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Oliva Gourmet
Category: Restaurants Sandwiches Sandwiches [Edit]
225 BroadwayNew York, NY 10007
Neighborhood: Financial District
(212) 964-4496
- Nearest Transit:
-
Park Pl (2, 3)
World Trade Center (E)
City Hall (N, R)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 5 pm
Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Ali F. said: "ok. for the people who are looking fore "decent pizza''..........just shut up. Layla Jones is not your ordinary pizza spot so dont compare it to others. This place is trendy, with down to earth workers. pizza is actually really…" read more »
22 reviews for Oliva Gourmet
Review Highlights
"...caught my eye as I was walking in the Financial District."
(in 4 reviews)
"Nice, large seating area in back with a piano player."
(in 3 reviews)
"...pizza, kebabs, pasta, sushi, and a hot and cold salad bar."
(in 3 reviews)
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Susan L.
10/24/2011
We ate lunch there almost five years ago. It was a few days after Christmas and therefore the place wasn't very crowded. The owner (?) was standing in the doorway saying amusing things and the hot food bar & salad bar had some decent options. We sat in the (back) seating area, which is certainly different than any other deli-type place I've seen; it looks like a grotto. Also, there was a man playing the piano and the overall atmosphere was relaxing.
I ate a late lunch there three days ago and thought the hot food bar & salad bar options were lackluster. Also, it was very pricey ($7.99 pound). The cashiers were o.k. and gave me tap water without an argument, and the other workers seemed pleasant enough. I arrived at 1:30 p.m., so the piano player wasn't there (or perhaps he no longer works there). The seating area was really crowded and the conversation noise was deafening. And; the food tasted blah, so I wouldn't bother returning. -
Review from Sarah L.
Jersey City, NJ
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oliva is a few doors down from my office, which is really the only reason I come here.
I used to run in here some afternoons looking for a quick and cheap lunch when I didn't want to venture very far from my desk.
I usually order a plain slice and really it was the close proximity that kept me coming back.
I've now had better in the area (Little Italy Pizza on Park Pl) so I don't think I'll be back to Oliva anytime soon! -
Review from Kristin K.
Brooklyn, NY
1/19/2012
I recently went into Oliva Gourmet. The place was very clean which i look for when I go somewhere to eat. I had the Lamb kebab plate which was excellent. I would definitely go back there again.
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Review from Tam T.
10/15/2010
While waiting for my Hop on Hop off bus, we decided to grab a quick bite here. I got the mozarella cheese pizza, it was bleh. But the spinach cheese roll was good. It wasn't too over the top and it didn't feel like my artery was going to clog. The guy behind the pizza wasn't really all that nice, but then again. I'm a Californian and all New Yorkers I encountered the first day had this macho man type forward suave to them. I guess us Californians are just sensitive.
Go here for a quick bite. -
Review from Anelya S.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
We stumbled upon this place after midnight this place was open and they were offering hookahs.
Since our NY host loves hookah and this place is near his house we had to close out our evening there.
We ordered 2 frozen drinks and one martini to accompany our peach hookah.
Well let me tell you - both of our frozen drinks were melted. Like peaks of top mountains during the global warming, like iceberg which got caught in warm currents.... drinks were melted.
My martini was ok.
So for 3 drinks and hookah we paid $36.. and they automatically included tip on our tab.... and it was only 3 of us..... -
Review from Deb L.
10/20/2009 1 Check-in Here
Can't tell you much about their panini, pizza or breakfast burrito. But what I can tell you is that they have a great looking pastry case that caught my eye as I was walking in the Financial District. From inside the case was
a very attractive Eclair that called my name.
This little spot like so many of these Deli/ Stores/Restaurants is set up with different ordering areas for sandwiches , coffee , pastries and
a self serve salad. I wasn't tempted by any of these ..just the Eclair.
And it was tasty in a yummy , creamy , donuty way. Not the French Pastry
delicate confection kind of way. Worth every morsel. -
Review from Shawn A.
Astoria, NY
10/5/2009
Trying to find early morning grub in the Financial District on a Saturday is a seemingly impossible proposition. Oliva was the first place I found after a none-too-brief search. My egg and cheese was really good. A lot of egg, that stopped just shy of being too much, and some deliciously gooey cheese. The place itself was little more than a dressed up deli trying to convince you it's something that it isn't, and the staff seemed pretty unhappy to be there and came off a bit rude.
But boo hoo. What do I care if the guy ringing me up for my Egg and Cheese is an asshat? The food was good, and more importantly for the neighborhood, it was open. -
Review from Meghan G.
Brooklyn, NY
5/20/2010
Ok we can talk about the positive first: Oliva has a huge selection of stuff. It is right downstairs from my (soon to be former) job.
Um I guess that is the only positive qualities I can think of?
I don't usually eat here but lately (once or twice a week) I've been stopping to get breakfast when I'm too rushed to eat at home. It always kind of worried me how the grill guys seem overwhelmed and unsure of people's orders, and how they don't seem concerned with keeping the gross meat away from people's eggs and stuff. My concerns proved to be true when I got to my office, went to eat my egg, broccoli, cheese and home fries wrap, and found a giant piece of bacon in it. I promptly threw it in the trash and thought about throwing up.
So take their disregard for people's personal food preferences, plus the crazy owner/manager who is way too "in your face," and you get a mediocre deli.
I will however miss watching all the fat ladies order their "toasted with butter, egg and bacon with mayonnaise sandwiches" for breakfast. -
Review from Nicole A.
My mom and I were walking in NY, just wandering around, hungry and stumbled upon Olive Gourmet. BEST PIZZA I have ever had in my entire life. It smells absolutely delicious in there. They have kabob too which I was so excited about. I had some of the chicken kabob which was perfectly cooked and seasoned. It looks like a tiny place but it actually has a huge seating area in the back and it's decorated ornately.
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Review from Andrew W.
New York, NY
4/1/2008
I just can't go back here.
Sure the pizza selection is good, but $7.50 for a Chicken Roll that costs $5 everywhere else in New York?
Their kebabs are definitely good but are the greasiest I've ever seen. The grease goes through three layers of paper.
They also have no idea how much anything costs. A co-worker goes there a lot, gets the same sandwhich and each time, it's another 5-10 cents more. There are developing nations in Africa with lower inflation.
From the proprietor who stands by the door making odd comments to everyone who walks by, to the weird piano player in the dining area, to the Kebab guy who yells "Freisch Keebab" at the top of his lungs, Oliva is only worth it for the freak show experience that leaves you shaking your head and muttering "only in New York" under your breath.Listed in: Lunch by City Hall
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Review from Jim D.
New York, NY
2/12/2008
Affiliated with Zeytuna's on Maiden Lane, this Financial District eatery attracts an assortment of white-collar business types and tourists to Lower Manhattan. Oliva's offers an extensive deli/buffet menu, including sandwiches, paninis, pizza, kebabs, pasta, sushi, and a hot and cold salad bar. In the summertime, there's a gelato cart on the sidewalk in front of the place.
They employ behind the counter a really entertaining server who tries to get you to order the pasta - "ding da ding ding, da ding da ling!" he says. The owner of the place is very animated as well.
They have inside seating, and even a pianist who plays for the lunchtime crowd. The only drawback (where it loses the star) is it's a little pricey - you can expect to spend about $10 for your entree and drink altogether. Otherwise, pretty good!
Highly recommend their taco salads, chicken pasta, and turkish paninis w/ lamb. Yum! -
Review from Dirk M.
Long Island City, NY
5/4/2011
Fast, efficient, weirdly designed space. Swords and baskets and some odd design project on the wall, but the salads are very good, made quickly, not too pricey and jam packed. Good customer service and not a bad value. I'll be back.
-
Review from Christopher S.
New York, NY
2/21/2008
Overall not a bad place to go for lunch in the Financial District. Nice assortment of food, including Kebabs, Sandwiches, pasta bar, and a hot and cold bar. Also sushi and salads.
The cold bar is generally pretty good (love the deviled eggs) but can be hit-or miss. The kebabs are TO DIE FOR.
I feel like it's a bit overpriced because they charge SO much for drinks there. Oh well.
Nice, large seating area in back with a piano player. Nice touch. -
Review from ruby w.
Los Angeles, CA
6/1/2010 1 photo
Stopped by for a bite. Had their Hawaiian pizza and it was pretty good. Nice and crispy thin crust with generous ham, pineapples, cheese and sauce.
Their black and white cookie was a huge disappointment. I should have picked one up at a fresh bakery instead of here. The frosting was glued to the wrapper and peeled off from the rest of the "cookie", which is just another name for a big flat cupcake. -
Review from Lori P.
ASTORIA, NY
8/13/2008
Good pizza. Everything else is hit or miss. Plus. they are really overpriced.
But, the crazy guy (owner??) that stands outside and rants about the President, all while trying to get you to come in and eat, is always good entertainment. -
Review from Simona S.
Manhattan, NY
2/2/2008
Huge assortment of food, live music (pretty snazzy for a deli-- even if it is "gourmet"), large and well decorated seating area, but definitely on the pricey side. Without meaning to I spent $15 on a tuna wrap (nothing fantastic) and a few things I got from the expensive salad bar. Don't be fooled, they give you the price per HALF pound. Tricky tricky, Oliva.
But the quality of the stuff looks and tastes good. Food was fresh, I just didn't need to pay THAT much more for it.
Still, I think they have some decent deals for a soup and half sandwich. -
Review from Peggy Z.
Brooklyn, NY
3/23/2011
I accidentally came upon this shop hoping to grab something small. I saw there were some bagels, muffins and croissants that were in the pile listed 50% off after lunch hours (after 3pm) so I decided to grab a banana muffin which only cost me $1. (great price for the area..or any area for that matter :D) The place was extremely empty.. and realized they were starting to pack up. I only then realized that they were closing.. but not once did they bother me about it.. and try to kick me outta that place. It was good, cheap decent food plus seats :) I'll be back to try more.
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Review from S L.
New York, NY
10/24/2009
I'm surprised at the number of negative experiences here at Oliva. At any rate, it's your basic deli, but it does include some different options such as shrimp kebabs. They were decent, but pricey. If you're looking for a basic kebab, you should just stick with an outside cart.
There is plenty of seating in the back - so much so that you could bring a decent sized group. However, it seems to be filled with tourists most of the time. -
Review from alissa s.
Brooklyn, NY
8/18/2008
I really enjoy the pizza, breakfast sandwiches and cakes from this place...
BUT... the steam table sucks. The food is warm (as in not hot) and just gross. Stay away from the yellow rice. It has no type of flavor (can a sista get some sazon, por favor?); it's just basically white rice with food coloring in it. The chicken is ok. Not good, but not bad either. Eh. I wish I could comment on other things... but, alas, there is no variety at their steam table!
And apparently they have a problem with keep stuff in the fridge cool, because I've gotten yogurt from this place and it was a bit on the warm side.
Oliva is ok as a last resort, but I definitely don't go out of my way to eat anything from here. -
Review from Alfred B.
Hollywood, CA
I love this place. Aside from their great prices, they have lots of items on the menu and they don't skimp on portions. They are HUGE. Especially the breakfast menu.
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Review from Shelagh P.
Washington, DC
5/17/2010
This place was really interesting. I almost gave it 4 stars because I had some seriously delicious quesadillas there this weekend, but I'm going to restrain myself, and here's why: there is just too much going on in this place. It's a bodega, a cafeteria, a cafe, and a hookah bar--which is cool, I guess, but makes the atmosphere a bit strange to dine in. I really liked the back area where we had dinner (there were these great wrought-iron tables and chairs, cool, quirky decorations on the walls, and a gorgeous stone wall that made me feel like I was in someone's country house), but the problem is that it's PART of the front area, so I was also basically looking at a grocery store. It kind of killed the ambiance. Maybe if they put up a screen or something it would warrant that fourth star? Anyway, the quesadillas, which I assumed would just be some generic melted cheese on a tortilla, turned out to be a wonderful blend of vegetables and beans and spices, and came with heaping portions of guacamole, sour cream and salsa. The service was friendly but incredibly slow, and the prices were very good. I imagine I probably won't be back, but I did have a nice time when I went.
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Review from Jack L.
Staten Island, NY
2/9/2010
My only memory of this place was the day I needed a ham and cheese fix and so stopped into Oliva's for a sandwich. The person who was handling the cold cuts dropped his block of ham on the floor (uncovered) and whisked it back up and onto the cutting machine without even a look. I was completely horrified by his utter lack of care and disregard of sanitation so I asked the guy to please change the meat. He gave me a quizzical look as if I was trying to engage him in conversation about quantum physics. When I asked his co-worker to please change the hams for him he actually laughed at the request. Talk about being rude! This was about 4 years ago and I have no idea if those people are still working there. Either way, I haven't gone back.
