Wild Olive Restaurant

Man, this place rocked. Yes, I left in an absolute food coma but in the best way. I had a special lamb ragu pasta w short rib that was unbelievable. We had the risotto balls, calamari, and olives to start and it was the perfect trio. Ambiance was lovely. Server was attentive, kind, and gave great recommendations. Got a slice of the banana cream pie to go and my goodness was it delicious. ???

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Our last vacation day we chose this very nice restaurant as a celebration of our trip. We had no idea the food was going to be some of the best I have ever had.
I suggest ordering "Sunday Gravy" Lasagna. There is no way to describe it but it makes other lasagnas feel like a kids meal compared to this amazing meal. My dad got this and I was thankful he let me have as much as he did. I personally got Babette with shrimp and my socks were knocked off. I have never had a meal come out so quickly, tasty and impacted me to this day. If I am ever in the area I would sell a kidney to get another bite. As a side we sat at the bar and our drinks never got close to being empty and the wait staff and service was so top notch it almost felt as though they thought we had royal blood.
A little pricey, endlessly tasty restaurant that should be on your bucket list

Parking: It is tucked in a little and can be driven past so be careful.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Make a reservation or don’t bother.

To be fair we didn’t have a reservation, but it was a Tuesday so we decided to take our chances. Our friends had heard this was a great place. They were busy so we asked the hostess how long the wait would be for a party of 4, she asked if we had a reservation and when we stated we did not, her exact response:

“How about never!”

Those were the only words spoken. She then proceeded to the next people in line. It would seem that without a reservation we would not be seated. However the next people in line were a party of 3 (also without a reservation) and they were at least offered the bar.

Needless to say this offended a few in our party and we will take “how about never” quite literally and not return.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Really great place. Started out at the bar waiting for our table. Bartender was a little stuffy...I guess $15. for a rail Old Fashioned is irritating to a professional mixologist. 10 minutes later our table was ready. Server was outstanding. He provided detailed explanations of specials and great recommendations. Four of us tried several appetizers, which were perfect. Chicked parm was nice, but the lamb special entree was outstanding. Parking was a bit of a challenge, but we'll return sometime in the future, but not on a Friday evening. It was definitely busy, but not slow. Recommend for great Italian.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food and service was excellent. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tagliatelle Bolognese, Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese with Ground Pork and Veal Parmesan White Wine Milk Tomato, Grouper Special, Marinated Warm Olives

Came down to Charleston for the week with my wife and son and heard how great this place was, and it lived up to the hype. Food was incredible, atmosphere was cozy, and the staff was beyond welcoming and hospitable.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything about wild olive is excellent. I prefer the pasta and dishes of Melfi’s but I think that is personal preference everything was exceptional from service to food. They also have incredible prices for the quality and size of food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Wild Olive is a local classic and a must! Never disappoints. Started with the octopus and mushroom bruschetta. Best octopus I’ve ever had. Incredibly tender, served with potatoes and pancetta, served in a lemon butter caper sauce. The mushroom bruschetta is savory but surprisingly has a tart aftertaste which was surprising.

For mains, the lasagna and ravioli. Lasagna was as you may expect - a gut bomb - in a good way. The ravioli was rich but at the same time finished in a lighter sauce.

Ended with some affogato and an Italian fortified wine.

If there could be anything bad to say is that it’s so popular, it will be packed, and loud. Sorry not sorry for the unrelenting popularity and consistent stream of business they maintain? They crush it. Period. Maybe not the most quiet/intimate/romantic of date spots (for that try Chez Nous) but it will not disappoint.

Parking: Large back lot

Wheelchair accessibility: Great parking with a ramp

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus

If I could give 10 stars I would! The octopus appetizer was the best I’ve ever had and my elk loin was delicious. My wife’s fried calamari and ribeye steak were also amazing. And I couldn’t stop eating the smashed and fried potatoes - so good! Even the wine, a moscato, was so good we had 3 glasses. Our waitress was quick, attentive and gave good recommendations. Overall amazing experience

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus

Great food and vibes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I really loved this restaurant! Good food, good service, the place is beautiful! and varied prices.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It was a wonderful evening of dining. Our server Alex was great, very attentive and accommodating. We started with the Suppli Al Telefono. Our 1st course was Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese and the special which was a chicken ragu over macaroni with spinach and sausage crumble. Then finished with an order of Grilled Mountain River Elk Loin. We got out desserts to go.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese with Ground Pork and Veal Parmesan White Wine Milk Tomato, Suppli Al Telefono Risotto Fritters Stuffed with Sausage Spinach Parmesan Mozzarella

Went last night and the shrimp pasta, gnocchi, and lobster risotto were all fantastic. The pistachio carrot cake is fantastic— my favorite in the menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I work in the service industry and I noticed my boyfriend and I arrived during the busiest hour (we has reservations.) Our server Kimberly was absolutely divine. She was able to provide outstanding service for our anniversary and her section. The food was outstanding I cannot stop talking about the elk it was cooked to perfection. Everything was top notch from service, food and environment. (I only gave 4 stars to atmosphere because the floors were slippery)

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

One of my two favorite redtaurants in Charleston, their other sister place, Obstinate Daughter is my other. I try to order something different every time I go and it never disappoints absolutely awesome place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5