The Olive Bistro — Restaurant in Clifton

The Olive Bistro – Clifton, NJ

Dining at The Olive Bistro Clifton was like boarding a one-way flight to the Levant — minus the TSA lines and jet lag. From the moment we walked in, the hospitality was outstanding: warm, courteous, and genuinely welcoming.

🍽️ Our Table Was a Mezze Masterpiece:

We started with a Mixed Cold Mezze Platter that featured their divine Hummus, smoky Baba Ghanouj, tangy Labneh, and bold Muhammara. Each dip was rich with authentic flavor and paired perfectly with their piping-hot, ballooned Fresh Baked Pita — arguably the best pita in NJ.

Next came the Lahm B'ajin Flatbread (Meat Pie) and a plate of Hot Appetizers: crispy Kibbeh and golden Beef Cigars served over fresh greens and lemon wedges.

🔥 Mains That Deserve a Standing Ovation:

Half Rotisserie Chicken – Tender, juicy, and perfectly roasted over seasoned rice.

Mixed Grill Platter for Two – A carnivore’s dream with Shish Tawook, Kafta Kebab, Lamb Kebab, and Beef Shawarma, served with rice topped with toasted almonds and red onion. Every skewer was seared to perfection and oozing flavor.

🥤 Refreshments with Personality:

House Special Mint Lemonade – A frosty, citrusy dream.

Classic Lemonade – Clean and refreshing.

Salaam Cola – A charming regional twist with nostalgic fizz.

🍰 Sweet Ending:

The Künefe with Ice Cream stole the show — gooey, crunchy, syrup-soaked perfection crowned with pistachios and creamy vanilla. Finished with a cup of hot, aromatic Mint Tea, it was the perfect end to a flawless meal.

⭐ Final Thoughts:

If Michelin gave stars for hospitality, authenticity, and wood-fired pita alone, The Olive Bistro Clifton would be glittering. Every dish was executed with care, flavor, and finesse. Whether you’re a mezze maniac or a grill enthusiast, this place is a must-visit.

– Come hungry. Leave speechless....

We ordered multiple items, including the chicken, the Musakhan, and the kidreh.

Unfortunately, the food did not taste the way I was expecting — especially the Musakhan and the kidreh. The meat was very dry, and even the chicken was disappointing. Sometimes you come in with certain expectations based on how you’re used to eating a dish, but this experience fell short.

The staff were very kind and checked on us multiple times, asking how everything was, and each time we politely said it was okay. Eventually, I told them I wasn’t happy with the food — but I was clear that it was simply my personal taste and not a complaint.

However, when they brought over the manager (the owner), he was very rude in how he approached us. He questioned why I didn’t like the food, and I calmly explained that it just wasn’t to my taste. I wasn’t refusing to pay or causing a scene — I was simply answering the questions they asked.

Instead of accepting that, he raised his voice, and I had to tell him, “You’re good, leave me alone.”

In the end, the bill was very expensive for food that tasted very disappointing to me. Normally, I don’t leave reviews like this, but I felt I had to because of the owner’s rudeness — especially at a place considered fancy, with meals averaging around $50 perperson, where you would expect both good food and...

I came here twice and unfortunately I didn’t enjoy my food. The ingredients tasted fresh but the flavor was off on several things that I ordered. The food came out quickly and was very hot which I appreciated a lot. The service was strange, the waiter started off very friendly and attentive in the beginning, but after we got our food, he disappeared. He never came back to ask us if we need anything or how the food was. He also never brought us our check either. I was trying to be understanding and thought maybe he’s on his break or something. So I went to the front counter to receive our check after we had been abandoned, and I found our waiter at the counter with two other people just standing there. I was puzzled because he appeared to be doing nothing, which makes me wonder why he didn’t check on us at all? Another worker gave me my check and our waiter didn’t say anything to me when he saw at the counter, very weird. Then when we get the check I was surprised that the waiter’s tip is included in the bill, it makes sense because we were party of 6 people, but he only helped us in the beginning, after we got our food we were forgotten, so that felt a little bit scammy. Unfortunately I do not recommend this place because I was not satisfied with the food or service. Hopefully they improve...