We were on our way back home from Trek Fest (Yes, we are geeks) and wanted food. As we are inclined…read moreto do, we looked up several sorts. We settled on middle eastern, and this is where we ended up. We went pretty simple. Lamb Kofta sandwich, hummus and baba ganoush. Wow, everything was spectacular. The sandwich had tahini, onions and peppers on wonderful pita bread. The pita bread alone was worth the stop, we should have brought some home with us (did I mention they have a store there as well?) The hummus was smooth and understated and very good. Slightly different than I expected, but it was a good different. The baba ganoush was amazing. Rich and flavorful. This is now on our list of places to make sure we are passing through in time for a meal (its a big list). This was a wonderful find!

This place is the gold standard of Mediterranean food in the Iowa City area--while I tend to prefer…read moreLebanese to similar regional cuisines (this place is Egyptian IIRC), this has been stellar from day one. Excellent service in restaurant or grocery, superbly prepared food (the chicken, folks--try the chicken and the fries), fair prices for good portions--this place deserves to be packed all the time. This is a go-to whenever I need comfort skewers.

Cool authentic looking restaurant with a fun ambiance. Staff were very friendly and knowledgable. I…read morehad chicken Tikka masala and naan bread. The curry is one of the best I've had in the U.S. Made from scratch, It was excellent. A truly great experience, I highly recommend.

I loved eating here! I happened to find this place by chance and was so glad I did...my server was…read morevery friendly, welcoming. and helpful, and I loved the vibrant decor. I was excited to find bubble tea on the menu....and the food was super delicious! I also really liked there were several other customers enjoying their meals peacefully alone, like myself...it was just such a pleasant, comfortable, and positive dining experience.

Feeling like you need to get out of Iowa and go on vacation? No need. This place brings the flavors…read moreof India to Hiawatha without breaking the bank! Depressed with the winter gloom? Seriously, this place can help. Try their Rasam soup, a little spicy-for some, but full of so much flavor!!! Didn't expect much from the veg noodles but again, packed full of flavor! Lastly I chose masala dosa which came with two different sauces of choice. All of it was superb and didn't break the bank. Trying more of their food next time.

Everything! Wife loves the buffet. We eat there every three weeks or so. Staff is very friendly…read more Kudos to the chef!!! My Methi Shrimp was awesome today!

Great fresh Mediterranean food, friendly service, and generous portions. The Green Olive is a Des…read moreMoines gem.

5-Star Plus Plus Review: Green Olive at 1960 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265…read more Green Olive absolutely delivered a meal that felt like comfort food and a special treat at the same time. I ordered the combo meal, and it was the kind of plate that makes you slow down and enjoy every bite because there is so much flavor and variety. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned, with that perfect balance of warm spices that tastes rich without being too heavy. The beef had a deep, savory flavor and a satisfying bite, and the lamb was the real standout. It tasted clean, bold, and cooked just right, with that hearty, slightly smoky taste that makes lamb worth ordering. Every protein on the plate felt like it was prepared with care, not rushed. The rice was fresh and fluffy, and it did exactly what great rice should do. It held the meal together and soaked up the flavor from everything around it. Then came the best part, the variety of sauces. Each sauce brought something different. One added a creamy smooth finish, another gave a bright kick, and another brought that deeper, bold flavor that keeps you coming back for one more bite. I loved being able to mix and match because it made the meal feel like several meals in one. To finish, I had the cheesecake and coffee, and that was the perfect ending. The cheesecake was smooth, rich, and satisfying without being overly sweet. The coffee was warm, strong, and comforting, and it tied everything together like a great closing note. Bottom line: Green Olive gave me a full, flavorful, and well-balanced experience from the first bite to the last sip. If you want a meal that is filling, fresh, and packed with variety, the combo meal is the way to go. The staff were friendly and kind absolutely OUTSTANDING!!!

I was tired a exhausted of restaurants lying about their food. Most restaurants I visited recently…read morewere not at all serving authentic Pakistani food but so they claimed. I was at sams club and someone recommended me this restaurant and told me that I am going to love it and yes he was right, this is true Pakistani authentic food with minimal ingredients and spices but they taste is just out of this world. I am telling you if you wanna enjoy true Pakistani cuisine then this is the place you want to visit. The owner is super nice and goes above and beyond to make your visit special

We were craving Indian food, and this was the only sit down option. Pleasant surprise, especially…read moreafter looking at ratings. Pros: Delicious food, family owned, good options, freshly made, Naan to die for! Don't expect a fancy restaurant, but rather a nice, local joint. While we were there, dashers kept coming and grabbing orders. Also fresh food takes a bit. Don't eexpect fast food. And it's not crazy spicy, which I appreciated! See you soon! Even my picky teen loved it! (My younger one was attempting to lick the plate )

The absolute best Mediterranean food in Iowa City. Everything on the menu is great without…read moreexception. I have eaten at Oasis many times over the years and never had a bad meal. Friendly service too!

I was sad to get a falafel half the size they used to give and none of the gorgeous cabbage…read moretoppings they used to offer. The service was kind of "we are too cool to serve you" as well. I used to go here all the time. Now I just stop in when I'm back in town but this is the first time it's been sub par. I ordered a whole. It had like 3 falafel balls in it. That used to be a half. Plus it was deep into the whole pita. Could've been more room for the toppings but all they had were two watery sauces in a bottle and a jalapeño relish. No wonder it was empty in there. It used to be packed.

Phenomenal service, people and food! Best naan in the Cedar Valley! The owners are so kind, humble,…read moreand inviting. We absolutely love it.

This place IS incredible!! This establishment is located in what is left of the very empty mall's…read morefood court. A very charming woman took our order at the counter. She made some helpful suggestions and after we made our choices sh even suggested we order a combo meal to save some money. She brought our beverages and meals to our seats out in the food court (there is no restaurant to dine in). She checked in on us a couple times and chatted with us. Turns out she does some of the food prep and cooking and was very interesting and fun to talk with. The food was unbelievably fresh and delicious. We had samosas as an appetizer, naan bread, butter chicken and chicken korma. Everything was cooked to perfection. Absolutely delicious, we were 100% happy and I could see myself ordering to go from here frequently!

A nice hidden jewel! I had a taste for middle eastern food and came across this place. A grocery…read morestore with a food counter and a simple menu. I ordered a spicy jumbo chicken Shawarma with a mint yogurt drink. The shawarma was amazing and the mint yogurt brought back memories. The service was great and I wish I would've gotten more stuff. Overall great experience and I will be back!!!

This is a nice specialty grocer that CR is lucky to have. Lots of new foods to try and learn about…read moreif one is not familiar with certain Mediterranean foods. One can always google items but it might be kinda cool to have sections of the store shelves translate items to English - only for the ease of browsing quickly to try new things. The layout of the store was ok with baklava and fresh eats off to the same side & meats, cheeses and olives in the back. I specifically wanted to try the Dubai chocolate and I am craving to eat more! It's something I am going to seek out again soon when I get a chance. It was stored in the order fresh food display case. I got there about 1pm on a Saturday and three were left and I took one bar. While I was there someone grabbed the last two so they go quickly! The ratio of filling to chocolate is perfect. I also tried some baklava and Basbousa and I've decided it's not my go to but prefer it warmed up in the air fryer when I'm eating it. The fresh bakery items when you first walk in were tempting so I tried the meat and cheese filled triangle bread (not sure exact name) and they were tasty. The olive assortment was amazing in the back. I ended up with the mixed spicy olives and we both enjoyed snacking on them over the weekend. I ordered mix grilled platter to go (Shish kebab, Shish Tawook, with special rice, babaganouj, pickles, onions, garlic, or tahini sauce) I really liked the chicken and found the beef pretty bland. I would try the chicken wrap next time. The fresh pita to take home will be on my list next time.

In a realm where flavors dance and twirl, Amazing food, a…read moretreasure to unfurl. In every bite, a story told, A feast of warmth, and joy so bold. A super clean space, where smiles unite, A lovely atmosphere, pure delight. Where every moment feels like grace, A haven found, a sacred place. Together we gather, hearts aglow, In this cherished spot, love continues to grow. With every dish, a memory made, In culinary bliss, our worries fade.

The food service and ambience were all very good. If you want a very simple excellent Indian food…read more This is the place to go. While you're here, you can get gas go to the convenience store and get your diesel truck repaired also a great rural Iowa experience.