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Food defines the City of Joy; it’s not a necessity but a way of life here. If you ask someone who was born and raised in Kolkata about cafe culture in the historical city, they will mostly take you to the small cabins and eateries. Whether it’s Feluda’s favourite, Das Cabin, Uttam Kumar’s go-to, Basanta Cabin, or iconic Mitra Cafe, these spots offer a taste of nostalgia with every bite. A piping hot cup of dudh cha (milk tea) or lebu cha (lemon tea) in these cabins, accompanied by cutlets, kabiraji, mutton chops, and fish fries, can uplift your mood at any point of the day.
Image Credit: Olive Café & Bar, Kolkata
But, with pop-culturification in the city, the concept of a cafe is now better, broader, and ‘abroader’ rather than just local. Located in close proximity to Kolkata’s beloved ‘Nandan Chattar’, Olive Café & Bar is revolutionising the city's café culture by bringing together Greek, Italian, and Kolkata vibes. Be it a cup of coffee, a handcrafted cocktail, a full meal or something vegan, Olive in the City of Yellow Taxis will never disappoint you.
Olive Café & Bar in Kolkata: The Iconic Restaurant Brand is Adding to The City’s Dining Scene
Image Credit: Saborni Saha
Kolkata has always had a unique dining vibe. And Olive Café & Bar in Kolkata offers a laid-back luxury experience, exceptional food, and expertly crafted cocktails. So, you can say that the ‘adda’ culture in Kolkata has got a global touch here. After three successful restaurants in cities like Gurugram, Mumbai and Delhi, Olive got its fourth restaurant in Kolkata. The finest culinary talents in the country, such as Anahita Dhondy, Manu Chandra, and Sujan Sarkar, had also been a part of Olive. In Olive Kolkata, currently, the gourmet café menu is overseen by Chef Jyotika Malik, and handcrafted cocktails are managed by lead mixologist Harish Chhimwal.
Stepping into Olive Café & Bar, with my camera, notepad, and taste buds, I was immediately struck by its signature dreamy, white-walled design, created by Sabina Singh, AD Singh’s better half. The space exudes Mediterranean elegance, fused with Kolkata’s artistic soul. Elements inspired by Shantiniketan and Rabindranath Tagore’s vision—natural light, soft armchairs, and lush greenery—bring the beauty of the countryside indoors.
The bamboo-roofed courtyard, pebbled floors, and bougainvillaea blooms create an escape from the city's constant buzz. People from Kolkata and its suburbs can easily commute to the place without much hassle.
Image Credit: Olive Café & Bar, Kolkata
AD Singh envisioned a place that serves exceptional food while offering an inviting, homely experience. The open-air courtyard and serene ambience provide the perfect setting for leisurely meals, a hallmark of Olive since its first Mumbai location.
Along with the hospitality magic, another win-win factor of this place is that they have multiple healthy food and vegan options. Gluten-free bread, whole wheat pasta, salads, quinoa, or zero-proof beverages, you'll never run out of options at Olive.
The white decor at Olive Café & Bar is nothing short of enchanting. The pristine white walls, accented by natural light, instantly calm the mind, creating a serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere. The clean, airy space invites you to pause, savour the moment, and focus on what matters—the incredible food.
Image Credit: Olive Café & Bar, Kolkata
When asked what it took so long (they are celebrating 25 years of the brand this year) to come to the Calcutta market, AD Singh explained:
“The Calcutta F & B scene market has exploded in the past few years. Now we feel the eating out market has the depth and size for an Olive, which wasn't the case earlier.
Also we have developed our more casual version of Olive as an Olive cafe and bar over the past few years, and that's proving popular across India. It has lesser prices and sections including sandwiches and burgers, and this can work well for Calcutta.”
Signature Dishes: A Marriage of Mediterranean Flavours with Kolkata's Spirit
Image Credit: Saborni Saha
As I sat down, the menu seemed like a culinary adventure. Olive Café & Bar’s dishes are thoughtfully curated, blending the best of Mediterranean flavours with familiar Kolkata ingredients. The Mediterranean classics are present, but they also carry hints of our city's rich culinary heritage. Curated jazz, classics, and retro hits set the tone for the guests to unwind and savour life’s simple pleasures.
I simply loved the four varieties of Bruschetta at Olive Café & Bar, each one offering a unique and delightful flavour profile. The mushroom and parmesan were earthy and rich, with the mushrooms perfectly complementing the sharp, salty parmesan. The beetroot hummus, feta, and microgreens were a refreshing contrast, with the creamy hummus and tangy feta bringing a balance of flavours.
At the same time, the microgreens added a crisp, fresh element. The avocado, chilli, and rock salt had the perfect balance of creamy avocado and a tangy kick from the chilli and rock salt. Lastly, the tomato and basil, and basil pesto were a classic, with ripe tomatoes and aromatic basil, magically twisted by the fragrant pesto.
Image Credit: Saborni Saha
As soon as I took my first bite of the Soft Fish Tacos at Olive Café & Bar, I knew I was in for something special. These tacos, filled with fried chermoula bhetki, had that perfect balance of crunchy fish, smoky charred tomato and green chilli salsa, spicy chipotle sour cream, and fresh pineapple relish.
The Pork Belly at Olive Café & Bar was something that Chef Jyotika suggested for a non-veg lover like me. She took her time to describe how the cooking process, slow-braised to perfection, brought a melt-in-your-mouth, cloud-like tenderness that was divine. The soy-honey-mustard glaze had a balance of sweet and tangy, complementing the pork's richness. As soon as I took a bite, the pork practically dissolved on my tongue with tingling flavours.
Next up, the chef-recommended Prawn Pil Pil is a must-try for seafood lovers. Succulent prawns are delicately cooked in olive oil, infused with aromatic garlic and a kick of chilli, creating a perfect balance of rich flavours. The dish is accompanied by crusty baguette bread, ideal for soaking up the tantalising infused oil. It felt like this specific dish had come all the way from the Mediterranean to cosy up with Kolkata’s indulgent side—trust me, this dish is like the rich, comforting hug you never knew you needed.
"How much could I eat?" Well, with this taste, a foodie can bet on anything and everything.
"How much did I eat?" I tried the Got My Goat Cheese Pizza at Olive Café & Bar, and I was utterly hooked.
The wild mushrooms, goat’s cheese, mozzarella, arugula leaves, and black truffle cream came together in a symphony of flavours that had me swooning with every bite.
Honestly, it was like Mediterranean ingredients crossed paths with Kolkata's love for bold, fresh flavours and decided to fall in love. The creamy goat cheese and earthy mushrooms were a match made in heaven, with the arugula giving a peppery crunch.
Image Credit: Olive Café & Bar, Kolkata
Chef Jyotika shared the hard time they had faced before they had the best pizza 'hot from the oven'. As she mentioned, "For almost 6 months, we have been experimenting with the flavours, the right texture, and the taste. In Kolkata, it's humid, and for the temperature differentiation, it took some time for us to come up with the best-in-taste!"
With her more than 27 years in the industry, she has rightfully made it possible to call it an 'unforgettable' pizza story.
Desserts That Steal the Spotlight
Image Credit: Saborni Saha
No meal at Olive is complete without indulging in one of their exceptional desserts, and the Burnt Basque Cheesecake is one that left me absolutely smitten. Inspired by the Basque region, the cheesecake had a perfectly burnt top and a creamy, smooth interior. It was served with shortbread, honeycomb crumble, and Darjeeling compote, giving it a distinctly local twist. The slight bitterness of the burnt top contrasted beautifully with the rich, creamy centre, while the sweetness of the honeycomb and compote added complexity to the flavour profile.
Drinks: A Local Twist on Mediterranean Cocktails
Image Credit: Saborni Saha
Olive Café & Bar sets itself apart from the conventional bar culture with its innovative beverage program. Lead mixologist Harish Chhimwal’s zero-proof cocktails are a revelation. I tried the Hurrycane, Hurry!, a virgin rendition of the classic tiki cocktail, and it was a fresh, vibrant mix of grapefruit juice, lemon, and beetroot, served with a hint of Tahitian vanilla syrup. It was fresh, tart, and had just the right amount of sweetness—a perfect match for the not-so-sunny day I was enjoying in their restaurant.
For something spicier, the Spice Spice Baby!—a no-alcohol version of the Picante—was a beautifully zesty highball made with pineapple juice, mint, cilantro, and jalapeños, topped with tonic water. It captured the spice that is so integral to Kolkata's food culture, with the cooling and balanced tones of mint.
The Mediterranean-Kolkata Fusion
Image Credit: Saborni Saha
As I savoured each dish, I couldn’t help but appreciate how Olive Café & Bar manages to blend the essence of Mediterranean cuisine with Kolkata’s nostalgic culinary heart. AD Singh's vision for a space that creates lifetime stories, lingering over good food and conversation, was beautifully represented in Olive Café & Bar.
If you are planning a leisurely meal in the sun-dappled courtyard, sipping on a cocktail with friends, or a cosy dinner with your family, here the Mediterranean cuisine and Kolkata’s warmth come together to create something special. It has become an iconic part of the city’s café culture, offering food, fun, and a space to unwind.
Visit Olive Café & Bar:
Address: 6th Floor, 40, Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata-700017
Timings: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Average cost for two for food: 2000+
Must-Try Dishes: Bruschetta, Got My Goat Cheese Pizza, Chevre & Fig Tart, Pork Belly, Soft Fish Tacos, Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Contact No: 8828099667 & 8828284799
