Cafe Olympia
“Korean food is hugely underrepresented in Midtown East, so even if it's not the best I've ever tasted, it satisfies my craving.”
“I've only tried the hot food bar/salad bar so my review is only for that, but they also have a udon area, a sandwich bar and made-to-order food bar.”
“My go-to place for lunch with very very very varied offerings.”
Cafe Olympia
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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This is the review for Korean Section of this International cafe. I wanted to rate 1 star, but my experience was only from Korean section, so it would be cruel to give this entire place 1 star.
Okay, I have been working kind of near this place for almost 8 years, but this place is not very close, and pricig and food was just okay, so I rarely used there. However, they closed for renovation for a while and reopend early this year, so I decided to give this place another try. I didn't feel like eating sandwich or something cold, so I went to Asian section and ordered Bibimbap. Bibimbap is popular Korean food even in Japan, so I know what good bibimpap is like. It is usually hot and some delicious ingredients comes over hot rice. However!!!! Their bibimbap was served over FROZEN salad. Yes. Icey cold frozen salad. Even hot rice was served over it, the salad was not thawed and the rice got colder and colder. It was not only the worst bibimbap in my life, but the worst food I had ever had in New York.
I know there are more choice of food in the cafe, but this experience discouraged and traumatized me.
I don't feel like going back to the cafe anymore.
Maybe someday….
I have been there twice now–both before work picking up breakfast and I have to say: disappointed.
My roommates and I all work in the area-ish and we were talking about cheapest chopped salad options and one of my roommates mentioned Cafe Olympia. I had never heard of it. As life goes, the next day I passed it on my way to work while utterly famished and craving a smoothie.
That day, I got a large smoothie, which was smaller than any small smoothie I have ever gotten, and a yogurt and it cost $9. I shamed myself for buying smoothies–its such a waste of money, but so delicious (and this one really was delicious, the one good thing about this place).
I went back again this morning and ordered a spinach, feta, and onion omelette. They did not put the feta in (fine) but then charged me $4.95–for just the omelette. No bread, no potatoes. I also got a diet dr. pepper and at the hot food bar I got two hashbrowns–which tasted like shit, btw. The total charge was $9.50 AGAIN. Okay, so 4.95 for the hashbrowns, let's say 2.50 for the diet dr pepper, which would be expensive but not unheard of, brings us to $7.50, which means my two pay by the weight hashbrowns cost $2???? It was early and I wasn't thinking when I paid, but I will definitely never return. They clearly just like to take money and make crappy food, albeit delicious smoothies.
Came here for their $ / lb lunch buffet. Food was pretty good and there were lots of options. Very comparable to your average lunch cafe spots. Just be careful when you fill your lunch box at the buffet; the cost can become very expensive very quickly
I've had a chance to visit Café Olympia again, and I am happy to say that I have noticed a change for the better, in terms of both food and service. If I could, I'd add a half star.
Decent deli food, salad, and fruit bar. At 8.49 pound is a bit expensive but hey this is Manhattan where spending anything less than 10 bucks on a decent lunch meal is a steal. I like their grilled veggies, mac n cheese, and korean pancakes. Super fast lines.
Huge place with a large selection of food.
I love the endless array of choices: do I want a quesadilla today? Hot sandwich? Hot buffet bar? Soup? Udon? Noodles? Ramen?
Gosh, so hard to decide because of all the options! I recommend coming here for lunch if you aren't really sure what you want, but know you want to each something.
The Quick: For an in and out lunch, or a quick lunch eaten at the long wooden tables, this is an obvious good choice. The food is reasonably priced, local discount, and lots of options. It also seems very clean.
The Details: For strictly the salad bar, this place had plenty of options. One protein plus 4 toppings (any toppings including avocado, egg whites, etc) for one price. There was also ample dressing choices… The options are limitless.
I found the salad very fresh and the ingredients very flavorful. I also enjoyed the communal long wooden tables that overlooked Lexington Avenue, perfect for people watching.
Obviously you would never go here on a date, or for a big night out. It's perfect for what it is, a quick lunch and a break from the office with healthy options
The Damage: after my company discounts my salad came to ~$6.50. So much more reasonable than other options in the area
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Not a bad lunch spot. It gets busy, but there are many options. You'll deal with angry customers as well as inpatient vendors. But the variety makes this a viable option. There's a hot bar, salad bar, ethnic vendors, and just quick market foods.