Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

The dog days are officially over, transitioning from Mediterranean dining to the savory season, and I had a taste for Italian fare this evening. My go-to choices are Pazzo Pomodoro (Vienna) for premium casual dining, or Bellissimo (Fairfax City) and Roberto's (Vienna) for fine Italian dining. But I decided to take a chance on Olive Garden, a casual dining option, not expecting it to reach elevated flavors and at a much lower price point.

I haven't been here in decades. Though the location is at the congested intersection of International Drive and Leesburg Pike, the restaurant is surprisingly easy to access because of its corner location and ample parking. The hostess and server were efficient and professional. I found the atmosphere relaxed, and the restaurant was notably clean.

I ordered minestrone soup, spaghetti and meatballs, a glass of the house Chianti, and I asked about getting some ciabatta or other rustic bread. The minestrone soup was light and bland. The bread looked like miniature baguettes, but the interior was soft and smooth, seeming to be made of highly processed white flour. Somehow, garlic was incorporated into the crust, which I found unappealing. I took one bite and pushed it aside. The meatballs and spaghetti were also bland but not as dull as the minestrone soup. The Chianti was passable, and it would have been more enjoyable with ciabatta.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

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Great experience at Olive Garden! The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Big thanks to Mr. Brayan for being so kind and attentive — he really made our visit special!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Being Italian, it wasn't the best Italian food but it was good. Just a little more salty than I would prefer.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Pick your own pasta section is real good 👍👍

The course ordered was not available even tough it was offered on the menu. Change to fried calamari which were extremely greasy like if they were fried several times. The sauces on the side were extremely salty and the lady who served took the tip when we did not agree on give any tip. Also of the whole space the restaurant has we were all confined in a small area no matter if you agree or not. Nothing to do with the olive garden of the past. Awful really awful.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Our server Gabriela was so sweet and attentive. Food was great as always but the service today was incredible. Highly recommend this location!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

we’ve been coming here twice a month for the past five years, and it’s always been a wonderful experience. usually, we sit at abdul’s table, and he’s been amazing, but recently he was off for a couple of months and marcelo served us instead. the food is always great—we love it—but what really makes the difference are the people who work here. always smiling, always accommodating, and making us feel welcome every time. marcelo was just as good as abdul, and we truly appreciate the consistency in service.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pretty good chain restaurant

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Food and service always amazing. Our waiter Maira is really great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing place and delicious food

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Yes, I'm an Olive Garden fan! The kids love it and its a great value. They have a new gorgonzola fettuccine alfredo topped with steak, with a balsamic drizzle on top. Somebody clearly thought this through. It's like all my favourite ingredients together in a pasta. A must try!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Eh, server made us feel like we were a bother. Very transactional and the first thing he asked us was “ready to order?” Could’ve gone to a fast food restaurant instead and gotten a better attitude. Unlimited salad and bread was nice but doesn’t fully compensate. Dry cake but will taste good if you like sugar. Also weird atmosphere. So much open space with NPC families. Big portions though so the value is fine if you don’t include tip. Also not very accodomating, server didn’t even know some of the things on the menu. The menu isn’t big.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 2

Ordered the new menu item of steak tips and shrimp. And an all-time favorite 5 cheese pasta. Spice sausage soup was great as usual.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This location has become very run down and the food isn’t even decent anymore. The salad and breadsticks used to be a highlight, but we haven’t been since before covid. The kids asked to go again and we won’t be back. The breadsticks were stale, the salad was very bland and not cold, the food was lukewarm warm when served and the service wasn’t good. The restaurant seems very understaffed and it doesn’t seem clean. It’s well overdue for a renovation and the food quality has tanked.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 2

Very large, clean restaurant. Everything is reasonably priced. Service is attentive. Large servings, free drink refills. Lots of free parking. Lots of bread sticks. Comfortable seating. But the salad did not seem fresh and the food was bland. ♿️

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4