olea in New Haven - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Fantastic spanish tapas. Service exceptional. Food presented beautifully like works of art. Loved it

We came in to have a few tapas and drinks after a trip to New Haven with the family. Unfortunately, the service was so bad that it made a very bad impression of the restaurant, food and atmosphere. Food was ok, typical tapas menu, small portions but well done. However, the waiters insisted on taking plates away from us, took utensils and food left overs even though we said that we were still eating. It was so clear that they want us gone, so we paid and left. Needless to say, I would not recommend this place to anyone, it was one of the worst and unwelcoming experiences in a while. Take your business elsewhere.

Exceptional service and a delicate balance of Spanish traditional dishes with more modern ones. The pulpo was an absolute must, so go early enough to get it before the supply runs out. In addition, The Velvet drink was a fantastic complement to a cold ceviche plate. Hugo, our server, left a wonderful impression of being kind and respectful. Certainly coming back!

Olea is a sophisticated Spanish restaurant that delivers an exceptional dining experience! The menu is filled with innovative and authentic Spanish dishes, each one artfully crafted and bursting with flavor. The ambiance is elegant and stylish, creating the perfect setting for a memorable meal.

Amazing food especially the foie gras. The chocolate mousse is too sweet for me. Very affordable price for the food and service. The restaurant is very tastefully decorated too.

Spectacular flavors with innovative combinations. Perfectly cooked.

Amazing experience, felt like a Michelin star experience. We were even planning on going back the next day but it was privately booked. Will definitely make a trip back here again from New Jersey just for this restaurant.

Food is just delicious here. Always find something new

The people and the food are incredible. My 3 year old loved the fingerling potatoes and complimentary treats we were surprised with. The Sangria was fantastic! A must try restaurant in New Haven.

Great eclectic dishes. Nice staff and just a great experience all around.

Food was delicious. Service was great. Loved the ambiance. Vegetarians in our group were very happy with the options.

El menú muy bueno y la atención de los camareros excelente! Los aperitivos, platos principales y bebidas , todo exquisito! El cochinillo ( de maravilla), los chipirones (riquísimos) y las croquetas de rabo (una exquisitez).

My boyfriend and I went for dinner and had an amazing experience. The food was served to perfection and we had a great time. The atmosphere is perfect for date night and the staff was very kind and attentive. For drinks we had the Sauvignon Blanc and the Cava Gimlet, both 10/10. For dinner we ordered the short rib special and the Cornish Hen, also both 10/10. Both dishes were cooked to perfection where the meat melts in your mouth. Definitely recommend and definitely will be back.

The food was amazing and the service was too! Great overall experience.

Excellent food, cocktails and service in a stylish space

Delicious food, great vibe and attentive service! Highly recommend!

Food and wine were wonderful. Service was great. Highly recommend.

I’d honestly recommend eating before you come here or going somewhere after to eat because you will be hungry when you leave. The portions are so small and the menu is small as well. The bread was hard and cold. The service was great everyone was friendly and kind, the establishment was clean and beautifully decorated. However the food was disappointing. I think for such a small meal it lacked flavor. I also was under the impression the cauliflower would be added to the dish. It came out puréed and decorated on the plate. It’s a great place for a first date, you’ll definitely indulge in more conversation than food.

Tried this place for the first time yesterday with my family and we had the best time. Great service, great dishes, and great drinks. I highly recommend.

Had a great birthday. Atmosphere, food, drinks and service were impeccable!!

Beautiful experience. Lovely service. Would go back commonly

Always fabulous. Owners have maintained a high standard these many years. Each plate a delicious work of art. A lovely experience, every time.

Without a doubt, the very best meal I have eaten in my 27 years of life.

Food is absolutely delicious and our server, Jorge, was wonderful. He was attentive and kind. Sommelier that came to our table to offer wine suggestions offered a great wine recommendation - he wasn’t exactly the most customer friendly person I’ve dealt with but the wine was great. The menu was pre fixe for Valentine’s Day and we made reservations as required. I was unaware that we had “Bar Seating” in our reservation which I don’t mind given how busy Valentine’s Day is. We were happy to get a reservation at all. The issue I had with the restaurant is that when we arrived (as I said I was unaware we had bar seating only) I asked if my fiancée and I could sit at a table by the window because it was empty and was a great place to sit. The hostess sat us there and was very kind. A couple minutes later, a woman who worked there that never introduced herself or let us know her role with the restaurant, told us we were not supposed to be sitting there and our reservations were for the bar. I apologized and said I was unaware and the hostess sat us there after I requested it. She was incredibly rude telling us that while we didn’t have the move, we were causing big problems for her as someone had requested our table in their reservation. Again, I offered to move and she declined the offer. Why come to our table, as we are seated and settled in, tell us that we are causing an issue for you that was obviously not intentional on our part, then tell us we don’t have to move? Completely ridiculous - made my fiancée and I incredibly uncomfortable. Long story short: the food is amazing, the service is wonderful, and whoever works front of house is unprofessional. We’ll definitely be back but I’m hoping the next time is better.

Had a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner there. Foods were very tasty delicious and service was great, friendly and professional.

I don't know why, but we have not been to Olea in a while. From the hospitality at the door, to the table service, to the food and of course the cocktails and wine, to the dessert. Fantastic! The gentleman who I must assume is either the proprietor or manager made us feel like old friends, as did the lady that checked my coat, thank you. We will be back very soon.

Lovely date night spot! Service was impeccable and food was great. Also a solid option for a nicer dinner with family visiting

Very good but all the food was all very cold and small portions.

Everyone loved it. Great menu. Beautiful and thoughtful presentation of the food. The Chef is a culinary master. Even the vegetarian entree was a delightful combination of crispy and tender roasted vegetables over a bed of polenta. Really delicious. The duck was perfectly tender with a slightly crispy finish. Fantastic sauces to highlight each entree. Other recommendations- the salad, charcuterie and the oxtail croquettes. Desert was delicious. We had the tropical and the torrija. Yum!

Amazing food. Beautiful and thoughtful presentation. The Chef is a culinary master. Even the vegetarian entree was a delightful combination of crispy and tender roasted vegetables over a bed of polenta. Really delicious. The duck was perfectly tender with a slightly crispy finish. Fantastic sauces to highlight each entree. Other recommendations- the salad, charcuterie and course- dessert -the tropical and the torrija.

Great meal and wonderful service! The vegetarian dish was the best I’ve ever had! My husband had the suckling pig. So a beautiful night out! Looking forward to coming back

Everything from service to food to drinks was amazing!

We had a nice meal with friends. The drinks, food, and service were great. Be sure to try an appetizer and dessert for the full experience.

Amazing experience. Excellent food and service. Portion size is good. Drinks and desserts a bit pricey

This was our first time at Olea but not our last!! We loved the restaurant the food and service were out of this world

First time at Olea, had a great time and the food was great.

The food is always excellently prepared and impressively presented. The staff is attentive, patient, and gracious.

A favorite restaurant in the area. Service is attentive. Staff goes above and beyond to please. Had Octopus, a salad special and fish of the day-Branzino, perfectly prepared and deboned with shell fish in a delicious subtle sauce.

I lived in Spain for over a year and have been back many times. I actually liked their Spanish food better than most food in Spain. Everything we had was prepared with a very light touch and was much healthier and tastier than what we normally eat in Spain. The bread was authentic and good, the winter salad with pistachio dressing was AMAZING - super light- almost dusted with dressing and mache and radicchio, the gazpacho was incredible (and I'm picky), the setas (mushrooms) nice and garlicky and the butternut squash soup great too. Daniel was the most amazing waiter -so attentive. he would pop back and notice we needed more bread or the smallest thing without being intrusive- a true professional. Thanks Daniel and the team for making our light dinner so special -yum!!!!

Amazing food and service. Would definitely return.

The good is excellent and the staff is do attentive. This is a ginecretaurant experience every time.

Genial and accommodating Went out of their way to put together tables for our expanded group

Perfect. It was perfect! Best everything. Worth it

Olea has long been a favorite of mine and my wife, along with my faculty and trainee compatriots at the Yale School of Medicine, which is a fifteen minute walk away from the restaurant. Last evening we quite enjoyed a dinner reunion with friends from northern Connecticut. The bronzino special, decorated with clams, was delicious, following the also special blini appetizer adorned with a sprinkling of caviar. Each of the four deserts were tasty ways to cap off the top drawer dinner. I have been a fan of Olea for a couple of decades, and last evening it once again hit the spot. This restaurant remains at the top of my list in the highly competitive New Haven cuisine milieu.

Came here for dinner and was disappointed with the service. Felt like they didnt want to serve us. We felt very unhappy. The manager was very rude and the way the look at us was very uncomfortable. It seem like they only want to serve their own type of people.

Olea is our favorite restaurant in the area. The food is delicious and very inventive with flavors and wines you don't find anywhere else. You can tell Chef Romero is passionate about his culinary creations and the outstanding flavors, taste, and plating derives from the love he puts into every dish. We can't wait to return.

Visited for dinner and dissatisfied with the service. Despite our waiter being nice, an older man, presumably in charge, was rude and singled out our table. He repeatedly approached us at the back table near the kitchen, insisting we couldn't take photos, claiming it disturbed other guests. He even stated we had to wait until everyone left to take photos, an uncommon rule in our dining experiences. When the birthday girl proposed taking photos where no guests were present, he still denied it, asserting his restaurant, his rules.

Attended a friend's birthday celebration and had an unpleasant experience. The management treated us poorly, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere from the coat check to encounters with the apparent manager. While taking photos by the bar, we were asked to move aside, despite our efforts to be considerate. Even at our table, we were told not to take photos due to alleged disturbance to other guests. When we requested to take photos by an empty wall, the request was denied, contributing to our discomfort. Feeling unwelcome, we chose to leave, tipping our waiter, and opted for a more accommodating experience at Siena restaurant in the Blake Hotel. While I hesitate to label the initial place as racist, an uncomfortable vibe was undeniable.

I recently celebrated my sister’s birthday at this restaurant, and unfortunately, the experience left much to be desired. The manager, to our surprise, prohibited us from taking pictures during our celebration. Birthdays are special occasions meant for creating lasting memories, and the restaurant's refusal to allow us to capture those moments was disheartening. It's disappointing when a venue hinders the joy of its patrons on such occasions. I hope the management reconsiders their policy to ensure others can fully enjoy their celebrations without unnecessary restrictions. Overall, a 1-star rating reflects the impact this policy had on our experience.

Olea was once spectacular; our last visit was average. Food quality was fine, originality was disappointing. Menu unchanged and no special items, deserts...meh.

Always a great dining experience at this restaurant

Celebrating my friend's first wedding anniversary, we chose Olea for its promise of a delightful dining experience. Our visit on a Thursday evening at 7 PM was off to a fortuitous start with a parking spot directly in front of the establishment. Olea welcomed us with an ambiance that was both elegant and comfortable. Our party of four embarked on a culinary adventure, sharing an array of dishes including ceviche mixto, tartar de atun, the chef's daily fish selection, and cochinillo. The ceviche mixto was particularly to my liking, while my wife and her friend were impressed with both the fish selection and the cochinillo. Each dish affirmed Olea's commitment to excellent cuisine, with no single choice falling short of our expectations. The service paralleled the quality of our meal, characterized by attentive and insightful recommendations from our waiter, enhancing our experience. For those new to Olea, soliciting the staff's favorites is a practice I'd endorse. My rating for Olea stands at a well-deserved 5 out of 5. The restaurant has earned a return visit from me whenever I'm seeking a welcoming atmosphere and a meal that satisfies the senses.

The first thing I noticed is they seem to cater to an older crowd…I learned the hard way that they also have a strict, old fashioned dress code. Apparently I was showing too much skin so I had to keep my jacket on through my meal. The food and drinks were great but my experience was marred by the pretentious vibe of this place. If you want to get in here make sure you wear something boring and conservative (pretend you are going to church), don’t make the mistake of showing your arms like I did!

What a great experience. The food service were extraordinary.

Fabulous experience! Friendly and attentive wait staff. Food was fantastic!

a delightful culinary experience with superb service in a sophisticated atmosphere!

Lovely meal last night. The ahi tuna appetizer and short ribs were fantastic and the service very attentive without being overbearing. It became noisier as the restaurant filled. Ice cream desert was clearly home made and very flavorful especially the hazelnut chocolate. I will definitely return.

Very tasty with impeccable service. Would definitely recommend.

My husband and I went to Olea for our anniversary and it was a good experience. We didn't regret taking the ferry from Long Island to Connecticut. The food was delicious and the service was good.

Hard to say it’s a hidden gem as it’s always busy, but what a gem it truly is! Presentation is amazing as always, appetizers melt in your mouth, entrees masterpieces, and desserts are worth the trip alone.

Always sensational. Cochinilla is a favorite. Desserts are great. Love the owners.

Delicious food, cocktails and wine. Service was a bit wonky but the team stepped in to assist.

The best place for an exquisite diner! Recommended 100%

Omg!!! I had the best salmon platter in the world! The drink the food the ambience the atmosphere!! I went on a solo date with myself & it was so beautiful. This might be the best restaurant I’ve been to

An amazing tasting menu. Wonderful for a birthday celebration. Each course was excellent, combining a beautiful presentation and delightful flavor combinations. Always a delight to dine here. Great for special occasions. Highly recommend!

TASTING MENU ALLL THE WAY! I am a “Vegequarian” and the chef was accommodating to my dietary preferences. Delicious food and wine. Service was top notch. Our server’s immense level of knowledge regarding Spain and its culinary history was so fun hear. Total immersive food experience!

Creative take on traditional recipes. High quality product beautifully presented. Thank you for a fine dining experience.

Great food! Beautiful, creative presentation. Excellent service!

Great meal, perhaps the best restaurant in New Haven. Everything is top notch. Review the menu on line, if you like what you see, you won’t be disappointed. Highly recommend Olea.

olea is a special place. The food and service are outstanding, and you are always treated like royalty.

Hands down the best restaurant in New Haven

Olea is my favorite restaurant in CT hands down. My family and I have been coming here for years and for good reason! The staff is impeccable, polite and very informative. Your table is always left clean! The food is by far best you can get in the state in my opinion. The quality is Michelin star and perfect quantity of food as well. Every dish has flavors of all angles. The chefs at Olea are top notch! The atmosphere is chic and elegant and there is plenty of room so you don’t ever feel over crowded. Make this restaurant one of your favs and do yourself a favor and try it out!

From the moment you’re welcomed at the door to your entire dining experience is positive experience. Everyone is attentive and informative of your dining experience. The food is beautifully presented and delicious. We were able to try chaperones which was perfectly prepared and tasty. For our main courses we scallops and the the bacalao. Both were very tasty and pleasing to the eye. We truly recommend dining here if you want to feel welcomed and enjoy a beautiful spin on the food.

The room was much too loud. The service, while attentive, was on the over-formal and stuffy side. The food, especially the main course of short ribs, was very good.

Went during restaurant week so it was crowded & probably isn't usually that noisy. Everyone in the party went crazy for their food; the flavor & quality incredible. Service outstanding too!!

Went here with a group for Restaurant Week. The food and the service were both exceptional! Definitely would come again.

Everything was amazing! Food was beautifully presented and filled with layers of flavor. Daniel, our server/bartender, was exceptional. He was not only personable but very knowledgeable and didn’t miss a beat although he was very busy. The space is charming and very inviting. We can’t wait to return.

Food, service, drinks, everything was fantastic. This place is a 10 out of 10!

My husband and I had a fantastic meal at Olea. Not only was every course delicious and presented beautifully, but the staff went above and beyond to accommodate my husband's food allergies. Most restaurants will acknowledge his food allergies and offer a substitution, which we always appreciate, but Olea's chef made separate dishes that addressed the allergies and were as delicious and beautiful as the on-menu items. I have already told several friends about the experience and will continue to sing your praises whenever folks ask for a recommendation. Thank you so much.

phenomenal！my favorite restaurant in downtown New Haven ! Thank you!

Excellent. The risotto wasn’t prepared as I expected but all the other dishes were very good

Amazing as always! The restaurant week menu was fantastic and the service was top notch. I cannot fault Olea for anything and would recommend it to anyone.

Thank you Maria for helping us provide a table at a perfect time for our reservation! The appetizers were amazing (tartare, pulpo) especially. We believed we couldn’t eat more, but the desserts menu had us. Looking forward to coming again. -Diana

Exceptional food and service. Our waiter was high level. Nice place!

Olea's chefs are outstanding and the service really excellent. I've never had a bad meal there. And the Spanish wines are excellent and, compared to those from France, quality to quality, reasonably priced.

The service was excellent and attentive food okay lacked finesse. The restaurant was loud not in a fun way cacophony the scrape of chairs across the floor no music loud mix of voices very stressful would not go back

Went to Ilea last night for dinner with another couple to catch up and have dinner. It was a wonderful night. The food was amazing, as usual, with seasonal cocktails and a varied menu. The cod was delicious as was the branzino and both beef entree were wonderfully prepared. Each course was better than the last. The service was excellent. As the evening wore on the noise level increased ( it was a busy night) but it was a great evening. Olea never disappoints

Wonderful food, great service and lovely atmosphere - except for the extraordinarily high noise level, which made it impossible to converse across the table.

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner, and it was really lovely and special. The amount of food is totally satisfying without being overwhelming. The service is excellent. And, the overall experience is really great. Would recommend to anyone looking for a spot for a celebratory occasion.

What a gem of a place. This restaurant is a bit off the beaten path. We had reservations which I suggest you make before coming. The restaurant is a bit small but with plenty of tables. We started with the charcuterie board which was an excellent start. It came with cured meats, cheeses, nuts, pâté and bread. My girlfriend also had the croquettes of rabo which she loved. For my entree I had The solomillo (steak with veggies) cooked perfectly. For dessert we had the torrija which was so creamy and delicious. Definitely, a great meal which we will definitely visit again.

If I could give more that 5 stars, I would. Was one of the great meals of all time. Octopus appetizer was spectacular as was the sucking pig dinner. And the dessert was to die for. Not only was the food spectacular, but the service was just as good. A must for dinner.

Very accommodating for gluten free. Amazing service and the food was delicious!

What an excellent meal and service we received. The food was spectacular and the staff was extremely attentive to all of our needs. Constantly checking up on us but not being overbearing. The Charcuterie board was excellent. Two pie set of cured meats, manchego cheese, walnuts, pickled veggies and chicken pâté. For my meal I had to solomillo which was cooked perfectly at a medium rare temperature served with a mix of veggies over the most amazing sauce. My girlfriend had the oxtail croquettes which she loved. For dessert we had the torrija which was similar to a tres leche but only better. We loved our meal and will go back definitely.

What a gem of a restaurant. The food and service were exceptional. We totally enjoyed our food. We had the charcuterie as an appetizer, and I ordered the Solomillo which was served with veggies in an amazing sauce and my girlfriend had an order of the oxtail croquettes and she loved it. The service was excellent, constant attention to detail but not overbearing. For dessert we had the torrija and it was soooo good.

Everything we ate was amazing, ingredients were fresh and tasty. The staff was incredibly attentive, and I especially appreciated the change in reservation last minute from 2 to 3. Try the beet salad and the cod.

Overall espectacular, excellent, outstanding!! Always excellent experience and excellent food, great wine.

Past visits over the years have been excellent and we chose Olea as our 40th anniversary last night. I sent scallops back undercooked and my wife's meat was just gristle and at best barely eat able. The cod replaced the scallops and was fair-good. The Foie Gras was excellent and the service staff and concierge were excellent/first-class. We get there early so that noise is not a problem, at least for the first part of the meal.

Had a really good dinner here tonight. For apps, we started with foie gras and the tuna tartar. Both were great. If I had to nit pick, the foie was slightly under seasoned and the tuna, while very tasty, with its heavy Asian flavors, seemed out of place on the very Spanish menu. For the main course my wife got the Cornish hen and I got the suckling pig. The menu warned the pig could take 40 minutes so we ordered it with our drinks at the start of the meal and had no issue with the timing. Both dishes were very tasty. Again, to nit pick, the pork came with a salad (which I get - you want something acidic and bitter to cut through the fatty pork and rich sauce) that seemed like an after thought; it came on a little side dish and was just kind of, there. The hen was good, but a little muted in flavor. The mushrooms didn't have the acidity you'd expect from something pickled and the tomatoes were roasted, but really confited. Overall, the food was good and I'm interested in coming back to try some of the other dishes

Nice tapas with friends, excellent service. Well appointed

Food became cold quickly or was only warm when it came out. Plates were cold which didn’t help the entree. Server could have read us better instead of immediately coming over to take next course when we were talking and letting a small break between appetizer and main. ok overall. thanks