Mediterranean restaurant

Olea

Clinton HillBrooklyn

4.6· 1,830 reviewsClosed nowWhole Foods
Olea — mediterranean restaurant — in Clinton Hill — Brooklyn — NYC
Olea interior — Clinton Hill

Clinton Hill

Brooklyn

The brief

About Olea

Mediterranean eatery serving creative tapas, brunch & sangria in a bohemian, plant-filled space.

Health inspection

NYC DOHMH Grade B

B

Score26(lower is better)

Inspected11/17/2025

A Grade B means some violations were found. Many B-graded spots earn an A on re-inspection within weeks.

How grades work

Community Rating

4.6

½

out of 5

1,830 community reviews

Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.

Community-sourced rating

Reviews

What diners say about Olea

15 verified Google reviews · 2 with owner responses

4.5

15 reviews

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deniz yarsuvatLocal guide
a month ago

Just moved to the neighborhood, so happy to have discovered this place. One of those situations where as I peruse the menu everything sounds good and I can't decide. The service is also very fast with around 2-3 table visits and 15 min from sitting to getting our food. The outdoor seating is also a good environment.

Response from the owner

Hello Deniz,<br><br>Welcome to Ft Greene: it's such a special neighborhood and we are lucky to call it Home for Olea now for almost 21 years!<br>Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.<br>I'm especially happy you enjoyed the outdoor seating: we really are lucky to be able to have such a thing, right here in beautiful Brownstone Brooklyn!<br><br>See you soon,<br><br>Dan

Avrom WLocal guide
a month ago

One of the few places that truly shine in every aspect. Food, service, atmosphere all 10 out of 10.<br><br>The food is unique and full of flavor such as squid ink rice and succulent bacon wrapped dates. Very dish we ordered was superbly delicious and fresh.<br><br>Service was pleasant. It’s a small cozy place and can get crowded but it still remains enjoyable.<br><br>Ambiance is charming.<br><br>Definitely recommending here and can’t wait to return.

Heather RoseLocal guide
5 months ago

We came to Olea to celebrate my cousin’s birthday for brunch and absolutely loved it. From the moment we walked in, the space felt warm, cozy, and artsy—such a welcoming neighborhood vibe that immediately makes you want to settle in and stay awhile.<br><br>The brunch was incredible. Every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor, and you can really tell how much care goes into the food. Everything we tried was delicious, and the menu felt elevated while still being comforting and approachable. It was the perfect spot for a birthday celebration—relaxed, intimate, and special without feeling stuffy.<br><br>Olea is one of those places that feels like a true gem. The atmosphere, the food, and the overall experience were all fantastic. I already can’t wait to come back—especially to try dinner next time. Highly recommend for brunch, celebrations, or just a great meal in a lovely setting.

Patrick KLocal guide
Edited 5 months ago

Another cute and cozy spot in fort Greene. Friendly service, solid flavors and reasonable pricing. The dips and spreads were standouts but everything was good just not amazing but sometimes that’s ok. Verdict: will return and recommend!

Lina LamLocal guide
7 months ago

The mushroom appetizer was surprisingly delicious and really enjoyed the dimly lit atmosphere. We ordered the short rib and lamb pasta, both didn’t disappoint

Charlene
9 months ago

I ordered the Eggs in Purgatory and it burned the roof of my mouth so badly that it was bleeding for 3 days after. 5 days later it’s still tender and it actually changed the way I talk now. If you order this, stir it up and let it sit for at least 3-5 minutes before touching it.

Maria YuLocal guide
11 months ago

Excellent neighborhood spot, friendly waiters, cozy indoor and outdoor seating, great food for good prices. Will definitely come back for Happy Hour 4:30-6:30, wine and food happy hour menu. Recommend the 3 dips!

Patrick NoLocal guide
a year ago

Lunch here was great! With spring weather approaching and here, the outdoor seating was perfect. The food was delicious and I’d recommend to try a handful of tapas for sure.<br><br>The falafel crusted artichoke was delicious. It’s exactly what you’d expect. The halloumi was great and was accompanied with a nice harissa sauce and chili pepper. Not that spicy. Patatas bravas is basically glorified French fries but that’s fine by me. The almond stuffed dates were good, could probably pass on these.<br><br>The arctic char sandwich was herby, savory, and had a little kick of spice. If you’re in the mood for a delicious fish sandwich, I’d 100% go for it.<br><br>My GF got the chicken platter and ngl it looked ok. Kinda like large slop platter for a similar price.

AshleyLocal guide
a year ago

I went on a Sunday night and was happy to be seated at a table for 2 right away. It was pretty full and lively, but there was just enough space for us. Food and service were quick. I would try again if something on their changing menu interested me. I definitely want to try another dessert!<br><br>Food<br>I was excited to see scallops on their specials menu and got the scallops, which came with orzo together in a creamy lemon egg sauce (avgolemono). The sauce had a nice flavor, while the scallops themselves hardly had any flavor, which was sad for me since that was why I had picked the dish.<br>Had a bite of the Braised Beef Boneless Short Ribs with mashed potatoes and spinach that my friend ordered and was pretty jealous. It was very tasty!<br>Finished off with the toasted white sesame ice cream which was perfect.<br><br>Ambience<br>This place is cute and intimate. Its Brooklyn style is "charmingly outdated" -- with wooden ceiling fans which suggest to me no HEPA filter. It felt stuffy as soon as walking in but not overwhelmingly so.

Talia KarasinskiLocal guide
a year ago

Had dinner here with a big group and loved everything we tried! The dip trio is the move - the pita is so fluffy and fresh. We also tried the mushroom appetizer, branzino, orichette and warm farro salad. All were winners. The staff was accommodating to specific allergy-related requests in our group too. I’d definitely come back!

Christi BalakiLocal guide
a year ago

Very tasty lamb hash (5/5). Tender well cooked and spiced lamb with a lovely feta blend and dollops of harissa seasoning that isn't too spicy along with perfectly cooked potatoes. The service is also super nice - be prepared to wait for brunch. The feta dip (4/5) was good albeit very dense.

Kyle LiuLocal guide
a year ago

Second time at Olea and another great dinner! I love their smaller pocket pitas that’s warm, fresh and soft. Warm salad is very good, and always love their seafood paella and branzino! I’ve had better fried halloumi cheese elsewhere, and the space can feel cramped when busy. But overall a lovely and lively place with great food and service. Will be back again.

Shubhi MaheshwariLocal guide
a year ago

The food was phenomenal but the service was mediocre at best.<br><br>Greek grilled cheese - probably one of the best grilled cheeses I’ve ever had<br>Croquettes - not my favorite but my family loved it so probably just a taste preference<br>Brussels - nice char, good flavor and drizzled with balsamic<br>Dip trio- good way to try many options and the mini pitas were hot and fresh<br>Falafel - fresh and crispy but didn’t really taste the artichoke much<br><br>As for the service - our waiter was pretty rude, she gave us the check before we even asked/she asked us for it and we were going to order another round of drinks. But oh well, we just paid and left. We got out apps first and when the other server came with the entrees he pretty much rolled his eyes at us because we asked him to clear the dishes from the apps first. We only asked because the tables are small and there was no space for the new plates. It didn’t feel like an unreasonable request<br><br>Ambiance - beautiful decor, nice homey vibe

Hemala RamgahanLocal guide
2 years ago

We showed up here on a Monday with no reservations expecting no wait. Instead there was a crowd at the front waiting for a table. We learnt that reservations can be made for indoor seating only and outdoor is first come first served.<br><br>We had an artichoke falafel dish for appetizer which I wasn’t too crazy about. Our entrees were delicious - Branzino and lamb dishes were authentic tasting and flavorful. The staff were super friendly and attentive. Will be back.

Response from the owner

Thank you so much for your review of Olea!

Nisha ModiLocal guide
3 years ago

I have had two absolutely lovely dinners at Olea! The food and atmosphere blew me away both times. The restaurant is located on a peaceful, tree-lined street, and their outdoor seating is perfect for a meal on a warm day. Their food is unique and excellent. I loved the falafel-crusted artichokes, stuffed dates, red pepper and feta dip, and mussels. I was impressed by the number of great vegetarian options. On top of all this, everyone who worked there was really friendly! What a great neighborhood spot. I'll definitely be back.

Reviews sourced from Google. Displayed for informational purposes. Ratings reflect reviewer opinions at the time of posting.

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