"My fave resto in Philly!!! The food was absolutely phenomenal—always consistent and so delicious. The service is TOP-NOTCH. They’ve always gone above and beyond for us, always treating us with so much care & warmth every time we’re there. We’ve always celebrated special occasions here since we know everyone will always have a great time. Shoutout to Luis and Jane—y’all are the best. ❤️ You won’t regret going! Don’t sleep on this resto! P.S. Personal faves are the pork chop, NY strip steak, and rigatoni!"

"Outstanding meal from start to finish here. It was our first time at Olea and the dining room was small and comfortable, it felt just like dining at a good friend's house. After we were seated we were presented with a small tray of perfectly toasted pita bread, creamy hummus, and green olives on the house, all which were fantastic. For entrees, I had the swordfish which was cooked perfectly and topped with crab and accompanied with broccolini and mashed potatoes - an incredible combo and would highly recommend it. My girlfriend had the lobster rigatoni which was one of the best pasta dishes I've tried in a long time - rich, creamy, and comforting with a good amount of lobster another must have. Service was warm and welcoming and the food came out very quickly which was surprising with how high quality the food was. Overall a fantastic, memorable meal. Can't wait to come back."

"From Los Angeles, in Philly for work all week, I hadn’t left my hotel until Friday night when my wife and I decided to treat ourselves to a special dinner before flying home. We searched high and low online for the perfect spot and came across OLEA—the photos looked beautiful and inviting, and it turned out to be even more magical in person. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by the owner, Louie, whose warmth and charm set the tone for the evening. The restaurant itself is cozy, elegant, and homey all at once—like stepping into someone’s welcoming living room but with the refinement of a thoughtfully curated dining space. I ordered the salmon with leek and mushroom purée, while my wife had the swordfish, both accompanied by perfectly creamy mashed potatoes. Every bite was outstanding—beautifully balanced flavors, fresh ingredients, and executed with care. What made the night truly unforgettable, though, was Louie himself. He personally waited on us, bringing so much humor, kindness, and hospitality that we felt like cherished guests in his own home. At one point, I watched him water the window box plants above the restaurant’s hand-painted picture window, a simple but telling gesture of the love and detail he pours into his place. OLEA is BYOB, and when we mentioned we hadn’t brought wine, Louie suggested we pop next door. Instead, he surprised us by getting a chilled sparkling bottle for $12—absolutely delicious and the perfect pairing. The entire experience felt personal, warm, and special—the kind of dinner you remember long after. OLEA is truly a diamond in the rough in Philly, the best find of our trip, and we can’t recommend it highly enough. We will definitely be back next time we’re in Philadelphia—and I’ll be telling everyone I know that OLEA is the place to dine."

"Man oh man, what a spot. Typically I’m not huge on Italian food, but this place took it to another level. So many good flavor choices and pairings. I couldn’t tell you what we ordered because someone ordered for us, but everything was delicious. Tried a bunch of the pastas and every one was off the charts. Really liked the pork chop, perfectly cooked and juicy. Also, even though its is not a steakhouse, the steak came out better than most steakhouses. As always. Sucker for dessert. The apple pie (sorry have no clue what it’s actually called) and the pistachio tiramisu were both incredible. P.s. staff was very friendly and accommodating. They really know their craft."

"Olea was a warm inviting place to eat. The food was amazing. The octopus was arguably the best we’ve ever tasted. It is cash only and BYOB. We would recommend Olea if you are in Philly."