Nicholas G.

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!

Matt M.

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.

Arshad H.

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.

Sanathani R.

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

Jessica T.

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!

Phillip T.

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.

Amir R.

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.

Doryaneh M.

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.

Maryam B.

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 :)

Shabnam V.

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.

Andrea V.

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.

Sana S.

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.

Ed L.

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.