Olive Branch Cafe — Restaurant in Oshawa

This place has been all over my social media for the last 2 months and I just had to check it out. When it comes to social media you never know if a place is actually going to live up to the hype especially nowadays where cafes are opening up everywhere. Olive Branch exceeded all my expectations and then some. If there is a cafe I could recommend that people travel for no matter if you live close by or far away, it would be Olive Branch!

My friend and I came here for the first time yesterday and to say we had the best experience would be an understatement. This place was probably more beautiful than social media portrayed. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but there is a warmth that you feel when you walk into this cafe. From the people who work there who are extremely kind and give the best recommendations to the decor that gives a sense of identity to this stunning cafe that makes you feel like home because you can bring anyone here from friends and/or family and just feel so comfortable like you were at home. There was plenty of seating that was very intentional. For example, if you were to work from this cafe, there is an area for you with plugs and a workspace that didn’t make you feel claustrophobic or if you were coming with a group of people or just you and another person there was space for you that felt intimate and didn’t feel like you were too close to the table or group of people next to you. The colour choices, the decor and the flow of the cafe were perfection.

My friend tried the early grey matcha recommended by the cashier and said it was one of the best drinks she has ever had. I tried the s’mores latte which is now my new favourite drink. I also had the almond croissant and I haven’t been able to find a good almond croissant till I came here. My friend and I said that we would be coming back because after trying 3 items we knew that everything else on the menu could only be just as good if not better. You can tell that the food and drinks are made with high quality ingredients and also made with care and intention. The people behind this cafe made sure that every bite you took or every sip you had was an experience of mouth watering goodness.

On top of our already incredible experience my friend and I had the absolute pleasure of meeting one of the owners yesterday. He was extremely kind and took the time to have a conversation with us. He not only talked to us about the inspiration behind the cafe but also wanted to build a relationship with us. I think people in the food and beverage industry don’t understand how important it is to build relationships with customers so they keep coming back. We were fortunate enough to meet him and have such a wonderful conversation with him but then to find out it was a family owned business, everything made sense. You walk into this cafe and you can feel there is something about this place that separates them from other cafes; they put their heart and soul into this place. This is a cafe that brings people together over great food and great drinks and the only other place that can do that is your own home; your family. Olive Branch and the owner that we met yesterday made us feel apart of their Olive Branch family and their community. To me that is something you cannot buy or teach a staff member or person to do. However, the owner and his staff did that.

To me, this is and will be a community staple and a place that people all over will be coming to. In my opinion out of all the cafes I have tried in the GTA there is no comparison. This is by far the best!

If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would. I will be coming back with more and more people because they deserve all the praise and recognition for opening up an establishment that was desperately needed in the east end but also in the GTA. I guarantee that anyone who comes to the Olive Branch will never go to another cafe because they are...

I adore this place. The décor is beautiful and welcoming, and the place is fresh.

The staff, though busy due to the constant line out the door, were kind and doing their best. I enjoy the drinks and both the Tiramisu and Biscoff croffle, and the Turkish coffee was served in the beautiful pots as expected, and temped perfectly.

Chairs are comfy and tables big, great place to hang out and study, especially with the late-night hours. 10/10.

I must say, I really don't agree with the 1-star reviews here. If a location is busy, it is completely understandable that there will be a longer wait, and the occasional table will be dirty. Every time I've attended this lovely café (which is now three times), there has been a line out of the door. The expectations of some of the reviewers are incredibly unreasonable, and using a small family-owned business as a means to vent your incredibly unrealistic expectations of restaurant-level service and bash a new café doing their best is laughable, unreasonable, and a showcase of the self-important nonsense that rules our society today.

Not to mention, yes it is a café that emphasizes its culture (as it should be), however the comments regarding "discrimination" and unwelcoming community are rooted in prejudice. I am not a member of the owners' community and I felt welcome and comfortable as a racialized person. Your discomfort has more to do with your own prejudices and biases against these people, and less about you actually being unwelcome. Are folks part of their culture and community not supposed to hang out there because you're uncomfortable with too many racialized people in a space? Check yourself.

Dear reader, don't always follow reviews, visit this place see...

Overall I would absolutely go back for a Croffle but probably not for a drink.

The aesthetic/theme of the restaurant was beautiful. I had the Pistachio Croffle and the Tiramisu Latte on ice. The croffle was amazing. Fresh, airy and not overly sweet. Made in house they sold them very quickly however replenished just as quick. The Tiramisu drink was a bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong it was delicious, and I understand that tiramisu is coffee based however the drink was just a coffee. The cream wasn't cheesy/marscaponey. It felt like a coffee with a lady finger inside. My family got a Spearmint Lemonade which was absolutely delicious and fresh and the Strawberry Pistachio Chocolate which was crispy and fresh and again not overly sweet.

The pickup system was automated however they buzzed for our order prematurely. It also felt not sanitary (as someone who's overly cautious of germs) as they didn't sanitize it before or after giving it to customers. My other criticism is that the area they put the drinks down for take away customers was in the public so other customers were very close and reaching over food that was not theirs.

The seating was good. Think brunch spot/ cafe (which is what it is). They also served some customers table side. We went at 330pm on a Sunday (they open at 3) and stood in line for Approximately 30minutes (6customers in front of us) plus an additional 20 minutes for 2 drinks and 2 items that were already prepared.

It is a new establishment so I understand that there are some things that will change through...