It's been nearly 15-years of going to this place and I finally remembered to take some pics and write a review. Has the hood changed, yes. Have the people changed, yes. Am I the only one with a New York accent still eating here, most likely yes. But one thing that has not changed: the quality of the food! Olea Mediterranean has always hit it out of the park when it comes to a solid meal, especially anything with lamb. Last Sunday, the sun was out and the air was crisp in Brooklyn and some of us got together and realized it's a solid day to eat a meal outside. Table service was great, coffee was strong and kept coming, and the food, especially the lamb, wow. Always amazing! The pictures look great but the taste surpasses the photos! Two friends had the Olea Breakfast with all the sides and the Chicken sliders. Me? I had to have some of that incredible lamb hash which hit all the right spots. The lamb, the mint, the carrots, potatoes, turnips, feta and egg.... Seriously... what else can I say?! Get your butts to Olea on a cool day and warm up with a fresh skillet of lamb hash! You won't regret it. read more

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The food is incredible, although the service is a bit slow (I think they have a small kitchen, so that might be why?) In any case, it's a fairly laid back, homey vibe with some rustic charm, and the menu is reasonably priced. I went with a friend for brunch and got the Lamb Hash and Pomegranate Mimosas, both of which were so delicious. We finished off with the bread pudding which is to DIE FOR! Absolutely will be back! read more

I had the farro pasta years ago and I have been obsessed with it ever since. The flavors are unreal! I would go back here just for this dish, whether you are vegetarian or not. Cute atmosphere, they were able to seat us on a Friday night with no reservation. Very nice waiter read more

I've heard rave reviews for Olea for ages, so I was excited to finally try this spot out! My group had a reservation for 7 on a late Saturday morning, and we were placed at their tables outside. Despite it being well into New York's winter, the heaters and sunny weather made it an incredibly pleasant spot for brunch. Olea's fantastic for a tapas-style brunch, and boy we did not hold back. I was able to try the hummus, sheep's milk feta, patatas bravas, spicy cheese-stuffed peppers, spicy cauliflower pickles, and a cheese broccoli dish off their specials menu! The pita that came with our tapas was steaming and fresh out of the oven, we were absolutely obsessed and ordered multiple rounds. On top of that, the menu was very vegetarian friendly, even for this mixed dietary group. Overall, the food was delicious. While the pickles and stuffed peppers were a bit tangier than expected, all of the flavors came together pleasantly! With stellar food, quick and efficient service, and great ambiance, Olea definitely lived up to expectations. read more

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this is one of my favorite brunch spots- and one of the few places i know of in brooklyn that does brunch all week long. the greek french toast is incredible and they have so many delicious tapas, like the patatas bravas, fried haloumi, trio of dips, and they have tasty sangria. in fact their entire drink menu is great. they have indoor and outdoor seating and their staff is super friendly. would be a cute spot for a date as well. read more

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Try the Green Eggs and Lamb for brunch and add a side off tzatziki - their tzatziki was sooo good! The eggs are "green" because of the addition of herbs (think it was cilantro!) - thought it was great and pulled the whole dish together Located in a super cute area in Fort Greene park - they have nice outdoor seating and great service. I'll be back! read more

Olea - Lamb Sausage with Green Eggs & Lamb - Tapas Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Loooved this spot! I'd totally recommend it and go back for brunch. Great portions and quality. Super homey interior too and nice staff read more

Olea - Olea Breakfast - Tapas Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Always delicious. Go earlier for a less overwhelming experience. So glad it's been here so long.

First off this place gets crowded and sometimes we've either had to wait for an hour or so, or no tables left for the night. But once we did get a table the atmosphere was really nice. Staff was super nice but really busy so it was pretty slow to get anyone to take our order. We got the white sangria, very nice. We read other people recommend the bacon almond stuffed dates and they were pretty good, not amazing. I found them to be a bit dry and wished there was maybe some cheese or a glaze or something. We also tried the Sautéed Shrimp, french style, these were great. For the main I ordered Greek paella and I loved this dish so much, get this! Also we had a salmon special and it was pretty good, a bit heavy handed on the herbs. Overall food was pretty good and I would definitely eat here again. read more

Love Olea and the food here. Highly recommend the branzino, the Orecchiette Pasta (super chewy!!) and the seafood paella. I've dined and gotten take out from them and both have been excellent. I haven't tried them for brunch though but that's definitely on the list! read more

Tasia's (sp??) service was impeccable. We literally came during the in between time and Tasia was so welcoming, kind and hospitable. I love Olea and have been coming here for over 10 years and Tasia's service really made us feel like home. read more

This place is adorable!! We sat in a corner full of cushions. So comfy & cozy & the service was quite fast and friendly. The food was here was absolutely delicious with a lot of unique menu options. We had their savory Parmesan French toast that came with French toast, a fried egg & potatoes with peas all over. This was my first time having a savory French toast and it was pieced together so well. Also really loved the eggs in purgatory. It's a little spicy but subtle so you get to enjoy the flavors and have a tinge of spice which I love! Lastly, the Olea breakfast was great too. The green eggs were so fluffy and flavorful along with the hearty blend of vegetables on the platter. The sauce on the side was a little sweet and salty. A hearty mix. My favorites we're definitely the eggs in purgatory and the savory French toast! read more

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This was a plan b dinner spot when our wait at Sofreh no longer seemed worthwhile - sometimes I just get the feeling that places with that much hype are never worth it. In any case, dinner here worked out nicely - big fan of the Bavarian village vibe in the fall along the streets of Fort Greene. On to the food, we started with the roasted cremini mushrooms, which had a lovely smoky flavor and a variety of intriguing textures. The hummus was good, but I'd probably skip next time. My favorites were the halloumi steak and lentil-pomegranate soup. The halloumi was not too tough (often a problem), and the romesco brought out all the right flavor points. The lentil soup is similar to Turkish mercimek, and the pomegranate syrup and crispy chickpeas really took this to the next level. I would come back here just for that amazing soup. read more

Olea - Halloumi - Tapas Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Service was awful, servers were all over the place, very slow , we got recommended a salad that we couldn't even eat, returned it didn't even get sorry, sangria was served with orange juice??? , our order was forgotten. There was four tables outside but we've waited for 20 min to get approached , and throughout the night not once we were asked if everything is okay. Servers were sitting in the chairs outside laughing loudly read more

My girlfriends and I were able to pop over here for dinner this past weekend. The table was odd for 3 people. They capped a 2 top table but it left me feeling odd and uncomfortable based on the legs of the outdoor crossed table legs. I didn't really have a good place to put my legs. The server was very nice and attentive. We sat outside but I did get to pop in and get a gander at the interior. Cute and pleasing to the eye. Feels warm, in a good way. The food was pretty good, but some hits/misses for me. Not sure if the "paella" just didn't suit my palette but I was not a fan of this at all and scooped my portion onto my friend's plate. We also got the halloumi, patatas bravas and vegan meatballs, affogato and burnt cheesecake. Favorites for me that I would recommend: - Haloumi- the sauce this was paired with was good, this was fried nicely - Patatas bravas- good, standard dish. I think the sauce tasted like the quesadilla sauce from Taco bell (a fav), so I was a fan - Affogato: splendid on a summer evening. The ice cream was silky and delicious and just absolutely hit the spot. - Burnt cheesecake: This was good, but not spectacular. - Vegan meatballs: not everyone in my party liked this. I thought it was good but not great. It won't stand out in my mind. Cocktails were pretty good too. Overall, I'd come back as there were some other dishes on the menu I'd like to try. 4/5 read more

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I had been wanting to come here for a few months and was very impressed. We sat outside in their large outdoor seating area. We got the dip trio (hummus, beet, romesco), whole grain farro pasta, and falafel encrusted artichoke hearts. Everything was fantastic - very soft pita and flavorful dips; the pasta was filled with a a variety of flavors, shapes, and textures; and the falafel artichoke was so unique and delicious. Great presentation and service. We were too full for dessert but would definitely return to try the vegan olive oil chocolate cake! read more

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I came here on a Wednesday night, party of two, and there was a 20-30 minute wait to sit inside so we opted to eat outside which was surprisingly warm with the heaters. We enjoyed some good drinks and ordered 4 small plates to share (good amount for 2 people). Everything came out in a timely manner and was very good. It was not too expensive and the service was good. Excited to go back and try some more delicious apps and plates. read more

Olea - Cheese Stuffed Peppers - Tapas Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I just didn't love it. The space is really tight and there's only one bathroom, which isn't enough. The white sangria was tasty but I thought the braised chicken was a little bit of an odd dish. Liked the fried Brussels sprouts. read more

Great food and a comfy atmosphere. Stopped by during the afternoon at happy hour and was presented with unique dishes that had great flavor. It gets a bit busy, but the service remains excellent. Their ingredients were fresh and local. Cocktails were well crafted. The raspberry sorbet ice cream was creamy and sweet! read more

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Had a meal here recently. The setting is cozy, and the menu has variety, but the execution felt a bit inconsistent. Some items were better than others, and service could have been a touch quicker. Just average. read more

Chaotic ambience on Sunday AM. Food is really good but service was unprofessional and seemingly scattered.

Absolutely enjoyed the cuisine in Olea, the atmosphere is warm, friendly vibes, Food is very tasty & full of Life. Drinks were made very well, quality service! read more

Olea - Tapas Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I had the pleasure of visiting this establishment a few weeks ago for lunch and I've been a regular ever since . 1st the staff is the warmest staff i have encountered this far JAMES is a absolute gem.! So warm , sweet , hospitable and extremely knowledgeable he heightens my experience every time i visit Then to be paired with such a pleasant coworker JOEL is amazing ! Swift , warm , also extended knowledge of everything as well . Dining with them at your service amplifies your time there . The food is exceptional! I'm a Brussels sprout fan so they definitely executed that ! The MUSSELS ARE TO DIE FOR and the bread it's pair with is simply delish ! OLEA's is by far top 5 dining spot in bk . GOT MY VOTE ! read more

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I was expecting kebabs and falafel and instead I was surprised with the most delicious warm chicken paella with a sweet, creamy sauce and a can't-get-enough farro pasta salad. They really do their flavor combinations RIGHT here. Also had the Mediterranean sundae with the toasted white sesame and the Greek yogurt ice cream, both of which were refreshing endings to our meal. Service was incredible, food came out quick, and the ambience is lovely and chatty. I'd highly recommend this as a dinner spot, it doesn't look like they have a single bad dish. read more

Olea - Tapas Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Friday lunch. Low key informal. Service attentive without being intrusive. Three dips were something to be getting on with but the mussels were something else. Perfectly cooked, served with exactly enough crusty bread to sop up the slightly piquant mouthwatering sauce. Followed by tasty olive oil chocolate dessert with ice cream and caramel sauce. An unexpected culinary delight. read more

Beautiful ambiance, delicious food and drinks, no wait on a Friday, and the service was delightful and charming.

I hate to lower my rating but my second experience wasn't as good as the first. What I'm finding here is the dishes are either a WOW hit or overdone miss. Previously I loved everything but the bacon wrapped dates because I had even written those were overdone. This time we got the chickpeas which tasted totally burned, and our paella was overcooked too and sticking to the bottom of the pan from the moment it came out. It still had good flavor but was definitely overcooked and not as good as I remembered. That said the cheese stuffed cherry peppers were fabulous. That dish was 5/5 so as I mentioned the dishes here are like mindblowing or burned. I was so excited to bring my mom to this place I had previously loved and then felt like ashamed of talking it up so much. Service was great though and they did take the chickpeas off the bill at least since we didn't like them. read more

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A BedStuy local pointed us towards Olea, and we went literally that same day. Absolutely loved the food! The ambiance is also so great, its a really cool eclectic space. I always crave hummus and other dips with pita, and Olea really hit the spot. When we went it was a hot late Autumn evening, so I got a grain dish which was light and flavorful. My boyfriend got the sliders which looked really good! I definitely want to go back next time I'm in the area. read more

This is a reliably great spot in the neighborhood. We had a fine dinner here with several appetizers and larger plates. Mezcal Negroni cocktail was good but seemed to be premixed based on how fast it came to the table. Fried green olives and polenta fried artichokes were great. Faro pasta was excellent. The service was well timed and friendly. The sound level was high at times. In all, very enjoyable. read more

Extensive menu, cute and unsuspecting spot! Love it's location, quant neighborhood. Food is flavorful, generously portioned and there is truly something on the menu for everyone. Service can be a bit slow at times, but other than that a great little place! read more

Olea - Greek Village Salad Braised Garlic Chicken - Tapas Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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It's more of a 3.5 star. Food was decent. Place is very busy. We ordered the 3 DIP COMBO WITH PITA AND ENDIVE LEAVES: 1.Roasted beet skordalia: I liked this dip the most. It had a nice amount of sweetness and the not too strong of a beet taste. Romesco: pretty good as well. Sheep's milk feta with red pepper--a bit too strong on the feta. I wasn't too fond of it. The pita was good and the endive leaves were nice and crunchy. 2. PATATAS BRAVAS- average. It was alright. Nothing special. 3. Bacon wrapped dates and almonds- it was interesting. Very sweet dates and the almonds gave it a nice texture and more complex nutty flavor. 4. Sautéed halloumi- it was just alright for me. I wasn't too fond of the cheese. 5. Goat cheese croquettes with honey-I liked it. The honey was a nice balance to the goat cheese. 6. Paella greco- it was OK. Lots of stuff and flavors. I wasn't used to the Mediterranean flavors on the paella. 7. Spanish pitza- interesting flavors. I wasn't too fond of it. I was also getting full when this dish came out so I probably wasn't feeling anything at all at this time. Overall, decent dinner. Lots of different tapas to choose from. Wasn't anything that I especially loved or would recommend. Perhaps the goat cheese croquettes. read more

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Came here for brunch and it was delicious! We also wanted to be seated inside after making reservations for outdoors and they were accommodating which was great! For the appetizer we got the artichoke falafel. We got the green eggs and lamb, the brisket sandwhich, and pasta for entrees. Everything was great! We also got the mango sangria which was refreshing! I would definitely come back. Great food, amazing staff, and cute interior. read more

eggs in purgatory: classic shakshuka and the cheesy bread was delish. Your palate will be blessed with all the flavors. brioche French toast: with apple and maple syrup. Loved how this was baked and perfectly sweet!! vegan kefteddes: these vegan meatballs were made of tofu in a spicy whipped feta tomato sauce. So rich in flavor and this was my first time trying vegan meatball Overall this is a solid brunch spot in the area. The heating is pretty good and they have limited seating. Loved all the dishes I tried! read more

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Update: went here last weekend after some years away... I feel the quality has gone down. Service was great, but the food was nothing to write home about, which is a first for me with Olea. read more

Such a lovely sweet staff and ambiance but I do feel this place is overrated- food is average and portions are very small yet $$. Will not go back but I do love the staff!! read more

Tickets to see a play at the beautiful BAM theater - let's have dinner before the show - check online for close restaurants and OLEA looked interesting- first time diners - we both knew nothing about Olea - WHAT AN AMAZING SURPRISE! We didn't have any wait to be seated , the place is adorable -cozy, wood beamed ceilings , bric, rustic chic! Everyone's food around us looked incredible ! My friend and decided to share a few dishes - falafel encrusted artichokes, vegan meatballs, polenta fried oysters and a kale salad with an Italian white wine - everything was incredibly delicious!!!! Everything! Service was quick and friendly - we let our waitress know we had a show to catch and asked for our check with our meal - prices not bad at all! I can't wait to go back again very soon and of course the neighborhood is beautiful and fun to walk around! What a treat for us on a beautiful summery April day! read more

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Food has improved and the drinks, as usual, are still top notch (thanks to Thomas). I've started eating here regularly again! Didn't realize how much I missed it until I sat down at the bar a week ago and Thomas had my Oleapolitan ready in mere seconds of me being seated. read more

God I love this place so much. Been coming for years and can't believe I hadn't written a review! I'd recommend all the dishes if you have time but some must haves are the beet skordalia (get the dip trio so you can have it and 2 more!) and the Paella (they have a meat, a seafood, and a VEGAN version!). Shockingly the paella didn't take a long time to make so that was unexpected and lovely. For drinks I've gotten wine and cocktails here but nothing beats a summer sangria of which they have white and red :) They have outdoor and indoor seating- all of which are cozy and intimate. They even have warmers above each outdoor seat so you can be there later in the seasons. They don't take many reservations (and you have to make them either early in the day or before the day of) but I've never had a long wait for a table. End with an espresso martini or just a coffee. Dessert looks good but I've always been stuffed by that time and never had a chance to try one! read more

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Always seemed packed and hour-long waits but managed to get a seat when they started taking reservations. Food was good- got the bacon wrapped dates, red pepper feta dip, Spanish "pitza" and falafel crusted artichokes along with a bottle of wine. Would recommend going for smaller plates than the entrees. read more

Olea - Tapas Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Super cozy and delicious Mediterranean spot. Took our daughter here for her birthday and everything was perfect. Great spot for those with celiac or gluten intolerance- they were super attentive to my concerns about contamination, and the endive option for the dip was fabulous! read more

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