Date Night Done Right: An Italian Love Affair at Five Olives

Dinner Review – February 13th, 2025

There are restaurants you casually drop by in your flip-flops, and then there’s Five Olives — the kind of place that makes you want to slip into your best dress, dust off your heels, and feel like the main character in your own Italian love story. Whether it’s a date night, a special dinner with a friend, or a solo moment of self-love with a glass of Sicilian white in hand, this spot in Bangtao is pure magic.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know my undying love for Marni, my holy grail for pizza in Phuket. What you might not know is that Five Olives is its elegant sibling — both owned by the incredibly talented Khun Korn and his sister Khun Kwang, two local visionaries who have truly elevated Italian dining on the island.

And apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so.

📍 Five Olives has been ranked No. 27 in Asia Pacific’s Best Pizzerias
📍 Marni proudly holds the No. 36 spot

I know, I know… I should have written about this a long time ago. But life caught up with me. I lost most of my photos (thanks to a very moody camera roll), and I had just started a new job that drained me both physically and mentally. The upside? That job brought me closer to the ocean. I was swimming every day, introducing travelers to the marine wonders of Phuket, and gently teaching them to be more mindful of nature. It was beautiful, but exhausting.

Still, the questions always came: Where do you eat? What’s your favorite local spot?
And the answer, always with a smile, was: Marni and Five Olives. Hands down.

THE DECOR

From the moment you walk in, Five Olives sets the tone. There’s a sleek bar as you enter, flanked by intimate dining spaces on both sides. One of them even has an olive tree, which feels like a subtle wink to the restaurant’s roots and name. It’s casual, yes, but there’s that je ne sais quoi that makes you want to stay a little longer, sip a little slower, and pretend you’re somewhere along the Amalfi Coast.

I’ll be honest — I don’t go there as often as I’d like. Not because I don’t love it (I do), but because it feels too pretty for my everyday self. You know what I mean, right? It’s the kind of place you want to show up to looking your best. And that’s not a bad thing — it makes the experience feel special.

THE FOOD

Let’s talk about the real star of the show: the food. Because if you’re anything like me (and if you’re reading this blog, you probably are), you know that food is more than nourishment — it’s how we mark moments, connect with others, and anchor memories. And Five Olives is the kind of place that understands that on a soul level.

Their menu is noticeably more expansive than Marni’s — think elevated Italian classics, seasonal ingredients, and just enough bold creativity to surprise you. It’s food that feels familiar but refined, with every plate composed like a quiet love letter to Italy. Here’s what we indulged in:

Five Olives Salad (THB 420)

Don’t let the word salad fool you — this was a dish that held its own. A generous bowl of curly kale and roasted cauliflower layered with crunch from golden croutons, the richness of anchovies, and a satisfying earthiness from toasted walnuts. What pulled it all together was the homemade Caesar dressing, just creamy enough without overpowering the delicate bitterness of the greens. A strong opener that felt both nourishing and indulgent.

Pizza, Half & Half

Because let’s be honest — choosing just one topping is torture. We went for a half Burrata, Prosciutto & Wild Rocket (THB 680) and half Italian Sausage & Chicory (THB 480). The crust was classic Neapolitan — puffy and blistered on the edges, soft in the center, with that irresistible chew. The burrata side was creamy and delicate, the salty prosciutto and peppery rocket dancing in harmony. The sausage & chicory half was heartier, slightly bitter from the greens, and full of rustic charm. You can taste why this pizzeria ranked among the top 30 in Asia-Pacific — it’s not just pizza, it’s craft.

Black Squid Ink Spaghetti (THB 420)

This dish was unapologetically dramatic — jet-black strands of al dente spaghetti slicked with a glossy squid ink sauce that shimmered under the light. Locally sourced squid, lemon zest, white wine, and San Marzano tomatoes created a sauce that was briny, bright, and deeply umami. Every forkful tasted like the ocean in winter — bold, clean, and impossible to stop eating.

Frutti di Mare Risotto (THB 780)

This was my showstopper. Made with Carnaroli rice, which stays slightly firm while absorbing flavor like a sponge, the risotto came brimming with tiger prawns, squid, clams, and Australian mussels. The white wine and San Marzano tomato base offered depth and acidity, while the garlic and fresh parsley lifted the whole dish. It tasted like summer on the Italian coast, the kind of dish that makes you sigh between bites.

Seafood Soup (THB 480)

If the risotto was rich and velvety, this soup was its light-footed cousin — warming, brothy, and infused with the gentle sweetness of local seafood. Again, tiger prawns, squid, and mussels made an appearance, with that signature base of garlic, parsley, and tomato creating a flavor profile that’s familiar yet elevated. You could taste the respect for the ingredients in every spoonful.

Charcoal-Grilled Black Angus Picanha Steak (THB 990)

Meat lovers, rejoice. This cut is prized for its marbling and tenderness, and here it was charcoal-grilled to perfection, kissed with smokiness and served with a velvety potato purée, a rich beef jus, and a herby green sauce that added a fresh counterpoint. Every element was balanced and precise — a plate that shows the kitchen knows how to treat quality meat with restraint and respect.

Drinks & Dessert

Regaleali Sicilia Bianco DOC 2023: A crisp white wine with floral notes and citrusy freshness — perfect with seafood, and even better when sipped slowly over conversation. It’s THB 350 by the glass or THB 1,690 by the bottle, and totally worth the splurge.

And yes… we skipped dessert. I KNOW. I’m still processing that decision. We were just so full — the good kind of full, the kind that makes you smile lazily and lean back in your chair, satisfied to your soul. But mark my words: next time, I will try the tiramisu. And maybe the panna cotta too. For research, of course.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO AND RETURN

Looking back, I kind of laughed at my order. I picked two seafood dishes that were almost too similar — which is so not me! But I think I got carried away by how beautiful they looked on the menu. (Food photogenicity is a real thing, okay?)

Still, every single bite was divine. And now I just need an excuse to go back, try the things I missed, and of course — order that tiramisu.

If you ever feel like treating me (just saying), Five Olives is the way to my heart.

Or better yet, treat yourself. You deserve it.