This is a nice casual restaurant with good middle-eastern food at a very reasonable price. I had the falafel sandwich with yogurt dill sauce and Israeli salad. The salad was crunchy, the falafel cakes were small and crisp, and the pita was fresh. Since the falafel cakes were so small, I could have used a couple more to make the sandwich a little more substantial. My friend's lamb kebabs were delicious--perfectly cooked, with smokey grill flavor. The sangria was somewhat non-traditional, with muddled strawberries and what tasted like orange juice mixed in, but it was addictively sweet and delicious. The tables are slate, and they supply chalk to draw on them with, which can provide for hours of entertainment. Our server was really good about not rushing us and letting us leisurely finish our large pitcher of sangria and multiple games of hangman. read more

Great atmosphere, kind of dark, cozy and even a little romantic. Amazing selection of drinks: coffee drinks hot or cold, with or without alc, specialty cocktails, great sangria, an array of milkshakes with or without alc, lots of beer, wine, etc. *AMAZING brunch special too, prices range from $6.50- $9 and they give you a free mimosa, bloody mary, glass of champagne, or bellini to go with it, what a deal!!* I'm really a fan of this place, amazingly broad drink selection (and they're actually tasty!), decent- good food, super friendly service, and very comfortable atmosphere, you feel at home right away. Definitely one of the better places on MacDougal that's not stuffed with annoying Jersey Shore-esque peeps. read more

I came here on a week day for lunch. It was very empty and the staff seemed to be sitting around on some of the tables in the middle of the restaurant. I love the décor of the place - very inviting and unique with its chalkboard tables and silent movie projections. However, the food was less than impressive. I ordered the chicken kabob and it came out very dry and in a cold pita pocket. The yogurt sauce was under seasoned and was sloppily piled onto the pita so that I couldn't even pick it up. Overall, it was just a bland meal and I could've gone down the street to a get a falafel for a third of the price. Our server was nice though. read more

It's a small space but good food for great prices. We were a party of 5 in a booth and we kept on bumping our elbows and knees! The waiter was very friendly and you get chalk to draw on the tables while you wait. The portions are generous and the falafels are delicious! I ordered the 5 juice punch, falafel appetizer, and chicken kabob sandwich, which were all very good. The the appatizer came with a bunch of small falafels with cucumber salad and regular salad and the chicken in the kabob sandwich had great flavor and was very moist. The bathroom was awkward to get to since it's down stairs and if there is a show, you half to walk in front of half the audience to get there and the stalls are very tiny. It was a great time, but I just wish it was more roomy! read more

was there for dinner last night, ordered a Middle East combo and apple pie+ice cream. combo had enough food for probably two people, a medium plate full of hummus, babaganoush, some veggie and about 6 falafels (I forgot the exact number already lol) Apple pie was not warm...sad face. service was alright, the lady kinda rushed me in ordering and eating, which I didn't appreciate. but overall a good place for grabbing a bite. but most importantly the chalkboard table is just unbeatable! I mean how can anyone not love chalkboard~~ update: chocolate mudcake is actually really good!! with steamed milk+honey! read more

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The food here is really sub par and the menu is just the worst. Couscous with my kebab instead of fries or mashed potatoes. How about rice? This place used to be great, long ago. Great food, great menu. I remember the guy that used to cook in the front when you walked in. It seems like they are turning this place into a diner. I don't get it. What happened to their menu??? read more

After years of going to this restaurant, I was recently vey disappointed with their new menu. The old chicken kebab platter had rice or mashed potatoes, and Israeli salad, now they make it with a tasteless couscous and grilled vegetables which are really nothing special. I really hope they reconsider and bring back some of the old items from the menu. From other reviews, I can see others are equally disappointed with this change. read more

I use to love this place, and now with the new menu it totally sucks. They've gotten rid of everything that made this place worth going to, and replaced it with shitty pub food. The only thing that made the transition is the borscht and the wings. Thank G-d for small favors I guess. I know the owner passed away recently, and his son wants to make the place his own, but he should really consider reinstating the old menu. read more

We walked in and felt like we were walking into an Irish Bar-- only when I had opened up the menu had I remembered we weren't there for a few beers. It is a favorite spot of one of the guys I was hanging out with that day (a friend of a friend), so we just followed the leader and his promises of the best mediterranean food we'd ever have. Um, should I have mentioned I haven't ever really had mediterranean food? Anyway, it was cozy and we all had great conversation while we waited for our food. A mediterranean plate and a lot of kebabs were ordered-- Veggie Kebabs platter, Chicken kebabs, A combo kebabs platter, and for me: Kefta Kebabs (ground lamb on skewers, served with rice, pitas, and a sort of tomato and onion relish type side dish). I enjoyed my platter and I'm assuming the rest of the table enjoyed their food as well because our plates were practically empty. I'd definitely go back again and if i ever do-- I'd definitely want to explore more of the menu. read more

Great place to just hang out and chill. Simple/nice/relaxing ambience, pretty good desserts (nothing extravagant, but the prices are good). They have chalkboard tables as another reviewer mentioned which can be fun. read more

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Love this place!! The middle eastern food is always very tasty but yet they have comfort food like meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The virgin frozen drinks are huge and very good! The hot teas and hot chocolates are to die for!! The best part about this place is the table is a chalk board and you can draw all over it!! FYI- Sometimes it can get crowded in there and it can be uncomfortable to sit in the middle portion but otherwise the booths are killer! read more

Love the atmosphere . Chalkboard tables to doodle on, great Cappuccino, great kebabs (love the lamb), and salads. Great place to go on a date or have a nice laid back meal or coffee with some friends. I enjoyed it and service was delightful and in time even when it was busy. Only thing that even remotely bugged me was the restroom needing a code you had to get from a server and being downstairs where they were there was another venue/event going on, but that was just minor. I thoroughly enjoyed the food, coffee, and ambiance of the restaurant. I will definitely go back. read more

The drinks are AMAZING!! I only drink tequila & whisky and this is one of the best margaritas Food was ok but the server was an ass, his name is José. 4 stars. Because of the drinks! read more

I've been coming to this place for well over a decade...the renovations that were being done last year seemed to take forever. But I finally made it back to one of my favorite restaurants....to my surprise much has changed....the menu seemed to be chopped in half. Taking away some of my favorite items...no more Falafel, Israeli salad, rice (that goes with the chicken Kabob platters), half-pitcher of Sangrias, even the chicken breast cutlet platter was cut in half, giving you only one piece of chicken. The food is just ok at best....looks like I will have to retire from this place! The food I came to love over the years no longer exists! read more

one of my Fav places in the city. the best middle eastern food and great ambiance. It can get busy and you may have to wait. I love the charlie Chaplin movies playing on the large screen while eating. I love the black board tables. everything in the menu is great and very very cheap. I usually go for the combination Kabab. read more

I went to this cafe with a new friend. Loved it ! very nice cool, chill place to talk enjoy a nice atmosphere. the menu is more american, but the food was good. we loved the chalkboard table. If you do go here in the summer the "Passion fruit" drink. is really refreshing. read more

I ordered with great trepidation. We were in a Comedy Club and how good could the rack of lamb be at a Comedy Club? Result- delicious! I enjoyed the entire required meal as if I hadn't had to order it! Wish I could say the same about the comedy! This is gonna sound racist but it is honestly provided.....the white comics were hilarious....the black comics ranged from good to terrible, relying on the f word instead of creativity to get a laugh. I would return to the Olive Tree Cafe just to enjoy the lamb. I'd skip the Cellar and all the so called comedy. I suggest that they consider installing an on stage monitor that displays points for each f bomb hurled by the comic during his/her performance, with a red line indicator advising the comics that they will be yanked once they reach the red line limit read more

I didn't find this place to be anything special, though it's right above the Comedy Cellar which makes it convenient if you're heading to a show. The first time I stopped in was for drinks at the bar, and our bartender was pretty stand-offish as he focused on chatting with a few rough looking regulars. I get that bartenders love regulars, but ignoring the rest of us is no way to add to your customer base. Next time I came was for dinner before our show. The first waitress had major 'tude and did not want to be there. She was finishing up her shift and replaced by a guy, who was slow with service but at least friendly. He rushed at the end for s so we made it downstairs in time for the show. The food was fine, we had salads and some appetizers that compared to the average bar fare. I really can't see myself returning since there are so many other great places in the area. Oh, and you have to trek through the middle of a stand up show downstairs to reach the bathroom.... Oy. read more

Best place for a first date. Enjoy the silent movies on the wall and doodle on the chalkboard tables that came long before that was trend. The food is great and the atmosphere is casual. Great beer always on tap. read more

Cool place to chill and grab drinks. Right above comedy cellar so came her to drink beforehand and pleasantly surprised at the prices. Got a pitcher for $10. That's ok in my book!! read more

Olive Tree Cafe - He lost in tic tac toe!! - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

I LOVE THIS PLACE! This is one of my favorite restaurants. I take all my friends there. The place has the best hummus, wings, schwarma (well, when they had it, now it's gone), kefta, passion punch, almond soda, and borscht!!!! The Charlie Chaplin movies are so fun to watch and really brings me back to my childhood (used to watch "Modern Times" all the time). The chalkboard tables are also very fun and has had some entertaining moments. On any given night, you will find famous comedians mingling with the common folk. I have found myself having drinks with a couple of them. Also squealed (very un-NYer, I know) as I caught a glimpse of Louis C.K. ' Always have a good time when I'm there--great memories. This place has been a catalyst for many interesting nights in the city. The Comedy Cellar is awesome too. A little pricey as the years go by, but well worth it. read more

3.5 stars. Cheap and easy - just how I like my food. Came here waiting to get tix for comedy cellar. Didn't get the tix but did get some okay food whilst watching Chaplin on the mini-big screen and writing that "Najia was here in 2010" in chalk on the table. read more

There are many things to love about Olive Tree. The food is decent and relatively inexpensive. I am a fan of the Middle East Combo platter, which is a good deal, although the accompanying pita is a hit-or-miss experience. They also have a great selection of teas (very important!). The service can be so-so but the ambiance makes up for it. There is free wifi, Charlie Chaplin films playing on a big projection screen, and you can draw on the tables with chalk (which appeals to my inner child)! Also - the horseradish mashed potatoes are great "I've had couple of drinks, and I need something to absorb the alcohol" food. Plus they're just plain tasty. read more

The cellphone reception is terrible and the wifi is unusable, plus it's crowded, noisy, and lacks outlets. Food? Coffee? What does it matter? You have to sit down, and once you do, you might as well be on the moon. I'm on tethered from my cellphone out of desperation, which won't last long even with it leeching off the second laptop's battery. read more

Olive Tree Cafe - This place is extremely crowded and noisy with no outlets in sight. - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

I used to live a block away, and Olive Tree Cafe was my fiance and my favorite place to go for a late night snack. I can't speak to their menu as a whole... but that's only because we love their nachos so much we never get anything else! Big heaping plate of chips covered in melted cheese, and a plate on the side with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, olives and jalepenos. Not your traditional nachos, but out-of-this wold good, especially the really fresh and flavorful guacamole and salsa. The atmosphere is nice but not stuffy, the slate tables and chalk are fun, there's usually a place to sit, and it's not too loud for talking. Great spot overall! read more

I spent less than $5 on a delicious veggie soup before heading to a show. Great soup - yummy bread. The staff were super lovely and quick as I was going to the Comedy Cellar show downstairs (which was hilarious - I definitely recommend going there). Nothing fancy but good hearty food with more than reasonable prices and lots of smiley faces. read more

One of my favorite places in the village when I don't want to deal with the madness that is the rest of the village. A pleasant, laid back atmosphere.. Black and white silent movies running on loop in a projection on the wall, Inexpensive sangria (and pretty decent), solid food of different varieties. Oasis sums it up perfectly. read more

I would give this place a good 5 stars! Good staff, decent ambience and even greater food. It's fun for casual dining where you can show of your skills with chalkboard! We had the middle eastern platter, and the mashed potatoes were amazing. If you at Macdougal St. This restaurant is a must stop. read more

Pub kinda looking, but clean and sober! Black board tables and chalks available to draw around your plate! When I went we all had the mixed platter and it had the right amount of hummus, falafel and veggie salad. Very satisfied, we're definitely coming back! read more

Charcoal grilled chicken kabobs with delicious side of Mac & cheese , perfectly prepared , delicious and nicely priced ! read more

Olive Tree Cafe - Awesome charcoal grilled chicken kabobs with creamy Mac & cheese . - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

I came with friends, and we were a party of ten. We were looking for a place just grab some food and beers. We waited for about 30 minutes, but it was worthy. It's a very good place for friends. The nachos they served are very tasty with all kinds of sauce such as guacamole and sour cream and other spices. It's a big appetizer, so it's easy to share with friends. The environment is awesome. Very cute decorations and friendly service. Moreover, we had a lot of fun drawing on the table. It was fun!!!!! read more

Olive Tree Cafe - You can draw things on your table. I Its fun!!! - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

My mom went to NYU and spent much of her college days here so this place held a lot of sentimental value to me and my family. UNFORTUNATELY they underwent a renovation which involved getting rid of their amazing hummus and kabobs and serving barely edible chicken fingers (they were as hard as a rock). All I can say is that my family and I will no longer be dining with you. Please bring back the old menu. read more

Love this place. My friends & I eat here almost weekly. They have the BEST BUFFALO WINGS I've ever had! I'm truly addicted. The atmosphere is cozy. There's chalk to write on the tables, Charlie Chaplin movies playing at all times & the staff is very cool. And you can usually see a celebrity comedian or two traipsing about while they wait to go on downstairs in the Comedy Cellar. I recommend: - wings - mozzarella sticks - Peg of My Heart w/whipped cream on top read more

I'm not big on giving negative reviews since it's not easy to run a business, especially a restaurant. On the summer day we came in to eat, we were the only two in the restaurant apart from a table of obnoxious tourist bus drivers. Even with the place being nearly empty, the service was slow and the servers looked as if we had grabbed them off the street and imposed on them by asking for food. We split their Mediterranean food plate and to be honest, we could have bought some supermarket hummus and other Middle Eastern items that would have tasted better. Their grape leaves were tasteless and soggy, and I could tell where the hummus left off and the baba ganoush left off. To add insult to injury, we saw people eating falafel off the street outside that looked tastier than what we ordered for 2-3 times the price. Another reviewer said their fries are bad. Agreed. Tasted and looked like something right off a Sysco truck or cafeteria lunch line. read more

Great ambience and very tasty food with good prices in the best street of NYC! The waitress wasn't that nice, but that's ok, because the other issues were more than good and I in fact, I had no problems with the service. It's a very beautiful restaurant! And you can draw with chalks in the table while you wait for the food. It's seems something childish, but it really made my experience there funnier! I would definitely come back and really recommend. read more

Really good food and I was not a big fan of this type of food until I ate there. The Mediterranean sampler or something like that is amazing. So fresh! Hummus, baba ghanoush, Israeli salad, grape leaves, olives, hot peppers and add a skewer of chicken or ketfa (?). They give you so much but you feel good when you are done. The waitress recommended their wings and they are fantastic! The atmosphere in the restaurant is very village like. Old paintings on the wall, old movies playing on a tv in the middle of the main wall surrounded by art. Staff was attentive and friendly. read more

Olive tree use to be my favorite late night spot! I'd probably be here 5 times a week. With their amazing Mac and cheese and wings how could you not. But recently after their 6 month renovation they had, olive tree now is like a turn off I went there the first time thinking it would still be the same but I was wrong. It's like everything they used to make the food was either cheaper quality or maybe the chef left idk but the food lost its touch and that was by far disappointing. I tried to go back a second time thinking it would be different that maybe I was wrong but again it was HORRIBLE both me and my boyfriend and the friends we came with agreed. Don't think we will be coming back here unless somehow the food starts tasting the way it use it to :( read more

First, thanks to other Yelp reviewers...w/out you we'd have gone into the cafe closer to Washington Square...the one w/only 1 bathroom, and missed this gem. We initially came in for a restroom break, to sit in A/C and have something cold to drink. Our son used the restroom, downstairs and recognized the Comedy Cellar. G, our waiter checked the reservation status for us & encouraged us to make reservations for the 12:45 am show, but come early for the 11 pm show, which we did...and we got in. Read the Comedy Cellar review. So, we had drinks, inc Vienna Coffee, cider ale, our 18 yr old had the banana strawberry yogurt smoothie. Four of us split the Mediterranean Sampler....good & flavorful. We enjoyed the Chaplin movie too! After wandering around SoHo, we returned to the Olive Tree for a break before the show. Again, the staff was outstanding. We spilled a glass of water during a rousing game of Pictionary (the table tops are chalkboard) and C, our waiter came quickly to help clean it up, followed by the hostess. Both were very cool about it, no attitude. More drinks & light food. The falafel sandwich and the babaganush (sp?) sandwich were real bargains! Good, strong drinks, decently priced food, and above a great comedy club! read more

Went here with a group of people. Three of us had the chicken kebobs and spent the following night/next day on/by the toilet wondering when it would end and why does it burn so much. The rest of us were fine and said the falafel was 100 years old but the fries were really good. Service was pretty good too. 2 stars. read more

Inexpensive, good food, solid drink options, fantastic atmosphere. I came here for dinner after looking around for hours for a casual bite with tea or beer options. So happy I found Olive Tree. I had the baba ganoush sandwich and a pot of tea and it was more than enough food, and all under $10 - not what you expect from the neighborhood. I was waited on by Tatiana, who was incredibly nice and thoughtful. I would definitely go back, but I consider this a more viable casual lunch option than dinner. read more