The Olive Downtown

No matter which location you go to, The Black Olive never misses. This place has become my absolute go-to when I want a meal I know I’m going to enjoy from start to finish. Their Chicken Milano with gluten-free pasta is next-level comforting and packed with flavor — creamy, perfectly cooked, and so satisfying. Finding gluten-free pasta that tastes this good at a restaurant is rare, and they nail it every time. And the gluten-free carrot cake? Unreal. Moist, flavorful, and honestly better than most regular carrot cakes I’ve had. The consistency across both locations is what really sets them apart — great food, great service, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile. It’s the kind of place you bring out-of-town guests because you know it’ll impress. A must-visit if you love quality food done right. 🙌

I was impressed with service at the bar with James. However I was very disappointed in the chicken quality on the chicken and waffles. We have eaten here many times with excellent food. This dish should be higher quality or taken off the menu. If I would have had this dish the first time I came here, I would have not have come back. Stick with the pasta dishes! I absolutely love the spicy bowtie chicken pasta!! We will definitely be back, but I would never recommend the chicken and waffles!!

The chicken parm & chicken penne gorgonzola pasta were delicious! The bread was fantastic, soft with the perfect crust. Save room for dessert. We had the 7 layer choc cake: amazing. Good size portions too; we have leftovers. Highly recommend!

Absolute exceptional experience! For a mid afternoon on a Sunday, there was no wait! Almost a full house but not over crowded. We were fortunate enough to get a hospitable and attentive waiter! He took very good care of us and made sure we were always satisfied. My wife and I split the Garden Pesto Pizza with prosciutto. Kids spaghetti for the little ones. The pizza exceeded our expectations! A very cheesy, garlicky, fluffy pizza! Gotta be one of the best in JC. Definitely worth a stop! Didn’t have time for dessert but the cakes in the display case up front are so tempting!

Wonderful food in a comfortable atmosphere. James B was our server for lunch and was very friendly and helpful. The menu is quite extensive and he offered to help is pick from several items. We ordered the Eggplant Parmesan and the Chicken Primavera and added salads. The Ceasar dressing was definitely house made and the entrees were both excellent. We can't wait to try something else next time.

Took our granddaughter here for lunch, first time at The Olive. Nice facility, huge indoor seating and a very large outdoor seating for the warmer weather. The server was very knowledgeable, helpful with suggestions and with our ordering particularly with our appetizer - Knots. He let us know that the Knots are a huge favorite, and delicious...he was 100% spot on - they were excellent. Overall the food was excellent and our server did a wonderful job. Just a couple suggestions to management: 1) Turn the heat up inside. It had to be 55-ish outside and not much warmer inside. We sat an hour for lunch, the food came out hot but quickly got cold, not enjoyable. 2) I asked for some marinara sauce on my cheese steak, just a little dab on the bread. The server said he would bring out a little bowl and I could use what I wanted. That was very nice, except he didn't tell me there would be a charge for the little bowl, may 2 tablespoons for $2.00. I don't mind the upcharge but let the customer know in advance, not when I get the bill. 3) As a retired business owner, I understand credit card costs, in our business we priced our merchandise to include whatever credit card use % it was going to be. You might think about doing the same. Your staff never mentioned a 3.5% credit card fee and then we see it on the bill. At the least, the server should ask the customer, 'cash or credit' and if credit tell the customer there is an additional 3.5% added to the bill. Then it's the customer's choice, not the business slipping it in without offering the option. Bottom line, the food was excellent but still left with a bad taste in our mouth. Add the fees in your prices or let the customer know in advance...just saying....thanks.

We rented the private dining room for our daughter in laws surprise 40th birthday!! The food was wonderful.. we were able to do like a catering style dinner with appetizers salad and pizza.. Alfredo was wonderful to do that for us !! The two young gentlemen that waited on us I believe were Josh & Delmonte they were absolutely awesome !! And not to leave the hostess out Addie I believe she told me her name was.. was also outstanding !! We greatly appreciate everyone making our daughter in laws night and making everything just perfect !! ❤️❤️❤️

My boyfriend took me here for Valentines day and the service and food was amazing.We sat at the bar and our bartender was such a sweetheart and very professional.We definitely will be back

taste bud satisfying , immaculate tasting food!! Will most definitely be coming back! excellent service!

Black Olive is a local group of restaurants that never disappoint. I can take ANYONE to dinner here and not only do they find something they like but they will comment on how good the food is. Calzones and strombolis are amazing, thanks to the bread/crust. There are a ton of delicious dishes, with spicy Alfredo, Gorgonzola pasta, & the chicken Milano topping my list. Also, the garlic Parmesan wings are amazing! You might have to ask for bread, as sometimes the servers bring it and sometimes they don't. Also, try their desserts and salads. The berry salad is delicious and their cake slices can feed three people!

Mozzarella garlic knots alone are worth the visit to this restaurant. My chicken dish was delicious and enough left over for lunch the next day. Prices were reasonable, service was reliable and efficient. Looking forward to returning and trying some other dishes.

Had cheese garlic knots delivered. They were nearly all burned. They tasted okay, we had pepperonis added and there were barely any pepperonis and they were burned and dry. Still tasted okay but could have been a lot better if not overcooked.

Great service and good value for a solid Italian meal w even a large group. The Downtown chicken signature dish was tasty and the apps were easy to share w the group. Garlic knots came in a large plate as well as the burrata caprese. Everything was great and ambience was above casual fare. We will definitely be back. Note the menu is different, broader, than the Jonesborough location and had even steaks on the menu.

One of the best Italian restaurant i have tasted in my 65 years. Food was prepared perfect. Best marinara sauce. Welcoming atmosphere.

I've heard so many great reviews about The Black Olive from different people and social media groups; the hype is real! I visited the Downtown Johnson City location with a friend, who also had previously visited here, for a lunch date. We were seated immediately and our server, Dale, was AMAZING!!! We enjoyed our interaction and conversation with him. He definitely made our experience there memorable. He's an asset to the establishment. Now the food... starting with the Garlic Knots; my eyes nearly came out of their sockets, I wasn't expecting them to be as large as they are; the knots were also very puffy and the pairing of the sauce was delicious! For our entrees, my friend and I ordered Baked Ravioli, Chicken Parmesan and Chicken Milano. Everything tasted like incredible!! If I ate one less garlic knot, I'd make more room for the side pasta of mushroom fettuccine Alfredo. Overall this experience has exceeded expectations and I see making more visits because I need to try everything on their menu! Thank you so much for making our ladies lunch date so memorable!

It was just ok. I ordered the New York Bianca, pizza and Caesar salad along with the pesto Alfredo chicken fettuccine. My daughter liked the pasta. The pizza was not that great. We had it delivered and it was still hot though.

Echoing what other peoplw have said. There are certain blindspots jn the restraunt where the servers just dont look at you Waited 15 minutes for service. They were very busy i guess. But after i sat down they did not make eye contact. I left after that.

Brought my teenagers here for Sunday brunch and the service and food were amazing as usual. Loved the biscuits and gravy with the bacon and breakfast potato's rather than eggs. The gravy was amazing. My kids had the French toast and pancake platters and they loved it. A lot of food! I can't wait to come back for more!!

The italian restaurant conveniently located in DT Johnson City with plenty of parking available on the back. Both dishes tasted great, cooked perfectly. The pasta was al dente and the sauce was balanced to perfection. Unlike many places you can modify the menu and they'll be happy to accommodate to whatever preferences you have.

First time here. It's a cute little place located downtown. Place came highly recommended as we are from out of the state. To be honest, this was probably the best Italian food I have ever had. We had the Italian nachos which may not sound Italian but they had a creamy Alfredo which made the flavor pop! We both ate the Olive Special trio which consisted of tasty Alfredo, Lasagna, and chicken Parmesan. Didn't finish it all because I was saving room for the special carrot cake. Ordered 4 pieces to take home to family. We will definitely be back when we are in town again. Service was excellent and helpful in making selections. Give this place a try. You'll be glad you did.

I'd love to help the community to decide on this one. I've never personally ate here unless it's very similar to my main street café like all is good. The Bellflower, the red Fork I kind of put them all in the same category, but I love homestyle cut of cooking I've heard nothing but great things about this place so I'm definitely wanting to check it out myself. it's got the vibe you're looking for for sure. Nice setting.

I stopped in for lunch with my husband. We were seated promptly and they took our drink order. It was a comfy place with outdoor seating. I ordered the chicken salad with raspberry vinegarette. It was the best chicken I've had in a long time. My husband ordered a steak but he inhaled it before I could get a picture. He said that he was impressed and that the steak was cooked perfectly to his liking. And he is picky! Our 2 beer, 1 sweet tea, 2 plates and 1 appetizer order came out to be almost 80$. It's a lovely place to stop in for lunch and I do recommend the chicken salad!

Last weekend, I stopped by The Black Olive, and it's safe to say this spot has earned its buzz. Tucked into the heart of the city, this Italian gem - co-owned by chef Mo Farrouki and Kinsey Holliday - blends homemade comfort with a touch of Mediterranean flair, all while keeping things approachable and affordable. It's the third location for the Black Olive crew, following Jonesborough and Elizabethton, and it's clear they've brought their A-game to this downtown JC location. Walking in, the vibe hits you right away: warm, relaxed, and just upscale enough to feel special without being stuffy. The main dining room is spacious, with natural light pouring in, and the patio opens up to the street - perfect for people-watching with a glass of wine. I nabbed a table inside, and the staff was on it - friendly without hovering, quick with recommendations, and clearly proud of what they're serving up. The menu is a love letter to Italian classics, with a few curveballs from Farrouki's Moroccan roots. I started with the lemon chicken soup, a special that day, and it was a knockout - bright, tangy, and comforting, with a hunk of fresh bread on the side. For the main event, I went with the chicken parmesan: a hefty, breaded cutlet smothered in their housemade marinara and gooey mozzarella, baked to a golden crisp. The side of spaghetti was simple but spot-on, though I'd have loved a touch more sauce to mop up. Portions are quite generous, so I had to decline the delicious deserts on offer. The food's the real deal: everything's made in-house, and you can taste the care. They lean on local, organic ingredients when they can, which shines through in the freshness. I eyed the pizza options, thin-crust beauties with toppings like pesto and artichokes, but saved that for next time. Dessert was a must, and the tiramisu didn't disappoint: creamy, coffee-soaked, and just sweet enough to cap things off. Service was a highlight. My server knew the menu cold and nudged me toward a Sauvignon Blanc that paired perfectly with the meal - crisp and light, cutting through the richness. Prices felt fair for the quality; my soup, entrée, and a glass of wine ran about $30 before tip. It's pricier than their other locations (chalk it up to the downtown rent), but still a steal compared to chain joints like Olive Garden. The Black Olive isn't flawless, as parking can be a challenge on busy nights, and the bar area gets loud when it's hopping. But those are small gripes. This place delivers where it counts: hearty, authentic food, a welcoming crew, and a laid-back charm that fits Johnson City's growing downtown scene. Whether you're on a date, grabbing lunch with a friend, or just craving a solid Italian fix, it's worth a visit. I'll be back for that pizza, and maybe some live music on the patio.

We're staying in a near by Airbnb & decided to walk to The Black Olive for dinner. So glad we did because the food was phenomenal! Best Italian food we've had in a long time. We got the garlic knots, chicken scaloppine, chicken Picatta and house salads. The ranch dressing is made in house & was delicious.

We had a 40th class reunion here a few weeks ago and all though I've never eaten here before I was not expecting much. Well they did a fantastic job, the steaks were cooked to order and most people ordered medium rare, and they were perfectly done. Next time I'm back in town I'll be dining here again, hopefully they won't run out of Crown Royal.. Definitely give this place a try!

Great Italian food, I enjoy it as much as Olive Garden! Gotta try their rolls, they're to die for...really!!! Great Service too.

Micheal, our waiter, was amazing! Definitely recommend the Cheesecake and baked cheese tortellini!

This was a great lunch spot for two! The subs and salads were amazing! I highly recommend the berry salad for the taste and presentation. The wait staff were polite and very caring. They made menu suggestions and kept our drinks full. It's a cute spot and it is also close to lots of shops in Johnson City. We would go again!

Lovely restaurant. Outside area with live music. Food is delicious. Wonderful staff

Ask for Dell to be your server!! He made our dining experience literally perfect!!! The food was absolutely incredible, the company was sensational and the service was out of this world!!! We live in Florida and consider ourselves foodies- but this was hands down my favorite dining experience in years!!! Parking lot directly behind restaurant for easy parking. Run- don't walk- to Black Olive. Ask for Dell- you won't be disappointed!

The variety of food options available is great. Everything always comes out hot and fresh. The vibe is casual but also very neat and clean. I love the bar too.

First try.. The White Pizza is divine. Friendly service from Andrea.. great bread .. I like it when you try a new place and have a good experience . thank you

Good food and friendly experience. Good choice of meals and always satisfying. Quiet and comfortable environment.

I hosted a birthday party in their private dining room for 30 people. The food was buffet and absolutely delicious!! The service was impeccable even though the restaurant was full. We were able to decorate before the party and Alfredo and James were so very helpful!

Love this little gem downtown. The chicken piccata is amazing, pizzas pretty good ( I always order extra sauce), James the bartender is a really cool dude with great service and the chef is friendly and shows he cares. Nice atmosphere too.

We eat here quite often....the drinks are good, but slow because the bartender is also waiting tables all the time. . The pasta is always fresh and good. We had the stuffed mushrooms for the first time tonight. Worst thing I have eaten in a while. Turned my stomach. $13 for 3 mushrooms! Not ok! Not stuffed but smothered in something not identifiable.

EDIT: Additional family members have gone here, and say that the tables and floor are very sticky. And that the service is bad. So, apparently , I didn't have a unique experience. Plus, I have read how they have treated their neighbors. Adios!! While I want to like this restaurant, it has some issues. The tables and floor were sticky. Yikes. The servers are not attentive enough. The enjoyment of my food, was somewhat offset by the person who was "bussing" the tables. It was ridiculously invasive. We were barely finished, and she was grabbing our plates (randomly, and not at the same time), reaching across in front of us, scraping any leftover food onto one plate (yuck) AT the table, loudly stacking them, etc. I have never seen this happen to such an extent. It is a very low-rent practice. I likely won't go back. Note: Servers should never start removing plates until EVERYONE has completed their meal. This is standard restaurant etiquette. Granted, chain restaurants in general have destroyed the dining experience. And NEVER ask, "Are you still WORKING on that?" UGH. It is interesting, that on a Friday (7 PM) evening, the place was almost empty, although downtown JC was quite crowded. (Which always surprises me, because downtown is not necessarily a pleasant spot, no matter how hard they try. East TN can't comprehend downtown revivals, in the manner that Western NC excels.)

This was our first time dining here and we loved it! We went for their brunch and it was amazing. The omelette is build your own so you can pick whatever ingredients (we did onions, sausage and goat cheese) and the quiche was incredible! Amazing service as well.

We went for a friends bday brunch. Ended up just getting the pasta cause it looked better and it did not disappoint! Tried new types of pasta and the Chicken Marsala was amazing. Would def recommend getting two types of pasta and sharing!

We had a great dining experience here. As soon as you step inside the service begins. Attentive and personal service. Our server was happy to take us through the menu and share his favorites. We decided on the Eggplant Parm. Thinly breaded slices of eggplant stacked high and covered with red sauce and cheese. Perfect! We also had the Chicken Pesto Pasta which was just as good. Looking forward to an encore visit.

Amazing food, and great service! My husband had the deluxe calzone and I had the gluten free cauliflower crust pizza and it was phenomenal! Best gluten free pizza I've had. Cute restaurant, lots of options on the menu.

Great Italian restaurant! I'd come back in a second and bring more people so I can share a dessert. I was visiting ETSU and wanted Italian for dinner, this cute place is on prime real estate downtown on E Main and had only been open a week when we visited. We started with the cheese-filled garlic knots. I thought I'd have 1 to to try and ate 3! Served with red sauce these were awesome! My teenager had the Black Olive's Special with chicken parmesan, lasagna and pasta (but changed it from red to Alfredo sauce.) Great choice cuz that was my fave! The garlic was just right and not over powering. The portions were very generous, he couldn't even eat it all. Several people were suggesting the Lemon Chicken Piccata but I chose the Artichoke Angel Hair w/shrimp. It was fabulous! The only heads up is there are NO free refills. Found this out when i got my bill. The seating is plentiful both inside and on their outside and the brick wall is the perfect spot for pictures. The service was wonderful (James)! I just wish I were hungry enough to try their desserts that looked amazing also.

Good Chicken Parm, grilled chicken salad, pizzas look good but not yet tried one. Large portions. Usually good and fast service.

As crazy as this is going to sound, I was thrilled to see crushed ice as opposed to cubed ice! On a more serious note though, the restaurant, food and service was great. Cute decor. Big wooden chunky style tables with embossed leather chairs. There is PLENTY of table surface room which is good because nobody likes a crowded space. Loved the brick look of the floor. They have patio and indoor seating. We ordered the Philly cheesesteak sub, garlic cheese knots, and fettuccine Alfredo. The Alfredo was good, warm, and buttery. The sauce was a little thinner than I'm used to but still quite delicious. The sub was lacking in the cheese department but it had plenty of meat. The fries were crispy and warm. They weren't what I consider craveable but they were good. In the future, I will order the cheese garlic knots again and maybe try the pizza. The background music playing was 80's soft rock. Nothing overpowering. Friendly service and clean.

Great food and service. Especially love the Sicilian Salmon with Zoodles. And the pepperoni roll is just bursting with flavor. And really any dish with their homemade bread. So amazing. Love the outdoor dining option on the patio too. So relaxing. One of our favorite places. They always go out of their way to make sure you are satisfied.

I've already posted this once. The food was horrible. The meatball sandwich, like dog food on a roll which very little meat with the food.

While I have not actually been to the restaurant, I have ordered from DoorDash numerous times. The food is fantastic. I've had the Bowtie Chicken and Pepperoni Roll. I highly recommend

Can't comment on the food because last night the hostess was too busy doing nothing to put our name on the list. Sat in front of her for 5 min while she was trying to look busy by doing nothing. No greeting or acknowledging of us being there. I asked to put our name on the list she turned around looked in the dining room and went back to doing nothing. Then noticed a guy who apparently waited a while give her cash to be seated which at that time a table magically appeared for he and his family. I'm not sure what the right etiquette is here and guidelines to be seated but certainly feels as if they do not appreciate out of towners unless you pay the hostess off. We left and vow never to be back at either location when in town.

Went during the lunch hour to an almost empty restaurant. We received our appetizers and food very quickly and really enjoyed ourselves. Our waitress was very accommodating. I will say that I ordered the spicy shrimp and chicken based on another review on here but didn't have any chicken in my pasta, I think if I had asked it wouldn't have been an issue to correct. Nice restaurant for a celebration.

We went to our favorite local chain, The Black Olive, and tried the Johnson City location downtown. Parking is an adventure, just be patient. Use the large parking lot off of State of Franklin and walk through to the restaurant. Our server was a lovely, energetic soul named Emanyae and she makes us want to go back just for her! She was attentive and upbeat and made great suggestions. I had no idea all of the gluten free options and have more ideas to try next time. We tried the gf carrot cake and it is amazing! Our go to meals are the baked cheese tortellini and the chicken primavera. In Johnson City, you get a hot bread board while you wait for your meal. The decor is attractive and the tables are well spaced out. All the staff are happy and welcoming. Outstanding food, no matter what location, but last night was fabulous! I can't ever finish the tortellini and use it for lunch the next day. Large portions for any meal you order. We have had the cheesy bread appetizers when we go with our kids and it's great. My son has gotten subs and the chicken parm and it's all amazing. We loved our meal experience and our server! Emanyae is one to look for!

Our pasta was sitting on a bed of water. There was an unusual smell and I couldnt wait to leave without being rude.

Food was amazing....all freshly made pastas and bread. Service was also excellent! Great prices and would definitely recommend!

Had a private gathering at 2:00pm Saturday, 9/7/2004. Area was set up on time, accommodations were comfortable, and the food was excellent tasting. Service was at its highest. The servers were amazing and kept the table needs flowing. Highly recommend!

Great tasting food with such quick service! The building is so chic with both indoor and outdoor seating. The garlic knots stuffed with mozzarella are such a delicious appetizer -- a must try for the whole table!

Very attentive service. There was no wait at 745 on a Friday. It was off-season for school though. Order a pizza with pepperoni, bacon and sausage. Thin and crispy with lots of flavor. Ceaser salad was crisp and fresh Spicy shrimps and chixken is very good, not very spicy. Would definitely recommend!

Great food and service! Will definitely visit this place next time we are in Johnson City.

Not impressed. Service was slow, food was good, but I only had 3 shrimp and a few slivers of chicken in my spicy shrimp & chicken pasta. The live music was too loud. We could barely hear each other talk. 3 stars is a fair rating in our experience there.