The Olive Branch in Selby

Our second visit tonight and this place does not let you down. The food is amazing and authentic and the staff are so lovely and friendly can not recommend enough! I would recommend the Mousaka, grilled swordfish, lamb chops and mixed kofta! I would try anything on the menu to be honest! Can not wait to go back and try some more!

From the moment you walk in the door you know that this place is something different from the rest that Selby has to offer. The staff are young, but incredibly professional, the menu is excellent, but the mid week special is beyond comprehension. How do they produce such high quality food for the price ? This restaurant looks great and the food lives up to its image and then some. We can honestly say that the this was one on of the best meals we have had in a very long time. Looking forward to our next trip to Selby, so we can visit this exceptional restaurant. Thank you! p.s. the only reason the atmosphere was a 4 is because we visited on a Monday early evening. And it was a little quiet. But we loved it all the same. Thanks!

LA PALMA IS EXCEPTIONAL Just perfect in every way! Food - Totally delicious! Portion size - Excellent! Choice - Amazing! Price - Really good value for the quality of the food and presentation. Service - Exceptional! My friend and I have already booked again for next week! (Loads of exclamation marks but all relative).

Was fantastic food, service was great and a lovely place to eat

After a few disappointing occasions under previous ownership it’s definitely worth a revisit if you’ve had a similar experience…. The food was delicious and good sized portions with great deals on two courses, and drinks relatively cheap. The service was exemplary, the staff knew the food and how the menu could be adapted for dietary requirements. Very impressed, we will be back. Great for vegans, vegetarians and if you just want a nice meal in a relaxed environment.

Very good service with lovely food.

A amazing gem of a Mediterranean restaurant, serving sublime food with service that was nothing short of excellent. Will be back soon!

Fantastic staff waiters very friendly and helpful foods delicious we have ben there last Saturday can’t wait going back again this weekend 😋

Came here for an afternoon lunch after passing and noticing it from the road. Best decision we made. Food here is unbelievable. Chilled cosey atmosphere with calming piano music in the background. Genuinely best steak I’ve had all year, with the freshest salad and rosemary potatoes and an amazing menu with too much choice. Staff very friendly and inviting. 10/10 overall!

The food was brilliant, however, they forgot one of our mains, and one of the other mains had meat in the moussaka even though we ordered vegetarian, they then gave us an extra dessert that wasn’t ordered and told us we had ordered it even though we hadn’t and we had to pay for it. Lastly when the bill came they added an americano and cappuccino which we never had and took off after I requested, after that I paid the bill thinking it was quite expensive, after reassessing the bill we noticed they added an extra 6 pints to the bill! It wasn’t until I flagged it and told them that they offered a refund on the extra beers they had added, so very chaotic and tried to charge us an extra £70 in bills plus also added a £25 service charge which wasn’t 10% of what we originally ordered so really disappointing.

Just been for my birthday with family, it was lovely service; lovely, tasty food and all for a fantastic price. The waitresses were so friendly and one even gifted me 2 little bottles of prosseco! Will definitely go again, thank you for a wonderful time ❤️

Very nice place, good food and prompt polite service.

Lovely,cozy restaurant with delicious food.

Just had the most magical evening, my partner won't stop talking about the steak he had it was that perfect and my swordfish was to die for The staff was friendly and the food was delicious definitely coming again

vrey nice Turkish / Mediterranean food. Great service with friendly staff. Food was very tasty and athentic…I would definitely recommend Enjoy :)

Great restaurant, lovely atmosphere, great food, staff very assertive, definitely be back

Absolutely delicious food, service was friendly and quick. Lovely interior and comfortable, will be returning soon.

Great service Lovely food. Mixed grill👍Grilled lamb chops👍 Thank you 🙏

Lovely warm and welcoming staff. Food was full off flavour and a reasonable price.

Excellent food choice,good value,great staff and srvice

Lovely food and staff. Nice vibe. Good value

The lasagne was both powdery and the potatoes could be used as a garden rockery. Tables were sticky. A Chicken Fajita Feast ended up written down as a chicken pizza. The staff started to move the tables and chairs around the restaurant as people were trying to eat. The music was anything but Mediterranean. The discrepancy between cost and portion size was very noticeable I.e more cost than portion control. The nachos was more of a starter size than a main meal and the 10oz steak was more like 5 or 6oz. Extremely disappointed as the website is better than the experience.

Really enjoyed it would recommend

Went tonight monday 12th august Great service, was very busy but the quality of food made up for the wait Young girl was outstanding and the gent behind the bar

Shared 2 lunch platters. Really delicious! Excellent! It should be really busy!

We visited this restaurant today and were very impressed with the food and service. The restaurant itself is very welcoming, with lovely decor and comfortable table and chairs, the two ladies serving were extremely friendly and very helpful, the food came in good time and was absolutely superb, we will most definitely be returning and would highly recommend others to try. Paul and Hayley Brayton

This was for the old restaurant, new review pending. I don't give 5 stars easily, but this restaurant does stand out. We went in a group of 7 on a Saturday, which we booked a couple of weeks before. The group included children, so we did check the up to date menu on their website before. The ambience of the restaurant is relaxing and service is very good, with staff subtly checking we were happy all the way through the meal. The menu is not too broad, but provides a good choice and there was a main course special available. The food on each course was served quickly and was really tasty. The pricing was fair for such a nice meal and we will definitely be back again soon.

Really enjoyed our meal here at lunchtime . Food was excellent. I had garlic mushrooms and for my main minced lamb cofte with sauce and mozzarella. 2 courses 14.50 each. Will definitely be going again.

Just been to the newly ramped La Palma. I was blown away. Excellent food, great value, good portions, lovely staff. Highly recommend

Food great staff very pleasant and efficient. Background music did not relate to atmosphere of restaurant

Very nice food and great service.

I've been here a few times now and I'm always pleased. They made a desert the last time we were there I forgotten what it was but the waiter was very eager for us to try it, best pudding I've had.

Lovely restaurant in main street of Selby. Table booked for 7.30pm, however, restaurant extremely quiet therefore could have just walked in. Currently cash only for payments, not an issue as we were advised that on booking and again when arriving at the restaurant. Not all wines listed on menu available but still able to get something nice. All 4 starters and mains were delicious. Service from staff fantastic. Only the lack of customers let the place down as impacted atmosphere so I'd recommend going there & filling the place up!!

New management and chef. Beautiful Mediterranean food. Lovely venue and atmosphere, perfect for every occasion. Nice family vibe who will cater for your needs. Can’t wait to see their breakfast and lunch menu

My first visit, what a wonderful little hidden gem this Family run newly opened Turkish Restaurant is. The food was fantastic, service great and decor nice. All the food was freshly made, they had bottled Efes Lager which was very much appreciated. Prices are good, we had 3 courses but shared a main and two drinks total and it was £75.

Great food, Great service and beautifully decorated. Will definitely return.

We had a lovely meal at the Olive Branch! Generous portions, delicious food, attentive, friendly staff and lovely ambience! I’d highly recommend it for a lovely meal out.

Me and the wife went in for a Meze and grill. Wow, cooked to perfection. Amazing food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love this place, local, lovely food, staff really accommodating!

Awesome food, great service and just a great place to eat.

I had an amazing meal at The Olive Branch in Selby. The mixed grill was cooked perfectly, and the service was top-notch. I’ll definitely be going back!

New owners and chef. Amazing Mediterranean food. Great atmosphere and attentitive staff. We will definitely be back.

We have been planning to try this place for a long time and unfortunately it really disappointed us. The service was great but the meals were way overpriced, small and tasted average.

We ordered the meze hot and cold starter £22 which had 3 dips 2 pieces of sausage and 2 calamari and 2 bread sticks with a bit of salad in the middle if we had ordered these individually they would have cost less than £20 what were we supposed to eat the dips with, who knows. We waited 40 minutes for the starters and another hour for the mains. My husband was asked if he wanted desert which he did and after waiting 30 more minutes for the desert menu we were told they had run out of all deserts. Two tables at the side of us left because they waited over an hour and no one took their order. Then the bill would have come but we had to go for it, then they tried to charge us £150 and tried to charge for a bottle of wine we did'nt have. Then it turns out they don't take card payments so I had to go to the cash machine and they treated my husband like a criminal while I did this I suggest the crime might be taking cash only! . The bill ended up being £130 which included £9 for soda. We've been here in the past but it's changed and not for the good. I'd also advice wear a coat because it's freezing.

Excellent food, service and staff. Could not fault a thing. We were treated like royalty. Highly recommended *****

Excellent meal in nice surroundings. Staff friendly and reasonable prices. Would recommend.

Lovely food, friendly staff but they seemed to be overwhelmed at what was a busy time. Some customers had been waiting a long time for food and even to order, which was a shame because the food was very good. The young staff seemed to need direction, which wasn't very evident. Once that is sorted, I'm sure things will improve.

Was very disappointed with the food and slow service given that the restaurant was near enough empty, very pricy for the quality and service they delivered.

Great food but need the heating on!!!

Slow service and only 3 out of 4 meals arrived, one of our party had to go without food. Food that arrived after 1 hour was cold and very poor quality. The restaurant was cold and we had to leave coats on, the staff were very young and embarrassed about the poor service as this had happened all week and explained it was new management and chef. Couldn't pay with card so had to find cash between us and embarrassing for us as we had to borrow from friends.

Slow service and only 3 out of 4 meals arrived, one of our party had to go without food. Food that arrived after 1 hour was cold and very poor quality. The restaurant was cold and we had to leave coats on, the staff were very young and embarrassed about the poor service as this had happened all week and explained it was new management and chef. Couldn't pay with card so had to find cash between us and embarrassing for us as we had to borrow from friends.

Absolutely shocking. Starters all came out at different times, and one had a long black hair in. Mains arrived, again, not all at the same time, both mixed grills were raw. All accompanying salad was brown, dead and wilted. We heard another customer complaining about a hair that they had found in their meal, and the waitress told us that they don’t eat there because of all the complaints. The manager handled the situation badly, via FaceTime because they were on holiday. The poor waitresses are in an impossible situation. Avoid at all costs.

Late - 2022 Great Turkish food, friendly staff and well priced. The Feta is especially delicious November 2023 - I’m not sure what is going on here at the moment. As you can see in my first review above, we very much enjoyed this place. When I recently visited, the staff seem different, portions are tiny compared to what they were. Feta isn’t as nice. Mixed grill is lacking, cocktails were poor. Not sure if ownership, chef or team has changed or costs are forcing to reduce quality but our meal did not represent value for money or the quality it once was.

We booked online and were offered 6.30 or 8.00, as 8 was a bit late we chose 6.30 and were expecting people and atmosphere, but there was only one other small group. Waitress pleasant, starter very tasty, grilled halloumi was the main part. The main course was mixed grill, again well presented and very tasty, portion size good value for the price but not huge so asked for dessert menu. Lovely idea of bringing a sample of each of the 4 on offer on a tray, so we could see what to expect! Ordered the baklava and the pecan cake, and another glass of wine while we waited. Waitress very apologetic, no baklava, 5 minute or so later back again, no pecan either! Food would be 4+, but the rest let it down a bit.

What a delightful restaurant wonderful staff great food can’t recommend highly enough

That pide was better than I had in Turkey 🇹🇷

It's difficult being critical, because I understand we are in hard times with the cost of living but the quality, portion size and overall experience has dramatically reduced. Having been here previously the menu was different (no more shared mixed starter, which was my favourite) and the overall quantity and quality has dipped. 4 pieces of calamari and 4 small slices of halloumi for starters didn't feel fulfilling for the cost. The mains were extremely expensive for their size, I had lamb chops with approximately 8 chips and a small dome of bulgar. Difficult to justify £18 for that. The mixed grill doesn't come with chips and my wife felt that the portion was obviously smaller now than from previous visits. The Salmon was equally small and lacked any real flair to justify the cost, it was quite dry and could be done better at home. The staff were nice and accomodating, but unfortunately I don't think we will come back which is a real shame, as this used to be the restaurant we were proud to take people to. I thought long and hard before writing this, but couldn't shake my sense of disappointment.

Amazing meal and fantastic quality. Couldn’t eat it all sadly! Staff very friendly and made us very welcome.

My husband and myself ordered the Meze & grill for £55 and we were looking forward to it. Based on previous experiences of Meze this was really small. One piece of each of the meat each, tiny portion of bulgar wheat, salad, about 10 chips between us, a tiny sliver of pita bread and hummus. £55!! The food itself was nice but due to the portion size and slow service we won't be back. We did raise this at the end but the waitress didn't seem one bit bothered. A few more starters/ some bread and dips would have made a big difference

Myself and my wife visited the olive branch for a meal on a Saturday night and went for the £55 meze and grill. The food was good quality however the meal came on one plate with very little salad, bread and chips. We left still hungry and disappointed considering the price. This was a surprise when compared to a Greek Meze.

Nice surroundings. Poor, slow service. Drink arrived quickly but starter not for 50 minutes. Good quality average. No atmosphere and restaurant was on the chilly side. Very pricy for the quality of food and service. Won’t be going back any time soon.

First time I've been to the olive branch and it was lovely,food,service and atmosphere was great. The only thing that let it down was one of our party didn't get her meal until we'd nearly all finished. These things happen,it didn't spoil it

Food ok. Arrived warm, not hot. Plates were cold.

Five of us were booked in . Not particularly busy . Waited 30 mins for a drink . 50 mins for starters . One of the starters had a massive blue bottle crawling on it . Waitress took in away and brought another one ? At that point I didn’t really feel like eating . 2 of us ordered the steak of the day . Waitress didn’t even know what steak it was . She said it wasn’t sirloin but didn’t know any others . Appalling training going on . Steaks arrived . Nearly cold . And very tough . Veg cold . Didn’t eat mine. Told waitress and she just said sorry . Obviously didn’t relay this to kitchen cos no management came to see us . Bill came and was for full amount . No discount at all . Stupidly we paid it but will def not return

Have been assure when I place my order than will don't take more than 30 minutes but people come after me been server straight away and I have to wait like one hour

I took my adult daughter and son in law who were visiting, Food average, service was good. The place does look like it needs a good clean. Overall disappointing i wont be going back.

Having recently moved into the area I have visited the Olive Branch several times over try last couple of month both with my a family and with business colleagues as well as friends. The food is wonderful and the this place is made even more special by the lovely, who runs the front of house. Her smile lights up the place and it is the little things with her that make the big difference. From remember everyone’s names to making my Wife and our grown up children feel so welcome on every occasion that we visit. Highly, highly recommended.

Fabulous food and service, love this restaurant

Beautiful food, service a little slow but they were short staffed.

Very nice meal, staff very friendly and helpful.

amazing service and absolutely gorgeous food

So disappointed we have eaten here many times the food has really gone down hill, feel sorry for the staff they were still brilliant making the most of a very poor chef and food. I understand it has lost its manager.

The olive branch has always been a restaurant in Selby I've wanted to try. Now that I've tried it...wouldn't say I'm that impressed, the design of the restaurant was kind of boring and wasn't very impressed with the cobweb above the table and the black marks around the men's sink plug hole was a bit grim The staff were nice enough and the food was ok however I'm not sure if it was what I ordered but from memories of going to Turkish restaurants IN turkey it was very greasy but the flavour made up for it. a bit on the pricey side though overall its pretty "meh" overall

Appalling. A party of 21 of us pre-booked a meal for 6pm. We waited 45 minutes for drinks, over an hour for starters and another 40 minutes for mains; some of which were never brought out. Salad was limp and dry, steaks not cooked properly and items missing from several dishes. 1 member of staff waiting tables and one behind the bar who clearly didn't really know what was happening. No explanation from the staff and no apologies. Very poor show - won't be going again.

went on the 7 July 7 people in party service none existent booked for 1830 at 1910 no order been taken only one waitress trying to take orders at least 30 people in asked for bill for drinks and left very disappointing

Ignored on arrival, empty restaurant, two staff looked at us from the bar waiting to be seated then walked into the kitchen leaving us waiting despite being completely empty, definitely one we won't be returning to.

Really tasty food and reasonable prices 😁

Last minute meal idea. Service was great and helpful. Had mixed meze starter to share everything was delicious. Fresh and tasty. Mains were great too meat (lamb and a mixed grill) was juicy and tender, Lovely décor. will come again now with kids, unexpectedly good food in Selby! Great Value too

Lovely little restaurant. Third time we have visited and the standards of food and service was as good as ever.

Amazing place! Amazing food! Amazing service!

We went here last night and had a gorgeous meal, the food was so beautiful and tasty and service was fantastic. We really enjoyed it and are looking forward to our next visit 😊😊

I went there for breakfast and had what might be the best vegetarian breakfast I've ever had ( I'm not vegetarian, though). Later on, I returned back for lunch and was even more impressed by their scrumptious burgers, excellent service, and valuable prices. Best of all, it's literally a footstep away from the Train Station so if you're coming from London, it'll be one of the first eateries you'll come across.

Very friendly staff, service was good, but the food was even better 😋

Lovely food. Helpful staff. Good menu to choose from. All of us were very happy with our meal and drinks. Well done and keep up the good work

We had a fantastic meal, service and food was lovely...a very pleasant experience

Delicious food, friendly service, generous portions. Large selection of vegetarian dishes available. We did have to wait for the bill for a bit, but it was fine. I’d visit again.

Excellent service, staff really Friendly. The food was amazing

Wanted a light pre gig meal before attending an event at Selby Town Hall. Had never been before, so rang to book. All went well. Ordered hot meze for two and a starter dish each. All of the food was interesting, good quality, full of flavour and well presented. Busy already at 5.30 on a Saturday afternoon. A relaxing, pleasant atmosphere, friendly staff and couldn't fault anything, except possibly , not being aware beforehand that it was a cash only establishment. (Luckily,my friend had cash!) An altogether good experience and I'll definitely be back.

Understaffed precooked meats,really nice lady holding the fort,the serving time and quality wasn’t worth talking about

Visiting the area for the weekend, read reviews for here so thought we'd try it. The food was lovely, staff really friendly. It was very busy but didn't really have to wait to long for service. Would definitely visit again and highly recommend it.

Another great meal, with very tasty food, lovely staff and super service !! Highly recommended for any occasion !!

Nice place but I think an extra team member would be useful!

We were forst time visitors to the Olive Branch in Selby. We were made to feel very welcome by all the staff. The food was amazing and the Baklava was so nice. Overall a great experience, the staff especially made this a great meal.

Excellent restaurant, highly recommend. Great food as always. Staff are always friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. Love visiting here.

There were 2 adults and 2 children. I had the salmon, my husband the pide with Turkish sausage and the kids shared the hot Meze for 2. The cucik was the best I’ve had and the salmon was absolutely delicious! I had a real mint...

Fantastic food 😋 amazing service

Great food, can see why its always busy. Nice service and well priced.

As our son was visiting we decided to come back, so glad we did. Still very friendly and welcoming and never feel rushed. Food is fantastic especially the lamb, our son thoroughly enjoyed his mixed grill and hubby's Pide went down very well.

We had a cracking meal with great sevice.,The food was excellent. Well worth a visit

First time visiting last night but will definitely be back. Food was well presented, fresh cooked and tasted fantastic. Service was well mannered and engaging. Great find!