The Olive Garden lunch menu is served Monday to Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM at most restaurants, with lunch-sized favorites starting at $11.49 and unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks for $13.99. It is the cheapest way to enjoy the Olive Garden menu without giving up the dishes people love most.
Key Takeaways
- Lunch pricing runs Monday to Friday, 11 AM to 3 PM, at most locations.
- Lunch-sized favorites cost $11.49 to $12.49.
- Soup, salad and breadsticks drops from $18.29 at dinner to $13.99 at lunch.
- Weekend visits use regular dinner prices.
Olive Garden Lunch Menu Prices for 2026
Lunch-sized favorites are smaller versions of the most popular dinner plates. You still get a satisfying portion, but the price is several dollars lower than the full dinner entrée. These are the typical prices our Editorial Team found at U.S. restaurants this month:
| Lunch item | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fettuccine Alfredo | $11.49 | Classic cream sauce fans |
| Spicy Alfredo Fettuccine | $11.49 | Anyone who likes a little heat |
| Lasagna Classico | $12.49 | Hearty, filling lunch |
| Chicken Parmigiana | $12.49 | Protein-focused plate |
| Spaghetti & Meatballs | from $12.49 | Traditional comfort food |
| Soup, Salad & Breadsticks | $13.99 | Unlimited refills |
Prices can be slightly higher in big cities and airports, so treat these as a reliable guide rather than an exact bill. You can compare every section in our full Olive Garden menu with prices.
What Time Is Lunch at Olive Garden?
Most restaurants serve lunch pricing from opening, usually 11 AM, until 3 PM on weekdays. The time that matters is when your order is placed, not when the food arrives. If you sit down at 2:45 PM and order straight away, you should still get lunch prices.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Weekends: Saturday and Sunday use the regular dinner menu all day.
- Holidays: many locations switch to dinner pricing on major holidays.
- Local differences: some restaurants open later or set slightly different hours, so check your local listing.
Is the Lunch Portion Big Enough?
For most adults, yes. Lunch-sized favorites are designed to be a full meal, especially when you add soup or salad and breadsticks. If you are very hungry, the unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks deal at $13.99 can actually be the most filling option, because refills keep coming while you dine in. We explain exactly how refills work in our Never-Ending Soup, Salad and Breadsticks guide.
Lunch vs. Dinner: How Much Do You Save?
The biggest saving is on the soup, salad and breadsticks deal, which drops from $18.29 at dinner to $13.99 at lunch. That is a difference of $4.30 per person, or more than $17 for a table of four. Pasta plates also cost less at lunch because the portion is smaller than the dinner version.
How to Get the Best Value at Lunch
- Arrive before 2:30 PM so you have time to order before the lunch window closes.
- Pick soup and salad as your meal if you want unlimited food for one fixed price.
- Share an appetizer only with a group; for one or two people, the free breadsticks are usually enough.
- Skip extra drinks and save the money for a shared dessert.
If you are planning around a budget, our list of the cheapest meals at Olive Garden compares every low-cost option on the Olive Garden menu, including dinner choices.
Lunch for Special Diets
Lunch favorites can be adjusted. Fettuccine Alfredo and Minestrone soup are meat-free, and many locations offer a gluten-sensitive pasta option. If you have a food allergy, tell your server before ordering, and review the FDA’s guide to food allergies so you know which ingredients to ask about.
Calorie counts are listed on chain restaurant menus in the U.S. because of the FDA menu labeling requirements, so you can compare options before you order. You can find more meat-free ideas in our pasta guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Olive Garden lunch end?
Is the Olive Garden lunch menu available on weekends?
What is the cheapest lunch at Olive Garden?
Does the lunch soup and salad include refills?
Explore more weekday ideas in our Lunch Menu category.
