Olea Social — Restaurant in London

Horrendous customer service, would never go back here.

Awful experience, booked through First Table as a party of 4 for 7pm on a Tuesday, we waited over 1hr for food to come. They didn’t bring the sauce for the steak and we had to ask two times. Also had to ask several times for more tap water. Our waitress spent over 10minutes literally checking herself out and adjusting her hair in the mirror, and the mirror was right behind our table so it was very very obvious. She’d also done the same at the mirror on the adjacent wall not even 20 minutes prior. Food was decent but nothing overly impressive. They then took my friends plate within a couple of minutes of her finishing, while the rest of us were still eating which was quite rude. When we raised the issues with a manager, she profusely apologised and said they were busier than expected. She offered to give us complementary desserts or drinks as apology, which we turned down seeing as we had now been there almost 3 hours for what should have taken half the time. Our waitress never actually apologised, but just hovered next to the manager when we asked to speak to them. When we got the bill, they didn’t process the discount. I raised this, they then went to correct it. The manager then came over and dumped the bill down on the table without saying a word, and I noticed they’d put through the wrong discount (20% when supposed to be 50%) so I asked them to correct this. The manager went away for over 10minutes doing this, during this time the waitress brought a card machine so I again explained we don’t even have the correct bill yet so how can we pay? While waiting the staff also took the time to take a birthday cake and sparklers over to the next table. When we finally got the bill, I told the manager I think it’s ridiculous they even expect us to pay for everything considering the atrocious service we received, at which point she removed 1 happy...

My girlfriend and I booked a table for dinner at 6pm for the theatre opposite for a 7.30pm start.

Our thought was 6pm would give us enough time to enjoy dinner - starter and main course.

We arrived at 5.55 - table not ready, of course, we were directed to the most pleasant bar and ordered drinks…one pint of beer and a half a pint of beer.

After 15 minutes and two reminders, no drinks which eventually arrived at 6.20 pm at which point we were shown to our table.

After prompting, the restaurant took our food order which included a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a jug of house water.

Our waitress didn’t speak a word of English and didn’t understand our food order so we had to point it out and she completely did not get the wine order and argued with me about Sauvignon Blanc bring a red wine - after some 5 minutes of debate and me pointing the wine out in the ‘white wine’ part of the menu, she finally relented and got it.

Some 20 minutes after ordering our food, no joy so it’s now 6.50pm - nearly an hour after arriving - got up, spoke to the manager and at 6.55pm our starters arrived, which I have to say were delicious.

We finished these at 7pm and no sign of the main course by 7.15pm so we had to leave and cancelled our main course

I complained to the manager about the poor service and she said ‘well, it’s a Saturday evening and we are busy’

‘Yes…but all bookings are done on line right? So you know how many people and at what time they are arriving, no?’

She admitted so.

The food we had at this restaurant was delicious and the manager was as delightful.

However, they are running it on a shoestring - all of the staff are running around, super stressed and it makes for rushed and stressful environment.

Simply put, they do not have anywhere near enough people.

I run my own quite large business where ‘the customer is king’ - if I ran my business like Olea fo theirs, I would not...

Restaurant Review: Olea Social

Olea Social offers a refreshing take on dining, blending Mediterranean flavors with a relaxed, upscale atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for food lovers looking for a vibrant yet cozy experience.

Food & Drinks: The menu at Olea Social is designed for sharing, and every dish we tried was bursting with flavor. The mezze platter was a standout, featuring creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and perfectly crispy falafel. Their wood-fired flatbreads are a must-try; the lamb and harissa version was both tender and spicy, balanced with a dollop of cooling yogurt. For drinks, the cocktail menu impressed us with creative, herbaceous concoctions—don’t miss the signature rosemary gin fizz.

Service: The staff was attentive and personable, giving us excellent recommendations and ensuring our table was always cared for. The pacing of the dishes was spot on, allowing us to savor each plate without feeling rushed.

Ambiance: The vibe at Olea Social is lively yet intimate. With warm lighting, modern rustic decor, and an open kitchen, it feels both chic and inviting. Whether you're here for a date night or catching up with friends, the energy is just right.

Price: For the quality of food and ambiance, the prices are reasonable. Expect to spend about $40-$60 per person if you’re indulging in multiple small plates and drinks.

Final Verdict: Olea Social perfectly captures the joy of communal dining with fresh, bold flavors and impeccable service. It’s a gem of a restaurant that deserves a spot on anyone’s must-visit list.

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