Olive Garden Allergen Guide
Quick answer: always use Olive Garden's official allergen guide, which lists the major allergens for each dish, and tell your server about any allergy. The kitchen is shared, so cross-contact is possible.
How to Read the Official Allergen Guide
- Find the dish in the guide and check each allergen column: milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish and sesame.
- Check the sauce and sides separately; many allergens come from those.
- Look at the date on the guide and use the newest version.
Common Allergies
Wheat and gluten
Use the gluten-sensitive menu; breadsticks and most pastas contain wheat.
Milk
Alfredo, carbonara and most baked dishes contain dairy. Marinara-based dishes are a better starting point.
Shellfish and fish
Shrimp and seafood dishes are marked on each of our dish pages. Fried items may share fryers.
Questions to Ask Your Server
- Can the kitchen prepare this without the allergen?
- Is it fried in shared oil?
- Can a manager confirm the ingredients?
Dairy-Free Ordering
Dairy is the hardest allergen to avoid at Olive Garden because butter, cream and cheese appear in sauces, breadsticks and many toppings. Start with pasta and marinara, a grilled protein such as Herb-Grilled Salmon or the sirloin, and the house salad without cheese or croutons, then confirm each part against the official guide.
Egg, Soy and Nut Allergies
Egg can turn up in pasta, breadcrumbs, dressings and desserts, and soy in oils and fried coatings. Few savory dishes contain peanuts or tree nuts, but desserts and shared prep areas carry a cross-contact risk, so people with severe nut allergies should speak to the manager.
Ordering To Go or Delivery With an Allergy
- Add the allergy in the special-instructions box and call the restaurant to confirm it was seen.
- Check the bag before you leave; sauces and dressings are often packed separately.
- Avoid third-party apps for severe allergies; you can't speak to the kitchen directly.
Related: gluten-free menu · vegetarian menu · nutrition facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Olive Garden have an allergen menu?
Yes. Olive Garden publishes an allergen and nutrition guide on olivegarden.com that lists major allergens by dish. Ask your server for it too.
Is Olive Garden safe for nut allergies?
Few savory dishes contain nuts, but shared kitchens and desserts carry a cross-contact risk. Talk to the manager before ordering.
Does Olive Garden have dairy-free options?
There's no dairy-free menu, but pasta with marinara, grilled proteins and salad without cheese or croutons are common starting points. Confirm with the allergen guide.