Restaurant India News: Olive Garden Confirms India Entry With First Restaurant Opening in Delhi Aerocity

Gourmet Investments Pvt. Ltd. has announced the upcoming launch of Olive Garden in India, marking the entry of the globally recognised American Italian restaurant brand into the domestic market. The development aligns with Gourmet Investments’ strategy of introducing established international dining brands to Indian consumers through a structured expansion model.

The first Olive Garden restaurant in India is set to open at 4 Worldmark, Aerocity, New Delhi. This launch will serve as the brand’s initial foothold in the country. Following the Aerocity opening, Gourmet Investments plans to scale Olive Garden’s presence across Delhi NCR in a phased manner, targeting family dining and group-led consumption occasions.

Ramit Bharti Mittal, Executive Chairman & Director, Gourmet Investments Pvt. Ltd., said, “ Olive Garden is more than a restaurant- it’s a feeling. It’s the comfort of familiar flavors, the joy of gathering around the table, and the kind of generous hospitality that makes you feel like family. This launch marks a proud milestone in our continued commitment in making world-class flavors and hospitality accessible right here at home. With Olive Garden, we are not just launching a restaurant, but we are humbly contributing to the rich tapestry of this already wonderful hospitality industry. Our hope is simple: to make iconic names like P.F. Chang’s, PizzaExpress, and Olive Garden more accessible to Indian diners, while quietly playing our part in shaping the culinary landscape in India.”

From the brand’s global leadership, Brad Smith, President of Darden International & Franchising, stated “We are very excited to continue expanding Olive Garden globally and, together with our franchisee Gourmet Investments, open our first Olive Garden in India. We know Gourmet Investments’ deep restaurant experience will help us deliver Olive Garden’s signature never-ending American Italian generosity to our Indian guests.”

The Aerocity outlet has been designed to align with Olive Garden’s established global aesthetic, drawing from Tuscan influences through neutral tones, textured finishes, and warm lighting. The space includes both indoor and alfresco seating formats, supporting a range of dining occasions from casual meals to celebrations, consistent with the brand’s international store design strategy.

The India menu will retain Olive Garden’s American Italian positioning while incorporating adaptations to suit local preferences. The offering will include both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, developed using standardised ingredients and preparation methods aligned with the brand’s global operating framework. Olive Garden’s core service elements, including the never-ending soup or salad and breadsticks served with entrées, will be part of the India experience.

Globally, Olive Garden operates as a large-format casual dining brand with a strong focus on value-driven portions, familiar flavours, and repeat consumption. Its core menu items such as Fettuccine Alfredo, homestyle pastas, freshly grated Parmesan, and the brand’s unlimited soup or salad offering have positioned it as a family-focused restaurant across international markets for over four decades.

With this launch, Gourmet Investments continues to strengthen its portfolio of international casual dining brands in India. The addition of Olive Garden reflects growing confidence in India’s organised restaurant sector and sustained demand for globally established dining formats adapted for local consumption.