Service was what you'd expect, not great not bad, just doing their job, which is fine. The food is pretty decent when you pay Tapas Tuesday prices but if I paid full price I'd be upset about the food. What really ruined this visit was the Classic barrel aged old fashioned. I'm noticing more and more places are doing stupid things with old fashioned's, it's cool, I avoid them whenever I see "smoked s'mores old fashioned" or "sweet tea old fashioned." An old fashioned is bourbon, bitters, a touch of sweet and the essence of a citrus peel. So many places throw a whole piece of fruit in there like it's a spody. So when I saw the word "classic" in front of their old fashioned at Gardener's, I ordered without following my own protocol to inquire about how they make it. When it arrived with a whole slice of fruit in it, my heart sunk. One drink confirmed what I already knew, another place doing some over sweet hipster bullshit old fashioned. It had so much sugar in it, that's all you could taste. An old fashioned is for someone who likes the taste of bourbon. Ruined my whole meal sadly. read more

I can't believe it had taken me so long to try this Olympia gem! The service was top notch and the ambiance was lovely. The food was excellent- a menu developed by people who clearly love food and know how to cook. I'll be returning soon. read more

Had the best romantic dining experience with my husband. Food, wine, and service was fantastic. Definitely the place to go for an anniversary or just a classy time. If you feel like something extra and want to feel spoiled look no further. I don't like to save these kinds of places for just special occasions. Everyday you're alive is a special occasion. read more

Gardner's Restaurant - Greek salad and steak calamari - Seafood Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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We came here for my birthday dinner. The food was fantastic! Staff were so friendly and personable. I can't wait to go back and try more items on the menu! I had the scallops with carrot purée and snap peas. My husband had the seafood fettuccini and my daughter had the seafood chowder. We also started with the charcuterie board and French onion soup. And ended with dark chocolate cake! Delicious! read more

first visit and last time for me. the rare steak i ordered was medium at best. i requested a new steak. my plate was returned to me from the kitchen, the steak cut in half to prove i was wrong. the server informed me the kitchen stated that the steak was rare: the light in the dining room is different from the kitchen and dry-aged beef looks different. pretty much insinuating that i didn't know what i was talking about. the owner came to the table and argued with me. i stated i have had many aged steaks and insisted on a properly cooked steak. the new steak delivered to me was blue, not rare. i can imagine the kitchen thinking "she wants rare? we'll give her RARE" . i accepted it. better blue than over-cooked for my taste. the new steak was placed on the table naked on a plate and the risotto was going to be scraped from the 1st plate onto the new plate. i asked for a fresh risotto since this one was now cold and tightened. i don't think a dry-aged new york steak would cost only $33.00. i did not expect to have to argue with the kitchen and the owner over how the steak was cooked and how wrong i was. 4vdining partners were pleased with their meals. the 5th diner felt his 7 pc prawns plate for $32 was over-priced. the mushroom appetizer was very good. the ambiance and the polite server was over-shadowed by the argumentative nature of the management. i will never go here again. read more

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Outstanding dinner! We took family for their anniversary and it was very special. Appetizers, salads, seafood, steaks, dessert, cocktails, coffee were all fantastic. Service was Be sure to get a reservation because it's an intimate setting with few tables. read more

The server we had was great so I don't think it was her fault the sautéed Brussel Sprouts came when I was 1/2 way thru my meal. My entree was a porch chop with a reduction sauce. The sauce was tasty but the chop was dry. Maybe I just ordered the wrong entree. read more

Near Olympia classic. Perfect date night restaurant especially if you request the private romantic corner table in advance. The seafood is top of the line and you may have to decide to return the following night for that dish you didn't choose as I did. The pork chop dish was excellent but I think seafood is their groove. I came back for the seafood trio and was pleasantly impressed! I need to return once more soon to try the seafood salad. Staff is on their game in service, recommendations an service. Pricey an worth it. Ya get what you pay for here. I wish I had a photo of my trio. read more

Definitely an Olympia gem. Food is always amazing, service is top notch and don't forget to order a house made dessert to top it all off!

This place came highly recommended by the owners of the B&B I was staying at but it was boarded up closed at 6:30pm on a Friday night with no sign. Others were confused on the sidewalk in front including a group who had driven up from Puyallup. We all called. No answer. Nothing on Facebook or OpenTable. read more

My boyfriend made reservations for us for our 2 year anniversary and he reserved us a table at Gardners. We were automatically greeted and seated. The ambiance of this place is beautiful and very romantic. Our hostess and our waitress did an amazing job helping us and serving us. I had the seafood trio and my boyfriend had the porkchop. The seafood was the best seafood I have ever had in my life. And the porkchop, my boyfriend said was exquisite. We have agreed to definitely come back for our engagement dinner. This place is A++ for quality of food and service. Definitely give this place 5 stars! Excellent, romantic, exquisite and great food and service! Thank you! We will be back soon :) read more

Fantastic food, fantastic staff! Welcoming and warm inside. We really enjoyed our dinner there!

This was an excellent experience. The staff was knowledgable and passionate. The food itself was exquisite and lived up to expectations I would highly suggest the lamb and bread pudding. We had an issue with my wife's steak, however it was al.ost immideately taken care of without question by the staff. Couldn't be happier with the service. I will also add the cocktails were very good and my martini was just the right amount of dirty. (Though I would love Bombay sapphire but I won't complain about hendricks!) #ginordie read more

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Service = Exceptional. Food Quality = Best in Olympia. Ambiance = Perfect for a special occasion, romantic dinner or just a relaxing meal with friends. We loved the scallops and the cod. There are a lot of gluten free options that do not compromise flavor or taste. Our server was phenomenal. Definitely recommend. read more

Gardner's Restaurant - Calamari Steak which is gluten free, tender and delicious - Seafood Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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This restaurant has always been top notch. Good food and good service. Its definitely a special occasion destination.

This place was absolutely amazing! Took my wife out for a much needed date. The atmosphere was great, the service was great and the food was by far the best I've had. I would definitely recommend this place! read more

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Such a quaint restaurant, the ambience was just perfect! We were seated at a table for 2 that was very cozy. The service was impeccable and the food was great! I had Bolognese with ground beef and pork, it was outstanding. My husband had the Seafood fettuccine, which he loved. The portions are generous, neither of us could complete the meal. A tray with wonderful desserts were presented at the end of our meal, I chose the Lemon bar, which I planned on eating the next day, until my husband dropped it on our kitchen floor. Which means we will have to drive from Gig Harbor to Olympia to eat at this fantastic restaurant again! read more

Gardner's Restaurant is my new favorite in Olympia. And even though my review is Gardner's 99th on Yelp, like others, I still missed it before. How did I ever miss it? I used to live here when I was a student at TESC, but somehow it was never on my radar. Luckily, it's right across the street from the Double Tree Hotel where I spent the night this time, otherwise, I would have missed it again. Gardner's isn't much to look at from the outide, but when you walk in, you'll feel right at home. Like being home in 1983: warm, inviting, and friendly. Oysters on the half-shell and razor clams were perfectly presented and truly delicious. The toasted coconut ice cream for dessert was also memorable, but this visit was really all about those perfectly pan-fried razor clams: crispy, yet juicy, sweet, and succulent. Everything about Gardner's is enchanting, especially its nondescript façade. The sisters who own and run the place are delightful and professional, and I commend them for having the 12 year-old daughter present the dessert tray at the end of the meal. I'm glad to know they're training the next generation to carry on. I love Gardner's. It's like the 'Canlis' of Olympia, and I can't wait to return. read more

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Great food and little pricey great service. Looks like a hole in the wall but it does not disappoint.

We happened to be in town for something else and so happy we chose this restaurant for my birthday based on online reviews. Our server Brooke was perfect. We spent twice as much last Valentine's Day/bday in pdx area and Gardner's was twice as good! read more

Wow, wow, wow. I can't believe I never knew about this hidden gem. Last night was my wife and I's first time at Gardner's, but it definitely won't be our last. We were seated in the back right corner overlooking the whole restaurant, but it had the perfect amount of 'privacy' so that you didn't necessarily feel on display. The ambiance of the entire place is perfect. Our server, I believe her name was Mary Kay, was so kind and made our first time fantastic. And the food... oh my god. Delicious. The Dungeness crab dip was out of this world. As far as entrees, I got the Seafood Trio and my wife got the Seafood Fettuccine. The fettuccine has the option of a cream sauce or a white wine sauce, she went for the white wine! My meal also came with a mushroom risotto that was gone within seconds. And in case I thought it couldn't get any better, we also got the peanut butter pie with Oreo cookie crust. I also tried their Lemon Drop which was, no surprise, perfect! Perfect date night spot. Some of the best seafood I've ever had. Incredible service. This will definitely be our go-to for special occasions! read more

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Every time I've been here the food has been great and the service has been great. Did Valentine's here, an anniversary, and took my out-of-town parents. I was a little sad when they got rid of the pasta side. Who doesn't love a pasta side? I mean when you're indulging pasta is perfect. Overall consistent, cute ambiance. I'd totally eat here again. read more

Food is fabulous! An awesome steak!!! Polenta! Atmosphere is great but the outside scares you.

Food and service were both excellent. It's a bit pricey but the atmosphere and service remind me of those fine French restaurants that were around in the 80s in the PNW. read more

Service was good. Atmosphere was great. Food was prepared and presented very well. (& Our water was refilled many times which was nice). Seafood tasted fresh and my scallops were super tender. We will be coming back! We didn't have enough room for desert but my husband and I might come back for just a desert day sometime :) read more

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Great environment, intimate but open and fun. Service is impeccable and food delicious.

Nice ambiance but overpriced. My husband and I both had the Dungeness crab casserole. We were both disappointed in lack of taste and stringy texture of the meat. The specialties sounded lovely, so perhaps I just chose poorly. I might return if I have an extra $100 to blow on a meal for two. read more

Food is delicious, service is good and lighting and atmosphere is perfect. My husband and I had a great time.

You will not be disappointed. Everything from our oysters on the half shell, the pan seared scallops, to the creme brule was amazing. The service was excellent, never too far away, but gave us space for a very private dinner for two. read more

I can't express enough how amazing the food is here! Totally recommend the Lamb Chops or the Seafood Trio. Got a special lady or gentleman friend you wanna impress? Then, this is the place. Friendly servers, great ambiance and the cook is very talented. read more

We were in town on vacation and saw the excellent reviews and had also spoken to a local couple the night before who raved about this restaurant. They were right, this restaurant is a hidden gem!. From the outside, it is very simple, plain, but the interior is airy and clean. The ladies who greeted us were wonderful and the Food was absolutely WONDERFUL! I had the chicken picata, husband had clams, daughters had ravioli and a pasta. The food had wonderful, flavorful and I also had a salad with a delicious blue cheese dressing. Thank you Gardner's. We enjoyed this wonderful meal and excellent service from ( I believe her name was Mary Kate?) read more

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Oh, this place is only the greatest restaurant that has ever existed. I'm a VERY picky eater and I'm usually disappointed at restaurants - but WOWOWOW. I LOVE this place! The charcuterie is to die for, and is well stocked and varied. The entrees are all decadent, and I always get a different one (they have SIDES of fettuccine alfredo. Heaven.). Their drinks are exceptional as well - not watered down, but not too strong where it's overwhelming. They bring you a dessert plate to make your selection, and the meal rounds out with the most exquisite dessert you've ever had. It's a beautiful setting as well, with dim lighting and candles. It's the prime romance spot, and my husband is taking me there for my birthday because we love it there so much. Highly recommend!! After dinner, you can go for a stroll along the water right next door. Truly an experience and always makes for a fantastic night. read more

The atmosphere engages immediately, soft lighting, drapes that seperate tables for privacy. The decor is quaint. Thoughtful and romantic. Recommend reservations because it is small. Wait staff is friendly and attentive without hovering. Very nice range of cocktails. The raspberry sauce made the entree more of a dessert! Absolutely amazing! We both had mushroom risotto as our starch and we believe you'd have to go to Italy to find better. The other 2 members of the party ordered the sauteed prawns in a cream, lemon, and dill sauce. Very good food and service. Good size portions. One of the longest operating fine food dining restaurants in Olympia. read more

Gardner's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Olympia, Washington

Always a pleasure and an experience to go to Gardners. Probably the best dining experience in Olympia and unpretentious to boot. Recommended! read more

Old school kind of restaurant. I had the seafood pasta with olive oil which was ok, but a bit overpriced for what you get. I would give 3.75* if I was able. read more

We have been twice now and really enjoyed it. The inside is nicer than some of the photos on here (I'm picky about ambiance and I was happy with how cozy it is). We've been happy with our food both times. Good cocktails and wine. Friendly staff, accommodating to our toddler with a high chair and even a little toy to keep her busy and some buttered pasta. The second time we went, one of our guest's food was brought out cold, but they happily warmed it up for her and she insisted she was happy with her meal. We will definitely be back. read more

Such delicious food and nice ambiance. The service is outstanding. Our favorite place to go for a nice dinner in Olympia!

Solid in so many ways Service a bit slow at the start but once is "set in" it rolled nicely Wonderfully designed menu Really nice ambiance Ingredients fresh and nicely prepared Presentation solid Prices fair Portions nice Nicely designed wine options Really a great option in many ways Tighten up service and it could be 5 stars read more

We went to Gardner's Restaurant last night for our 45th wedding anniversary. The service was excellent..the food not so much. The portion sizes were very small and the price very large for what you get. My food was so salty that I could barely eat it. My wife's seafood was very fishy tasting indicating that it was not fresh. We both said, after we left the restaurant, that we should have sent it back but we didn't want to ruin the night out with each other. Very disappointing. Of the 45 anniversary dinners, we have shared together, this was probably the worst. We have been to Gardner's in the past (last time 2 years ago) and it was good but this meal was horrible. Hopefully this is not a trend but we will never know as we will never go back. read more

This place is the absolute best restaurant in town!! Hands down! Best food, and even better service! The vibe is great for date night or just a spur of the moment dinner out! Don't sleep on this one guys, you'll be missing out on Olympia best little gem!! Their prawns with risotto is my go to!! read more