Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Olive Branch Cafe

    4.5 (211 reviews)
    ModerateCafes, Sandwiches, Salad

    Order Olive Branch Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Olive Branch Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    OLIVE BRANCH CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Olive Branch Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Tomato soup
    Sarah E.

    Come for the pretty and decorative ambience, friendly service, and lovely live piano music! The tea itself was also nice. Do not come for the food. We had the Seasonal Tea, and I hate to be harsh- but I am fairly sure it had all been sourced from a grocery store's bakery section, with the exception of the soft, warm, flavorful scone. We were also not served the chocolate dipped strawberries or lemon curd that was stated to come with the meal. For $75 (for 2 including tip), you're truly paying for the beautiful ambience and the fun experience of a tea party. Perhaps a different menu item or a true tea party would yield higher quality food. For the experience itself: 5 stars. Food: 2 stars.

    Nancy W.

    I was with five other ladies for a tea party a few weeks ago. The ownership is new as of about a month ago and rather than putting them through hell with my review, I'm just going to touch upon some points. Service is slow, scones are muffins, clotted cream is cream cheese, sandwiches are not very filled and pretty boring, second pot of tea took over an hour to get, tray overall not very appetizing and service extremely slow. That said, I reached out to the owner and she was more than receptive to my comments and suggestions. She said to give her a month which I will because sometimes new ownership and especially with covid, brings about a myriad of unfortunate errors.

    Justin B.

    My wife had a wonderful birthday here! She and 3 guests were treated like royalty. There was a pianist and the food and tea were top notch. Will return!

    Queens high tea
    Briana W.

    It's so fun to dress up and go to tea! The food was delicious and everything felt so special. Even my son had the best time! Be sure to make a reservation and also tip the piano player- he gave us a special surprise!!

    The backside of the menu
    Chaeliana E.

    My boyfriend had spotted the Olive Branch while visiting the antique mall and Tacoma Dome due to the large sign out front that states they have famous scones. We believed it was a brunch spot and planned to have a late Valentine's Day date there afterwards and without a reservation. Upon entering, we quickly realized that it was a tea house (it was also both of our first times at a tea house). It is much larger inside than it appears on the outside. It is decorated heavily in Victorian maximalism aesthetic with the main colors being pink, brown, and gold. There was a live pianist playing freely and without a guide, and their music was light hearted and truly set the tone for the visit. Our server was named Savannah, and she seated us at a small table with a view of the entire restaurant. We could see private tea party rooms and were able to enjoy the music. We ordered the China Mist, but was accidentally brought the Chocolate Mint. Savannah quickly corrected it but let us continue drinking the Chocolate Mint, which she said was her favorite and which quickly became mine too. We started with a chocolate scone, which came with a side of whipped butter and jam (which were all delicious). For lunch, I ordered the egg salad sandwich with a side of potato salad. I loved me meal and the sourdough was toasted but not hot, so it kept the egg salad perfectly cool. My significant other ordered the Reuben and asked for a side of aus jus, which they provided for him, and also a side of potato salad. The portions are huge and worth the money- we both had leftovers, which is rare for us. After speaking with Savannah, she told us that their tea is all locally sourced and selected by the staff and owners, changing the menu every season. I plan to make a reservation and visit in the future for an official tea party in the near future.

    Tea placement
    Sheila G.

    We ordered the Queen's Tea at Olive Branch. The Queen's Tea comes with soup or salad, shrimp cocktail (a surprised dish - we didn't expect to get this dish), sorbet (to clean the palate), 1 scone with clotted cream, jam, & lemon curd, and the towered sandwiches with an assortment of desserts (totaling $47/person although after taxes, it was a lot). I ordered the apricot tea and my husband ordered the earl grey. Of the two, I really liked the apricot tea. It went great with or without cream. Adding sugar definitely enhanced the apricot flavor. I thoroughly enjoyed the soup ad salad (my husband got salmon chowder, whereas I got the salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing). The portions were more than enough. With the shrimp cocktail and scones added, we were pretty full by the time the last course came (sandwiches and dessert). I wished they included the scones with the sandwiches and desserts though. Don't get me wrong, the scones were delicious and piping hot but this was the first High Tea I attended where scones were given separately from the sandwiches. As for the sorbet, it was delicious. It tasted homemade. I'm glad they incorporated that in for palate cleansing. As for the finger sandwiches, we had 2 pieces each of the egg salad, curry with chicken?, tuna, and cucumber with cream cheese? It was also the same with dessert, although they were all mini sized. We had cheesecake covered in red syrup, brownie cheesecake, lemon bars, coconut macaroons, chocolate covered strawberries and grapes. Everything was great up until that last course. The flavors for the sandwiches and dessert were a bit lackluster and the bread for the sandwiches were a bit dry. I've had much better sandwiches and desserts at other locations. The price is pretty steep but you also pay for the ambiance and the experience. In addition, you get a live pianist who played amazing tunes perfect for the setting. And the customer service was just above and beyond. They were all so kind. Would I come back? Yes of course. I would never say no to a tea party.

    The bar
    Dona F.

    We previously came here in late November 2021 and I gave them 5 stars. Sadly, now that the ownership has changed, my 2 lunch companions and I are giving it 2 stars. We will not likely be back. Service was extremely slow. It was 90 mins before we received the main tea service. It was not busy today. There were 3 other parties besides ours. The scones were fresh out of the oven and were good. The salmon chowder was excellent. One companion ordered the shrimp cocktail and was served one single shrimp. WTF? The tea sandwiches were tasty. The lemon bar was a one inch square. The eclairs were tiny and appeared just like what you would get at Costco. The grapes came in a cluster which we had difficulty separating. They could have easily snipped them to make it more manageable. There were no tongs for selecting sugar cubes, nor for serving the goodies on the tea service tray. Overall this was very disappointing.

    Rosie A.

    This is definitely a hidden treasure in Tacoma! The new owners have made it an incredible experience, and you feel like you are part of their family! We make it a point to go monthly - during the holidays they have specials! Their tomato bisque and scones are my absolute favorite! Our baby loves going and enjoys the live pianist they have. He even played rubber ducky for him. Absolutely recommend it. They are kid friendly :)

    Lindsey O.

    Love love love Olive Branch! What a fun experience. We came for High Tea and the service, food, and ambiance was exquisite. First off the decorations are so cute. It's like walking into a dollhouse or something. You're immediately greeted as you enter with the utmost friendliness and a hug. You are then given a menu with different options for your afternoon tea including items like soup, scones, mini sandwiches, dessert, and of course, tea. I had the evening in Missoula tea which was tasty and mild in flavor. I had the smoked salmon chowder which was absolutely delicious. Some other standouts were the scone and all three jellies/creams, the mini sandwiches, and the chocolate covered strawberries. All in all the food was good and more than anything it was a fun experience. Every single member of the staff goes above and beyond as well. So friendly and truly cares you enjoy your experience. There's definitely a reason this place wins so many awards!

    The Seasonal Afternoon Tea!
    Cynthia R.

    This shop is amazing! It has an unique, calm feeling to it with antique decor. The staff is attentive and accommodating! I will say though, I'd recommend reservations for a large group because it seems to get crowded. We had their Seasonal Tea and loved it! The tomato soup was creamy and delicious. We also loved the huge selection of teas! We had the Creamy Earl Grey and Peach Ambrosia (which were great), though they had many other interesting choices. (By the way they steep the tea before giving it to you and use loose leaf.) I would highly recommend coming to Olive Branch Cafe!

    Stephanie R.

    My first time to the Olive Branch this past Saturday and I was extremely pleased and will be back! The hostess, server, piano player and owner were all so friendly and inviting. The decor was fantastic and really makes you feel like you are somewhere so unique and special. The food and tea were both amazing. I had the curry tuna melt, rose mint tea, and peach cobbler. Overall it was an amazing and unique dining experience.

    May D.

    Stop...look no more... I've found the most amazing tea house in the area! Olive Branch Cafe is located in the historic Tacoma Freight building. As you enter the door, you transport to an eclectic, classic, and most welcoming space. We ordered the duchess tea party - the food and the tea was delicious. The staff were so pleasant and accomedating. Don't miss the opportunity to visit when you are in the area!

    Inside the restaurant
    Jeff H.

    I love a good tea party, and this is exactly the feel you get inside the Olive Branch Cafe. I'll give you 3 reasons for my 3 stars, and really wish I could have given this place a higher rating because the staff was so friendly. First star: there were 4 items on the menu - two salads and two sandwiches in addition to two different types of soups. That's it. And they were out of most of it. Second star: even though there were 4 items in the menu everything that I originally ordered they didn't have any longer I soon found out at different points during the food waiting process. I was super bummed about this because I really didn't want anything else and with only 4 options on the menu your second choice becomes very limited. Third star: the sandwich came with chips or a salad and I ordered chips. The sandwich (that I didn't originally want) came out with a side salad, and raspberry dressing (because that was the only dressing they had left - I never would have ordered raspberry dressing). The server told me they were out of chips, so here is a salad. Anyway, the sandwich was fine, the salad was fine but I didn't like dressing. Also, this place is very close to the Tacoma Dome and we went before the Elton John concert. I'm thinking that is why they had such a limited menu, but go early because the line to get it took a bit of time, and if you go early they might not be out of menu items!

    Friends birthday high tea celebration

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rosie A.
    306
    104
    86

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Great food and service! The owners are awesome and the ambience...outstanding! If you're looking for a cute date type of vibe, this is it!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lindsey O.
    1578
    1552
    1592

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of May D.
    1
    13
    6

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ann W.
    248
    29
    43

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Evy T.
    0
    20
    16

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L. H.
    4
    11
    14

    4 years ago

    Not worth price or quality food for Sunday teas . Go on a Sat get menu only item for experience the ambiance

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenny N.
    96
    33
    21

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Olive Branch Cafe

    You might also consider

    Common Ground - Interior

    Common Ground

    4.7(145 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    At this point Common Ground basically feels like my second home…read more There's a difference between a coffee shop you like and one that becomes part of your routine, and this is absolutely the latter for me. My constant is the Cardigan Latte, and then I rotate through whatever seasonal drinks inevitably convince me to stray from my usual. The space is warm and inviting, the people are wonderful, and it works just as well for grabbing something quickly as it does for settling in and staying awhile. I've been here more times than I could possibly count, and the fact that I continue choosing it when Tacoma has no shortage of great coffee shops probably says everything. Get the Cardigan Latte. And if the seasonal menu distracts you on the way there, I understand completely.

    This is a truly great cafe! Tucked away in downtown Tacoma, I came on a Saturday afternoon and it…read morewas very busy. I was lucky to grab a seat just as someone else was leaving, and while it is definitely a tight fit when packed, the space is laid out well with both indoor and outdoor seating options. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by their merch display, the menu, and fresh baked goods. They offer all the standard drinks alongside a fantastic selection of seasonal items. I ordered the Island Breeze from the summer menu, which was amazing, so much so that I even ordered another one to share with my friend! I somehow also managed to snag the very last chicken chipotle sandwich, and it did not disappoint at all, especially with the great portion size. The service was wonderful, and I really enjoyed my friendly interactions with the staff. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I will definitely be back to try out their fall menu!

    Photos
    Common Ground - Seasonal Menu

    Seasonal Menu

    Common Ground - Inside

    Inside

    Common Ground - Cute lil coffee lounge w/indoor seating. A few tables in parking lot.

    See all

    Cute lil coffee lounge w/indoor seating. A few tables in parking lot.

    Beware Coffee

    Beware Coffee

    4.9(101 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    •$$

    This is my "go to choice" whenever someone wants to go out for coffee, I know that their drinks…read morewill be superb. They make their syrups inhouse, and you can tell, even a basic caramel latte tasted like the most delicate, handcrafted drink. They have fun seasonals, they're a hit or miss obviously based on your preferences, but I love them all so far. My go to drink pairing is a cardamon and ginger latte. The inside is SO HOMEY. It's rare to find coffee shops that haven't succumbed to the hospital white aesthetic, so this is so refreshing on the head. It is the ideal shop to study in. The cups and plates are my favorite thing about this place. The cups are handmade and just so stinking cute. The baristas are so welcoming every single time I come in, they look like they just love their job and love to chat with the customers. The outside of the shop is a mint green which really throws me off because the inside is so cute. The parking situation is a little limited as well, there's a few parking spots near the shop and the rest is street parking. They have a large selection of pastries and some food but know that if you come in the afternoon there probably won't be much left, they go pretty quick. Amazing shop, it's a different aesthetic than what most shops are but it feeds that "homey" craving that I have when I want to study at a coffee shop.

    Super cute coffee shop that does get pretty busy! When it's busy, expect about 20-30 min wait for…read moreyour order. I love the variety of house-made syrups and the milk alternates since I'm lactose intolerant. The drinks came out gorgeous and delicious! My husband ordered a cinnamon roll that was also warm and fresh! Can't wait to come back next time we're in the city!

    Photos
    Beware Coffee - Seating area

    Seating area

    Beware Coffee - Inside

    Inside

    Beware Coffee - Cappuccino

    See all

    Cappuccino

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee - Stairway to heaven coffee flight

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee

    4.5(109 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    •$$

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee is a cafe located in Downtown Tacoma. There are three locations; Lacey,…read moreTacoma, and Federal Way. This was our first time visiting one of their cafes. They have a monthly rotating menu of four limited drinks for their drink flights. For the month of February the four drinks were: - Lots of Love Lotus -- pink lotus with rose and lavender syrup, topped with lavender cold foam. - Eternal Flame Latte -- espresso with sweet heat syrup and brown sugar cinnamon, finished with a honey and red sugar rim. - Sweetheart Sip Matcha -- iced matcha with cherry and almond syrup, topped with a maraschino cherry. - Perfect Pair Latte -- espresso with dark chocolate, white chocolate, and strawberry, topped with whipped cream and strawberry drizzle. The drinks were all great. In addition to the drink flight, we ordered a chocolate vegan muffin and a Danish to snack on. The space is wonderful. It is a fairly large space that could be used to study, work, or even socialize in. The service is also excellent. The staff are friendly and delivered our drink flight right to us!

    With monthly coffee flights, this is such a fun place to meet the girls and try new drinks. It is…read morekinda spendy though at $18 per flight. The Tacoma location is so pretty! With high vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows with offerings of wine too as well as a view of the mountain. The Federal Way location is pretty small with minimal seating. The Lacey location has a tight knit barista fam with a great sense of community and used to host markets in the HUB.

    Photos
    Ebony and Ivory Coffee - Interior

    Interior

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee - The expansive bar and coffee bar!

    The expansive bar and coffee bar!

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee - Coffee Flight x2

    See all

    Coffee Flight x2

    Cafe Bostwick  - Sandwich and cortado. Sandwiches are freshly made and with quality ingredients. Toasted in the convection oven.

    Cafe Bostwick

    4.7(41 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Super cute ambiance, sweet staff with good service, and I love supporting local coffee shops but I…read morecannot justify $19.00 for a small drink and a sandwich. I have never paid so much for so little. There were no prices on the food and that should have been my first indicator. I should have asked before I ordered. Now onto the actual taste- The chai was okay.... But not something I will be finishing bc there's so much spice in it. The sandwich was also fine, it did the job but not something I'd ever order again. Im sad to say this will not be a spot I come back to....

    I started coming here before the change in ownership and also enjoyed it then, but the new owner…read morehas brought her own personality and charm to the business. I like that she has displayed historical images of the building and the neighborhood. I no longer live in the area but stop by when I'm around. The location itself is hard to beat, being situated in the triangular end of one of the theater district's most iconic historic buildings (the Bostwick). The drinks are consistently good and fairly priced for the area. There's ample room to sit and enjoy the views of the theaters. A great place to stop by if you're doing some shopping on Antique Row or about to catch a performance. The Broadway Farmers' Market is also just a few steps away, so all in all it's in a very convenient part of one of Tacoma's handful of truly pedestrian friendly neighborhoods.

    Photos
    Cafe Bostwick  - One end of dining area

    One end of dining area

    Cafe Bostwick  - All gone!

    All gone!

    Cafe Bostwick  - Entrance

    See all

    Entrance

    Olive Branch Cafe - cafes - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...