Looking for the best Olive Garden Desserts? We got you! We tried all the desserts + rank them best to worst so you’ll know which ones to order
Manage to make it through the never-ending breadsticks, salad drenched in oil, and a filling carb-loaded main course at the Olive Garden and still find room for dessert. You’ll be pleased to know that you have many options—14, to be precise (including two seasonal treats).
The menu boasts a range of delights, including five delectable “Piccoli Dolci” available individually or as a trio and a tempting selection of cakes by the slice, zeppoli, and tiramisu.
Jump to:
- Black Tie Mousse Cake ($8.29)
- Indulge in the Pumpkin Cheesecake ($8.29)
- Dark Chocolate Caramel Cream Piccoli Dolci
- Triple Chocolate Strata ($7.49)
- Piccoli Dolci Desserts (three for $7.79, $3.29 each)
- Lemon Cream Cake ($7.29)
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake ($7.29)
- Chocolate Mousse Cake ($5.99)
- Tiramisu ($7.29)
- Zeppoli ($7.29)
- Zeppoli Dip
It’s been some time since I last dined at the Olive Garden. My connection with this Orlando-based chain was brief but intense, reaching its peak in the early 90s and slowly fading away by the end of the decade when the nearest location to me closed its doors.
During my teenage years, it was a favored destination for special occasions. As a result, all of my memories of the place are coated in a thick layer of nostalgic sentiment from my adolescent years.
Entering an Olive Garden after a 15-year hiatus felt like stepping into a time capsule. The entire restaurant seemed frozen in time, untouched by the passing years.
The cream-colored stucco walls, the chairs on the casters, and even the dessert menu appeared unchanged… well, except for the prices and the addition of calorie counts on the menus, for better or worse.
With dessert prices ranging from $5.99 to $8.29 (prices may vary across locations) and calorie counts spanning from 210 to over 1,000, it’s wise to make informed choices when indulging in dessert at The Olive Garden.
Of the 14 options, only three truly stood out as excellent, while many others fell flat to varying degrees.
Black Tie Mousse Cake ($8.29)
In a unanimous decision, all four taste-testers agreed that the black tie mousse cake stood out as the top dessert.
This delightful treat features layers of chocolate cake, dark chocolate cheesecake, creamy custard mousse, and a decadent ganache. It truly combines the best of all worlds.
The richness of the chocolate is beautifully balanced by the light and fluffy vanilla-tinged mousse, creating a delightful interplay of textures. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that keeps you returning for more. Although, with 760 calories per serving, it might be wise to consider sharing this indulgence.
Indulge in the Pumpkin Cheesecake ($8.29)
Don’t hesitate to order this delightful treat. The pumpkin flavor shines through, complemented by a spice mix rich in ginger and accompanied by cookie crumbles. It’s like savoring a Starbucks gingerbread latte in the form of a cheesecake.
The texture is perfectly smooth and velvety, striking the right balance of richness without overwhelming heaviness.
Admittedly, with 870 calories per slice, it ranks among the more indulgent options on the dessert menu, but the taste experience makes it worthwhile.
Dark Chocolate Caramel Cream Piccoli Dolci
If you can only manage one small dessert, this is the best choice among the five “piccoli dolcini” options.
However, it doesn’t reach great heights. Like the other mini desserts, it consists of a mousse cup, but this one offers three flavors (chocolate, caramel, and a mild sweet cream mousse) topped with chocolate curls, providing a hint of textural contrast.
It avoids excessive sweetness but falls short of being more exciting than a standard pudding cup.
Triple Chocolate Strata ($7.49)
Indulge in the timeless delight of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and chocolate ganache with this classic treat.
While it may not reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t need to. The execution is flawless, with the perfect balance of cake and mousse, resulting in a moist and fudgy experience from top to bottom. It’s a true chocolate lover’s dream.
Piccoli Dolci Desserts (three for $7.79, $3.29 each)
Designed for those seeking a small or diverse dessert experience, these layered mini desserts have potential. Still, unfortunately, only one stands out (and even then, just barely).
The amaretto tiramisu’s overwhelming almond extract flavor detracted from its appeal, while the limoncello mousse’s crumbly crust left a gritty sensation.
The strawberry and white chocolate option was excessively sweetened, and the chocolate mousse resembled something you might find at a buffet.
Although it included a cake layer at the bottom, it resembled a simple pudding.
Lemon Cream Cake ($7.29)
If you’re looking for a light and refreshing lemon dessert, this may not be the one for you. The thick layer of lemon cream lacks the expected tartness, leaving a heavy sensation in your stomach.
Even the cake falls short, resembling a slice of Wonderbread in appearance and taste. Despite being popular among patrons, it’s not a dessert I would personally order again.
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake ($7.29)
It’s hard to deny that this dessert is a relic of the 90s. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with classic flavors, they need to be executed well.
Unfortunately, this cake fell short. The raspberry flavor was syrupy and artificial, while the white chocolate was excessively sweet.
The combination resulted in an overly sugary cheesecake with a lack of tang or contrasting elements. No one was tempted for a second bite of this overly sweet treat.
Chocolate Mousse Cake ($5.99)
According to the menu, this cake boasts a “rich chocolate brownie topped with a layer of creamy chocolate mousse.” However, the bottom layer lacked the desired fudginess and tasted more like a standard chocolate cake.
This dessert’s shape, components, and overall flavor resembled a store-bought Sara Lee cake—acceptable in desperate moments or when you can’t muster the energy to seek out something genuinely delightful but ultimately mediocre.
The only noteworthy aspect was the crispy chocolate pearls on top. With numerous other variations of chocolate cake available, this one quickly faded from memory.
Tiramisu ($7.29)
Tiramisu is a tried-and-true classic, and while The Olive Garden serves a decent rendition, it fails to impress.
The flavors were lackluster and flat, providing no respite from the sweetness. The mascarpone lacked the tang it should possess, the ladyfingers lacked the subtle acidity from coffee soaking, and the chocolate on top lacked bitterness. It was a continuous assault of sugar on the palate.
After just a couple of bites, my taste buds were overwhelmed and unable to distinguish any nuances.
Zeppoli ($7.29)
Deep-fried dough coated in sugar usually brings delight. Pair it with a generous bowl of chocolate dipping sauce, which seems foolproof.
However, in this case, things went awry. The zeppolo had a bread-like texture and disappointingly hard, chewy bottoms.
Despite being served warm, they tasted like they had been fried from frozen and left under a heat lamp, awaiting an unsuspecting customer. Don’t fall into that trap. It’s honestly one of the worst Olive Garden desserts.
Zeppoli Dip
Even the chocolate sauce failed to impress. It had a watery consistency and lacked any depth of flavor. There was simply no redemption for these doughnuts.
Indulging in delectable desserts is the perfect way to conclude a satisfying meal, and Olive Garden offers a tempting array of sweet treats to satisfy any craving.
From classic favorites to innovative creations, their dessert menu presents various options to tantalize your taste buds.
Whether you’re a fan of creamy cheesecakes, decadent chocolate delights, or traditional Italian delights like tiramisu, Olive Garden desserts will surely delight your senses and provide a sweet ending to your dining experience.
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