Olive Garden is a well-known Italian-style restaurant chain, with more than 850 locations across the U.S.
On Veterans Day, Olive Garden will offer veterans one free meal from a special Veterans Day menu, according to Lauren Bowes, a spokesperson for Darden Restaurants, which owns the Olive Garden chain. This offer is only available for dine-in.
Veterans Day is on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Olive Garden Free Meal on Veterans Day
Offer Type
Participating Locations
Requirements
Valid Military ID
Who Qualifies?
Active-Duty, Veterans
Category
Food & Drink, Pizza & Pasta
Olive Garden provides a free entree for veterans and active-duty military with a valid Military ID.
Here is a list of over 100 restaurants celebrating Veterans Day with free or discounted meals for veterans and active-duty military members who have sacrificed to guard our nation’s freedom.
Olive Garden’s Veterans Day Deal
On Nov. 11, 2025, Olive Garden will offer a free entree from their special Veterans Day menu for all dine-in veteran and active-duty members.
The Veterans Day menu includes five of the Olive Garden’s most popular dishes:
- Never-ending soup, salad and breadsticks
- Cheese ravioli
- Spaghetti and meatballs
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Chicken parmigiana
What to Bring With You
When you head to your local Olive Garden to enjoy your free meal, don’t forget to bring proof that you’re a veteran or a current member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Some of the most common documents to prove your status include:
- Military identification card
- Veterans identification card
- DD 214
- State-issued identification card or driver’s license with veteran’s designation
- Membership card from a veterans service organization
You may also be able to bring a citation or commendation that includes your name or a photograph of yourself in uniform.
If you are not sure whether your proof of service will work, call ahead. You can search for your local Olive Garden location here.
Olive Garden Veterans Day Deal Details
Most Olive Garden restaurants are open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., though your local restaurant may have different hours. Call ahead or check online before going.
Olive Garden’s website now allows you to join a waitlist and lets you know how long you’ll need to wait before you’re seated.
Olive Garden Veterans Day Meal Limitations
Most restaurants offering free meals to veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day do not extend special offers to family members or friends of veterans. This is the case with Olive Garden.
Also, the free Veterans Day deal does not include drinks or gratuity, so be sure to plan ahead. It’s always a good idea to tip based on the full cost of the meal. Remember, the waitstaff is working hard for you.
Olive Garden also restricts its Veterans Day promotion to dine-in customers. You won’t be able to order your free meal as takeout.
More Ways to Save at Olive Garden
In addition to their Veterans Day deal, Olive Garden often runs promotions through third-party websites such as Groupon, Grubhub, and Doordash.
More About Olive Garden
Since its founding in the early 1980s, Olive Garden has grown into a mainstay of the casual dining industry.
Along with its annual Veterans Day promotion, Olive Garden, gives back to the community through its Harvest Program, donating food to local nonprofit partners. Darden Restaurants, which owns Olive Garde, also partners with Feeding America.
Enjoy Your Veterans Day Discounts
If you’re in the mood for a hearty, Italian meal on Veterans Day, head to the local Olive Garden with your proof of military service.
Olive Garden is just one restaurant that offers military discounts. In addition to restaurants, several businesses open their doors to veterans with retail discounts on Veterans Day.
If you’re in the mood to explore museums and other attractions or events this Veterans Day, we’ve compiled a list of attractions and events offering discounted prices as well.
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Walter Russi says
Congratulations on making my day a little brighter yesterday by providing a free meal for me. Everyone was so pleasant and the food was very good. Thank you to the entire staff at the Round Rock Texas Olive Garden.
jim musso says
thank you olive garden for your wonderful gift to our vets. your gift is well appreciated by all military. my wife and i did not know of this. i will continue to patronise olive garden. thank you again
Robert Bekalowicz says
I would like to thank “Olive Garden” and all its servers, cooks, hostesses and management for its gratitude and respect to me and all my fellow veterans. The meal as usual was excellent.