The story
On Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn’s 11233 neighborhood, Olmo calls itself a cantina neoyorquina – a New York cantina that brings the warmth and depth of Mexican cooking to an unfussy, walk-in-friendly setting. Open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday and weekend brunch, the restaurant has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking, and the menu reflects that same direct, ingredient-focused ethos.
The dinner menu opens with botanas like a Veggie Tostada with tzikil pak and seasonal greens, and sopes made from heirloom corn masa with black beans, queso fresco, and plantains. A Queso Fundido with chiles toreados comes with harina tortillas. Al centro, the Fideo seco – short pasta with black garlic adobo and your choice of chorizo or avocado – is a signature. Grilled Branzino arrives atop cannellini bean and caramelized cabbage ragout with olive salsa, while the Carne Asada is a 12-ounce grass-fed rib eye served with pico de gallo, black beans, guasacaca, and tortillas. Postres include a Flan Paleta drizzled with caramel and an apple empanada with avocado leaf ice cream.
Weekend brunch runs from 11am to 3pm. Standouts include chilaquiles with salsa morita and fried egg, a Chorizo Verde Torta with black beans and cheddar, Birria and Grits (goat with cheesy heirloom grits), and Concha French Toast made with masa madre concha, horchata, and apple compote.
The bar program is deep, with agave spirits leading the way. A rotating list of mezcals and tequilas sits alongside house cocktails like the Ponte Trucha (tequila, strawberry aperitif, lemon-agave cordial), the Mezcal Negroni, and the Pepitoria, made with toasted pumpkin seed-infused tequila, Amontillado sherry, and mole bitters. Micheladas are a focus – try the classic or the de Reversa with a frozen Clamato paleta. There’s a selection of amari and non-alcoholic options, too.
Reservations are available via Resy, but the restaurant always holds tables and bar spots for walk-ins. For groups of 7–12, private parties can be arranged by email. Olmo’s Mexican cooking is confident and unfussy – exactly the kind of neighborhood restaurant the Bib Gourmand celebrates.
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