Olive Garden Menu With Prices: Full Guide

The Olive Garden menu with prices typically ranges from about $7–$12 for soup, salad, or appetizers, $14–$25 for most lunch and dinner entrées, and $6–$10 for dessert. For a casual patio dinner, the best all-around choice is usually a classic entrée such as Chicken Alfredo or Tour of Italy, while soup-and-salad combinations offer the lowest-cost way to make a lighter meal.

Prices vary by restaurant, city, time of day, promotions, and whether an item is ordered for lunch or dinner. Use the ranges below as planning estimates for U.S. locations in 2026, then confirm the total at your local Olive Garden before ordering.

Olive Garden menu with prices: quick comparison

These are general market ranges rather than a guaranteed national price list. Olive Garden locations can price the same menu item differently, and limited-time offers can change what is available.

Best overall: Tour of Italy

Tour of Italy is the strongest pick when two or three familiar Italian-American dishes sound better than choosing just one. The plate combines Chicken Parmigiana, lasagna, and fettuccine Alfredo, so it gives you a useful sample of Olive Garden’s main styles: breaded chicken, layered pasta, and creamy pasta.

Expect a substantial entrée rather than a small sampler. It is often more food than one person wants if you also eat several breadsticks, but the leftovers can be practical because each component reheats differently. Store the pasta and chicken promptly, and reheat gently to reduce the chance of dried sauce or tough chicken.

The main trade-off is richness. Tour of Italy includes multiple cheese- and sauce-heavy components, so it is not the best choice if you want a lighter meal or plan to sit outside in hot weather. A typical price range is approximately $20–$27 before tax, drinks, and gratuity.

Best budget choice: soup, salad, and breadsticks

The soup, salad, and breadsticks combination is usually the easiest way to keep the bill down while still having a complete casual meal. Popular soup choices include Zuppa Toscana, Pasta e Fagioli, Minestrone, and Chicken & Gnocchi, although availability and exact pricing can vary.

For a patio lunch, this option works particularly well because you can choose a soup or salad instead of committing to a large, heavy entrée. If your location offers refills under the applicable dining rules, the value can improve for a long meal, but do not assume unlimited servings apply to every order, takeout purchase, or promotion.

Plan on approximately $10–$15, depending on whether you order soup, salad, or a larger combination. The limitation is protein: this is less satisfying for diners who want chicken, steak, or seafood as the center of the meal.

Best for comfort food: Chicken Alfredo

Chicken Alfredo is a dependable choice for diners who want creamy sauce, pasta, and grilled chicken in one familiar entrée. The standard preparation pairs fettuccine with Alfredo sauce and chicken, with breadsticks and salad or soup commonly forming part of the overall dining experience.

This is generally a filling portion, especially when combined with breadsticks. It is a good fit for a relaxed dinner where you value predictability over variety. The usual price range is about $18–$25 before extras.

The trade-off is that Alfredo sauce is rich and can become thick as it cools. If you are eating on a shaded patio or expect a long conversation before finishing, ask for sauce on the side only if the restaurant can accommodate that request. A side salad or minestrone can make the meal feel more balanced without adding another large entrée.

Best for a traditional pasta dinner: Lasagna Classico

Lasagna Classico suits diners who prefer a single, traditional baked pasta dish rather than a plate with several components. It is typically made with pasta layers, meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan-style cheese.

Expect a dense and filling serving. It may be a better portion choice than Tour of Italy if you want leftovers from one consistent dish rather than several different foods. Typical pricing falls around $17–$23.

Its main disadvantage is flexibility: the dish is heavier and offers less customization than pasta dishes where you can change the sauce or protein. It also may not be ideal for a very warm patio meal, because baked pasta and cheese tend to feel more substantial than soup, salad, or seafood with vegetables.

Best for a lighter-feeling entrée: Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi is a useful choice when you want pasta but would rather avoid a very thick cream sauce. It generally combines shrimp, angel hair pasta, vegetables, garlic, and a lighter butter- or wine-style sauce.

The usual range is approximately $18–$25. Compared with Chicken Alfredo or Tour of Italy, it can feel less heavy, although it is still a pasta entrée and may include a generous amount of noodles. The shrimp also makes the dish more sensitive to overcooking during reheating, so leftovers are best refrigerated promptly and warmed only until hot.

The trade-off is that seafood portions can feel less substantial to diners expecting a large amount of meat. Choose it for flavor and a lighter profile, not necessarily for the greatest calories-per-dollar or largest portion.

Understanding Olive Garden menu categories

Appetizers

Appetizers generally fall in the approximate $8–$15 range. Common categories include fried or breaded starters, stuffed or baked items, and shareable combinations. Order one when the table wants something to nibble on, but remember that breadsticks and soup or salad may already arrive with the meal, making a large appetizer unnecessary for two diners.

Soups and salads

Soups and salads are among the most practical choices for lunch, a smaller appetite, or a hot day. Minestrone is usually the vegetable-forward option, while Zuppa Toscana and Chicken & Gnocchi are richer and more filling. Salad adds crunch and freshness but may not provide enough protein to serve as a full meal for everyone.

Chicken and seafood entrées

Chicken dishes typically occupy the middle-to-upper portion of the entrée price range, often around $17–$26. Seafood choices such as shrimp may cost a similar amount or slightly more depending on the location. These plates are useful when one diner wants protein while another chooses pasta or soup.

Classic pasta

Classic pasta includes dishes such as Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, and Lasagna Classico. Approximate prices are commonly $15–$23. Pasta usually provides generous carbohydrates and sauce, so ordering an additional appetizer can quickly make the meal larger than expected.

Steak and specialty entrées

Steak and premium specialty plates generally sit toward the top of the menu, often approximately $20–$30 or more. These choices make sense when the main priority is a larger protein portion, but they are usually less budget-friendly than pasta or soup-and-salad combinations.

Desserts and drinks

Desserts commonly cost about $7–$10, while nonalcoholic drinks may add roughly $3–$5 each. A dessert can be a better value when shared, particularly after a large entrée. Alcoholic beverages vary substantially by state, restaurant, and serving size, so they should be treated as a separate budget category.

How much food should you expect?

Most Olive Garden dinner entrées are designed to be full meals, not tasting portions. A practical planning estimate is one entrée per adult, with soup or salad and breadsticks adding meaningful volume before the main plate arrives.

• Small appetite: Choose soup and salad, a lunch-size selection when available, or plan to take part of an entrée home.
• Average appetite: One entrée is usually enough, especially with breadsticks.
• Large appetite: Choose a protein-centered or combination entrée rather than relying on an appetizer to add enough food.
• Sharing: Two diners can often share an appetizer or dessert, but sharing one entrée may be less predictable because portions and appetites differ.

For a party of four ordering average-priced entrées, a useful pre-tax estimate is four meals at $21 each, one shared appetizer at $12, two desserts at $8 each, and four nonalcoholic drinks at $4 each. That totals $124 before tax and gratuity. If you set aside 20% for a tip, the meal becomes about $149 before local sales tax, so budgeting $155–$165 is safer in areas with higher menu prices or tax.

How to choose your order by situation

Ways to control the final bill

Start with the number of full entrées your table actually needs. Breadsticks, soup, salad, and a shared dessert can provide variety without adding a second entrée for every diner.

Check whether lunch pricing is available during your planned visit. Lunch portions and prices are not necessarily offered all day, and some locations may have different menus or hours. Likewise, seasonal promotions such as pasta-focused offers can have restrictions, limited availability, or separate pricing.

Drinks are an easy budget variable. Water usually keeps the meal close to the menu price, while four specialty drinks can add $12–$20 before tax and tip. If you are planning an outdoor dinner, also consider whether a cold beverage matters more to you than an appetizer.

Ordering and patio considerations

Outdoor seating can change the best menu decision. Cream sauces, melted cheese, and fried foods are most enjoyable while hot, so order them when the table is ready to eat rather than leaving them while everyone settles in. Salad and soup are more forgiving if conversation delays the main course.

Ask about shade, heaters, rain coverage, and whether the patio is available at the time of your visit. These factors are restaurant-specific and may affect whether a long, multi-course dinner is comfortable. If you are taking leftovers home, request containers before the meal becomes crowded with dishes and refrigerate perishable food promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest meal on the Olive Garden menu?

Soup, salad, and breadsticks are usually among the least expensive ways to create a complete meal, with an approximate base price of $10–$15. Kids’ meals may have a lower menu price but are intended for children and usually provide a smaller portion. Local pricing and current promotions can change the final amount.

How much does Chicken Alfredo cost at Olive Garden?

Chicken Alfredo commonly falls in the approximate range of $18–$25 before tax, drinks, and tip. The exact price depends on the restaurant and whether the order is from a lunch or dinner menu. It is generally a filling entrée, particularly when breadsticks and soup or salad are included.

Does Olive Garden include breadsticks and salad with dinner?

Many dine-in entrée orders traditionally come with breadsticks and a choice of soup or salad, but the details can differ by menu item, ordering method, and promotion. Takeout, catering, and limited-time offers may use different inclusions. Confirm what is included before comparing two prices.

What Olive Garden entrée is best for sharing?

Tour of Italy and other large pasta or combination entrées are the most practical candidates for sharing because they contain multiple components. However, the portion may not divide evenly, and adding a second soup, salad, or side may be necessary. Sharing a dessert is often easier and more predictable than sharing one main course.

Are Olive Garden lunch prices cheaper than dinner prices?

Lunch menus are often lower-priced or offer smaller portions, but lunch availability varies by location and time. Some dinner favorites may not appear on the lunch menu, and not every restaurant uses identical pricing. Check the local menu for the specific day and hours you plan to visit.

Can I use these prices for a patio dinner budget?

Yes, as a planning range, but add tax and a gratuity buffer. For a four-person dinner with $21 entrées, a shared $12 appetizer, two $8 desserts, and four $4 drinks, the pre-tax estimate is about $124; a 20% tip brings it to roughly $149 before sales tax. Local prices, alcoholic drinks, promotions, and extra sides can raise the total.