Why Locals Love Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Nestled in the heart of Wilkes-Barre, PA, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant brings the warm, inviting flavors of Italy straight to your table. Specializing in authentic Italian cuisine, this beloved family-friendly dining spot is a vibrant mix of Mediterranean charm and classic comfort. Whether you’re craving traditional seafood dishes, gluten-free options, or hearty soups paired with fine wines, Olive Garden offers a thoughtfully curated menu to satisfy every palate.
Start your culinary journey with their tantalizing appetizers like the Calamari, hand-breaded and fried to crispy perfection, served alongside zesty marinara and spicy ranch sauces that awaken your senses. Meatball Parmigiana is another crowd-pleaser—five generously sized meatballs nestled in homemade marinara, melted Italian cheeses, and crispy toasted breadcrumbs create a harmony of rich textures and flavors. For a unique twist, try the Lasagna Fritta: golden Parmesan-breaded lasagna pieces paired with luscious alfredo and robust meat sauce, featuring pan-seared beef and savory Italian sausage that melt together beautifully in every bite.
The dining atmosphere at Olive Garden is a perfect blend of cozy and lively, making it ideal for casual family dinners, celebrations, or relaxing takeout meals. Guests have praised the welcoming ambiance where attentive staff like Elizabeth provide warm, patient service, ensuring your glasses stay full and those famous endless breadsticks keep coming. One satisfied guest humorously admits to falling half in love with the food—and half tempted to relocate to Italy after savoring the creamy, indulgent fettuccine alfredo.
The welcoming spirit extends beyond just the food. Whether you arrive on a bustling weekend and choose to cozy up at the bar or settle in for a leisurely meal with friends and family, Olive Garden’s team consistently delivers fresh, piping-hot dishes promptly without compromising quality. Though some visitors noted feeling slightly rushed, the overall sentiment echoes warmth, care, and genuine delight in every bite and every smile.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant is more than just a meal—it’s a place where the joys of Italian cooking meet heartfelt hospitality. From the satisfying crunch of freshly baked breadsticks to the savory bliss of perfectly balanced sauces, this culinary gem in Wilkes-Barre invites you to savor each moment and meal with a touch of Italian passion.
For a memorable, flavorful dining experience that leaves you both comforted and inspired, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant makes an irresistible destination. Call +1 570-825-9125 to reserve your spot or order takeout for a taste of Italy at home.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Kerbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Bar on site
- Toilet
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Casual
- Cosy
- Quiet
- Trendy
- Family friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
- University students
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- Has changing table(s)
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Real Reviews from the Community
- Feb 17, 2026
Olive Garden, you've done it again! I swear one bite of that fettuccine alfredo and I started thinking "Well, maybe I should just move to Italy and become an Italian!" The bread sticks are endless, bless their hearts. And the soup and salad? Why, it makes this old lady feel like a fancy chef! Honestly, I leave there half full, half ready to adopt a new Italian accent, and all the way happy
- Feb 16, 2026
Came here for my birthday dinner with my children. Our waitress Elizabeth was absolutely so kind, patient and caring. She made sure we always had refills and filled our breadsticks. She made my experience here great. I'll definitely be coming back.
- Feb 8, 2026
Super crazy busy Saturday afternoon/evening! Waitress asked if we wanted to wait the 15-20 minutes or sit at the bar, we opted for the bar. The line and wait was insane and I can see why! The barmaid was very busy, but for us our drinks right away. We ordered our food and it came out hot n fresh and we didn’t wait long. This is my first time at an Olive Garden and it was very delicious! The soup, the breadsticks the entree were superb! Place had a wonderful ambiance and it was clean compared to other establishments. I could not complain about anything at all! Even my raspberry lemonade was perfect!
- Jan 17, 2026
Our evening at Olive Garden was truly delightful. Surrounded by family and friends, we savored a wonderful meal accompanied by impeccable service. The entire experience was exceptional, and we feel thankful for the joyous moments shared in that warm and welcoming family friendly atmosphere.
- Jan 14, 2026
Great staff. Great food. Great service. I love the mints that you get at the end of the meal. Breadsticks were fresh and hot. My only complaint is we felt rushed, waiter asked if we wanted boxes right after we got our meals.
- Dec 24, 2025
They just brought back 2 of our favorite dishes...the Steak Gorgonzola and Stuffed Marsala Chicken...and they were delicious! Love to dine with the Italian music background as well. Food, experience and service were all excellent!
- Dec 17, 2025
Always enjoy going to Olive Garden. The staff are always friendly. Food comes out quickly and hot. Prices are reasonable, and portion size is great.
- Dec 11, 2025
They have been consistently a great place to eat for many years. The service and food is always great.