Reading through Olive Garden’s menu reveals that the difference between a $10 lunch and a $25 dinner often comes down to the protein you select. If you are trying to figure out your total bill before you walk in the door, you need a clear breakdown of the Olive Garden Menu with Prices. We have pulled together the current costs for classics like Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiana, and the famous unlimited soup and salad lunch.
Prices can shift slightly depending on your location, but this guide gives you a solid ballpark for what to expect. We will break down the appetizers, the soups, the salads, the main entrees, and the kids menu. You will also find out which days offer the best deals and how to save money on your next visit.
Appetizers And Shareables Pricing
You might want to start your meal with something to share. The appetizer menu is usually split between classic fried options and the more filling stuffed pastas.
Here is what you can expect to pay for starters at most Olive Garden locations:
- **Stuffed Mushrooms:** These come with clams, shrimp, and herbs, topped with Italian cheese. Expect to pay around **$10.99**.
- **Fried Mozzarella:** A classic basket of crispy fried cheese with marinara sauce. This usually runs about **$9.99**.
- **Calamari:** Lightly breaded and fried, served with a spicy marinara. Priced around **$11.99**.
- **Lasagna Fritta:** Breaded and fried lasagna pieces served with alfredo and marinara. You will likely see this at **$10.49**.
- **Breadstick Duo:** This is a mix of the classic breadsticks and the stuffed version with cheese. Usually around **$9.49**.
- **Shrimp Scampi:** A fancier option with shrimp, garlic, and butter sauce. This can be closer to **$12.99**.
If you are eating alone, you might skip these. But if you are with a group, ordering two appetizers is often enough to fill everyone up before the main course arrives.
Soup And Salad Combinations
The soup and salad combo is the best value on the menu. You get a choice of soup, a fresh salad, and unlimited breadsticks.
The standard “Soup & Salad” lunch portion is usually around **$9.99**. However, the “Endless Soup, Salad & Breadsticks” dinner option is priced higher. That dinner deal typically costs **$10.99** to **$11.99** depending on the location.
You can choose from soups like Chicken & Gnocchi, Zuppa Toscana, Pasta e Fagioli, or the Minestrone. The salad comes with their signature Italian dressing. If you upgrade to the soup and salad with a small side of pasta, the price jumps to about **$12.49**.
Olive Garden Menu With Prices For Lunch
If you are visiting during the weekday, the lunch menu is your best bet. These portions are smaller than the dinner plates, but they are still filling.
Lunch options usually include a smaller portion of pasta, a side salad, and breadsticks. Here are the typical lunch price points:
- **Lunch Fettuccine Alfredo:** This is just the pasta with the creamy sauce. It is usually **$8.99**.
- **Lunch Chicken Alfredo:** Adding grilled chicken to the lunch pasta brings it to **$10.99**.
- **Lunch Spaghetti with Meat Sauce:** A simple and cheap option at around **$8.49**.
- **Lunch Lasagna Classico:** A smaller slice of the baked lasagna. Priced near **$10.49**.
- **Lunch Tour of Italy:** This gives you a taste of lasagna, chicken parm, and fettuccine. It is usually **$12.99**.
Notice the price jump. The base pasta is cheap, but the moment you add chicken or shrimp, the cost goes up by two or three dollars. If you are on a budget, stick to the vegetarian pastas or the soup and salad.
Lunch Portions Versus Dinner Portions
It is important to know that the lunch menu is only available Monday through Friday until 3 PM. The dinner portions are significantly larger.
You can often take half of your dinner home for the next day. The lunch portions are smaller, so you might finish them entirely in the restaurant. If you are really hungry, the dinner portion is often a better deal per ounce of food.
Classic Dinner Entrees And Costs
Dinner is where the menu gets expensive. The core pasta dishes are affordable, but the specialty dishes with seafood or steak will cost you.
Here is a breakdown of the main dinner categories you will see on the Olive Garden Menu with Prices:
- **Spaghetti with Marinara:** This is the cheapest dinner option, usually **$10.99**.
- **Spaghetti with Meat Sauce:** Slightly more expensive at **$12.49**.
- **Fettuccine Alfredo:** The classic cream sauce pasta is **$12.99**.
- **Chicken Parmigiana:** This comes with a side of spaghetti. It is priced around **$17.99**.
- **Eggplant Parmigiana:** A vegetarian option that is usually **$15.99**.
- **Lasagna Classico:** Baked with meat sauce and cheese. Expect to pay **$16.49**.
- **Chicken Scampi:** Grilled chicken with bell peppers and a garlic sauce. This is around **$17.49**.
- **Shrimp Alfredo:** The shrimp version of the classic is usually **$19.99**.
- **Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara:** A heavier dish with bacon and a creamy sauce. This is closer to **$20.49**.
You will see that the “Tour of Italy” is a popular pick. It combines Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna, and Fettuccine Alfredo. This combo plate is usually priced at **$19.99**. It is a lot of food, so be ready to share or take a box home.
Seafood And Steak Specials
If you want something beyond pasta, you will pay a premium. The grilled salmon and the shrimp dishes are the most expensive items on the regular menu.
- **Grilled Salmon:** This is usually served with broccoli and pasta. It costs around **$18.99**.
- **Shrimp Scampi Dinner:** A larger portion than the appetizer, served over angel hair pasta. Priced at **$18.49**.
- **Steak Gorgonzola-Alfredo:** This is one of the priciest items, often hitting **$22.99**.
These prices reflect the higher cost of the ingredients. If you are looking for a filling meal without the high price tag, the chicken dishes are the sweet spot. They are cheaper than the steak but more substantial than the plain pasta.
Family Style Meals And Bundles
If you are feeding a family at home, Olive Garden offers “Family Style” meals. These are sold as bundles and are meant to serve four people.
The price for these bundles changes based on how many entrees you pick. A bundle with two large pastas, a salad, and breadsticks usually costs around **$39.99**. If you add chicken or shrimp to the mix, the price goes up to **$49.99** or **$59.99**.
These are great for feeding a crowd. You order online or over the phone, and you pick it up. You get the large take-and-bake pans that you can serve right at the table. This is often cheaper than buying four separate dinner entrees.
Never Ending Pasta Bowl Pass
Olive Garden often runs a promotion called the “Never Ending Pasta Bowl.” This is a seasonal deal where you pay a flat price for unlimited pasta.
When this promotion is active, the price is usually around **$13.99**. You get unlimited refills of your chosen pasta, sauce, and toppings. You also get soup or salad and breadsticks. This is the best value if you are extremely hungry.
This deal is not always available. It usually comes back in the fall. You should check the app or the website to see if it is currently running.
Kids Menu And Desserts
The kids menu is for children under 12. These meals come with a drink, a side of fruit or fries, and a smaller portion of the main dish.
Most kids meals are priced between **$5.99** and **$7.99**. You can get:
- Spaghetti with meat sauce
- Chicken fingers
- Grilled chicken with broccoli
- Macaroni and cheese
- Pizza
For dessert, the most famous option is the **Black Tie Mousse Cake**. This is a rich chocolate and mousse cake that costs around **$7.99**. You also have the option of the **Tiramisu**, which is usually **$7.49**. The **Zeppoli** (Italian doughnuts) are a fun option for the table, priced near **$6.99**.
Beverages And Extras
Soft drinks and iced tea are usually around **$3.49** each. Coffee and hot tea are slightly cheaper at **$2.99**. These drinks come with free refills.
If you want to add a side of meatballs or sausage to your pasta, it will cost you extra. A side of three meatballs is usually **$4.99**. Extra sauce is often free, but extra cheese might cost a dollar or two.
How To Save Money On Your Order
You do not have to pay full price. There are a few easy ways to reduce your bill.
Here is a step-by-step guide to saving money:
- **Sign up for the eClub:** Go to the website and enter your email. You will get a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two entrees.
- **Order the Lunch Portion:** If you are eating before 3 PM, order from the lunch menu. It is smaller but much cheaper.
- **Skip the Appetizer:** The soup and salad is a meal by itself. Do not order an appetizer if you are getting the soup and salad combo.
- **Drink Water:** Soft drinks add up. If you drink water, you save $3 to $4 per person.
- **Use the Gift Card Deals:** Sometimes grocery stores sell Olive Garden gift cards at a discount. If you buy a $50 card for $40, you instantly save 20%.
- **Check for Senior Discounts:** Some locations offer a 10% discount for seniors. It never hurts to ask your server.
By following these steps, you can easily eat for under $15 per person. The key is to avoid the premium proteins and stick to the lunch specials or the endless soup and salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people have about the pricing at this restaurant chain.
Does Olive Garden Have A $5.99 Menu?
Yes, they have a “Cucina Mia” section where you can pick a pasta and a sauce. The basic pasta with marinara or alfredo is often priced at $5.99 for the lunch portion. This is a great deal, but you have to ask for it specifically. It is not always listed on the main menu board.
Why Is The Price Different On The Online Menu Vs The Store?
The online menu often reflects the national average. Franchise owners and corporate stores in different states have different labor costs and food taxes. A store in New York City will charge more than a store in rural Ohio. The price you see on the app should match your local store if you set your location correctly.
Are Breadsticks Really Free?
Breadsticks are included with any soup, salad, or entree order. They are not free if you just walk in and ask for a basket. You have to order a meal to get them. They are unlimited, so you can ask for more as long as you are eating your meal.
Can I Get A Gluten-free Pasta Option?
Yes, they offer gluten-free rotini pasta. However, there is usually an additional charge of about **$1.50** to swap out the regular pasta for the gluten-free option. You should also tell your server about the allergy so they can handle the preparation safely.
Is The Price Of The Never Ending Pasta Bowl Worth It?
If you can eat three or more bowls of pasta, yes. The average person can only eat one and a half bowls. If you are a light eater, you are better off ordering the regular lunch portion. If you are sharing with a friend who eats a lot, it might be a fun challenge, but it is usually not worth it for the average diner.
Keep in mind that the menu changes seasonally. The prices listed here are accurate as of the last update, but you should always confirm with your server before ordering. The Olive Garden Menu with Prices is a helpful tool for budgeting, but the final cost will always depend on your location and the current specials.
If you are looking for a cheap meal, stick to the lunch menu or the soup and salad. If you are celebrating something, the steak and shrimp dishes are worth the splurge. Just be aware that the bill will be higher if you add appetizers and desserts to the table.
One last tip: always check the receipt before you leave. Sometimes there are surveys on the receipt that give you a discount on your next visit. It takes two minutes to fill out, and you can save ten dollars on your next dinner. That makes the effort worth it.
Now you have a clear picture of what things cost. You can walk into the restaurant with confidence, knowing exactly what you want to order and how much it will set you back. Enjoy your meal and do not forget to grab extra mints at the door.