The Olive Garden 2 for $25 menu has become a popular pick for diners who want a full meal without spending a lot. This limited deal gives guests a shared dining experience with multiple entrée options, add-ons, and Italian classics. If you’re wondering how the offer works, what’s included, and whether it’s still available in 2026, this guide breaks it down clearly.

Is the Olive Garden 2 for $25 Menu Available in January 2026?
As of January 2026, Olive Garden isn’t offering the classic “2 for $25” menu as a national, everyday deal. It no longer appears on the main specials page and hasn’t been promoted nationwide for a while. The offer was popular for years, so it still gets plenty of searches from people hoping it’ll return.
Even though the national promo isn’t active, some local Olive Garden restaurants may still honor it as a limited-time, in-store special. It’s not guaranteed, but it does show up occasionally depending on the market and franchise. If you’re specifically looking for the 2-for-$25 setup, calling your local Olive Garden is the easiest way to confirm.
Olive Garden Specials 2026: Buy One, Take One & Best Deals
Olive Garden now leans on other value promos instead of the old 2-for-25 format. The most common replacements include:
- Buy One, Take One — Order one entrée and get a second one to take home.
- $6 Take-Home Entrées — Add a second entrée for a low price when buying a full-price meal.
- Never-Ending Pasta Bowl — A seasonal special that offers unlimited pasta for a set price.
- Limited-Time Seasonal Offers — Discounts and combos tied to new menu launches or holidays.
These promos rotate through the year, so availability depends on timing.
Olive Garden 2 for $25 Menu: What Was Included?
The Olive Garden 2 for $25 deal gives you a full dinner for two at a bundled price. The package includes:
- Two full entrées
- Unlimited soup or salad
- Unlimited breadsticks
- One shareable appetizer (or dessert at some locations)
It feels like a three-course Italian dinner without getting charged for every extra add-on.
When you compare it to ordering each item à la carte, the savings stand out. Appetizers and salads alone can push the total higher, and most people skip them to avoid price creep. With the deal, you get the full spread for less, which makes the value gap pretty clear.
Olive Garden 2 for $25 Menu Entrées List
The 2 for $25 deal at Olive Garden usually includes a mix of classic pasta and chicken dishes. You pick two entrées, and the lineup tends to include customer favorites such as:
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Chicken Parmigiana
- Cheese Ravioli
- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
- Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
- Eggplant Parmigiana
- Seafood Alfredo (availability varies by location)
- Lasagna Fritta (availability can rotate)
- Spaghetti with Meatballs
These are the dishes you’ll see most often when the deal is active, though the exact list can change by season and location.
Notes
- Some entrées may have small upcharges if you add protein, like chicken or shrimp.
- Availability isn’t guaranteed at every location, so menus can vary.
Appetizers Included in the 2 for $25 Deal
The 2 for $25 deal usually included one shareable appetizer (or sometimes a dessert) to start the meal. Olive Garden kept the options simple and stuck to the popular picks.
Common choices included:
- Fried Mozzarella
- Spinach-Artichoke Dip
- Lasagna Fritta
- (Availability varied by location)
These starters were made for sharing and paired well with pasta, so the deal felt like a full dinner instead of a quick entrée-only order.
Unlimited Soup, Salad & Breadsticks
You also got unlimited breadsticks and your choice of unlimited soup or house salad. Servers kept refilling them, so you didn’t run out before the mains arrived.
Buy One Take One vs. 2 for $25 (Olive Garden Deals Comparison)
Olive Garden has a few value deals that people search for when they want something cheaper, worth it, or simply a better deal for the price. Two of the most popular are Buy One, Take One and the 2 for $25 dinner special.
Buy One, Take One (BOTO)
You buy one entrée and get a second entrée to take home. You also get unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks with the entrée you eat in the restaurant.
Pricing usually starts at $12.99, which makes it one of the cheapest Olive Garden deals based on cost per meal. Since you end up with two full meals, the value is easy to see, especially if you like leftovers or want to stretch your budget.
2 for $25 Deal
The Olive Garden 2 for $25 special works for two people eating together. It includes:
- Two entrées
- One shared appetizer or dessert
- Unlimited soup or salad
- Unlimited breadsticks
It’s a good dine-in Olive Garden deal if you’re planning a date night, want something quick, or want to compare menu options without spending too much.
Olive Garden Deals Comparison: Buy One, Take One vs. 2 for $25
|
Feature 368_d50589-c6> |
Buy One, Take One (The Value King) 368_b70d63-d0> |
2 for $25 Deal (The Date Night Classic) 368_f28a75-ec> |
|---|---|---|
|
Total Meals You Get 368_6b7c3a-04> |
2 Meals Per Person (1 hot dine-in + 1 chilled for later) 368_969459-d4> |
2 Meals Total (1 meal for you + 1 for your guest) 368_c2f64a-56> |
|
Starting Price 368_2c9a99-c0> |
Starts at $12.99 (varies by location) 368_348144-e4> |
Fixed at $25.00 368_edfb52-e2> |
|
Best Used For 368_98bc1b-c4> |
Budget & Leftovers (Great for solo diners or meal prep) 368_61d0bf-e1> |
Dining Together (Perfect for dates or catching up with a friend) 368_daddd7-42> |
|
Includes Appetizer? 368_4d0b66-23> |
No 368_8091f0-eb> |
Yes (1 shared appetizer or dessert) 368_0b8d0c-12> |
|
Soup, Salad & Breadsticks 368_3fbf0f-3e> |
Yes (Unlimited refills for dine-in) 368_6edd27-5c> |
Yes (Unlimited refills for both people) 368_2974db-f0> |
|
Cost Per Meal 368_9e3ea2-5d> |
Lowest Cost (~$6.50 – $8.00 per meal) 368_e74c50-42> |
Moderate Cost ($12.50 per meal) 368_00003e-01> |
|
2026 Availability 368_6deda7-65> |
Frequent/High (Often available as “$6 Take Home” add-on) 368_08376a-04> |
Low/Rare (Mostly discontinued; check local franchises) 368_e0193f-ec> |
Does the 2 for $25 Menu Include Drinks or Desserts?
The Olive Garden 2 for $25 deal doesn’t include drinks. Soft drinks, iced tea, coffee, wine, and cocktails all cost extra.
Desserts are also typically extra, unless you swapped your appetizer for a dessert (where allowed). That small option makes the deal feel flexible in some locations, but it’s not guaranteed everywhere.
This is why the final bill can end up higher than $25, especially if you add drinks or want dessert. Many people only notice this when they’re checking the total, reading online reviews, or comparing Olive Garden specials for date night.
Olive Garden Drink Menu Prices 2026
|
Drink 368_025f0e-64> |
Estimated Price 368_149200-9a> |
|---|---|
|
Soft Drinks 368_5d7f84-8b> |
$3.50–$4.50 368_9073b0-2d> |
|
Iced Tea / Lemonade 368_379df5-65> |
$3.50–$4.50 368_230c38-83> |
|
Beer 368_e1aa80-2e> |
$5–$8+ 368_43dc5a-b9> |
|
Wine by the Glass 368_7bf3f6-f6> |
$7–$11+ 368_466321-72> |
|
Cocktails 368_7b1b25-b1> |
$9–$14+ 368_dbb302-b3> |
These ranges are helpful if you’re checking Olive Garden drink prices or trying to figure out whether the deal is worth it.
Olive Garden Dessert Menu Prices 2026
|
Dessert 368_fbc933-c0> |
Estimated Price 368_2a74b6-61> |
|---|---|
|
Tiramisu 368_9fbf2e-76> |
$7–$9+ 368_35e8d1-98> |
|
Black Tie Mousse Cake 368_c0df09-a9> |
$8–$9+ 368_635cdb-c0> |
|
Seasonal Desserts 368_1e82ef-d1> |
$8–$10+ 368_5f736d-c7> |
|
Dessert to Share 368_b9f7f8-fa> |
$8–$10+ 368_c46c1e-8f> |
Dessert prices vary a bit by location, which is common across Olive Garden menu prices in general.
How Much Does an Olive Garden Date Night Actually Cost?
|
Item 368_dede26-6b> |
Estimated Total 368_a4c719-e6> |
|---|---|
|
2 for $25 Food 368_82f17b-25> |
$25 368_25bea5-2d> |
|
2 Soft Drinks 368_8bb936-45> |
+$7 368_4f1c76-30> |
|
1 Dessert 368_e81a69-aa> |
+$8 368_7c9e31-86> |
|
Tax + Tip 368_813c85-3a> |
+$10+ 368_ac046a-df> |
|
Estimated Total 368_822478-67> |
≈ $45–$50+ 368_a934a7-52> |
This example shows why the 2 for $25 feels affordable upfront but lands closer to ~$50 when you add drinks and a dessert. It’s still one of the cheaper Olive Garden dinner deals for two, but the extras drive the real cost.
How to Order the 2 for $25 in 2026: Dine-In vs. To-Go Rules
Since the 2 for $25 is rare in 2026, finding a location that still honors it is half the battle. If you do find one, here’s how ordering works depending on how you want to eat it.
1. Dine-In (Best Value + Full Experience)
This deal was designed for dine-in. It’s the only way to get the full unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks experience. Most managers who still run the price will require you to eat at the restaurant because packing multiple refill portions for takeout drives up their costs.
If you’re trying to get the cheapest price or maximize value, dine-in wins.
2. Can You Order It To-Go? (Pickup)
Some local managers may allow pickup orders, but there’s a catch.
- You won’t get refills.
- Instead, you get one generous portion of soup or salad and breadsticks.
- App ordering isn’t guaranteed; many stores require calling ahead for this deal.
Pro Tip: Always call first. Just because a location offers the 2 for $25 for dine-in doesn’t mean they allow it as Olive Garden to-go or online pickup.
3. Is It Available on Delivery Apps? (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub)
Short answer: Almost never.
The bundle rarely shows up on delivery apps, and even if it did, the savings usually disappear fast due to:
- Menu markups: Delivery menus often run 15–20% higher.
- Fees: Delivery and service fees can add $10+.
- Driver tip: Adds another few dollars.
By checkout, that “$25 dinner deal” can creep toward $45 or more, which beats the purpose.
Gluten-Free vs. Vegetarian Options in Olive Garden’s 2 for $25 Special (2026)
If you follow a gluten-free or vegetarian diet, you can still make the Olive Garden 2 for $25 special work in 2026. Options are limited, but small substitutions make a big difference when you’re trying to order around dietary needs.
Vegetarian Options
Vegetarians have the most flexibility with this deal. Reliable picks include:
- Cheese Ravioli
- Five Cheese Ziti
- Eggplant Parmigiana
- Minestrone Soup (the only vegetarian soup)
- House Salad
- Breadsticks (vegetarian)
Important note: Only Minestrone is vegetarian. Other soups contain meat or chicken stock, so request Minestrone if you’re doing the soup + salad combo.
Gluten-Free Options (Ask for Rotini)
For gluten-free orders, the safest move is swapping regular pasta for Gluten-Free Rotini. Some locations include the swap in the deal, while others charge a small upcharge. Breadsticks aren’t gluten-free, and not every entrée can be adjusted, so it’s smart to confirm before ordering.
Customizing for Dietary Needs (2026 Reality Check)
- Vegan: very limited (plain salad is the safest option)
- Vegetarian swaps: straightforward
- Gluten-free pasta: possible (sometimes extra)
- Breadsticks: vegetarian, not gluten-free
- Vegan: very limited (plain salad is the safest option)
Olive Garden Menu Hacks You Can Still Use in 2026
The 2 for $25 deal is hard to find in 2026. But you can still eat cheap at Olive Garden if you use a few smart tricks.
Cheap Ways to Save Money at Olive Garden
|
Hack 368_a6edbb-70> |
Price 368_945deb-b4> |
Why It Works 368_a8d85f-41> |
|---|---|---|
|
Lunch Duos 368_2fd1e3-75> |
$8.99–$12.99 368_8beb20-83> |
Soup, salad, and pasta for less 368_b113ee-b9> |
|
$6 Take Home 368_253528-0d> |
$6 each 368_41b9cb-d9> |
Great for leftovers or lunch 368_fbc167-f2> |
|
Tour of Italy (Split It) 368_ed27ae-66> |
$21–$26 368_33a748-03> |
Big enough to share with someone 368_01ada6-89> |
|
Soup + Salad 368_9108df-6d> |
$9–$12 368_bec546-27> |
Filling with breadsticks included 368_5fbce9-84> |
|
Buy One Take One 368_1b9259-ac> |
$12.99–$15.99 368_2ff90a-90> |
Two meals for one price 368_195c8f-29> |
Which Option Gives the Best Value?
Lunch Duos are the best weekday deal.
$6 Take Home helps with leftovers.
Tour of Italy is great for sharing.
Soup and salad works for light meals.
Buy One Take One gives you two meals for less.
Olive Garden vs Competitors: Deal Comparison (2026)
|
Restaurant 368_c5cd2d-e1> |
The Deal 368_e58c9c-35> |
Price (Approx.) 368_0e30be-25> |
What You Get 368_cea1cc-cf> |
Why Pick This? 368_5f990c-fd> |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Olive Garden 368_b6cfdb-91> |
2 for $25 (if found) 368_08d739-29> |
~$25 total (for 2) 368_404615-8a> |
2 pastas + unlimited soup/salad + breadsticks 368_319757-46> |
Best for big eaters. Refills fill you up fast. 368_1968ad-52> |
|
Applebee’s 368_49a654-3c> |
2 for $25 (sometimes $28) 368_6d96d4-d8> |
$25–$28 total (for 2) 368_dc5e5e-e1> |
2 entrées + 1 shared appetizer 368_ee2a36-3c> |
Great for date night. Feels like a full meal. 368_567914-f3> |
|
Chili’s 368_25e70b-d9> |
3 for Me 368_598bdf-d4> |
$11–$16 per person 368_21681d-0c> |
Drink + burger/tenders + fries + dip 368_cdd45e-4f> |
Best solo lunch. Drink saves money. 368_29ee03-ea> |
|
Red Lobster 368_3c5e4a-1a> |
Daily Deals 368_07d975-0e> |
$20–$30 per person 368_308a1d-3c> |
Seafood entrée + biscuits + side 368_793464-f0> |
Best for seafood cravings. A little fancier. 368_252443-8c> |