If you’ve had one of those weeks where lectures feel endless, deadlines are creeping up, and you just need something nice to look forward to, go treat yourself to dinner at Olivo in Guildford. Whether it’s for a celebration, a date night, or just because you feel like eating somewhere a bit fancy for once, this spot seriously hits the mark.

I’m starting a new series where I’ll be trying out different restaurants around Guildford because let’s be real, student life might be chaotic, but good food makes everything better.

First Impressions

Olivo has such a warm, welcoming vibe the moment you walk in. It’s classy, but not in a pretentious way, it’s more like “Italian family dinner meets date night aesthetic.” The lighting is soft, the decor feels cosy but elegant, and the whole place gives off this relaxed, feel good vibes. It’s the kind of restaurant where you instantly feel like you’re in for a good evening.

The staff were lovely too, friendly, chatty, and genuinely attentive without hovering around too much. They made us feel super comfortable right from the start, which honestly makes a huge difference.

The Food

Now onto the main part and the best part: the food. We decided to go all out and ordered the lobster spaghetti for two to share. The dish comes with a whole lobster, which already sets it apart from a lot of other places. The portion was perfect for two people, generous but not over the top. If you’re a small eater, it could possibly serve three too! The spaghetti was perfectly cooked and coated in a rich, flavourful sauce that had just the right balance of seafood flavour, garlic, and that buttery taste that makes Italian pasta so addictive.

It’s one of those dishes where every bite feels indulgent but not heavy, proper comfort food with a fancy twist.

We also got the seafood risotto, which ended up being another favourite. The texture was spot on — creamy, smooth, and cooked just right (no clumpy rice here!). It had loads of seafood mixed in — prawns, mussels, squid — and you could really taste the freshness. You know that moment when you take the first bite and you just know it’s perfect? Yeah, that was it.

Vibes and Prices

The vibe at Olivo is what really ties everything together. It’s lively enough to feel social and fun, but still relaxed enough that you can have proper conversations without shouting across the table. It works for any occasion: date night, family dinner, or even just a fancy catch-up with your friends.

It’s definitely a place that makes you feel like you’ve treated yourself, but it’s not the kind of “fancy” that feels uneasy or overpriced.

Speaking of price — I actually think it’s really good value for what you get. The portion sizes are generous, especially the lobster spaghetti. Getting a whole lobster and such a well-cooked meal for the price is honestly impressive. You leave feeling full, happy, and like it was worth every penny.

Sooo, you should definitely check this place out if the pictures made your mouth watered. I’m already planning my next visit to try out more of their dishes.