Olive Garden Appetizers Ranked Worst to Best
Olive Garden serves millions of meals each year in the United States, and nearly every one of those meals begins with breadsticks. The tradition has shaped how diners interact with the rest of the menu. Appetizers often get skipped, rushed, or treated as filler before pasta arrives, and that’s a mistake.
This appetizer lineup features some of the most impressive dishes the kitchen produces, particularly in terms of frying technique, seasoning discipline, and sauce balance. When ranked carefully, the gap between the weakest and strongest starters becomes impossible to ignore.
Fried Calamari
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This dish falls short on multiple fundamentals and misses the basics. The calamari rings are very small and arrive without tentacles, which removes the contrast that makes fried calamari enjoyable. The breading overwhelms the squid, which results in a rubbery texture rather than a light bite. Salt levels feel inconsistent, and the overall seasoning comes across muted. Lemon and marinara slightly improve the plate, but they work more as fixes than enhancements. When an appetizer relies this heavily on sauces to stay edible, it ranks as the worst.
Lasagna Fritta
Trying to execute fried lasagna introduces problems instead of solving them. The exterior browns unevenly, while the noodles inside lose tenderness quickly and turn chewy. The cheese filling lacks presence, so Alfredo and the meat sauce ultimately carry most of the flavor. The imbalance keeps the dish from standing on its own. It is filling and familiar, but it never feels cohesive.
Fried Mozzarella
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Mozzarella quality is acceptable, with mild sharpness, pleasant flavor, and decent melt, but the problem lies in the coating. The breading lacks crunch and doesn’t bring enough seasoning to contrast the cheese. Marinara helps add acidity and brightness, but the texture remains soft instead of crisp. It works in theory, but compared to stronger fried cheese appetizers, this one feels underdeveloped.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
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This appetizer lands in the middle because part of it works very well. The dip is creamy, spinach-forward, and includes enough artichoke to add balance. The issue comes with the flatbread crisps. They arrive oily and heavy and pull attention away from the dip instead of supporting it. The core recipe is solid, but the pairing holds it back from being a top appetizer.
Meatballs Parmigiana
These meatballs are dependable, which is both their strength and their limitation. They stay juicy, avoid gristle, and pair nicely with a familiar marinara. Melted cheese adds richness, while the breadcrumb topping adds a subtle touch. This is an appetizer that does nothing wrong, but it’s also not particularly memorable.
Shrimp Fritto Misto with Vegetables
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This dish moves into the stronger half of the list thanks to execution and portion size. The shrimp are tender with a soft breading that avoids toughness. Bell peppers and onions add texture and help cut through the fried elements; the marinara sauce works, but the spicy ranch fits better. When vegetables make up a larger portion of the mix, the dish feels more balanced and less heavy.
Toasted Ravioli
Toasted ravioli strikes a good balance between flavor and texture. The beef filling adds depth that cheese-only versions often lack. The breading crisps evenly and holds up longer than most fried appetizers. Marinara complements the ravioli without masking it. Consistency matters here, especially when sharing, and this appetizer delivers that reliability.
Stuffed Ziti Fritta
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Each piece of the Stuffed Ziti Fritta offers a crisp exterior and a rich, cheesy center with enough sharpness to avoid feeling heavy. Alfredo pushes indulgence, while marinara adds contrast. The texture is engaging from the first bite to the last.
Breadsticks With Dipping Sauces
Breadsticks deliver flexibility, balance, and consistency better than anything else on the menu. They are warm and simple on their own, but the sauces transform them. Marinara adds acidity, meat sauce brings savoriness, and five-cheese sauce delivers richness. Alfredo remains optional but still works. The variety allows everyone at the table to find something they like, which makes this the most reliable and rewarding way to start a meal.