Olive Garden Hours: Plan Every Visit Perfectly in 2025

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably driven to Olive Garden with your mouth watering, already dreaming about those warm breadsticks and rich, creamy Alfredo—only to find the doors locked and the lights off. It’s one of the most disappointing feelings, especially after a long day when all you want is comfort food. I’ve had this happen more times than I care to admit, often around holidays or during those awkward mid-afternoon hours when many restaurants adjust their schedules without notice.

That’s exactly why I created this complete guide to Olive Garden hours. I want to help you avoid that frustration and make sure your next visit is smooth, timely, and satisfying. In this guide, I’ll walk you through their weekday and weekend hours, holiday schedules, and the easiest ways to check the hours for your local Olive Garden. Trust me—this info will save you time, gas, and hunger pains.

Regular Olive Garden Hours of Operation

Most Olive Garden locations across the U.S. follow a fairly standard schedule, but as I’ve learned over the years, it can still vary depending on location and season. Here’s what you can generally expect when checking Olive Garden hours:

Olive Garden Operating Hours

Hours may slightly vary by location, especially during holidays — always confirm Olive Garden hours with your local branch.

These are the Olive Garden hours I typically see at most locations I’ve visited — lunch starts rolling at 11, and by the time dinner winds down, it’s usually closing around 10 or 11 PM. Still, I always recommend double-checking for your specific location (more on that below).

Over the years, I’ve developed a habit of checking Olive Garden hours before heading out — especially when traveling to a different city. What might be a typical 11 AM–10 PM in one location might shift a bit in another, especially if it’s located inside a mall or near a university.

Olive Garden Lunch and Dinner Hours

This part matters more than people think — especially if you’re eyeing lunch specials or avoiding the dinner crowd. Over time, I’ve found these Olive Garden hours pretty consistent across multiple visits. If you’re planning to stop in right at the end of lunch, know that the kitchen transitions pretty fast to the dinner menu after 3:00 PM.

Whether I’m out for a solo lunch break or catching up with friends over dinner, I always consider what menu items are available at certain times. Lunch is usually a lighter vibe, with fewer people and smaller portions. Dinner, on the other hand, is when the place really gets lively.

Olive Garden Lunch & Dinner Menu with Prices (2025)

Prices may vary by location. These are average U.S. prices based on 2025 menus.

From endless soup, salad & breadsticks to richer entrees like Shrimp Scampi or Tour of Italy, Olive Garden’s menu offers something for everyone — whether you’re in the mood for a light lunch or a hearty dinner. Just keep in mind, lunch deals usually end at 3:00 PM — a detail to note when planning based on Olive Garden hours.

I’ve personally been caught off guard by the lunch cutoff before. I arrived at 3:05 PM thinking I could still grab the soup, salad & breadsticks deal, only to find myself ordering off the pricier dinner menu. Since then, I make it a point to plan lunch visits well before the 3 PM mark.

Is Lunch Available All Day at Olive Garden?

Short answer: No, it’s not. Olive Garden sticks pretty strictly to lunch and dinner transitions. I once showed up at 3:10 PM hoping for a lunch special and had to settle for the dinner menu — not a tragedy, but definitely something to plan around if you’re relying on specific Olive Garden hours.

Lunch typically ends at 3:00 PM. After that, dinner pricing kicks in. If you’re trying to save a few bucks or have your heart set on a lighter lunch item, be sure to arrive before the cutoff.

Also, keep in mind that not every dish is available all day. Some lunch items are specifically portioned and priced for earlier in the day, so even if a server is willing to accommodate, you may still get the dinner portion at the dinner price.

Olive Garden Holiday Hours (Open & Closed Days)

Holidays can be tricky when it comes to Olive Garden hours. Sometimes they’re open, sometimes not — and a few times, I’ve seen shortened hours. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Holidays When Olive Garden Remains Open

• New Year’s Day
  
• Valentine’s Day
  
• Easter Sunday (varies by location)
  
• Mother’s Day
  
• Memorial Day
  
• Independence Day (4th of July)
  
• Labor Day
  
• Halloween
  
• Christmas Eve
  
• New Year’s Eve
  

During these days, Olive Garden hours are usually regular or slightly reduced. I always call ahead, especially for major holidays like Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.

I remember one Mother’s Day, we took the whole family to Olive Garden and didn’t call ahead — big mistake. It was a 90-minute wait, and the hours had been slightly adjusted due to early closures in our area. Lesson learned.

Holidays When Olive Garden is Closed

• Thanksgiving Day
  
• Christmas Day
  

If you’re thinking about pasta on Christmas — trust me, I’ve been there — you’ll have to wait an extra day. These are typically the only two days in the year when all locations shut down completely, so it’s crucial to know the Olive Garden hours in advance.

I once planned a big family dinner on Thanksgiving night, only to realize way too late that the restaurant was closed. Since then, I never assume — I always double-check the Olive Garden holiday hours ahead of time.

Olive Garden Holiday Hours 2025

While not all 2025 Olive Garden hours are finalized yet, based on years past, you can expect:

Open with reduced hours on:

• Christmas Eve (likely 11 AM – 8 PM)
  
• New Year’s Eve (11 AM – 9 PM)
  

Closed on:

• Christmas Day
  
• Thanksgiving Day
  

Again, each location may tweak these slightly — so when in doubt, call your local spot and ask directly about Olive Garden hours.

Some suburban locations may close earlier than expected if customer flow is low, while busy urban Olive Gardens may stay open closer to their usual time. It’s all about location, and the only way to be sure is to call ahead or check online.

How to Find Olive Garden Hours Near You

In my experience, Olive Garden does a decent job of keeping their local hours updated — but knowing where to look makes it easier to confirm current Olive Garden hours.

Using the Official Olive Garden Website

1. Go to their official website.
   
2. Click on “Find a Restaurant”.
   
3. Enter your ZIP code or city.
   
4. Choose a nearby location — and you’ll see full hours, address, and directions.
   

I prefer this method when planning ahead and want to double-check Olive Garden hours before I leave home.

Checking Hours on the Olive Garden App

Their mobile app is fast and reliable. If you’re on the go, it shows current opening status and lets you place orders — which is perfect for curbside pickup when you’re checking Olive Garden hours in real-time.

I use the app often when I’m out running errands or deciding where to grab lunch — it saves time and confirms whether it’s worth making the drive.

Google Search and Maps

Honestly, this is my go-to. Just search “Olive Garden near me” on Google and look for the business listing. You’ll see the full weekly schedule and peak hours. It’s super helpful if you’re trying to avoid the dinner rush or want to verify Olive Garden hours instantly.

Bonus tip: Google will sometimes show you how busy the restaurant is in real time — super helpful if you’re trying to dodge the crowds.

Calling the Local Olive Garden Branch

Sometimes nothing beats just picking up the phone. Especially around holidays, I like getting the info directly from a manager or team member. They’ll tell you if they’re closing early or running limited Olive Garden hours that day.

It’s also a great way to ask about wait times or whether the location is accepting reservations (some do during peak hours).

Final Thoughts

Knowing the right Olive Garden hours can really help you plan the perfect visit — whether it’s a quiet weekday lunch, a family dinner, or a holiday celebration. I’ve been dining at Olive Garden for years, and I’ve learned that showing up at the wrong time can throw off your whole experience.

So use this guide, plan ahead, and check your local branch before heading out. Because nothing beats a hot plate of Chicken Alfredo or Lasagna Classico — but only when they’re open during posted Olive Garden hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Garden Hours