Bleu Olive
Hillandale, Durham
Restaurant in Durham, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Bleu Olive is a practical Durham pick when ease, location, and a weekday lunch or dinner window matter more than a splashy restaurant moment. Book it for a low-friction meal near Hillandale Road; cross-shop Vin Rouge for a more defined bistro feel, Juju Durham for more energy, or Metro 8 Steakhouse for a steakhouse occasion.
About Bleu Olive
Bleu Olive is a Durham restaurant with a smart-casual dress code and a schedule that includes weekday lunch and dinner, Saturday dinner, and a Sunday closure. Without a listed price range, cuisine description, chef details, signature dishes, or awards, the safest way to frame a visit is around timing and fit rather than a specific culinary hook.
For a first-timer, the schedule is: lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 2 PM, dinner Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 PM, Saturday dinner only from 5 to 9 PM, and Sunday closed. If details like bar seating, private dining, dietary accommodations, takeout, delivery, or a particular menu style matter, verify them directly with the venue before planning around them.
Pick it for an easy Durham meal, not for a high-drama splurge
Bleu Olive makes the clearest case when the timing works for your plan. It is open for weekday lunch and dinner, dinner on Saturday, and closed Sunday, so it can fit workday meals, early dinners, and Saturday evening plans better than Sunday dining or late-night plans.
Since awards, chef details, named signature dishes, cuisine, or a price range are not available, the decision should stay practical: choose it when the Durham location, smart-casual dress code, and posted meal periods match what you need. For anything more specific, check the venue's current information before committing.
Where it sits among alternatives
When comparing options, Bleu Olive can be considered alongside Metro 8 Steakhouse, Vin Rouge, Juju Durham, Parizade, and Terrace Kitchen. A detailed comparison of how Bleu Olive differs by cuisine, price, room style, or menu format is not available, so use current menus, hours, and reservation details to decide which restaurant best fits the occasion.
For a broader scan before deciding, use our full Durham restaurants guide; if the plan extends beyond dinner, the Durham guides for hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences help keep the rest of the itinerary realistic.
Planning details
- Location
- 1821 Hillandale Rd # 101, Durham, NC 27705
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- bleuolivebistro.com
- Phone
- +19193838502
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Bleu Olive reads like a neighborhood restaurant that prioritizes locals over tourism. Set on Hillandale Road amid low-slung commercial strips, the spot leans into easygoing, everyday dining rather than theatrical presentation. Service and pacing are shaped by repeat business: staff learn regulars, and the rhythm favors familiar meals and comfortable visits. The profile positions the restaurant as quietly valued by the surrounding community — not a flashy destination, but a reliable place for Mediterranean food in a relaxed, approachable setting.
Best For
This is a place built for local routines: brunches, family meals and date-night dinners that don’t require advance planning. The write-up highlights mid-tier price points and a neighborhood focus, which suits casual group meals or a relaxed night out. Because the restaurant earns business through repeat customers rather than destination traffic, it’s especially good for people who live nearby or visitors prepared for a low-key experience rather than a showy, reservation-driven evening.
Ordering Tips
Confirm contact and booking details before you go: the listing notes that the phone and website information in our database aren’t confirmed, so search by name and address to check hours and reservation policies. Expect shorter booking windows and more walk-in flexibility than you’d find at destination restaurants; build a little extra time to get oriented to the Hillandale strip, and don’t assume valet or visible highway signage. If you need a guaranteed table, contact the venue directly to verify current reservation options.
Venue details
Ambiance
Casual and cozy atmosphere suitable for family meals or romantic dates with consistent quality.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- grilled octopus
- tirokafteri
- hummus
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1821 Hillandale Rd # 101, Durham, NC 27705
Planning details
Location
1821 Hillandale Rd # 101, Durham, NC 27705 · Directions
Also consider
Where to book if Bleu Olive is not the right fit
Pick Vin Rouge for a more defined French-bistro dinner, or Juju Durham for a livelier group meal. For a more formal occasion, Metro 8 Steakhouse is the cleaner alternative.
Restaurant context
How Bleu Olive compares in Durham
Bleu Olive is the easiest recommendation when the brief is convenience: a Hillandale Road meal with weekday lunch and dinner availability, plus Saturday dinner. Metro 8 Steakhouse is the better fit for a steak-focused occasion, while Bleu Olive makes more sense when the group wants something less formal and easier to fit around daytime plans.
For ambiance, Vin Rouge is the stronger choice if the diner wants a more specific French-bistro identity. Juju Durham is a better bet for a livelier group dinner, especially if shared plates and a louder room are part of the appeal. Bleu Olive is the calmer pick for a first-timer who values a simpler booking and a less scene-driven meal.
Parizade and Terrace Kitchen should be on the shortlist when the setting carries more weight. Choose Parizade for a bigger-feeling dinner, Terrace Kitchen when the room is central to the plan, and Bleu Olive when the priority is a dependable Durham meal without turning the reservation into the main event.
Explore Durham
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Bleu Olive guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Bleu Olive
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Bleu Olive | Durham | No published awards |
| Metro 8 Steakhouse | Durham | No published awards |
| Vin Rouge | Durham | No published awards |
| Juju Durham | Durham | No published awards |
| Parizade | Durham | No published awards |
| Terrace Kitchen | Durham | No published awards |
How Bleu Olive Durham compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bleu Olive good for solo dining?
It may be, depending on what you want from the meal. Weekday lunch and dinner hours, Saturday dinner hours, a Sunday closure, and a smart-casual dress code are applicable, but bar seating, counter seating, or a specific solo-dining setup are not specified.
Can Bleu Olive accommodate groups?
Private dining, room size, or group policies are not listed. If you are planning for a group, contact Bleu Olive directly before going to Durham, especially if you need a larger table or a specific seating arrangement.
What are alternatives to Bleu Olive?
Other restaurants to compare include Metro 8 Steakhouse, Vin Rouge, Juju Durham, Parizade, and Terrace Kitchen. Check current hours, menus, and availability to decide which option best fits your plan.
Is lunch or dinner better at Bleu Olive?
That depends on your schedule. Weekday lunch is from 11:30 AM to 2 PM, and dinner is Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 PM, with Saturday dinner from 5 to 9 PM. Bleu Olive is closed Sunday.
Is Bleu Olive good for a special occasion?
It can be considered for a Durham meal when the smart-casual dress code and posted hours fit your plans. Pricing, private dining, awards, or a specific occasion format are not available, so confirm any special requirements directly with the venue.
Can I eat at the bar at Bleu Olive?
Bar dining is not specified. If bar seating matters, contact Bleu Olive directly before going to Durham.
