Olea in New Haven Delivers Extraordinary Spanish Dining

Olea's condomiz / Photo: Jen Kaufman, Connecticut Magazine

Many in the New Haven area mourned the closing of Ibiza last spring.The restaurant has been reimagined by former Ibiza chef Manual Romero who is now the owner and chef, reviving this modern Spanish tapas mecca for the city once again.

Our friends at Connecticut Magazine recently visited, giving it an excellent rating, and here's why:

When Ibiza in New Haven closed last spring, Connecticut lost a culinary treasure. Located on High Street, steps away from two famous art museums, it was itself a work of art, showcasing the best of modern Spanish cuisine in the state and on the East Coast. Busy, buzzy, frequently bustling, with a mile-long list of intriguing tapas and a devoutly loyal customer base, it vanished suddenly, as if it had never been. Rumors flew. Diners mourned. But within six months, the spirit of Ibiza rose like a phoenix in the same location but in a glamorous new guise, re-imagined and rechristened, Olea. When the doors opened last August, Ibiza fans were first in line. If they expected the same-old they were in for surprise, then delight. Ibiza had been colorful and playful in a Picasso-like way. Olea is suave and sophisticated in stylish tones of black and white and gray. Ibiza was a fun tapas bar. Olea is a world-class, full-service, Spanish restaurant—with a fun tapas bar.

Read the full review on Connecticut Magazine.

Olea is located at 39 High Street in New Haven. Visit them online atoleanewhaven.com