Olives, so much hype for so much nothing. The drinks are good. Really strong. I would recommend this place for drinks and appetizers, their calamari wasn't awful. I do enjoy a Squidward. Sadly our meals were all a disappointment. Someone got the pot roast, the vegetables were improperly cooked. And they found the meat to be tough. Two people got pork chops, which were dry and burned. Someone else got something that was, well, forgettable. I got a scallop dish that was ok, but nothing amazing. Perhaps our waitress was trying to give us space to talk, but people need refills. Gourmet to Go owns Olives, and I've been told Olives is a good reflection of their food. Draw your own conclusions.... read more

So. In the intetest of fairness, my pork shoulder/polenta dish was really good. BUT, my wife had a tempeh curry that was possibly the worst dish I've ever had from a restaurant in my life. Absolutely insane amounts of lemongrass, to the point that it tasted like dish soap. The service was okay initially, but somehow when it came time for bills she had not tracked what any of us had, so we had to mark up the receipt ourselves with who had what. Furthermore, a 20% gratuity was added to our bill, which is fine (we had 6 people in our party), but she didn't tell us when the bills were delivered, nor at the beginning of the meal for that matter. To top it all off, when the final receipts were delivered our waitress said nothing by way of thank you or good night, even when we said the same to her. read more

Creative menu and excellent service. This neighborhood gem is worth traveling to. Olive's is in the business district of East Grand Rapids. The environment is excellent. There is the main floor with bar or the upper level for a more quiet seating option. There is also outdoor seating that is above street level on a deck for enjoying a beautiful day. The Chef is always changing the menu and adding amazing dining options while saving the classic that frequent diners love. The Southern Meatloaf or the pretzel bread are amazing and you cannot go wrong with the Olive Burger or the Veggie Burger. Save room for dessert too. The level of service is excellent. The staff gets to know you as you come in time and time again. It is a welcoming feel to be greeted by name. Kim is my favorite bartender in the area. She treats her guests like old friends while making sure that they have everything that they need. Any time I have out of town guests I take them to Olive's. It has been loved by everyone and each time my family come's to visit from various parts of the country they always ask when we get to go have dinner at Olive's, usually for the Olive Burger. read more

Olive's seems like one of those places that all of the neighbors claim to "looooooove", but always grumble about. There is nothing special about this place. Every time I am here the service is.... Fine... Nothing special and not horrid. The food seems costly for small portions. We keep going because it is close to home, but we are consistently annoyed with how much we pay for food we're not excited about. Actually writing this review makes me wonder why we do keep coming... The drinks are strong and we walk home, that's right... Strong drinks! read more

So good!!!! The scallop entree is AMAZING! Everyone else at my table got the salmon and that too was awesome. The service was spot on, drinks came fast and not much wait for the food. I got the house salad and it was HUGE!!! I shared it with my sister. Highly recommended. read more

Olives - Scallop entree - New American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Quite a unique dining experience, 2 floors in the heart of Gaslight Village. I recommend the french roast dish or the stuffed chicken, both are very good. Service is great and the menu is interesting, give Olive's a try. read more

Olives - New American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Olive's was my favorite on this trip; we stopped there for lunch on my first day in town. It was in an adorable district of town (I love East Grand Rapids), had a light interior and cute decor, and the menu, while small, appeared to be fresh and varied. I decided to order the Crab Cakes off of the small plate menu, with a side of fries added. This turned out to be the perfect casual lunch! The crab cakes were perfect and very tasty. The fries were just as crispy as I like them, with a soft inside. It took a little while to get our food, but I'm assuming it's because everything was made to order. All of my coworkers' meals looked just as fresh and delicious! I'd definitely come back here again in a heartbeat. read more

Olives - New American Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

I stopped in on a Friday night around 8pm for drinks with some friends. Even though we were in the midst of a snowstorm, the restaurant had a warm, friendly camaraderie about it with several people at the bar drinking and laughing. I ordered their Buttered Bourbon which is Butterscotch liqueur and Jack Daniel's Honey on ice. It tasted just like a Werther's Butterscotch candy and warmed me right up! Now I have an idea of how to use Jack Daniel's Honey too. My friend ordered a Chi Martini but could barley take three sips of it because it was so syrupy. Yes, it tasted like a Chi Latte but in the way that the bar tender must have simply opened a carton of store bought Chi Latte and mixed it with some Starbucks Liqueur. It was missing that extra bit of love (and creativity) to balance it out. I My second drink was the 'Olives' Martini. It was a solid martini but I have to admit I was more into the blue cheese stuffed olives more then the actual drink. mmmm.... cheesy olives....Keep em' coming. This seems like a great place for a date night or dinner with friends. In checking out their menu, they have various happy hour specials and week night specials to keep you coming back. The food menu looked tasty and I vowed to come back to try out their main dishes. I especially liked their rotating menu selections with a commitment to local, to keep their meals varied and seasonal. Next to me was a family with some adorable, well behaved children and I noticed that they had a children's section on the menu too. Feel free to bring the whole family on your visit. My one recommendation (besides staying away from the Chi Martini until it gets revised) would be to ask for a table on the main floor when you go. When we arrived our friends weren't there yet and we were initially offered a two top table upstairs by mistake. Fortunately, we were seated on the main floor by the bar at a larger table for all of us. The main downstairs area had a better energy then the upstairs area, with low lights, candles on the table and big picture windows to look out onto the charming Gas Light Village neighborhood. Whereas the upstairs felt disjointed from the restaurant and had brighter lights, a few dated features, and tables that were scattered somewhat randomly. A friend joked once that this is the place to 'see and be seen' in East Grand Rapids and she wasn't kidding! Upon walking in on our first visit, we immediately saw two people we know. Apparently this is the place to see old friends and maybe make a new friend! read more

This was my third time coming to Olives. The first experience was spring of 2022. Had the burger and fries and a salad and it was incredible. Very good which is why the second and third visits since then. The second visit was late fall of 2022. Ordered the burger and fries again and it was burned badly. Like soot and charcoal so bad it was inedible, but I hate sending food back so I ate it. Went there again giving it one last shot. Same thing happened this week. Burger and Fries and it was burned to a crisp on the edges and this time as well the fries were so salty they were inedible as well. I ate maybe 5 fries and had to chug water after I left. The burger was the kind of burned that even if the inside of the burger is cooked good the crunchy sooty edges flavor the entire thing making it taste awful. This time I did tell the waitress and did not want a remake. I have had better burgers made my drunk grandfather who forgot about the food on his charcoal grill on Fourth of July than my past few experiences here. Unfortunately I won't be back. I loved the vibe and wanted to love my food too. I've seen other reviews state similar things so I know I am not alone in this. read more

First time here. Service was very good. Wait staff very nice. We came bc we wanted to try their lobster roll sandwich. I say don't bother if you ever had real lobster rolls. Unfortunately, their lobster is imitation crab meat smothered in dressing. That's probably why it's $15. For what it is maybe $10 would be more appropriate. And for real lobster probably $20+ which I would be ok with. I'll come again to try their other offerings. read more

One of my fav neighbourhood joints. I like that the menu changes with seasons. Excellent salads. We loved the golden beet salad and papas rellenas. Excellent wine list. Service is impeccable. They know their clientele read more

We stopped by Olives Restaurant on a night when many restaurants in Grand Rapids had decided to take the night off...Labor Day weekend. We were greeted by the bartender and promptly offered a table. The restaurant was not busy on the lower level, but they seemed a little short on staffing. The hostess was doing double duty with waitressing and came back to assist us with selections. For starters, we ordered the lime chips with 3 assorted dips. I ordered the porkloin chops stuffed with apricots and accompanied by sweet potatoes. The potatoes were slightly undercooked, but the porkloin was delicous. My husband enjoyed his steak. My overall sense of the place was that it's perhaps a tad over-priced for the menu & service, but it was a pleasant experience though not over the top fantastic. read more

This restaurant is a wonderful addition to East Grand Rapids, and a a great alternative to Roses when you want good food and good drinks at a reasonable price. We showed up on a Thursday night at 7:00 and were immediately seated, but things got busier from there so get there early if you want a spot. Our server's name was Dustin -- he was knowledgeable about the menu, even more knowledgeable about what was behind the bar, friendly and personable. (+1 star) The menu is seasonal and locally sourced (+1 star) -- and had just recently changed when we visited. We started with the Chile Empanadas. These people know their way around empanadas. You should start with these and then work your way through the rest of the menu. They're crispy, flaky, and packed with flavor. (+1 star) Entrees were the BBQ Brisket Meatballs, and Southern Meatloaf. Both were prepared to order, piping hot, and extremely tasty. (+2 stars) What are you waiting for? Get on over to Olives! read more

Lobster roll, killer especially when you take half home. Sooooo ono! Service on the other hand was unbalanced. The waitress was upbeat and efficient. Although, absent quite a bit. Hence, the 3 instead of four stars. read more

I've driven by Olive's in past, but never thought to stop in. Not sure why; whenever I'm in "East" there are some other favorites that I just gravitate towards instead. We find a spot outside and head in, past a heavy rubberized curtain protecting the entry from the elements. It makes it awkward to hold open the door for Juliet. (Later, I notice some passersby who seem stymied by the doorway, unsure if or how they should enter.) We are greeted by our server, who is working the entire dining area today, it seems. She is friendly (perhaps too friendly, calling us "my darlings" several times; I can't decide if it's annoying or endearing) but not overly efficient. Decor is mostly wood, with some interesting paint choices. There are some cabinets in the corner made up to the look like gifts for the holiday season (we believe there is storage and wine racks behind the gift wrapped doors). The whole restaurant seems to have a laid-back, homey vibe. I'm uneasy about the food now. To start, I order a cup of the Tomato Blue Cheese Bisque. A nice hot cup of soup sounds good, and it turns out to be very nice: well-blended tomato with tiny, tiny chunks of vegetable (celery? hard to tell) and a low-key blue cheese. The light and smoky Laforet Pinot Noir actually complements it, and I am pleased with my choice of wine. While I spoon up the last of the bisque, a cook runs out from the kitchen and dashes toward the D&W Fresh Market just across the parking lot opposite. He come back a few minutes later with, presumably, some ingredients they needed. It must be nice having a grocery store so close by! I am not overly hungry, so I opt for a single small plate of the Shanghai Cabbage Rolls. About six of the rolls arrive on a pretty plate swirled with pepper jelly, alongside a splash of Sriracha. The tender insides of ground pork, jasmine rice, and water chestnuts are earthy but ethereal. The Napa cabbage exterior, though, are a bit too overcooked...but not by much. I prefer my cabbage with a bit of snap left in it. Taste is spot on, however. The sweet-hot combo hits all the right notes on my palate. Again, surprisingly, the Laforet stands up to the spiciness. Wonders never cease! By the time we finish, more people are starting to pour in. Our server begins to get a little swamped and help arrives from the kitchen. As we pay our bill, we're surprised to find a secret coupon inside that we're not supposed to open; it'll be opened by the server the next time we stop in for a bite. It's a good marketing ploy, and one we'll utilize. Although the lunch didn't surprise me, I am pleased enough to want to come back. Don't take my word for it, though; check out video and what my better half has to say about our culinary adventure on our website (linked in my profile)! read more

Good Food and Service. The Staff is very nice and both trips left us happy we pick Olive's.

My wife and I came here for a late snack on a Saturday night after a painting class next door. We sat at the bar and ordered some cocktails. I started with the half moon, a gin based cocktail and it was strong but tasty. My wife had a Chardonnay that was absolutely top notch and it was actually on recommendation from the bar tender. We started with the edamame, and the Arancini balls with honey. Both had good flavor, and were decently light. We then split the kale salad which was seriously amazing. The flavors popped but it was light at the same time. There were a variety of other dishes on the menu we wanted to try but were stuffed. We will be back again soon. read more

Excellent atmosphere, excellent drinks, excellent food, excellent service. Lettuce wraps and Turkey burger are great, martinis are full, would definitely recommend for a small eatery/bar. read more

Good, flavorful food. That's enough. Typically I won't review a place after only one trip, but our food here on our first visit was good enough to warrant mention sooner. I ordered a southern meatloaf of turkey, pork, and andouille on a bed of asparagus and sweet grits, and the flavor was astounding: Well-spiced and a good portion, served elegantly but without pretension. At $16, a good dinner at an acceptable price for East Grand Rapids. Our server was friendly and helpful too. Only knock on this place is the drink menu: Martinis start at $10, which is wildly overpriced, and the draft bottle list is forgettable; start across the street to Derby Station for a better drink menu at more honest prices, then come here for food. read more

We have been coming here for years and tonight we experienced an incredibly rude waitress. She treated us with disrespect and should not speak to patrons the way she spoke to us. Unfortunately, we have lost enthusiasm for one of our favorite local spots. read more

Very good food and innovative menu. My wife and I went there for an anniversary and were very pleased. The food, although not inexpensive, was very, very good. The menu was somewhat limited, but I think that helps them focus on what they are serving. The menu was innovative and everything was very well prepared and the service was great. The place has a very nice ambience. It is probably not great for kids, but the ambience is very comfortable and not stuffy. Very good. Highly recommended. read more

Went here for dinner with my wife, and we were both let down. Although the place was not busy, the service was slow. Our waiter seemed more interested in hanging out at the bar and chatting with his friends and coworkers than in providing decent service. Although he was our waiter, a different person brought us our food, and someone else checked up on us throughout the meal. Despite this cavalcade of waiters, we still had a long wait to get our check. The food itself was good, although the portion sizes were on the small size. My pork and risotto was quite tasty, and my wife enjoyed her kale caesar salad. Overall, an underwhelming experience. read more

I am in Grand Rapids for business and was recommended to Olive's. Simply put, the Southern Meatloaf was the best meatloaf I've ever had. It was prepared perfectly, with bold unique flavor. The side green beans were super fresh, crisp and sautéed with honey Dijon. It was a very nice evening so i sat outside on their charming deck. The service was excellent. Dessert is homemade. I cannot recommend this place enough. Don't hesitate. Enjoy. read more

The atmosphere was so loud that I couldn't hear the people on the other side of the table from me. The food was high quality, but at this lofty price point, I would prefer a more comfortable place. Even for casual food, I would probably not go out of my way to such a loud venue. All the main courses hit the spot. We got the burger, sliders, halibut, and I believe my wife got a Cuban. Chips and salsa with crab and shrimp it was good but probably should not call soft warmed corn tortilla chips. It was also impossible to eat without a fork since soft tortilla cannot actually scoop anything. The taste was very good despite the awkward scooping. The fries were a little bit disappointing. They weren't bad but I expected above-average and felt they were slightly below-average. They were seasoned well and had good flavor, so some people might like them, but I prefer my fries to have a little bit of crisp, and the fries are fairly soft and floppy. The quinoa patties were my favorite appetizer of the two. Seating was pretty awkward. We called ahead to reserve a table because we were attending a fundraiser. During the call, the staff told us there would be enough capacity that we should not reserve a table. When we arrived, we were told they were so busy that they had no way to estimate the wait, but they said it could be up to an hour and 20 minutes. Despite the fundraiser being planned with the staff, they did not have the upper floor open to meet demand, so several parties left instead of eating in support of the fundraiser. We wound up then being seated much sooner than expected but the fundraiser lost out because there were then open tables and parties who had already dined elsewhere. I would strongly recommend not planning a fundraiser with Olive's. read more

A group of 6 of us made a reservation and ate at Olive's over the weekend. Our waitress was funny and very on top of everything. The food was AMAZING. It is a bit loud in there, but it didn't really bother us at all. read more

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We Love Olives! Great location and Amazing food! It's also great for those in a wheelchair or with a walker because they have an elevator that services the upstairs and outside patio area. I love to go here for date nights with my husband but also lunch with my grandma! read more

The food is always exceptional and perfectly composed. I've had some of the best dishes in GR at Olives! They have a cozy atmosphere and great martinis. If you're staying in, their takeout is a great option. Don't forget dessert! Love it all around! read more

I came here for wine an appetizer and got the BEST service. The wine list is great and they had plenty of california wines that I recognized (and love). I had the arancini and they were soo tasty (with honey drizzled on top). I was the weirdo on her laptop, but hey.. they have wifi.. and I knocked out at least 30 emails before I got too buzzed. I'll definitely be back here. read more

Food-Delicious appetizers. Made a meal out of it between 2 people. Had the pappadew, quinoa cakes, and chickpea fries. The first two were amazing and the chickpea fries were good but probably wouldn't get again. Drinks-Respectable beer menu but where they shine is mixed drinks. Ordered an old fashioned (not on menu) and it held its own against the best I've had. That really says how great the bar is. My wife also had a cocktail which was quite good. Probably between this and Roses for best bar in East. However, I still need to try Carolina and Jose's. Ambiance-takes it from a 5 star to a 4 star experience. Sat in the main room where you walk in. It's a bit cramped and the acoustics are not very good. You have to speak quite loudly for the other person to hear you. I think they have another room upstairs and a patio. I'd really like to check it in the summer because I think this could be 5 star if you sit in a good location. Highly recommend. read more

I would describe myself as a regular, and if I'm going to be honest, their fries have a lot to do with that. I usually go for lunch, and I'm almost always happy with the sandwiches and salads. The service is friendly and personal. Although I've decided I can't have one at lunch unless I have time for a nap at 2 p.m. their draft selection is usually interesting. I've been for dinner a few times and was not disappointed then either. I'd describe it as a mid to high-end locals place with a real chef. They change up the menu from time to time and though I'm sad to see my favorites go, somehow new favorites reliably emerge. read more

Outstanding martinis. Great server, Marcy... the service was fast and efficient.... Labor Day evening, a great choice!

I ordered online due to covid and the service was excellent. You get a text to confirm it's done. I ordered the Harissa Shrimp and it was incredible. I had my whole family try it was so good. Even my 9 year old was surprised how delicious. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

There is something fundamentally depressing about a bad restaurant, especially for an establishment that was once one of my favorite places to spend time. Olive's is less like a restaurant and more like the home of a friend who fancies themselves a cook. I can only say I've been surprised to see how services has been lacking in my past several visits. However, the food remains to be delicious most of the time and cocktails appear to be hit or miss. If I had one recommendation. I would suggest sticking to draft beers and appetizers. But if you are looking for a genuine good time and fun environment, where certain employees seem to remember every facet of your life without skipping a beat, I would recommend Olive's. If there is one thing I have learned from my carrier in sales. That is to keep your clients happy. There is an old adage, have a good experience you tell 10 people, if you have a bad, you tell 100. By no means will I stop having drink there, but I'll certainly make it a point to make my reservations elsewhere until the food quality gets back on par. read more

We dine at Olives frequently. CJ the head chef always has great specials as well as seasonal menu changes. What we enjoy is the small friendly neighborhood atmosphere and of course the menu that's just a little different. The noise level is a bit spirited as everyone seems to be having a good time. The manager Parker is always helping the servers and bar tenders and it seems to run like a well oiled machine. Lighter menu selections are a plus when we don't want to eat heavy. Nice wine selection too. Try the fish soft taco's. Yum! We will continue to dine here for sure. read more

Just awesome! Food was fabulous and our server rocked! Excellent experience...thanks Olive's!!

I tried Olive's with a friend, thinking it would be a nice experience in a quaint Gaslight Village restaurant. What we experienced, however, was an overpriced experience with poor--at best--service. Having a three-year-old along for the trip, we ordered a water for her while we waited for our food. The waitress disappeared, returned to take orders at two other tables, returned to ask what we (the adults) would like to drink, returned with those drinks, as well as drinks for other tables, and we still didn't have the water for the three-year-old. The food was okay, but way too expensive for what it was. I had the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, which, again, was simply okay. Nothing great, nothing terrible. But at $10, it should have been great. Instead, I left disappointed. Getting the check also took way too long for such a small restaurant with other three or four tables occupied. There are certainly worse places to have lunch, but by the same token, there are plenty of better establishments, too. read more

What a great place to come in and feel welcomed, have a great meal and a great cocktail or glass of wine. A great location setting...friendly and accommodating this place does things right from the food to atmosphere. Thank you for a lovely time, as usual. read more

Great service; interesting appetizers & entrees (try the bacon wrapped shrimp and pulled rib), and a nice cozy atmosphere makes for an excellent evening. And the food tasted pretty darned good as well! read more

Busy and loud but food good went twice while I was visiting GR. Shared the croquettes and the mushroom crostini's with a glass of wine. Second night had the white fish and shared the clams as an appetizer. Wonderful. read more

Best dining experience in Grand Rapids since relocating to the area from Los Angeles nearly 2 years ago. First, had the pear pomegranate martini which was different in a good way and delicious! We ordered 3 starters. We had the mushroom crostini which made my eyes roll back in my head I'm sure. Flavor bomb good. We had the arancini (fried risotto balls) and garlic knots served with an olive compound butter. All wonderful and full of flavor. I had the olive burger, my ex-husband had the same and his wife (we were celebrating her birthday) had the salmon offering. We even shared the creme brûlée and cheesecake. We ate too much and savored every bite! Highly recommend. Compliments to the chef and our wonderful waitress, Jen. read more