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Bleu Olive, Durham, NC

Bleu Olive

4.8
4.8
1261 Reviews
$31 to $50
Mediterranean

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 20 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for business meals
  • Good for special occasions
For parties of 5 or more, pease give us a call.

A family operated - Mediterranean Bistro serving a fresh & local ingredient inspired menu.

The Papanikas family first opened the doors at this location in 1994 under the name Papas Grille, a fine dining Greek and Mediterranean restaurant. With “Papa” and Sam in the kitchen and Angelika, Chris & Yianni running the front of the house, Papas Grille turned into one of the finest and well-respected restaurants in the Durham food scene. After eighteen successful years as Papas Grille, it was time for a makeover and with that came a new brand as well. The reconstruction took place in 2012 in which the changes brought a more casual setting and modern feel. With “Papa” retiring during the changeover, Sam took over the realms in the kitchen fine-tuning his craft which is highly focused on quality ingredients and consistent execution. The front of the house continues to be overseen by Angelika and Yianni.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Greek
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (919) 383-8502
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Sam Papanikas
  • Catering
    Catering available.
  • Private party facilities
    Private Dining room for any occassion.
  • Area
    Durham
  • Cross Street
    Front Street
  • Parking details
    Public Parking
  • Public transit
    Yes
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,261 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.8Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Best Value

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Durham

    Best Value

  • Durham

    Healthy

  • Durham

    Neighbourhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bleu Olive delights with its "excellent food and service," offering a cozy neighborhood atmosphere. Known for "incredible" Mediterranean dishes, it boasts a friendly, attentive staff. Although the noise can be a downside, the consistently "delicious" meals and inviting setting make it a top choice for locals and visitors alike.

1,261 Reviews
  1. Mike

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Very good food, excellent service, but somewhat noisy. Have been several times, and will go again. Solid and consistent.

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  2. Susan

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love this restaurant. We’re in this area once a year and we always eat here.

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  3. Mary

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent service, great food, good value! The only downfall is the dated atmosphere.

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  4. Colleen

    Miami

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of our favorites. The food is always delicious and prepared with skill.

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  5. Paul

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 11 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First time at Bleu Olive- relaxed and comfortable setting, casual and modern atmosphere. Our server, Roxanna, was attentive and very efficient. The Arancini appetizer was crispy outside, creamy inside- delicious. The Calamari Frito had a light crispy coating and was properly cooked to tenderness (not rubbery).The fish of the day was Halibut (not commonly served on the east coast) which was cooked to succulence over a bed of pamesan orzo and topped with a fennel, red pepers, capers and spinach saute- most excellent. The Moussaka was authentic in construction, ingredients, taste and was very hearty. The dessert was a Cheese Cake made with goat cheese (unusual) having a pistachio crust(again unusual) and was very creamy soft with excellent taste and texture. We will dine there again and again to try other dishes and repeat our favorites!

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  6. Mike

    Raleigh

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A drunk patron was at the bar, loudly talking, laughing, and cursing. Even after our asking that someone speak to him, the behavior continued. And one of the servers joined in. This rude behavior ruined an otherwise good meal.

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  7. George

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 9 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It had been a minute since last at bleu olive. The Papanikas Family has not missed a beat. Everything and everyone, and I mean everything and everyone, are an absolute delight. The cuisine first rate. The wine selection top shelf. FIX Beer always a fav.

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  8. MeettheForkers

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 8 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent coffee porcini rubbed Lamb short loin with it being grassfed from NZ. Excellent flavor & they accommodated with the saffron risotto & Broccolini pairing. Food execution and service on point.

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  9. Nancy

    Raleigh

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 8 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I’m never disappointed with anything at Bleu Olive. I go there at least once a week and often more. I have a friend who agrees with me that going every day would be great.

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  10. Jocelyn

    Charlotte

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 31 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was fast and the food was fresh and delicious!

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FAQs

Bleu Olive offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Bleu Olive also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 383-8502.

Bleu Olive is rated 4.8 stars by 1261 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Bleu Olive

1821 Hillandale Road, Durham, NC 27705

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Front Street
  • Area
    Durham
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Greek
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Parking
  • Public transit
    Yes
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Sam Papanikas
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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