Olev is bringing a contemporary take on Levantine cuisine to Jeddah.
Leading the kitchen is Chef Shwan Baban.
Must-tries include Lamb Chops and OLEV Koftecesi.
Olev in Jeddah is bringing a contemporary spin on Levantine cuisine.
Jeddah’s dining scene has a way of keeping things interesting. From neighbourhood gems to new openings, there always seems to be another table worth pulling up a chair to. And now, there’s a new addition to the ever-growing restaurant roster in Jeddah, called Olev.
Located in Ash Shati, Olev is bringing a contemporary take on Levantine cuisine to Jeddah, pairing familiar regional flavours with a more modern dining experience. And while the food is certainly the main event, the restaurant has clearly put just as much thought into creating a space that makes you want to linger.
As you step into Olev, the atmosphere shifts into something a little more intimate and considered. The interiors lean warm and inviting, with softly lit corners, marble tabletops and checkered flooring giving the space a stylish feel. Wood-panelled walls add warmth, while curated artwork brings personality to the room without making it feel overly formal. Look up and you’ll notice animated lighting across parts of the ceiling, adding another layer to the setting.,
Olev describes itself as a place to “reimagine the Levant”, and that idea comes through in the menu. Rather than sticking to traditional preparations, it takes Levantine flavours and techniques and gives them a contemporary spin, bringing in influences from across the wider Mediterranean and surrounding regions. The result is a menu that feels familiar, but rarely predictable.
Leading the kitchen is Chef Shwan Baban, who clarifies that the restaurant is less about recreating the Levant exactly as you know it and more about playing with its flavours and freshly presenting them. Some of the must-tries include the OLEV Flatbread, Mount Za’atar Labneh, Smoked Levantine Mutabal, Anatolian Ezme Crush, Ararat Manti Dumplings, Aegean Calamari and Toum, Chraime Prawns of the Coast, Charred Aegean Lamb Chops and OLEV Koftecesi.
With its intimate interiors, thoughtful design and a menu that takes Levantine flavours in a more contemporary direction, Olev feels like a welcome addition to Jeddah’s restaurant scene. So for anyone looking to explore these flavours, Olev is certainly one to have on the radar.
Where: Olev, 11 West Street, Ash Shanti, Jeddah
When: Daily from 7pm to 12am
Contact: @olev.sa