Welcome to Our Restaurant
Offering traditional Italian cuisine in the heart of Guildford by our passionate chefs with only the finest and freshest ingredients.
Located in Quarry Street, Olivo was first opened in 1997 by Nicky and Fulvio Bertani.
The restaurant has a unique charm and everything you need to enjoy an authentic dining experience.
Enjoy your meal on our terrace al fresco or within our historic air conditioned restaurant.
Kavita
11/27/2023 - Google
We were really looking forward to a nice evening and meal out as a family. Only the wine and starters... read moreWe were really looking forward to a nice evening and meal out as a family. Only the wine and starters lived upto it. The service was slow, sides with the mains were forgotten but fully charged for. Second mains promised a baked sea bass which was the specials but they ran out so was replaced with baked sea bass with vegetables in a wine garlic and tomato sauce but came bland and totally dry. When asked about the missing wine, garlic tomato sauce … they said there wasn’t any and the dish was like it was. So it was replaced a second time - this time with vegetables and spaghetti that turned sweet and ketchupy. And bland again. Very disappointing and any memory of earlier much better food experiences at the Olivo are seriously dented. We ended up paying for a very poor experience and that was truly disappointing. read less
Rhodri
11/23/2023 - Google
Very nice food but quite cramped in the restaurant. Not a problem per se but when there is a noisy... read moreVery nice food but quite cramped in the restaurant. Not a problem per se but when there is a noisy table next to you it gets quite uncomfortable with the sound bouncing off the low ceiling. Would like to visit again but perhaps at a less busy time. read less
Ed
11/20/2023 - TripAdvisor
Very good and nice place Nice restaurant, brilliant staff very helpful and delicious food. I really enjoyed being there. The service is quite fast when... read moreNice restaurant, brilliant staff very helpful and delicious food. I really enjoyed being there. The service is quite fast when the restaurant is busy read less
Surrey54321
11/20/2023 - TripAdvisor
Basically Fawlty Towers This was the closest I've ever got to experincing actual Fawlty Towers. Still reeling from an utterly surreal dining experince... read moreThis was the closest I've ever got to experincing actual Fawlty Towers. Still reeling from an utterly surreal dining experince saturday evening. The restaurant seems lovely- really beautiful and atmospheric, already decorated for Christmas. The waiting staff were very attentive. However, a number of things happened this evening which surprised me Firstly, our food took over an hour to arrive. When we'd been waiting for almost an hour, we asked where it was, and were told apologetically that there was a large party of 20 upstairs that had to be served at the same time and that was why ours was late. However, a different waitress told us it was because our meals had been given to another table by mistake. Not sure what really hapened. They were very apologetic and we finally got our meals. Things were also not going too well on the table next to us either, who got brought the some glasses of red wine multiple times despite repeatedly saying we orderered white - WHITE!! Finally got our meals (delicious). We were given a soft drink on the house each as an apology. Our meals really were lovely. However, our enjoyment of them was interrupted by loud angry arguments that appeared to breaking out in the enttrance to the kitchen in front of our table, involving some staff members (not sure if with each other or with customers, but something very heated was going on!). Things then got more heated, but elsewhere in the restaurant; things started kicking off with a (seemingly very drunk) customer. There was loud swearing, squaring up and angry arguing and everyone in the room was staring. I hastily asked for the bill at this point as I was worried about it turning into a physical fight and we were pretty close to the action! Waiting staff kept coming over to us to apologise and to try and explain what was happening, and to assure us it isn't usually like this The bill was brought over to us and we paid. I must admit that after this expereince I was surprised they hadn't taken the service charge off, but had still charged us the full amount for service. Being very British, we didn't say anything and dutifully paid it. But then, as we were about to leave, and chatting, a waitress came with the card reader and tried to get us to pay our bill again! We had to laugh. So, all in all, lovely food, very entertaining (if we were there for a comedy show), a bit disconcerting, and a very memorable night out. read less
Dee
11/19/2023 - Google
A historical building filled with authenticity and ambience. Came for my daughter's birthday last night and was delighted. Staff were... read moreA historical building filled with authenticity and ambience. Came for my daughter's birthday last night and was delighted. Staff were very polite and attentive, food was very good value for money and they even sang happy birthday altogether for our girl. Thanks Olivo read less
Luke
11/18/2023 - Google
Most of the service staff were lovely, and attentive. Polite but fun. And happy to accommodate any small changes. Large... read moreMost of the service staff were lovely, and attentive. Polite but fun. And happy to accommodate any small changes. Large menu with many choices. Food was all well presented, came out in good time, healthy and tasty Vegetarian options: Decent options for dietary requirements. read less
Mukund
11/18/2023 - Google
Cozy restaurant with great food
Angela
11/17/2023 - Google
PRob ably the worst meal we have had for several years. Unoccupied table with meals left (over 20 mins) until... read morePRob ably the worst meal we have had for several years. Unoccupied table with meals left (over 20 mins) until I suggested they clear it up. Antipasto dish was very good Spag. Bol and Lasagna unappealing, lasagna pasta Thick and undercooked. Spag Bol drenched in bolognaise covering any sign of spaghetti It was interesting younger member of staff very polite and concerned and fetched her manager who did offer to reduce the bill by the service charge! We live 30 miles away and will not be returning . read less
carolinemM7776BZ
11/17/2023 - TripAdvisor
Great little gem right in Guildford Olivo is a cosy little restaurant with an outdoor seating area in a prime location in Guildford, right by the... read moreOlivo is a cosy little restaurant with an outdoor seating area in a prime location in Guildford, right by the castle and a stones throw from the high street. We ate the duck which was divine, really different and well cooked as in my experience as a meat usually hit or miss.. and my partner had one of their superb pastas; honestly I forget which one but I had some and it was lovely. than anything loved the ambiance, felt completely comfortable and made to feel at home by the friendly staff and its easy to see its a family run establishment. Highly recommend. read less
B1741CQmargareth
11/16/2023 - TripAdvisor
Ritornaro haven't been for a few months as it seemed to gone downhill after the change of ownership in January. ... read morehaven't been for a few months as it seemed to gone downhill after the change of ownership in January. Went back again today and wow ts back and even better read less
James
11/11/2023 - Google
Lovely place for lunch. Very welcoming Kid-friendliness: Very welcoming to well-behaved children
Fit-GO
11/10/2023 - TripAdvisor
Amazing place ,delicious food and friendly staff We had another visit to this lovely restaurant located in the heart of Guildford !Lovely food and the chef new... read moreWe had another visit to this lovely restaurant located in the heart of Guildford !Lovely food and the chef new special dishes are something that you have to try!We had venison and the chef pappardelle tartufato that they come in a massive block of cheese and they serve it in front of you at the table just as I seen on TikTok😉Staff were very friendly and professional specially our server Matilda who exceeded our expectation!Thank you Olivo for another great experience 🙌🙌 read less
