We booked for a midweek night for a birthday meal .On entering the foyer of the building there were no staff to direct us the restaurant so we ended up using the lift with a number of residents (not a good start). on entering the restaurant we waited to be seated and eventually a lady with a clipboard who had been dealing with some disgruntled customers within our earshot approached us and asked for our name and then showed us to a table. A waitress appeared and asked for our drinks order which we gave to her. She then asked my son for Id. I explained that he didn't have any on him but that he was 20 and that he was my son. Her reply was " I don't want to risk a fine love We asked to speak to a manager who stated that if the staff thought that people were under 21 they could ask for Id which we completely agreed with but my son was with his parents and grandparents and was obviously over 16 which is the age that the licensing laws in England and Wales state that a person can have a drink with a meal as long as they are accompanied by an adult so therefore no crime was being committed and no-one was at risk of being fined.The staff were obviously unaware of the law or chose to adhere to the part that they knew but we decided to not make a fuss and enjoy the rest of the night. The same (un) pleasant waitress returned to the table and before we could give her our food order proceeded to reel off what was unavailable from the menu ( the majority of it ). We decided to leave and went across to the Marriott where we had a very enjoyable meal and the contrast between staff was evident. The Mariott staff were courteous, professional and were obviously aware of licensing laws as my son had no problems having a drink. I telephoned the Grape and Olive the next day and explained the situation to a staff member who stated that a manager would contact me within an hour needless to say I'm still waiting 4 days later!!!! If you want rude,unknowledgeable and unprofessional staff to attend you then definitely visit the grape and olive swansea read more

Lets start with the positives. Great location, great views, well priced drinks and beautiful Decor with great sounding menu but thats about it. We went here for lunch. We were met at the door by a middle aged woman who looked totally fed up, we asked if we could have a table to eat at but were told there was a wait but we could get a drink at bar while we waited which we decided to do. On arrival no one was at the reception desk at door to greet you so we waited but still no agknowledgment so we walked to bar and my partner sat at a table with used empty glasses on. I ordered a Martini and was served with a Rosso when i actually wanted a dry but the bar person didn't ask which Martini i wanted. There is no definate restaurant area but all tables had salt and pepper grinders on them. I spoke to the manageress before i sat down explaining we'd wait for a table and where we were. After 15 mins i had to remove the used empty glasses from the table that were there when we sat at it, after 30 mins still no approach from the manageress even though she past us 4 times not even a "sorry for the delay". While sat there i noticed people come and go and used empty glasses being left on tables for ages even when new people sat at the tables with used glasses on. I saw 3 tables like this. I read somewhere the restaurants has dining for 220 but i could only see in the whole of the place no more than 40 eating and that seemed a struggle with from a count 7 service staff. On leaving i said goodbye to manageress and all i got back was "bye" no sorry, no i'll check for a table just bye. For such exclusive restaurant with so much thought put in to decor and amazing views the service was poor and a seemed clueless at times as i watched. Maybe i will go back again to try the food this time but i'll try midweek when its dead as i may get some service then. read more

My partner and i took our friend (who was down from London) to visit the bar/cafe at Meridian Tower yesterday - 22nd Feb 201. After visiting the restaurant in its previous incarnation (and being less than impressed with the food, service, decor etc ...) i was pleased to see the downstairs foyer had been revamped and was interested to see what they had done to the rest of the place. As we exited the lift at the 28th floor and entered into the bar area, we were immediately pounced upon by a surly waiter demanding to know if we wanted hot or cold drinks. Stumped by his unexpected question we asked what difference it made and were told that for hot drinks we would need to find a table with a table with a number on it, located on the mezzanine floor. The waiter then disappeared and left us to find our own way to the seating area. After settling down, we found there were no hot drinks menus. Luckily, as it was Costa franchise we had a fair idea of what was available. I went back downstairs to to the bar and requested to order some hot drinks, to which the young barman replied "as long as they don't require milk, cos we've just run out". I said i wanted a hot chocolate and two cappuccinos which i'm pretty sure are mostly milk. When I asked when they would be getting more, he became flustered and turned to the lady filling out the specials board (who i assume was the shift manager/person in charge). Without taking her eyes of the board, she replied "not for a while". On a positive note, part of the reason for visiting the Tower was for the view and i'm glad we got to enjoy it (for ten minutes at least). However after the appallingly dreadful service provided by the staff, i'm rather glad we didn't have to stay. read more

If you want to be bowled over by the spectacular views that bring a patriotic tear to your eye, then this is the place to go. If you want to be bowled over by a great foodie experience then go somewhere else A limited and unimaginative menu that basically serves cheese with everything although you can ask for the cheese to be left out but then that's kind of defeating the object. I'm a bit of an overweight greedy guts myself but nothing on this menu got my gastric juices flowing. Extortionately pricey for portion size with an inefficient service. It's a good job there's the view to keep you occupied as it took 10 minutes for the waitress to come over then 25 minutes for the wrong order to be delivered and then another 25 minutes for the right order to be delivered. Did we leave a tip?.. what do you think? Oh, and if you do decide to have food then make sure you bring something else to eat with you aswell because you're going to be hungry afterwards.. Talk about stingy portions. ( sheesh!).. oh and for goodness sake can't they put their air conditioning on.. up there in the sky it's closer to the sun so it's needed.. you're supposed to get a food sweat on after eating not before!.. in those sort of unhealthy working conditions it's no wonder the poor staff can't get their orders right. Phew, Gosh, I felt myself becoming more and more annoyed then as the memories came flooding back.. Grape and Olive? more like 'Gripe and Boiling'. I will go again, but only for the view and a coffee. read more

Ok Positives, nice view thats all. To be totally honest i was put straight off just walking through the ground floor door. we were greeted by a short blonde ladie who seemed to be the front of hosue manager. She claimed it was an hour's wait to get to the top just for a cup of coffee. She asked for my moblie number and said she would ring when it was ok to go up as we only went for a walk around the marina. After walking for 45 minutes we decided to take our chances and went back. We went staright up without a problem only because the woman was not on the door!!!! The whole place was NOT full enough to be sending customers away. We ordered 6 hot chocolates and 1 tea. They came without fail. But to be honest you couldnt call the HOT CHOCOLATE HOT! it was just about warm!!!!!!!!!!!!! When leaving the 28th floor where the restaurant and cafe is there were plenty of tables spare and clean for new arrivals. But when we got to the exit on the ground floor the front of house woman was turning customers away saying it was full!!!!!!!! Either that woman needs to go or they need a better arrangment system!!!! i certainly wont be going there again!!!! read more

Ill start with the negatives and end with the positives - i was expecting it to be a very special restaurant, from the outside it looks so impressive, the lights are beautiful and it's most certainly out of the ordinary. When we arrived it looked more like a bar/cafe/restaurant, which was a bit of a shame. The food and drinks are very expensive (pint of peroni is £4.10, steak £17), portions are quite small, quality not that impressive, had to wait a while and send it back because it was only warmish. Now the positives - the views are absolutely stunning, we did ask to see the manager about the meals and he was profusely apologetic. He thanked us for our comments. He agreed that they were experiencing problems taking orders, getting food out on time etc. It was only the beginning and they are planning to get more staff training and improve. He took some money off our bill. I'll will go there again but just for a drink or two next time. They are expensive but worth it when you're sitting by the window mesmerised by the views! read more

I have visited the restaurant twice now, the first time was on a Saturday afternoon and had to wait 40 minutes for two coffees. When they did arrive, they were cold! The second time was on a Saturday night with a table booked for 19.30 hours. After waiting for the one and only lift, we were shown to our table and given menus more or less straight away, but then had to wait 15 minutes to be asked if we required drinks. After choosing our wine and all our meals we waited again only to be informed that they had ran out of the soup for starters and two choices of our main meals. We worked around this only to be told that they had ran out of our choice of wine too! This was the last straw and we left! If this had happened near to closing time I could understand it, but not so early on in the evening. I think it is very poorly managed. I must say that we did feel sorry for the waitress who was serving us as she was polite, friendly, professional and more than a little embarrased by something that was not her fault. read more

After booking to take my Mum to lunch I expected better. Table booked for 1, food order taken at 1.30. Drinks took 20 minutes to arrive, but the waiter was worth his salt. Very apologetic and obviously embarrassed at his lazy boss, fat lady with a clipboard doing sweet FA whilst he tried his best to wait on 15 tables. Offered us free bread and olives as main course had not arrived in the next 30 minutes. Then offered free drinks. I was then told that they had run out of my choice so I ordered the cod. Cod arrived completely undercooked and raw in the middle. Only when I pointed out that at 8 months pregnant that this was not good enough did the look of horror dawn on him. The managers clearly don't give a monkeys about the staff who were trying their utmost. The waiter did go nuts at the chef but by now the only thing that had turned up that was ok was the drinks and the deserts. Never again, not worth the hype- wished I'd gone to Morgans read more

When we booked we were offered a 12.30 or 2.30 slot on a saturday. Granted we only booked that morning so we thought we wre fortunate to get a table. It is astrange set up when you arrive, the last time we went for a drink we were greeted at the door, not this time, so we went up to the restaurant. We had great service from a young man called Rob and very good food which is well priced. It is worth going up for the views alone but it is great to see it being run 100% more efficiently than its previous owner. It does seem a little strange that it may not be running at full tilt at the moment but is it not better to get it right and develop what is a fantastic venue. I would agree that the managerial staff could take a lead from the young man who served us and be alittle more personable, otherwise well done Brains. read more

Went in a party of 5 on Saturday afternoon. It was a birthday do and one of the group was a wheelchair user. When we arrived we were informed by a waiter that our booked table was unavailable as the people already at it had overstayed!! We were shown to a table for four and the wheelchair user , me , was stuck on the end and a place set out. I didn't want to ruin the birthday boys day as he had booked the place especially so I didn't complain. The service was slow although the waiter was very pleasant. The food was average at the very best and overpriced for what we got. £9.50 for a cheeseboard in what was in fact a pub restaurant! Views were nice but our table overlooked the town side with a lovely view of Tescos. I've been there, seen it, not to return. read more

was not suppose to write a review but after my friend went for a meal last night i felt compelled to write one, i work as head chef in london and visit swansea on regular basic. i went to this restaurant on the 2nd of january 2011. and had one of the worst meal ever, which is the shame as this location has a great view and decor. we ordered a seafood risotto which was over cooked and not salted, rather tasteless. then my partner had a duck breast in a bowl plate which seems to be a mission to eat out. then when ask for a flat plate we recieved a bad attitude from the waitress. i do not recommend this place to anyone who are foodie orientated it will be a waste of money and time.... read more

I've had many problems with the Grape and Olive in the past. I've always given it a second, third, fourth try but it always disappoints. I guess the food is the biggest complaint. I know you're really high up with a great view, but it's too expensive for a poorly cooked burger. The staff have been pretty poor as well in the past. They seem uncomfortable to make any more effort than is required, from serving drinks slowly to answering basic queries. If you are desperate to see Swansea from that hight, go up have a look, then go straight back down. Just don't stay for food or you'll be disappointed. read more

My daughter, myself and my 2 1/2 yr old grandson went to the Meridian Tower on the morning of 9th Feb. We had great seats, brilliant views of the city and the sea. We only ordered 2 coffees and some cakes and a squash for my grandson. Good service. Nice staff. We thought it was amazing. Other friends had been the day before and had a great time. Their only problem was that one of them is disabled and it is not easy to access in a wheelchair. Have booked to go for an evening meal in May. I hope this restuarant works as it is what Swansea needs. read more

16th Feb - Really bad. I went tonight with 14 people, i had duck breast - which clearly was not a duck breast - boned meat. My italian friends had risotto and pasta, they were like a softest maybe for elders without teeth. The sauce was waterly, food was cold, very disappointing. The group behind us were complaining abot food. The girl who served us took all the blame because those tables were probably her responsibility, but the food was not cooked by her. The chef should be sucked. read more

First visit to the Grape and Olive Swansea. Nobody manning bottom foyer which was a shame so had to make our own way to the restaurant. Arriving on the 28th floor we were welcomed and shown to our table. Service a bit on the slow side but on the whole ok. Food was correct temperature, which i was happy about (after reading other reviews). It was well presented on the plate and reflected good value. Views from the restaurant -absolutely incredible. Well done Brains read more

Food more than satisfactory, service organised and timely, views spectacular. Staff are on the whole very young but provided good service on the whole. We were a party of ten (wide age range) celebrating special occasion, MD on the door downstairs took our booking , lovely lady and made sure everything was as it should be. One query with meal resolved quickly and everyone had a most enjoyable time. read more

The views are great. The food is so so. The price is not great. The toilets are inconvenient on the floor below with cracks in the wall. The service is terrible. Overall, great view and good for a coffee. If you want a meal and you want to spend less than three hours being ignored by staff on a weekday lunchtime, go elsewhere. Too much staff, too little service. read more

Whent to the grape & olive last night for my birthday wish. I had read this first food boring and very over priced staff friendly don't wast time & money try jamie s Italian in Cardiff cheaper and better .view is great may be ok for coffee in the day but that's it read more

We went on a Sunday lunchtime, staff were friendly, but the food was dry,meat under cooked, the duck was tough and it was very over priced. I think they need to get their act together because we won't be going again!!!!!!! read more