Olive On Main — Restaurant in Laurel

A Hidden Gem in Laurel—Olive On Main Delivers Every Time

I’ve visited Olive On Main in Laurel, MD multiple times, and it consistently exceeds expectations. It’s the kind of place that feels like a celebration of good food, warm hospitality, and neighborhood charm.

What keeps bringing me back Menu goodness: The menu feels thoughtfully curated, blending Mediterranean-inspired classics with fresh twists. From vibrant apps to hearty mains and irresistible desserts, there’s something for every craving. The flavors are bright, well-balanced, and always cooked to perfection. Fresh, standout ingredients: You can taste the quality in every bite—crisp herbs, perfectly roasted vegetables, and juicy proteins. The kitchen clearly cares about sourcing and technique. Friendly, attentive service: The staff treats you like a guest in a beloved family kitchen. They’re knowledgeable about the menu, offer great recommendations, and check in just enough to feel attentive without being pushy. Inviting atmosphere: The space feels warm and modern, with comfortable seating, tasteful decor, and a relaxed vibe that makes it easy to linger for conversations or a casual dinner after a busy day. Value and portions: The portions are generous, fresh, and fairly priced for the quality. It’s easy to leave satisfied and planning your next visit.

Standout dishes I’d recommend Mediterranean starters or tapas-style bites that pair beautifully with a glass of wine or a sparkling lemonade. A signature entrée featuring vibrant herbs and a well-executed sauce—leave room for dessert, because the pastry lineup is delightful. Shareable plates for groups, which make it perfect for a laid-back dinner with friends or a family outing.

Ambience and vibe Perfect for date night, family dinners, or a casual meet-up with friends. The lighting and music strike that ideal balance between cozy and lively, so you can chat easily or raise a toast to good times. Family-friendly options exist without sacrificing sophistication for adults—great for a diverse group.

Practical tips Make a reservation on peak nights—this place fills up, and you don’t want to miss the moment. Try to arrive a bit early for the best seating options and a relaxed start to your evening. If you’re visiting with a larger group, call ahead to coordinate some shared plates or a tasting menu if available.

Bottom line Olive On Main in Laurel is a true standout—a chef-driven, hospitable spot that manages to feel both special and comfortable. If you’re craving fresh, flavorful Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a warm, inviting atmosphere, this is your go-to. Highly recommended for date nights, family dinners, or a tasty night out...

I am down in Laurel for Business this week and been trying local Restaurants (not chains). I entered Olive on Main about 530 on a Wednesday evening. I sat in the Bar area, which had open tables and was full of patrons sitting at the Bar. Overall the restaurant was not that busy.

I sat down and received a friendly welcome by my waitress, Samantha. I ordered a few samples of local beers which I didn't care for. I settled on a canned beer they had called Milk Stout Nitro by Left Hand Brewery. It's a solid stout that went well with the 6 buffalo chicken wings I had as an appetizer. Wings where good, I enjoyed those. I then ordered the French Rack of Lamb ($25) with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. I asked for these medium rare.

I rec'd my dish and as always, I immediately cut into the 4 lamb chops. All 4 where cooked to different "doneness". All 4 chops where also different thicknesses. Only 1 was mid-rare others where all cooked more, one was well done. Another waitress checked in and I showed her the problem.

While waiting for the next set of Lamb chops the manager came over and spoke to me. Stating that with the different thickness, it is harder to cook them all to the same "doneness" of which I just gave him a bewildered look and agreed "Ok, but you are charging $25 for 4 Lamb chops...."

I rec'd my next set of Lamb Chops, this time they were all pretty much Rare. At this point I was hungry and just ate them. The mashed potatoes and spinach where very good! However, I didn't bother complaining about the Lamb Chops again as I knew it wouldn't change a thing.

Note to Manager / Chef: Learn to cook Lamb Chops if you are going to sell them for $25 for 4. If you buy them as a rack of Lamb, then learn to cut them in consistent thickness.

Overall it was a good meal less the star attraction of the Lamb Chops. Samantha was a great waitress. Focus on cooking better quality Lamb Chops.

Service A+ Beer Selection A+ Management C Wings A Mashed Potatoes A Spinach...

We came here for a late lunch on Monday afternoon around 2pm. The first server we had was awesome! Super attentive, friendly, etc. We ordered a gyro pita wrap and the lamb burger. The gyro was a bit salty for my taste with quite mild feta and in general lacking much other flavor. The lamb burger was good, but the tzatziki tasted weird. I would go back and try other meals though (the fries were amazing). The main reason for the 3 stars was the second server we had after our first one left. Tori K. didn’t come to our table once in the 45 min after our first guy left. Not to refill, not to take anything away, not to just check on us. She didn’t even look in our direction. There was another gentleman at the bar who had to call her over to get his check, and he apparently interrupted her social hour being on her phone and chatting with another employee, so she mumbled something under her breath and rolled her eyes like it was some big inconvenience. That was after she kept laughing at another patron behind his back. You’d think that would prompt her to check on other customers, but no. She went right back to her phone and watching tv and chatting, so I had to go up to the bar and ask for our check. Being that she was the server listed on it and not our first guy (even though she did literally nothing for us), I didn’t feel comfortable leaving a tip. He should be the one to get it for his work, not her. I have never done that before, but it didn’t feel right. I would love to know when he’s working again so I can deliver his tip directly to him. Tori either needs more training in customer service or discipline in how to behave at work when no one...