With more than 900 Olive Garden locations across the US, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, Ecuador, and the Philippines, Italian food is never too far away. Bottomless breadsticks and mountains of pasta— what’s not to love, right? But, is eating vegan at Olive Garden really an option?
At first glance, you may be thinking that there are no plant-based alternatives for any meal. Are the pastas prepared with eggs, the breadsticks brushed with butter, and all of the sauces swimming with sausages?
Good news, dear friend! Not only is it possible, but pretty tasty and mostly plant-based, too! Though the pickings are slim and not exactly spectacular, you will certainly find enough to eat.
When ordering, just remember: SPSB—sauce, pasta, salad, breadsticks—and you’re good to go! If you choose wisely, your dinner is sure to be both filling and delicious.
Vegan Options at Olive Garden
Breadsticks
Olive Garden’s famous breadsticks surprisingly make the cut for vegans! These golden-brown delights are made with simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and salt, ensuring a vegan-friendly treat. Enjoy the soft, pillowy texture and garlic-infused goodness without any dairy or animal products.
Minestrone Soup
Olive Garden’s Minestrone Soup is a hearty and satisfying vegan option. Filled with a medley of vegetables, beans, and pasta in a flavorful tomato-based broth, this soup is not only delicious but also free from animal products. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of a classic Italian soup without compromising your vegan lifestyle.
House Salad (order without croutons or dressing; add oil and vinegar)
For a refreshing and vegan-friendly option, Olive Garden’s House Salad can be customized to meet your plant-based preferences. Simply skip the croutons and traditional dressing, opting instead for a drizzle of oil and vinegar. Packed with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and other fresh veggies, this customized salad provides a delightful and healthy vegan alternative.
Vegan Pasta at Olive Garden
Indulge in a delectable array of vegan pasta options at Olive Garden, where plant-based choices meet Italian flavors. From the delicate strands of Angel Hair to the ribbon-like Fettuccine, the tubular Rigatoni, the charming Small Shells, to the classic Spaghetti, there is pasta for every preference.
Just a note of caution: while Olive Garden’s gluten-free Rotini may seem like a safe choice, it contains eggs, so opt for one of the other delightful vegan options to fully enjoy your pasta experience.
Vegan Pasta Options:
- Angel Hair
- Fettuccine
- Rigatoni
- Small Shells
- Spaghetti
Please note: the gluten-free Rotini contains eggs!
Vegan Sides at Olive Garden
While the vegan side options at Olive Garden may not scream excitement, they certainly offer a simple and reliable addition to your dining experience. Embrace the straightforward goodness of healthy steamed broccoli, or the unassuming charm of grapes for a touch of sweetness.
- Steamed Broccoli
- Grapes
Dairy-Free Sauces at Olive Garden
Enhance your Olive Garden dining experience with an array of dairy-free sauces that elevate the flavors of your dishes. Whether you’re craving the robust taste of Marinara, the simplicity of Tomato, or the richness of Olive Oil and Vinegar, Olive Garden has your vegan sauce cravings covered.
- Marinara
- Tomato
- Olive Oil
- Vinegar
Vegan-Friendly Beverages
Quench your thirst with a selection of refreshing vegan beverages at Olive Garden, carefully curated to complement your plant-based choices.
- Fountain Drinks
- Lemonades
- Flavored Iced Teas
- Brewed Tea/Iced Tea
- Coffee
NOTE: Olive Garden also offers an assortment of alcoholic beverages, but the options differ from one location to the next and also from state to state. Please double-check your options on Barnivore.com and in our vegan beer, wine, and liquor guide.
Plant-Based Kids Meal
- Pasta With Tomato Sauce – Fettuccine, shells, or spaghetti with a side (steamed broccoli, fries, grapes, or extra pasta) and a drink. Substitute tomato for marinara sauce, if you wish.
Savvy Vegan Suggestions (Bring Your Own!)
Pack on the Protein
Be bold and bring your own beans, vegan meatballs, or plant-based protein with you. Cook a portion beforehand and bag it up to have with your pasta meal—our Veggie Meatball recipe would be perfect!
Come Ready With Your Own Vegan Dressing
If you don’t vibe with olive oil and vinegar, bring your own dressing (like our creamy dill dressing, vegan french dressing, or Asian-Inspired Dressing) to dribble on your salad. Sadly, the house dressing is not vegan at Olive Garden.
Add Some Vegan Cheese
Choose your favorite plant-based cheese to carry into the restaurant. Our Guide to Vegan Cheese is a huge help if you can’t decide.
BYO Vegan Dessert
Much like The Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s, and TGI Friday’s, Olive Garden has yet to make any of their desserts vegan, aside from the raspberry sauce. If everyone else is planning on diving into dessert, definitely sneak in a snack for yourself. Try our No-Bake Caramel Squares and Super-Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies—they’re small, so delicious, and easy to stash in your pocket!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Olive Garden’s breadsticks vegan?
Yes, the breadsticks are vegan! Did you also know that Olive Garden bakes around 700 million breadsticks per year? Even though that’s a crazy amount, it basically boils down to only three breadsticks per person. Nowadays, they’ll only bring extra if you ask (thank you, I will)!
Is the Italian Dressing at Olive Garden vegan?
No, the Italian dressing is not vegan as it contains eggs. Instead, ask for oil and vinegar.
This article is not sponsored and we are in no way affiliated with Olive Garden. At the time of this article, the foods mentioned above are vegan. Since restaurants constantly update their menus and add or take away items, please keep this in mind when ordering your food. There may be new items that are vegan and not listed or items listed here as vegan, which are no longer vegan. Take care to double-check.
