Olive Garden, the Italian-inspired casual dining chain known for its unlimited breadsticks and pasta offerings, is getting ready to open a new location in Ottawa’s Westboro neighborhood.
The company’s new Ottawa restaurant will be one of two confirmed Ontario locations announced as part of Olive Garden’s return to the province, according to a press release from Recipe Restaurant Group International. The Westboro opening is expected to take place in Summer 2026 and follows Recipe’s acquisition of Olive Garden’s Canadian operations and a national development agreement with Darden Restaurants, the brand’s parent company. While an exact address and opening date have not yet been released, customers can expect the familiar Olive Garden experience centered around classic Italian American dishes, value-driven promotions, and family-style dining.
The Ottawa location will follow a previously announced Vaughan Mills restaurant, previously reported by What Now Toronto. Together, the two openings mark Olive Garden’s return to Ontario after an absence of more than 20 years, following the closure of several provincial locations in the early 2000s.
Recipe Restaurant Group confirmed that both Ontario restaurants are currently in active development. Additional locations are also in various planning stages as part of a longer-term national rollout. Recipe Restaurant Group International acquired Olive Garden’s eight existing Canadian restaurants in Western Canada in July 2025, giving the company full operational control of the brand in the country. Executives have described the Ontario expansion as a strategic step into new Canadian markets, building on Olive Garden’s established presence out west. The partnership with Darden Restaurants supports Recipe’s goal of executing steady and measured growth across multiple provinces.
The Westboro restaurant is expected to serve Olive Garden’s core menu, including pasta dishes paired with house-made sauces, soups, salads, and the brand’s well-known unlimited breadsticks. The concept emphasizes approachable pricing and consistency, which has helped Olive Garden maintain strong brand recognition across North America. Its return to Ottawa introduces a familiar national chain to a neighborhood known for its mix of residential density, retail corridors, and dining demand.
“With these upcoming openings, we’re taking an important step in expanding Olive Garden’s footprint into new Canadian markets,” Frank Hennessey, Chief Executive Officer of Recipe Restaurant Group, said in a press release.
