In complete sync with the outdoor, feast, and fun-loving vibes of the city comes another beautiful new Olive Cafe & Bar outlet.
Ever since their first Mumbai outlet in November 2000, The Olive Café & Bar by AD Singh has grown across the country and garnered love everywhere they went. Having made its mark in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, the laidback restaurant is now making its debut in the lively Chandigarh!
Food and drink is arguably the pulse of Chandigarh, and with two bars and one giant kitchen, Olive definitely caters to the same. Here, you can find a gourmet café menu by Chef Jyotika Malik. The delectable food is accompanied by freshly brewed coffee, bespoke drinks, hand-crafted cocktails and a robust wine list all carefully curated by lead mixologist Harish Chhimwal.
AD Singh, Founder & MD of The Olive Group of restaurants says, “Olive is a way of life and an experience where we bring together good food, delicious and fresh cocktails, warmth, fun and hospitality as it should be. Now, we are really looking forward to bringing the trademark Olive experience to the sophisticated diners of Chandigarh. We are absolutely delighted to partner with Vishal Anand and Sampat Singh and thankful for their support.”
The design story
Chandigarh’s love affair with the outdoors is perfect for Olive’s overall ethos. Before you dive into the delicious Mediterranean-meets-European menu, take in the painstakingly crafted elegant interiors. Settle down for the day in our sunshiny, white-walled, open-to-the-sky courtyard. The signature Olive whites and blues are all in place, illuminated by natural light during the day and candle-lit vibes at night.
Design director Sabina Singh and architect Vivek Popli have added a warm, inviting touch to the place with soft armchairs, a white pebbled courtyard, lush greenery and bougainvillaea blooms.
As you enter, a spectacular marble-carved antique water fountain with cherubs stands in greeting. The walkway with a ceiling encased in bamboo baskets sets the tone to uncover the rest of the beautifully detailed spaces that serendipitously follow.
Sabina Singh says, “The space is filled with plants in earthen pots and Bougainvillaea flowers, all in sync with “breathe of fresh air” Olive appeal. There is a swing suspended next to a date palm in the courtyard – perfect for the pose & post gang on Instagram.”
Gourmet fare, all-day
The menu is made of soul-satisfying, comfort food that is real, honest and unpretentious. Taking pride in its core ingredients, the Olive Café & Bar sources locally as much as possible.
The team has Chef Jyotika Malik at its helm, a graduate from Le Cordon Bleu, London with experience working under Marco Pierre White at the Michelin star Mirabelle, and at The Dorchester Hotel, London.
The menu is simple, not too fussy and fresh, bursting with fresh produce and flavours. There are small plates for petite cravings, and salads that surprisingly go well with their award-winning pizzas and amazing bowls too.
Signature dishes you can’t miss include Sweet Pots, Chunky Avo, Super Bowl Salad, Wild Waffles, Buttermilk Fried Chicken Bun, Burrito Bowl, Ginger Salmon, Prawn Pil Pil and Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Espetada and incredible desserts.
Olive Chandigrah’s dinner menu captures the Mediterranean by night. Led by Chef Anubhav Moza, the kitchen leans more into fine dining, transforming ingredients into a meal that will take you on a culinary journey around the Mediterranean.
From bar nibbles to Olive’s wood-fired pizzas to a live grill there is a great selection which is likely to satisfy the most discerning palate. The signature dishes include Panzella & Burrata, Miso Roasted Eggplant, Grilled Tiger Prawns, New Zealand Lamb Chops and Prawn Ravioli.
Whatever time of the day, you can’t leave Olive without checking out their decadent long Mezze Platter. The long wooden platter includes falafel, goat’s cheese & spinach borek, and non-vegetarians with shish taouk, chermoula prawns and lamb koftas. These are accompanied by muhammara, hummus, tzatziki, kalamata olives, feta cheese, pickles and lavaash.
A range of beverages to die for
The beverage menu comprises an array of fresh cocktails and bespoke drinks also inspired by seasonal produce.
Olive’s perennial favourite Sorbet Gin-To aside, they’re excited to introduce Chandigarh to their signature Teq-Tonics. Using tequila infused with herbs, fruits & flowers such as pimentos, hibiscus and grapefruit, and served with tonic water.
Olive Group’s lead mixologist Harish Chandra Chhimwal, who recently won Mixologist of the Year* has crafted a diverse and eclectic cocktail menu as well. From Parisian Bling which is crafted from gin, and lavender to Turkish Delight made with Bourbon, Kahlua and espresso, among several others.
The Chandigarh-inspired exclusive cocktails are also made with locally sourced ingredients. The best here includes a Chill Mango Tango where mango and birds eye chilli complement each other in tequila.
Olive also brings the wine-drinking culture of the Mediterranean to the city, a mix of old and new bubblies. Alcohol aside, there’s plenty for teetotallers too. The freshly roasted coffee, hand-rolled teas (don’t miss the lavender and lemongrass first flush blend!), freshly squeezed juices and Glow & Berry Kambucha – a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black tea, are also highlights.
All in all, Olive Cafe and Bar is ready to make a splash on the Chandigarh scene.
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