The Green Olive — Restaurant in West Des Moines

I only write reviews for places that I think people should go out of their way to eat at, and this is one of those places. When I first got the food, my first thought was "how the hell am I going to eat all of this" because I was not aware of the scale at which this restaurant operated. I took a bite out of the beef kebab and metaphorical tears streamed down my face as I relished in the pure flavor that was dancing on my tongue. The rice was fine. They handed me the pita and it was still hot. I cut it in half and it was perfectly baked, with the pockets fully open and ready for the delicious meat and sauce to combine. The sauce complimented the meat perfectly, not overpowering but still reminding your palate that it still existed. I've been trying to make a good chicken sauce, and as I took a bite out of the chicken kebab I instantly wanted the recipe. The gyro was a little salty but I understand how it's made and how it's supposed to pair with other carbs so it was acceptable. The salad portion was good but not especially noteworthy, since it's hard to demonstrate expertise with uncooked vegetables. I got the Gyro Mix platter and it probably feeds two people (I ate all of it because it was so delicious). The service was excellent, attentive, friendly, and made me feel like I was welcome and paid attention to. This place deserves more reviews than it already does, and is an oasis in an otherwise desert of respectable and intentional foods. If I could kiss the chef I would, and I would also try to steal his recipes. This is one of the only things that I'm actually jealous of Des Moines residents for access too, and I live in the Greater Seattle area. This restaurant was the sunshine in my darkness, a jewel in the rough of an otherwise depressing week, and my hero in the absence of restaurants that didn't give me any vegetables. If you live anywhere near this restaurant you need to come here and...

THIS SECOND LOCATION IS FIRE 🔥!! Finally made a visit to their West Des Moines location and it satisfied every craving we had. Great extension of their Fleur location that West Des Moines NEEDED.

Ever since having my food experience in Burbank, CA December 2023, I was on the hunt to find the best Mediterranean close enough to taste like the west coast. Found Green Olive right after my trip and have been eating here for a year now and I can’t stop. Won’t stop.

THE GREEN OLIVE is theeeee place.

The kofta and steak kabob are the best. Can’t go wrong with the lamb or the salmon kabobs either.

Total for two meals and a drink $40.xx before gratuity.

Everything here is excellent and consistently hot and delicious. Favorite drink here is the mango aqua fresca.

Meals are BIG and can be shared for $2.99 plate split fee. Desserts and appetizers made in house. Water, pop, and iced tea are offered for drinks.

I love this location and the layout of the restaurant. Very spacious and open. Large windows and very inviting.

Service is always excellent and very welcoming. I appreciate their consistent kind service and willing to please their customers.

I’ve meet Veronica, the owner, and her daughter. Got their story on how they made it here to Des Moines and why they started the Green Olive. I absolutely LOVE their story and admire their love for food and people.

Within an hour of my visit here several families came walking in for a dinner. So happy to see this as a family favorite in the west side!

Highly recommend and love supporting their...

Not a fan of the food here. I can’t say that this tastes like any Mediterranean food I’ve ever had(coming from Texas), however I’m not an expert in Mediterranean food. I had their falafel wrap, their gyro and ordered spicy potatoes and a salad. The spicy potatoes are not spicy, but are sauced up gratin scalloped potatoes in garlic butter. The salad was typical. What is notable is—a vast majority of the food that I had, was bland. I was so underwhelmed with the taste, flavor and presentation of it all—I tried the food because I’d heard good things about it. The best thing they had in my opinion was the baklava. While I most likely will not be a routine customer, I’d recommend this place to someone who just wants an idea of what is on the typical Mediterranean menus. It’s a “healthy eats” type...