My partner and I came here for dinner during New Haven restaurant week and we enjoyed the dining experience! This was the best restaurant in New Haven we've been to so far! We had the short rib ravioli and shrimp for appetizers and the monkfish and lamb shank for entrees. The food was flavorful, light, and cooked to perfection. The service was incredible and we enjoyed the ambience of the restaurant tremendously! We would return! read more

Super impressed with Olea. Probably the best gazpacho and one of the best short ribs I have ever had. The wine list, ambience and everything was awesome. read more

Olea - Pulpo Y Socarrat - Spanish Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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This is hands down the highest quality restaurant in New Haven. Very sophisticated yet relaxed ambience , with exquisite and innovative food presentation. The service is impeccable. Really enjoyed their desserts and small nibbles they brought out throughout the meal read more

Wow! I will start there. I have been so disappointed with dining out through covid. We were blown away with our dining experience last night. The restaurant was very modern with high ceilings and a classy upscale airy vibe. The tables were spaced a lovely distance apart where we were actually able to have a conversation with the other couple we were dining with without having to hear what our neighbors were talking about too. It was so delightful! They brought out a small amusè bouche of Spanish tortilla which was so divine. I love those sweet little touches. We shared the croquetas and pulpo to start. The croquetas contained a delicious oxtail/mushroom purée and were fried to crunchy perfection. The pulpo was beautifully served and so visually appealing - I couldn't wait to dive in. Aside from needing a sprinkle of salt and fresh ground pepper - it was the perfect mix of creamy and crunchy. The octopus was grilled perfectly and wasn't tough at all. For dinner - one person had the duck. She said it was delicious. The plating was exquisite and added to our dining experience. Who doesn't love beautiful food that tastes great?!? Two people got the braised short rib special that was cooked perfectly and was fall apart tender. I had the porchetta and OH MY!! Super crunchy on the outside with all that succulent juicy tender pork on the inside. It was served over these decadent 'Dauphinais' potatoes over the most delicious au jus that rounded out the dish perfectly. It was served with a small plate of lightly dressed greens which was the perfect addition to the rich pork and potatoes. We shared 2 desserts - torrija and chocolate textures. I didn't taste the torrija. The chocolate textures was actually 4 mini desserts - a tiny scoop of homemade chocolate hazelnut ice cream with a nougatine dust, a mint rosemary white chocolate 'soup', a tiny vanilla mousse and chocolate ice cream sandwich and this little chocolate cup of chocolate covered rice crispies with orange zest. Dessert was good but nothing really knocked our socks off. I would try the almond coconut cake next time. I honestly can't wait to return! It was exactly what I wanted/needed! read more

** 3.5 stars ** For my upcoming birthday, I knew I wanted to go to Olea. We made reservations for a weeknight way in advance, which wasn't really necessary but still nice because my husband notified them that it was my birthday. The decor is modern and classy. I really liked the feel of the place. Ultimately, our food was very good - though the meat dishes were a little better than the seafood - and our waiters were a bit impersonal. The presentation was all very nice. The octopus appetizer was very pretty, but the taste was a little less nuanced than I was hoping for. My husband's oxtail croquettes were very nicely plated and melted in my mouth. (Yup, I snagged a piece!) My branzino was ok - again, had a lot going on so hard to appreciate all the textures and flavors. My husband got the crab ravioli special. The sauce was bright yellow (a corn sauce), which surprised me, but the taste was really delicious and on point. As mentioned earlier, our waiters were pretty impersonal and abrupt when they took our plates away. Glad we tried Olea, but there were so many things that were a little off, that I don't necessarily plan to come back very soon. It's a nice spot for a more-than-average night out, though. read more

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I came here for Valentine's Day, so my review is for their Prix Fixe menu for that day For drinks, my husband and I decided to get cocktails. I got a tequila drink, and my husband got the Black Forest (?) which included rosemary that they set on fire in front of you. First course was a mix of 3 little canapés lobster "semolina puff" which was actually like a little pani puri Deviled quail egg - delicious! Goat cheese panna cotta - small but flavorful - was good, and I don't even like goat cheese Second course was a delectable duck confit mushroom pasta. So so good!!! I could eat so much of this. There was sweetness coming from the duck, and savoriness from the duck and mushrooms. The pasta was also beautiful and well made. This was amazing! For the main course I had the beef tenderloin which was cooked to perfection. It also came with various vegetables as well. Hefty portions, and very flavorful! My husband got the halibut, so I tried a few bites of his dish. It was maybe a tad bit over cooked (by maybe a minute), but had good flavor. It also came with clams that were well cooked. I personally am glad that I got the beef though! Dessert was a chocolate cake that had a whole bunch of layers, decorated with a beautiful heart shaped piece, and passion fruit ice cream. I have to say this is one of the best chocolate cakes I've had, and I've had a LOT of chocolate cakes, including having a chocolate cake marathon this past week due to my husband's birthday. Lastly, they gave a single rose as a wonderful last touch to an overall solid meal! read more

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Great restaurant, have been a few times and it's always a treat. Food is always top notch, drinks too, and staff are lovely. My only complaint: we sat at the bar last time and the stools are very uncomfortable. That's ok if you're just having a beer, but less so for a nice dinner that you're trying to savor. read more

Squid ink pasta is so great! It is my husband's favorite. Every time we go back to new haven we would come. read more

An excellent meal in every possible way! The service was warm and attentive. The food - everything we ordered - was fantastic! * The octopus was perfectly done, tender, and in a mild sauce that does not overpower the central ingredient * the foie gras was the best I've had in years, the last being in Paris. The texture of the warm, pan fried piece of foie gras was just perfect - soft, almost liquify at the center, and charred outside * the oxtail croquetas were brilliant - first time I had these, will certainly go back (we were too greedy, hence no pictures of it :) * the cochinillo was excellent too The best thing about Olea's food is the lightness of touch in the cooking - every sauce is delicate, bringing out the best in the dish. Juan Carlos' wine pairing was the best! Coming from New York City where one does get good food but gets tired paying a premium for it all the time, Olea was so refreshing - so affordable for the finesse and quality of the food they serve, and so warm and relaxed in terms of atmosphere - can't wait to be back! read more

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My wife and I had a great time here. Food and cocktails were amazing and the staff was so professional as to accommodate our very loud and handsy baby. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for a date night near Yale. read more

Olea - Bronzino was excellent! - Spanish Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

I have to say beginning to end this place was exceptional! The atmosphere was great quiet great decor perfect for a date night or special occasion. The layout is nice it's intimate but you are not on top of other people . Plenty of space separating the tables . The service was top notch waiter was very attentive my water was refilled before I even finished . We had the braised short rib special and the catch of the day (black sea bass) the short rib was so tender and flavorful . The sea bass was cooked to perfection. For drink we went with red sangria that was good and refreshing. For appetizer we got the octopus and desert we had to Try the honey cold bon bon over all I would rate this place a 9.2 /10 taking into consideration atmosphere, Service,price,food quality. We will definitely be coming back read more

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This is the best restaurant I've been to in New Haven. My wife and I had the chef's tasting menu, and each dish was fantastic. I could tell the chef put a lot of thought into how to build up the flavors and experience. We also had sangrias along with our meal, and thought the white wine sangria was more to our tastes (we like sweeter ones). read more

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Thank you to Raul and the whole staff at Olea for a phenomenal dining experience! From the drinks to the dessert we enjoyed every second of our dinner here. We wanted to try so many things but we started off with the charcutería and beef croquettes. WOW. While sipping our cocktails we enjoyed the music, and our bread with oil. Our dinner came and my husband enjoyed the mushrooms with fettuccine and I, the beef cheek. Never had I enjoyed such a tender piece of beef. Alongside came a parsnip purée, cauliflower and mini potato chips. We ended our meal with the chocolate textures dessert. You name the texture, it was there! We left feeling satisfied and so happy we decided to come here. We enjoyed some complimentary items from the chef and pastry chef as well. We were the last ones to leave but there was no rushing us ever. Please, if you're in New Haven, try Olea. We will be back! read more

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Wow! Definitely the spot if you're trying to impress a friend or date. Amazing food. The beet salad is a must! Possibly the best salad I've ever eaten. There were some.geeat surprises through the meal and the service was top notch. read more

What a meal! We are not from the area and were looking for a place for dinner and decided to try Olea- what a great choice! From the chefs bite size tortilla española to the chocolate soup in a chocolate chip cup - it was all delicious. We had the oxtail croquettes that were sooooo good- perfection! The pulpo was just so right and the piece de resistance was the cochinillo- what a great piece of meat- crispy skin and then tender meat- exquisite. We ordered the Torrijas and changed the ice cream that came with it to the crime brûlée ice cream and it was just sooo good! Service was excellent and professional and the outdoor tables are safely spaced. I cannot wait to return! read more

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Had an absolutely incredible meal here to celebrate my dad's birthday. Creative, delicious dishes and cocktails. read more

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Hands down one of the best dining experiences I have had. I went with friends, one of whom is a chef, and we are in agreement about the experience. From the appetizers, to the cocktails, to the entrees, to the wine, to the dessert, to the dessert wine. Yes, it's that good. We got the charcutería as part of our appetizer. The assortment on the board was great. The chicken liver was the port wine reduction was awesome. Adding the jamón ibérico was a great compliment. The meat literally melts in your mouth. The croquetas de rabo were very tasty. The "shell" was nice and crisp, while the oxtail was tender. The ceviche mixto was crazy good. You want to drink the "sauce" that is part of the dish. For our entrees, two of us got the suckling pig. The third person in our group got pato or seared duck breast. I can only speak to the pig, but wow, it was good. The fat is perfectly rendered leaving a super crispy skin. The sound of your knife crunching through the skin adds to the experience. I understand that the duck was good also, but cannot speak from personal experience. The desserts were superb and a great way to finish the meal. I have a huge sweet tooth and loved all of them. The only was I can describe the torija is a piece of brioche that is perfectly caramelized on the outside with an inside that is like warm marshmallow. The honeycomb is a chocolate shell with a mousse filling that is quite satisfying. The chocolate textures are a perfect combination of little bites that comes with a white chocolate soup that has to be indulged in last. The staff were very welcoming and hospitable. I wish I knew the owner's name. He helped us with our wine selection and even brought us an off the menu wine to enjoy with dessert. Dennis our waiter was great and made sure that each course was perfectly timed. I highly recommend Olea. We will be back. read more

I ordered curbside pickup for my boyfriends birthday last week and everything was perfect! We ordered the short rib and lamb shank and the creamy rice and beans and mushrooms along with the shrimp appetizer. The portions were huge and the meal was perfect for a quarantine birthday! Curbside pickup was flawless and so easy! You do need to order before noon for same day pickup. Will definitely order from here again and hope to dine in soon when they reopen. read more

Olea - Spanish Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

OK so I really wanted 4.5 stars just because I have only been once and I like to go to a place more often before I do a full 5 but they were so close I went with 5 anyway! My boyfriend and I went to Olea this past weekend for an early dinner and it was wonderful. Here is the full review (INCLUDED GLUTEN ALLERGY INFO): Service: I like to start with service because I feel the servers don't get shout outs enough during COVID and for me, it's almost as important as the food when I go out! Our server was FANTASTIC I believe his name was David but I don't have the receipt anymore! He was attentive, kind and enthusiastic. He didn't hang around the table too much despite it being before the rush, but he was always close by the time we needed anything. He helped us select our wine and meals, and was so patient with my overly-enthusiastic rambling (I don't get out much lately). Another big thing is HE WAS SUPER KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT MY GLUTEN ALLERGY. I was so pleased. He deserves some major recognition. He was the perfect fine dining server. Friendly but not over the top and made it feel like fine dining without making it stuffy. 10/10 Drinks: We had a bottle of Spanish wine which is my favorite! I like wine with lots of tannis, my boyfriend prefers them fruit forward. Our server was able to find a wine in the middle for a reasonable price. I did take a look at the cocktail menu though and the drinks look great. A couple flips (drinks with egg white) so I am very excited to try cocktails my next visit. Food: The food was delicious!!! I was very pleased with the options I had despite the small menu and my allergy. I felt that I was accommodated in a way that prevented me on "missing out" Many people with a gluten allergy have been somewhere that promised to take care of you and then serve you plain chicken on rice, that is NOT the case at Olea!! First I had a special appetizer of boquerones on an avocado mousse. They were marinated in a traditional manner with white vinegar and oil, fileted and served over the mousse in little spoons. They even brought out gluten free crackers since the app is usually served on bread, so I dipped them in the mousse I had left over. It was light, flavorful and well presented. For an entrée I had a beef tenderloin with carrot, sunchoke and asparagus in a port-wine chimichurri. It was perfectly cooked, insanely tender and well flavored. The sauce was so impressive and tasted great on the vegetables and meat. I was full but not overly so, which is ideal when you have a heavy dish like that! We ended up skipping dessert as I was pretty full and we wanted to get home but there were some great options and the server even brought out mini lemon meringue for us to munch while we paid the bill that made us regret that choice. Because of the service, food and care with my allergy we will definitely be back and I will update this review but I think if you haven't been it's well worth the visit! read more

I have gone here a few times a year for the past few years and only have good things to say about the service, food, and wines at Olea. The ambiance is very classy - darkened and generally quiet. For first time visits, I recommend trying the croquettes and the shishito peppers. The servers are generally very good at offering recommendations based on your tastes as well. I won't dock a star for prices because if you're coming here, you are paying for the experience and it definitely feels like more than just a casual dinner spot. read more

We were a party of four. Started with a round of cocktails, which were all excellent. Then I ordered a bottle of Tempranillo. One of the best bottles I've ever had. Instead of ordering entrées, we decided to order a number of appetizers and tapas. We couldn't determine, which was the best. They were all amazing! Our waiter Raul could not have been any better! Atmosphere was very nice. Beautiful room but a little loud. All in all it was an incredible evening. I would highly recommend this restaurant. read more

had heard amazing things about this place from a friend and finally went last week for my birthday. when i walked in i was a bit thrown off as the interior of the place felt a bit stale and resembled a hotel lobby. the appetizer tartar we ordered was fine. i wouldnt say it was anything special. the sauce was too sweet and the tuna was mixed with tomatoes which made the texture mealy. however, the main courses were truly delicious. the cornish hen was so juicy and flavorful, and the salmon rested atop a potato salad and was drizzled in a tart citrus sauce! read more

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Really a wonderful restaurant in the heart of New Haven. The atmosphere of the restaurant makes you feel like you're in a more expensive place than it is, and although it's considered fine dinIng, it really is quite affordable for what you get in terms of food + service. Two members of my party ordered Manhattans, which they mentioned were some of the best Manhattans they've ever had. Our party ordered: The oxtail croquettes (delicious) The branzino - very good, but strange it wasn't the whole fish The conejo - I loved one of the ways the rabbit was prepared, more like a normal drumstick where the meaT was deliciously tender. I didn't care for the fried rabbit as much. Squid ink pasta - fascinating new dish, the noodles were light and airy The beef tenderloin - my husband loved this dish, as it was incredibly tender and well - seasoned Overall, everything we ate was delicious, we will have to come back to try one of the pre-fixe menus one day. read more

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So this place strives to be a trailblazer in the field of fine dining. I think that it does this phenomenally from the decor to the food and the ambiance. Everything is done quite well. At first one may be off put by the prices at this location but this I would expect nothing less after having dine here. I was here for my sister's birthday and boy was I impressed. The appetizer of the beet salad was fantastic, the beets were fresh and accented with candied hazelnuts and we also got some mushroom croquets served on a small dollop of onion jam and watercress. This was only a prelude for good things to come. Quite frankly there was alot of dishes at that table, branzino, cooked fantastically a la plancha with a sweet potato and squash puree, my sister got a duck breast seared to perfection served with a lovely apple and lavender gastrique (never would have imagined apple, lavender, and duck but they make it work and then some) my father got a decadent rack of short ribs and I got their suckling pig. The skin alone on this pig was enough for me to give this place 5 stars. Fantastically cooked and everything was well balanced. This place is deserving of a 6th star for their dining alone. Their dessert is alright. It's not at all at the level of the main meal but quite frankly, its hard to match that in the first place. I hope to return soon! read more

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Omg. This place was stellar! I almost forgot I was in CT for a second. lol. So we all started with some wine and we got some potato croquette type things on the house. They were delicious! We started with the gazpacho and when it first came out I got a little excited because it looked like it was deconstructed...but it shortly was followed with the soup poured in at the table. My friend describes the Gazpacho as a garden in your mouth. We then shared a salad and somehow we ordered anchovies although no one eats them. Lol. For entrees two of us got the halibut and one short ribs. All were very tasty. Perhaps the star of the show though was the simple roasted potatoes with truffle aioli. To die for!!! Dessert was also spectacular! Mine looked like an actual forest! Do yourself a favor and check this place out! read more

Olea - Forest dessert - Spanish Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

My husband and I came here for our anniversary this past weekend and Olea did not disappoint. I can honestly say this was one of the best meals I've ever had and he service was on point. We shared two apps, one being a special beet tartare (which seriously should be on their regular menu-so good!) and we each had a carabinero which was melt in your mouth tender. Both entrees we ordered were specials as well. We shared the chocolate textures (my husband loved this!) and the torrija for dessert. This might have been the best non-chocolate dessert I've ever tasted! One thing I loved about it here was the thoughtfulness of the food. Every ingredient had a purpose and when combined they made for some of the best food I've ever had! It was really refreshing to go out for an expensive meal (this place is def for special occasions $$$$) and have the whole thing be amazing. Nothing is worse than paying a ton for dinner and having some of it just be meh. Can't wait for the next special occasion so we can come back! read more

Shoutout to Olea for providing meals during the covid_19 pandemic for healthcare workers. Simple pasta and salad options which were tasty and satisfying. read more

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This was our third visit and I thought it was about time I sat down and wrote a review. Olea has got to be one of the best if not the best Fine Dining restaurant in New Haven, it's just that simple. The look and finish of the restaurant is most refined yet incredibly comfortable. The service was responsive and professional with food to match. read more

Olea - Just perfect! - Spanish Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Simply the best New Haven has to offer. The tasting menu is a real treat.

What a way to end the year! My husband and I came to Olea for dinner on New Year's Eve before heading out to a show. It's definitely on the pricey side but absolutely worth it for a creative, beautifully presented, high quality meal in a lovely space. We started with the charcuterie place (love that chicken liver mousse) and out-of-this-world foie gras; a generous lobe came with a passion fruit membrillo sandwich, apple-mango chutney, and aged balsamic. Flavor bomb. It was TOUGH to choose an entree - they were all so tempting, and I almost went with the cornish hen but settled on fideuá and I'm glad I did - I LOVE squid ink pasta, especially when accompanied by mussels, clams, and shrimp. Perfect portion size too - filling but not overwhelming. My husband ordered the duck with parsnip purée, bacon, chickpeas, butternut squash, fresh figs, baby arugula, citrus-duck jus. Just having fresh figs in the dead of winter was so exciting! Overall, a great experience and I'd love to return for tapas at the bar. read more

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Came here on a Friday night without reservations. Suggestion: make reservations! They had one high-top table available by the front door and one in the back by the kitchen. Neither was ideal but we went with the one up front. We were treated very well. Service was spot-on in terms of attention and pace of courses. Everything we ordered was prepared perfectly. Portions were smaller than we're used to but then we are used to gigantic portions, which explains why we tend to be overweight in the USA. ANYWAY, we enjoyed ourselves and will definitely return. read more

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Tried Olea last week (accidentally hit restaurant week) and cannot wait to go back for another meal. This might be our go-to place for taking friends going forward. The dining room is modern and gorgeous, service attentive but not overbearing. We tried several cocktails, all amazing and unique. The seafood was super fresh and the duck was amazing. I am looking forward to trying more of the menu. One less star as I am deathly allergic to nuts and that limits my choices on this nut heavy menu. But the waitstaff and kitchen was very attentive to my allergy and were able to make subsitutions as needed plus steer me away from hidden nuts in dishes. Look forward to returning soon. read more

We went on a Friday night; it was good! Food/Drinks: Given all of the reviews, I admit my expectations were high. So, maybe that's why they were a touch of a let-down. One of the appetizers came pretty cool/cold and even though we just ate there last week, the food was just not memorable. Drinks, as others have pointed out, were delicious. Dessert was also just "pretty good". Ambiance: Spaced out tables; good lighting; beautiful decor. BOTTOM LINE: Good experience. May try again in the future, but, honestly was just underwhelmed with the food. Also, as great as the service was, we mentioned that we were celebrating a special occasion and yet the staff ... forgot? Certainly didn't to anything special for us, unlike other restaurants in the past. read more

Great restaurant with amazing food and exceptional service. Jaoa was our waiter - he was phenomenal with his recommendations. The food is more Spanish than Mediterranean I would say. There is a relatively small menu, which makes it easier to select. The décor is classy and elegant. It's definitely more of a later crowd. The restaurant was pretty empty at 7:30 but filled up as we ate and there were no tables available when we left. I cannot wait to come back again! read more

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They did a really good job, but we ordered between 8 to 10 cocktails between four people and they were incredibly watered down. Nobody wants to feel ripped off wit cocktails with no alcohol and it really ruined the experience. If you go and you don't drink cocktails, you'll have a good time. read more

We did tasting menu which includes 6 courses, most of the food was quite delicious. I am taking away 2 stars for service, the wait between courses was way too long and after our first course, the sommelier never came by to talk about the wine and how it pairs. The server on one occasion didn't even know where the wine was from when I asked, and I don't fault him because that is what I would expect sommelier to do. read more

My daughter and I enjoyed a sampling of small plates tapas. Loved the iberico ham. Loved the grilled octopus read more

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Great spot, and the cochinillo (suckling pig) was my favorite since the skin is thin and crispy. Your not getting huge portions here, but definitely quality and tasty. They have a prefixes menu for $39 that seems like a great value for the quality. read more

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Despite the Pandemic, Olea is providing excellent meals in a safe environment. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone traveling through the New Haven area Try the Bacalao - Amazing! read more

The food was delicious, the staff extremely courteous, and I most appreciated how conscientious they were about safety and sanitation. All seating was socially distanced, they had hand sanitizer everywhere, all tables had their own water pitchers, all staff wore marks regardless of vaccine status. The bathroom had touchless soap dispenser, required all people using it to wear masks, and only allowed one guest at a time. It put me at ease to know that an establishment was taking such care to ensure safety and cleanliness. The tapas, main course and dessert were also beyond delicious. As someone who has not eaten out much since the pandemic began, this was definitely a great place to ease back into eating out. I can't say enough about how seriously they take cleanliness and sanitation, and how comfortable they make their customers. Amazing food, amazing service!!!! read more