Oliva — Restaurant in Lake Forest

One of my friends recommended this place and specifically told us to try their Persian beef pizzas. At first, I assumed it would be just like any other Persian restaurant in Orange County or Los Angeles, but I was genuinely surprised. From my very first visit, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve referred this place to at least ten of my friends and family members, and every single one of them loved it. The Persian beef pizza here tastes almost exactly like the traditional ones you’d get in Iran. The flavors are rich, the toppings are perfectly balanced, and the crust is just right. It’s warm, comforting, and nostalgic all at once. You can tell they put a lot of care into making everything fresh, and their house-made sauce takes the experience to another level. The staff is always friendly, polite, and respectful. Every time we walk in, we’re greeted warmly, and the overall vibe of the place is welcoming. We’ve dined in a few times and always notice a diverse crowd. Some people are there in groups playing board games and hanging out, others are relaxing in the cafe area enjoying their coffee, and then there are folks like us who come just for the amazing pizza. What I love most is that it’s a local small business, and you can really feel the difference in quality and service. It’s healthier and tastes so much better than the typical chain pizza spots. Supporting businesses like this not only helps the community but also introduces you to something unique and delicious. If you haven’t tried their Persian beef pizza yet, I highly recommend stopping by. Whether you’re going for a casual dinner, grabbing coffee, or just looking for something different, this place is worth checking out. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep...

There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home! That may be true, but this place is very close to it!

As soon as you walk in you'll notice the super cute décor -- plants all over, couches in the corner, and hanging chairs on both sides of the restaurant. Cozy feels for sure. After I proceeded to the counter I asked the worker (Amin) for his suggestions. I ended up ordering a Matcha Latte, Pizza Oliva (with no mushrooms), and a Baklava.

How was everything?

Matcha Latte (not pictured): This was pretty good! Not too sweet and did not have an overpowering matcha presence. It came with a little cube thingy which I've never had before. It was a little sweet, but good.

Pizza Oliva (Halal): Half beef/chicken, mozarella, beef sausage, bell pepper, olive, and oregano. For my first time having a Persian style pizza, I was pretty impressed! I like how the pizza wasn't greasy and no ingredient overpowered the other. It was good. I was given a special sauce and that made it taste even better. It can for sure feed 2-3 people.

Baklava: Very good! I've had baklava at many other places and this one definitely is one of my top favorites.

Service is excellent here. The staff is so welcoming and treats people like family. I swear it resonates onto other people in the restaurant and it's like the restaurant is one big family.

Parking isn't bad, though it could be an issue at times with Starbucks being in the same lot. The lot is fairly small.

Plenty of seating inside and outside as well.

I recommend trying...

Stumbled across this gem of a restaurant this week and popped in to check it out. The owners clearly put a lot of thought into creating the perfect ambiance... I completely relaxed when I saw the inside of it - Oliva has a really calming vibe to it. I absolutely love the fountain in the middle. It felt casual and yet elegant with plenty of various seating options, which I thought was really smart. Cute bistro tables for romantic dates, or traditional tables, but my favorite was the sofa by the window, perfect for a group of friends.

I got a sandwich on lettuce instead of bread, and it was unlike anything I have ever had before... I was pretty amazed. It was absolutely delicious and worked perfectly on lettuce. That sauce was to die for. Not to mention, that had to be the best lettuce I have ever had in a restaurant... big, dark, leafy greens - it was fantastic. The meat they used was delicious too. I could tell they put a lot of care in selecting good ingredients, which really impressed me.

The team there was so welcoming and lovely with me as well... You can tell they take this business seriously on every level and have put great care into what they are creating for their customers. I am excited to go back and try more things, but I gotta say, that sandwich has my heart. It was a lot of food, so I only had half, and the leftovers were still amazing. I devoured every bite of that thing.

Perfect place for a fun date or to gather with friends. Oliva is definitely offering something fun and unique to the area; highly...