Olive Garden Lunch Menu & Specials With Prices (2026)
Whether you are on a lunch break or planning a midday meal, the Olive Garden lunch menu gives you familiar Italian dishes at weekday prices.
✔ Lunch Specials & Deals ✔ Budget-Friendly ✔ Quick Meal Choices
During a busy day, deciding what to order for lunch can feel frustrating, especially when you’re short on time and don’t want something too heavy. Whether you’re in the mood for classic dishes like Lasagna Classico and Chicken Parmigiana or looking for lighter options like Shrimp Scampi and vegetarian choices such as Cheese Ravioli, the Olive Garden menu gives you enough flexibility to choose what actually fits your appetite. If you’re ordering for someone younger, you’ll also notice smaller portions similar to kids meal options.
Olive Garden lunch specials run Monday through Friday until 3 PM, which means the pricing and portion sizes you see here apply specifically to that window. Outside those hours, the same dishes shift to dinner menu pricing, so knowing the difference before you visit saves you from any surprises at the table.
Olive Garden Lunch Menu (Quick Overview)
Most items on the Olive Garden lunch menu are priced between $13.99 and $15.99, so your cost comparison stays straightforward without much back and forth. Where you will notice the real difference is portion size, Chicken Alfredo and Lasagna Classico are noticeably more filling than lighter options like Shrimp Scampi or Soup and Salad. Knowing that before you order helps you pick something that actually matches your appetite rather than just going by price alone.
Lasagna Classico
$15.99 | 500 cal
Chicken Parmigiana
$15.99 | 630 cal
Fettuccine Alfredo (V)
$14.99 | 920 cal
Shrimp Scampi
$15.99 | 460 cal
Spaghetti
$14.99 | 480 cal | 370 Cal
Eggplant Parmigiana (V)
$14.99 | 660 cal
Spaghetti & Meatballs
$15.99 | 480 cal | 370 cal
Cheese Ravioli
$14.99 | 440 cal | 500 cal
Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
$14.99 | 630 cal
Soup, Salad and Breadsticks | Lunch
$13.99 | 400 cal
Olive Garden Lunch Specials & What Makes Them Different
Not every lunch option is designed the same way, and that difference becomes noticeable when you look at how lunch specials are structured. Olive Garden lunch specials are built around smaller portions, weekday pricing, and a setup that feels more suitable for midday dining compared to classic entrée selections.
Instead of standard full dinner plates like Chicken Alfredo or Lasagna Classico, these dishes are portioned specifically for a midday order, smaller than what you get at dinner but filling enough that you are not looking for something else an hour later. The pricing reflects that difference too, which is why the same dish costs less at lunch than it does after 3 PM.
Best Olive Garden Lunch Options Based on Budget
Finding the right lunch for your budget can feel confusing when similar-looking meals don’t offer the same level of satisfaction. If you look at the Olive Garden lunch menu by cost, most items are between $10.99 and $11.99. On the Olive Garden lunch menu, your decision often comes down to how well a dish meets your appetite rather than just its price tag.
If you are watching your calorie intake, lighter options like Shrimp Scampi at 460 calories or Soup and Salad at 400 calories give you more control over your meal without skipping a proper lunch. Checking nutrition guidelines beforehand can also help you stay within a balanced daily intake. For comparison, the same dishes in the family menu bundles are portioned for 4 to 6 people, so the lunch size is a noticeably different experience when you are ordering just for yourself.
Lower-Cost Picks
Works best when you want to keep the cost lower while choosing lighter portions.
Balanced Choices
Gives you a good balance between portion size and price without feeling too heavy.
More Filling Options
A better choice when you want a more satisfying portion that feels complete and filling.
Olive Garden Weekday Lunch Menu & Availability
The Olive Garden weekday lunch menu is available Monday to Friday until 3 PM, making it easier for you to plan your visit around lunch hours. Since this is a limited-time offering, these items and prices are not available after the cutoff time.
Unlike on weekdays, the same lunch menu may not be offered in the same way on weekends, as availability varies by location and operating hours.
While some restaurants continue with a similar setup, others move back to the regular menu after lunch hours. Because of this variation, it’s a good idea for you to check your local Olive Garden to confirm lunch availability before visiting.
Lunch Hours Overview
can you customize your olive garden lunch order?
What you can change __ and what stays fixed
Most flexible option
Create Your Own Pasta
Choose your pasta shape and pair it with your sauce of choice, this item gives you the most control on the lunch menu.
Pasta shapes
Sauce options
Add-ons & extras
Protein add-ons
Italian sausage or meatballs available on pasta dishes for an additional charge.
Extra charge
Included with dine-in
Breadsticks and house salad come standard, no need to request them separately.
No extra cost
Dietary adjustments
Gluten sensitivity
Some dishes can be modified for gluten-sensitive guests. However, Olive Garden notes these are not fully gluten-free due to shared kitchen surfaces, always confirm with your server for your specific needs.
For any special dietary requirement, speaking directly with your server gives you the most accurate and up-to-date picture of what can be adjusted at your location.
If you’re customizing a meal for nutrition rather than dietary restrictions, reviewing the nutrition facts for individual dishes can make the comparison easier.
Lunch vs Dinner at Olive Garden: Same Dish, Different Portion
Ordering the same dish at lunch versus dinner is not just a timing difference, the portions are smaller at lunch, which is reflected in both the calorie count and the price.
| Dish | Lunch Price | Lunch Calories | Dinner Price | Dinner Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasagna Classico | $15.99 | 500 cal | $22.49 | 940 cal |
| Chicken Parmigiana | $15.99 | 630 cal | $25.99 | 1,020 cal |
| Fettuccine Alfredo | $14.99 | 920 cal | $19.99 | 1,480–1,710 cal |
| Shrimp Scampi | $15.99 | 460 cal | $27.79 | 490 cal |
| Spaghetti & Meatballs | $15.99 | 370–480 cal | $23.28 | 970–1,120 cal |
| Five Cheese Ziti al Forno | $14.99 | 630 cal | $20.79 | 1,170 cal |
Based on publicly available Olive Garden menu data. Prices and calories may vary by location.
If you’re planning to visit after 3 PM, it’s worth checking the dinner dishes served after lunch hours since the same meals are offered in larger portions at regular dinner prices.
FAQs: Olive Garden Lunch Menu
Conclusion
The Olive Garden lunch menu offers consistent pricing and familiar Italian dishes, like Chicken Alfredo, Lasagna Classico, and Shrimp Scampi. It keeps midday choices simple and easy to manage.
If you are still deciding between lunch and dinner portions, the budget section above breaks down which dishes give you the best value for your appetite at lunch pricing. Whatever you end up ordering, the lunch menu is a practical way to enjoy the same Olive Garden favorites without the full dinner commitment.