L'Olivo Ristorante Italiano in St Albans

What a beautiful evening! We had a big order so we tried lots of side dishes, different starters, mains and two deserts. Everything was exceptional, the service was brilliant down to every detail finished with a surprise candle lit cheesecake for a birthday celebration. Will definitely be back soon! (Try the Camembert!)

Lovely ambience and the servers were all friendly. The food was delicious. Would be a great restaurant choice for a date or special occasion.

All four of us had excellent dinners and if I had received a review request after our dinner in September when we both had the Dover sole specials the comment would have been "disappointingly small soles at high price.

A really lovely Restaurant in all ways. It was our anniversary and L’Olivo was an excellent choice for us. We had never been there before, but the restaurant personnel were A1.It was impossible to fault the friendly attitude and excellent service, especially Cristina, who was both personable & professional with a very gregarious personality, a marvellous advertisement for L’Olivo, and together with a lovely ambience, plus excellent food, this restaurant is very special. So pleased to have found it. Many thanks Best wishes Jakki & Terry

Excellent table side service, brilliant menu and outstanding venue

Amazing food, friendly professional knowledgeable staff A superb place for an excellent meal

Absolutely the best place to eat in Wheathampstead and Harpenden. Service is phenomenal and so friendly, everyone makes you feel so welcome and your night is made all the better. Thank you for a wonderful evening!

Deliciously cooked dishes, I had the crab ravioli starter which was delicately cooked yet packed with flavour followed by the fish soup main which was excellent and served with a couple of langoustine crab. My husband had the rack of lamb cooked to perfection and seasoned well.

All in all a totally delightful place for dinner. Wonderful atmosphere, cosy and intimate. Service is fantastic and all staff are knowledgeable about the menu. The food is tasty, refined and there is a brilliant choice of dishes. One of my favourite restaurants.

My husband & I both agreed it was the best italian we’ve had in quite a while. Pasta very nicely done, sauces were very tasty, fish specials were well executed and staff very helpful

After going for the first time in years a few weeks back we had to go again. Dover Sole was delicious - and my daughter will be back again as she adores the goats cheese, walnut and honey starter!

We really enjoyed the meal. It is a pity that you are so far from Stevenage.....

Delicious meal, attentive service - will return!

Welcoming & friendly staff, eager to assist with any dietary requirements or special requests, warm & cozy atmosphere, great choice of wine & the best champagne, fabulous food always cooked to perfection, one of our favourite restaurants!

This was our second visit and everything was excellent

Had a wonderful meal here last with family. The food was delicious and portions ample. Menu was varied and definitely a cut above most other Italian restaurants. Excellent service, attentive staff and a great ambiance. Will return.

absolutely amazing dining experience. me and my friend came here for a nice relaxing dinner and that is exactly what we got. surrounded by calming jazz dim lighting and candle lit tables, it was the perfect restaurant. the service was astonishing and our servers were murat, derbaz and umut. we will definitely be attending this beautiful restaurant again !

Was recommended this restaurant by a friend and for its food and wine menu and excellent service and he was right on all counts. My wife and I throughly enjoyed our anniversary meal and the wine to accompany it, the ravioli with crab and lobster as a starter was delicious as well as the lasagna, service was excellent throughout. Highly recommend this restaurant and can’t wait to go back

Excellent all round. Great food, and fantastic service. Amazing atmosphere. Great little twist for my partners Birthday. Well done to L'Olivio!

Always a great experience: superb food, excellent service and a very good atmosphere. Definitely our go to restaurant in the region.

A few days ago, I went out for dinner with my family to celebrate my sister's graduation, and it was an absolutely spectacular experience. From the start, the service was impeccable. Murat, our waiter, was incredibly kind and fun, making us feel very well taken care of throughout the night. The ambiance of the place is very cozy, with soft lighting that creates a warm and relaxed atmosphere. We ordered several dishes from the menu, and while everything was delicious, some really stood out. The linguini al nero, a seafood pasta, was simply spectacular, full of flavor and perfectly cooked. We also tried the papardelle al Manzo, a meat pasta dish that was cooked to perfection and very tasty. Among the appetizers, the Gamberoni was amazing—shrimp with a spicy touch that made us want to savor every drop of the sauce. But what really blew me away were the Figs: figs with prosciutto and Dolcelatte cheese, a combination of flavors that explode in your mouth—truly delightful! We paired the meal with some excellent wines that were reasonably priced. Overall, it was a memorable evening that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. I would definitely return and highly recommend this place.

Quality of food was appalling. Meatballs in an over rich tomato sauce which I had to saw to cut into them. Stodgy and thick lasagna. I had diarrhoea after that. I think that says it all. Positives : great staff as helpful as they could possibly be. Lovely atmosphere. In the end let down by horrendous food. Not a pleasant experience. Whatever is happening in that kitchen is not right.

one of my favourite restaurants, have never been disappointed

Visted at 7 pm Friday 28 July. I booked the table via email 2 days before. We were surprised to find the restaurant full, which turned out to be a good omen for what was to come. The atmosphere is calm, and the service is excellent. For starters, my wife had ravioli pasta parcels filled with crab, lobster and prawns in a butter , sage and cherry tomato sauce. I had the Gamberoni peeled king prawns, sautéed in white wine, garlic and fresh chilli. Off to a good start lovely flavours. For mains, I had the Branzino fresh sea bass fillet in a delicate white wine and lemon juice saurce over a fresh asparagus and prawn risotto. My wife had Dover sole off the bone with green vegetables and sautéed potatoes. Hot plates, hot delicious food, excellent. For dessert tiramisu and affogato for myself. Well-deserved reviews. We will go back. Price £££

L’Olivo is a fantastic restaurant. The staff are very accommodating, friendly and helpful. The food is incredible, the lamb in particular! The venue is amazing. There’s nothing to hate with this place.

Very much enjoyed our first visit. a couple of great sounding extra dishes were offered which we both selected. Both were towards the upper end of the menu price which might have been worthy of a mention when described. Parking was a nightmare and managed to get well stung by nettles after finding a nearby, kerbside spot.

Faultless , every dish we had was delicious , super presentation , service was spot on and the contemporary ambience made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening

Amazing service and food our favourite restaurant!

Brilliant service, even ask how long you want to wait after your starters for your main… Gorgeous food, lovely atmosphere and decor… definitely for a treat night but what a treat!

A fantastic midweek treat, I can’t say much more than everything about our visit to L’Olivo was exceptional. From the moment we walked into the sophisticated but warm and inviting restaraunt we were extremely well looked after by the staff. The food was simply stunning, plenty of choice and combining traditional Italian cooking with some modern twists, it was brilliant. Can’t wait to go back!

Welcoming staff, good service and wonderful figs wrapped in ham and cheese, followed by rack of lamb...delicious!

Came here for date night and the service was phenomenal. We were served by Christina who was so lovely and bubbly, she really made the night extra enjoyable - even going as far as to ask if it was a special occasion! The food was fantastic - would definitely recommend the lobster ravioli!! Can’t wait to come back :)

First time I have been here, since it was the Nelson public house. A bit different now. Food was amazing, the service was second to none. We will be back. 👍

L’Olivo lived up to expectations. Amazing food. Beautiful decor and passionate staff. Cristina in particular stood out. She went above and beyond with her service and even recommended the perfect main courses based on assessments of the choice of starter. She also again rose above expectations and provided a lovely birthday experience. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back!

Absolutely lovely atmosphere, mouth-watering food and excellent service. We had the pleasure of being waited on by Cristina. She was very accommodating, warm and passionate; and I’d happily return. It was around 80 pounds per head, which is more than fair for the flavoursome cuisine and Cristina’s warm and attentive service. Thank you to all the team involved, we will be returning.

This is a really lovely restaurant, but be prepared it is a bit pricey. Definitely worth it for a special treat!

excellent food, attentive staff and lovely atmosphere

A fantastic traditional Italian experience in true contemporary style. Took my wife for our first time experience and will definitely be returning again soon .

What a beautiful Restaurant, the staff were impeccable from the moment we stepped in, very polite and welcoming, the food was amazing cooked to perfection, everything throughout the evening was so special and we were made to feel equally as special, thank you for allowing us to enjoy your hospitality

Another wonderful meal in this amazing restaurant. The food was sublime and the service was superb as always. It was the perfect venue to celebrate my husband's birthday. Planning to come back with our friends very soon.

Lovely restaurant with outstanding service!

Great staff, delicious food, always a lovely atmosphere all make for a wonderful evening. Thank you all!

The quality and variety of the food was superb and the service was excellent. Advance booking is essential.

My favourite restaurant. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Perfect!

Excellent as always. When full can be a little noisy

Second time at L’Olivo. Food is outstanding as is the service. Waiters and waitresses are all 5 star.

To have fantastic food and attentive service is great but the ambience in the restaurant is wonderful. It's always a pleasure to dine out at L'Olivo's.

Once again excellent food, service and atmosphere

Amazing food, service, Decor & atmosphere!!! 5 star Italian 👌🏻

Delicious food and friendly and excellent service.

A wonderful meal and lovely staff

We just had such a delicious dinner here tonight. Christina and the other servers were so friendly and helpful and the food was incredible. A huge thanks!

Lovely spot, great service and great food

Brought my wife here for a special Birthday treat 1st time we have been to this restaurant The food was amazing full of flavour & texture from the starter through to the dessert the Lemoncello with cream was to die for the service & staff were so professional they new what was on the menu & what it ingredients where in each course the atmosphere was brilliant even wrote Happy Birthday on the dessert plate was a lovely end to an amazing night at the restaurant will definitely be returning in the near future congrats 👍 Gem of an Authentic Italian restaurant

Once again a wonderful dining experience. Good service and great food as always.

Service was excellent. Food was delicious.

We had a fabulous meal to celebrate my birthday. The food was delicious and good size portions. There was plenty of choices for vegetarians. The staff were attentive and welcoming. A great experience thank you.

Having used this restaurant for a number of years, I was very disappointed in my main course last night. I decided to have a simple lasagne, although there are many other great dishes on the menu, many of which I’ve had before. It was very disappointing. Tough heated up pasta which really was pretty awful. Such a shame as everything else was good. Usual great service and the starter and sweet were very good. It’ll be a while before I go back.

Great experience, great service and food. Thank you for making special birthday request...well - special.

Loved it! Food, wines and service were wonderful . If you love Italian food, L’Olivo won’t disappoint.

I bit too noisy - both the music and the other diners

Always a delight — L'Olivo's standard never slips.

Should say in opening times or on the about page that the opening times for food aren't as listed. I just arrived at 10:05pm on Wednesday and kitchen was closed. Yet opening times say till 11:30pm

Excelent place for dinner Food 10 out of 10

Celebrated our daughters 30th Birthday exceptional service

Only one thing was wrong, and having spoken to numerous people since, it is, we were told the specials for the evening. Monkfish. When we went to order 5 minutes later they were gone. But the reason..... someone who was dining later and had not arrived, phoned in and pre booked the specials. This is not acceptable. Diners who are in attendance should get priority. That did annoy me. Everything else was fine.

Just such a lovely place to spend time at. Food is exceptional.

Excellent meal! Great service and staff were very friendly. Would highly recommend giving this a visit.

Lovely place, lovely food, lovely atmosphere, great staff. Except that the bill had 4 items on it that we did not order, they presented the bill again with the correct number of items but wrong subtotal (too high). Great pity as it took the shine off the evening. This was our second visit. If we go again we will be very sure to check the bill carefully.

Always very good---Suggest it is time for a change of Menu--at least to the Specials and Desserts

Great food and brilliant service, we’ll be back soon!

My daughters took me here for Father’s Day Absolutely amazing food and service from all the staff. The wine menu is also very exstensive. We were recommended the 62 wine which was perfect with our meal.

Everything is very tasty and a pleasant atmosphere!

one of the best Italian restaurants to enjoy food. excellent service!!!!! the food is simply delicious…. I highly recommend!!!! Best atmosphere for spending dinner!!!!

Came here with my daughter +2 friends for an intimate, low-key, 21st birthday celebration meal. Couldn’t fault the service. Everyone was fantastic: - Friendly yet professional - Knowledgable - Attentive, but not intrusive - Service was prompt but not rushed Food was fantastic too. Perhaps a little unsophisticated of us, but we all sampled most of each other’s dishes. None of us were anything less than impressed with each of the dishes. We all (two first time diners and two with prior experience) left with a very high opinion of L’Olivio. Thanks for such a lovely evening, team!

This second visit to L’Olivo was to celebrate our son’s 30th birthday with the whole family. Everyone agreed that the food and service were excellent - the perfect balance of informality and attentiveness, we never felt at all rushed. We sat in the more private section of the restaurant which was just right for the occasion. We will certainly be back to explore the menu further!

I recently had my birthday dinner here and it was one of the best birthday meals I've ever had. The restaurant has a lovely relaxed atmosphere, classy and not too bustling. The food was divine and the service was brilliant. I'll 100% be visiting again.

I’ve just eaten at this great fine dining restaurant with my daughter for her birthday. Once again it was 10/10 ! I’ve been eating there for many years and it’s always great, in my opinion the best restaurant in the area by far. Well done Olivo, yet another memorable evening spent with you.

Had a great time during a birthday celebration. Food was absolutely incredible and all the staff was super friendly.

Amazing restaurant, absolutely awesome experience, I forgot how service was, this place made me feel so important, service at its best loved the fish starter, could have had it as a main

This place is amazing. First time here, and it's everything you want in a restaurant, great food, service, and atmosphere. I will be back!

Amazing italian restaurant! Food was delicious and service was on point. Definetely will come back soon. Highly recommended.

Beautifully prepared octopus followed by memorable dover sole. Excellent service. Don't like the 12.5% pre-added tip though.

Personally, I thought the restaurant was expensive, for what we received. The food was OK, but overpriced.

Last evening, my wife and I had the pleasure of dining at L'Olivo in Wheathampstead, and I am compelled to share our delightful experience. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. The staff, particularly Murat, our waiter, was incredibly courteous and attentive. All the waitstaff greeted us with warm smiles, adding to the welcoming ambiance. The restaurant itself maintains a standard of etiquette that enhances the dining experience. We were never rushed, allowing us to savour each moment and each sip of our excellently crafted drinks. The booking process was seamless, both online and over the phone, which speaks volumes about their organised and customer-focused approach. As for the food, it was nothing short of exceptional. Authentic Italian flavours in every dish we ordered. The attention to detail was apparent, as my wife was always served first, a thoughtful touch that did not go unnoticed. Additionally, the staff took great care with our cloaks and made every effort to make us feel at home. The clientele was elegantly dressed, which matched the sophisticated yet comfortable setting of the restaurant. Parking was conveniently available, which is always a plus. We are already looking forward to our next visit to L'Olivo. It's a gem worth revisiting for anyone who appreciates outstanding food and service in a charming setting. Highly recommended!

We thoroughly enjoyed our food. We can’t wait to return again. Best Italian in town

We really enjoyed the pizza & bruschetta. Both big enough to share.

It was my first time there this evening, but not the last. Fantastic food, the Dover Sole was first class and the staff were so professional and caring. Thank you for the best evening in a long time.

Food was very good, and service was good However we were a party of10 and the long table was squashed in behind the fire. Its rather pricy and my dish with king prawns and spicy sausage had 3 king prawns. I live in Italy as much as UK, and where we are a superior quality of meal would be half the price. A starter, main, and one small beer cost me £45

Great food and great service in a lovely comfortable environment. I would highly recommend.

Fantastic, delicious, straight to the top of my favourite places to eat in Hertfordshire! Can't wait to come back to try all the other options on the menu.

Your booking system is terrible

Had a lovely first visit to L’Olivo this evening. They were very accommodating as we didn’t have a reservation on a Saturday night and had stopped en route hoping to get some dinner with our hangry toddler. The service was so friendly, the food came out quickly and was absolutely delicious. Lovely atmosphere, very clean setting with beautifully set tables. The restaurant quickly became busy after we arrived at 5:30 and it is clear that it is popular. If we are back in the area we will definitely visit again!

It's absolutely fabulous. Amazing place for dinner in the family or friends. Great service, also all the staff it's adorable. I will recommend these places for everyone.

Amazing food, never a bad meal, the service is 10/10 the staff are so so lovely and friendly, always smiling, murat the manager is amazing, lovely atmosphere, highly recommend! Thank you again,

Very pleased to find the spirit of Sergio is being maintained. Outstanding still!

One of the best places to enjoy amazing food in a beautiful place with people who are absolutely fantastic at doing their job and making you feel like you are the VIP of the evening... no wander is almost impossible to get a reservation. If you manage thou you will not be disappointed So sorry I didn't took pictures but the food and atmosphere were so good that I totally forgot about them

Incredible food and service! I love the way Italians just look after you as if you were part of the family!

Absolutely love this place! Exquisite food, fantastic service and amazing atmosphere!

Love this place - excellent Italian food & great service