The vibe is open air and relaxing. Our server was very accommodating by bringing taste testers of flavored spritzers since we had never tried them.

Came here for my birthday dinner and had such a great experience! The customer service was above and beyond, somebody brought me flowers and a staff member put them in a vase and set them up on the table for us without us asking. That may sound like a small gesture, but it made me really happy! We came in on a Monday and the margarita carafes were half off which was a nice surprise! The food and drinks were good, the service was good, the restaurant was clean and cute, overall I was really happy with our experience!

Nice ambiance. Vey hip and downtownish! Huge place with lots of seating. They don't take reservations. But we got a seat immediately on a pretty busy day. Our waiter was fun and had a sense of humor. The cocktails tasted great and were pretty potent. However, the food was a big letdown. The beef birria tacos lacked flavor. The Chicken enchilada suizes was sour. The homemade salsa was bland and could use quite a bit of salt. I don't think I'll return here.

Super pretty Mexican place in San Jose area! I loved the ambiance here and there was even a coat rack at the table for additional convenience. Chicken Mole Enchiladas ($17.95): Mole was really good and complex in flavor. We were scraping the plate by the end of the meal to make sure we could get all of it. The chicken in the enchiladas were a bit dry though. Chile Relleno ($14.95): I really enjoyed the chipotle-tomato cream sauce on here and the pomegranate seeds as a garnish were a nice touch. I think there was a bit too much cheese, but the dish was still good. Overall, great presentation in the food and the inside of the restaurant! The place is a bit pricey, but I would still come back if I was in the area.

Stopped in for drinks while we waited on a friend to meet us at a different restaurant for dinner. The servers were friendly. Something happened and our person went on break or stepped away or something totally odd and we felt a little unseen for a bit. (which kind of sucks when someone joins your table after you've already been seated) We had some snackies while we waited - chips and salsa and something else that totally escapes me at the moment.... Whatever it was was yummy. I would totally give this place another try - as I don't see the server confusion there fault and the menu looked terrific!

Happy Hour at Olla was pretty good! Happy Hour is offered Monday - Thursday from 3-6pm! - 1/2 Priced House Cocktail Carafe: Mango Margarita could've had stronger mango flavor but the carafe was a good size - Fish Taco: good - Ceviche Tostada: good but quite small - Nachos with Beef Birria: good but could've had more topping 90-minutes free parking in the garage nearby!

Shrimp Burrito - 4 Stars Quesadilla - 5 Stars Chips, salsa and guacamole - 5 Stars Enchiladas Suizas - 5 Stars Carne asada - 4 Stars Great atmosphere, drinks and food.