I've been coming to Olive Tree Café for years, and it never disappoints. It's one of my go-to spots in Greenwich Village for a laid-back, casual dinner with friends. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, the cocktails are consistently spot on, and the service is truly some of the best in the city--attentive without ever feeling overbearing. My favorites are the Middle Eastern Platter (hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, Israeli salad, falafel, dolmades, and pita) and the Braised Lamb with turmeric couscous, dried fruit, and almonds. What really makes this place special is its history and character. As part of the iconic Comedy Cellar, Olive Tree has long been a gathering place for comedians and artists--it genuinely feels like you're sitting in a piece of NYC culture. There's something unique about being in a space that has played such a big role in the city's comedy scene. A fun (and slightly quirky) detail: the restrooms are downstairs through the Comedy Cellar, so you get a quick behind-the-scenes glimpse as you pass by the stage--definitely adds to the experience! If you're around on a Monday night, don't miss the Olive Tree Madmen--the house band plays from 9 PM to midnight and brings great energy to the space. Olive Tree Café is a true Village classic that I always recommend. read more

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The service was great, the server made sure we got the table we wanted and the manager checked in on us a couple of times. We got wings, hummus and a greek salad. I've been here more than a few times and the food is always good but portions can be a little bigger. read more

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Wonderful wait staff. The short rib borscht is to die for. It's the kind of soup you want to eat alone while chanting, "I am one with the bowl, I am one with the bowl"! But it was made even better by a table full of friends and laughter. Love this place. Love the vibe! read more

This place is really sexy and they have a comedy cellar. Olivia was our server, and she was super sweet. Thanks for the service, girl!!!!! My friend took me after work and I was like a cafe lol but I was definitely shocked about the place. The stain glasses are beautiful The tables you can use chalk to write and draw on, so fun. Now food, my friend, so hmmmm, I wanted buffalo wings but got cauliflower. lol, I didn't enjoy that like I thought the falafel was really good. The combo of the plate was on point. The truffle fries were my favorite hands down. They also play some amazing tunes so that had me feeling myself read more

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Thorough enjoyed ourselves during a midday jaunt. It was the perfect oasis to cool off and people watch. The service was exemplary. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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We came after seeing a show at Skirball. Was glad they were a full service restaurant still serving food as a lot of places nearby had already stopped seating. Food and service were great, the server was extremely attentive. I got the kofta kebab platter and my dining companion got the chicken shawarma. I really enjoyed the platter's fresh veggies and rice combo; so much so that I forgot to snap a pic. The fries that came with the shawarma were also tasty. It's a decent portion size. The venue does share a bathroom with the comedy club downstairs, so the line for the bathroom can get long. I'd certainly come back! read more

One of the last bastions of good food left in New York City from the 70s 80s and 90s. How they managed to keep up their quality after all these years is a feat onto itself. This is the best Middle Eastern meal you can get anywhere. read more

This is my second time coming here . First time I came here was for for drinks. This time around myself and Fiancé came here for dinner prior to attending a comedy show . I had the steak and fries, steak was good; I just wish it came with a sauce. my Fiancé got the chicken kabab platter, which I loved . I love the fact that they didn't rush you so we were able to stay there until the start of our comedy show ; which started at 12am. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Chicken Kebob Platter - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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The burger was one of the best I've had in a while! They make burgers with a great seasoning mix of noticeable but not spicy/overpowering flavors. Vibe inside has an old school NYC element that works well. I went on Monday night for the music which started at 9pm; at times a bit loud but nothing crazy. Biggest downside is using the bathroom that's shared with comedy cellar; not great but manageable. And if you're a true New Yorker past or present you'll prob recognize some fellow customers inside (comedians, podcasters, popular 'intellectuals'). In modern times you prob won't get a better mix of eclectic mix of people inside that is authentically NYC which is getting rarer & rarer. My 2 friends who joined me had never been but really liked vibes & food too. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Live music on Monday nights - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

I came here for lunch on a Monday afternoon around 12:30. It was practically deserted and my dad and I were the only people in the restaurant. We shared a Greek salad and the Middle Eastern platter, which came with hummus, baba ganoush, cucumber salad, grape leaves, feta, olives, tabbouleh, and pita (we also added a chicken skewer). The food was okay, but a little bland. Service wasn't the best. It took a while to get our food, even though we were the only people in the entire restaurant. Our waitress was watching videos on her laptop on high volume across the restaurant from us. I get that it was slow, but use headphones please! read more

Excellent meal here, we had beer and coffee that were good. The Chicken Kabab platter had all food nicely charred, with some Indian spiced white sauce. Chicken was cooked perfectly. The white rice was plain but good. Decor inside is very classy with dim lighting. Lots of brown. Service was good, getting us everything we needed. read more

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Good service. Good food. Good atmosphere. Chalk to draw on the tables as an added fun bonus!

The Olive Tree continues to be one of my favorite spots in the city for the last 13 years. The atmosphere is welcoming and the food outstanding. I really appreciate the bartender Carly's creativity when making non-alcoholic drinks, as I am 5 years sober. Highly recommend 10/10. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Mediterranean Platter - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

Food, service, ambiance - all excellent. The Walnut Pesto Pasta was fantastic, and Victoria (the server) was very attentive and nice. This place has been around forever, and I'm glad the cafe is as pleasant (at least when it's not packed with tourists) as when I first visited. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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This place never disappoints. I've been coming here for over ten years and with all the menu updates, it's still an awesome ambiance and selection of dishes. It seems like it's Mediterranean focused, however there are options that contain meat other than lamb. The Hummus Platter is pretty big considering the price and the area. The Mac & Cheese is also tasty, and has panko crust atop the dish. The tables are equipped with chalk! White only, however perfect for kids and fidgety patrons. Not sure if everyone knows this, but the bathrooms are below the cafe... through the cellar room reserved for comedy shows. The infamous Comedy Cellar is below the cafe, however you need to buy tickets for those shows separate as entry to the shows are NOT included in the dining experience. Greg was an awesome server; gives great suggestions. They also carry Irish cider. Check it out- it's definitely a staple of the NYU area. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Table - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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Big fan of Noam and company and wanted to check it out before the show. Loved the chicken kabob and my kid for the burger which was tasty. Fantastic service and wait staff - was great to see all the comedians in the back and locals in the booths. Totally worth it! read more

I had a great time here. The sangria was great and my food was great. The waiter was very attentive and made sure we were well taken care of. We ate outside and it was awesome. It rained but we didn't get wet because the outside eating are is rainproof. I loved the atmosphere. Right downstairs in the basement they have a comedy bar which was pretty cool. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Lamb - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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Food was very tasty. We ordered the middle Eastern plate that had baba and hummus and tabouli and a salad with cucumbers and tomatoes. We ordered it with 2 chicken kebabs and a small side dish of vegetables. Service by Giselle was very professional and lovely. read more

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This used to be an amazing place with a great brunch and dinner menu. Now they've reduced their menu options. I wouldn't call it simplified, because the items they removed are the ones my friends and I enjoyed ordering. At least the ambiance and interior design hasn't changed. The food was alright. read more

Made reservations days in advance. When we arrived after paying for parking. We were told that it was packed to capacity. A white woman with two kids arrived. She and her two children were allowed to enter the packed capacity to dine inside. I was informed that we would have to dine outside. Why we're we not informed about the dining outside when reserving the reservations. Does the color of your skin determine your dining inside or outside at the olive tree cafe? I wonder if this is a common practice here. Consider this prior to reserving a table at this establishment. read more

SIMPLY THE BEST!! Prime West Village LOCATION,-easily accessible by foot, bus, subway, skates Always IMMACULATE SCRUMPTIOUS FOOD GREAT VARIETY of YUMMY SELECTIONS ,AFFORDABLE FULL BAR, SUPERB & FRIENDLY CORDIAL SERVICE Wonderful BAND -9PM every MON NITE Big screen complementary Charlie Chaplin films throughout the day, night except Mondays when you have the live band! Former home of Café Feenjon GORGEOUS ORIGINAL DECOR World renowned, iconic restaurant and COMEDY CELLER (below) restaurant level Really nice and enjoyable patrons who come in, some for the first time, and of course a whole lot of regulars because we love it! The most amazing management ever No reservations required, open for lunch and dinner, reservations suggested for Monday night dinner and band. I suggest making reservations Friday and Saturday nights. Of course it fills up! GREATEST PLACE for a celebration!!! Don't hesitate to come ALONE,either!!! Bon appétit!! Cheers! Enjoy! BARBARA TODRES NY, NY PS: I tried to order the Greek CD of the Finjan from Amazon but it's not yet available. Wondering if you might be able to sell the CDs in the restaurant! Yes there are people who still buy CDs, like me ha ha! I really want that CD! read more

This place is right next to the Comedy Cellar which makes it very convenient if you're seeing a show there or at one of the other comfy clubs on the block. We are in a parklet and that was nice because we had our own heater and we weren't crowded in somewhere. The food was pretty good. I wouldn't call it outstanding. And the sever was very nice, but pretty slow. I'd go again for the convenience when going to the comedy club, but that's about it. read more

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Went to the olive tree before a show at the cellar and was very happy. The Mediterranean platter was spot on. The salads were all fresh and the chicken skewer perfectly seasoned. Best Mediterranean in the Village and arguably best hummus in the city. read more

Amazing food, recommend the kebab platter. The comedy cellar was also amazing. Good time with friends, coworkers, family.

Excellent service and food ,, I had the shish kebab platter,, (lamb). Nice ambiance and atmosphere,, read more

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Best wings... traditional spice but this wild hint of perfect depth and sweetness (almost). Great drinks, friendly service, and it's the MOST FAMOUS PLACE TO SPY COMICS IN THE WORLD. How can you pass up tasty food, good times, a beverage, and seeing iconic and hilarious people that spread joy all over. It's not midscale, but it's no dive. It's one of my favorite New York experiences, and can't wait to be back over and over. read more

We went to Olive Tree Cafe prior to going Comedy Cellar. It was delicious. Service was a slow but very personable. We had the Mediterranean platter as an appetizer. It was fantastic. We shared a bowl of Borscht and Braised Lamb. Both were excellent. We had (2) glasses of wine each. In hindsight, I would have of probably shared one entree and the appetizer, and ordered only 1 drink. We were so full and could not finish. Also, if going to the Comedy Cellar afterwards, you need to order (2) items per person. Save your drinking for there. I highly recommend both places read more

Whenever I come to this place I enjoy a lot! Don't expect any high quality of fancy meals but casual and reasonable beers. This place reminds all of you of the great time/memories in the past. There are a lot of paintings around and movie is playing all the time. The atmosphere is amazing. It's the place you come back when you feel like!! read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

I had an average experience at this establishment. The decor was caaual and unique. Chalkboard tables, an arrangemenr of decor. I saw a oldschool telephone i thought that was cool. The menu on yelp is inaccurate. The menu has been changed or updated. I played it safe and got the chicken fingers and mac and cheese. It was definitely a no frills dinner. People were constantly coming in and out due to going to the comedy show right downstairs or just grabing a quick bite to eat. I had the homemade pineapple martini. It was pretty good They also had a live band which was pretty cool. Don't sit by the door it gets cold with people coming in and out. You have to go on a treasure hunt for the bathroom. Think escape room lol. No but seriously you have to put in a code to open the door go down a flight of stairs walk through the comedy show then your at the smallest bathroom you could imagine. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Mac and cheese - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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There are several food spots and bars on this street to choose from. Avoid at all costs. This woman looked me up and down and rejected me on using the bathroom even after saying I would buy a drink. Horrible customer service upon entry. Good riddance. read more

We love coming to Olive Tree Cafe right by NYU and Washing Square Park. The place itself is a relic of New York. Continuously playing old videos and live bands on the weekend cant be any better. Over here we got the hummus platter which comes with all the sides making it a perfect shareable plate. Olives, hummus, tahini, salad, and the perfect toasted pita chips. Also, came two chicken sewers that for a little extra adds to the flavor of a true Mediterranean dish. They have a full bar as well so best get a drink! read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Hummus Platter!! - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

I had a horrible experience there. The food was okay, but the manager was horrible. There is a comedy show on the lower level. Completely separate from the eating space. Though that's where the restrooms are. As I was walking down the steps to go the the bathroom, a man aggressively told me to SHHHHHHH!! As if I knew it was a comedy show. On my last trip to the bathroom, I had my phone to my ear but wasn't speaking, (I was on hold). He then aggressively ran up on me and demanded I get off the phone. I was so confused at his aggression. However I still put the phone in my pocket. That wasn't good enough for the egotistical manager. Apparently he wanted me to completely end my phone conversation. He then tried to block my path. When I tried to walk forward, he chest bumped me. I then very loudly said, "you must be out your mind!". He then got out of my way to use the bathroom. When I finished I asked to speak to a manager, (not knowing at the time he was the manager). The staff informed me the other managers and owners weren't there. So I sat and waited for further info. The same aggressively rude manager comes to me. He asked me, " I heard you was looking for the manager, well here I am!" I couldn't believe the amount of unprofessionalism he displayed. I decided I wasn't leaving until I got proper info of the owners. The manager decided to call the cops instead of giving me the info. My waitress Valarie decided she wanted to get involed so she asked me to leave. Then she started acting like she wanted to fight me. They arent running a restaurant/ comedy show there. They are getting ready for a MMA fight. It seems that the manager got aggressive like that, because he can't handle a comedy show while ppl are dining upstairs. I should have never had to go through that due to their comedy show. That was way too much violence being displayed at a place of business. He touched a patron of the restaurant for being on the phone. Mind you it was already an inconvenience having to walk down the steps through the crowd. To then get assaulted by staff? I will never go back there or any other affiliated venue. The owners have to hire more competent staff. read more

Food is really not that great. Judging by other reviews, it used to be good at some point in time. We came in and found that most of the things that looked good on Yelp were no longer available on the menu. We ended up ordering wings (ok) and borscht (large portion but where are the beets?? Maybe more like a goulash or beef stew than borscht?). It was ok. Probably better than food downstairs at Comedy Cellar, but not really good on an absolute basis. Or maybe it's my fault for not being drunk enough to appreciate. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Borscht - not enough beets - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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This place wasted a lot of my time and energy today. Their very extensive menu is up on Postmates, and I placed my order, even agreeing to pay an outrageous added fee of $6.00. but after thirty minutes I got a message from Postmates that my order was cancelled because the dive was closed. So I called the fraudsters, and of course they were open for business making the false claim that Postmates was "scamming" me. Total losers who are unable to accept responsibility or own up to their own lies. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Except they were not actually closed... - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

This review is based solely on the food. Service was fast and attentive, and I love that they do comedy and other live shows in the basement, but the food and drinks were just not good. The highlight of the meal was the fried calamari, a straight forward appetizer. They serve it with sweet chili sauce. The whole thing was odd for a Mediterranean place. The chicken wings (again, not sure what type of cuisine they're trying to focus on) had a sauce very similar to a Buffalo sauce, and I just wasn't into it. My friend enjoyed her burger, but I went with a Mediterranean platter cuz, ya know, I thought that's what this place was supposed to be known for serving! None of it was really edible, the hummus in particular was almost watery in texture. On top of it, the cucumber-whatever cocktail I ordered was also really bad. It tasted both watered down sour mix. read more

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Friday night of mischievous where a friend and I left nearby Fat Black Pussy Cat to a more quieter bar/restaurant here at Olive Tree Cafe to dispel stress plaguing from the week's daily deal of the daily grind. The writing on the wall of graffiti, through good faith, enticed us to venture here. I inhaled one Scorpion drink at $7.50 accompanied by a Caesar salad at $8.00, while my friend enjoyed a burger with pita bread at $7.75 with a Mojito at $8.00. Service is a roaring turtle slow and somewhat rushed to be inefficient and unattentive albeit, our waiter Gerald was pleasant. On the lower level is live stand up comedy performances where the entrance is by the emergency exit. The lower level is also where the tiny facilities are located. The tables are concrete slab where chalk is provided for patrons to doodle one's creative art directly onto the table. My friend, a true gentleman, who is of creative talent drew me with chalk onto the table!! Tables are microscopic small where it does not hold any substance. Pita bread is served amid the cold temperature. Our burgers contain strong red onions. A large projector screen views classic Charlie Chaplin silent movies. Olive Tree Cafe has a long standing mixed cocktail drinks and other sweetly juicy drinks. Middle Eastern by category of this restaurant/bar/ comedy performance venue yet the food is okay. read more

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Quick service, good fresh food.Most of the crowd comes to hang out for a few drinks, which creates light and fun atmosphere. We walked in at around 10:30pm to a live music with awesome band- great guitar playing and singing. Very professional and great vibe! Bathroom goes through located below comedy club - comedy cellar if u brave enough to walk through Will definitely try to be back. My new favorite spot.. read more

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I really like this place a lot. The atmosphere is really nice and chill and the waitress we had was super friendly. There menu was pretty extensive, but not overwhelming like other places where you have no idea what you want to get. I got the mozzarella sticks and the pina colada and my friend got an order of wings. I love the pina colada - so gooood. The prices were pretty decent for both drinks and food here. Overall, I'd come back again :) P.s. I love their black board tables! read more

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One of the best places to go in NY. I have to come here regularly because the tex mex nachos are maybe the best in Manhattan. Always a cool vibe here, and any given night could be a cool surprise. read more

I needed food before hitting the gym with my gals. We initially went to a sit down restaurant but their ac wasn't working and it was super humid that day. We obviously left and one of the gals just ordered halal. I'm way too picky to just order from any halal cart so I found this cafe on yelp and ordered the falafel sandwich. They didn't let my friend say with me to eat her halal while I ate my falafel sandwich so we walked and ate and the other chick decided to starve..silly goose. So the falafel sandwich consisted of 80% lettuce, 15% broken pieces of dry falafel, and 5% diced tomatoes; that explains why the cost was relatively cheap. There was nothing WOW to it. On the bright side, I felt like I ate enough for the gym. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Falafel sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York