Is Olive Garden Open on Thanksgiving 2025? Complete Guide
Thanksgiving is one of the biggest dining days in the United States, and millions of people search for restaurant hours while planning family gatherings, travel-day meals and last-minute holiday dining. Olive Garden is a go-to choice for comforting Italian dishes, but its Thanksgiving schedule often creates confusion every year. Guests want to know whether they can enjoy favorites like Chicken Alfredo, Soup and Salad, or warm breadsticks on the holiday, and whether takeout or delivery is available.
This updated guide gives you a clear, reliable answer about Olive Garden Thanksgiving hours 2025, explains why the chain follows a strict holiday policy and offers the best open restaurant alternatives if you still need a Thanksgiving breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Is Olive Garden Open on Thanksgiving?
Olive Garden does not open on Thanksgiving Day 2025.
All locations across the United States stay fully closed on November 27, which means there is no dine-in service, no takeout, no curbside pickup and no delivery available at any restaurant. The company keeps every store closed so team members can spend the holiday with their families.
Olive Garden reopens the following day on Black Friday, returning to normal hours and full menu service.
Olive Garden Thanksgiving Hours 2025
Olive Garden follows a consistent nationwide policy for Thanksgiving, which makes its holiday schedule easier to understand. While the restaurant operates normally during the days before and after the holiday, all locations remain fully closed on Thanksgiving Day itself. Below is the standard schedule most guests can expect.
| Day | Status | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | No dine-in, delivery or takeout |
| Thanksgiving Eve | Open | Many locations follow regular hours |
| Black Friday | Open | Normal hours resume |
Since Olive Garden stays fully closed on Thanksgiving, guests looking for a holiday meal often choose other chains that stay open.
Why Olive Garden Is Closed on Thanksgiving
Olive Garden has followed the same Thanksgiving policy for years. Stores remain closed due to several reasons:
• Employees receive the full day off
• Holiday demand shifts to breakfast and take-home meals
• Many shopping centers and malls remain closed
• The chain prefers consistent national holiday hours
• Kitchens prepare for heavy weekend traffic
This helps the brand keep a stable schedule every year and allows workers to celebrate the holiday at home.
Thanksgiving Day remains fully closed, but the rest of the week follows Olive Garden’s normal operating pattern. These days are important because many guests plan early meals, travel dinners or family gatherings before and after the holiday. Understanding the full week schedule helps you plan your visit without confusion.
Below is a helpful breakdown of how most Olive Garden restaurants operate around Thanksgiving:
| Day | Status | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Eve | Open | Regular lunch and dinner hours. One of the busiest days as guests pick up meals before the holiday. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | No dine-in, takeout, curbside or delivery. Full nationwide closure. |
| Black Friday | Open | Stores reopen with normal hours and full menu availability. |
| Thanksgiving Weekend | Open | Saturday and Sunday follow standard hours with no holiday changes. |
Best Restaurant Chains to Visit on Thanksgiving
If you need a Thanksgiving meal while Olive Garden is closed, these restaurants stay open in many cities. Here is a quick look at the most reliable options.
| Restaurant | Thanksgiving Availability | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cracker Barrel | Open | Holiday plate, Heat and Serve meals |
| Golden Corral | Open | Thanksgiving buffet with turkey and sides |
| Boston Market | Open | Roasted turkey meals and family bundles |
| Waffle House | Open 24 hours | Full breakfast and grill items |
| Denny’s | Open 24 hours in many locations | Breakfast, lunch and dinner all day |
| IHOP | Many locations open | Full breakfast menu |
| Dunkin | Most stores open early | Coffee, donuts and bakery items |
These chains offer reliable breakfast, lunch and dinner options when Olive Garden is closed on Thanksgiving.
How to Check Restaurant Hours Near You
If you want to confirm Thanksgiving hours for any place, these tools help:
• Google Maps for real-time open and closed updates
• Store locator on each brand’s website
• Restaurant mobile apps for updated holiday schedules
• Calling the location directly for the most exact information
Checking before leaving avoids long waits or unnecessary travel.
Conclusion
Olive Garden is closed on Thanksgiving Day 2025 across all US locations. There is no dine-in, takeout or delivery service available on November 27, and restaurants reopen on Black Friday with normal hours and the full menu.
If you need a place to eat, reliable Thanksgiving options include Cracker Barrel, Golden Corral, Waffle House, Denny’s and IHOP. These chains offer holiday meals, breakfast and all-day dining in many cities.
For easier planning, check our guides on Whataburger Thanksgiving hours, Applebee’s Thanksgiving hours and Wendy’s Thanksgiving hours to compare schedules and find open restaurants near you.
FAQs
What can guests expect from Olive Garden on Thanksgiving Day?
Olive Garden does not operate on Thanksgiving, so guests will not find dine-in, takeout or delivery available on November 27. Planning an alternative in advance is the best option.
Why does Olive Garden stay closed for the holiday?
The brand keeps all locations closed so team members can spend the day with their families. This policy remains consistent nationwide every year.
When does Olive Garden reopen after the holiday?
Most restaurants return to regular hours on Black Friday and resume full menu service without seasonal restrictions.
Does Olive Garden offer preorder or Heat & Serve meals for Thanksgiving?
The chain does not provide holiday bundles or Heat & Serve kits, so customers looking for Thanksgiving-style meals should consider nearby alternatives.
How can I confirm hours for my nearby Olive Garden?
Checking the Olive Garden app, the website store locator, Google Maps or calling the restaurant directly gives the most accurate hours around the holiday weekend.
