Olive Garden returns to Ontario with Vaughan Mills and Westboro openings in summer 2026
Olive Garden will reopen in Ontario in summer 2026 with locations at Vaughan Mills and Ottawa’s Westboro. Recipe Restaurants Group is leading the expansion after acquiring the chain’s Western Canada sites.
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By Torontoer Staff
Olive Garden is returning to Ontario in summer 2026 with new locations at Vaughan Mills in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa’s Westboro neighbourhood. The expansion follows Recipe Restaurants Group’s July 2025 acquisition of Olive Garden’s existing Western Canada locations.
The chain will bring back its signature unlimited breadsticks, family-style meals and create-your-own pastas. Management says the menu will mirror the Italian-American offerings familiar to past Canadian diners, including large-format drinks and shared entrees.
Where and when
Both new restaurants are scheduled to open in summer 2026. The Vaughan Mills location aims to serve GTA shoppers and neighbourhood residents, while the Westboro site will add another casual dining option to Ottawa’s west-end strip. Exact opening dates, reservation details and hours have not been released.
Who’s behind the return
Recipe Restaurants Group, the owner of chains such as Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s and Montana’s, bought Olive Garden’s eight Western Canada restaurants from Darden in mid-2025. The group is managing the brand’s re-entry into Ontario, with plans to expand beyond the two announced sites if initial demand supports growth.
What will be on the menu
Olive Garden’s core offerings are expected to return: starters, shareable family-style platters, pasta entrees and desserts. The chain is known for build-your-own pasta bowls, unlimited breadsticks, and a selection of non-alcoholic gallon-size iced teas and raspberry lemonade, alongside standard soft drink formats and alcoholic options.
- Unlimited breadsticks and signature soups and salads
- Create-your-own pasta bowls and family-style portions
- Appetizers like calamari and bruschetta
- Desserts such as tiramisu and cheesecake
- Large-format non-alcoholic drinks and standard alcoholic selections
Background: Olive Garden in Canada
Olive Garden operated in Ontario through the 1990s and into the 2000s before closing its 11 provincial locations. The brand persisted in Western Canada until 2025, when Recipe Restaurants Group acquired those sites. The current expansion into Ontario marks the chain’s first major return to the province in more than two decades.
The re-entry aligns with Recipe Restaurants Group’s broader growth strategy, which has focused on scaling recognizable casual dining brands across Canadian markets. For customers, it means the return of a familiar takeaway: large portions and menu items designed for sharing.
What diners should expect
Expect the format to resemble other Olive Garden restaurants in Canada and the United States, with sit-down service, family-style options and a focus on value-friendly portion sizes. The Vaughan Mills and Westboro restaurants will likely cater to families and groups, as well as shoppers and local residents looking for a casual Italian-American meal.
The menu and specific offerings, including any local adaptations or promotional items, will be posted on Olive Garden’s website and announced on the operator’s social channels as opening dates approach.
How to stay updated
Watch for official opening announcements from Recipe Restaurants Group and Olive Garden, and check Vaughan Mills and Westboro local listings for ribbon-cutting or preview events. Reservations and takeout options will likely be available after the restaurants announce launch details.
For now, Ontario diners can expect the chain’s return to revive a familiar casual dining option with generous portion sizes and a predictable menu profile. More specific operational details should surface as summer 2026 approaches.
Olive GardenrestaurantsVaughanOttawaRecipe Restaurants Groupfood
