La Oliva Gouda — Restaurant in Gouda

Today we went to La Oliva by luck, just randomly stumbled in to celebrate anniversary. How lucky we were to do this.

I'm not joking, food was so good that I almost shed a tear. It's a food not only for the body, it's food for your soul as well. You feel better mentally and physically after eating these delicious dishes. Not only food is amazing, it's served like a little pieces of art. It looks amazing on the plates. Even the plates are beautiful.

I had one of the best pastas (met truffels and mushrooms) in my whole life here. Drinks selection is big, I had a glass of great Italian wine that was poured into my glass by a skillfull gentleman.

After that when the lovely staff bringed me Italian coffee with liquor I was blown away, it was the best coffee with alcohol that I ever had.

Dessert (lemon cake) was a perfect finish, fabulous cake, out of the world taste and smooth substance that is melting on your tongue. Also, own made limoncello is not like any other, it was the best limoncello ever.

Interior is gezellig, warm, met comfortable chairs and nice music playing in the background at the ideal volume.

Now about the staff. People that work here are professionals. Gentleman with a beard that was greeting guests, bringing the dishes and menus and managing the room did a marvelous job. He knew when to ask if the food is good, how to make customers feel good and welcome. You can see that he knows his job and that he is aware how to act and chat with people. Thank you, Sir.

Other people that work there are great as well. Very nice people behind the bar and maestro at the kitchen deserves a praise. I would shake hand and respectfully bow to everyone that is involved in making this restaurant going.

My wife was also very happy with her food and desserts and she agrees with my opinion. We had great evening and lovely anniversary dinner.

We will be definitely back and I can easily say that Gouda is lucky to have...

Mediterranean style food with a modern twist. Friendly Greek owners and staff serve this in an equally modern but still cosy restaurant and outside terrace with views on the beautiful market and old cityhall of Gouda. Prices range from average to high, but the quality, portionsize and taste of the food is great. Personally I can especially recommend the charcuterie starter (Spanish ham!!), the mixed grill Souvlaki with peppersauce, the pasta's and the seafood paella (watch for the special offers for paella on Tuesday and Thursday!).

While this is all true for dinner, unfortunately the lunch options are limited and could use that same modern Mediterranean twist. A good cured Iberico ham sandwich would be an easy option for example, which would set La Oliva also for lunch on the map.

So, currently: 5 stars for diner, 3...

Over het eten kan ik alleen maar zeggen dat het heerlijk was. Lekker gegeten. Maar een leuke avond in een restaurant wordt wel bepaald door meer dan alleen goed eten. Zo hadden wij om 19:30 uur gereserveerd en kregen pas na ruim een uur onze voorgerechten. Geen uitleg, geen excuses, geen vraag tussendoor of we wat broodjes wilden, nog geen schaaltje olijven werd neergezet. We gingen ons op een gegeven moment echt afvragen of het nog kwam. Ook de tafels naast ons zaten lang op hun eten te wachten. Ik weet niet of dit de normale gang van zaken is, maar ik vermoed van wel, omdat het met zoveel vanzelfsprekendheid werd gebracht. Ook het hoofd- en nagerecht lieten lang op zich wachten. Tussendoor werd niet gevraagd of alles naar wens was, of we nog wat te drinken wilden. De bediening was plichtgetrouw aan het werk, maar daar is alles mee gezegd. De dames ruimden af en brachten de gerechten, maar keek je niet aan, zeiden niets. De heer was netjes, maar kon geen glimlachje vanaf. De sfeer was dus beneden vriespunt, wat betreft de bediening. Dus... wil je lekker eten, heb je een uur of 3 de tijd, maakt het niet uit hoe stug de bediening is, ga hier lekker eten. Zoek anders wat...