Established in 1998 by Karin Andersson and Ben Flight, The Real Olive Company’s origins lie nestled in the heart of St Nicholas Market in Bristol, a busy bustling market where traders and office workers combine to enjoy Bristol's largest selection of olives and freshly prepared salads, artisan breads made from our own bakery and other tasty offerings. In a growing market for Mediterranean produce, the demand for these products soon grew and the Company started offering their goods to other market traders, delicatessens and restaurants around the country.

The wholesale side of the business has grown from strength to strength over the last ten years and has enabled us to source our products directly from artisan olive growers in Greece, Italy and Spain. We source all our products personally, visiting suppliers and picking only the finest ingredients and produce. Having learned first hand, we have gained an invaluable insight into what our customers desire and need.

2001 saw the opening of The Olive Shed, our own restaurant on Bristol's harbourside. It has since become a popular haven for those wanting to escape the furious pace of central Bristol. Customers can enjoy quality Mediterranean dishes and fine wines whilst enjoying beautiful dockside views from the first floor dining room. The charming little terrace is the perfect place to forget your worries with some tapas nibbles or just a coffee.

Not wanting to stand still, the ever-ambitious Ben and Karin set their sights on two shop locations, and 2007 saw the opening of two new Bristol shops located in North Street, Bedminster, and Gloucester Road, Bishopston. These beautifully designed shops really sum up the whole company ethos and expand on the original product range by offering olives, oils, tapas, our own homemade breads and cakes, a specialist deli range of dried goods, vegetarian-based salad boxes and olive scoops, dried lavender and Portuguese pottery.

Whether you are an independent shop, restaurant, pub, part of a large chain, or one of our shop customers, we aim to fulfil your every need and offer you a unique experience.

Set up with a vision to provide wholesome, quality products, The Real Olive Company thrives on the knowledge that one little olive will bring a ray of Mediterranean sunshine to your day.