Olive Tree Restaurant Bedford — Restaurant in England

Me and my wife last night had the pleasure of dining at Olive Tree in Bedford, and the experience left me thoroughly impressed. From the moment I stepped through the door, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the stage for an evening filled with delightful flavors and exceptional service.

The service at Olive Tree was impeccable. The staff, led by the gracious Hikmet, was attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to make our dining experience memorable. Hikmet's hospitality added a personal touch that made us feel like welcomed guests in his own home—a level of service that is truly commendable.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the food. Olive Tree offers a diverse menu that caters to various tastes, and each dish is a celebration of Turkish culinary traditions. The flavors were rich, the ingredients fresh, and the presentation impeccable. Whether you're a fan of kebabs, mezes, or savory stews, Olive Tree has something for everyone. I particularly recommend trying their signature dishes, as they showcase the chef's expertise and the restaurant's commitment to authenticity.

The drink selection was equally impressive, featuring a range of Turkish wines, refreshing beverages, and traditional teas. The staff was knowledgeable and ready to help pair the perfect drink with your meal, enhancing the overall dining experience.

The ambiance at Olive Tree perfectly captured the essence of Turkish dining. The restaurant was bustling with energy, filled with the sound of laughter and conversation, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. The decor with a modern twist transported us to the heart of Turkey, and the attention to detail reflected the establishment's dedication to creating an immersive experience for diners.

In conclusion, Olive Tree in Bedford is a gem for those seeking an authentic Turkish dining experience. With outstanding service, a diverse and delicious menu, and an atmosphere that exudes warmth and conviviality, it's a top choice for any occasion. A big thank you to Hikmet and the entire team at Olive Tree for making our evening truly special. We'll be returning soon for another culinary journey through the...

We had a really excellent meal here last night! My boyfriend had a positive experience here for a works' leaving meal and we decided to come as our last food in Bedford for a while before he moved away to live with me.

We called up at half 7 on the off chance they had a table and they were able to slot us in at 8:45. We had to wait a little for our table on arrival but I'm not surprised because we made the reservation so late and they were absolutely PACKED.

The food was delicious. We ordered 2 starters (halloumi and cheese in filo rolls) and we also got free bread served with Turkish dips, and it was incredible. The mains were equally good. I had the stuffed aubergine which said it was topped with cheese and I was hoping for a decent amount of cheese. There was so much delicious gooey cheese on top of the really tasty veggies and sauce. It came with little oven potatoes which were great for dipping. My boyfriend really enjoyed his meaty mains on each visit. They have a reasonably extensive cocktail menu and the 2 we had were great. Desserts were a bit average however, I have been to restaurants that serve great savoury food and don't even have a dessert menu, so I wouldn't knock any points off for this. Everything we wanted was available despite it being busy, which was great, as a lot of the time as a veggie places run out of what I'd like to eat and I have to make compromises.

Despite being packed, staff were incredibly attentive. Our order was taken swiftly and the food also came out in good time. We were checked on regularly to make sure everything was ok and a member of staff did free limoncello shots with us at the end. This is something so many restaurants fail to do in peak times and it was a refreshing change. It wasn't the most personal service if I'm being extremely nit picky- but still really good service.

The most annoying thing was the amount of happy birthdays being sung since they play loud music over the speaker- but it's popular for special meals for good reason as detailed above.

We will return when we visit...

Where to start, well we entered this place with great enthusiasm. This dropped quickly, we placed our order and i was told that the dish i order was best with rice but it really wasn’t it was served in a large dish with no space for the rice. Which leads onto the bad level of service the elder man who was one of the main waiters really couldn’t care about the customers after giving the food i asked for a side plate, 40 mins later no sign of the waiters or side plate.

This was not only an issue in terms of service but practically, the waiter could see i had two kids to feed and needed to place their food on a separate plate, it was clear and he still didn’t feel the need to accommodate.

The need for water was another ask that was not seen to.

At the end of the meal we paid the full price and i mentioned to the staff at that point really bad service she said speak to a manager. The manager was one of two that evening he was the tall man with a belly. I add this description to be able to differentiate, not to be impolite.

The waitress referred me to him, i spoke to him he listened and said this is not the level of service we aim to deliver.

His responses were very much defensive and he asserted that they are the best place in town according to their google reviews. That’s inaccurate as there are far more places in bedford that deliver decent service. The worst part of this experience was that he failed to acknowledge and apologise or even have a genuine care for the customer. Lucky for them we shall not be spending anymore money at their establishment and that £100 spent was a huge waste. I do truly hope that no other customer has such a bad experience after paying such a price.

My honest review would be minus and you seriously should think about improving customer service, it’s not a matter of ego but providing a service that people are coming into your place of business...