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Oliveto Café & Restaurant

4.1
4.1
3489 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
Top Tags:

NEW: WE'VE STEPPED FORWARD AND ARE ASKING ALL DINNERS IN THE UPSTAIRS DINING ROOM TO BE VACCINATED. LET'S BE SAFE AND BEAT THIS THING.

**Upstairs, or "Experience Dining" is only available Wednesday through Sunday night**

Oliveto Café & Restaurant was recently named #11 in 50 Best Italian Restaurants in the United States. As social distancing measures are being relaxed, Oliveto is open for sidewalk dining and offering a fresh seasonal menu complemented by cocktails and live music (on weekends).

Oliveto is constantly adjusting so it can offer delicious food in a setting that is safe and fun for its diners and employees. For now, all reservations are for dinner. The cafe menus are available 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date: https://mailchi.mp/oliveto.com/olivetonewsletter

Make a reservation

2 people
May 2022
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7:00 PM
Private dining

Private dining

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Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Californian

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Daily 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:30 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (510) 547-5356

  • Website

    http://www.oliveto.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Peter Jackson

  • Private party facilities

    Oliveto Café & Restaurant has one private dining room nestled in the back of the restaurant that can accommodate up to 28 people and is the perfect location for a celebratory or business event.

  • Private party contact

    Kaitlyn Hanson: (866) 943-5608

  • Location

    5655 College Ave. Oakland, CA 94618

  • Neighborhood

    Oakland

  • Cross street

    Shafter

  • Parking details

    In the evening, there is free parking in the BART parking lot. During the day, parking is available in the Market Hall parking lot.

  • Public transit

    Rockridge BART stop is across the street

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 3,489 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1
4.1 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4Service
  • 3.9Ambience
  • 3.8Value

Noise • Moderate

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  1. CC

    CharmaC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The last night of Oliveto's spent at Oliveto's. I will miss this place. I've never had a bad meal. The food and service have always been good. Just a consistently good restaurant. I hear the next incarnation of another restaurant is in the works. I hope the new restaurant realizes that they have big shoes to fill in that location.

  2. a

    anon

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We dined at Oliveto's on their last night---very bittersweet---there was a trio playing lively music, and we all sang along to a rendition of Good Night Irene, apropos. The food was, as always, very good---I'm so glad they had their duck, my favorite, on their last menu---and the staff was wonderful. No tears, but it was somber. We will miss the restaurant, and staff---there are many choices for dining along College, but Oliveto's was in a class above.

  3. SS

    SheilaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Oliveto's last night. An awesome restaurant, across the years. A new restaurant arrives in 3-4 months. It's bound to be wonderful.

  4. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We will miss you Oliveto!

  5. SR

    SusanR

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience3

    Our server, Fernando was exclellent, the food was delicious, and we will miss this fine restaurant!

  6. B

    Byoung3rd

    San Francisco

    30 reviews

    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    WE came to celebrate the years we enjoyed Oliveto...the dinner was another great experience....unfortunately it will be our last here.

  7. P

    Paul

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    After 35 years. Our last dinner at Oliveto. So sad

  8. J

    Jeff

    Los Angeles

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love dining upstairs. Perfect location business meetings.

  9. M

    Mary

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 19, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience2

    We were outside, hence noise and no ambiance. We thought the salad servings were a little skimpy, but great flavor.

  10. AS

    AdamS

    San Francisco

    143 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    143 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience2

    I have been a fan of Oliveto for a number of years. I thought they were going to close in 2022 so I was surprised they were open. We took my son for his birthday. It was a Monday night. There was no décor to the restaurant - usually it is very well appointed with flowers and art - not a thing. The menu was much more limited than I recall - only 2 pastas. They now have pizzas. We started with a mista salad which was excellent - very well dressed with a delicious dressing and fresh ingredients. the squash pizza was a real disappointment - tasted pretty bland. we had 2 duck confit and 1 trout - both were excellent with tasty sides. I am not sure if there is new management or this was just a Monday night - I will return and find out.

  11. j

    jenn

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Our server was outstanding. My dinner was very tasty and a very good value. Same for my partner. I had beef stew and she had scallops. Overall a great value. Was a bit chilly, but that's to be expected these days.

  12. AG

    AndreaG

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This has been our favorite restaurant to come for years and years and we are going to miss it so much.

  13. c

    ctone

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 13, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience2

    We sat outside, so it was noisy and a bit cold. The server was not as attentive as if we had been indoors. Food was good, but not up to the old level, espeically the pizza.

  14. M

    Micksf

    San Francisco

    29 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall2food2service3ambience2

    It seems to have only half opened and the food and ambiance really showed that. Not worth going to until they decide to fully open or close down

  15. PR

    PeterR

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 10, 2022

    overall3food4service2ambience2

    The food is very good, however, service is uninformed on what good service should be at these prices. After delivery of our entrees no one ever came back to check on how everything was. If they had, we would have ordered another glass of wine, additionally no one ever came by to refill our water glasses until we caught the runner and asked her. Did not change silverware between courses. We requested to sit outside so accept Highway noise as part of that. Menu was limited to 5 entrees which I understand is a choice that restaurants have to make these days. I had Duck Confit (very good) and my wife had the steelhead (essentially salmon) Beef stew was on the menu which I don't quite understand because I can make Beef stew at home. I go out to eat something I can't make at home!

  16. WA

    WAYoverpriced

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 9, 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience3

    Unfortunately the food was pretty bad. The pizza and pasta were undercooked and also tasteless. The fish was raw in the middle and I had to send it back (it was trout so no it wasn’t meant to be that way). They made an entirely new one for us. At that point the fish was very good as were the potatoes and arugula salad that came with it. The Caesar salad was good as were the fried calamari but the size of the calamari dish was tiny. The waiter was very nice but overly busy. This was our “goodbye” dinner to Oliveto’s and it was extremely disappointing.

  17. g

    gingembre

    San Francisco

    56 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    56 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful and delicious food - scallops, steelhead, and more. Glad they are open a little longer. Will miss them.

  18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 7, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    They don’t answer the phone. Otherwise experience was positive.

  19. MF

    MF22

    San Francisco

    348 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    348 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Sorry the restaurant is closing. We’ve always had a great meal there

  20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2022

    overall2food4service2ambience1

    A shadow of many years of firmer self. But you know this.

  21. G

    Georgio

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    The place is in transition from old owner to new owner --- or so I've been told. On a weeknight, it was sort of empty, which was a little depressing, and almost too quiet, strange as that may sound when noise is such a problem in many restaurants.

  22. S

    Saucierer

    Tahoe

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 29, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The food and drinks were slow to appear and mis-timed. But the waiter was attentive otherwise and very kind. We'll be sorry to see this place go but hopefully the new owner won't change too much.....we'll be back in any case.

  23. DA

    DonovanA

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, great service. I’ll be back. Great for a date or a night out.

  24. CC

    CliffC

    Hawaii

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 24, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience3

    Severely understaffed. Service very slow. May be due to transitional phase between ownership groups.

  25. D

    Dana

    San Francisco

    50 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic food in the cafe. Grilled salmon divine— better than ever because upstairs chef made it!!

  26. DG

    DebbieG

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The service was awesome and the food delicious

  27. D

    Dave

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 18, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience2

    Wait staff did not attend the patrons dining outside very well. Inside service was much better. The apparent lack of attention and apparent difference vs inside service was sad.

  28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2022

    overall2food5service1ambience4

    The food was fantastic as it has always been, but the service was terrible. We barely saw our server and had to ask someone to send him over when we did. We were hoping to enjoy this gem before they close, but this was not the way to remember Olivetto

  29. n

    njk1

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience2

    We waited for 20-25 minutes without being approached by the wait staff for anything. They only gave us water and made no other contact. We were so irritated that we left the restaurant and we unfortunately are never going back. We have been going to the restaurant for over 2 decades.

  30. e

    eleanorb

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Went for Cajun Pop up. Prix fixe menu was basic. Acoustic Cajun band played lightly in the back ground. App and entree delicious. Dessert meh.

  31. J

    Jeff

    Los Angeles

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous dining experience. Love the ambiance. Sat upstairs and enjoyed their Tuesday pre-fix meal. May have been the best swordfish entre I've ever had! Will definitely go back next time I am in town.

  32. UC

    UnhappyCustomer

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2022

    overall3food2service2ambience2

    Staff stared at us the entire time because we were the last customers, we felt uncomfortable and pushed out because our reservation was later in the evening, even though the reservation-making website had openings for even later. The chocolate cake with coconut was so dry and hard to eat, it was like eating a week old stale cake.

  33. W

    Whitfield

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Its fun to be able to return to Oliveto. It is a little more subdued that it was. No giant flower arrangement, but good food and service.

  34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Wow! Our waiter, Jarod, was truly outstanding. And the food was better than ever.

  35. HF

    HannaF

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 2, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    This is a nice small neighborhood place in Rockridge with good food, nice selection of wines by the glass and friendly service. Wonderful for meeting a friend for lunch or dinner.

  36. b

    bwaks

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Fat Tuesday Cajun pop up buffet was tasssty!! The only dish that was merely good was the mini duck dogs. will return for another feast on another Tuesday in March

  37. D

    Dman

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    We attended a special Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday event that featured a buffet style service and menu vs the traditional table service and menu. The mood was upbeat with music playing, and beads & masks were gifted at the bar. People seemed very pleased to have the opportunity to come to an event like this and still feel comfortable with distanced tables and masked staff. Co-owners Bob & Maggie were there to coordinate and chat with patrons who know that the restaurant & cafe's time is limited before their full retirement. The chef's seven main food items were terrific, flavorful without being too hot-spicy, and the Hurricane punch was a great specialty cocktail. A special shout out for the blackened swordfish with pecan bourbon butter and short rib jambalaya. If you haven't had your first, or last, meal there before they close I highly recommend you do. Check their website for current menu and hours.

  38. DF

    DougFaunt

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2022

    overall3food5service3ambience2

    Interesting that it was sort of a buffet, but the food came out in bursts, and it took some assertiveness and high awareness to get a full meal. Service for just food was not high. I managed but it felt a bit rude to do that.

  39. LS

    LauraS

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    1.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Laura Sweitzer made a reservation using MY email address which then got linked to MY OpenTable account, despite my account being secure. Reservation #: 2110211147. I got the email immediately but was not allowed to cancel the fraudulent reservation. I tried contacting OpenTable for help to remove this from my dining history, but there was no option to address this within their help system and no way to reach customer service. The restaurant & OpenTable are jointly responsible for fraudulent use of my account.

  40. c

    cosimix

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 28, 2022

    overall2food4service1ambience2

    I was used to go there for business lunches before Covid, and I liked it, so I booked a table for our anniversary for dinner. We waited 10+ minutes at the entrance, well seen by the staff. No one informed us that was no host and we were supposed to approach the bar and being seated. We did that, waited more and then finally we were shown our table. The food is OK and probably the people are doing their best but there is not enough staff and it was freezing cold We ate one appetizer, pasta and fish and one dessert, drank one lemonade and water for $100 All things considered I will not go back

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Proof of vaccination required to dine indoors
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Oliveto Café & Restaurant does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now. Oliveto Café & Restaurant also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (510) 547-5356.

Oliveto Café & Restaurant is rated 4.1 stars by 3489 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
May 2022
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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2
3
4
5
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7:00 PM
Google Map for Oliveto Café & Restaurant

5655 College Ave. Oakland, CA 94618

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Shafter

  • Neighborhood

    Oakland

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Daily 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:30 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Californian

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    In the evening, there is free parking in the BART parking lot. During the day, parking is available in the Market Hall parking lot.

  • Public transit

    Rockridge BART stop is across the street

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Peter Jackson

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.oliveto.com/

  • Phone number

    (510) 547-5356

  • Private party facilities

    Oliveto Café & Restaurant has one private dining room nestled in the back of the restaurant that can accommodate up to 28 people and is the perfect location for a celebratory or business event.

  • Private party contact

    Kaitlyn Hanson: (866) 943-5608

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