Restaurant review: Olive: Taste from Gaza

Chaussée de Charleroi 263, 1060 Saint-Gilles.

What’s good? Welcoming atmosphere, delicious recipes and modest prices. The restaurant was opened by a Palestinian couple — Nour and her husband Bob — only a few months ago, but business is booming. “We opened on March 12 during the war,” Nour tells me. “It’s a cultural project for us to talk about Gaza through the food.” 

The menu is a well-thought-out combination of traditional dishes that Nour and Bob, who is the head chef, chose after discussions with mothers from Gaza.

We started with the Gaza appetizers — a set of dips and sauces accompanied by a Musakhan roll, a wrap with chicken and caramelized onions inside. We also tried the Maqluba — a rice dish with eggplants, tomatoes and chicken — and ended with a Kunafa as dessert, a crispy Arab cake made with phyllo pastry and sweet cheese soaked in sugar syrup. Everything was delicious but our favorite were the appetizers.

What’s not? The space is tiny and gets noisy easily. The vegetarian options on the menu are limited.

Vibe: Welcoming and vibrant. You’ll feel as if you are dining among friends and family.

Insider tip: Book a table in advance. If you have any doubts or curiosity about the dishes, don’t hesitate to ask: Nour and Bob will be happy to guide you.

Who’s picking up the check? Prices are reasonable with main plates ranging between €9.50 for the falafel salad and €22.50 for the lamb. Only the Gaza appetizer is more expensive (€28) as it’s designed to be shared among a few people. Drinks are between €2.50 for the bottled soft drinks and €4.50 for home-made fresh juices. 

Fun fact: The name of the restaurant was inspired by the olive tree, which is considered precious in Palestine. “It is an icon of our history and culture,” Nour explained. 

How to get there: It’s in the heart of Saint Gilles. To get there from Arts Loi, take the metro line 1 and 5 to Louise, then hop on the 92 tram and stop at La Campagne. 

Review published on  May 23, 2024. Illustration by Dato Parulava/POLITICO