The Olive Garden lunch menu gives good value with filling portions and fair prices in 2026. Many lunch meals also include unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks.
If you’re looking for Olive Garden lunch hours, weekday specials, or updated lunch prices, this guide helps. It breaks down popular choices like Chicken Alfredo and Tour of Italy in a simple way.
You’ll see current pricing, easy money-saving tips, and the best lunch combos to order. We’ll also explain when Olive Garden serves lunch at most locations.

Olive Garden Lunch Hours 2026: When Is Lunch Served?
Olive Garden lunch hours follow a strict weekday schedule in 2026. Most locations serve lunch Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Lunch pricing ends at 3 PM, even if you arrive slightly late.
After 3 PM, Olive Garden switches to the dinner menu and dinner prices.
The difference between weekday and weekend lunch hours is important. Weekday lunch includes lower lunch pricing, while weekends usually do not.
|
Day |
Time Window |
|---|---|
|
Monday–Friday |
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
|
Monday–Friday |
After 3:00 PM |
|
Saturday |
All day |
|
Sunday |
All day |
On Saturdays and Sundays, Olive Garden serves the dinner menu all day. Lunch pricing does not apply, even during midday hours.
Holiday schedules can also affect lunch hours. On many holidays, Olive Garden follows weekend-style service, with dinner pricing all day. Most locations are closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and hours may vary on other holidays.
Always check your local Olive Garden hours, since lunch times can change by location.
Olive Garden Lunch Menu Prices 2026: Lunch Cost per Person & Full Price
Olive Garden lunch menu prices in 2026 offer solid value compared to dinner. Lunch portions cost less, which makes weekday lunch the smarter choice.
Most Olive Garden lunch prices fall between $13.49 and $15.99, based on location and menu item. The same dishes at dinner usually cost $5 to $8 more.
Here’s a clear lunch vs dinner price comparison:
|
Menu Item Type |
Average Lunch Price |
Average Dinner Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Pasta dishes |
$12.99 – $15.99 |
$18.99 – $22.99 |
|
Soup, Salad & Breadsticks |
$13.49 – $15.99 |
Dinner-only pricing |
|
Chicken entrées |
$13.99 – $15.99 |
$19.99 – $23.99 |
After adding a drink and tax, the average Olive Garden lunch cost per person is about $16 to $20. Dinner visits usually push the total above $22 per person.
Unlimited Soup, Salad & Breadsticks Lunch Deal: Price, Soups, and Value
The Unlimited Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks lunch deal is Olive Garden’s best-value lunch option in 2026. Prices usually range from $13.49 to $135.99, depending on location.
This lunch combo includes endless soup, fresh salad, and unlimited hot breadsticks. Refills continue throughout your meal, not just once.
You can choose from four soup options:
- Zuppa Toscana
- Minestrone
- Pasta e Fagioli
- Chicken & Gnocchi
You can also switch soup flavors during the same visit, which many guests don’t realize.
For the price, this lunch deal fills you up more than most pasta dishes. It’s the best choice if you want the lowest Olive Garden lunch price with unlimited food.

Lasagna Classico

Chicken Parmigiana

Fettuccine Alfredo (V)

Shrimp Scampi

Spaghetti

Eggplant Parmigiana (V)

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Cheese Ravioli

Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

Soup, Salad and Breadsticks | Lunch
400 cal. – 520 cal.
Lunch-Sized Favorites at Olive Garden: Portion Sizes, Lunch Menu Items & Top Picks
Olive Garden Lunch-Sized Favorites offer smaller portions made for weekday lunch. These dishes cost less than dinner and still include unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks.
Note: Lunch-Sized Favorites are only available Monday to Friday before 3 PM.
Here are the most common Olive Garden Lunch-Sized Favorites menu items:
|
Lunch-Sized Favorite |
Portion Details |
|---|---|
|
Chicken Parmigiana |
One breaded chicken breast with marinara, cheese, and spaghetti |
|
Fettuccine Alfredo |
Smaller portion of fettuccine with Alfredo sauce |
|
Spaghetti & Meatballs |
Reduced spaghetti serving with meatballs |
|
Lasagna Classico |
One slice of classic lasagna |
|
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno |
Smaller baked ziti with five cheeses |
|
Cheese Ravioli |
Ravioli with marinara or meat sauce |
|
Eggplant Parmigiana |
Breaded eggplant with sauce and melted cheese |
Lunch portions are smaller than dinner portions, especially for protein-based dishes.
|
Dish |
Lunch Portion |
Dinner Portion |
|---|---|---|
|
Chicken Parmigiana |
One chicken breast |
Two chicken breasts |
|
Pasta dishes |
Smaller bowl |
Larger, full-size bowl |
|
Lasagna |
Single slice |
Heavier layered portion |
You get less food at lunch, but the lower price makes it a better value.
Based on popularity, these are the top three Olive Garden Lunch-Sized Favorites:
|
Rank |
Lunch Item |
Why It’s Popular |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Chicken Parmigiana |
Best value with protein and pasta |
|
2 |
Fettuccine Alfredo |
Rich, filling, and a classic choice |
|
3 |
Spaghetti & Meatballs |
Familiar flavor and balanced portion |
If you want a lighter meal without paying dinner prices, Lunch-Sized Favorites are a smart choice.
Olive Garden Lunch Specials 2026 & $6 Take Home Entrée Deal
Olive Garden lunch specials focus on Lunch Favorites and the popular $6 Take Home Entrée. This deal helps you turn one lunch visit into two meals.
Here’s how the Olive Garden $6 Take Home Entrée works. When you buy any lunch entrée, you can add one chilled classic entrée for $6. You take it home and heat it later.
The take-home meal comes cold and does not include soup, salad, or breadsticks.
Eligible Olive Garden $6 Take Home Entrées
|
Take Home Entrée |
Item Details |
|---|---|
|
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno |
Baked ziti with five-cheese marinara |
|
Fettuccine Alfredo |
Pasta with creamy Alfredo sauce |
|
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce |
Classic spaghetti with meat sauce |
How much money does the $6 Take Home deal save?
The savings come from paying $6 instead of full price for a second meal.
|
Scenario |
Total Cost |
|---|---|
|
Two separate entrée visits |
Full price twice |
|
One lunch + $6 Take Home |
Lunch price + $6 |
If a regular entrée costs $14.99 to $22.99, you save about $9 to $17 on the second meal. This makes the deal great for meal prep.
Olive Garden Calories & Nutrition: Lighter Lunch Options Under 600 Calories
If you want a lighter Olive Garden lunch, there are plenty of smart choices. Many lunch items stay under 600 calories, especially soups and lunch-sized pasta.
Olive Garden lunch items under 600 calories
|
Lighter Option |
Approx. Calories |
|---|---|
|
Minestrone soup |
110 |
|
Pasta e Fagioli soup |
150 |
|
Zuppa Toscana soup |
220 |
|
Chicken & Gnocchi soup |
230 |
|
Salad with Italian dressing |
150 |
|
Lunch-sized Spaghetti with Marinara |
370 |
|
Lunch-sized Shrimp Scampi |
460 |
|
Lunch-sized Lasagna Classico |
500 |
Gluten-sensitive and vegetarian Olive Garden lunch choices
Olive Garden offers gluten-free rotini, which pairs well with marinara sauce. This option stays under 600 calories when ordered light.
Vegetarian-friendly lunch options include:
- Minestrone soup
- Salad with light dressing
- Spaghetti with Marinara
- Cheese Ravioli with Marinara
Easy ways to lower calories at Olive Garden
Small changes help reduce calories:
- Ask for dressing on the side
- Pick marinara instead of creamy sauces
- Order lunch-sized portions
- Skip extra cheese if you want a lighter meal
These choices help you enjoy Olive Garden lunch while keeping calories in check.
Are breadsticks included with the lunch menu if ordering to go? If not, how much are the breadsticks?
Yes. If you order a lunch entrée to go, breadsticks are included.
Quantity: You typically receive 2 breadsticks per entrée.
Soup/Salad Combos: If you order the “Soup, Salad & Breadsticks” lunch combination, they are obviously included.
Exceptions: They are generally not included if you only order appetizers or a child’s meal, nor are they included with the “$6 Take Home Entrée” add-ons.
Price for Extra Breadsticks (To Go)
If you want more than the standard amount included with your meal, you can order them as a side:
6 Breadsticks: ~$4.49
12 Breadsticks: ~$6.99
(Note: Prices may vary slightly by location, but these are the standard menu rates.)