This was probably the best meal I had while in Cleveland. Located in walking distance from the Westin hotel we were staying at, Oliva was an exceptional surprise. Don't be surprised when you get to the front door, the entrance in no way prepares you for the wonderful experience you are going to have. I know Oliva is known as a steakhouse, but it did not feel like one to me, and I mean that in a good way. Dinner started with Sfogliatina di Manzo Brasato (puff pastry, braised beef brisket, eggplant, potato sformato, stracciatella, thyme, fig vincotto), Gamberoni all'Aglio e Olio (jumbo shrimp, white wine, garlic, olive oil, Aleppo pepper, toasted bread crumbs) and a special Carpaccio that was out of this world. as there were other folks at the table with us, this is why we got multiple starters. All three of these starters were soooo good! Each starter had a wonderful flavor profile and were very tasty. Everyone tore into the Gamberoni all'Aglio e Olio, but the Carpaccio was my favorite. The Sfogliatina di Manzo Brasato For dinner I got the Cavatelli al Sugo di Coniglio (ricotta cavatelli, slow-roasted rabbit leg, natural roasting jus, soffritto, rosemary, Chianti reduction) with a extra rabbit leg. I did not need that extra leg, but so glad I got it because it made a lovely breakfast the next day. The rabbit just fell off the bone and complemented the pasta really well. I made it a point to remove the rabbit meat from the second leg and saved some pasta for my breakfast meal the next day. The Doctor got a steak and left no meat on the plate, so we can assume it was that good. The person picking up the tab order the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Tuscan-style porterhouse, sliced for the table) for the table. That was a lovely piece of meat that I would highly recommend ordering. If you can't finish it, take it home for a treat the next day. Multiple sides were ordered and none were left: Patate alla Pugliese (thinly sliced potatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt), Portobello alla Griglia (marinated portobello, balsamic vinaigrette, scallions) and Zucchine Marinate (baby zucchini, garlic, Aleppo pepper, extra virgin olive oil). I only tried the potatoes and have to say they were very good with the porterhouse slice I had. Based on the empty plates, I would say the table was in agreement that the sides were good. No one had dessert as we were full, so I can't speak on that. But what I can speak on is that there is nothing in Cleveland that will make me come to visit with the exception of that rabbit dish, that will make me come back. read more

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Cleveland, Ohio was our city of choice for our "Pit Stop" on our road trip from New York to Chicago. Having spent many a night in this rehabilitated city, a steakhouse was exactly what me and my son were craving! Oliva's restaurant was close to our hotel and got rave reviews in the restaurant world, so a simple walk to this lovely place was easy and convenient. As you walk in, this beautifully filled bar was quite a sight to see and we managed to get an "A" table right by this bar. The menu here at Oliva was classic steakhouse faire and we didn't hesitate to jump right in. We started off with two classic London Dry Martinis with olives and a twist of lemon; and after seven hours in the car, with was due fully Of course we both wanted two ribeye steaks medium rare which they were (exactly), and were delicious. Our sides were: * Spicchio di Lattuga iceberg lettuce, scallions, croutons, roasted cherry tomatoes, pomodoro, gorgonzola dolce * Caprese del Giardino heirloom tomatoes, arugula, buffalo mozzarella, basil emulsion, aged Modena balsamic Two glasses of Carmazzi Barolo and this bountiful dinner was put in the record books. read more

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Everything was exceptional from start to finish. Destiny was our waitress, and she truly went above and beyond. Since the menu is written in Italian, she took the time to walk us through every section from the appetizers and salads to the entrées and desserts , making the entire experience feel comfortable and personalized. She asked about our preferences, explained popular dishes, and recommended items based on what we enjoyed, which made ordering so much easier. We started with the shareable potato dish with shrimp and wine sauce, along with an eggplant appetizer, and both were absolutely delicious. The service throughout the evening was impeccable. Our water glasses were constantly refilled without us having to ask, and each course was cleared promptly with fresh silverware brought out every time. For dessert, we had the affogato vanilla gelato topped with espresso and it was the perfect ending to the meal. Overall, this was a 10/10 experience. Oliva has a smaller, more intimate atmosphere that feels warm, elegant, and inviting. I especially loved the open floor plan where you can watch the chefs cooking, which added so much to the ambiance and overall dining experience. All together our bill was $300 read more

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I absolutely love this restaurant! The aesthetic, the atmosphere, and the food were all a 10 out of 10. This was my first time going to this restaurant and it will definitely not be my last. I walked in, not knowing exactly what to order and the waitress gave me a great recommendation while also being extremely kind to me. I tried their Pasta au Gratin with an espresso martini and it hit the spot for me! Definitely recommend checking this place out! read more

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My Olivia experience was excellent. I came here with my coworkers for dinner. Right out the gate, our waitress was attentive and super knowledgeable (so high marks there.) The food was finger-licking good. We ordered a little bit of everything (for apps) and my favorite was the jumbo shrimp. I also had the prosciutto salad; not quite my speed but wasn't a bad dish. For the main I tried the NY strip; it was cooked to perfection and filling. One of my coworkers has foie gras added to their steak and I got to try it...I highly recommend adding that to you steak. The sides were baked potato (not bad) and mushrooms (so good.) For dessert I tried the tiramisu (excellent), crostada (not bad) and the cheesecake (one of the best cheesecakes I've had.) I washed it all down with the bacon old fashioned (yaaaass) and the lavender sidecar (pretty good.) In closing, I'll be back. Great experience from start to finish read more

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Just had some appetizers and a drink. But they was hitting. And our server Destiny gave us the best service I had in a very long time she made our quick stop through rememberable. read more

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What a feast we had! Ordered appetizers, Salad, 3 steaks, and a bunch of sides for 5 of us to share family style and it was an epic feast. Likely one of the fancier restaurants in Cleveland, but when on a business trip, we will at a minimum make sure to eat well. The ambiance of the restaurant had a homey but elegant feel with a perfect sized Christmas tree in the corner that created a nice seasonal vibe The appetizers were delicious, the steaks were perfectly cooked and the sides were tasty. The only nit-picky thing I wanted to point out is regarding the service. Since there was 5 of us, and we ordered the Gamberetti (jumbo shrimp) as an appetizer, I would have appreciated if our server would have indicated that each order only comes with 4. Awkwardly one of us (me) had to decline so the rest of the table could each have a piece. Instead, they could have pointed that out so we could have ordered two orders, or they could have offered to make an extra piece and charge us for it. I would recommend all steaks that we had, and would lean towards the Filet side of the porterhouse and the Ribeye being the best. The sliced baked potato was mid, but take that with a grain of salt because I am not bunch of a baked potato guy. read more

Oliva - Dinner Spread - Risotto, Porterhouse, Baked Potato, Ribeye, New York Strip - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Overall had a great experience at Oliva. The service was excellent, our waiter was very attentive, easy to talk to, and made good recommendations. The staff was also able to get us in for an earlier reservation over the phone to celebrate a special evening! We loved the bone in ribeye, the patata al forno, the burrata, and the sachetti. The bread starter was also a large portion and delicious. The ambiance is great, very well thought out and put together layout. Would go back again! read more

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My sister took me to Oliva's, and I'll start by saying it's absolutely adorable. The space feels cozy without being cramped or like you're sitting on top of the next table. We were seated by a window just as it started snowing, and honestly, it felt magical. Our waitress was wonderful: very knowledgeable about the menu, helpful in guiding us through our choices, and even assisted my sister in picking the perfect drink to pair with her meal. The bread and dip that come to the table are worth going for alone. Some of the best I've had and I say that as a self-proclaimed bread basket snob. Having tried my fair share, this easily lands in my top three. The seasoning is just right, and the addition of olives? Top-notch. I wish I could say the same for the main dishes. While the food was good, it felt like the kitchen was a bit afraid of salt. Each dish leaned slightly under-seasoned. I would absolutely give it another try, though next time I might just come prepared with a salt packet of my own. One thing to note: I'm not sure if the menu changes often, but veal is featured heavily at Oliva's. Not necessarily a bad thing, just something to be aware of, as it's incorporated into quite a few dishes. read more

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Absolutely fantastic food and service. Easy to miss entrance with a few steps downward into the place just under the Oliva sign downtown. Literally the only downside was the awkward bar seating- chairs that are so high you have to bend over forward, sort of stooping over your food even for a woman of normal height like myself. Extra large seat size so you don't actually have back support. Just weird and uncomfortable. However everything else was great! Bartender was not annoying but was perfectly attentive and very busy. The asparagi soup was nice and creamy. The potato al forno is a loaded large baked russet potato that was perfectly soft but not falling apart with sour cream, bacon, and green onions. The complimentary bread was nicely crusty outside but also soft inside and had a spread of Parmesan crumbles alongside the dipping herbs/olive oil. The burrata, fig balsamic, and prosciutto appetizer was both beautiful and an excellent mix of sweet and salty flavors. The porterhouse was perfectly rare as I ordered it yet also had a fantastic char giving it tons of flavor. I got both the amazingly grilled foie gras atop along with some black truffle shavings. Overall amazing and giant meal. read more

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Oliva was a great place to make a reservation for a large party (of 14) and a birthday celebration. Destiny was our server - she was knowledgeable and so friendly to our table. Right away, she rattled off specials, portion sizes, and descriptions of items on the menu. She made our experience wonderful and was more than willing to slice and hand out the cake that we brought in. Our group shared a bunch of steak, along with appetizers. The meat did not disappoint. The Filet Rossini and Bone-in Ribeye were great for individual dinners, as many of the meats on the menu can be split among other people. Definitely make sure to check with the server about the size of something before you order it! The meats don't come with any sides, so if you want something more, you will have to add another item on. I also highly recommend ordering the Risotto!!! It truly was incredible and probably could have eaten the whole dish by myself because it was so good!!! Two of us split the Sachetti as a side to our meal, in which Destiny let us know beforehand that it was a smaller size (not meant for a main dish). It definitely was small (around 5-6 noodles) but was one of their best pasta dishes, completely filled with cheese and the sauce was delicious!!! Oliva gave us a great night and dining experience. We felt comfortable, attended to, and the food was 10/10. read more

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High end but cozy restaurant downtown. We sat by the fireplace and it felt very inviting and comfortable for our cold Sunday dinner. Our waiter went over the menu (quite thoroughly which may not be for everyone but we relay appreciated hearing what was most popular and special to the restaurant). The Chateaubriand is expensive but wow it was perfectly cooked! So tender and seasoning was on point. Would order again (but maybe only as a group). I also would reorder Coniglio next time. Wow the meat just fell off the bone which I wasn't expecting for rabbit. The pasta wasn't anything special but I would eat this whole dish myself next time if I could. All desserts are made in house which is cool, the Crostata had great flavor but the crust was so hard making it difficult to eat or share. Overall, the restaurant served high quality food with unique offerings that people should definitely come and check out! read more

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Excellent Italian and steak, rolled in Monday night, seated right away, outstanding service, nice place, highly recommend

Absolutely outstanding experience at Oliva. My wife and I dined here for Valentine's Day and we were very excited with the new opening. Our expectations were certainly exceeded with every aspect of our night. The interior decor and ambience was great, the staff was very knowledgeable and friendly, and the food was outstanding. We decided to skip the big steak and seafood meals and we ordered several of the pastas. We certainly enjoyed the variety and had lots to take home as well. Be sure to ask the server how large the meals are so you're not caught off guard because some are on the small side and some were very large. This will definitely be one of our favorite restaurants, only dining here one time. We will definitely be back. read more

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I've been a loyal customer of this restaurant for 2.5 years and have always enjoyed my experiences here, which is why this visit was especially disappointing. I made a reservation for a special birthday celebration and specifically requested a window seat. I was assured in advance that a window table would be available for us. When we arrived, however, the window seat we had been promised was given to another party, and no explanation or accommodation was offered. While I understand that seating requests cannot always be guaranteed, what was frustrating was being told the request would be honored and then finding that commitment was not kept on such an important occasion. I expected better communication and consideration. The meal itself was enjoyable, and our server, Destiny, was amazing. I hope management will take this feedback to heart and be more careful about honoring commitments made to guests, especially for special occasions. Would've given it a five star... overall communication disappointing. read more

Got take out here and got the short rib pasta. There was plenty of short rib and the sauce was delicious. Decently priced too. Only thing is the pasta was slightly overcooked read more

Really good italian steakhouse in the warehouse district, service was impeccable, food was really good. We got the eggplant appetizer, shrimp appetizer, burrata. For main courses, we got the steaks, gorganzola cream, lobster, rabbit pasta, and sides were asparagus, zuchini and the really large potato...everything was tasty and filling. Only reason it wasn't 5 stars were the drinks were def on the more mixer/watered down side. They tasted ok, but tasted (and felt) like mocktails... read more

The restaurant is located sort of below the street on a ground floor off of St. Clair. You almost wouldn't even notice if you weren't looking for the sign. If you can't find street parking immediately, your best bet is to valet right in front for $10-$15. Don't waste your time circling around the block or parking in a lot. The top tier service starts as soon as you walk in the door. The hostess will take your coat and check it for you if you'd like. This is a semi-hidden gem and it was very cozy inside. Definitely doesn't give the typical downtown Cleveland restaurant vibe and I loved it. I will say I was skeptical at first with the menu seeming limited and me being a non-red meat eater but our server took his time to explain the menu and recommend alternative options. Everything I tasted was really good from the shrimp appetizer, portobello mushroom side dish and the branzino. Our drinks were also really good. I'd highly recommend making a reservation because the space isn't huge and it's becoming more and more popular. Great place for an after work business meeting, date night or small celebration dinner. read more

Oliva - Inside - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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I had made a reservation through open table for myself, and I was impressed by the whole experience from start to finish. To begin, waking up to the restaurant to have the from entrance a couple steps down and tucked in the corner out of the elements felt much like I was entering a private/hidden experience. I was greeted at the front, and ended up having a wonderful waitress by the name of Cassie. She helped suggest drink options, as well as my dinner and desert choices. She's personable and I appreciated her energy. She suggested my espresso martini which was smooth and highly recommended. I got the NY strip which came with a side salad with what I believe is an aged white cheddar, which is one of my favorites. It was great, and I had a side of zucchini which was nice and light to go with the steak. For dessert I had the Italian raw cheesecake which was light, fluffy, and delectable. I even got to try the pistachio ice cream which the table next to me spared a scoop as they got a couple desserts--that was super nutty, fresh, and rich (also highly recommend!) The only downside (those this doesn't really count), is that when I asked to have all of my leftovers boxed to the gentleman who came up to me to clear my table, is that he didn't box my bread and oil. But I hadn't mentioned it specifically, nor had I noticed until I got back to my accommodation. The location itself was dark, cozy, intimate, and perfect for a date night spot. Highly recommend trying this spot if you're around. I'll be back if I ever visit downtown CLE again. Cheers! read more

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Oliva is a new Italian steakhouse in the Warehouse District. Located below Acqua di Luca and owned by the same group, Oliva is a welcomed fine dining option in Downtown Cleveland. You can't see much from the exterior as the restaurant is at basement level with only a small window in the front. It reminds me of a garden apartment turned restaurant in New York City. The space feels both modern and classic at the same time. Despite the lack of natural sunlight, it feels well-lit. There's an awesome large painting of a flower on the wall behind the bar. The restaurant felt surprisingly big inside, holding several large tables and plenty of two and four tops. The full, open-air kitchen is in the back and has a large chefs bar around it where guests could sit and watch food be made. I came with a party of 5. Two of us got a mojito mocktail. It was pretty sweet. I think they only had one mocktail on the menu, which I wasn't interested in. They do have an extensive wine menu, wine by the glass and by the bottle. Two others got cocktails that they said were just fine. For appetizers we got the bocconcini di manzo, a filet mignon and ricotta roll. It was super interesting and very delicious. The steak was cooked medium rare for the most part. The cheese and breadcrumbs mixed with the steak and spinach chili peppers were a nice flavor. We also got the gamberetti, which was jumbo shrimp in an aglio olio sauce. The shrimp was seasoned well and the sauce was a little spicy, but still flavorful. My favorite appetizer was the primavera. The burrata was super fresh, I could have had another pound of it and the roasted peaches were an awesome addition to this classic dish. For entrees, a friend and I split the porter steak. Both cuts of meat (filet mignon and t-bone) were cooked to a perfect medium. The meat was super tender, it really did melt in your mouth. We also got the Gorgonzola cheese sauce, which was extra and not especially worth it. The meat just didn't need anything else. For the steaks, there are no entrees, so you have to get whatever sides you want separately. We got the baked potato. It was definitely undercooked. The chef agreed and they removed it from our bill. I also shared the sachetti pasta. It was a pretty small portion but a really delicious cheese pasta. Don't get this as your main meal if you're hungry. I also got a mascarpone cheesecake which was really tasty. Overall, the service was good and I enjoyed the decor and ambiance of the restaurant. As is true with most new restaurants, I think there are a few kinks to work out in the kitchen. However, I'll definitely return soon for a special occasion or when I'm in the mood for a good steak. read more

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Stopped in here with a bunch of colleagues one night after our work conference ended. The ambience of this place is wonderful; intimate but not cramped. The food though. My word, the food. What a fantastic selection of Italian dishes. We all ordered something different, and wound up trying a bit of everyone's dish. Everything was astoundingly good! I would never have guessed there was a restaurant in Cleveland of this caliber. Clearly all made from scratch with high quality ingredients. The service was the same, completely top notch. This place is a hidden gem that is VERY worth giving a try! read more

If you've never been to Oliva, I highly recommend it. The menu feels well thought out and complete. The restaurant itself is warm, cozy and inviting. It has the perfect ambience for a night out in Cleveland. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledgeable on the entire menu and made some great recommendations. I was sat in a party of 4 and we ordered a multitude of dishes to try and share. The polpette, spicchi, giardino, asparagi zuppa, sachetti, ravioli, pasta au gratin, filet, new york strip, torta di morra, and the tartufo.... ALL heavenly. Truly the theme of the night was "not a bad bite" Every dish we tried was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The kitchen staff is to be commended on their attention to detail and the beautiful plating of the dishes they served. Another amazing Lola Jacaj restaurant. I can not wait to return! read more

Food, service, and ambiance were all absolutely amazing!! This is a relatively new Italian steakhouse in downtown Cleveland. The ambiance is a vibe with low lighting, exposed brick, and bar seating with a front row seat to the magic that happens in the kitchen. Our waitress provided excellent recommendations and organized our meal into 3 courses: appetizers, salad, and entree. Everything was delicious, but the stars of the show were definitely the filet Rossini (extremely tender, cooked to perfection, lovely flavors from the black truffle and Demi glaze) and the coda di aragosta (lobster tail), which also featured black truffle shavings and was served butterflied. This was a wonderful dinner experience that I highly recommend. Can't wait to come back! read more

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We had a table of 12 celebrating a retirement tonight, and Destiny absolutely knocked it out of the park. From the moment we sat down, her enthusiasm, professionalism, and deep knowledge of the menu stood out. She kept every order and special request organized with ease, and the pacing of the meal was perfect--no one ever felt rushed or waiting too long. Destiny explained the menu with such clarity and care that if we didn't know any better, we would've thought she was the owner! Her service helped make a special night even more memorable, and we're incredibly grateful. Thank you, Destiny! read more

Visited for a birthday. Flavor profile of the filet appetizer item was amazing but wasn't warm (not sure if that's on purpose). The risotto was great but the loaded baked potato lacked salt and came out sort of cold also although the risotto came out hot. Our server was awesome. Maybe would go back for more of a date vibe vs a big group setting. read more

I would like to give this restaurant 10 stars, from the minute my husband and I walked inside, we were treated amazing. We celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary here at Oliva. We'd love to thank our server Dawn for the top notch service she delivered. She was on point with everything and such a sweet person. Thank you Dawn for making our anniversary worth remembering. read more

Went to celebrate Mother's Day. Food was okay. They handed us the check without even offering us a dessert menu. Definitely disappointing. Do better. read more

Start off by saying the food was great! The big bummer was the service/timing. We quickly noticed our server was pretty inattentive compared to the tables beside us who had other servers. Despite her recommendations for coursing, she coursed it differently than she explained, then disappeared. We ended up waiting 45 minutes after finishing one course before the next. The individual who ended up delivering the the delayed course said "after your long wait!" And put the food down with nothing more. The side was cold, presumably because the steak was so long to come out. Nonetheless the bread, shrimp app, risotto, caprese salad and filet were amazing. Skip the zuchinni side. Restaurant is nice, bathrooms are detached and cold/rough. For a $200+ tab, better service needed. read more

Perfect. Food, service, and atmosphere are all top-notch. Best steak that I have had in Cleveland. It was very much appreciated that they offered to convert apps into family-style serving sizes. We will be back! read more

The food was 10/10! We had dinner here for a bachelorette party and it was absolutely delicious! We ordered family style and I'm so happy we did bc we got to try so many different things! Our favorite by far was the whole bronzino. Probably the best I've ever had... EVER. Perfectly prepared and the flavor was unbelievable. The bone in ribeye was also really great! I couldn't stop eating the bread. The oil had olives in it and the butter was perfection. The sarchetti pasta was good, but not my favorite. I probably wouldnt order this again. The zucca side was great tho! The zucchini kinda melted in your mouth. Yum! read more

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I visited Oliva Steakhouse in downtown Cleveland for Father's Day, and it was a great experience from start to finish. The entrance is easy to miss--a discreet door that leads you a few steps down--but once inside, you're greeted with a dark, moody, yet elegant ambiance that sets the tone perfectly. We had a party of 9 and made reservations in advance. They called to confirm, which I appreciated. Our server was fantastic--courteous, knowledgeable, and genuinely attentive. As someone who works in the luxury hospitality field, I was impressed by her anticipatory service and thoughtful recommendations that adapted to our preferences. I ordered a bottle of the Chappellet Mountain Cuvée (St. Helena, CA, VT21 Cabernet) and the bone-in ribeye--both were excellent. The steak was a generous cut, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor. I finished with a coffee and the pistachio dessert, which was surprisingly light despite the large portion. Overall, an excellent spot for a special occasion. Would return. read more

Great ambiance. Smaller restaurant in warehouse district. Good portions for the price. Attentive staff.

The food was great, I had the Ribeye it was seasoned and very tender. I went with a group of coworkers and my spouse. The service was exceptional our waitress was very attentive, however the manager was standing there staring at us which made us uncomfortable. Not sure why but upon discussing this I was told he did the same thing to my friend and his wife. read more

Great experience here! Food, service and ambiance was great! We each had a steak and risotto family style. Everything was fantastic! read more

Oliva - Steaks, and Risotto ( chefs kiss!) for the table! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Perfection. Our server Leah was attentive and engaging. The food was excellent and atmosphere was cozy!

My experience at Oliva was amazing. Great service and top notch food. I wasn't celebrating anything but I would definitely suggest it for a birthday or anniversary.' read more

We attended the National Card show a few weeks ago and decided to come to Olivia for dinner. We had made reservations prior. I had a blast the entire time I was there. I was hanging out with the staff, chilling at the bar and only sat at the table when I needed to eat. The Shrimp that was served for an appetizer was amazing. i think that is top 3 shrimp I have had in my life. The ribeye I ordered was cooked to a perfect temp and served with potatoes that were simply dressed and amazing. But what stood out to me the entire time was the amazing staff here. They are really some great people. Thank you guys, hope to come back soon and visit. read more

Oliva - Coolest staff! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

The food was delicious. I ordered the branzino and it delicious. My server Eva was awesome: friendly and knowledgeable about the food and the area. Great recommendations for wine with the sea bass. Atmosphere is low-key and friendly. They make their own crusty bread and it is great. If i come to Cleveland again Oliva will be on my list of places to visit! read more

It was so good and the food choice was wonderful! Service wasn't all that fast but it's alright because it was pretty busy at the time. It was a bit dark, with soft lights and a dark ambience. The steak was amazing!! Delicious flavor and cooked to perfection. Will definitely be back! And don't forget the cheesecake. Chefs's kiss. read more

Tuscan Style Steakhouse and Cleveland's most authentic Italian Steakhouse. Beautiful restaurant, small and quaint. Service was quick and effective - Not pictured was the most delectable eggplant dish that I will be having again on my next visit Drinks were great and steak was flavorful and cooked perfectly. Will be coming back for pasta very soon. read more

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