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Olympia Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Pizza Restaurants Greek Italian, Pizza, Greek [Edit]
998 Denman StVancouver, BC V6G 2M1
Neighbourhood: West End
(604) 688-8333
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 12 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Olympia Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"I had the beef souvlaki; A." In 3 reviews -
"always good and very filling." In 3 reviews -
"...along the walls and windows, I choose a simple roast lamb." In 8 reviews
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Robin M.
3/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
I come here for the lamb. Period.
Okay, and maybe a few other things too. Not usually one to trust a menu that is more than a couple of pages, I somehow think it's okay here. They may offer a lot of dishes, but each is made with same basic ingredients -- take out a chicken here, add an olive there, stick a pita with it, and voila! New dish! And unlike some other (very popular) Greek joints in the neighbourhood (who shall remain nameless), Olympia actually knows how to treat a side dish. Un-mealy potatoes, acceptably sized veggies in the Greek salad (with fresh cheese! Imagine!), and fresh rice pilaf that somehow reminds me a bit of something my grandma who didn't cook would make. Comforting.
Olympia is exactly what a Greek restaurant should be: slightly tacky, mostly outdated Greek-themed decor, thin and acidic boxed wine, fresh olives in the salad, and amazing roast lamb. -
Review from Leon F.
Vancouver, BC
4/11/2012
I tend to compare greek places to Stephos. The advantage to this place and any other is that you don't have to wait in line and you won't feel rushed. In return it will cost more and the kitchen is slower so it may even take longer before you end up eating.
Overall this place was fine, had the roast lamb, calamari and baked cheese. The calamari was not so great, looked and tasted like something from a bar instead of a greek place. Everything else was good and as expected. -
Review from Michelle R.
Vancouver, BC
7/15/2011
Another one of my mainstays. Always good. No fail.
But don't start ordering pasta here. It is after all Greek.
I only ever order two things-- calamari or the small beef souvlaki dinner. Honestly, the only thing small about the small souvlaki is the price.
My dinner companion-- usually some hungry man, usually orders roast lamb. It's always done to perfection.
And when the sun comes out, they even have a patio. East facing, but...at least you're outside.
Good beer, wine...the house wine will do (don't go Greek here), skip the sangria.
If you don't believe in gaining one pound a year until you're dead at the ripe old age of 60, then you'll eat only half your meal and have the rest for lunch the next day, and you'll still be full, happy, and looking forward to many more meals at Olympia.
I almost forgot, great pizzas! Well, the Greeks can make pizza. Let's leave the pasta to the Italians, Chinese, and Japanese (they make good pasta in Japan!!). -
Review from Corinna C.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2011 3 Check-ins Here
My favourite restaurant for take away, the lasagna is insane and they have fantastic pizza. I love this place and I'm not even a fan of Greek food.
Great patio, it is one of the best on Denman street. I can't give it five only because the service and on rare occasion the food is off for whatever reason. -
Review from Nick C.
3/5/2011 2 Check-ins Here
There is a massive pile of meat on the meat lover's pizza with a layer of pepperoni, back bacon, Italian salami, Italian sausage, ground beef. Sounds like a typical meat lovers list, but there was a full layer of each on it. Each slice was like a lunch meat sandwich. The delivery was fast and courteous. This joint is a Greek/Italian hybrid really hits the spot.
Full disclosure: I am an Italian and Greek myself so I can judge these higher. -
Review from Nellie C.
Vancouver, BC
3/24/2012
Friday dinner, the place is busy and the wait was about 10 minutes for table for two. The server is nice and attentive but very busy. She brings water with lemon without us asking, which I appreciated a lot. Dinner is a bit slow to arrive - I think they didn't have enough kitchen staff. We get fried goat cheese (saganaki?) and fried kalamari first. The cheese was amazing, great with the fresh pita. I wasn't too impressed by the kalamari. The batter seems old and the pieces were very small - I was eating more batter than the squid. The saving grace is their incredibly tasty and refreshing tzatsiki. I think it's the best I ever had. I ordered extra, which is worth it for just 50 cents. Then the roast lamb is pretty good. Not greasy at all and the bones come right off. The rice and potatoes on the side were nothing to brag about. They were just fillers, but the Greek salad was plenty with lots of feta cheese. Roast lamb was on special for just $14 so it was a good deal. The two of us shared two appetizers and roast lamb and we were very full and happy.
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Review from Ted R.
Vancouver, BC
3/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Value for money is good, but I don't know if it is exactly what they were going for.
Let me explain.
At 10 PM tonight, after a long session of working, I was getting hungry. I didn't want pizza or asian, which there are a lot of in my area, so I opted for Olympia.
Olympia, if you may or may not know, was in the middle of a large controversy as they carried the Olympic rings logo, which they've carried for years. In the Olympic's eyes, that is a crime, a very bad thing, a copyright infringement at the least. A no-no.
Anyway, I went straight in, the sign said to find a place to sit, so I did. I sat down and waited for someone, but then I saw a menu. I picked one up and started looking through. I was one of about 10 people in the restaurant. I finally got the manager or owner guys eye, and we established what I wanted to eat as it was $9.99 pasta night. I decided on a spinach tortellini with house salad and house red wine. Sounds good right?
I got my wine, which was totally fine. I immediately got my house salad which was fine and acceptable. I got my pasta dish about 10 minutes later, which was fast. I was surprised, however when I dug into my pasta dish and found about a pound of CHEESE on top of my pasta! It was a baked tortellini, but seriously, it was a LOT of cheese. I tasted it, and I tasted cheese, a very salty meat sauce and something that kind of resembled pasta at the bottom. I have a saying on my profile saying that I'm cheesy, but actually, I really am now, as I've eaten this meal! At one point, I pushed all of the salty meat and cheese away from the pasta, and tasted it alone (after a wine pull) and it was very tasty, although I don't think it was made there (costco? Or maybe even the No Frills market next door?).
But really, there was more cheese and meat sauce than pasta. I must had half a brick of cheese on it. I mean, I like cheese and all, but this was quite overkill. A sprinkle would have been worth it with a less-salty version of the hamburger sauce.
The service was great, the ambiance was fine, and from what the menu said, the drinks were inexpensive. I'll go back, but not for that dish. Maybe just for pizza and beer at some point, or delivery (free with a 10 dollar purchase!) -
Review from Emily C.
9/3/2009
One of my favourite Greek restaurants in town. I don't know what's all the hype over that Stepho's joint? Because Olympia is just as good, if not better, minus the crazy line up and all.
The specials are about 10-11 bucks and you get souvlaki, lasagna type of menu. I think most regulars come for take out because they knock off 10% or something (just a guess, don't quote me!) and take out orders were just revolving around the door. Love the patio the most, nothing beats people watching on Denman street! -
Review from Kreag S.
Vancouver, BC
1/12/2009
I am still not sure how I feel about the combo of Greek and Italian..and I never have had anything other then the Greek options...but I am a fan none the less..
If you are on a budget and want a good meal and lots to eat then Olympia is a good option for you...if you like Greek..and Italian apparently??
I usually order the same thing, the chicken souvlaki or the lamb..both come with tons of rice, Greek style potatoes and pita...always good and very filling..
If you order for take out you get even more food...just a tip...
The ambiance is what you;d expect..murals on the wall and columns and such..zippy Greek music..and a bit of an Italian edge with the decor...you'd just have to see it to understand it... -
Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
12/25/2008
I'm not a huge fan of Italian food but am a huge fan of Greek food so I came in here with some trepidation but still looking for some solid Greek eats. It definitely LOOKED enough like every other Greek restaurant to make me feel like my tastes were welcome.
What I got was pretty alright Greek food. Unfortunately, alright doesn't cut it on Denman or anywhere within walking distance of Davie and its many Greek delights. I had my usual lamb souvaliki and while it wasn't dry or bad , it wasn't very inspired either.
I suppose if you love Greek and you're with someone who hates it but likes pasta , this might be the perfect place. I didn't try the Italian but perhaps that's where their real skills lay. Either way, if you're just in it for the Greek you can get better, but it's definitely not the worst. -
Review from Valerie J.
Vancouver, BC
6/16/2009
I never have dinner there but I ordered some yummy pizza ! The delivery is free and you receive your pizza after 30 minutes to 1 hour!
The house specials is my favorite pizza! -
Review from Matthew R.
1/26/2010
I've been here three times so far, and I'm making it a tradition to stop here everytime I head up to Vancouver. I get the same thing everytime -- the baked tortellini. It is the best tortellini I've ever had! My friend had lamb, which he said was very good! The tsatsiki is also a very nice appetizer.
The service is hit and miss it seems. We had a very friendly server the last time. But the other two times I was there, I wish it was a bit more friendly.
I would recommend coming here to Olympia Restaurant and trying out their pasta! -
Review from Doug H.
8/16/2011
We live in Seattle, but come up now and again for a day in Vancouver. First stop, lunch at Olympia. Great food and enough to keep you full all day.
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Review from Matthew L.
Edmonton, AB
12/24/2008
Vancouver is fond of its Greek/Italian hybrid restaurants. And I bet they're all owned by Turks :)
This place is a total hole in the wall, but it always seems to hit the spot whenever you need it.
The pizza wouldn't fly in New York - the crust is a bit too dense. But the pizza spends a proper amount of time in the oven, and the cheese and toppings are of high quality.
The greek food isn't bad either. The lamb doesn't melt in your mouth as it should, but it's tasty nonetheless.
Olympia serves hefty portions for low-low prices. It's not worth making a special trip, but good if you're in the neighborhood. And it beats that overrated Stepho's place :) -
Review from Rudolf P.
Vancouver, BC
6/24/2009
I don't know how "greek" it is. Lower case "G" but I go there often late nights, well, not that late, 10-11 is still OK most of the time. I usually order the same pizza, and I recommend it to you - my own recipe:
small: double pepperoni, double salami, extra garlic, tomatoes, mushrooms, extra tomato sauce. don't know if I'm getting it, (because the extra topping charges often don't reflect it) but it tastes pretty good, although I have had the weirdest after-burps + indigestion. It's about $13.50 for a small. With a glass of wine you're still under $20. There are a lot of items under $10 on the menu.
They use pretty OK cheeses.
I also like the "greek" salad, but not sure of its authenticity.
Expect so-so, below-standard service - or is that standard now, in Vancouver.
I like it but I don't love it! -
Review from Victoria R.
BC
12/18/2008
Can you get more Greek than a restaurant named Olympia?
Zorba-sized portions of pita and hummus, chicken souvlaki, lamb kebabs and beef souvlaki are served in a room wtih checkered tables and walls that have blue skies painted on the walls, including the white buildings one would see if they went to Santorini and sat on the beach. I'm not sure why there is pizza and pasta on the menju as last time I checked pizza was a Napolitan thing. But anyhow, it's consistent, good and filling. -
Review from Alice A.
5/8/2011
Good food, decent prices, great location, cozy ambience!
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Review from Jespeter L.
Vancouver, BC
12/16/2010
So it's 3:30pm and I can't find a decent restaurant to feed this half-starved soul. Seeing a small "specials" board outside the door, I limbered my way into the small home-styled Greek restaurant.
Surrounded by hand-painted Greek scenery and small house plants along the walls and windows, I choose a simple roast lamb. Excusing myself to the bathroom, squished between two walls I find myself in a small door that says "washroom."
When I came out, it came.... This is when I found the 1940s music the restaurant had on very appropriate; this simple "roast lamb" was hardly simple at all, it was classic. Not only was it tasty, the portions were basically a men's sized portion. I have had Stepho's before, but the quality of meat here was so much better. The meat falling off of the bone, the juices marinating the rice beneath, even the filling fluffy pita bread had such tender skin and split on touch. Wasting no time, I disregarded my neglected fork and knife and took apart from the bone out.
As I was eating, I noticed a lot of people coming to pick up pizza at this late lunch hour. Um... perhaps I shall do that during one of my study hours.
I gorged, it was good. There's nothing else I can say against the food. -
Review from Mark H.
1/4/2010
Solid Greek food at reasonable prices. Classic Greece decor with white walls. Close to English Bay. I had their lasagna last time, and also had their souvlaki. Greek restaurants in general are almost always good and this is no exception. I'm glad they won their case over the Olympic committee, what a crock case that was.
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Review from lucinda k.
Vancouver, BC
6/16/2010
The best thing about this place is the servers and (probable) owner- they are SO nice:)... Food is ok for the price... I had the lamb souvlaki~ pretty good, but nothing to absolutely rave about. I'd go back again to try something else, mostly because everyone was so nice. (but I think I still like Stepho's the best:) ).
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Review from Tim A.
10/16/2008
Isn't this place Greek? Where are the gyros? It has souvlaki, pizza, hummos... I am not sure what it is (somebody said it was Italian). I've been here a couple times. The chicken souvlaki is the best thing I have had here. $11.95 and it is a skewer of delicious chicken, rice, half a boiled potato and excellent tomato, cucumber and feta salad. I've tried the steak--average at best. Hummos was good. Ooooh-pah!
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Review from Alex D.
Vancouver, BC
7/10/2011
To sum it up: An overall disappointing dining experience.
When you walk into a restaurant, you expect to be greeted right away and for the hostess to ask how many in your party. My bf and I walked in and no one said anything to us for a good 7-8 minutes. A bad first impression.
We were finally greeted and told there'd be a table available on the patio shortly.
The service was really slow and inefficient. I believe in the principle that servers should leave the kitchen with their hands full and come back with their hands full of either empty dishes or checks to deliver. This principle was def not practiced at Olympia.
After waiting a good 30+ minutes for our food...our dishes come out warm. NOT Great!
I was also turned off by particles at the bottom of my pint of beer. Bleh.
I hate to recommend a chain restaurant over a local one, but the food at Opa! is soo much better than what I ate at this restaurant.
I'll continue to go to Opa! for my Greek food fix. -
Review from Adam G.
Edmonton, AB
6/9/2010
Uh oh, better call the brand police: this restaurant is using the Olympic rings to promote itself. It's OK, though, because they're actually Greek, so they can get away with it. Plus, they've been doing it for 20+ years -- a fact that becomes obvious as soon as you walk into the joint. If any authorities need to be called, it's the fashion police: this place is in dire need of a Restaurant Makeover. About the only thing they don't need to change is the food itself, which is both hearty and sumptuous. I had the beef souvlaki; A. had the moussaka; both were delicious.
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Review from Sara L.
Vancouver, BC
3/3/2010
This place didn't seem very authentically greek. The pizza is decent, but lasagna tasted like something from the freezer section at the grocery store. We waited a really long time before we were even greeted, and they weren't very busy. I wish we would have just left. When we finally placed our order, we played another long waiting game. The food definitely wasn't worth the wait. With so many other Greek restaurants around town, this one is worth missing.
