Jasmine and Olives — Restaurant in Oxford

My aunt and I went for dinner last night. We were greeted by a lovely smiley but very casually dressed lady (we weren't sure if she was a staff member). It turned out she was and her name was Sushita and she served us for the night. She took our orders carefully and made us feel so welcome. Sushita was also so smiley and attentive and really made the whole experience. The food arrived very quickly - for drinks we had fresh apple, carrot and ginger juice; starters we had beetroot hummus, calamari and aubergine zaalouk; mains we had lamb tagine and salmon). Seriously the food was fabulous - generous amount of pitta bread, in fact everything was in a generous portion and so lovely. We enjoyed everything but particularly the aubergine zaalouk and the mains! The couscous salad was sooooo good and the lamb was sooooo tender (came off the bone so nicely). The only thing is we wish the lamb tagine got a little bit of kick as we both like a bit of spices. The only 'criticism' we have got is we could feel the draught via the door occasionally. We weren't sure if it was the faulty design of door or it was simply a windy night...

Despite that, we had such a great time and food was fabulous. We will definitely be returning. We also love supporting independent businesses so well done...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Little Gem in Headington – Warm, Welcoming, and Wonderfully Flavourful

We had a delightful experience at Jasmine & Olives, a charming little spot tucked away on Windmill Road. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality – the kind that instantly puts you at ease.

The menu focuses on fresh, vibrant Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, ideal for sharing. We ordered a mezze selection and were blown away by the freshness of the ingredients – silky hummus, crisp falafel, smoky baba ganoush, and perfectly grilled halloumi. Each dish was full of flavour and clearly prepared with care.

The atmosphere is relaxed and unfussy, with simple, colourful décor and gentle background music that allows for easy conversation. It felt like dining in someone’s home – cosy, unpretentious, and full of heart.

Service was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. Our server was happy to explain dishes and made sure we were well looked after throughout the evening.

In short, Jasmine & Olives is a real find – whether you're after a casual lunch or a laid-back evening with friends. Great value, generous portions, and an authentic, homely feel. We'll...

We visited yesterday at approx. 7 pm. The restaurant was almost empty with just one table occupied. The server didn’t look very pleased when we entered and just blankly pointed at the table asking us to sit. The food has such excellent reviews but unfortunately we were disappointed. We ordered the baba ganoush which was extremely sour. And the chicken wings (harissa) were just slathered with the chilli paste and had no flavour. The iced tea also tasted weird. We just assumed that we’ve probably come in on a wrong day. Acknowledging that there were only 2 tables at the time, the server didn’t attend to us apart from bringing our food and the bill. She spent her time behind the till, chatting with the people in the kitchen and mopping up the floor an hour before the restaurant closes. It was disappointing that not once did she check if our food was okay or if we wished to order more. And the lack of feeling welcomed was extremely off putting. I would not want...