I had a craving for my favorite Oliva Special Salad so decided to stop by on my way home to place a "to go" order. The place was busy which is great to see on a Saturday night! Ordered the salad and the Olivich sandwich with meat. I noticed several customers going up to the counter to check on their food, so figured they were pretty overwhelmed but after waiting 40min for 2 items, and getting no follow-up from a gentleman who said he was going to check on my order (I saw him leave instead), I asked them to cancel my order. The guy told me to give him 5 min. to get it done. I was happy to get my food 10min later! This is where my disappointment happens.... After waiting 50min for a salad and a sandwich, they forgot to put the dressing in the bag and according to the menu, the sandwich should have been on a baguette but it was on more like a French roll. Tasty, but I love baguettes which is why I ordered it. Maybe a "I'm sorry" piece of baklava would have made the experience a little better? Next time I will turn around and leave if they are really busy. Better to go on a slow night. read more

I stopped by this spot for dinner and it honestly surprised me in the best way. The food has a Persian inspired flavor that's super unique and really well done. The Persian style pizza was the star for me. It had the perfect balance of crispy crust and savory toppings and tasted super fresh. I also tried the fresh squeezed carrot juice and it was so bright and refreshing. You can tell they actually juice it to order. Their salads and wraps are great too. Everything tasted clean and flavorful which is hard to find when you want something that feels a little healthier. They also offer hookah and the outdoor setup is really chill. It makes the whole place feel like the perfect hangout spot whether you're coming for food or just relaxing with friends. Overall a great mix of good food good vibes and friendly service. I'll definitely be back. read more

See all

We went there & found it to be closed due to a fire. No indication of when it will be repaired & reopened was noted on the message on the window. We'll try again in a few months. read more

There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home! That may be true, but this place is very close to it! As soon as you walk in you'll notice the super cute décor -- plants all over, couches in the corner, and hanging chairs on both sides of the restaurant. Cozy feels for sure. After I proceeded to the counter I asked the worker (Amin) for his suggestions. I ended up ordering a Matcha Latte, Pizza Oliva (with no mushrooms), and a Baklava. How was everything? - Matcha Latte (not pictured): This was pretty good! Not too sweet and did not have an overpowering matcha presence. It came with a little cube thingy which I've never had before. It was a little sweet, but good. - Pizza Oliva (Halal): Half beef/chicken, mozarella, beef sausage, bell pepper, olive, and oregano. For my first time having a Persian style pizza, I was pretty impressed! I like how the pizza wasn't greasy and no ingredient overpowered the other. It was good. I was given a special sauce and that made it taste even better. It can for sure feed 2-3 people. - Baklava: Very good! I've had baklava at many other places and this one definitely is one of my top favorites. Service is excellent here. The staff is so welcoming and treats people like family. I swear it resonates onto other people in the restaurant and it's like the restaurant is one big family. Parking isn't bad, though it could be an issue at times with Starbucks being in the same lot. The lot is fairly small. There's plenty of seating inside and outside. I recommend trying this place out! read more

See all

What a fun place to hang out! There are a lot of different areas to sit and enjoy a nice snack, meal, and/or drink. They've got tables and chairs, couches with a coffee table, little egg seats...and things to do like books to read, instruments to place, and I think I saw a karaoke machine as well? Very well decorated. There's also a bar at the coffee area. Not too busy on a Sunday around 11am, but they definitely got busier as noon approached. We ordered the Avocado Chicken Wrap, Special Oliva Salad, Cheese Pizzetta, Pizza Oliva, Fresh Watermelon Juice, Fresh Carrot Juice, and an Affogato. My favorite was the Pizza Oliva. Wonderfully cheesy with a great texture on the bread and toppings that really popped. Next was the affogato. Everything else was good, but nothing that stood out. Service is quick and friendly. There's a bathroom inside, and the have a water dispenser with some plastic cups. read more

See all

Located in Lake Forest, Oliva is a Persian HALAL casual cafe that offers sandwiches, pizza and salads. They don't offer a lot of options in each category, but what they do offer is good. I stopped by during the month of Ramadan to break my fast at sunset. Pizza Oliva ($25) - This hearty pizza consisted of mozzarella cheese, deli beef, beef sausage, bell peppers, mushrooms, and olives. Like all the pizzas here, it's not made with any type of pizza sauce. The pizza is on the crispier side and thicker. It had decent flavors and wasn't bad. Pepperoni ($16) - Taste wise I was disappointed with this pizza. The pepperoni didn't have much in terms of flavor. I would pass on this if I visited again. Olive sandwich ($20 - 12") - A little pricey at $20 but this sandwich is packed with beef sausage, deli beef, mushrooms, bell peppers, mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, chips, and a house sauce. It basically has the same toppings as the pizza Oliva. Overall I enjoyed the food and the complimentary items they offered during Ramadan took things to the next level. They had complimentary tea, salad, cheeses, dates, olives, some breads, a berry cobbler, and then brought out some of their menu items out. All of this was on a communal table and available for anyone to get. Service was extremely friendly and the inside gives Mediterranean garden vibes. read more

See all

Initially, I stood at the door waiting to be greeted and seated until I realized it's counter service (orders placed and picked up at the counter). We were warmly greeted and felt welcome and appreciated. They offer self-serve water which is appreciatively chilled; individually wrapped small plastic forks and spoons (plastic knives available upon request); and cocktail-size napkins. The calming decor and atmosphere in this cafe is conducive to relaxing; they offer a variety of seating options: tables & chairs, sofas, hanging chairs, high counter and bar top (my thoughts, another restaurant in which the bar stools are too short for their counter height), and patio seating. I ordered their Pizzeta Veggie ($11.99): generous in size, chock full of tasty ingredients. In addition, their Pistachio Baklava ($4.99), which was delightfully rich, with a delicate exterior pastry, and appreciatively not too sweet. My thoughts are that their attractive cafe contrasts with their use of small disposable cutlery, flimsy white plastic cups, and cocktail-size napkins. Having an actual glass (filled with ice), real utensils, and a full-size napkin would greatly enhance my dining experience here. Otherwise, fun find! read more

Amazing food , great service and such a beautiful cozy little restaurant. Try their crispy chicken sandwich and almond baklava read more

Oliva - The best coffee, food and the most amazing service - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

The service here is phenomenal! They are so welcoming and cheerful! The food was absolutely delicious the salad gas fresh and crisp, the pizza was warm and loaded with flavor. The sitting areas are stunning bringing the outside in. Making the pace really zen and relaxing. Definitely coming back! read more

See all

Gorgeous cafe that has middle eastern hot foods, snacks and drinks. Friendly staff. Tried the Oliwitch which is a specialty sandwich and was a great deli sandwich. Check this place out if you want to get some work done and grab a bite. read more

Oliva - Olivich - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

One of my friends recommended this place and specifically told us to try their Persian beef pizzas. At first, I assumed it would be just like any other Persian restaurant in Orange County or Los Angeles, but I was genuinely surprised. From my very first visit, I was hooked. Since then, I've referred this place to at least ten of my friends and family members, and every single one of them loved it. The Persian beef pizza here tastes almost exactly like the traditional ones you'd get in Iran. The flavors are rich, the toppings are perfectly balanced, and the crust is just right. It's warm, comforting, and nostalgic all at once. You can tell they put a lot of care into making everything fresh, and their house-made sauce takes the experience to another level. The staff is always friendly, polite, and respectful. Every time we walk in, we're greeted warmly, and the overall vibe of the place is welcoming. We've dined in a few times and always notice a diverse crowd. Some people are there in groups playing board games and hanging out, others are relaxing in the cafe area enjoying their coffee, and then there are folks like us who come just for the amazing pizza. What I love most is that it's a local small business, and you can really feel the difference in quality and service. It's healthier and tastes so much better than the typical chain pizza spots. Supporting businesses like this not only helps the community but also introduces you to something unique and delicious. If you haven't tried their Persian beef pizza yet, I highly recommend stopping by. Whether you're going for a casual dinner, grabbing coffee, or just looking for something different, this place is worth checking out. Trust me, once you try it, you'll keep coming back. read more

Oliva - Best Persian Beef Pizza in cali! - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I originally gave Oliva a 5-star review when they first opened because the food quality was great. Unfortunately, after returning today following a long gap, the experience was awful. I am updating my review to 1 star. We waited almost 50 minutes for our food with no appetizers or any basic hospitality. When the food arrived, the quality had completely collapsed. The wraps were drowning in excessive liquid sauce, spilling everywhere. The large pizza was not real pizza dough at all--just toppings placed on thick, pre-baked supermarket bread, reheated in the oven. It was somehow both greasy and dry. The French fries tasted frozen and half-cooked, fried in old oil. This meal for three people cost around $80. It's truly sad to see a place that was once good turn into low-quality junk food. read more

This place is very new, they just opened it around 4 months ago. I tried the Pizza and it was great, also they chicken sandwich was so yummy, the test of the food it remind me from Iran. They have a good staff very friendly and helpful. I love their decorations inside and outside it's very cozy and homie. read more

Oliva - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

We got the Persian pizza and it was pretty good! Most impressive part of the experience is the ambiance and the vibe of this place! Also, apparently they have karaoke Thursday nights! We'll be back :) read more

See all

I decided to try this place based on a friend's recommendation. They had visited before and even sent me a photo of their persian pizza, which looked great. But the persian pizza l got looked nothing like theirs :( no oregano, no black olives, the crust was hard on the edges but raw in the middle, and overall it just wasn't acceptable. Very disappointing experience, and completely different from what my friends had described. read more

Oliva - Persian pizza that I got today - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

See all

Oliva has quickly become one of my favorite spots in OC. The food here is absolutely incredible. Their pizzas are hands-down some of the best I've ever had. I especially love that they offer pork-free pepperoni made with beef and chicken, such a thoughtful touch. The portion size was huge and honestly too good to be true. On my second visit, I went lighter with the Chicken Caesar Salad and it was just as amazing. The chicken was cooked to order, perfectly seasoned, and the portion was generous. To top it off, my friend and I split the baklava ice cream, and wow... it was heavenly. Sweet, creamy, and perfect for two people to share. It exceeded all expectations. Both times I visited, Amin took care of us, and he made the experience even better. He's super patient when explaining the menu, genuinely excited about the food, and consistently kind and attentive. You can tell he loves making guests feel welcome. On top of that, the other staff members in the back were just as sweet, checking in to make sure we were happy with our food. The ambiance here is gorgeous. Beautiful greenery, a small fountain, cozy seating, great music, and even a cute coffee bar. It feels stylish but also warm and inviting. Plus, they're open late, which is a huge win in my book. Oliva is a gem in Lake Forest. Amazing food, wonderful service, and a stunning atmosphere. 10/10! I LOVE this place. read more

Oliva - Baklava Ice Cream - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

The food and service here are great! My friend and I came for a light lunch and were greeted by a beautiful lady with a warm smile and helpful attitude. I can't recall her name, but she was incredibly kind and attentive. Although the food took a bit longer than expected, it was fresh, light, and delicious! Inside, there was a piano, a karaoke machine, and a tic-tac-toe game. The space offers a variety of seating options and a fountain both indoors and outdoors--the indoor fountain especially added a soothing ambiance. I'm so happy we came here and would definitely return to do some karaoke. read more

Oliva - Healthy Wrap - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

See all

Had the Persian pizza with my wife and we were underwhelmed compared to the other pizza places in the area. First off, it was $24 for a 12" pizza and they really skimped on the toppings and the crust tasted like cardboard. They really did try from a service perspective. Really enjoyed the glass of Chardonnay we had. Nice ambiance with a fountain indoors. Only issue was the group of guys sitting right out the front door smoking so there was an annoying waft of smoke when we left. Sandwiches looked good and the baklava we ordered was absolutely great. read more

Oliva recently opened its doors in Lake Forest and I am glad it is here. Its location is off the beaten path, tucked away in a small strip mall, behind a Starbucks, adjacent to Lake Forest Holiday Inn Express. It has an outdoor patio but I find its indoor space the most attractive, like an indoor garden. In the center of the room is a small elegant fountain, and a couple of trees in the planters. The potted plant at each table are real plants. Tables are not crowded at all. Along one side of the wall are a couple swing chairs and couches. You immediately get a feeling that this place is special. Its current menu is somewhat limited, a couple of sandwiches, salads, and pizza. I ordered the beef olivich and was delighted by its portion and flavors. The bread was crunchy and meat very tasty. 2 people can easily share a sandwich and be satisfied. This is a good place to spend a couple of hours to read or just to relax. read more

See all

NEW RESTAURANT! Mediterranean food. Roth behind Starbucks here in Lake Forest Dr, Ca. Inside and outside (at night and depending on weather) seating available. Also, it's a hookah place at night. Nice and clean restaurant, interesting decorations and seating accommodations. Oliva means Olive in their language (Owner said that). Few choices of food, but lots of variations available (Build your own). We had pizza toppings on a pita bread (I believe). The bread was nice and thin, crispy bottom. Tasted good. Fresh ingredients all around, very flavorful plate. We also used their Oliva sauce (The yellow container), it is a mixture of mayonnaise and other "secret" ingredients lol. It was delicious. They are still working out the hours, but Mon-Fri (11 am - 11 pm, sometimes midnight) sat-Sun 11 am-midnight, I just asked one of the two owners. Parking is a bit limited so plan accordingly! read more

See all

This morning my friend and I decided to go sit somewhere and have breakfast. Unfortunately, and much to my embarrassment in front of my friend, I suggested Café Olivia -- and I really wish I hadn't. When we arrived, no one even came over to take our order. We went inside to place it, then sat outside. The outdoor area hadn't even been swept; the tables were dusty and dirty, and we had to clean them ourselves. After 15 minutes, our order was ready, but the waiter came out just to tell us they don't serve food outside -- we had to go inside and pick it up ourselves. I went in to get it. The food was completely bland, with no flavor, not even salt or pepper. Later, when we wanted to order drinks, we asked for Turkish coffee. They told us the person who makes coffee wasn't there. We asked for tea and what they had to go with it -- the answer was, "Nothing." Unbelievable. On top of everything, when we brought up these issues with the cashier, they started arguing with us. I just wanted to say, this was my very first experience at Olivia -- and by far the worst. I'm sorry my friend I have tell the truth. read more

Such a beautiful and calming cafe to chat with friends or simply read a book, the workers here are some of the most generous heart warming people I've ever met!! They're always carrying a sweet smile and have such amazing service As for the food, I tried the olivich and this sandwich was outstanding, I 100% recommend. The bread is perfectly toasted up, the chicken is juicy, the veggies are fresh, the fries/chips added add a perfect crunch, plus the sauce they add has an incredibly savory flavor to it!! One of my all time favorite sandwiches. Paired the food up with some hot chai and pistachio baklava with drizzled honey, definitely try if you're very into sweets!! 10/10 read more

They have the best Persian Pizza in the Southern California. If you wanna get a pizza that tastes like home, Oliva will not disappoint. read more

See all

This place has an incredible ambience. I didnt know a place like this was in the Lakeforest / Mission Viejo area. Food was great and good portions. Coffee was artisinal. This place is also open late, so I can come to hang out early or after work. I'll definitely be back, and recommend folks come check it out. read more

See all

Great ambiance, really good food, tasty and fresh. Service was to notch. Will for sure come back.

Been here couple times and each time its been great. The food and vibes are perfect. Nice spot to hangout. Highly recommend

Currently the king of Persian pizza and fast food Sandwiches! Their beef pizza is just deliciously done with a generous amount of topics. You have to try their cold cut and beef sausage sandwiches they are just perfection. The vibe is also so great. The decoration is amazing. read more

We tried the Pizza Oliva, and it was larger than expected with generous toppings at a very reasonable price. While the crust wasn't as fresh as we'd hoped, overall they did a nice job replicating the Persian-style pizza experience. The staff were friendly, and the interior had a nice, cozy design that made the visit enjoyable. read more

Oliva - Pizza Oliva - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I absolutely love this lounge! It's a relaxing and friendly environment with chill Boho and Persian ambience and low lighting.. awesome people that serve you wholeheartedly with delicious food and appetizers, including pistachio baklava if you have a sweet tooth, or else try the Persian pizza! They also have karaoke nights!! And other special nights.. the background music is also very nice.. I love their selection!! The service is awesome too! I say, you have to check it out.. I love the friendly atmosphere. read more

Oliva - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I think this place is a bit of a mixed bag. The aesthetics are 10/10 for a casual dining place. Beautifully decorated space. There's a karaoke machine indoors, which is great if you love karaoke, but not ideal if you're looking for peace and quiet. I thought the food was okay. The meats are halal, which is huge plus. I got the pepperoni pizza, which was okay but not great, and the grilled chicken sandwich, which didn't really have any Persian flavors and seemed a little bland. I think this would be a great place to check out for something fun and casual for people within a 15-20 minute radius, but the food didn't exactly have me craving more. read more

We ordered the half oliva and half cheese pizza. It was one of the worse pizza I ever had. The pizza crust was not soft at all. The pizza itself was overcooked and very hard to eat. We took a few bites and threw the pizza away. I won't be coming back. The place itself was nice. Please work on improving the pizza. It makes me wonder how this place has so many good reviews.... read more

Oliva - We each took two slices already on our plate. It was bad tasting. My husband said a frozen pizza would have been better. - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Good food, and great service. Beautiful decoration too. Definitely will come back. I got the sausage sandwich and it was delicious

We love supporting local restaurants. This place is such a nice hole in the wall place for a hearty meal. The interior decor is beautiful. The place is extremely clean and just overall cozy.. We ordered the Oliva Salad, Avocado wrap, French Fries, and Cheese Pizza. The food was made fresh and tasted good. The wrap was my favorite amongst all of them. The pizza is just okay but not to my liking. The people behind the counters who I assumed were perhaps the owners were so accommodating and welcoming. Price is good for the amount of serving you get. I also learned they host private parties in the restaurant which I think is great! This will definitely be a place to consider for a future event. I highly recommend! read more

Oliva - Oliva's interior - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Dude, gotta say... I had high hopes for this place to be a new pizza option for us. Pics of the food and the restaurant looked great & the reviews on this new spot decibel looked up. Major disappointment unfortunately. After opening the box and being immediately underwhelmed by the pizza's appearance, which was nowhere near the look of the pictures already on Yelp before this review. My wife and I took one bite and threw it in the trash. The caesar went with it, didn't even want to try it. It was super greasy on top and under the crust, seemed like a microwave pizza, and had next to no sauce on it. You'd get a better slice from S'barro at the food court to put it bluntly. Super bummed & we don't recommend unfortunately. I really wish I could be writing a better review here for a new local business. read more

Oliva - Pepperoni pizza? - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California

If you're looking for amazing food, great ambiance, and top-notch service, Oliva is the place to be. The flavors are rich, the portions are generous, and you can tell they truly care about quality. One of the best dining experiences I've had recently. read more

Very expensive for an average taste 12" pizza .sandwiches were ok too but again too pricey for what they serve you . I don't think we will be back read more

The customer service was really nice and friendly however the food mediocre at best. Lacked flavor and also aesthetic. I was expecting more because the atmosphere is so charming. I would come back to try their cafe but for food we were a bit disappointed in quality, flavor and presentation. read more

Super cozy, but unfortunately not the kind of pizza we were hoping for... we ordered a pizza not realizing there wouldn't be any sauce

I really don't enjoy writing negative reviews unless I truly feel it's necessary. Today was the first time my husband and I tried this place out. Looked great on Yelp with good reviews so I ordered the Oliva pizza with chicken and a veggie pizza. I have never had a pizza with such poor quality ingredients. The "chicken" looked like spam/deli mystery meat and A LOT of it on the pizza and there was absolutely zero flavor to the cheese or vegetables on either pizzas. The crust was premade, the type that's like a baked flat bread you can get from a grocery store. You can tell the quality is probably the roast possible where you don't really taste anything when you take a bite out of something. I absolutely despise throwing food out but we simply could not eat these pizzas. Needless to say it was a total waste of money and we were hugely disappointed. read more

Best persian pizza you can get in OC. Highly recommended, got Oliva Pizza which is the same as persian pizza I loved it read more

Oliva - Salad Near Me - Lake Forest, California