Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Introduce
For many of us in Ohio, the name Olive Garden conjures up images of familiar comfort, unlimited breadsticks, and generous servings of classic Italian-American dishes. Located conveniently on Polaris Parkway in Columbus, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant has long been a go-to spot for locals seeking a casual and welcoming dining experience with a taste of Italy. This article aims to provide a clear and informative overview of what this particular Olive Garden offers, helping residents across the Ohio region learn more about this popular dining establishment.
Olive Garden, established in 1982, has become one of the largest full-service Italian restaurant chains in the United States. Its success is built on a simple promise: to provide a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere where guests can enjoy comforting Italian-inspired meals. The brand has become synonymous with its signature unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, a feature that offers excellent value and a beloved tradition for many diners. For Ohioans, the Polaris location upholds this long-standing reputation, offering a consistent and accessible dining option for various occasions.
While some culinary opinions might vary, as is common with any large chain, Olive Garden's enduring popularity among local users in Ohio speaks to its ability to deliver a recognizable and generally satisfying experience. They focus on a menu of Americanized Italian favorites, including a wide array of pasta dishes, chicken, and seafood entrees, along with their well-known appetizers and desserts. The emphasis is on creating a welcoming environment where families and friends can gather for a meal that feels both special and comfortably familiar. The Polaris location aims to continue this tradition, serving as a reliable spot for those craving their classic Italian-American fare.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is conveniently situated at 1250 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240, USA. This address places it directly on Polaris Parkway, a major commercial thoroughfare in northern Columbus, and in close proximity to the expansive Polaris Fashion Place shopping and entertainment district. For residents throughout Central Ohio, including those in nearby suburbs like Westerville, Dublin, and Worthington, accessing this Olive Garden location is highly convenient.
The restaurant's position on a prominent parkway ensures excellent vehicular accessibility, with direct connections to Interstate 71 and other primary roads. Ample parking is available in the dedicated parking lot surrounding the restaurant, making it easy for diners to find a spot, even during busier times. The area around Polaris Parkway is well-developed with numerous other retail and dining establishments, contributing to its overall ease of access and popularity. For individuals utilizing public transportation, various COTA bus routes serve the Polaris Parkway area, providing accessibility for a broader range of local users.
This strategic location makes Olive Garden an ideal choice for a casual family dinner after a day of shopping, a convenient lunch stop, or a relaxed evening out with friends. Its integration into this bustling commercial area caters to the needs of Ohioans seeking readily available and familiar dining options.
- Dine-in Service: Guests can enjoy their meals in the restaurant's casual and welcoming dining room.
- Online Waitlist: Customers can join the waitlist online before arriving at the restaurant to minimize wait times, especially during peak hours.
- Online Ordering for Pickup (ToGo): Conveniently place orders online for car-side pickup or in-store pickup, allowing customers to enjoy Olive Garden meals at home.
- Delivery Service: Available through various third-party food delivery platforms, bringing Olive Garden's menu items directly to your home or office within their service area.
- Catering Services: Offers a wide range of catering pans and meal combinations suitable for events, family gatherings, and office meetings, with options for pickup and delivery.
- Full Bar Service: A selection of wines (including their signature Moscato), beers, and classic cocktails are available.
- Kids' Menu: A dedicated menu with smaller portions of popular dishes, catering to younger diners.
- Gluten-Sensitive Options: Offers a selection of menu items prepared without gluten-containing ingredients, including gluten-free pasta, to accommodate dietary needs.
- Darden Restaurants Gift Cards: Olive Garden accepts and sells Darden Restaurants gift cards, which are redeemable at any of Darden's restaurant brands.
- Unlimited Soup, Salad, & Breadsticks: A signature offering that accompanies most entrées and is also available as a standalone meal, providing excellent value and a beloved, comforting start to the meal.
- Classic Italian-American Comfort Food: The menu features popular dishes like Lasagna Classico, Chicken Alfredo, Fettuccine Alfredo, Shrimp Scampi, and Five Cheese Ziti al Forno.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Olive Garden is designed to be a welcoming and comfortable place for families, with a casual ambiance and options suitable for all ages.
- Freshly Baked Breadsticks: Served warm and fresh, these are a staple and a highlight for many diners.
- Generous Portions: Entrées are typically served in substantial portions, ensuring a satisfying meal.
- Variety of Soups: Offers a selection of popular soups including Zuppa Toscana, Pasta e Fagioli, Minestrone, and Chicken & Gnocchi.
- Loyalty to Familiar Flavors: While some find the sauces bland or pasta overcooked, the consistency and familiarity of the flavors appeal to a broad audience seeking dependable Italian-American fare.
- Friendly and Attentive Service: Many reviews highlight the excellent service provided by the staff, who often go out of their way to ensure a pleasant dining experience.
Address: 1250 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240, USA
Phone: (614) 885-0080
Mobile Phone: +1 614-885-0080
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant on Polaris Parkway is a highly suitable dining choice for locals across the Ohio region, particularly in and around Columbus, for several practical and appealing reasons. It caters to a widespread desire for accessible, comforting, and family-friendly dining experiences.
Firstly, its reputation for consistency and familiarity makes it a reliable option for many Ohioans. While individual food quality can sometimes be subjective, as seen in mixed reviews regarding pasta dishes or sauces, the overall experience of unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks provides undeniable value and a comforting standard that many cherish. This makes it a dependable spot for a casual weeknight dinner, a quick lunch, or a gathering with family and friends where everyone can find something they recognize and enjoy. The emphasis on friendly service, as consistently praised by customers, further enhances the dining experience, making guests feel welcome and appreciated.
Secondly, the restaurant’s prime location on Polaris Parkway offers exceptional accessibility. For those living or working in northern Columbus and its surrounding suburbs, Olive Garden is easy to reach, with ample parking readily available. This convenience means that locals can seamlessly integrate a visit into their daily routines, whether they're coming from a shopping trip at Polaris Fashion Place or simply looking for a straightforward dinner option. The presence of online ordering, car-side pickup, and delivery services also adds layers of flexibility that cater to modern busy lifestyles.
Moreover, Olive Garden’s extensive menu with options for kids and those with gluten sensitivities ensures it can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and preferences within a family or group. It provides a no-fuss environment where the focus is on a relaxed meal and good company. In essence, Olive Garden on Polaris Parkway remains a popular and suitable choice for Ohio locals seeking a familiar, comforting, and convenient Italian-American dining experience.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Menu
Appetizers
Great for sharing
- Calamari
Hand-breaded and fried to order. Served with marinara and spicy ranch.
- Meatballs Parmigiana
Five hearty meatballs baked in homemade marinara, topped with melted Italian cheeses and toasted breadcrumbs.
- Lasagna Fritta
Parmesan breaded lasagna, served with homemade alfredo and meat sauce. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Stuffed Ziti Fritta
Crispy fried ziti filled with five melted Italian cheeses. Served with homemade marinara and alfredo.
- Toasted Ravioli
Lightly fried ravioli filled with seasoned beef. Served with homemade marinara sauce.
- Spinach-Artichoke Dip
A blend of spinach, artichokes and five cheeses served with flatbread crisps.
- Shrimp Fritto Misto
Over a half-pound of shrimp mixed with onions and bell peppers, hand-breaded and lightly fried. Served with marinara and spicy ranch.
- Fried Mozzarella
Fried mozzarella cheese, served with homemade marinara sauce.
- Never Ending Dipping Sauces for Breadsticks
Homemade marinara, alfredo or five cheese marinara.
Lunch-Sized Favorites
Available 11-3PM Monday-Friday
- Never Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks
Your choice of unlimited homemade soup served with famous house salad and hot breadsticks.
- Spaghetti
With marinara or with meat sauce. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Fettuccine Alfredo
Our signature alfredo made fresh in-house every morning, served over fettuccine.
- Cheese Ravioli
Topped with melted mozzarella and your choice of homemade marinara or meat sauce. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
Oven baked blend of Italian cheeses, pasta and our signature homemade five cheese marinara.
- Eggplant Parmigiana
Hand-breaded, lightly fried and served with a side of spaghetti.
- Spaghetti & Meatballs (2)
With meat sauce. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Lasagna Classico
Layers of pasta, Italian cheeses and our homemade meat sauce. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Chicken Parmigiana
Served with a side of spaghetti.
- Shrimp Scampi
Lighter take on an Italian classic! Shrimp sautéed in a garlic sauce, tossed with asparagus, tomatoes and angel hair.
Classic Entrées
All entrées come with our never-ending first course of soup or salad and breadsticks
- Tour of Italy
Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico and our signature Fettuccine Alfredo. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Chicken Tortolloni Alfredo
Asiago cheese-filled tortellini baked in alfredo with a blend of Italian cheeses and toasted breadcrumbs, topped with sliced grilled chicken. 1
- Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara
Chicken and shrimp sautéed in a creamy sauce with bacon and roasted red peppers, over spaghetti.
- Chicken Parmigiana
A classic with our homemade marinara and a side of spaghetti.
- Eggplant Parmigiana
Hand-breaded eggplant, lightly fried to order, topped with melted mozzarella and homemade marinara. Served with a side of spaghetti.
- Lasagna Classico
Layers of pasta, parmesan, mozzarella, pecorino romano and homemade meat sauce, prepared fresh daily. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Five Cheese Ziti al Forno
Oven baked blend of Italian cheeses, pasta and our signature homemade five cheese marinara.
- Cheese Ravioli
Topped with melted mozzarella and your choice of homemade marinara (V) or meat sauce
- Spaghetti & Meatballs
Our homemade meat sauce and three hearty meatballs, served over spaghetti. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Spaghetti with Homemade Sauce
Our homemade marinara served over spaghetti. **Our meat sauces include pan-seared beef and Italian sausage.
- Stuffed Chicken Marsala
Grilled chicken breast stuffed with Italian cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with a creamy marsala mushroom sauce. Served with mashed potatoes. 1
- Chicken Scampi
Chicken sautéed with fresh bell peppers and red onions in a creamy scampi sauce. Served over angel hair.
- Shrimp Scampi
Lighter take on an Italian classic! Shrimp sautéed in a garlic sauce, tossed with asparagus, tomatoes and angel hair.
- Shrimp Carbonara
Shrimp sautéed in a creamy sauce with bacon and roasted red peppers, over spaghetti
- Ravioli Carbonara
Cheese ravioli baked in a creamy sauce with bacon, topped with a blend of Italian cheeses
- Grilled Chicken Margherita
Topped with freshly chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, basil pesto and lemon garlic sauce. Served with parmesan garlic broccoli.
- 6 oz Sirloin
Grilled 6 oz sirloin topped with garlic herb butter. Served with a side of fettuccine alfredo.
- Herb-Grilled Salmon
Grilled filet topped with garlic herb butter. Served with steamed parmesan garlic broccoli.
Amazing Alfredos
Made from scratch with simple ingredients like parmesan, cream, garlic & butter.
- Chicken Alfredo
Our signature alfredo over fettuccine. Topped with your choice of grilled chicken or crispy chicken fritta.
- Fettuccine Alfredo
Our signature sauce is made fresh in-house every morning, served over fettuccine.
- Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo
Grilled sirloin tips (6 oz) over fettuccine alfredo, tossed with gorgonzola blue cheese and spinach. Topped with sun-dried tomatoes and a balsamic drizzle.
- Shrimp Alfredo
Fettuccine alfredo tossed with sautéed shrimp.
- Seafood Alfredo
Fettuccine alfredo tossed with sautéed shrimp and scallops.
Create Your Own Pasta
Our kitchen. Your creation. Pasta just the way you want it!
- Choose Pasta
- Choose A Sauce
- Add A Topping
(additional price)
Homemade Soups & Salad
Soups made from scratch every day
- Never-Ending Soup, Salad & Breadsticks
Our famous house salad, breadsticks and your choice of homemade soup.
- Pasta e Fagioli
White and red beans, ground beef, tomatoes and tubetti pasta in a savory broth.
- Zuppa Toscana
Spicy Italian sausage, kale and potatoes in a creamy broth.
- Minestrone
Fresh vegetables, beans and pasta in a light tomato broth.
- Chicken & Gnocchi
A creamy soup made with roasted chicken, Italian dumplings and spinach.
Desserts
- Tiramisu
Creamy custard and sweet cocoa over espresso-soaked ladyfingers.
- Black Tie Mousse Cake
Chocolate cake, dark chocolate cheesecake and creamy custard with icing.
- Sicilian Cheesecake
Ricotta cheesecake with a shortbread cookie crust, topped with fresh strawberries.
- Chocolate Lasagna
Decadent layers of chocolate cake, creamy chocolate mousse, and a delicate layer of crushed wafers. Topped with chocolate sauce.
- Warm Italian Doughnuts
Known in Italy as Zeppoli, our doughnuts are made to order and tossed in vanilla sugar. Served with raspberry or chocolate sauce.
- Strawberry Cream Cake
Vanilla sponge cake layered with sweet vanilla cream and topped with fresh strawberries.
Featured Cocktails
- Sicilian Sunset
A refreshing mix of prickly pear lemonade, pineapple juice and New Amsterdam vodka.
- Italian Rum Punch
Bacardi Silver rum and amaretto mixed with strawberry-passion fruit.
- Peach Bellini
Originating in Italy, a refreshing mix of sparkling Italian white wine and peach purée.
- Amaretto Sour
The perfect sweet-and-sour combination of amaretto, a sweet Italian liqueur, and sour mix.
- Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry-passion fruit lemonade with New Amsterdam vodka, fresh mint and strawberries.
- Blue Capri
Blue Chair Bay coconut rum with Blue Curacao and pineapple juice.
Sangrias
Perfect for sharing
- Green Apple Moscato Sangria
Chilled moscato blended with apple purée and a splash of pineapple juice. Available in Pitcher (serves 4) and Glass.
- Watermelon Moscato Sangria
Chilled moscato blended with watermelon and a splash of ginger ale. Available in Pitcher (serves 4) and Glass.
- Berry Sangria
Red wine, fresh fruit and a splash of fruit juices. Available in Pitcher (serves 4) and Glass.
White
- Moscato
- Sweet Pink Moscato Blend
- White Zinfandel
- Riesling
- Sparkling Italian Wine
- Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
Red
- Sweet Red Roscato
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
- Red Blend
- Chianti Classico
- Cabernet
Featured Wines by the Bottle
Available in glass and bottle
- Moscato, Primo Amore, Italy
- Sweet Pink Moscato Blend, Confetti, Italy
- Sweet Red Roscato, Rosso Dolce, Italy
- Red Blend, Porta Vita, Italy
Draft Selections
Available in 16 or 22 oz
- Modelo Especial
- Blue Moon
- Bud Light
Bottled Beers
- Budweiser
- Bud Light
- Michelob Ultra
- Coors Light
- Miller Lite
- Modelo Especial
- Corona
- Stella Artois
- Peroni
- Heineken
- Samuel Adams Lager
- Angry Orchard Hard Cider
Non-Alcoholic
- Refreshing Favorites
- Italian Bottled Water
- Handcrafted
Coffee
- Hot Coffee
- Hot Tea
- Cappuccino
- Lavazza Espresso
- Traditional Iced Coffee
- Vanilla Iced Coffee
- Caramel Iced Coffee
Signature Margaritas
- Italian Margarita
Inspired by the flavors of Italy, our margarita is made with Jose Cuervo Especial Silver tequila, triple sec, and topped with amaretto, a sweet Italian liqueur.
- Strawberry Limoncello Margarita
A sweet strawberry margarita with Mi Campo Blanco tequila and Caravella limoncello, an Italian liqueur
- Watermelon Margarita
A refreshing blend of watermelon and Calirosa Rosa Blanco tequila, garnished with a salted rim.
Create Your Own Pasta
- Choose Pasta
- Choose Sauce
- Pick one Topping
Entree
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Pepperoni Pizza
- Cheese Pizza
- Chicken Fingers
- Cheese Ravioli
Sides
- Grapes
- Mashed Potatoes
- Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
- French Fries
- Seasoned Broccoli
Dessert
- Frozen Smoothie
- See Ziosk for our complete list of full size desserts. Perfect for sharing!
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Details
Service options
- Kerbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar on site
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cosy
- Quiet
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
Planning
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Photos










Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Location
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
1250 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240, USA
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Reviews
breadsticksalfredomanagercleangift cardshrimp scampichicken parmgnocchi souphalf hourmints
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The server was fabulous. The food was horrible. The red sauce was bland. It tastes like it was watered down. The mushroom sauce is the only thing that has flavor. It was a waste of money. The marinara sauce doesn't have a tomato taste. It tastes like water. I will not recommend them for any pasta dish. Their pasta is over cooked and unseasoned. It's bad. The tables were clean and the service was good. We felt sorry for the server because of the bad tasting food. Everyone welcomes you and they will also thank you when you are leaving. But the food is horrible. Maybe soup and salad but I wouldn't order anything else.
August 29 · Mr. BranhamWillie was absolutely amazing ! Such a great man! He had great conversations and served us really well! Love your Toronto Homies 🫶🏻
May 04 · Caleigh BurnsHad a nice meal after a somewhat long wait for our server to arrive. We went at a midday very few people were there and the were busy chatting. Restaurant was clean hospitality was pleasant and friendly once we got them . Plates were wet and dripping with water.
July 24 · Ed CrosbyWe've eaten at this restaurant a decent amount of time.It's a great location on the round about for the Polaris Fashion Mall, so it often becomes a stop for us when we are spending a day in the area, and has been the spot of some special dinners, too.The last visit was August 26th, for lunch, not crowded at all. Super quick service in terms of them being attentive and receiving our food. Always a welcoming atmosphere.Will continue to return.
September 03 · Robert HobbsTypical suburban restaurant, with the same food and service. Nothing out of the ordinary with this restaurant, but we were annoyed with the ladies at the table next to us swearing like crazy around our child, which really killed the atmosphere. It wasn't exactly the family-friendly restaurant it's advertised as.
July 29 · Laura Wells
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