Terrible experience, manager was horrible, customer service nightmare. Manager was a total jerk. Way too many great places to eat to even think about going here. Definitely not going to make it in this town with attitudes like they exhibited to my family. read more

We had an absolutely fantastic experience at "Olive Branch" today. My comments do not give it justice. Lisa was our server and what a delightful person, friendly, accommodating and truly a wonderful ambassador for the restaurant. Joe, the bartender was great and we were honored to be the official "openers" for their liquor bar. The food was excellent.........I had the Pasta Broccoli (Rigatoni and broccoli sautéed with olive oil, garlic, basil and romano cheese) and my wife had the Mediterranean Salad (Mixed greens with feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, pepperoncini and cucumbers). Plentiful servings and wonderfully done. read more

Olive Branch - Helping Olive Branch kick off the opening of their liquor bar with Joe & Lisa! - Bars Near Me - Mount Dora, Florida

This was the first time my wife and I were in Mount Dora. We saw all of the excellent ratings on the "Olive Branch" and thought we'd give it a try. Well this isn't the best Mediterranean/Italian restaurant we've eaten at. Let me start with the positives: The bread and the dip of olive oil/balsamic vinegar with one olive was perfect. The Italian red wine was also very good. We were also told that the dishes were large. Big enough for 2 people to share. The negatives: The menu described the French Onion Soup as having sautéed onions. Well I love the sweetness when onions are sautéed just right. But this French Onion Soup the cook actually burned the onions to a crisp and then put them in the broth. There is nothing sweet when onions that are burnt are put in a soup. It totally ruined the taste of the soup. Also, there was nothing exciting about the Caesar salad. Just lots of a one kind of slightly bitter green lettuce with a little cheese and dressing. The spaghetti and homemade meat balls were average tasting at best. We had ordered angel hair pasta and asked the order to be split between my wife and I. We were also told that the initial order was to come with 3 meatballs. Well when the order arrived, the pasta was not angel hair and each of us only received one meatball. To add further insult, a $3.00 charge was added to our bill for asking that our spaghetti order be split. read more

Lousy food, food was cold and congealed. Service was incredibly slow. Will never come again, and I recommend people stay away from this place. read more

Restaurants come and go with a fair amount of regularity in Mt. Dora. Olive Branch replaces the former Merrills Market, I believe, as well as a former bakery location...It all gets a little fuzzy for me when change precedes quality. And quality always suffers when it's a tourist area. Our new rule in C. Fl is try the appetizers first! We ordered the Mozz and tomatoes, eggplant rollatini, Mediterranean meze and the evenings special bruschetta. A massive amount of food arrived in what I would say is a normal amount of time. Presentations were above average, just like the prices. Starters were all $11 or more, although generous. Let's start with the good part...the eggplant rollatini and marinara dipping sauce were clean and the marinara acidic enough to compliment the golf ball sized roll ups. No greasy oil tastes intruded. The taziki sauce for the Meze plate was expertly done...which helped the strips of commissary-sourced Gyro meat. The Spanokopita was house made and quite delicious. That's the good news. Everything was cold, don't know how, as it was evident it went right out. The bruschetta was a disaster from the mushy toasts to the dried chunks of cheese located in the center of the plate in a bowl, just strange. The Mozzarella and tomato "caprese" consisted of absolutely NO MOZZARELLA? But instead, was presented on cucumber spears, garnished with bruised (now black) chiffonade of basil and a plain ol dousing of balsamic vinegar, not reduction. Our server was attentive at introduction, then disappeared when she arrived near the end of the meal, I asked for more water and she left with my glass and returned 4-5 min later with a dirty glass and no ice. Olive Branches owner/ manager seated a table next to us and never addressed our table full of food or our presence...boo! We left $50 light and very disappointed. There are some good things at Olive Branch but the nicks in the armor, do not justify a return. read more

We were there to celebrate our 41st anniversary. We both had the stuffed grouper special and it was awesome. Laura our waitress was great. She got us a tiramisu desert on the house! Great place, highly recommend it. read more

One of the best restaurants I have eaten at in a long time. Wonderful flavors from the house salad to the entree. Can't wait to come back

Came here at the last with my husband on New Years Eve and didn't know what to expect. Sat outside where live music was being played and enjoyed one of the best meals we've had in a long time. Great food and friendly efficient service. read more

Sorry to say that this new addition to Mount Dora did not impress . We were a large party but waited 1 1/2 for our food, then three of our party had to wait another 10 minutes to receive their food. The servers were great and I felt sorry for them as they can't provide service without the food! One member of our group thought his Lasagna was From the freezer section at Publix. The wine was good It was my second visit and my last . Long time Mount Dora resident read more

Decent drinks and great ambiance, but the food was average at best. The calamari was tender and definitely the best item the four of us ate. I'm confused by all of these rave reviews though. The lasagna tasted like Stouffer's, and my chicken parmesan was overcooked and tangy. My parents took one bite from their meals and left the rest. Not terrible, but certainly not 5 star dining. Sorry. read more

I'll start off by saying I'm very particular about my Italian cuisine. If the Alfredo taste like flour, it's not authentic. I will say the portions are quite large and there was plenty for leftovers. We ordered an appetizer and 4 entrees. The mozzarella tomato starter was dry. Dry mozzarella and barely red tomatoes. Not good. I got the eggplant Parmesan, looked amazing but the eggplant was sliced way too thick and wasn't cooked enough, the texture was too fresh and crunchy. I reheated the next day at 350 for 8 minutes and the texture was much better but at that point I just didn't want to waste food. Husband got the broccoli pasta and added chicken and it was tasty. The clam and linguini was okay, very large portion but when we requested angel hair instead they made it seem like an issue. Literally just pick up a different type of pasta and boil that instead..must have been the same person who made my Alfredo bc clearly there was a struggle. Everyone had beer and wine but I had a sprite. No carbonation and when I mentioned it and decided to stick with water it again appeared to be an issue. Mother had the salmon salad and it looked beautiful but the salmon was so pale it almost resembled boiled chicken. We sat outside and the patio was nice and clean. The server was friendly as well but was also the one that rolled her eyes at the flat sprite and the angel hair request. Spent $150. Not worth it but I enjoyed my company. Didn't bother treating dessert with the amount of disappointment. Ps. Had to request soap in the ladies restroom, not sure how long they'd been empty, kinda gross seeing as it was the only available toilet for patrons and staff. read more

Terrible. If there was a way to post a picture I'd post a picture of the rotten potato that was served to me. Sad!!

Terrible experience. Loud and noisy. Food was terrible. My husband found bone cartilage in his food. Baked ziti was awful!

We've been here 3-4 times and it's always been a pleasant experience. The service is great and the food is excellent! Had the Mediterranean Salad w/ Salmon which was the lunch special for $12 and it was excellent! Started with the Pita with Tzaztiki, Hummus and Veg dip which was amazing for only $4! The portions are generous, the restaurant is clean with beautiful furniture and great decor! Sat on the patio which was just beautiful! Definitely worth a try! read more

We decided to take a day trip to Mount Dora FL . We'd never been there before and had heard about the quaint shops, many places to eat etc. We stopped at the Olive Branch and chose an outside table on the patio. It was a warm day and we were grateful for the large umbrella at our table. We both ordered the roast beef sandwich special and I also had a cup of homemade clam chowder soup. The soup was excellent. The sandwich was served with sauteed green peppers and mushrooms on a freshly made artisan bun. The roast beef was lean and juicy. Best roast beef sandwich I've had in a long time! It was accompanied by really good and crisp seasoned fries and a fresh sliced tomato on the side. Our server was Juan who made us feel welcome and answered all our menu questions. A very courteous and professional server, indeed! We shared a warmed apple pastry with carmel and sea salt icecream for dessert. read more

My husband and I spent a few days in Mt. Dora celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary. We decided to dine at the Olive Branch and were not disappointed. We were seated ouside with a lovely view of the water in the distance. Our server Stevie was a treat, attentive yet not over -bearing. Everything was wonderful from the eggplant rollatini appetizer to the scallop pesto linguine my husband ordered and my choice of seafood fra diablo. The wine list was quite extensive and priced for everyone's budget. Kudos on the wonderful food and once again to Stevie's excellent service...she is a keeper ! read more

I found the 5 ingredients of a successful restaurant all present here. Location, food quality, service, cleanliness, and atmosphere. I Was seated by the window and had a great view of the historic hotel after being warmly greeted by the friendly hostess. My waitress is a fellow Jersey native and we enjoyed conversation about growing up going to the "shore", and strict fathers. I had the Mediterranean salad and a glass of Chardonnay. I couldn't have been happier as the sounds of Sinatra wafted through the room. They offer a full bar, street side seating, and outdoor deck seating. I dined alone but it would also be fun for larger groups. It really made my first visit to Mt Dora almost perfect. Had it not been for an encounter with an incredibly arrogant business associate down the street, Mt Dora would have been a home run. THIS place is a must do though. Also impeccably clean white linens, flatware, and glassware. As I was on a scouting mission for my family, this place alone may lure me back regardless of the other incident. read more

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My first time here and I can't wait to come back. Everything was great beginning with the calamari and soup. We ordered the Fra Diablo, Marsala, and Prime Rib. All were fantastic. Our server was friendly and had excellent suggestions. I must admit dessert was my favorite. The lemon cello cake, tiramisu, and cremebrule cheesecake were better than I've had anywhere else. Great night. Great place! I normally don't write reviews, but it was so good I wanted to share. read more

The best restaurant in Mount Dora. Service is the best!! Candice always on top with amazing service! Food portions are huge and we go there at least once a week. read more

If you are looking for a great Italian restaurant this is the place. My wife and I are from the north east and moved to Florida a little over a year ago . We have been looking for good Italian food . Well now we have found it . The olive branch has great service . A great chief and great food for a great price. Plus live music and a full bar. This family run restaurant is a must try when your in mount Dora. Try it you will not be disappointed. Greg and Karen Flower read more

Visited Olive Branch for Mother's Day. Sarah and Jessica were our servers. Terrific experience overall. The food and service were at a high level despite the holiday. Lasagna, chicken piccata, shrimp and scallops, and children's pizza were among the entrees we ordered. All were enjoyed. This was our first visit, but not our last. read more

Rule #1, do not have your grand opening on New Years Eve. 50% of our part got our food in 2 hours, very tasty but cold. The other 50% never did get their dinners. Other tables experienced disaster it seemed. Staff was frenzied, no organization. Yeah, nope.... If they're there tomorrow it might be a better day for them. But today was bleak at best. Sorry, no kudos. read more

The food was good but that waitress Sarah was a huge bitch throughout the entire service. She nearly ruined the entire experience. Definitely wish I had asked to have a different server. read more

What a hidden gem! Juan was fantastic and one of the most attentive servers we've had in a long time. As a thirsty party of five, we were in dire need of adult drinks and apps. Juan to the rescue! Spot on recommendations for sharing (hummus plate, fried mozzarella, and caprese to die for) and anticipated our needs before the thought would enter our minds. We will be back! read more

The Olive Branch was great! We had the calamari and then I had the penne vodka and my husband had the cordon bleu. Both were delicious. Candace was our server, and she was kind and attentive. Unfortunately, we were too full for desert, but we'd love to again to try the chocolate lava cake. read more

The Gyro meal was a lot of food for $11. Enjoyed the nice atmosphere and enjoyed my meal. Have not been for dinner but prices seem kinda high. read more

We are local seasonal residents of the Mt Dora area. We had dined at the Olive Branch this past New Years and my recollection is that the meal was satisfactory and the service was good. However, for this visit, we stopped in for appetizers and a drink. I ordered calamari and was very disappointed. The coating was lite but the calamari was tough and tasteless. My wife's French Onion Soup was excessively salty and if was topped with a huge gob of cheese that she had to fight through to get to the soup. Hopefully, when we get back next fall the management will have taken steps to improve the quality of the food. read more

What a fantastic find! Super friendly and accommodating staff! Wonderful musician! The food was AMAZING! Portions are very large, even the appetizers! Ok, to begin, the eggplant rollatini and Mediterranean Mezze were excellent! Lightly breaded and fried eggplant and fresh spinach topped with melted cheese! The red sauce was great! The fresh tomato and cucumber with the thinly sliced lamb topped with the in house tazzikki sauce was very nice! The cream of broccoli soup was excellent, skip the potato leek, the Mediterranean salad was excellent. The four entrees we ordered were the spaghetti and meatballs, pasta Mediterranean, chicken piccata and grouper stuffed with crab. Huge portions! Very flavorful and fresh! We will definitely return! read more

What a cute place to eat! The staff is so warm and attentive, often funny and clever. They make you feel at home. The food was lovely - especially the Mediterranean Carbonara and Creme Brûlée Cheesecake. Would definitely come back! read more

Great food. George is also a great waiter - very friendly and he got us our food quickly.

My boyfriend and I are locals in Mount Dora and decided to try something new for a change. We decided to stop by this restaurant and OMG! It was GREAT! I'm a seafood kind of girl and their lobster tail was amazing! We sat on the patio to watch the sunset, the view was amazing from where we were sitting. We ordered an appetizer, our entrees and a dessert. Everything was just great! Definitely plan on coming back! read more

This restaurant is a hidden jewel, we found this amazing restaurant by accident passing through Mt. Dora.the food was as good if not better than any restaurant in Boca Raton area where we live. The staff especially Gene the manager and Jennifer a great bartender made us feel so special. Jerry the owner and chef came out of the kitchen to make sure that everyone was happy with the food. a great guy. If you live anywhere near this terrific restaurant then do yourself a favor and go here for a special time. read more

The Mediterranean Chicken Wrap was a real taste treat! The French Fries were very good, needed to be a little hotter. I'd give my lunch five stars but my friend was disappointed with her Bolognese pasta dish. Sauce more like ala vodka with a little meat thrown in. Small serving, nothing to accompany dish. I'd go back. Half/half ice tea fresh. read more

I have to update my review cause I decided to give a second chance to these guys and went there again... and guess what??? finally I ate (#win)... I have to say the food was delicious, the pesto on Mediterranean style is a great choice... 100% recommended... still was a long time since I made the order until they brought the food... but was delicious read more

Finally a decent Italian restaurant in Mount Dora. Had the chicken parm with angel hair pasta on my last visit. It was very good and the sauce was great. Wine is good, also and very reasonably priced. We enjoy the outdoor seating with live music. Our server was very attentive and friendly. read more

Terrible service, had to wait for 5 minutes before anyone approached our table. Way too expensive and over priced!

This place is amazing. Food was made from scratch to order. The service was as good as the food. Must eat here.

Our first time in Mt Dora and we went to the Olive Branch. If the weather was cooler, it would be fabulous to sit outside, but, we opted for the AC. The manager immediately sat us and we got the best waitress we could have! Her name is Marissa. She was attentive, friendly, and eager to help. My ice water glass was constantly being filled by attentive waiters too. The fried mozzarella was great with the house made marinara. The appetizer and meal portions were very big, so we have another meal for tomorrow! The only downside to this great little spot is the noise. It was very loud and difficult to hear my date. But, I'd go again in a heartbeat! read more

The fish was not fresh, all the food was not hot, very disappointed, but the waitress named Betty was good. Not a good experience after hearing how good it was going to be. read more

Mount Dora has a lot of places to eat, but not a lot that stand out in the positive. We went to three places before landing here today. Two had no one at the host station to seat us. One could not get around to clean our table or take our order. (We left when we heard from a nearby couple how long they were waiting. It was 2:15 p.m., well past lunch rush.) Olive Branch was closed for their annual two-week summer vacation last time we were in Mount Dora, so we were not familiar with it till today. We found it to be elegant (white linens and nice place settings), affordable, and with excellent wait staff. Kudos to Betty, our server today, for her attention to detail, courtesy, and attentiveness. Loved the view of the lake from our table inside. The restaurant is chef- and family-owned and -operated, and it shows. The salad vegetables were wonderfully ripe and fresh, and the entrees prepared quickly to order. We will be back. read more