Olive Garden Lunch Menu Guide 2025: Hours, Specials, Prices & Top Dishes

The Olive Garden lunch menu offers a quick, affordable way to enjoy the restaurant’s Italian classics. Served from 11 AM to 3 PM, it features lighter portions of signature pastas, fresh soups, and crisp salads. Popular picks include unlimited Soup, Salad & Breadsticks, the Create-Your-Own Lunch Duo, and lunch-sized favorites like Fettuccine Alfredo and Eggplant Parmigiana.

Most meals cost between $7 and $12 and often come with complimentary breadsticks. The iconic Soup, Salad & Breadsticks combo, available weekdays from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, includes unlimited salad, a choice of four soups, and warm breadsticks for about $9.49. This guide covers lunch hours, menu options, prices, nutrition tips, and ways to save on your midday meal.

Olive Garden Lunch Hours and Timing

Olive Garden lunch hours run from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at most locations, making it easy to plan a midday visit. If you are asking what time does Olive Garden serve lunch, the transition to the lunch menu begins right at 11 AM and ends when dinner service starts at 3 PM. Some restaurants may adjust hours slightly based on local demand, so checking your nearest location’s schedule is recommended.

Here is a simple lunch hours schedule for reference:

To avoid long waits, plan your meal right after opening or closer to 2 PM, when the dining room is less busy. Noon to 1:30 PM is usually the peak rush, especially on weekends. Because hours can vary during holidays or in high-traffic locations, a quick online check or call can save time and ensure a smooth experience.

Overview of the Olive Garden Lunch Menu

The Olive Garden lunch menu overview features smaller portions of classic Italian dishes designed for a quick and affordable meal. This midday dining menu is ideal for guests looking to enjoy authentic flavors without committing to full dinner servings. It focuses on variety, value, and speedy service, making it perfect for work breaks or casual outings.

The menu offers a balanced mix of lunch options, including freshly prepared soups, crisp salads, and a selection of pastas served in lunch-sized portions. Popular choices include creamy Alfredo, hearty meat sauces, and light marinara dishes. Guests can also enjoy sandwiches such as toasted paninis and Italian subs, often paired with soup or salad for a complete meal.

Each item is crafted to deliver satisfying flavor while fitting into a shorter lunch schedule. By combining variety, portion control, and quick service, Olive Garden’s lunch menu provides an easy way to enjoy Italian favorites at a great value during the day.

Olive Garden Lunch Specials and Deals

Olive Garden offers a variety of lunch specials that make enjoying Italian favorites easy and affordable. The most popular option is the unlimited Soup, Salad & Breadsticks deal, available on weekdays from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, allowing guests to enjoy endless refills of fresh salad, warm breadsticks, and their choice of soup for one set price.

Another top pick is the Create Your Own Lunch Duo, which lets guests pair soups, salads, or sandwiches with pasta or other entrées for a personalized meal. The menu also includes lunch-sized favorites such as Fettuccine Alfredo, Lasagna Classico, and Eggplant Parmigiana, served in smaller portions at a lower cost.

For those looking for a budget-friendly lunch, Olive Garden occasionally runs weekday lunch deals starting around $5.99, which are ideal for quick, affordable dining. Seasonal promotions, limited-time entrées, and digital coupons often add even more ways to save.

Because availability can vary by location, it’s best to check your local Olive Garden’s current special offers online or call ahead to confirm pricing and deals before visiting. This ensures you can take full advantage of the best lunch values.

Popular Olive Garden Lunch Dishes

Olive Garden offers a variety of popular lunch dishes that blend authentic Italian flavors with perfectly sized portions for midday dining. These meals are among the best lunch options for guests who want satisfying flavors without the heaviness of dinner entrées.

Signature choices include the layered Lasagna Classico and crispy Chicken Parmigiana, both known for their rich sauces and hearty textures. Creamy pasta favorites like Fettuccine Alfredo deliver a smooth, indulgent taste, while classic Spaghetti or Spaghetti & Meatballs provide a familiar and comforting option.

Vegetarian lunch favorites include Eggplant Parmigiana, Cheese Ravioli, and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, offering cheesy, baked, or breaded varieties that are flavorful yet lighter than meat entrées. This mix of traditional and vegetarian selections gives diners plenty of choice while keeping portions and preparation tailored for a quick, enjoyable lunch experience.

Soup, Salad & Breadsticks Combo

Olive Garden’s soup, salad, breadsticks lunch is a signature weekday special known for its value and freshness. Available from 11 AM to 2:30 PM for about $13.49, it offers a quick yet satisfying option for midday dining.

This soup and salad special includes unlimited servings of crisp house salad tossed in Italian dressing, topped with olives, pepperoncini, and croutons. Guests can pair it with their choice of hot soup from:

• Chicken & Gnocchi – creamy broth with tender chicken and soft potato gnocchi
• Minestrone – vegetable-based broth with beans and pasta (vegetarian)
• Zuppa Toscana – savory soup with Italian sausage, potatoes, and kale
• Pasta e Fagioli – tomato broth with pasta, beans, and ground beef

Warm, garlicky breadsticks come alongside and are refilled throughout the meal. The unlimited soup and salad format makes this combo ideal for a relaxed lunch while staying budget-friendly. Its balance of flavor, variety, and portion control has made it one of Olive Garden’s most popular midday specials.

Create Your Own Lunch Duo & Lunch-Sized Favorites

The lunch duo Olive Garden option lets guests build your own lunch by combining half portions of pasta or sandwiches with soup or salad for about $10.99–$11.99. It offers flexibility, portion control, and quick service, making it ideal for a midday meal.

Diners can choose from classic pastas like Alfredo, meat sauce, or marinara in smaller servings that fit lunch schedules. Sandwich choices often include toasted Italian paninis or subs, which pair well with a crisp house or Caesar salad or a warm bowl of soup. This mix-and-match setup allows guests to enjoy variety without the heaviness of full-size entrées.

Olive Garden’s lunch sized favorites feature smaller versions of popular entrées, giving the same rich flavors as the dinner menu in lighter portions. These dishes are designed for faster service and balanced meals, helping guests manage time and appetite while still enjoying their favorite Italian flavors.

With its customizable choices and manageable portions, the Lunch Duo and Lunch-Sized Favorites make it easy to enjoy a satisfying, flavorful lunch without overspending or overeating.

Olive Garden Lunch Prices and Value Options

Olive Garden lunch prices are designed to give guests quality meals at lower costs than dinner entrées. Most lunch items come in smaller portions, making them faster to serve and easier on the budget while still offering the same signature flavors.

Here’s a quick look at average Olive Garden lunch cost:

These prices offer better value than dinner entrées, which often range from $17 to $20 or more. Lunch portions are lighter yet satisfying, allowing diners to enjoy their favorite dishes without paying full dinner prices. This makes an affordable Olive Garden lunch a smart choice for quick work breaks or casual midday meals.

Prices can vary slightly depending on location, local demand, and seasonal promotions, so checking your nearest restaurant’s menu online or calling ahead is always recommended before visiting.

Nutritional information and dietary options

nderstanding Olive Garden lunch calories can help diners make choices that fit their dietary needs. Many lunch items are served in smaller portions than dinner entrées, which naturally reduces calorie counts while keeping meals satisfying. The popular Soup, Salad & Breadsticks combo, for example, ranges from about 400 to 520 calories depending on the chosen soup and dressing.

For those seeking plant-based meals, several vegetarian Olive Garden lunch options are available. Favorites include creamy Fettuccine Alfredo, baked Eggplant Parmigiana, and the light Minestrone soup. These dishes offer rich flavors while staying meat-free, making them ideal for vegetarian diets.

Guests with gluten sensitivities can also find suitable meals. Olive Garden provides a selection of gluten free lunch options, such as gluten-free rotini pasta with marinara or grilled chicken. Because preparation practices can vary, it’s best to review the official nutrition and allergen guide before ordering to ensure safety and accuracy.

By checking calorie information and dietary labels in advance, guests can enjoy flavorful Italian meals that align with their personal wellness goals while still experiencing the variety and value of the Olive Garden lunch menu.

Olive Garden Lunch (FAQs)