Is there parking near Olympic Cafe?

Street parking is available on University Ave in North Park, though it can fill up during peak meal times. The spot sits in a walkable neighborhood area, so it's accessible if you don't mind a quick hunt for a spot or using a nearby lot.

Do I need a reservation or can I just walk in?

Olympic Cafe takes walk-ins and doesn't require reservations, making it a solid choice for casual meals. Come during off-peak hours (mid-afternoon, early weeknight) if you want to skip the wait.

What should I order first?

The Pastitsio is legendary—reviewers rave about it being the best they've had anywhere. Also go for the Greek chicken with potatoes and fried zucchini, or the chicken skewers if you want something lighter. The patty melt is a solid left-field choice that delivers.

Is this place good for kids?

Yeah, it's straight-up kid-friendly. The casual vibe, generous portions, and range of options (Greek mains, pasta, comfort food) make it a go-to for families in North Park. The outdoor seating and neighborhood staple status mean it's built for this.

Do you have vegetarian options?

Yes—the menu includes vegetarian dishes, and being a Mediterranean spot, there are plenty of ways to eat around the meat. Staff is attentive, so ask about modifications if something catches your eye.

Olympic Cafe has outdoor seating where dogs are welcome to hang while you eat. Perfect for a casual North Park meal if you're grabbing lunch post-beach or walking around the neighborhood.

What's the vibe like, and when's the best time to go?

This is a Mediterranean cottage-style spot with an inviting, casual atmosphere—part brunch destination, part neighborhood staple, part post-beach pit stop. Go midday or early evening on weeknights to avoid crowds and soak in the sunshine without the wait.

Do they have beer and wine?

Yes, beer and wine are on offer, which pairs well with Greek and Mediterranean food. They also do excellent coffee if you're coming for breakfast or just caffeine.

Olympic Cafe — Mediterranean in North Park, San Diego

“Olympic Cafe is where North Park's beer-literate regulars bring their Greek grandparents without apology—housemade pastitsio and baklava at counter-service prices.”

While the neighborhood's tap-list temples serve creativity by the pour, Olympic trades in a different kind of craft: forty years of hand-rolled phyllo and slow-cooked lamb that tastes like someone's *yiayia* is actually in the kitchen. This isn't fusion or reinterpretation—it's straightforward Greek done right, the kind of place where ordering pastitsio means getting a steam-table tray of béchamel-crowned pasta that regulars have been coming back for since before 30th Street had murals.

The counter-service setup keeps things moving even when the patio fills with post-Observatory families and weeknight groups who know the drill: order at the register, grab a table under the umbrellas, wait for your number. The Greek chicken arrives with lemony potatoes and fried zucchini that's better than it has any right to be. Chicken skewers come properly charred. The patty melt—yes, they do a patty melt—somehow holds its own against the moussaka. And the baklava isn't an afterthought; it's made in-house and rivals anything you'd find in a dedicated confectionery.

Portion sizes lean generous, prices stay inexpensive, and the staff operates with the efficiency of people who've seen a thousand orders and still care about number 1,001. It's kid-friendly without being overrun, casual enough for a solo lunch, reliable enough that locals use it as their Greek spot when cooking feels like too much effort.

Practical notes: outdoor seating is the move when weather cooperates. Parking on University can be tight during peak hours—side streets are your friend. The coffee's solid if you need a post-meal reset before walking to the vinyl corner down the block.