Every Olive Garden Appetizer, Ranked

Olive Garden has to be one of our favorite franchise restaurants. Who wants to resist delicious carbs?—and this Italian-American spot is full of them. They also have great seasoning on every dish, and the portions are humongous.

Despite our undying love for Olive Garden, we realized many menu items we still haven't tried. We're on a mission to try everything and, of course, had to start with their appetizers. Continue reading to see our definitive ranking of every starter that aligns with our dietary restrictions.

6. Meatballs Parmigiana

There's never a scenario where we order meatballs. However, we stuck to the task and tried their parmigiana version. They top it with a zesty blend of Italian cheese, marinara and breadcrumbs. On paper, that sounds delicious. It even looks tasty when they serve it to you. However, we can't get past the grounded texture of meatballs. If you like it, you'll surely enjoy this item.

 

5. Fried Mozzarella

You can't ever go wrong with mozzarella sticks. We like the ones from Olive Garden because of their size. They're wide and flat, rather than the circular ones you often see. We have no qualms with them, but Olive Garden has so many great appetizers that we're not sure if Fried Mozzarella is interesting enough to be the one we'd pick.

 

Also read about: 5 Tips to Add Sushi Into Your Diet

 

4. Spinach Artichoke Dip

This Spinach Artichoke Dip does everything right. It doesn't have too much artichoke—because we all prefer spinach. The cheese gives it that savory edge. Our only problem is the crisps. We typically avoid flatbread with our dips because it doesn't have that same salty crunch of a tortilla chip. Hey, at least Olive Garden's is still seasoned—it's just not what we look for.

 

3. Lasagna Fritta

Now, to the best of the best. The breading of the Lasagna Fritta is always satisfying. It's crunchy and thick. The parmesan of the cheese is fluffy and creamy. Our mouths are watering as we think about it. We prefer to eat it with their marinara, and it is the better version of regular lasagna.

 

2. Stuffed Ziti Fritta

We always search for a variation of a dumpling at a restaurant. The closest thing at Olive Garden is the Stuffed Ziti Fritta, and it does not disappoint. This tiny roll has the most savory blend of cheese that bursts in your mouth when you bite it. The outer shell is crispy, light and buttery, and the alfredo and marina complement it so well. 

 

1. Toasted Ravioli

It was hard to choose between the Toasted Ravioli and Stuffed Ziti Fritta. Ultimately, Toasted Ravioli came out on top. It has the best exterior of any Olive Garden appetizer. It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, cultivating into the most beautiful golden shade. They made them bigger, but they're still the perfect size to pop into your mouth.

 

Curious about our other food opinions? Read HERE to discover our definitive ranking of Island Way Sorbet flavors.