Really REAL Turkish food: So thrilled my husband found Oliva, not far from our hotel on the edge of Madison right after we arrived. We were even more thrilled to find the excellent quality and true Turkish food, reminiscent of being in Turkey - starting with the glass of Cankaya white wine (from near where I used to live in Ankara, Turkey) through the kofte and sis kebabs, the Turkish lamb special and the karniyarik, and the baklava - made with yufka not phyllo dough - and not cloyingly sweet as most US baklava is. It was great to be able to speak Turkish with the owners, Yucenur and Mehmet and others in the kitchen. It was so delicious, we went back the next night!! I didn't have enough room or time to eat all the Turkish treats offered on the menu, especially the ones I cannot make for myself! read more

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I felt Oliva's was a safe place for dinner after looking in the windows on my way to the library every week and noticing that the staff kept their masks on and practiced good habits whether or not they had customers. So I treated myself - first dinner out in one year! And it was excellent, starting with a nice glass of red zinfandel to take off the chill from my walk. I was served hot crusty bread and olive oil, along with a very lovely house salad. For the entree, I had the Nohutlu Ispanak, which is a tasty vegetarian dish with spinach and chickpeas simmered with onions and tomato. Turkish coffee for dessert. It was all delicious. During my meal, a few other customers were seated at a good distance away from me. Waiter was extremely helpful and attentive. I work in medical and have been VERY careful to be safe on all levels, but I also want to keep our small businesses alive, so I highly recommend this restaurant for dining out. Or even just a glass of vino on a cold day. Looked like their take-out service was going strong too. read more

I was in Madison for work, I wanted to find some mediterranean food. I am so glad I found this place. I was here like 6-7 times during my stay. Everything I tried tasted great. I had a chance to meet the owner. He was welcoming, very friendly chef with 20 years of experience. He makes sure the customers are satisfied with their food. I would recommend this place for everyone who wants great taste of Italian, Greek, and Turkish food. read more

Oliva - Gyro Plate! - Mediterranean Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This is, sadly, a boring Sysco-based restaurant. It's not offensive, but I won't go there again. It's just not all that interesting. I think you're better off at Bunky's. read more

Has Oliva changed owners? Our experience there last night was nothing like previous times. First, they no longer start you off with flatbread; instead it's your typical Italian bread. Second, they were terribly understaffed; the host was also the waiter for half the restaurant. Third, we waited for over an hour for our meal. When our food finally arrived, the chicken was unbelievably salty. Very disappointing -- I don't think we'll be going back again. read more

After a series of disappointments at restaurants stretching from here to Montana I am happy to say we finally scored some very good food at Oliva! Not only was the food good but the atmosphere was very nice, the settings were elegant and clean and the service was very good. We began with a serving of four slices of delicious bread that I thought he said it was pita bread. It was light and flavorful. We ordered two more later in the meal all complements of the house. I had an eggplant dish with pine nuts called The Imam Fainted. It was served hot with rice and of ample proportion and full of flavor. My companion ordered the Vegetable Stew which was equally delicious. For desert we had the Tiramisu which was well made and very good but didn't wow me. The view outside isn't anything that spectacular. But inside the decorations are fitting with a Mediterranean restaurant and the music was also fitting and at a perfect volume. This is certainly a restaurant we will be back to soon. read more

Just a quick review of their pizzas. We often order an extra large veggie pizza with pepperoni added. They are consistently outstanding, the crust is light and flaky (really one of the best I have had), and they are generous with the ingredients which are always very fresh. It is a great pizza that actually seems pretty healthy when we don't feel like cooking. read more

I was at Oliva's this evening with an acquaintance and within 5 min after we had paid our waiter came to the table to tell us the restaurant was expecting a large number of reservations and to please hurry up. Only half the restaurant was occupied and there was absolutely no one waiting to be seated. I have never been told that by a waiter before in my life nor have I ever felt so unwelcome. read more

Oliva is fantastic! As soon as your order is in the server will bring a basket of fresh baked bread to the table. The bread itself is rather unique in that it is both toasty and crispy and soft and chewy at the same time. The servers will keep the baskets of bread coming until your food arrives. As far as the food goes if you like stick to your ribs home cooking and Italian/Mediterranean flavors this is the place for you. I've tried their falafel appetizer, calzone, pizza, and chicken fettuccine. I have yet to be disappointed. Also the baklava is heaven! Perfect balance of pastry, filing, and honey! read more

I've been going to Oliva for a while. Not a regular but go in every once in a while, a few times a year. I find the mediterranean options good but aren't my favorite. The dining experience is very professional and relaxing. A lot of people had negative experiences with the servers being rude I see but I have not found that personally. read more

I had the calzone, it was a fantastic because the crust was not thick and it was crunchy- so it gave a beautiful tasty to the vegetable filling. I had one with spinach, artichoke, mushroom, and tomatoes. The side sauce was fabulous, and I was able to get more - I'm love sauce with my calzone. The server was fantastic and informed me that all vegetables are as fresh as can be and it tasted it as such. read more

UPDATE: I still love the food from this restaurant, i have to say they are pretty consistent in their food, however, they really need to work on their customer service, I have been there twice and I had placed a few orders over the phone and all the servers are rude, they make you feel you are bothering them all the time, I dont know if the owner is aware of this or not but seriously, I cannot believe how servers can treat customers bad; I dont go or call to this restaurant more often ONLY because of the rude attitude of the people who work there. read more

Been meaning to go here for ages and finally remembered it while trying to decide where to eat. last night We wanted to go someplace on the west side, so I suggested this to my husband. The interior of the restaurant is understated. Service was prompt and friendly. There were a lot of options on the menu, and I had a hard time deciding what to order. Since it was just the two of us, we decided to forgo any appetizers. I definitely want to go back with more people and order the appetizer variety plate. I finally settled on the falafel. My husband got the shrimp mediterranean. We were both very pleased with our dinners and easily cleaned the plates. I'm fairly certain it was the best falafel I have ever had, and I have tried falafel many, many places. It was not at all dry, but super moist and perfectly flavored. Highly recommend. I had a bite of the shrimp dish and it was also really tasty. Lots of vegetables and the shrimp were decently sized. I plan on returning, and I would recommend to others. read more

The bread is amazing-so fresh! I'd recommend the red lentil soup and the sautéed lamb. The service was exceptional as well!

I have a group of male retirees who meet for lunch about once a month, and Oliva was chosen for January. We arrived at 11:30 not exactly sure if we'd have 6 or 7, but Luis (our waiter) told us that he could move a table over to accommodate the last to arrive. Luis was just great and we all seemed to enjoy the food. I had the vegetable stew and the hummus appetizer. We've got some real carnivores among us as well, and they all said they were satisfied. The prices were reasonable and the servings were plentiful- just what people on fixed incomes need. I highly recommend this gem of a restaurant and will surely go back sometime very soon. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Madison. Anytime I have guests visiting from out of town or friends want to have a nice night out, Oliva is often the answer. There's a great atmosphere about Oliva's which is a nice combination of finer-dining (without the price or attitude) with a welcoming feel. The staff is friendly & attentive without being obnoxious. The complimentary airy pita bread with oil alone is a tasty treat; couple it with a bowl of the red lentil soup and it's pure delight for your tummy. I usually order either the gyro or falafel, the caprice is spot-on as well, & don't get me started on the delicious tiramisu...anything is going to be terrific. My only suggestion is to opt for a Mediterranean dish over an Italian one; there's a lot of Italian places so take advantage of this opportunity. read more

I took my boyfriend out to dinner tonight. There weren't that many people so I figured service would be terrific and the food fast as we were starving. Boy was I wrong. The server took forever to bring our drinks Bc she kept answering the phone and taking carry out orders. This should have been handled from the host or a server that wasn't busy. I ordered the large med salad and got a small yet she charged me for 2 small salads which was $4 over the large salad price. The calamari was delicious. My boyfriend ordered shrimp Alfredo and got something completely different and was served with rice. We thought it was odd that pasta would come with rice and then we realized it was the wrong order. He is too polite to send it back. Took forever to find the server to ask for water. That is so annoying when you're out of water. The dressing on the med salad is delicious but I don't think we will return. read more

EXCELLENT food. Fresh and Tasty. Reasonably priced and wonderful waitstaff! We've been 3 times in the last month and we have not been disappointed. The stuffed grape leaves and the baba ganoush were wonderful. read more

This is one of the best middle eastern cuisine I've had - i like everything here - baba ganouch, kababs, gyro, hummus.... my favorite thing is their freshly baked bread that they serve with the dinner.... I loved their sangria as well..... the atmosphere is quite and cosy.... really nice place to have a peaceful dinner with friends and family..... read more

If you're in the mood for gyros but looking for something a little more upscale than a trip to Parthenon, this is your place to go. The gyro plate is served with rice and a small salad. The red lentil soup and fresh bread is delicious. They also serve the best calzone I have found in Madison. Atmosphere is cozy, and service has been decent on every visit. read more

We really wanted to like Oliva because our server was so friendly but there are many fundamental flaws with this restaurant: first of all it took well over an hour for our entrees to arrive, 3 out of 4 dishes were lukewarm at best. We started with the hummus appetizer which, though we ordered it as soon as we sat down, arrived AFTER our soup course, approx 30 mins after ordering it. The soup was not hot .... how can a soup not be hot?? Just turn the stock pot on! Salads were dull. But to wait an hour for the food to arrive only to have it tepid at best was unforgivable. We will not return read more

I had the Imam Fainted entree for dinner. That and the lentil soup were very tasty.

Offers Italian and Turkish cuisine, hard to go wrong when this place is just down the road. Their bread doesn't look like anything special but is excellent -- light, crisp edges, pillowy soft inside. Both loaves we received were freshly baked and still hot from the oven. Table olive oil has a delicate, wonderful flavor. For dinner (served with soup or salad), I had the Nohutlu Ishpanak (sauteed combination of vegetables and chickpeas served with excellent rice) and my dining companion the Turkish Delight (braised lamb with vegetables over hummus), and both were quite good. Prices reasonable ($13-16), nice but still casual dining ambiance. Would definitely go again. read more

While Turkish food in Madison is not the exotic oddity it used to be, it can be a welcome change from the regular options to local diners. I remembered that they had a weekend salmon special wrapped in grape leaves with a green citrus sauce, along with a small salad and nice serving of saffron rice. It did not disappoint, although the price led me to believe that it was likely farm raised. On this occasion, not a deal breaker. read more

This place rates high on atmosphere - clean, warm, with elegance and color. Our server was efficient and not very friendly. The free bread is incredible - soft with a hard crust and great for dipping or spreading tapenade. I ordered the falafel, which had an unusual consistency (pasty instead of gritty) and had a good flavor. The sides were delicious. I would like to try the italian menu next time. My friend and I attended on a Tuesday evening and many people were coming in as the night went on. Must be a popular place. read more

Food is outstanding here! Also, excellent and professional service. Everyone at our table left very happy. Without a doubt, I WILL be back! read more

The romantic place described on Google was far off the mark. Probably on of the worst Italian/ Greek restaurants I've ever been. There was only 1/4 of the restaurant seated and this should have been a sign. The menu was hard to read and not organized well. I ordered the Malbec and it tasted like it was open 3 days ago. The warm bread was probably the best thing I ate yet the olive oil at the table was rancid and bitter. It couldn't even be doctored by the imitation Parmesan in the pizzeria style cheese dispenser. When my chicken Marsala arrived I knew I was in for a fight. The chicken was precut and looked like it came out of a bag, warmed up and thrown in a sauce that could have been a piccata if they didn't put Marsala wine in it. The mushrooms were white button mushrooms, not my favorite for this recipe. The linguini served tasted like it was cooked hours ago and just barely warmed in water before serving. I don't usually write reviewed but this one was needed so others won't make the mistake we did. read more

I may have gives it a five I was so impressed. I have never given a five. The staff was friendly and attentive. The portions were generous. My wife had the chicken shikabab and said it was excellent. I had a calzone and it was well done. The baklava was light and very well done. The rice pudding may have been the best I have eaten. We have bookmarked it and will be back when in Madison. read more

It's the best Mediterranean restaurant in town. I loved it, I can't have enough of baklava

Went to Oliva on a friday night and didn't have to wait. Service was great. Tried several appetizers- calamari, cheese bread, baba ghanoush. Portion sizes were generous and everything tasted amazing. Will go back again and again! read more

I went to Oliva's for my birthday lunch I had never been there before but had passed by it often and decided I wanted to try it. I was warmly greeted and was offered a beverage while I waited for the rest of my party. The waiting area in front of the fireplace was very nice for this cold and damp day. The food was very good and it was difficult to make a decision. Oliva is a mediterranean italian restaurant. I had the gyro entree and it was delicious and the bakala was excellent. I highly recommend it and plan to return. Also, the atmosphere is very nice. read more

The Home made bread was really good with the olive oil they provided. I had the special food which the waiter recommended us. It was a grilled salmon in the green leaf and had a green sauce on the top. It's served with mediteranian style cooked rice. The flavor of all three together was just perfect. Chef knew how to cook salmon very well. Another dish I tried was a chicken kebab. The taste was really good as well. However, the food portion was a bit small when u compared with the price. Maybe it compensates with the welcome bread they serve. read more

The service is ok. He informed us about the special of the day, my husband n our friend ordered it, lamb delight ...something. I ordered lamb kebab n hummus. The house bread was good very light inside and crispy outside. Hummus came with nothing and tasteless. When I asked he said he will bring more house bread which long after that. When their special came they turned out that around the plate was hummus which we thought he should have told us for we did not have to order it. My husband said there nothing special and they should have put more lamb. I was served with 3 small pieces of lamb, rice and salad which i quite agreed it should be more. The taste is ok, kebab usaully is only skewered n grilled. You cannot be wrong. So i give them 2 stars cuz the taste is just ok. The portion is less for the price. And some other points of the service. read more

Wonderful meal. Easygoing relaxed atmosphere with fantastic food. The falafel was the best I've had in many years; it was light and crisp. My husband had the fettuccine Alfredo, fabulous! The server was friendly and attentive. We dined with our 7 and 1 year old comfortably in one part while adult friends dined comfortably away from our domesticity. The children loved their food, too. Great baklava as well. read more

2 stars because the food is very good, very delicious tomato sauce, but the waiter, he acts like is bothered with the fact of people going there, 1st.when he brought my salad he threw my plate on the table with disgust. 2nd. I asked for my plate to come WITHOUT the spaguetti and it came with the spaguetti anyway, terrible spaguetti btw, too hard, was that AL DENTE? , 3rd the lemonade was more ice than lemonade and when we ran out of lemonade nobody asked to refill it... I think I can live without going there again, I don't have time to be misstreated by a waiter, there are other italian restaurants around Middleton! read more

After being warned that the food was bad, we went there anyway. Sad to say it was again yucky. The olive oil for dipping the bread was on the verge of rancid, the cannelloni dinner was tasteless, save for the acidic chunky red sauce smothering it, and the wine was ho-hum. I've had much better food at a fast food restaurant - for a lot less $$$! There are a vast number of really good restaurants in Madison, so don't waste your money at this one. read more

The place my wife and I go most often for our date nights and we haven't been disappointed yet. We've taken friends and family there and they've all loved it. All the food we've had is really well prepared and tastes great and we end up full, many times walking out with doggy bags. Highly recommend the grape leaf wrapped salmon they regularly have as a special. Only disappointment was going on Valentine's Day without a reservation and being turned away. Also can expect to need a reservation on Friday evenings. read more

This place is great! Here are the most delicious things I've tried there: -lamb kebobs -chicken parmesan -red lentil soup -even the house dressing on the salads -baklava-- best in town -other Turkish eggplant dishes. The only possible improvements are not even with the food! Things like fresh flowers, seat cushions and/or table candles would add ambiance and comfort but the bottom line is the food is amazing. Note: they also do delivery. read more

We first went to Oliva about 2 years ago, and absolutely loved it. Last time, a couple of weeks ago, was a huge disappointment and suggests that this restaurant has seen better days. Although it's hard to recall precisely what made our first visit so special, I do remember especially the accompanying rice. It was prepared as I've never had rice before, served in an attractive mound and glistening making it very tempting to eat. The flavor was good and the texture on the firm side. Knowing that the owners are Turks, I later researched to see if I could find out what made it so delectable and special. I learned that Turkish rice is often made with a bit of pasta added, and then I remembered those small white pieces among the rice grains. It was orzo, but I'm sure there was something more than that as the dish was exceptional. The rest of our meal was tasty and memorable that day too. But our visit a couple of weeks ago was quite the opposite. The rice mound was completely undistinctive, ie. no orzo, no spices embedded, and just something you eat to fill up, not to savor. Before that was served with the entree, however, I had lentil soup. That was a huge disappointment as well. Must have come from the top of the pot where few lentils resided because it was very watery with just as few lentils and nothing else of substance either. My lamb shish kabob was just okay. Somewhat hard and dried out, as if it came from a warmer not fresh from the broiler or oven. Their prices are reasonable for good mediterranean food with an occasional Turkish bent. However, the few people at the restaurant on a Friday evening suggets to me that we're not the only ones who became disappointed with Oliva over time. read more

I went here for lunch today with my mother-in-law. The decor was nice and the service was pretty good, but a little slow considering the restaurant wasn't that crowded. The turkish bread that they keep refilling was delicious. I got the Mediterranean salad with falafel and it was delicious. The homemade dressing had a very tasty flavor. The falafel was crispy, had a good taste, but I've had better falafels. My mother-in-law got the veggie stew. I didn't try it, but she said it was flavorful and the portion size was good. Overall, we enjoyed this restaurant and it was worth the price. I will definitely come back here. read more