Olive Garden Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine lettuce tossed in creamy Caesar dressing, topped with shaved Parmesan cheese and seasoned croutons. It’s a standalone menu item at $9.29, separate from the unlimited house salad that comes free with dine-in entrees. This distinction trips up a lot of diners, so it’s worth knowing upfront.

Important: Caesar Salad vs. House Salad

Olive Garden offers two different salad experiences, and the difference is crucial:

• Famous House Salad ($8.29 or FREE/unlimited with dine-in entrees): Iceberg and romaine lettuce with tomatoes, red onion, olives, pepperoncini, croutons, and Italian dressing. This is the salad that’s unlimited with every entree.
• Caesar Salad ($9.29, NOT unlimited): Romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, Parmesan, and croutons. A separate, à la carte item that you pay for in addition to your entree.

If you want unlimited free salad with your meal, stick with the house salad. If you specifically love Caesar salad and don’t mind paying extra, the Caesar is a solid choice — but it’s a one-time order, not unlimited.

Price in 2026

The Caesar Salad is $9.29. Add grilled chicken for +$5.49, making it $14.78 total — which puts it in the range of a light lunch entree. For comparison, the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks lunch combo is $11.99 and gives you unlimited house salad, unlimited soup, and unlimited breadsticks. So the lunch combo is actually cheaper than a Caesar Salad with chicken.

Nutrition

• Caesar Salad alone: 380 cal
• With grilled chicken: 630 cal
• House Salad (for comparison): 150 cal

The Caesar Salad is notably higher in calories (380 cal) than the house salad (150 cal), primarily because of the richer dressing and Parmesan cheese. If calories are a concern, the house salad is the lighter option — and it’s free with entrees.

When to Order the Caesar Salad

• You specifically prefer Caesar dressing over Italian dressing
• You want it as a standalone light meal (especially with grilled chicken)
• You’re pairing it with an entree that doesn’t need the unlimited salad option
• You’re sharing a large Caesar as a table starter

Pairing Suggestions

If you’re ordering a Caesar Salad alongside an entree, keep the entree lighter to balance the meal:

• Shrimp Scampi (610 cal) — light garlic butter pairs well with Caesar
• Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (810 cal) — classic Italian combination

Find It Near You

Available at all Olive Garden locations. Find your nearest restaurant on our location map. For the full menu, see our complete 2026 price list.