The restaurant has been serving Italian cuisine in Guildford for nearly 30 years and now it’s getting global recognition
Olivo co-owner, Nunzio (centre) alongside his chefs as they hold both their ‘Italian excellence’ awards (Image: Olivo)
A family-run restaurant that has graced Guildford town centre for nearly three decades has been recognised for its Italian excellence with a recent award straight from the motherland.
Olivo on Quarry Street has been a popular place in town for Mediterranean food since it opened in 1997. This week though, its owners have said they are “deeply honoured” to be recognised by the judges that celebrate all that is ‘Made in Italy’ across the world.
Eccellenze Italiane is a platform that aims to celebrate every sector of Italian business across the world.
According to its website, its awards recognise everything from excellence in artisans who pass on centuries-old traditions, to hotels that welcome visitors with impeccable hospitality and much more. This marks the second time Olivo has received the award after also winning in 2022.
Guildford town centre is a place that has become increasingly saturated in terms of Italian eateries. So winning an award straight from Italy itself may be what puts Olivo above the competition in the town.
Competition is steep though, with award-winning Italian restaurants from Positano in Tunsgate, to Blue Sardinia on Sydenham Road, just to name a few.
Olivo received its ‘Italian Excellence’ award last week, with its owners Nunzio and Diana telling SurreyLive: “With pride and emotion, we are delighted to announce that Olivo Ristorante Italiano has once again been recognised by Eccellenze Italiane for the quality of our ingredients and the authenticity of our cuisine.
“This distinction is not just an award – it is a reaffirmation of our passion for true Italian flavours, our respect for tradition, and our commitment to delivering nothing but the very best.
“We are deeply honoured to stand among excellence, alongside the very best. But above all, we are truly touched that the best recognise us, in turn, as being among the top.
“This recognition inspires us, drives us, and reminds us to continue holding ourselves to the highest standards of refinement and quality.
“Grazie a tutti! We cook for you. We grow for you. We remain committed to excellence-for you.”
While 2026 has been a year of international recognition for Olivo, 2025 was one of local recognition.
At the Experience Guildford Business Awards 2025, the Quarry Street eatery managed to win three awards in one night. These being Best Business, Best Restaurant and “most meaningful of all” according to Nunzio and Diana; the People’s Choice.
In nearly three decades since opening in 1997, Olivo has grown to become one of Guildford’s most recognisable independent restaurants.
But it’s not just the Italian experts who have praise for Olivo as the restaurant boasts a 4.5 out of five rating on TripAdvisor from an impressive 2,400 reviews.
A review on the site from March 2026 called the restaurant “the best place”, giving Olivo a five out of five and saying:
“There has never been a time where the food and service weren’t absolutely fantastic. Olivo is a must try and Hamed was brilliant, he was very attentive and helpful with the menu, thank you!”
Another from the same month said their lunch-time experience at the eatery was “perfect” and “wonderful”, with the review reading:
“We had a wonderful lunch here in early March to celebrate by wife’s birthday. We were seated in the front/bar area which is delightful, with a great atmosphere.
“The dishes and wine we chose were delicious and the service was excellent (thank you Hamed). All told, a perfect lunch experience and well definitely be back.”
Olivo is known equally for its Mediterranean cuisines and its wine offerings with a large range to choose from on their menu, from sparkling, to red, white and rose; there are seven pages worth of choice.
In terms of food, there are menus for all the times of day that you may visit. A lunch menu, an a la carte menu, and even a vegan menu can be selected.
While there are many options to choose from, the spotlight goes to one of Olivo’s ‘house specials’ on the a la carte menu, the Pappardelle ragu cinghiale (£21.95).
This consists of papardelle pasta with slow-cooked wild boar ragu, accompanied by herbs, vegetables and red wine from the “heart of Tuscany”.
On the lunch menu, you can currently get a starter and main for £19.95. With starter options of the soup of the day, deep fried, breadcrumbed prawns and salad, as well as mussels with fresh tomato, garlic, fresh parsley, chilli, olive oil served with toasted bread.
For the main course, you’ll get to choose between offerings of chicken saltimbocca, a pan-fried chicken breast wrapped with prosciutto and sage leaves and accompanied with oven roasted potatoes.
If you fancy fish, the Pappardelle al salmone consists of pappardelle pasta served with smoked salmon, garlic, cream, tomato and garden peas sauce.
You’ll also find some British classics which actually originate in Italy such as Carbonara. Olivo serve this with spaghetti pasta, guanciale, which is Italian pork cheek bacon, cream, egg and parmesan.
There are still many offerings which the average Brit would not have heard of, let alone be able to pronounce correctly. Such as the Vele al tartufo, which is a pasta filled with mozzarella and truffle in a velvety sauce with cream, truffle oil, parmesan and rocket leaves.