Popular Restaurant To Close For Good In Meriden, Owners With 'Great Sadness'

MERIDEN, CT — The Green Olive Diner in Meriden is closing its doors for good on Sunday, the owners announced with “great sadness.”

The family-style restaurant, known for offering American, Italian, and Mediterranean food, has been located at 477 South Broad St. in Meriden for the past 16 years.

“It has been a pleasure and honor to serve you all and be a part of this community,” reads a letter signed by Kelli and Brian Balik posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page. “We have sponsored many youth events, done car shows, vendor events, and fundraisers for dance companies, fundraisers for fire victims, and given many free meals to the community. We have loved being a part of this community for so long.

“My husband and I have enjoyed being a part of this community and calling it home for all these years. We have made some wonderful memories and friends over the years. We will miss you all very much.”

Kelli Balik wrote in the post that closing the restaurant was “not an easy decision and came with a lot of heartache” and cited increases in the rent as a reason to close.

She also announced that the couple is opening a new restaurant, Abe’s Pizzeria on East Main Street in Branford, in the coming weeks.

Gift Cards to the Green Olive Diner will be honored at the new restaurant for the next six months, according to the post.

Kelli Balik said all gift cards must be redeemed by June 30, 2026.

“We are sorry for those that stay in Meriden or Wallingford as it was very difficult to find a new location there,” the post reads.

The Green Olive Diner will be closing for the last time at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30.

Anyone interesting in buying restaurant equipment or supplies is asked to contact the owner.

For more information, visit the Green Olive Diner on Facebook here, and at its website here.