This place is awesome! Saw Olivero on social media & knew I had to try! Was confused by the parking but finally figure it out, there isn't a sign up so it can be hard to spot! I did make a reservation and it went very smoothly! The drinks were 10/10, yes they are fufu and filled with ice but very good! I saw a lot of complaints about the wine - but you will definitely want to have a cocktail here! The food was amazing! We had a vegetarian dining with us and our server made it so that we could share a dish. The server was very accommodating! We had the Beignets - omg the flavors just melt in your mouth! I had the beet salad - so flavorful! Last but not least had the spaghetti as an entree the burrata just tops it off! The waiter was super polite & super knowledgeable about the menu. I highly recommend Olivero, can't wait to go back! read more

This was my first visit- dear friends made reservation. The space is welcoming- reservations required for all but those happy to chance bar seat dining. The menu offers limited but intriguing options for those seeking hand crafted, seasonal, locally sourced Italian cuisine. Dedication to quality and passion for the Culinary Arts is evident. Those sentiments are sometimes attached to a an attempt to educate a bumbling cast of guests who opt to know better about what they should like. Not so here. Passion meets desire to delight. Happy are we! This naturally extends to the knowledgeable staff- purveyors of information, observer's of timing- askers of questions to discover preferences. Our team? Welcome without startling conversations. Whisking away unnecessary items, refilling beverages- pleasing companions to our delightful experience. Suggestions? Tempted without leaving towards pressure of even- (a hint that they're selling something that's going out of date). I felt a certainty that my front server was team guest. My choices: App: octopus Next: Cauliflower Main: Spaghetti with Mussels and Clams Desert w/ multiple spoons: Flan Each dish was utterly delicious Preparation- marriage of ingredients, flavor punch, freshness, originality Octopus was tender- possibly two could share if getting multiple small plates I'm a big fan and have prepared myself and eaten grilled, slow cooked and stewed. This was a delicious take Cauliflower was - imho- for two to share- a delicious amalgamation of flavors- touch of hot peppers, spiked with vinegar capers and green olives with a garlic sauce? Lightly flash fried? Perfect (I will reheat my leftovers in air fryer- squeezing some lemon juice and adding more green olives) Spaghetti mussels/ clams The spaghetti is house made and abundant- utterly. There's ample- sans shells clams and mussels along with the delicious sauce, greens and anchovy bread crumbs (yummy) I suspect I ate less than 1/2 despite my adoration Please? Take me home tonight? Cue to the flan with spoons for each of us. Was our staff person an evil temptress? Or- did she know exactly what we wanted? The latter. I'm thinking I might splash clam juice, butter, olive oil, lemon juice or all on my pasta when reheating Parmesan? Naturally I'm thinking about when I will next return Excellent food Comfortable ambiance Skillful staff with excellent knowledge What's not to like? Traditional offerings- you might be disappointed Extensive menu- see above Delicious, chef driven, locally sourced, authentically inspired Italian - Bingo- Winner read more

There's a new kid in town, and it goes by the name of Olivero, nestled on the corner of 3rd and chestnut within an unassuming brick building. Inside, I was struck by the inviting yet contemporary ambiance. Adorned with rustic brick walls (a personal favorite of mine), rich wooden black beams, and an open kitchen with cozy bar seating, Olivero exudes a welcoming charm that set the stage for our memorable dining experience. We started off with cocktails, and for this girl the 'Girl from Ipanema'' was a revelation. Presented exquisitely, it was a harmonious blend of vodka, manzilla, strawberry, cucumber, and lemon. The appetizers stole the spotlight! We decided on the warm dates, which we found to be addictive, the croquetas, which packed just the right amount of spice and crunch, a savory beignet, dressed with mortadella, fontina, and Calabrian hot honey. Yum! And then there was the ever popular beet salad, which was a masterpiece of combining fresh, seasonal ingredients. For our main courses, I decided on the campanelle, which showed promise but erred on the side of being a tad dry. Meanwhile, my husbands choice of spaghetti proved to be a wise one, as was the snapper and pork shoulder which while flavorful was a tad too fatty. But we didn't stop there folks! On to dessert, and wow! The marshmallow dessert is one of the best bites I've ever experienced. The char was perfection and added a delightful complexity of flavor while maintaining a remarkable lightness. Our taste buds were left singing with satisfaction as we savored the sweet conclusion to a wonderful dining experience! Service did not disappoint! Greer's expertise, professionalism, and warm demeanor greatly enhanced our experience. Props to the chef/owner of this new establishment! I for one am SO glad you're here! read more

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I was not impressed by this restaurant. The GM was rude and the hospitality was lost. However, our server was amazing! The food didn't WOW me-cold piece of mortadella on top of a beignet was lacking inspiration. Brussels were either not blanched long enough or weren't balanced at all. The poached shrimp skewer had the smallest shrimp on it! Come on! The twice cooked pork was amazing, the acidity in the sauce was perfect. I think the restaurant lacks a lot. I hope they work it out soon. read more

we waited a long time to get a reservation here. We finally got one at 5 PM for my birthday two days ago. We got there just shortly before five and they wouldn't even let us into the restaurant to sit at the bar and have a drink, we had to wait outside to get in. Everything on the menu is all a cart and is broken into appetizers, salads, pasta courses, and mains. there were three of us and we ordered the smoked eggplant, appetizer the stuffed dates, and the brussels sprouts for the pasta dishes. We ordered their lasagna and their Campanelle. For the main we split the chicken milanese . The dates and eggplant were a knockout. The rest of the selections were what i would call just ok. The Campanella was terrible, so salty we could not eat it. We told them so, but there was no offer to take it off the bill. Sent it back anyway. I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. I really thought it was going to be Fabulous. I will say that our server was adorable and really well informed. The rest of the staff looked like sourpusses. I don't think I'll return. tasted enough of the menu that I don't think it's really worth going back for anything. read more

Food is delicious. Wide range of excellent choices. Cocktails are superb and the staff is excellent. They know their menus and are accommodating to any special requests! Wine list has something for everyone's taste! AND then there's the desserts! Need I say more! Almost want to keep Olivero's my special secret but I know I have to share the goodness! Enjoy! read more

Limited selections on the menu. Very pricey and small portions especially for an Italian restaurant. Food was delicious but we left hungry. read more

a recent beach week in wrightsville landed us at this fabulous restaurant. my amazing daughter-in-law made our nightly dinner reservations and this place was stellar. we had great appetizers and cocktails and five entrees that we passed around the table. great decor and service. every sauce was different and delicious. no bread was my only complaint. read more

Best food in Wilmington. Highly recommend this spot. Their pasta is incredible, as is their steak. 10/10 would go again.

This was the third time we dined here. A little bit disappointed this time. Drinks did not arrive until we almost finished the appetizers. Salad was nice. But it took a while for main course to come and tasted salty. read more

Combination of Spanish and Italian ingredients in non-traditional dishes. The chicken dish was ok and the octopus bolognese was interesting. If you are up for an adventure, take a shot. read more

Just went for dinner. The sea bass was very fishy. The pasta was good because it was covered with butter and salt. Salad was white lettuce for $15. No flavor. Came home starving. Won't be back. No flavor. No nutrients. Not worth the drive from Wrightsville Beach. Hostess sat us by the door with a reservation with 45 degree winds. One star for the sweet bartender. read more

First time at this relatively new spot. Nice decor. Very busy snd table we requested sat for quite a time past our reservation time. Nonetheless we had some excellent cocktails while waiting and once seated 30 minutes late the excellent manager brought out three complimentary appetizers. Not necessary but a very classy move. Food and service was exemplary and the dishes were outstanding . Will definitely be back. read more

We were anxiously waiting for Olivero's to open and we were not disappointed in the least. In fact it exceeded our high expectations the decor was beautiful and unique to the area, the sad was unbelievably friendly ace so knowledgeable about the dishes and preparation. The food was outstanding the first course we had Croquetas, Brussels Sprouts, and Beignets. They were so bursting with flavor. Each had a cool twist to them that made them over the top. Main course was even better the Malfadine, NC grilled fish, and Campanelle were so unbelievably tasty and cooked perfectly. This place was outstanding and great for a special night out or anytime you want a great Fiss experience. I highly recommend it. read more

1st week resto is open and we know the sister resto in Raleigh called St Roch's which is also very good! Food was a definite 5, service is coming up the learning curve in first week of opening,quite a few minor things forgotten and lots of trips back and forth and one red flag needing to be fixed, will discuss at the end. We shared everything starting with eggplant and anchovy app on crusty bread. Put a shiny tasty fresh anchovy on a bed of nails and I am eating, nice flavors. Then we had the roasted dates which were stuffed with nduja sausage, nice spice to go with the sweetness of the dates combined with the savory olive oil and salt on the plate. Next up was a beet salad with grilled peaches, plus wonderful pickled blackberries which was a first, but great and an Italian cheese plus pistachio, flavors worked really well together, may order this side every time we come. We then had the Mafaldine pasta dish with corn, crab, pepper and basil, really well-made and seasoned with just the right restraint to keep the flavor of the perfectly cooked pasta. Almost forgot the cocktails, both were verry fresh and lively with mine the tequila and grapefruit offering and my wife's rum and absinthe "Tres Palmas", really good on a hot summer night. We shared the videri chocolate dessert which was like a mousse with a marshmallow meringue, nice flavor and texture, would have been far too much for one person, we could barely finish with two, but we're old. On to the thing they must fix: there is a wood oven and both of us had showered and changed clothes to go out and smelled like we had been out camping with a wet wood fire next to us and we sat nowhere near the oven. Need to work the ventilation on that one! All in all, very good and unique food, congrats on the opening and we will be back! read more

Olivero - Anchovy eggplant app - Italian Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

So worth the wait! I've had the pleasure of eating at St. Roch in Raleigh and knew Olivero would be just as amazing. Not only was the food delicious, but the "Olivero Martini" was top notch. The inside atmosphere is cozy and loved being able to see into the kitchen as dishes cooked and prepped. read more

Thursday night out with the ladies. We tried a brand new restaurant Olivero's, then hit the theater to see Opera House Theater Production of "The Prom". The food at Olivero's was outstanding. We had the stuffed dates, We tried the beets ap and the CROQUETAS appetizer that was our tables favorite. Everything was out of this world. I had never tasted a beet and it was good, but stuffed dates were my personal fav. Very memorable. Then on to dinner. I had the lasagna that had octopus in it and it was delicious. I was very happy with my choice. My friend Martie got the spaghetti, and it had the best flavor. It wasn't at all like regular spaghetti, and Kathy and Ann ordered the same thing, AGNOLOTTI, it was a light dish with skinny lasagna noodles. They loved it. We saved room for dessert! I had a chocolate mouse with crushed toffee and smoked marshmallow on it that was superior, and Ann had something with fruit and the other two ladies tried the homemade cheesecake. Our cocktails were excellent as well. There were a ton of choices but we stuck to only one. This was a great restaurant, the ambiance was great and the food was superior. Be sure to make a reservation so you get the kind of table you want, although there are seeds at the bar and everyone was enjoying that as well. #Oliveros #operahouse #thalianhall read more

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The best restaurant I've eaten at in awhile! We are visiting from out of town and decided to try Olivero based on the Eater review. From the outside it doesn't look like much, but inside the decor and vibe was great. From our first contact with the hostess everyone was welcoming and professional. Our server Phoebe was very helpful and engaging. Then the food came and we were blown away. Our party shared everything, just wish we had more in our party so we could try everything on the menu. The octopus appetizer, crispy cauliflower, NC fish and twice cooked pork were our favorites. We then shared the Basque cheesecake and chocolate Budino, both awesome. I've had the cheesecake in San Sebastián and this was comparable. Can't wait to come back. read more

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Food is great service great but need to add more wines by the bottle ie chianti Cabernet only had one cab bottle offering at 140.00$ per bottle. Corkage fee is 50.00$ which would be fine if they had more of their wine by the bottle to chose from if not need to lower corkage fee read more

great vibe and service. nice menu but found entrees a little spotty- some things excellent and some things just ok. would try again but wasn't blown away. read more

Food, service, ambience was great. We have one recommendation to avoid allergic reaction, time and confusion. Please post on menu (pasta made with almond flour). One person in our group has an almond allergy. IF the menu had referenced the pasta being made with almond flour, we would have immediately known to not choose the pasta options. The server did ask If any allergies when we ordered but he had already chosen pasta not knowing & 10 minutes of time wasted. The menu had some unique options and the food was delicious. read more

Wonderful relatively new restaurant. Service was friendly and attentive. Started with the savory beignets and croquettes, which were outstanding. For the entree, I chose the agnolotti, which was rich and flavored. The place was bustling, but not too loud to hold a conversation. Definitely need reservations. An absolute must to bring out of town company to show off Wilmington cuisine. read more

I have revised my review as my entire experience did not include ambiance, food, quality of service, etc. After all, you don't eat the bathroom door. Having worked at high end restaurants in D.C., I would have given the guest a free drink, or a sample of an entree, something to keep them busy. Dividers are made to block toilets. An additional wine rack may be a solution. I will return eventually, but definitely not Valentine's Day! read more

Outstanding food and service and just a neat place, good parking as well. Will be going back soon. read more

We sat at the bar and we were happy with that choice! The food and atmosphere were awesome and we will go back. read more

10/10, Maddie our server was kind and attentive, to drink I had the body & soul, it was so great, perfect balance of bourbon and not too sweet/tart, next we started with the croquettes & beignets. Delicious and perfectly put together hitting all the right taste buds. For our main course we shared the butternut squash dish and it gave me all the fall feels with a hint of lemon, I will be returning. Job well done! read more

Olivero - Beignets - Italian Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Great food, fabulous bartenders. Smell of smoke in a cozy dining room and a cool vibe throughout. Due to its location, parking can be tricky but there's not much they can do about that. Make reservations, even during offseason. read more

Ambiance: very nice grade A Service: B+ eggplant appetizer: very small, overpriced Heirloom tomato salad: very good, overpriced Spaghetti entree: Good, but overpriced Wine: small pour for the $15 price If you like bread there isn't any read more

Despite our initial high expectations, my wife and I were disappointed with the Olivero, where we dined a week ago on Thursday, September 21. The ambiance was fine. The service was excellent. Where we feel the restaurant failed us was in the quality of food and selection of wines. I ordered the Campanelle which was good. My wife ordered the Octopus Lasagna which, frankly, was barely palatable. The green salad we had, and especially the dressing, was tasty. The dessert - a cheese cake - was pedestrian. We were disappointed in the selection of wines and the absence of a menu for bottled wines. As is our custom, we enjoy 2 glasses of wine apiece at a nice restaurant. And our preference is to order a bottle to share. We did not have that option at Olivero. Instead, we had to select from a short list of wines by the glass. The wine list was OK, but the price of the wine by the glass was unusually high - much more expensive, assuming two glasses apiece, than our entrees. There are many restaurants in Wilmington that offer fine dishes and wine options more suitable to our tastes and our wallet. We will continue to patronize those restaurants. We will not return to Olivero. It's a mediocre restaurant - not bad, but certainly not outstanding. read more

The service could not have been more attentive even though I was dining alone. It wasn't intrusive and I enjoyed the entire experience. If it's on the menu get the crab arancini. Fantastic restaurant hands down. read more

It is nice to see old school service. But the food is way too salty. The tortelloni and the moussakhen were so salty I was grabbing for my water. And by the way, the whole point of moussakhen is sumac, not char. The dates were nice and smoky. The beignet/mortadella thing: some ideas work theoretically on paper but are underwhelming in reality. Just a pile of Harris Teeter mortadella on a very bland (barely hot hot honey for example) sauce base. What took the cake: if you're going to use za'atar, learn how to use it. The beets had so much za'atar the salt almost made me keel over. It's not za'atar encrusted beets. On top of that, straight salty unimaginative out of the supermarket feta. At least give me goat cheese. Chef knows what is supposed to work in theory and sounds great and on paper (checks all the boxes of salt fat acid, texture, etc.,) but it just doesn't translate. Too much hype, big let down, would not go back. So: Less Za'atar on the beet thing. And replace straight from the box feta with something better: whip it, maybe? More cucumber, more brightness. Dates: good enough, $9. Also the bruschetta-like thing: 3 little slices?! Cheese goop: I get what you're going for, but it was not viscous, just watery. It's the same old story: taste the food before it goes out! read more

Everything was very disappointing. I have no idea why. I made a reservation at 5. Felt horrible vibes. Asked for the check. No tip. 70 bucks was good enough. From your reviews looks like you need the 70 more than me. Blessing to all the kind local business that are only native ILM owners! I will spending my hard earned money very wisely from now on. Kindness is about the only free thing left in this world. read more

Celebrated my wife's birthday last night at Oliver's and they didn''t disappoint. It hit the Trifecta, Ambiance, Service and Taste. It has a bistro feel enhanced by an open kitchen with a wood fired grill. With high ceilings and hard floors the crowd buzz is noticeable but acceptable. Our waiter, Caleb H., was the epitome of great service-never intrusive but always available. He was knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations. The food was fantastic. App of warm dates were spot on in flavor, seasoning and presentation. My wife loves beets and the beet salad was a hit with beets and fruit. I had the gem lettuce salad and it was memorable delicately seasoned and dressed. The mains followed suite.in taste and presentation. The twice cooked pork benefits from the wood grill. I enjoyed it so much, I doubt I will ever order anything else. My wife had the Mafaldine, a pasta, corn and crab mixture. It too was top notch. Well worth the trip for a great meal. read more

Olivero is a fine dining restaurant which specializes in Italian fusion cuisine. Our server who we nicknamed chesty la rue or pierre chest hair was accommodating and efficient but made the experience a little uncomfortable with his open shirt and consistent cough. For starters we had the arancini and smoked eggplant which were tasty. We noticed that there were no small pasta or meatball dishes. I would've loved to have seen some bread and or soup as well but not offered. Everything is a la carte. Our entrees were the mushroom lasagna and the agnolotti. No sides come with the entrees and they are small portions. For dessert we had the cheesecake and panna cotta which was the best part of the meal. We were hungry again after the meal. read more

Cheapest bottle of wine is $130 and poor noise quality and unfortunately, the flavor of the food was bland. Highly Do NOT recommend you try this locations! Rather, my favorites are still Roko, Brent's , capris , capy fear sea food! read more

First visit to Olivera on New Year's Eve 2023. We were a reservation for (4) individuals at $150 price per person. Everyone had high expectations for a spectacular culinary experience since multiple reviews were very positive. Unfortunately, expectations fell seriously short on course selection and execution. We assumed the $150.00 would yield a memorable experience despite the lack of paired wines. We were welcomed to the event with a 2oz pour of champagne in wine glasses. The oyster course was delicious, the one oyster per person was disappointing. Next was a tasty bruschetta followed by a mediocre salad with a bitter leafy green. The main course was a short rib course which was tender and delicious. A trout dish was served at some point but was overly fishy (who serves trout on a prefix menu?) no one felt this selection was appealing. The dessert was inedible; pudding with too much salt and one cookie stuck in it. Overall, everyone felt disappointed in our party. Did we just experience a $700.00 meal? The floor service was average, seemed like temporary staff were brought in for the event. They were not polished and comfortable with high end dining environments. They tried to execute with fresh cutlery and napkin refolding but it was awkwardly executed. Fortunately we brought a magnum of a 2021 Belle Glos Pinot noir and paid the corkage fee. This is not a diamond in the rough... read more

We have been waiting for this restaurant to open with big expectations. It blew our expectations away! Every dish and course was done with a great twist, and it all was bursting with flavor. From the appetizers of Croquettes, Beignets, and Brussels sprouts to the entrees of the pasta dishes we had and the local snapper were outstanding. This is a go-to for anyone looking for an awesome meal or a special occasion. The decor and ambience were perfect. The staff was so great and knowledgeable. Top restaurant! read more

Wow, great new addition in Wilmington! Excellent cocktails, homemade pasta and a really good vibe. Our service was perfect as well!

We had the most amazing dinner at Olivero. Greer, our server, was so knowledgeable about the menu and pairings. We will be back soon.