We enjoyed a delightful dinner on the patio of the Black Olive. The service was excellent -- attentive without hovering -- and the food was fresh and delicious. We had a few small plates along with the Greek lamb chops & shrimp and the whole Mediterranean Sea Bass, and everything was cooked perfectly. The patio ambience was fantastic -- the best way to enjoy a warm, summer evening. All in all, we couldn't have asked for a lovelier dinner. I'm so glad we chose this restaurant out of the many options, and we will keep it on our list for the next time we are in Baltimore! read more

I'm sorry but I cannot give less than 5 stars. Service top notch, owner or manager walking around checking on everyone, waitresses attentive and fast enough considering the crowd. Food...the food yall...the FOOOD YALLL . You know when you're on vacation to Spain and you get some REAL Spanish food and you want to sink down in your chair a bit and do the 5 yr old dance while you're eating...that's the LAMB. Yes. Perfection, seriously everything was delicious, we had the grilled shrimp app (be sure to eat the greens it comes on too because the lemon dressing is to die for!), the lobster pasta and grilled lamb and shrimp dinner...the lamb was so good that when the owner/manager walked by we had to order another plate to share. It was $48 a plate so that should tell you something. It was just cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful throughout the bite. the shrimp were huge and perfectly cooked and flavored. Our neighbor's fish looked and smelled delicious as well but we didn't order that this time. Give this place a visit it's worth every penny!!! read more

Amazing food, amazing staff, amazing overall. Really appreciated the personal service. The Arctic Char and Mediterranean Sea bass are a must! The ambiance was beautiful as well. Great for a special occasion or just a nice dinner. read more

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This was my second time here and I loved it just like the first. I recommend catching a Uber/lift parking can be hard because of how close it is to Fells point strip. The server knew the menu inside and out and love how our server explained the cut of the fish my friend got. It's a very quiet restaurant which I don't mind. The lamb chops are to die for. Service was amazing. I will always keep this restaurant in mind for a date night. They have patio seating in the front of the restaurant and the back. The wine selection is very large with the cocktail menu. read more

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I planned a dinner with old friends with Black Olive last night. Living in Fells for 6 years and being Greek, I'm honestly not sure how I have never been here before! I booked a table for 6 in their outdoor patio area, and from the moment we arrived I was continuously impressed. The drinks were delicious, the sharing apps were generous, and everything we ordered was flavorful and well priced. My husband and I shared the lamb shank entree and full Mediterranean grilled sea bass. Both came with the house couscous which my husband said "is the best couscous I've ever had". Great food & service ! Highly recommend. The only thing I'm upset about is that it took me so long to dine here :) read more

The Black Olive - Full grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass & lamb shank which my husband couldn't wait to enjoy :) - Seafood Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Have given this place more than enough tries. Just not good, pretentious, and way overpriced. Preparations are shockingly simple and not pleasing. And it is not really Greek food. So save your money, there are far better options for both seafood and Greek food. read more

Came here with my gf for a girls night out! It was an excellent choice! Pro's: -Attentive and friendly servers -Everything came out in a timely manner -Food was served hot and fresh! The small dishes were perfect to share for 2-3 people. Lamb meatballs were seasoned perfectly, served hot, and I could drink the tzatziki sauce. Manouri cheese in grape leaves, were NOT soggy, and the cheese was very mild. Perfect blend! Saganaki plate had tasty veggies and I absolutely loved the traditional Greek cheese. The FRESH sea bass... omg.. thinking about it.. yum! The chef came our and deboned the whole thing and served it to us. It was cooked perfectly and well seasoned. I ate the whole thing. You definitely get what you pay for. -Bathrooms were very clean ( I could smell the cleaner) -Indoor/outdoor (limited) available during COVID -Indoor dining was quiet and quaint. made catching up easy and intimate. Con's: -No heaters for outdoor seating Can't wait to go back!! read more

A truly relaxing dining experience. The food is incredible but the wait staff creates a nice ambience with incredible service. I always walk out feeling happier. read more

Hands down top 5 best meals of my life! The food and service was amazing. We will drive 3 hours just to come back for dinner again!

One of my favorite restaurants from any earlier era in B'more. Back at it now to see how things have held up. What did they do well then? -The grilled stuffed calamari appetizer. Still spectacular -The grilled sardines in grape leaves. Love those little fish. But didn't get to try them now. -Grilled fresh fish. And This is why we used to go there. And this is why you still do. They still do the fish show. You get up from your seat, get a look at those poor souls, lying blank-eyed on ice, and are debriefed on what they ate. Not what they taste like. You're to gauge that by implication. (Would I taste like PopTarts on one day and hummus in another...?) This time, a simpler fish talk-- just how they actually taste. And they do taste great- a bronzino and turbot, filleted table-side using spoons. Like a fish should. (And there's baklava ice cream) read more

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Great food, ambiance perfect for a first date or celebrating anniversary Dover Sole melt in your mouth read more

Love love love this place! Go and go often. The food and service are amazing. Their outdoor space is so cute too.

Tried the dinner. I got grilled octopus salad as an appetizer and for main dish I got branzino,and The Black Olive VIP grill. (The only thing I didn't like was the sardines wrapped in grape leaves. Both were tasty and fresh. Definitely will be back and highly recommend. Our server was "Darrel" He is nice and cute. read more

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Came here for Restaurant Week and had a wonderful time! For my 3 courses, I ordered the lamb meatballs, crab cake, and berries with orange XO cream. Of these dishes, highly recommend the crab cake for anyone interested in trying out the original recipe found in the Enoch Pratt library archives! Even if you're not a history buff, you have to admit that's pretty cool. Fyi, the berry dessert comes with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and *mango* which I was pleasantly surprised by - for me, the combination of lightness and sweetness made this the perfect dessert to top off a delicious meal! The hospitality at this restaurant was truly impressive - the waiters and waitresses were very attentive, and I was pleased that each course arrived in a timely manner. We also received complimentary bread at the beginning of our meal, which was warm and tasted amazing! Super grateful for restaurant week for introducing me to this place. Excited to come again when I'm the area! read more

The Black Olive - Black Olive crab cake from the original recipe found in Enoch Pratt Library archives! - Seafood Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

We have always loved dining here, restaurant week just gave us another reason to come again. All three in our group participated in the pre fix menu and had for appetizer: the savory bread pudding, lamb meatballs, and grilled stuffed calamari. The bread pudding was bland and boring, but the meatballs were so tasty. The squid was also a good choice. For entrees, the 3 lamb chops were tender and flavorful. The 2 sea basses were good, the Chilean sea bass was better than the bronzino in my opinion. All dishes were served with 2 asparagus stalks and whipped sweet potatoes, though I was told my lamb came with a medley of grilled vegetables which I would have preferred. Lastly, dessert was basic- would have liked to see other options, but we got the tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and berries with orange liqueur (which I think they forgot on our dish because there was no hint of such). $45 may seem expensive, but we ordered quality dishes and I think our meal was right for that price. read more

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I had some apprehension about going here. There were a few comments about people of color not being welcome. I'm glad I took a chance. The service was nothing short of outstanding! The server periodically came back to ensure I was pleased with the service and the meal. You can taste the freshness of the seafood. The staff was pleasant and the service came 2nd only to the meal. Not only that, afterwards I took a walk on the pier and after about 30min needed to use the men's room so I waked back. No problem. I was greeted with a smile and directed to the back. Food, service. Everything was perfect. read more

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We recently visited this restaurant for a belated birthday dinner for my best friend. AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS food, lovely atmosphere, and very kind restaurant manager and staff. We will definitely be back soon! read more

The Black Olive - Lamb meatballs - Seafood Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Outstanding food; excellent service. Modest ambience but consistent with the overall vibe. Just exceptional.

I cannot say enough good things about the Black Olive; our experience was impeccable from start to finish! The entire staff was warm and welcoming (especially our server, Ronnie), the food was amazing...The Appetizer Combination (Tarama, tzatziki, melitzanasalata and hummus with olives and feta cheese), perfectly grilled Octopus Salad, and the Baklava Ice Cream is so special you'll never forget it.. just to name a few things we tried and so should you! This was the perfect place to celebrate our friends birthday and have an intimate and wonderful dinner. Highly recommend!! read more

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Amazing seafood. One of the best rockfish dinners I've ever had? Delicious appetizers. Because of Covid, we sat outside, which was lovely, but the restaurant is gorgeous. The service was great. Highly reccomend. read more

Small intimate spot in Little Italty part of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. We truly enjoyed this evening. We had 4 appetizer's rather than meals. Victory Pie and Calamari was most memorable. Sweet white table cloth dinning. Service was tidy and prompt. They didn't have a bar tender which was a bummer, but it was a few days after they opened for dine-in after covid so we can cut them some slack. Wine was served and very tasty. Well Done! read more

The Black Olive - Village Pie. Super yummy - Seafood Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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This review is way overdue. My husband and I were so impressed at this little magical place in Fells Point and we were pretty mad at ourselves for not trying it until after two years of living here... Well, that just means we will have to make up for the lost time! Since the weather has been amazing, it is so nice to sit at their outdoor seating! It is such an intimate little court yard with grape vines all over and birds chirping around. The service was excellent and the FOOD was even better. We got their house bottle of chardonnay from Greece, which went perfectly with our dishes. Here is what we tried and loved: 1. Branzino (huge fish; perfectly prepared with so much flavor) 2. Lamb Chops (It was great, but seafood is their strong suit) 3. Grilled Octopus salad (OMG; this is a must) 4. Grilled Sardines in Grape Leaves (the portions are small and I highly recommend it) 5. Manouri Cheese in Grape Leaves (again, the portions are small comes with 2 pieces so... why not just get it right? It was delish!) We were way too full to order dessert but we will definitely go back to try their Bahklava ice cream! All of their pasta dishes sound amazing too. See you soon The Black Olive! read more

I had to miss the last wine dinner for a family emergency so I was very excited to see one come up again. This one featured the wines of Santorini paired with a seafood heavy menu of their choosing. The evening started out lucky with a parking space right in front of the restaurant. Things only got better from there on out. We were welcomed by Dimitri, our friendly and knowledgeable host and seated a giant table with the other attendees. The first of six unique and delicious wines was served with warm bread and olives as people settled in. Then our first course of Oysters Xenocrates. Large, juicy and fresh bivalves with spinach and breadcrumbs with a perfectly matched white wine. Next up was a giant grilled divers scallop that was the best I have ever had. It was so good, that I almost pulled the fire alarm so I could steal everybody else's. Then it was on to the crab cake with sweet potato mash. The crab cake had almost no filler and a nice spicy kick. More great whites came with these delights from the sea. The final entree was a chicken skewer with peppers and onions,grilled to perfection. My wife, who doesn't do meat got salmon instead which was even better than the chicken. What else would I expect from a seafood restaurant but I still enjoyed the chicken. Next up was a platter of cheeses and a savory bread pudding for what I thought was the last course, only to be surprised with vanilla/baklava ice cream. Soooooo good I almost ate the bowl. I have to say that the food, wine and discussions of Santorini food and wine have me looking for airplane tickets. The was one of the most enjoyable culinary experiences I've had in the past few years. Hopefully there will be more events soon. They are an experience not to be missed. read more

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Charming restaurant, we tried a few of the appetizers and the soup, as weren't hungry enough for entrees. They looked delicious as well all kinds of fresh fish and seafood. We were provided with crusty fresh bread, olives and olive oil with zaatar. All were wonderful. We had the greek salad with avocado, big chunks of heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers avo and red onion. With large chunks of feta on top. It was very generous we took most home. The scallops special was really delicious, the scallops cooked perfectly, tender and juicy. The fish soup, cooked with saffron was perfect. My pinot noir was a large portion in a large pinot noir glass, and it was wonderful. The Service was excellent as well. We found the pricing to be quite reasonable especially given the high quality of everything. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Holy cow!! JUST GO!! DELICIOUS!! To many choices so now we have to go back but will it be torture?! No!! SO GOOD. Octopus salad delicious. So many fish choices. Lamb meatballs so tasty. Good service and make reservations-it's just easier read more

The Black Olive - Fish - Seafood Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Visited for dinner with a friend. Great food and fast and friendly service! Will definitely be visiting again!!

This restaurant has,always been a favorite. Back in February, I had one of the most disappointing experiences. As a result if that reviee, the owner reached out to say they had made major changes and would I consider trying them again. Of course I would! Well, I can say with sincere confidence, The Black Olive is BACK!! First let me start with the new set up in the lower dining room. They have changed some of the tables,and added a round 2-top by the window. This makes that space easier to sit at. Let's talk food. They pride themselves on their fish experience. You can see the different fish offerings in the case near the kitchen. It's clearly a popular thing to do when here. But fish just isn't my thing. All other things Mediterranean are. And these guys excel at all of it. Starters were the stuffed calamari and grape leaves wrapped around cheese. The calamari looked great but was chewy. The cheese stuffing received rave reviews and not a drop was left, soaked up with the delicious bread served. The grape leaves were baked to slightly crispy which enhanced the cheese. Spectacular! Entrees were the surf/turf options of filet and scallops and lamb chops and scallops. This time the steak was cooked perfectly and the charcoal really enhanced the scallops. The star, as always, is the lamb. Consistently, these guys rock the lamb! Whoever they source from provides a superior product. Don't pass it up. Desserts were the carmalized pear tarte and flour less chocolate cake. The pie crust was denser than I would prefer but the pears were delightful. The chocolate decadence was described as earing fudge-in the best way possible. We topped all this off with Greek coffee, which is similar to Turkish with the grinds in the bottom and sweet. All in all, I am so pleased with knowing this legend of Baltimore is back and thriving. The cocktail menu is creative and interesting. The staff were all super attentive without being overbearing. Our server was delightful. We plan on going back when the weather is less hot to see the improvements on their outdoor deck. Don't miss a chance to check this place out when in Fells Point. You won't be disappointed! ! read more

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We had friends in from out of town and took them to The Black Olive for a special dinner--we had the most amazing experience! The food was out of this world--I had scallops that were great and everyone else had the Chilean sea bass. Even more wonderful was how warm and welcoming the owner (Dimitri) and all of his staff were! From the bartender who made martinis and Bellinis, to the hostess who found us a special wine room that could accommodate us and finally--to Rafael, our waiter. We couldn't have asked for a friendlier, more delicious night! We even got a surprise visit from Dimitri's mom who shared stories about the beginnings of the restaurant. The Black Olive is not to be missed! Thank you all for such a fun evening! read more

The Black Olive - Enjoying the wine room! - Seafood Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

The food was impeccable...fish cooked to perfection, scallops were some of the best I have ever had-cooked over charcoal and the flavor was amazing, and lobster pasta was decadent but simple at the same time. As good as the food was, the service was what brought it home as a "5 star" in my book!! Michael you were fabulous. Black Olive, thank you for making our son's night in Baltimore a memorable one! read more

Upon arrival, the hostess was kind and took us to our table. Our waiter was kind but seemed to be in a hurry and didn't seem to want to provide insight about the menu. The bread given was delicious! Unbeknownst to myself, they put lemon in their water and when I inquired about what was floating in my water, the waiter gave me a look as if I asked a stupid question. However, he did not inform us that there was lemon in the water prior to pouring it. I asked for a sweet margarita and had to send it back to make it sweeter as it was very tart. Once sweetened, it was good. As an appetizer, we got the scallops, which were delicious with the exception of they left the abductor muscle (the chewy part) on but should have taken it off prior to serving. I ate the chilean sea bass as my entire which was fried. Initially, it was delicious but as I continued to eat, it became very greasy and not enjoyable. The fish came with veggies, which was not an option and not stated on the menu and I had to inquire if the fish came with anything else. For $48, I would expect the presentation to be better and for the options of selecting a side or 2. I am disappointed in this restaurant and most likely would not return. read more

The Black Olive - Chilean Sea Bass - Seafood Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Excellent greek restaurant, all the classics presented in the best possible manner. We ordered 6 appetizers which was plenty enough for two and allowed us to try a variety of dishes. The restaurant setting is simple and tastefully decorated and service was pleasant. Worth the price! read more

Had a great first experience at The Black Olive. We had a later reservation, and the staff accommodated our request to sit outdoors since it was such a nice evening. The food was great, the service was top notch. We shared small plates and loved every one, especially the Saganaki plate! The owner (Dimitri) personally sat us and helped us after one of us accidentally left our phone behind. Will return! read more

My boyfriend and I just ate here this evening. We had a lovely time and chose to eat in the outdoor seating area. The food was yummy and the service was even better! Our server was a middle-aged blonde haired man and he was very kind. I had a few drink and food-related questions that he helped me to decide on. I got there aperol spritz, calamari, and scallops. My boyfriend got the blood orange margarita, pita bread, and salmon entrée. Overall a wonderful evening and we will definitely be coming back to try some of the desserts our server recommended :). Very grateful for the amazing service!!! read more

So many different delicious options and amazing service! Ask to sit on the back deck, you'll feel like you're in Greece!

Such a great classic neighborhood restaurant. We will order two of their octopus and their salad. Bread to go and some olive pâté. Open a bottle of good wine and a perfect evening is started. Support this wonderful restaurant! Mary read more

The Lobster Pasta - it just makes the world a better place!!! What can I say about TBO that hasn't been said a1000 times. Great food, great wine, good times. TBO is my go to place whenever I visit Baltimore. My visits are so short that I plan dinner and drinks so that I get to see as many people as I can. The staff is attentive and very commentating. What a gem. The place is like visiting a fine European restaurant but in the heart of Fells Point. From 2 to 20 people, I highly recommend! read more

The Black Olive is one of my favorite restaurants and has been for years. I enjoy the Mediterranean Sea Bass as well as the octopus salad. The village pie is also a family favorite. Last week I flew in for a conference and for lunch I suggested The Black Olive. Like always the food was amazing. However, the service was NOT. Our waiter was an older gentleman who was very aggressive. He addressed the table in a flirtatious manner which immediately made every woman at the table uneasy. We tried moving past that, because at the beginning of dinner he appeared to be very pleasant and charming , but towards the end of the night my colleagues and I felt rushed. He was very cold and a colleague noticed and heard him angrily whisper under his breath multiple times when we asked for refills or extra plates We did not feel comfortable. Feeling the uneasiness of the waiter we asked for a to go box and the check. Before dropping the check the server mentioned that we could tip using an app. I was uneasy about this. In all of my years of going to the Black Olive I've never been asked to tip using anything other than cash or my credit card. It was very unprofessional and he was very rude. I enjoyed the food as always but next time I will ask for any other server besides Raphael. read more

Very disappointing! A grumbling waiter. The need to get up and ask for drinks. Small plates that barely resembled the description on the menu. Dishes and empty glasses accumulated on the table...And the value for the price. Our waiter who had been oddly disagreeable throughout the evening, became fawning and solicitous at check time. read more

First time eating here. I think they are new to operating under COVID, so take the review with a grain of salt. Bottom Line: Good Food (esp the Octopus Salad), terrible service / dining experience. Would recommend to check out for Lunch and you had over an hour to kill. The Good: The Food - Everything was good, the octopus salad was amazing. The only complaint about the food is the presentation. Tzatziki was scooped onto a plate. Anything in a bowl was in a cheap white, ceramic bowl. Eating out is entertainment.(My wife and I cook and enjoy cooking, so when we go out, it for "fun") So I expect things to look, well, appetizing. Nothing served was "inspired." The Bad: Service - 10 mins until waiter showed up. Another 25 mins until our drinks showed up (with the "one plates"). 35 min after that until our entree showed up. Yes, from sitting down, to entree: 70 mins. From sitting down until first drink: 35 mins. I don't know if it was a not knowing how to deal with COVID or what, but, wife and I spent a lot of time staring at each other! lol Experience - Set up on the street and made as charming as possible with a linen tent set-up overhead. Now, of course the restaurant cannot control who comes down the street, but after the third car came down, with a modified glasspack and / or blaring music. Kinda ruins the charm. Secondly, as soon as dusk hit, spent the rest of the night swatting off nats and shooing away flies from table and food (something they can control, not a lot of vegetation around). In the End: Seems like a neighborhood restaurant as everyone seemed to know each other. If I was a local and ate there often pre-COVID, I might be a regular too and deal with the current (?) negatives (for the Octopus Salad alone). But, not worth a trip to the city to go there. read more

Food is very good but attention to service is less than expected. Some things missing from our order and order requests not properly addressed. Arrived for 8:30pm reservation on Saturday night, party of 4. When we arrived they were in the process of removing 2 chairs from a 6-top table. That made the table less-than intimate. I had to re-arrange my place setting to be within range of my wife (it was her birthday). No one from the staff seemed at all interested in the fact that we were rearranging place settings to make the table better suited for 4. The one waitress (apparently managing waitress) said she'd see about a more intimate table. Never heard anything more about that from her. We asked about the cocktail menu. She said she had to find one of only 2 that existed in the entire restaurant. Suddenly another waiter showed up. (I'm guessing the other waiter didn't want to deal with us any longer). He was very cordial, when we said we were looking for a cocktail menu he left to find the other of the 2 that existed. Our first waitress returned with the cocktail list. Seconds later the other waiter returned with the second cocktail list. Apparently we were now the keepers of all the cocktail menus. We ordered cocktails and before long our waiter brought us bread and oil. My wife's prosecco was too dry so our waiter suggested a lighter sparkling white which she liked. To make a long story short, overall less than we expected. One of my guests asked for dressing on the side but the salad came, over dressed. They missed an entire order for one of my other guests. They were courteous enough to comp our drinks for our less-then-stellar event. Took a very long time to get food even though it was not busy. Food quality was high. Our second waiter was knowledgeable and helpful and attentive. The fact that a manager did not stop by to speak with us toward the end was disappointing since we had were obviously disappointed. Won't return and really can't recommend this place. read more