Honestly I was not expecting a lot out of this place. It's above the Comedy Cellar, so I thought it'd be like those lousy museum cafes, and I also came here reluctantly because the bf refused to wait 45 minutes for the Spotted Pig (clearly not a New Yorker). But it was such good food and fun!! We ordered the borscht & a Mediterranean platter to share, which came with pita bread. This was more than enough for the both of us! The borscht came with a healthy dollop of whipped cream & was filled with chunks of beef, carrots and other veggies; it came with 2 slices of bread & butter too. It was so hearty and comforting. I saw a patron dining alone and very obviously enjoying his borscht! The Mediterranean food was delicious too. The best part was the colored chalk and the tables. We dawdled there before our show at the Comedy Cellar, competing to list things & playing hangman & attempting to draw. So much fun for a date! We never felt rushed too. The noise level was not that high as well, which was great. To access the bathroom, you literally have to cut between rows of the audience for the show below, which I found quite awkward - and yet another reason early to get front row seats at the show. This place made our night so much fun! read more

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

Went there last night, they required a vaccination card to get in. Sat at the bar and waited for the rain to stop. Prices are decent and the staff was really friendly! Didn't get a chance to watch the show but all the seats were taken. It's a really cool low key vibe spot and I'll be back with friends. read more

Great place to just hang out and chill. Simple/nice/relaxing ambience, pretty good desserts (nothing extravagant, but the prices are good). They have chalkboard tables as another reviewer mentioned which can be fun. read more

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Cute place. Love the chalk board tables! I ordered the falafel sandwich with a side of fries. And my dinner guest ordered a turkey burger with cheddar and caramelized onions. The atmosphere is very chill and the charlie chaplin flicks they play are awesome! The food took forever to come out of the kitchen. The falafel with the garlic yogurt sauce was yummy. The fries weren't piping hot... but were not horrible. I just like my fries uber hot. The burger was okay. Overall its a cute little place with great prices! I hear there is a secret code for the restroom... and you might end up part of someones comedy show if you potty during a performance... shy people be ware and possibly HOLD IT till you get home. read more

Crappy service, and definitely not entirely clean. So why 3 stars and not just one? The food was delicious. The garlic sauce was more like tzatziki, but delicious still. The israeli salad was excellent, too. In addition to the food, they played Chaplin movies in the background, and that just seemed to make the rest of the crappy dining experience all better. read more

This is my go to spot for hummus and felafel. Cool crowd and comedy in the basement read more

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I have been coming to this place for 18 years with my husband and what can I say it's amazing every time we visit . This is visit we decided to bring our daughters which they haven't been a while and they enjoyed it . We ordered the combo plate and chicken kebab plate and the four of us shared it . It is always so tasty and a fairly good portion. The staff is always friendly and service is pretty quick . If you ever decide to go at night they have comedy club just downstairs . read more

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Disappointed with their menu - it is now a mainstream menu, no middle eastern food there. My Middle eastern platter looked very pretty but the hummus and baba ganoush were sub par, nowhere near what I remembered having there in the past. And no falafels, kabobs or Turkish coffee in sight. Just regular mainstream food like pasta, burgers and salads. The decour has always been fun & eclectic, and I have to admit my friends loved their salad and pasta dishes. But we were all disappointed about the lack of middle eastern flavor. Sadly, will not be coming back. Gave them 2 stars only b/c my friends said their dishes were very tasty. read more

I used to frequent this place many years ago when I was a city dweller. Mostly for the comedy shows that take place below the restaurant. And it was always such a great place to have a few, eat some yummy nachos, or falafel and see the comedians stroll past after their sets. There's a table near the back where they usually sit in between sets and this place gets some AMAZING comedians. So you're sure to have a fun night whoever hits the stage downstairs. And sometimes, famous ones show up unlisted and just take the stage to work on new stuff, or just hang out. One night Dave Chappelle showed up and took the stage for over an hour completely unannounced! But that's the Comedy Cellar downstairs. The prices are not to be beat! Falafel sandwich for $3? Yeah, very affordable and good bar type food. The service is excellent as well. We never felt rushed, even when we stopped drinking and went to tap water. The waitress let us hang there for however long we needed with no attitude. I love this place for a good casual dining experience. Perfect downtown gem sure to please! read more

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

Love this place! The atmosphere is great. The tables are chalkboards and there are always silent movies being projected on the wall. The food is pretty good and they've got decent vegetarian options. I'm a huge fan of the Mediterranean platter and the veggie kebobs. The hot apple grog is delicious (and strong)- definitely recommend if you're chilly but also want to get your buzz on. If you're a comedy fan, you can sometimes run into great comics here, as the Comedy Cellar is right below (that's also where the bathroom is). I've spotted Aziz Ansari, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman and Darrell Hammond. Always makes a good meal more fun when you spot your fav funny celebs. read more

Olive Tree Cafe is a cozy restaurant with chalkboard tables, a friendly staff and savory food. I came here with friends one Saturday morning. I ordered the eggs benedict, I believe, off their brunch menu and a couple of screwdrivers. My dish and drinks were tasty. It's a little pricey, unfortunately. However, I'll give it another try next time if I am in the area. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Brunch Item (Eggs Benedict) - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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We love their Buffalo Wings and sangria! The kids love playing on the chalkboard tables until the food arrives.

I want to start by saying the food & atmosphere was amazing! My parents actually got engaged here 23 years ago and I was taking them out to dinner. We love this place. Tonight, however, Jose was a horrible server and extremely rude. Not sure if he's a comedian/volunteer server but it was obvious he thought he was too good to be there & not once came by to check on us - Real attitude problem and it's a real shame. It took us 20 minutes to get served, and yes, he saw us but averted eye contact and ignored us many times while we were trying to flag someone down. Ran off, before getting our whole drink order as if he was super busy and hustling, but meanwhile was sitting in the booth behind us (pretty much the whole time) staring into space or playing on his phone. When I called him out on how long we were waiting to be served, he didn't apologize, but instead replied with sarcasm and attitude. We were going to order dessert but actually had to go elsewhere because we were literally being ignored by this guy. My parents insisted I give a tip, but to be honest he didn't deserve anything. read more

This was the restaurant where my husband and I had our first date. We ate here often, loved it dearly, and brought many people. It really was a NYC touchstone for us. We were heartbroken to show up last weekend and see the new menu. Sure, the silent Charlie Chaplin films are still playing and the chalkboard top tables are there.... vestiges of the old charm. But everything we liked to eat and drink was either gone or drastically changed. Fun frozen drinks? Gone. Replaced with a measly selection of generic, "high end" $14 cocktails like the ones you can find anywhere else these days. Israeli salad, which was the best in the city? Gone. Vegetable kabobs? Gone. Yummy rice? Gone. (You can only get couscous.) Old mac 'n cheese? Replaced with a "highly polarizing smokey version". Which, at $14, I wasn't going to risk. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind paying for excellent food and a great experience. I would've paid more for my old favorites. The vegetarian section of the menu was completely disappointing. One uninspired pasta dish, just like you can get literally anywhere else- or that I could make at home. The mac 'n cheese. One couscous dish. That was it. My husband was equally as disappointed. The sweet waiters, who we have always loved, tried valiantly to point out new things they thought we might enjoy. But really, a hamburger? Again, we can go anywhere to get that. We walked out, and went down the street to our favorite vegan place, where we were able to enjoy the same great dishes we know we can rely on them for. I will miss the atmosphere and the waiters, but we won't be returning unless the old menu is restored. Note: The place was nearly empty, on a Saturday night at prime dinner time. Clearly, we aren't the only disappointed New Yorkers. Hopefully the new owner will get a clue, because it was be downright tragic to watch this institution fade away. read more

Great little gem. I love the silent movies and chalkboard table tops. We always get the nachos and the shawarma, but everything looks good. And you can sneak down to the Comedy Cellar and hear some jokes too! read more

I only ate her once, but was very good! Especially like that it was above the Comedy Cellar, which was a delight to sit in and listen to comedians in. I had many appetizers and would recommend Hummus plate. Also, they play Chaplin movies which really adds to the ambiance of the cafe. It's good to take your kids there so they can draw on the tables (which are blackboard and they have chalk to draw with). Overall, would highly recommend, a very good cafe. read more

I love this place, it is two hours from home, but always make it a point to visit when I'm in manhattan. The food is delicious, I typically order the mediterranean platter, and whatever special drink they are offering at the time. The tables are slate and equipped with chalk, and they are always playing the black and white Charley Chaplin films on the projector screen. I love these little quirks, that's why I love it so much there. I have seen some comedy in the basement as well. There usually are funny, entertaining people. read more

Olive Tree is the bee's knees. The variety of Mediterranean options at reasonable prices sets you up for success. The food isn't the most authentic, but it does the job. Plus, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the wait staff is so nice and accommodating --- shout out to Gerald! A safe and delicious option for a first timer is the middle east combo platter. It's about $9 without a meat skewer (and about $11 with) and includes falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, Israeli salad, stuffed grape leaves (only two, though) feta, olives and a peperoncini. You get a basket of fluffy pita bread to dip away. I went halfsies on the platter and the hot borscht with my boyfriend, and we went home with leftovers of both. The borscht was yummy -- and the pumpernickel slices that came with it were sooo good --- but we both agreed that it wasn't as good as Veselka's. It was more tomato-y than beet-y, and I take my beets seriously. They also don't have a veggie option, so I just picked around to gobble up the carrots and beets. It was good and hit the spot on a cold night. The drinks prices are great, too, and the assortment of cocktails is a treat. My mug (or pint -- I still don't know what I ended up with...) of Sam Adams was $5 or $6 (depending on the mug vs. pint saga), and the Mexican coffee was $6.50. So good and so affordable! Oh, and free snippets of quality comedy when you slink your way to the bathroom and avoid eye contact with the comedian! read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Middle east combo platter and hot borscht -- yum yum - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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I've been here twice and both times I had the Chili and Nachos. My one complaints that they have wifi, but it didn't work either time I was there. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Chili and Nachos - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

At the infamous Olive Tree Cafe. Been coming for years until they closed for about 9 months back in April due to renovations. Unhappy about the smaller menu, disappointed about no longer having the options of a single or double of the wings. Miss the potato chips. Miss the nachos.... miss the guacamole.... just miss the whole damn original menu. Glad the wings made the cut. read more

Such a fun evening! I came here with 3 friends on Friday night. NOTE: Arrive early if you want a good table to listen to the live music! The food was great - mezze platter, quinoa salad, borscht. And the talent of the musicians was off the charts. It felt like you were in a friends basement, just hanging out and jamming. I highly recommend! read more

Like some other reviewers, I've been going to the Olive Tree since the 80's. It used to be great for food, particularly the chicken kebab platter with rice and salad, which isn't offered anymore. So unfortunate that this place messed up the menu. Skip the cafe and just go downstairs for great comedy. read more

I have been trying to call olive tree cafe to dispute a charge on my card which was fraud from Wednesday the 26,2020 . I was at work with my bank card and was not at olive tree care during the time of the charge on my card . I am wondering if the business is closed down since I keep calling . read more

Came here before wanting to go downstairs to the comedy cellar. The place was packed and plays Charlie Chaplin movies in the background. The tables have a chalk surface so you can doodle sweet little nothings to your sweetie and exaggerated stick-figures. The place establishes itself as a middle eastern restaurant, but as its located in greenwich and just a few doors down from authentic eateries, I would say its an americanized eatery. The falafel platter is descent, but the hummus and babaganoush were not good. The grilled chicken kabob was very moist and tender. You will often see the comics sitting by the bar, and last night we saw Colin Quinn right before his act. read more

I would like to say I used to go to The Comedy Cellar and the Olive Tree years ago and it was always a nice time. Last night, we went to get some wings at the Olive Tree restaurant upstairs. There is no restroom on the restaurant floor so we had to walk down where there the comedy show was going on to use the restroom. While I wanted for my gf, a lady, the manager Val came over and told me I was trying to sneak in to watch the show. I told her i was waiting for my girlfriend to come out of the restroom to go back upstairs. She went ahead and told me "SHE KNEW what I was trying to do!" With the comedian doing a good job on stage, I smiled and reitterated I had walked Milu down to the restroom and was just waiting for her to come out to go back up to oir restaurant table. She told me not to force her to to have to get security. Uuum? So i started to walk towards the door leading back up to the restaurant and walked back to our table. When Milu came up 2 minutes later, she was like "why was the lady being so rude.. and why did you leave me downstairs?" I've been to the comedy cellar more than the manager Val can imagine. I was there when Dave Chapelle, Marlon Waynes and Chris Rock were on stage till 5AM one night. So I understand this is a unique place. But.... read more

This review is long overdue. I owe quite a bit to this cafe. Let me start by saying I am a huge cafe junkie. I usually need a daily fix. Not just to grab a cup of whatever, but to sit inside and work, read, or ruminate. But you know how sometimes you'll just be sitting in a cafe thinking, "man, i really need to plan something. I wish they had a chalkboard." Well, Olive Tree does! Their tables are chalkboards and they provide the chalk. I have sketched elaborate plans, devised haikus, drawn portraits, all while munching on a seriously yummy falafel. Oh, they also have a lengthy menu of food and drinks so you don't have to go hungry for your artistic pursuits. The only drawback is that the bathroom is downstairs and you often have to walk past a guffawing mob, hoping the comedian hasn't ran out of material just as you walk by. read more

One of my favorite places to go since it was recommended to me in high school. Most of it has to do with the unique decor: slate tables that you can write on with chalk, Charlie Chaplin films constantly on rotation on their projector, and just a darker, intimate atmosphere. They serve decent Mediterranean fare, and their kebab platters always taste fresh. For the best bang for your buck, I highly suggest their falafel on a pita, and their house special Borscht. The falafel came out well-seasoned and crispy while retaining that oh so good chickpea taste. I had never gotten the borscht before because the description never tickled my fancy (not a fan of pickled cabbage or tomato-ey soups), but everything came together beautifully. It ended up being a full meal at $9.75, and I couldn't even finish it. Indeed, a soup conquered my hungry stomach, but this thing was more like a hearty stew that came in a bowl made for a WWE wrestler. The giant chunks of beef that came in it were soooo freakin' tender they melted in my mouth when I bit into it. No wonder it's their specialty. Their draft beer selection is pretty lacking, but they have quite a few creative cocktails on their menu (quite a few alcoholic post dinner beverages). I would say that their food menu is kind of limited on variety, and I swear there used to be more, but they're good at what they make, and you can't say that about a lot of places. Definitely come for the novelty of the place, I've never been anywhere like it. You may even be inclined to stay for a comedy show right downstairs. read more

I came here at 2am last night to keep my buzz going. A pitcher of Blue Moon is $13. Service, even at 2am on St. Paddy's day, was friendly and great. The cheesecake was good AND I got it for free! Don't know if cheesecake and Blue Moon go well together or not, but it worked last night. The bathroom is maybe THE tiniest bathroom I'm ever had the pleasure of peeing out a night's worth of beer in. read more

I came to Olive Tree Cafe with my good friend to celebrate her birthday and catch up. I ordered the grilled chicken pita and she ordered the platter of hummus. The chicken in my pita was pretty skimpy, but thankfully her platter was plentiful and I was able to sample some of hers (the grape leaves were tasty!). The drink prices here are very reasonable and they have a fun variety- my friend's banana white Russian was delicious and even got her a little buzzed from just one. The waitstaff is also very friendly and attentive. This would be a solid 4 stars, except for the strange bathroom situation. I had to obtain a secret pass code, go down the stairs and into the comedy club and walk in front of the stage during a performance- awkward. A few minutes later, my friend had to go to the bathroom and they told her it was OUT OF ORDER. The waiter explained to us that they do this when the downstairs comedy club gets crowded (basically admitting that they lie to their customers), and recommended that she use the restaurant next door's bathroom. This just seems really shady- how can a restaurant not have a bathroom? read more

Go for lunch. The food was amazing and the service was awesome during lunch hours because it was slower and staff were standing around to attention. Amazing cheeseburger and cappucino. Dinner, not so good. I go back for my awesomeburger but this time it was cooked funny/had a weird texture and the waiter was zooming around with not enough help. This was a saturday night on the dinner hour and they felt honestly understaffed. read more

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. My date had the roast chicken platter and was also very happy. Definitely going back soon! read more

This is one of those gimmicky New York places that, if it had better food and service, could be a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Katz's is a good example of what I mean. The food is great and the gimmick never wears thin and everyone loves going there. The Olive Tree's gimmick is twofold: you get to draw on the chalkboard tables with chalk while you wait, and to get to the bathroom you have to give a password to a bouncer, who lets you into a comedy club where you will almost certainly be heckled by whomever is onstage. The best part of eating here is bringing someone who doesn't know about the bathroom situation. The first time I came to New York as an adult, my mischievous friends sent me in there unawares, and a man (who I later learned was none other than Joe Rogan) mocked me mercilessly both coming and going. Nowadays, I just find it tiresome and rather tacky. I'm also a bit older now, which probably makes a difference. Anyway, the food here is good but not great, and the prices are cheap enough that the dodgy service isn't as irritating. Still, this is not my first choice even when I'm with out-of-towners, but perhaps if I were seeking petty revenge on someone I would bring them here and buy them lots and lots of drinks, laughing gleefully every time they got up to use the bathroom. read more

I've stopped in the Olive Tree a few times now and still can't think of reason not to keep coming back. The bar is always fully stocked and the food is good. Especially considering that this is usually a pre-gaming area for people going to the Comedy Cellar right downstairs to catch a show. This is also where the comedians are drinking and eating when they aren't on stage. The tables are all small chalkboards and if you check your table there will undoubtedly be some pieces of chalk to write with for those of us that want to doodle between drinks or just leave a mark before we leave. The service here is excellent if you start to frequent it you might start getting recognized by a few servers (always nice when looking for a beer on the house). One of my favorite things to order here are the buffalo wings. They are spectacular...that's right...spectacular. I know a few friends that have sought this place out after a night of boozing just for the wings. The prices are a bit high if you are a broke college student such as myself, but for the village it all seems about right I suppose. So even if you came here for the Mid East cuisine and were not blown away, at the very least you get to see some truly brilliant comedians getting drunk and shooting the breeze which always makes for a couple free laughs. If you're ever in the area and need a dark and relaxed place to have a drink I highly recommend the Olive Tree Cafe. read more

Design is beautiful ! atmosphere is good ! Prices are really good as well and food is ok ! My favorite is Calamari with the side of blue cheese sause . Also buffalo chicken wings are really good . On my last experience Ive tryed Chicken Cutlet with vegetables and mashed potatoes , I asked for the truffle oil with mashed potatoes . My meal was pretty good , Loved the combinacion ! Writing 2 stars because i Think that place has a huge experience and I want to see during my next visit better service and accommodation! My server was rude , unprofessional, he bring me a water after couple minutes i places the order and left my table in a TRASH !!!!!!!! btw it was some pictures with the chalk on a table but wasn't comfortable to sit there My kind advise to manager , train servers !!!!! and tell them to give the water to the costumers right away . at least not in 15 m . Even I love the food , I dont really want to come back anymore . I am disappointed! P.S - the stars are also worth to hostes , she was very helpful and friendly! read more

Oh Olive Tree, how I miss thee. I haven't tried the food, but the bar there was where the fun was had. Granted they haven't busted out the minze yet (Andrew.. this is your job), there was never a moment in which my double whiskey and coke was nearing empty. There is almost ALWAYS some famous comedians chillin before a night show, especially on the weekend, since the comedy cellar is downstairs. As noted in previous yelps, the bathroom is located downstairs, so if a show is going on, be prepared to be potentially improv'd into the show. Love this place, Andrew and Rez were great bartenders. I can't wait to go back. read more

3.5 to be fair and accurate. I've been here twice. Once for drinks (the bar was a bit cramped) and more recently for dinner. Although I LOVED the size of my salad, I wasn't impressed with the staple hummus and pita a middle eastern restaurant should have. Come on, you are a middle eastern restaurant, you should have mastered hummus. But it was okay, nothing great. They also do not serve whole wheat pita which I find strange cause, get widdit, people are health conscious these days. My salad was big and filling though and the chicken on it was juicy and perfectly cooked. I also love the ambience. Lovely dim lighting and a simple buzzing place with no reservation hassles. read more

i'm going to be honest, i REALLY wanted this place to be a badass experience. think about it. Jewly owned, in a great area and above a comedy club.. should be fabulous right? well the atmosphere gets 4.5 stars easily. super cute place, awesome service and great sangria. the food however, a little sad. i had the middle eastern platter, because as most of you stalkers who read my reviews already know, I am shamelessly addicted to hummus. the hummus was flavorless, the babaghanoush was very garlicy (i like) the salad was not really salady, and the falafel was very small and burnt. my friends got the lamb combo platters and said the kabobs were dry. also they were out of all tap beer ( sad face times 3 of us) this place is good to stop in if you aren't looking for a quality meal, but somewhere to grab desert and a drink in a cool neighborhood, but i wasn't impressed with the food,.. .and i am after all a 400lbs man. read more

This place would be wonderful, but the bathrooms are located RIGHT NEXT to the "comedy cellar." When I left the bathroom I had to walk through some guys comedy routine; which meant that I was heckled: THIS IS A SHY PERSONS WORST NIGHTMARE. Actually, the naked-dream is my worst nightmare, but being heckled by a stand-up comedian is in the top ten. What the hell. read more

Found this place via Yelp, was intrigued by the reviews/description, so we tried it. If it was just me, it might have been 5 stars, as my mixed kebab was simply superb: the kefta (ground lamb), shish (lamb chunks) and chicken kebabs were perfectly cooked - flavorful and juicy. And the rice, which is often a throw-away at places like this, was perfectly balanced; the shepherd's salad was excellent, too - I wolfed many of the bites down with a few pieces of pita I "stole" from my wife. My wife thought her hummus and tabbouleh and pita were very good (4-stars worth) and our son was very adventuresome, ordering the borscht, since it is billed as their specialty and he's never had it. He thought it was quite good (4 stars worth). And we started with the mac and cheese app, which was nicely done. We all also enjoyed the atmosphere in the place - warm, dark and cozy, with a very nice staff - loved the slate tables and chalk - we left some masterpieces, lol. Would like to go back for dinner and to give the comedy club downstairs a spin. After all that on the walk back to the car, we got to see about 15-20 minutes of nice flurries - just enough to put down a very light dusting - great mood snow at 22F with lots of fresh-looking snow from yesterday on top of the old snow (if you can't tell, I'm a snow nut). Finally. we dropped off our son at college - he's a sophomore at the New School, living in a brand new high rise on 14th St and 5th Ave - makes me want to go back to college, lol. read more

* Chargrilled juicy savory chicken kabobs ** Mango pina coladas *** Chargrilled marinated deelish lamb kabobs **** Mango pina coladas ***** Tasty Israeli salad (and I hate vegetables) ****** Mango pina coladas! The slate table (with chalk provided) that I drew inappropriate male genetalia pics on, totally entertains my Israeli honeys, every time. read more