Olympia Cafe — Restaurant in Savannah

GREEK SALAD WITH CHICKEN-- MAKE SURE IT HAS OLIVES!!!

Before I came to the restaurant, I read a few reviews to see what prior customers had to say. There was one review in particular that stood out (a 1-star review) from a Greek gentleman. In his review, he was upset because his Greek salad only had 6 olives. When I read the review, I immediately thought: "this guy's is probably exaggerating." Nedless to say, he was not, and I know this because I encountered the EXACT SITUATION but with LESS OLIVES (I only got 2!).

Before I even ordered the chicken salad, I asked the waitress if the salad was a small or large. I asked the question because a plain Greek salad (aka, without chicken) came in two sizes, small or large and the price difference was substantial. The waitress couldn't answer the question. All she said was "it's this much," and made a gesture with her hands to indicate the size. I then asked if I could get a small salad with chicken since 22.50 seemed like the salad would likely be the large one, and I wasn't hungry. She then said, "It'll be the same price." So, basically, you pay over 11 for chicken alone. I ended up ordering the salad anyway.

When the salad came back, it had two, yes ONLY TWO OLIVES. I moved the lettuce around to make sure the olives weren't underneath it, but nope, I just got two olives. I thought it may have been a mistake by the cook, so, I asked the waitress if I could get more olives since my salad only had two. She proceeded to say, "it only comes with two, but I'll bring you some more."

I have been to PLENTY of Greek restaurants, and I've never seen Greek salads have a shortage of a key ingredient, OLIVES. She remedied the problem and ended up bringing 8 more in a small cup. Lol. The salad also only had two 1/4 slices of tomatoe, which again seemed odd, but I decided not to say anything about it anymore.

I'm giving this place a 3-star because she ultimately remedied the problem ( albeit a bit snarky), and the taste overall was good.

The food is not bad, I just want to give future customers some transparency with pricing.

Edit 07/09/24: Notice the owner's response. Better yet, notice all his/hers responses when a review is not favorable--that'll...

My husband loves Greek food but our 2 kids and I are not so familiar with it, so for dinner tonight we ordered several items to share so that we could try things out. EVERYTHING WAS PHENOMENAL. The saganaki appetizer is a cheese with brandy that is served flaming tableside. It was fun for the kids and was delicious served with fresh soft bread. The shrimp Aegean dish was TO DIE FOR - a generous amount of perfectly cooked shrimp and a delectable sauce. We also tried the souvlaki plate which comes with 2 tender lamb kabob skewers, perfectly roasted potatoes, refreshing tzatziki, warm pita, and a tender rice side with a creamy lemon sauce and peas. That rice side dish is not something I would order based on description, but it was AMAZING. The crinkle cut French fries were tender on the inside and crisp on the outside and great for the kids. We also tried the pastitsio, which is kind of like Greek lasagna with tube noodles and ground beef and we absolutely loved it. Our server, Iliya, was phenomal - so kind and patient with all of our questions, efficient and attentive, and so gracious to our children. When he found out we were new to Greek food, he brought us a roasted red pepper and cheese appetizer to try (scrumptious) and even treated us to baklava to taste after our meal, as well as personally accompanying our girls to the connected parlor next door to gift them each with their favorite scoop! We were blown away by his generosity and kindness. I am truly touched and we will for sure be back (maybe even tomorrow, lol)! The owner also came by to check on us and was so gracious and warm. I can’t recommend Olympia Cafe enough. Ask for Iliya! While this is not a place for low budget dining, to us it was worth every penny. Also, I want to mention that right before we left, I accidentally tipped the table and sent a glass crashing to the floor where it shattered all over 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ and they were soooo nice...

My wife and I, visited from Charlotte, North Carolina, had the absolute pleasure of dining at Olympia Cafe today, and we cannot recommend it highly enough! Our first day in town included a riverboat Sunset Cruise, and this gem of a restaurant was conveniently located right beside the dock. We decided to grab dinner here before our 6:30 PM cruise, and it was an exceptional choice.

Olympia Cafe, located on Savannah’s historic River Street, offers the best authentic Greek food in a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the Savannah River. The ambiance, combined with the delicious food, made our experience memorable.

Richard, our server, was phenomenal. We mentioned we were in a rush, and he made sure our food was expedited. Not only did the food arrive quickly (within 10 minutes of ordering!), but it was hot, fresh, and of superb quality. Richard's service was impeccable; he kept our waters topped off the entire time and offered fantastic recommendations. The lemon Greek potato wedges he suggested instead of french fries were an excellent choice!

We enjoyed the wedges with Tzatziki, fresh chicken kebabs, and some extra pita bread on the side. Each dish was delicious, showcasing the authentic flavors and high quality that Olympia Cafe is known for.

Richard, with nearly 30 years of experience at Olympia Cafe, was a delight to chat with. His dedication and knowledge truly enhanced our dining experience. Kudos to the owners, Nick and Vasile, for maintaining such a high standard of authenticity in both the food and the restaurant’s decor. Their partnership with local seafood wholesalers ensures that the seafood is as fresh as it gets.

Olympia Cafe is a must-visit for anyone looking for authentic Greek food and excellent service. We will definitely be back for more and look forward to seeing Richard again!

A big shout-out to Richard for making our first visit...