BRING YOUR WALLET... 2 at 5pm no reservation. Hostess wasn't present but a kitchen staff, taking a break, jumped up quickly and warmly greeted us - the hostess came right after. She was pleasant and sat us in the sunshine on the patio. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I was sad to see so few patrons.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I will review the best part first: THE COCKTAILS: The spirits and craft cocktail selection was huge / the beer & wine not so much. My Old Fashioned was perfect! Food: Seafood Rosé Pasta (bay scallops, shrimp, northwest manila clams, rosé prosecco cream sauce, grilled bread) -- inconsistent cook on the different seafoods & the sauce was meh. Not worth $42.00 Grilled Romaine Salad (white balsamic bleu cheese dressing, gorgonzola, cherry tomatoes, aleppo toasted hazelnuts) -- plenty of romaine, could've been grilled longer / not much quantity of tomatoes or toasted hazelnuts -- basically a "side salad" for $15.00 Lobster Bisque (house smoked tomatoes, roasted red pepper, cream, butter poached langoustine lobster) -- tasted more like roasted tomato / red pepper soup (no lobster or seafood flavors) - there were 4 small pieces of poached?? langoustine lobster on top - I question poached because the pieces definitely had a bite to them. Worth $15.00 -- no. Due to reviews we had the Baklava Crumble (pistachios, honey, vanilla ice cream) -- basically cut up (very chewy, not crispy) baklava tossed over ice cream for $14.00 -- maybe a bad night for this dessert? We like to support small Olympia businesses and will go back for cocktails but the food costs are too high - we don't mind high costs IF we come away satisfied - unfortunately the food didn't measure up to the cost. As we drove away, we saw the "Budd Bay Cafe" was very busy - I think next time we'll have cocktails at Cynara, then cross the street for food and wine. We were intrigued with the "Clam Chowder Entrée" which is served à la minute (Washington manila clams, bacon, cream, celery, roasted potatoes, grilled bread) -- is it a deconstructed chowder?? $33.00 Sorry no pics. read more

Cynara is a great option for either lunch or dinner, with delicious food prepared with local ingredients. The bar area is also cool, making Cynara a great choice for either a work lunch/dinner or a date night. read more

Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Lobster bisque - New American Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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Had a very nice happy hour experience this week. It was my first time coming here and was told it had a great happy hour. There are. Handful of small plates available for happy hour with the purchase of a drink. I got the onion burger, shrimp skewer, and asparagus. The burger was juicy and a great size. It also came with a handful of matchstick fries. I really enjoyed the shrimp skewer as well. My friend tried the lobster bisque. The soup was delicious, but it was more of a tomato soup with chunks of lobster. Will definitely go back for dinner some time. They also had a great selection of whiskey. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I also really enjoyed the ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a lovely restaurant in downtown Oly - they have an outdoor patio which is very pleasant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Bright in the afternoon sun, but comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The Caesar salad and calamari were both yummy - I went with my friend and we split the appetizer and salad - perfect for a light afternoon snack. Our server let us sit and chat after the meal, which what nice. read more

We stopped by on our way from Puyallup headed home to Onalaska. Took a chance on a new (for us) dining experience, and so glad we did. We arrived just after lunch and were promptly seated. The staff was friendly and that always doubles the experience. My wife had the chicken with asparagus and grapes, and I had the Moroccan lamb stew. Her dish was excellent, and the spices in the stew were divine, as was the glass of Malbec that I ordered. Oh, and the baklava crumble? Amazing. We'll be back, even though it's a 45 minute drive for us. At least I know where I'm taking my wife for Valentines dinner next year. Spendy but well worth it. We've spent more for crap food and service. Cynara is impeccable. read more

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Definitely one of our favorite spots in Olympia! Alesha is awesome and always makes us feel like locals! Yesterday we had pork skewers and the charcuterie board, both fantastic! Today we split the eggs benedict and baklava crumble, both ridiculously scrumptious! [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have fun craft cocktails in a beautiful setting![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great for groups or an intimate date![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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What a great experience! While visiting the area for work we were trying to find a place to munch. I found this one Yelp and it was nearby. This place was wonderful from the service (Jamie) to the food, to the drinks, to the vibes! Jamie gave us great recommendations. I had the pumpkin spiced latte martini which was so delicious! We had a seafood pasta dish that was incredible. Neither of are big baklava people, but the baklava crumble had a combination of amazing flavor and texture. Also, want to give an additional shot out to Jamie. She was so warm and attentive. She was helpful and made us feel so welcomed! She provided amazing service. I hope to get a chance to be Olympia, so I can come back here! read more

I thought I shared these pictures a couple of months ago... No matter, Cynara is my favorite restaurant to show friends and family. I believe the bone marrow was taken off the menu though. :( [[HIGHLIGHT]]Super cute place![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Unfortunately, I have a gift card here. I went here to use it a while back and after having a nice, but pricey meal, they couldn't accept the gift card because they were switching systems. I've tried again today and once again they can't accept it. I'm not even sure they legally can refuse to accept a valid gift card. Regardless, that's bad business and I won't support them. read more

Our first time at this restaurant, and it was a memorable one from the very first sip. I started with a martini--normally stirred, but I requested it shaken--and it arrived in absolute perfection. Crisp, icy, and elegant, with tiny ice crystals shimmering on top. The vodka had just a whisper of brine ("a hint of dirt," exactly how I like it), clean and bracing, beautifully balanced. Once my husband arrived, we ordered the trio of Cynara spreads: romesco, artichoke tapenade, and black garlic chèvre, served with warm, pillowy pita. Every bite was a delight, but the romesco truly stole the show--deep, complex, and subtly spicy, with roasted red pepper richness, topped with sliced carrots, onions, and green beans that added both texture and freshness. The black garlic chèvre, lightly drizzled with honey, was creamy, savory-sweet, and utterly craveable. For my entrée, I chose the Moroccan lamb stew, and it was outstanding. Bold, aromatic, and layered with spice, the stew featured tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb nestled among tomatoes and carrots in a deeply flavorful broth. Comforting yet vibrant, every spoonful delivered warmth and complexity. My husband ordered the Chicken Véronique, one of their signature dishes, bathed in a Riesling cream sauce. Rich and indulgent, the sauce was silky and luxurious. While slightly on the heavier side, he found it absolutely delicious and well worth it. The staff were attentive, warm, and genuinely kind, making the entire experience feel relaxed and welcoming. We're already looking forward to our next meal here--and dreaming about that romesco and martini all over again. read more

Lean cuisine for $50 .... Actually trash. Every single person I went with was disappointed

My friends and I had a nice brunch at Cynara and were surprised that we were the only patrons in the restaurant for a while. The shakshuka was delicious. My friends enjoyed their meals and we all ordered hot coffee. Our server checked on us intermittently to make sure we had everything we needed. We also liked that Cynara was within walking distance to the nearby farmer's market, which we checked out after brunch. read more

We got recommendations to go here, so we went as a group. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The seating was super comfortable, pretty art and nice location.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The people serving our meal were really nice, hospitable, and so fast! It was almost as if we ordered ahead! But they didn't in any way pressure us to finish. Our cocktails were really good, inventive! The food was delicious, starting with the amazing wild mushroom soup. Delicious entrees, and a beautiful, enjoyable dessert. It was an expensive dinner, but we had a lot of food and drinks. read more

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We always take visitors to Cynara and it's always a hit. We've taken at least a dozen locals alike both for lunch and happy hour. Best happy hour dish and best hamburger in the area is the Cynara grilled onion burger with shoestring fries at $5.00. It's perfection. If they have their mushroom soup on the menu, you MUST get it! It's seasonal. Have never had anything there we didn't like. My husband loves their cocktails and think they make a couple of version of a manhattan that are the best in town. Hubby also loves the chocolate marquise. Always love the exceptional service which never fails to impress. read more

Amazing food and service! We will definitely be back! [[HIGHLIGHT]]I loved that you could see the Capital building from the bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The setting was perfect for a romantic dinner celebrating my man.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Jamie was an excellent server and very helpful in picking out our drinks! The artichoke appetizer is a must have. My husband's steak was perfectly cooked and my lamb stew was next level yum!! Thank you for a great evening! read more

I already left a review so I dont know why its asking me to do a new one! I'm in love with the burger & fries here!!! I want another as we speak! So good! read more

Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Burg n fries - New American Near Me - Olympia, Washington

A completely average experience. We had been wanting to try this place for awhile, and we're hoping for high end dining. What we got instead was high end prices with service and food that did not match. [[HIGHLIGHT]]First, let's discuss the chaotic music selection, pick a lane! It was actually jarring how it swung wildly from one genre to the next.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Then the food, we ordered a lamb stew, and it was described as lamb chili. It was so hot, and only had four pieces of lamb. This went back to the kitchen practically untouched with no comment from our server. The same for the souvlaki that we did not finish and was cleared from the table earlier. The desserts were the highlight, and maybe we would be back for just that. We hoped to find a special place and this fell well short of that. read more

Great selection of foods and spice levels suggested by the wait staffer spot on, flavorful but not overpowering. Plus easy parking with my RV nearby for 2 hours free. Service was fast a d all the food was great. A great place to stop for dinner between the Oregon coast and avoid the Seattle traffic. Will visit again! read more

Disappointed with service and attention to customers. Drinks were left empty, so ate dinner with no refills.Waitress spent more time at the bar talking to the female bar tender. We saw our waitress to order drinks when we arrived, when dinner arrived and then at the end when we requested the check. We were not checked upon and unable to get drinks refilled. We typically go to 1889 or Ricardo's but thought we would give Cynara a go, service is vey different here and needs improvement. The food however was good - I had the chicken and my husband had the ribeye). Left feeling like we didn't matter. read more

Hidden gem when we visited Centralia for a volleyball tournament. Menu is limited. However high quality of their steak and fries made up for the lack of choices. Super tender. Sauce was good I should have ordered another dish but we came late past their last call. read more

Had a lovely meal and amazing service at Cynara last night! Very friendly and efficient service from our waitress, Jaimie. She had GREAT recommendations for food and drinks! Romantic ambiance in the restaurant! Strongly recommend for any date night! read more

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Excellent service. Delicious cocktails - Old Fashioned. Ribeye steak and mushroom risotto were both very good.

Always after the perfect Rib Eye. Went here for wifeys birthday. Was pleased to see Rib Eye on the menu. Others in the group had salmon, filet, and pasta. All in the group were members of the clean plate club. Food was delicious. Service was excellent. Definitely will come again. read more

Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Rib Eye - New American Near Me - Olympia, Washington

While the sit down restaurant dinner menu is incredible, this place also has the best happy hour in town buck for buck. You have to sit in the bar / tall tops but the drinks are delicious, the staff is lovely and the food is really quality. I like the lamb, the artichoke and the burger is always raved about. Definitely one of the better restaurants in Olympia proper for dinner or happy hour with food. read more

Went there for happy hour, but didn't find anything on the very limited happy hour menu that we wanted. So we just ordered from the main appetizer menu. Pretty expensive. Two appetizers two drinks and a bowl of soup $110. but everything was delicious. We sat in the bar area, but I feel like we got waited on by everyone that worked there. Service was outstanding. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Really nice feel to the place. Upscale but not snobby.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would go back, but not for happy hour. There were a few other items that I would like to try that sounded good. read more

High recommend for breakfast!! You would begin to question due to not very many breakfast pics, but you won't be disappointed. Will be coming again. read more

Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Lamb Hash. 2 eggs over easy. The lamb is small bites with herb yougurt sauce over potatoes. Amazing !!!! - New American Near Me - Olympia, Washington

We were in Olympia at the market after a brief stop at the Thurston County Fairgrounds to look at native plants (Boring? Maybe?). We didn't want to eat at the market and found Cynara a quick walk away. We were seated quickly by a friendly hostess. Our server was very busy but quick and friendly. We ordered the serouda dip, lamb pita, and lamb stew. The serouda dip came pretty quickly and was almost like a chickpea mash with seasoning, not like a creamy hummus. But man, it was tasty! The pita chips are clearly made in house and well seasoned. The lunch dishes took a bit longer and our server (who also the bartender) checked in regularly and ensured that drinks were refilled. The lamb stew brought a little heat from the harissa (which our server mentioned when ordered) and was delicious. The lamb in both dishes was perfectly cooked. The lamb in the sandwich was well seasoned. For friendly service and good food I recommend Cynara. read more

Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Lamb stew - New American Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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We had heard some great things from our friends about this place, so we thought we'd give it a try! We're so glad we did! We started the evening off with an order of deep fried artichokes! Great spice and a garlic aioli to dip the crispy morsels into! We scarfed those right up! Sooo good! had the wild mushroom risotto and added chicken. It was a creamy, dreamy deliciousness! So rich and decadent! The chicken was cooked perfectly and full of flavor! My husband had the harissa glazed salmon. It was a little dry, but he enjoyed it with the glaze! We also had a bourbon barrel peach cider to wash it all down. To top off the evening, we shared the baklava crumble for dessert. Think vanilla ice cream with slices of baklava layers crumbled on top. It had layers of flavor including cinnamon and honey. Yum! We had such a great evening. Our server Jamie was so sweet and offered suggestions when asked, and came back to check on us multiple times. She made our dinner date night special, and thank you to Wade, our host for the evening! read more

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Great restaurant. Service was spectacular and so was the food! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great location by the water.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

The BLT salad is incredible! Christie recommended it and it was tasty and filling. Add a cocktail and you have a fantastic meal!

We came here for a glass of wine, but I would love to come back for dinner. Our waitress was very friendly and we loved being able to soak up the sun on their patio. Fun location where you can see the dock too. read more

Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - New American Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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Mushroom soup was delicious. Fried artichoke was overdone and the Mac and cheese had very little flavor. Disappointed.

The food here? Don't know sadly, we just came here for drinks. But the drinks were prepared with high end liquor and the service was remarkable! Not only would I come back for their happy hour, I would want to make this a go to relaxing bar! read more

First visit and intended to order from the regular menu but found out they have happy hour options. Food was heavily discounted, $5 burger and skinny fries. Really good burger. Also ordered the chicken Veronique and happy hour Mac n cheese. Both good dishes. Chicken may was slightly overdone. Food came out so quickly I wonder if it was parcooked. Great gin selection as well as interesting cocktails featuring gin. Solid bar options. Very efficient and pleasant service. read more

Best cocktails and best food in Oly. we've been here maybe six or seven times and have yet to be disappointed. The food is fantastic and beautifully balanced. I wouldn't normally have tried the lamb stew because lamb isn't my favorite and apricots are certainly not my favorite thing to put with meat but my husband ordered it and I have to say it's just phenomenal. We've had all the salads on the menu and most of the apps and truly-the food is amazing! read more

I can't say enough positive things about Cynara, their manager Ross, Chef Wade and servers Bobbi and Jessica, not to mention the food. I reserved the Olympic room for a surprise 60th birthday party for my wife. They came up with a fantastic appetizer and drink menu that had variety and tasted amazing. They were amazingly flexible and when the guest list expanded beyond the room's capacity they were able to pivot and include more space at the last minute. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The settings were elegant, the food was great and the servers were rock stars![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I highly recommend them for your next event. We've eaten there several times and it has been consistently great. Thank you Cynara, Ross, Wade, Bobbi and Jessica! read more

We stopped in here for snacks, drinks, and to get a takeaway meal for my mom who was visiting and staying in the nearby hotel. We sat at the bar and they grabbed us cocktails and a charcuterie board while we waited for her meal. The bartender was pleasant and helpful in ordering and I really appreciated them subbing this, subtracting that, and changing this to fit the high standard mum's preferences. I loved the gluten free designations on the menu and thought everything sounded really good, wish we could have eaten here ourselves! The charcuterie was pretty good but in my opinion needed something else fresh like an apple or something to offset the richness of the cheese and meat. The cocktails were great. We appreciated their attention and service while we waited and my oh so picky mother found everything to be acceptable - that's high praise fyi!! Looking forward to trying this place again sometime in the future and enjoying some of the delicious sounding entrees. read more

Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Menu with gf designations - New American Near Me - Olympia, Washington

[[HIGHLIGHT]]The service and ambiance was great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The happy hour burger was good. No happy hour drinks though, they were full price but still good. read more

Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - On tap cider and whiskey sour! - New American Near Me - Olympia, Washington

We went to Cynara for the first time for our 47th wedding anniversary. It was a fabulous experience from start to finish. The cocktails were amazing (lots of gin to choose from), the food and service was top notch. Thanks to our server Bethany for making us feel special as we celebrated. Don't miss the baklava crumble for dessert! Will definitely be back. read more

Food was good and portions were perfect. The atmosphere was nice. Our server seemed a bit new, and wasn't super attentive to us and just made a lot of small mistakes / ultimately, one of the drinks was made wrong, and one of our pita bread appetizers came with the wrong dip. We ate it anyway, because we just got in from out of town and were ravenous. I had the mushroom risotto and added prawns. The variety of mushrooms was a delight, and the prawns were grilled nicely and not overcooked. Wish I took a picture, but I was too hungry! Would return here. read more