First time visiting this location and it will not be our last. 2 of us walked in with no reservation and asked the hostess (Daisy I think) if we could get a table for 8 and that we were waiting for the other 6 to show up. She said it wouldn't be a problem and put our name on the waitlist. We headed in to sit at the bar and we were promptly greeted by 2 bartenders. As we waited for the others to arrive, we both got a drink. Within 10 minutes the others showed up and our table was ready. Cam, who was one of the bartenders, waited on us. She was phenomenal. Great service from beginning to end. Daisy set up a spot for us and everything was excellent. The restaurant and bar area were both clean and comfortable and all of us enjoyed our meals and drinks. Can't wait to come back and order the Chicken Scallopini again. It was delicious!!!!! read more

Stopped in for a casual brunch and ended up having one of those experiences you wish you could bottle. Our server, Cam, was outstanding--friendly, down to earth, and genuinely attentive. She brought a great sense of humor to the table and made us feel relaxed right away. What really stood out was the care she took with dietary needs, making multiple trips to the kitchen without hesitation to ensure everything was right. That kind of attention doesn't go unnoticed. On her recommendation, I tried the Athena's pizza--and I'll admit, as someone who usually leans toward meat dishes, I didn't expect to enjoy it this much. But this? This was a problem (in the best way). Fresh ingredients, great balance of flavors, and a perfectly baked crust had me going back for "just one more slice" more than once. The portions are generous, especially for the price, and the quality is there. Add in country music playing in the background, good friends at the table, and an easy, welcoming atmosphere, and everything just came together. Even the space itself was well kept--the clean bathroom was a small detail, but definitely appreciated. It's a cozy space, so larger groups may feel a bit tight on seating, but it didn't take away from the experience at all. This wasn't just brunch--it felt like a moment. Highly recommend. read more

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We ordered cheese stuffed garlic knots with marinara. They were wonderful and the marinara was great. My husband ordered the pepperoni roll with an Alfredo dipping sauce on the side. The pepperoni roll had a buttery garlic outside. That was amazing. The bread was cooked perfectly. I tried it and that was probably my favorite. I wish we would've ordered one to go for dinner. I ordered the shrimp scampi. It was very good. My only complaint was a scam. Was they put cold tomatoes in the center. They need a little work on their organization, but I would highly recommend this place and if I live near here, I would eat here frequently. The food is fresh. Everything's wonderful. Abraunya was our waitress and she was very nice read more

The Black Olive - Shrimp Scampi - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

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Mozzarella garlic knots alone are worth the visit to this restaurant. My chicken dish was delicious and enough left over for lunch the next day. Prices were reasonable, service was reliable and efficient. Looking forward to returning and trying some other dishes. read more

The Black Olive - Mozarella garlic knots - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

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Not a bad Italian restaurant but also not the best. Their chicken Marsala (my personal favorite Italian dish) is beyond oily. I'm not sure if they're trying to cut cost on the Marsala wine sauce or what but it shouldn't be half oil. For a nearly $30 dinner this is just not acceptable. read more

Decent food and service, large menu from salads to pasta to pizza to Italian entrees and subs. Standard ambience.

Great service and good value for a solid Italian meal w even a large group. The Downtown chicken signature dish was tasty and the apps were easy to share w the group. Garlic knots came in a large plate as well as the burrata caprese. Everything was great and ambience was above casual fare. We will definitely be back. Note the menu is different, broader, than the Jonesborough location and had even steaks on the menu. read more

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I've heard so many great reviews about The Black Olive from different people and social media groups; the hype is real! I visited the Downtown Johnson City location with a friend, who also had previously visited here, for a lunch date. We were seated immediately and our server, Dale, was AMAZING!!! We enjoyed our interaction and conversation with him. He definitely made our experience there memorable. He's an asset to the establishment. Now the food... starting with the Garlic Knots; my eyes nearly came out of their sockets, I wasn't expecting them to be as large as they are; the knots were also very puffy and the pairing of the sauce was delicious! For our entrees, my friend and I ordered Baked Ravioli, Chicken Parmesan and Chicken Milano. Everything tasted like incredible!! If I ate one less garlic knot, I'd make more room for the side pasta of mushroom fettuccine Alfredo. Overall this experience has exceeded expectations and I see making more visits because I need to try everything on their menu! Thank you so much for making our ladies lunch date so memorable! read more

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It was just ok. I ordered the New York Bianca, pizza and Caesar salad along with the pesto Alfredo chicken fettuccine. My daughter liked the pasta. The pizza was not that great. We had it delivered and it was still hot though. read more

Had cheese garlic knots delivered. They were nearly all burned. They tasted okay, we had pepperonis added and there were barely any pepperonis and they were burned and dry. Still tasted okay but could have been a lot better if not overcooked. read more

The Black Olive - Garlic cheese pepperoni knots - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

Black Olive is a local group of restaurants that never disappoint. I can take ANYONE to dinner here and not only do they find something they like but they will comment on how good the food is. Calzones and strombolis are amazing, thanks to the bread/crust. There are a ton of delicious dishes, with spicy Alfredo, Gorgonzola pasta, & the chicken Milano topping my list. Also, the garlic Parmesan wings are amazing! You might have to ask for bread, as sometimes the servers bring it and sometimes they don't. Also, try their desserts and salads. The berry salad is delicious and their cake slices can feed three people! read more

One of the best Italian restaurant i have tasted in my 65 years. Food was prepared perfect. Best marinara sauce. Welcoming atmosphere. read more

The italian restaurant conveniently located in DT Johnson City with plenty of parking available on the back. Both dishes tasted great, cooked perfectly. The pasta was al dente and the sauce was balanced to perfection. Unlike many places you can modify the menu and they'll be happy to accommodate to whatever preferences you have. read more

The Black Olive - menu - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

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First time here. It's a cute little place located downtown. Place came highly recommended as we are from out of the state. To be honest, this was probably the best Italian food I have ever had. We had the Italian nachos which may not sound Italian but they had a creamy Alfredo which made the flavor pop! We both ate the Olive Special trio which consisted of tasty Alfredo, Lasagna, and chicken Parmesan. Didn't finish it all because I was saving room for the special carrot cake. Ordered 4 pieces to take home to family. We will definitely be back when we are in town again. Service was excellent and helpful in making selections. Give this place a try. You'll be glad you did. read more

Echoing what other peoplw have said. There are certain blindspots jn the restraunt where the servers just dont look at you Waited 15 minutes for service. They were very busy i guess. But after i sat down they did not make eye contact. I left after that. read more

Brought my teenagers here for Sunday brunch and the service and food were amazing as usual. Loved the biscuits and gravy with the bacon and breakfast potato's rather than eggs. The gravy was amazing. My kids had the French toast and pancake platters and they loved it. A lot of food! I can't wait to come back for more!! read more

The Black Olive - Biscuits and gravy platter with potato's instead of eggs - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

I stopped in for lunch with my husband. We were seated promptly and they took our drink order. It was a comfy place with outdoor seating. I ordered the chicken salad with raspberry vinegarette. It was the best chicken I've had in a long time. My husband ordered a steak but he inhaled it before I could get a picture. He said that he was impressed and that the steak was cooked perfectly to his liking. And he is picky! Our 2 beer, 1 sweet tea, 2 plates and 1 appetizer order came out to be almost 80$. It's a lovely place to stop in for lunch and I do recommend the chicken salad! read more

The Black Olive - This is the best grilled chicken salad that I've had in a very long time. The chicken is superb. Hats off to the chef! - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

The food was 10/10. Service on the other hand, 0/10. We sat at the bar and after a good while of waiting we were greeted by a young lady (bob with a red streak name is cam). Her Attitude was HORRIBLE. She questioned my wife when she told her she wanted a glass of wine instead of the (super sweet) drink she got. At the end she just threw our ticket at us after she kept asking us if we were done. That wasn't all but Just to point out a few things that we were very displeased about. We have both worked in the restaurant industry so we understand how overwhelming it can be on a busy night but if you are in the industry you have to know how to keep your composure and give every customer the best experience. read more

Last weekend, I stopped by The Black Olive, and it's safe to say this spot has earned its buzz. Tucked into the heart of the city, this Italian gem - co-owned by chef Mo Farrouki and Kinsey Holliday - blends homemade comfort with a touch of Mediterranean flair, all while keeping things approachable and affordable. It's the third location for the Black Olive crew, following Jonesborough and Elizabethton, and it's clear they've brought their A-game to this downtown JC location. Walking in, the vibe hits you right away: warm, relaxed, and just upscale enough to feel special without being stuffy. The main dining room is spacious, with natural light pouring in, and the patio opens up to the street - perfect for people-watching with a glass of wine. I nabbed a table inside, and the staff was on it - friendly without hovering, quick with recommendations, and clearly proud of what they're serving up. The menu is a love letter to Italian classics, with a few curveballs from Farrouki's Moroccan roots. I started with the lemon chicken soup, a special that day, and it was a knockout - bright, tangy, and comforting, with a hunk of fresh bread on the side. For the main event, I went with the chicken parmesan: a hefty, breaded cutlet smothered in their housemade marinara and gooey mozzarella, baked to a golden crisp. The side of spaghetti was simple but spot-on, though I'd have loved a touch more sauce to mop up. Portions are quite generous, so I had to decline the delicious deserts on offer. The food's the real deal: everything's made in-house, and you can taste the care. They lean on local, organic ingredients when they can, which shines through in the freshness. I eyed the pizza options, thin-crust beauties with toppings like pesto and artichokes, but saved that for next time. Dessert was a must, and the tiramisu didn't disappoint: creamy, coffee-soaked, and just sweet enough to cap things off. Service was a highlight. My server knew the menu cold and nudged me toward a Sauvignon Blanc that paired perfectly with the meal - crisp and light, cutting through the richness. Prices felt fair for the quality; my soup, entrée, and a glass of wine ran about $30 before tip. It's pricier than their other locations (chalk it up to the downtown rent), but still a steal compared to chain joints like Olive Garden. The Black Olive isn't flawless, as parking can be a challenge on busy nights, and the bar area gets loud when it's hopping. But those are small gripes. This place delivers where it counts: hearty, authentic food, a welcoming crew, and a laid-back charm that fits Johnson City's growing downtown scene. Whether you're on a date, grabbing lunch with a friend, or just craving a solid Italian fix, it's worth a visit. I'll be back for that pizza, and maybe some live music on the patio. read more

I'd love to help the community to decide on this one. I've never personally ate here unless it's very similar to my main street café like all is good. The Bellflower, the red Fork I kind of put them all in the same category, but I love homestyle cut of cooking I've heard nothing but great things about this place so I'm definitely wanting to check it out myself. it's got the vibe you're looking for for sure. Nice setting. read more

We're staying in a near by Airbnb & decided to walk to The Black Olive for dinner. So glad we did because the food was phenomenal! Best Italian food we've had in a long time. We got the garlic knots, chicken scaloppine, chicken Picatta and house salads. The ranch dressing is made in house & was delicious. read more

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the food was great and the staff was very nice and helpful. The place felt very welcoming and nice to just sit and talk.

Great Italian food, I enjoy it as much as Olive Garden! Gotta try their rolls, they're to die for...really!!! Great Service too. read more

This was a great lunch spot for two! The subs and salads were amazing! I highly recommend the berry salad for the taste and presentation. The wait staff were polite and very caring. They made menu suggestions and kept our drinks full. It's a cute spot and it is also close to lots of shops in Johnson City. We would go again! read more

The Black Olive - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

Lovely restaurant. Outside area with live music. Food is delicious. Wonderful staff

Ask for Dell to be your server!! He made our dining experience literally perfect!!! The food was absolutely incredible, the company was sensational and the service was out of this world!!! We live in Florida and consider ourselves foodies- but this was hands down my favorite dining experience in years!!! Parking lot directly behind restaurant for easy parking. Run- don't walk- to Black Olive. Ask for Dell- you won't be disappointed! read more

We had a 40th class reunion here a few weeks ago and all though I've never eaten here before I was not expecting much. Well they did a fantastic job, the steaks were cooked to order and most people ordered medium rare, and they were perfectly done. Next time I'm back in town I'll be dining here again, hopefully they won't run out of Crown Royal.. Definitely give this place a try! read more

The variety of food options available is great. Everything always comes out hot and fresh. The vibe is casual but also very neat and clean. I love the bar too. read more

First try.. The White Pizza is divine. Friendly service from Andrea.. great bread .. I like it when you try a new place and have a good experience . thank you read more

The Black Olive - White Pizza .. yummy - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

Micheal, our waiter, was amazing! Definitely recommend the Cheesecake and baked cheese tortellini!

Everything was on point. The Italian nachos were amazing. I will definitely be back when I'm passing through.

Good food and friendly experience. Good choice of meals and always satisfying. Quiet and comfortable environment.

I hosted a birthday party in their private dining room for 30 people. The food was buffet and absolutely delicious!! The service was impeccable even though the restaurant was full. We were able to decorate before the party and Alfredo and James were so very helpful! read more

Love this little gem downtown. The chicken piccata is amazing, pizzas pretty good ( I always order extra sauce), James the bartender is a really cool dude with great service and the chef is friendly and shows he cares. Nice atmosphere too. read more

This was our first time dining here and we loved it! We went for their brunch and it was amazing. The omelette is build your own so you can pick whatever ingredients (we did onions, sausage and goat cheese) and the quiche was incredible! Amazing service as well. read more

The Black Olive - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

taste bud satisfying , immaculate tasting food!! Will most definitely be coming back! excellent service!

We eat here quite often....the drinks are good, but slow because the bartender is also waiting tables all the time. . The pasta is always fresh and good. We had the stuffed mushrooms for the first time tonight. Worst thing I have eaten in a while. Turned my stomach. $13 for 3 mushrooms! Not ok! Not stuffed but smothered in something not identifiable. read more

We went for a friends bday brunch. Ended up just getting the pasta cause it looked better and it did not disappoint! Tried new types of pasta and the Chicken Marsala was amazing. Would def recommend getting two types of pasta and sharing! read more

The Black Olive - Chicken Marsala - Italian Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

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EDIT: Additional family members have gone here, and say that the tables and floor are very sticky. And that the service is bad. So, apparently , I didn't have a unique experience. Plus, I have read how they have treated their neighbors. Adios!! While I want to like this restaurant, it has some issues. The tables and floor were sticky. Yikes. The servers are not attentive enough. The enjoyment of my food, was somewhat offset by the person who was "bussing" the tables. It was ridiculously invasive. We were barely finished, and she was grabbing our plates (randomly, and not at the same time), reaching across in front of us, scraping any leftover food onto one plate (yuck) AT the table, loudly stacking them, etc. I have never seen this happen to such an extent. It is a very low-rent practice. I likely won't go back. Note: Servers should never start removing plates until EVERYONE has completed their meal. This is standard restaurant etiquette. Granted, chain restaurants in general have destroyed the dining experience. And NEVER ask, "Are you still WORKING on that?" UGH. It is interesting, that on a Friday (7 PM) evening, the place was almost empty, although downtown JC was quite crowded. (Which always surprises me, because downtown is not necessarily a pleasant spot, no matter how hard they try. East TN can't comprehend downtown revivals, in the manner that Western NC excels.) read more

We had a great dining experience here. As soon as you step inside the service begins. Attentive and personal service. Our server was happy to take us through the menu and share his favorites. We decided on the Eggplant Parm. Thinly breaded slices of eggplant stacked high and covered with red sauce and cheese. Perfect! We also had the Chicken Pesto Pasta which was just as good. Looking forward to an encore visit. read more