Boatwright’s Dining Hall Dinner Review [2025 Gluten Free & Food Allergy Options]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in June 2025. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Lunch at Boatwright’s Dining Hall

Boatwright’s Dining Hall is a table service restaurant located at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. The food has a Southern, Louisiana style vibe with lots of different options that you might expect to find in New Orleans. We haven’t dined at Boatwright’s since 2022, so we were excited to check out the menu.

Atmosphere

Boatwright’s and Port Orleans Riverside hold so much nostalgia for me. Add in the fact that the resort and the restaurant look virtually unchanged for 30 years just adds to the nostalgia vibes.

Boatwright’s Dining Hall Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Boatwright’s itself is supposed to resemble a shipyard, and you can see signs of that throughout the restaurant.

Boatwright’s Dining Hall Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Most noticeably is the large display of a partially built boat set high above the restaurant’s entrance and seating area.

Boatwright’s Dining Hall Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant’s interior has a homey vibe with a roaring fireplace (a real one!) and lots of decor inspired by ship building. While we do love the relaxed atmosphere and general nostalgia, we both agree that this restaurant could use a good refurbishment, as it’s starting to look very dated.

The Food

What I was most excited for about Boatwright’s was the food. Like most Disney owned and operated restaurants, Boatwright’s does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also always speak to a chef about options and modifications — or to answer any questions that you might have.

Boatwright’s Dining Hall Allergy-Friendly Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we spoke with the amazing Chef David, who we have known for a while from his time at Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. He let us know several months ago that he was moving to Boatwright’s, so we knew we had to come visit him to say, “hello.”

As always, Chef David is the loveliest, and he went over the various options that we could have. He also told us about a new dish on the menu that he created that was entirely gluten free, dairy free & vegan — so of course, I had to order it.

Allergy-Friendly Cornbread at Boatwright’s Dining Hall / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first was our bread starter. Boatwright’s serves up cornbread, and if you have special dietary needs, you are served an allergy-friendly cornbread. We didn’t get the brand of mix that they are using currently, but it is gluten free, dairy free, allergy-friendly, and vegan. We did hear from a follower that the mix contains oat milk, which we didn’t know.

If you’re a celiac and are oat sensitive, you probably know that oat in any form can be a challenge due to cross-contamination issues in processing oats. Next time, we will make sure to ask what kind of oat milk they are using, as I do try to avoid oats unless they are certified gluten free & purity protocol. Thankfully, I didn’t get sick from this — because I am definitely oat sensitive.

Overall, the cornbread was good, though a bit on the sweet side. It’s definitely more like a dessert cornbread versus a more savory style. If you’re dairy free, they do serve non-dairy butter at Boatwright’s.

Gluten Free French Onion Soup at Boatwright’s Dining Hall / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For starters, we both got the French Onion Soup, which can be made GF by swapping out the bread for a GF option. It is marked GF and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. Brandon was especially excited, because the soup is not made with chicken stock (he’s allergic to chicken), so he could actually get soup.

Brandon absolutely loved this soup. It was very cheesy and savory, and he said if he didn’t have a big meal coming that he would order two bowls of soup. I liked the soup but didn’t love it. As far as French Onion soups go, it was a bit middle of the road for me.

Creole Lentils and “Chorizo” at Boatwright’s Dining Hall / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Our entrees were really where Boatwright’s shined. I took Chef David’s recommendation to try the new plant-based option, Creole Lentils and “Chorizo.” This was made with Lentils, Okra, Peppers, and Onions slow cooked with "Chorizo" Sausage and whipped Ricotta "Cheese" served with Rice. It was marked GF and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame Allergies.

This was a very surprising dish. I was very impressed by the flavor profiles, the richness of the lentils and vegan chorizo, and I was especially blown away by the whipped ricotta “cheese” made with tofu. It had amazing flavor and worked perfectly with the spicy dish. It cooled things down and added a lot of depth to the dish. I would absolutely get this again. If you do eat meat, we did hear that you can add a meat protein to the dish too.

Brandon with Taste of the Bayou All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Platter at Boatwright’s Dining Hall / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon ordered the Taste of the Bayou All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Platter. This comes with Hickory-smoked Pork Ribs, Crispy Cajun Chicken, Smoked Sausage, Barbecued Beef Brisket with Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Roasted Corn with Cajun Butter, and Seasonal Vegetables. It’s marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies.

You can order a version of this gluten free by adjusting some sauces and swapping out the mac & cheese and chicken. Brandon’s version was also modified for his allergies an had the chicken omitted.

Brandon really enjoyed this a lot. His favorites were the brisket, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese. He said he would definitely get this again but that it’s a ton of food (even without seconds).

Gluten Free & Dairy Free Pecan Pie Tart / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, I had to try the gluten free, dairy free & vegan Pecan Pie Tart. It sounded amazing, and from the photos I had seen from other guests, it looked like a must order. It was marked GF and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

I have to say that this dessert did not disappoint. The flavors were amazing, and it was an outstanding version of a pecan pie — which is a favorite pie for me. This is a high recommend from me!

If you want to hear more about our experience at Boatwright’s, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

We had an absolutely wonderful meal at Boatwright’s. Chef David, as always, was incredible and so accommodating. Add in some delicious eats, and you have a great hidden gem of a spot for special diets options at the resorts. If you’re staying at Port Orleans (French Quarter or Riverside), it’s a great option. It’s always worth a visit if you’re looking for a hearty meal and an excuse to also go get allergy-friendly beignets over at French Quarter for dessert. We can’t wait to go back again soon and try other menu items.

Have you been to Boatwright’s Dining Hall? What was your experience dining there gluten free or with other special dietary needs?

The Plaza Restaurant Lunch Review [2025 Gluten Free & Food Allergy Options]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in June 2025. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Lunch at The Plaza Restaurant

The Plaza Restaurant is a table service restaurant located in the Magic Kingdom offers up classic sandwiches and sundaes in a turn-of-the-century atmosphere. I haven’t dined at The Plaza since 2014 after a very unpleasant dining experience, and I honestly have avoided it due to a series of bad experiences every time I’ve dined there. But, after over a decade, I decided that it was time to give it another chance to see how it is under current Disney Special Dietary needs protocols. Brandon had never been before, so we went into this meal with open hearts and open minds.

Atmosphere

Located at the end of Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom, The Plaza Restaurant keeps the Victorian theme going. You could imagine that John and his family from the Carousel of Progress might hop down to The Plaza for a cold sarsaparilla (#iykyk).

The Plaza Restaurant Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant’s exterior looks like a classic turn-of-the century mansion and has lots of flourishes that set it apart from some of the other facades on Main Street U.S.A.

The Plaza Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The inside itself also keeps the theme going with ornate light fixtures and Victorian inspired designs. Having not been in over a decade, I was amazed at how much it still looked the same. It doesn’t seem like there’s been any major updates or refurbs to the location in quite some time. Still, that’s part of the charm and nostalgia.

The Plaza Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One important note about the restaurant is that the location is fairly small. It is quite tight in the restaurant, and we found that our wait time to dine here (despite a reservation) was well over our initial reservation time. We would keep that in mind when you’re dining there, especially if you’re really hungry or it’s a hot day outside. We found some shade across from The Plaza at the outside tables with umbrellas.

The Food

And, hungry we were on this visit. Like most Disney owned and operated restaurants, The Plaza Restaurant does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also always speak to a chef about options and modifications — or to answer any questions that you might have.

The Plaza Restaurant Allergy-Friendly Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we did speak to Chef Ian, who was just the loveliest. After my previous not so great experiences, I was (admittedly) a bit nervous about this meal, but Chef Ian really put us at ease. He went through the various options and was very open to customization or modifications if needed.

Plaza Loaded Fries / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because we can’t go anywhere that has potatoes and not get them, we knew the Plaza Loaded Fries as an appetizer were a must. These are marked Gluten Free & safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies. We also confirmed that they were safe for Brandon’s other allergies (chicken/turkey & cabbage family vegetables) and that they were made in a fryer just for fries.

If you can have dairy and love potatoes, these are an absolute must get. Brandon said they are his new favorite potatoes in the Magic Kingdom, and they were really very good. the spicy sour cream added a nice kick, and we always love a good melted cheese.

Although we forgot to ask, if you’re dairy free, it’s worth asking about DF shredded cheese that the restaurant carries to see if it could be swapped out for the regular cheese sauce. It’s worth checking if you’re GFDF.

Overall, we would highly recommend these as a starter at The Plaza.

Gluten Free & Dairy Free Triple Decker Turkey Club Sandwich / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I chose the Triple Decker Turkey Club Sandwich with House-roasted Turkey, Smoked Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Lemon-Pepper Mayonnaise on an Allergy-Friendly Bun. It also came with a side of steak fries.

This sandwich was marked Gluten Free and safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

This was an absolutely delicious sandwich. It was piled high with a substantial amount of fillings and the flavors were all outstanding. The bacon was candied and had a bit of sweet and smokiness to it. The turkey had a great peppery flavor, and I loved the mayonnaise with it too. Plus, they griddled the allergy-friendly bread using non-dairy butter. I have no notes on this one. It was delicious, and I would get again.

Gluten Free Cheeseburger / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon got the Bacon Cheeseburger with steak fries. This was modified to be Gluten Free by swapping out the bun and was marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies (and cleared for his other allergies).

This was essentially a smash burger, and Brandon said it was really good. He was shocked at how good it was, and of course loved the steak fries. He said he would definitely get it again.

If you’re dairy free, the restaurant does have allergy-friendly cheese, so you can also order this GFDF too.

Gluten Free & Dairy Free Chocolate Milkshake / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Lastly, Chef Ian said they could do a non-dairy milkshake if I wanted. They currently have both vanilla and chocolate Tofutti brand DF ice cream. Never one to pass up a GFDF milkshake, I asked for a chocolate milkshake. This isn’t marked on the menu but is available if you ask — and you definitely want to. Overall, I really enjoyed this and would definitely get it on a future visit to The Plaza Restaurant.

*As a note, we did confirm with the chef that the current paper straws being used at The Plaza Restaurant are gluten free. Generally, the paper straws at Disney owned locations are GF, but we always recommend you use your own comfort and judgement when deciding to use products.

If you want to hear more about our experience at The Plaza Restaurant, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

After avoiding The Plaza Restaurant for many years, I’m glad that we finally gave it a try. Chef Ian really made the experience a good one, and the food was actually very good. We both think for the price point, which was more than reasonable for a table service restaurant in a theme park, and for the options that we would consider coming back here again sometime soon. We both enjoyed our meals, and Brandon already wants those loaded fries again!

Have you been to The Plaza Restaurant? What was your experience dining and drinking there gluten free or with other special dietary needs?

Geo-82 Review [2025 Gluten Free & Food Allergy Options]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in June 2025. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Eating and Drinking at Geo-82

Geo-82 is Disney’s newest lounge and dining spot located in the former Siemens Lounge in the Spaceship Earth building. As a 21 and older location, it includes small bites, upscale drinks, and fantastic views of Epcot. Reservations for this location are very popular right now, so I was thrilled to score a few reservations in June during opening month. This review is from our visit about a week after Geo-82 opened.

Atmosphere

If you’re a retro Epcot fan, you’re going to love Geo-82. Inspired by the iconic attraction Spaceship Earth, you’ll see not so subtle nods all throughout the lounge and its entrance.

Geo-82 Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Geo-82’s entrance is located in the Project Tomorrow area of Spaceship Earth. For total Spaceship Earth vibes, go on the attraction before your reservation time and then walk right to the entrance. You can also enter through the Project Tomorrow doors on either side of Spaceship Earth. It’s a bit hidden, but look for the glowing sign and gold hues.

Geo-82 Spaceship Earth Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

After checking in, we noticed this sign with the classic Spaceship Earth quote. We love how Disney really leaned into the attraction theme in the lounge.

Geo-82 Waiting Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The lounge is located on the second floor of the building, so you’ll need to take the stairs or use the elevator. From there, you’ll check in again and find yourself in a waiting area with cozy chairs and couches.

Art in Geo-82 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We loved the art and design in this waiting area. It’s a bit on the dark side in terms of lighting, but overall, we thought it was a great way to get us excited and ready to spend time in Geo-82. Definitely spend some time looking at the decor while you’re waiting to be seated.

Entrance to Dining Area at Geo-82 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you enter the main dining/seating area of Geo-82, you’ll go through a large tunnel — keeping the Spaceship Earth vibes going.

Touching the Spaceship Earth Recreation Facade / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

At the end of the tunnel, you’ll see a facade that looks like the exterior of Spaceship Earth. While it’s not actually the exterior of the attraction, it is made with similar materials and the same geodesic dome design. It makes for the perfect photo op! Who wouldn’t want to touch the side of Spaceship Earth…even if it’s a facade?!

Geo-82 Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The main seating area is quite small. We did wait about 15-20 minutes past our wait time, so expect a bit of a wait even with reservations. The lounge is not (at the time we’re writing this review) taking walkups. There is lots of different kinds of seating from cozy chairs to high top tables. We were seating in a high-top table near the side of the lounge.

Geo-82 Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Of course, the most coveted seats and the best views are around the edge of restaurant near the large windows. However, we did hear a lot of people, including servers, talking about how hot those seats can be when it’s really sunny out during the day, so be prepared for that if you’re seated there. They’ll be amazing spots for fireworks viewing though.

Hidden Mickey at Geo-82 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We loved the design in the lounge, especially some of the not so hidden Mickey’s like this lighting display. Given the space constraints, the Disney team did a good job with this lounge and its design.

The Food and Drink

Of course, what we were most excited for at Geo-82 were the food and drinks. Like most Disney owned and operated restaurants, Geo-82 does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also always speak to a chef about options and modifications — or to answer any questions that you might have.

On this visit, we did not end up speaking to a chef, but our server was amazing at helping us navigate the menu and clear options with the culinary team too. The menu itself is also quite small, so the food options are limited.

Geo-82 Allergy-Friendly Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The cannellini hummus is currently the only dish marked on the menu as gluten free. However, we confirmed that the charcuterie board and crab gateau could be easily made GF. The tuna is also an option, but you basically have to order it as plain tuna, which doesn’t seem worth the price in our opinion.

Geo-82 Bourbon Flight / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, we had to start with drinks. We both ordered the Exclusive Disney Select Bourbon Flight which features: Uncle Nearest Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve Single Barrel, Blanton’s Gold Single Barrel, and Stagg Private Barrel. It’s a pricey $49 but is a nice option if you’re into higher end bourbons.

Both of us really enjoyed this flight. Our favorites actually varied, but both of us agreed that the Stagg Private Barrel was by far and away our favorite of the bourbons. We would both highly recommend this for bourbon fans.

*As a note for anyone with celiac disease, spirits distilled with gluten containing grains are generally considered gluten free due to the distillation process. However, we recommend you use your own comfort and judgement when consuming spirits. I do not have any issues with most whiskeys and bourbons but others may.

Bourbon Flight Bottles / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Geo-82 does have the bourbons you get in the flight on display too, so you can take a photo of what’s included. Most are made either exclusively for Disney or are limited run batches, but you may find variations of these bourbons that you also love that are available to buy in a store.

A Walk Through the Garden (Non-Alcoholic) at Geo-82 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I also wanted to try one of the zero proof (i.e. non-alcoholic) drinks. We both thought the A Walk Through the Garden looked and sounded so refreshing.

Made with Seedlip Garden 108 Non-Alcoholic Spirit (which is GF!), Basil, Fennel, Lemon, Hella Cocktail Co. Orange Bitters, The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters, and Bubbles — this was a super refreshing drink.

I described this as “an herbaceous lemonade,” and I stand by that statement. You could really taste the celery bitters and herbs like fennel in it. If you’re looking for a summertime drink, this is the one to get.

Brandon with a Brown Butter Old Fashioned / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As an Old Fashioned connoisseur, Brandon had to get the Brown Butter Old-Fashioned. At a steep $28, it is definitely one of the priciest Old fashioned’s on Disney property. It is made with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, Brown Butter, Maple, and Hella Cocktail Co. Mexican Chocolate Bitters.

Brown Butter Old Fashioned at Geo-82 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The presentation of this is done table-side, where they pour the drink over a Spaceship Earth emblazoned ice cube and add the garnish at the end. Brandon absolutely loved this Old Fashioned. The brown butter adds a super unique flavor to it, and it was a perfect sipping drink. I was able to try it too, and I can agree that it was very delicious.

Brandon said it’s not his top Old Fashioned on property (Topolino’s Terrace still holds that title), but that it ranks in his top 5. If you are an Old Fashioned fan, this is a must order drink at Geo-82.

Cannellini Hummus at Geo-82 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

In addition to the drinks, we ordered several dishes to try. Up first was the Cannellini Hummus made with Pumpkin Seed Pistou, Radish, Preserved Lemon, Fresno Peppers, and Pappadam. It is marked Gluten Free & safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. We also ensured it was safe for Brandon’s other allergies which include: chicken/turkey & cabbage family vegetables.

Brandon absolutely loved and raved about this hummus. He said it’s the best hummus he’s ever had. I really liked it but didn’t love it as much as Brandon. The flavors were cool and a little spicy and refreshing — all in one. The biggest downside to this dish were the pappadam. They were entirely too flimsy and fell apart immediately. You couldn’t dip your hummus in it. I ended up using a spoon to add it to the pappadam instead.

This is also the only gluten free, dairy free, and vegan dish in the restaurant.

Chef’s Selection of Artisanal Cheeses, Cured Meats, and Accompaniments / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also got the charcuterie plate which was another high priced item. At $29, this felt very pricey given the food to price tag ratio. It did include some high end meats, like Wagyu beef and truffle goat cheese, but we both agreed that this was probably $5-$10 too much.

This was marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut, and Sesame Allergies, but it can also be made gluten free and tree nut free.

Overall, we both really enjoyed it (Brandon maybe more than me) and would recommend it if you like charcuterie plates.

GF Pecan Crisp / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The only GF modification needed for the charcuterie was to omit the gluten-filled bread. The pecan crisp currently served with it is GF as is. I really loved this, as it had a nice sweet & salty flavor and a nice crunch. Brandon was given gluten-filled bread on the side, but he was not a fan & said he would just skip those next time.

GF Modified Crab Gateau at Geo-82 / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The final gluten free dish we got was a modified version of the Jumbo Lump Crab Gâteau made with Smoked Cheddar, Pickled Mustard Seed-Lemon Vinaigrette, and Supreme Caviar. This was another pricey dish at $25, but since it came topped with caviar and was full of crab, the price does seem like it matches the dish.

The GF modification was to remove a gluten based bread crumb garnish; otherwise, the dish was GF as is (contains dairy). It was also marked safe for Peanut/Tree Nut , Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

Overall, I liked this but didn’t love it. I probably wouldn’t order it again but am glad that I tried it. It is served hot, so I also might recommend avoiding on a hot day if you’re looking for cooler and lighter bites along with drinks.

If you want to hear more about our experience at Geo-82, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

Geo-82 is a great new addition to Epcot. We love having another lounge experience and another place to relax and vibe while we’re at the park. Despite the high prices, we feel this is great for a special occasion or if you’re on vacation visiting. As locals, we might not go here quite as frequently, but we can’t wait to go back again and try some other drinks and just enjoy the atmosphere. Plus, we can’t wait to go back again at nighttime to see how the lounge transforms in the evening.

Have you been to Geo-82? What was your experience dining and drinking there gluten free or with other special dietary needs?

Kona Cafe Dinner Review [New 2024 Menu]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Kona Cafe

Kona Cafe, located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, is a table service restaurant that has been a long-time favorite of ours for plentiful gluten free, dairy free & allergy-friendly options in a low-key setting. It’s also the home to Brandon’s first ever hashtag #Konamazing due to their amazing mashed potatoes. It had been a while since we had dined at Kona Cafe, so we decided to make a last minute reservation to check out the new menu options. The menu had recently been updated, so we were curious about the new dishes.

Atmosphere

A few years ago, Kona Cafe got a refurbishment. Although I do miss the classic 90s inspired decor and theming, the new design is much brighter and fits well with the overall theme of the resort.

Kona Cafe Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of the big changes from the refurbishment was the addition of this grand entrance. Kona Cafe has always been a true “lobby restaurant,” with an open concept and people being able to see the entire restaurant while walking by.

Although, the majority of the restaurant is still pretty open, this adds a bit more privacy and distinctness to the restaurant than it had before. The look of the entrance is pretty cool too.

Kona Cafe Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant’s interior has a lot of subtle and not so subtle theming changes. I especially like the large Polynesian flowers adorned on the walls with what looks like it could be lava rock and the murals on the ceilings.

Kona Cafe Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The flooring, chairs, and booths are all inviting — though as with most Disney restaurants these days, the seating can feel pretty tight and close together in some areas. We especially feel this sometimes as guests who are frequently seated at two-top small tables. Overall, though, we really like the refurbishment and the way that Kona Cafe is set up and designed.

The Food

Like most Disney owned and operated restaurants, Kona Cafe does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also always speak to a chef about options and modifications — or to answer any questions that you might have.

On this visit, we did speak to the chef, because of the menu changes and especially because of Brandon’s allergies. We often find that there are hidden ingredients that we might not think of in dishes, so we feel most comfortable talking through options when we can.

Kona Cafe - Gluten Free & Allergy-Friendly Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first in our meal were the gluten free, dairy free & allergy-friendly Bloomfield Farms brand rolls. These can be served with regular butter or non-dairy butter, if you ask.

While these weren’t the most well-heated on this visit, we always enjoy these rolls. They are a nice start to any meal at Disney.

Kona Cafe - Gluten Free Vegetable Nigiri / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I’m a huge fan the sushi options at Kona Cafe. But, on this visit, I decided to completely switch it up from my favorite some of my faves there, like the California Roll or Spicy Tuna Roll, and opted to order a vegetarian option — the Vegetable Nigiri.

This comes with Chef's choice of Five (5) pieces of Nigiri and is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies on the restaurant’s allergy-friendly menu. I was able to get gluten free soy sauce upon request.

Overall, I really liked this as a vegetarian/vegan option for sushi. If you’re a veggie sushi fan, you’ll really like this version at Kona Cafe. Some of the vegetables were pickled which added a nice bit of flavor. Plus, there was a great variation on texture between the veggies which was great too. I would get this again, though I admit, next time I’d probably go back to my classic faves at Kona Cafe for sushi.

Kona Cafe - Gluten Free Sautéed Red Quinoa with Salmon / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I also tried something different. I got the Sautéed Red Quinoa entree which is the restaurant’s plant-based dish. You can add other types of protein to this dish, like fish, shrimp, or tofu. I opted to get the salmon at the recommended of the chef.

This entree was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies for the standard version with no protein. For the version I got, it wasn’t safe for fish allergies, because of the salmon.

This dish included Braised Baby Bok Choy, Roasted Asparagus, Sweet Chili Carrots, Tomato Confit, and Chimichurri. Overall, I did like this dish. Quinoa is not usually my favorite, so I was a bit dubious how much I would enjoy this entree but I found everything to be quite tasty. All of the veggies were very good, and the salmon and chimichurri were both excellent.

While I would get this dish again, I would lean towards ordering my current favorite entree at Kona Cafe — the Verlasso Salmon with Bamboo Rice. It’s another great gluten free & dairy free option and super tasty.

Kona Cafe - Gluten Free New York Strip Steak / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon opted to get the new New York Strip Steak entree, which typically comes with Coconut Curry Potatoes, Snap Peas, Grape Tomatoes, Shallots, Edamame, Teriyaki-Chimichurri Sauce. Brandon got a modified version that was a bit of a hybrid from the regular menu version listed here and the allergy-friendly version that comes with Smashed Red Bliss Potatoes, Sweet Chili Carrots, Roasted Cipollini, and Herbed Butter. The menu marked the allergy-friendly version as Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

His version included coconut curry potatoes and a side of sweet chili carrots. The chef noted to us that the coconut curry potatoes are in fact gluten free and dairy free as is with no modifications needed. So, this entree could be a great option if you’re gluten free & dairy free.

Brandon was very impressed with this entree. He said the flavors were all excellent and the steak was very well-cooked. He also loved the coconut curry potatoes. He liked it so much, that I am very tempted to order this myself next time we go to Kona Cafe. It looked and smelled amazing.

Kona Cafe - Gluten Free Mashed Potatoes / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because Brandon thinks the mashed potatoes at Kona are the best on Disney property, he had to order a side of them. These are marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. If you’re dairy free, these are not a safe option, as they contain a lot of dairy.

These contain to be #Konamazing according to Brandon. He absolutely loves these and recommends them highly. If you want more of Brandon’s potato recommendations, be sure to check out our recent Top Potato Dishes at Disney World video.

Kona Cafe - Gluten Free & No Sugar Added Pineapple Haupia Cake / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The chef mentioned to us that one of the desserts on the menu is actually gluten free even though it’s not marked. I was super excited to try the new No Sugar Added Pineapple Haupia Cake which includes Pineapple Haupia, Pineapple Cake, Macadamia Nut Crunch, Mango-Blood Orange Jam, and Pineapple-Ginger Compote. This is the restaurant’s no sugar added dessert and also the plant-based option, so it’s gluten free, dairy free and vegan.

I’m not usually a very big fan of no sugar added desserts, but this one was SO good. I loved the fact that it wasn’t super sweet and all of the flavors and textures worked really well together. If you like a non-chocolate dessert option, this could be a great one to try if you’re dining at Kona Cafe.

If you want to hear more about our experience at Kona Cafe, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

Kona Cafe continues to be a solid table service option at the Disney Resorts that includes a good variety of gluten free, dairy free, and allergy-friendly options. We always feel like we have plenty to choose from and the options are the kind of food that we really enjoy. The chefs at Kona Cafe are always super helpful too, and this visit was no different. If you’re looking for a more low-key option at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort instead of going to ‘Ohana, this could be a really great option. And, of course, Brandon will always tell you to go to Kona Cafe for the mashed potatoes!

Have you been to Kona Cafe? What was your experience dining there gluten free or with other special dietary needs?

Docking Bay 7 Dinner Review [NEW 2024 Menu]

*These gluten free dining experiences took place in May and June 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Docking Bay 7

Docking Bay 7, located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is a quick service restaurant that serves up galactic inspired fare that will keep you fueled for for a day of exploring a galaxy far far away. It’s one of our go-to spots in Hollywood Studios for a quick meal, and in this review we’re highlighting two dining experiences at Docking Bay 7, including some new menu changes for 2024.

Atmosphere

Like everything in Galaxy’s Edge, Docking Bay 7 has tons of theming inspired by Star Wars and the planet of Batuu. The restaurant is themed after a working hangar that also doubles as a restaurant. The back story even includes a character called Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs who operates Docking Bay 7 and who has created a menu inspired by the flavors across the galaxy.

Docking Bay 7 - Ordering Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We definitely recommend spending some time looking around the restaurant after you order. There’s some fun Easter eggs for Star Wars fans and just lots of detail all around.

Docking Bay 7 - Interior Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We especially love that you’ll find various dates on crates around the restaurant that reflect the dates that the original trilogy films debuted.

Docking Bay 7 - Interior Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We do really love the indoor dining so that we can look at all the amazing theming inside the restaurant. Plus, it’s air conditioned — which is definitely important on a hot Florida day!

Docking Bay 7 - Outdoor Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If seating inside Docking Bay 7 is full, they have ample outdoor seating too. We actually really love this area for a quieter, relaxed experience — but it can be a bit warm out here depending on the time of day and season that you’re at Disney World.

Docking Bay 7 - Outdoor Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Many of the outdoor seating areas do include some shade with awnings and umbrellas helping to minimize the direct sun, which we really appreciate. Our favorite seats are the booths when it’s a bit cooler out. They’re cozy and very spacious.

The Food

In addition to great theming, Docking Bay 7 also has some very tasty eats. Because this is a Disney-owned restaurant, there is an allergy-friendly menu. You can also always speak directly to a chef at this location if you have questions or want to review any ingredients. On both visits in this review, we did speak to chefs, especially for Brandon’s special dietary needs to ensure he could still eat a few dishes that he was interested in.

We always find the chefs so helpful at Docking Bay 7, and these visits were no exception. They helped us navigate the menu and made some modifications so that we could both enjoy safe meals.

Docking Bay 7 - Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On a previous visit to Docking Bay 7, Brandon ordered and really loved the Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato entree. This dish is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

We do always recommend confirming that a dish is safe for your special dietary needs, because the quick service menus can be a bit confusing sometimes — and items that may indicate they are safe for one allergy may not be for another if a specific modification is made. For instance, the gluten free pita at Ronto Roasters contains dairy — which means you can’t get a ronto wrap GFDF (unless you order it wrapless).

On this visit, we confirmed that the Batuuan Beef was gluten free, dairy free & safe for Brandon’s allergies, which includes chicken/turkey & vegetables in the cabbage family (among others).

While Brandon liked this dish, he didn’t love it like he did the previous visit. I was able to try it too, and both of us agreed that the flavor profile just wasn’t our favorite. Brandon loved the yuca served with this dish but otherwise said he’d skip it next time. I would say if you’re looking for a hearty dish, this one definitely fits that bill.

Docking Bay 7 - Fried Chicken Tip Yip Youngling Meal / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I wanted to try a few dishes, so I ordered the Kids' Fried Chicken Tip Yip Youngling Meal which comes with White Rice and Roasted Vegetables (and a bottle of water). This is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame & Soy allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

Overall, I thought this dish was fine but not amazing. The crispy chicken itself was very crispy and tasty, but everything else was pretty plain and bland. I would have loved to see a different veggie blend that is kiddo friendly but had a bit more to it. I also think this dish could benefit from a sauce or at least a side of sauce depending on your kiddo’s preferences. A sweet & sour type sauce would have been great with this dish. But, I think most kiddos would enjoy this, and the portion size was pretty good for a kids’ meal too.

If you’re into spicy food, check out the Pirjanad Hot Chicken Tip Yip, which I got on a previous visit to Docking Bay 7 that was good but had a major kick to it!

Docking Bay 7 - Falucian Kefta & Garden Spread (NO longer on the menu) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our first visit, Brandon and I split our favorite Felucian IMPOSSIBLE Kefta and Hummus Garden Spread. This was modified to be Gluten Free. It was also the restaurant’s plant-based entree — but we were served GF pita on this visit which contained dairy (the rest of the entree was DF).

We were both sad to learn from the chef on this visit that this entree would be going away in a few days and replaced by a new dish. So, we knew we had to enjoy every bite of this entree. Though it’s no longer on the menu at Docking Bay 7, we will always hope that it makes a comeback someday. It was so so good!

Docking Bay 7 - Felucian Falafel and Hummus Garden Spread / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because we knew that the restaurant had a few new menu items, we had to go back to Docking Bay 7 the following week to check it out. The IMPOSSIBLE Kefta was replaced by a Felucian Falafel and Hummus Garden Spread. This was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

If you’re gluten free, the restaurant is not currently offering the GF pita as a side with this, so you can either get carrot sticks or no side with the dish. Our version was served without, which was fine, as we split this and felt the portion was very hearty overall.

Both of us were, admittedly, a bit dubious about this entree. Neither of us are huge fans of beets, so having a beet hummus and raw beets wasn’t the most appealing to us. But, we were absolutely blown away by how much we enjoyed this plant-based entree.

The falafel itself was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside — something that can be hard to do with falafel, which can often be dense and dry. The flavors in the falafel were very good. The hummus had a great flavor and wasn’t overly beet heavy — just a bit of earthiness to the taste but nothing overpowering or unpleasant. The raw beets were probably the least favorite part of the dish, but honestly, everything else came together so well that we didn’t mind them there.

Overall, we were both pleasantly surprised and both agreed that we would not hesitate to go back and get this entree again. It was a winner and a worthy replacement to the IMPOSSIBLE Kefta previously on the menu. Plus, it just looks fun to eat too!

If you want to hear more about our experience at Docking Bay 7, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information. We also include information in this vlog about Ronto Roasters too.

Overall

We always find that Docking Bay 7 has solid and plentiful gluten free and dairy free options for guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The chefs are always super helpful, and we love that they continue to create a menu that is very allergy-friendly. Plus, the food we’ve had at Docking Bay 7 is very tasty. We would love to see the menu get updated a bit more (beyond the small menu changes this year) and an allergy-friendly dessert too. But, if you’re looking for a solid set of options for the whole family, this quick service location is a great option at Hollywood Studios. We can’t wait to go back and get the new falafel dish again too.

Have you been to Docking Bay 7? What was your experience dining there with special dietary needs?

Ronto Roasters Lunch Review [2024 Gluten Free & Food Allergy Options]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Lunch at Ronto Roasters

Ronto Roasters, located at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is a quick service location that serves a limited menu for breakfast and lunch. It’s a location that we’ve had hit or miss experiences with in the past in terms of gluten free and food allergy-friendly options. But, on our recent visit, we stopped by to see if the current options would be good for our special dietary needs. Spoiler alert: We were pleasantly surprised by the options available on our visit, and the food we got was delicious too!

Atmosphere

Ronto Roasters is a covered outdoor dining location. There is a small amount of seating near the quick service ordering space, some of which is uncovered. You can also usually sit in the outdoor seating area for Docking Bay 7 next door to this location, if the seating space near Ronto Roasters is full.

Ronto Roasters / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The interior and entrance to the line for ordering has tons of interesting theming — like this droid roasting the food that’s supposed to be served at Ronto Roasters using a podracer engine.

There’s also a lot to see as you’re waiting in line to order (if you are waiting in line and not mobile ordering). Honestly, it can be a bit loud in this area, so if you’re a bit sensitive to noises or loud volume, we might suggest sending someone else in your vacation party to go get your food.

Ronto Roasters Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our visit, Brandon snapped a few photos of the theming for Ronto Roasters, including this shot of “food” waiting to be cooked for your meal.

The Food

Like most Disney owned locations, Ronto Roasters does have an allergy-friendly menu. However, like other quick service restaurants, the menu is optimized for only one special dietary need. If you’re gluten free and dairy free, for instance, you would need to cross-reference the GF and DF sections to see what options might be OK for you. We do recommend speaking directly to a chef at quick service locations, especially if you multiple dietary needs. We often find easy modifications that can be made by speaking with a chef or coordinator.

Ronto Roasters Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we spoke to a chef who has assisted us before, and he was super helpful at navigating the menu. We were able to review the ingredients on the restaurant’s tablet, so that we could determine if the options were OK for Brandon’s food allergies.

I also spoke with the chef at length about their current protocols for the GF ronto wraps and the gluten free pita that is being used to make these wraps. In the past, I had been told by chefs not to get the wrap due to cross-contamination. But, the chef I spoke with indicated that there is no current cross-contact with the pita, because it’s being cooked on a separate grill — which is fantastic news.

The sausages are grilled on a grill that also grills the regular gluten-filled pita — but they aren’t grilled at the same time and the grills are cleaned extensively. That being said, we always recommend you use your own comfort and judgement when consuming items served at restaurants. In this case, I felt that the restaurant was taking a lot of steps to ensure to minimize cross-contamination.

We always recommend speaking to a chef or coordinator on your visit, because protocols and products can change — so it’s always good to know the specifics from your visit.

Ronto Roasters Allergy-Friendly Meals / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Once we confirmed what items we wanted from Ronto Roasters, the chef went to prepare our food. It was a bit of a wait, but not too long. The chef brought out a tray with all of our food wrapped in to-go boxes and allergy labels, including hand written notes about Brandon’s allergies outside of the top 9 common allergens.

We always recommend double-checking your food if it’s not marked or comes without the packaging we did (or if a chef or coordinator doesn’t bring it to you).

Ronto Roasters - Gluten Free Zuchii Wrap / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first was the Zuchii Wrap with Grilled Zucchini, Smoky Chickpea-Onion Slaw, Creamy Garlic-Tahini Sauce, and Fresh Cilantro wrapped in Allergy-Friendly Pita Bread. This was made gluten free by swapping out the regular pita for the GF pita (currently Against the Grain brand, which is also nut free).

Normally, this is the plant-based/vegan wrap option for guests, but unfortunately, the Against the Grain GF wrap does contain dairy. There is not currently a GFDF wrap option, which is a big bummer. If you’re GFDF, you would need to get the wraps wrapless, which in our opinion might not be worth the price. I’d probably recommend going to Docking Bay 7 next door instead for more options.

Overall, we both loved this wrap. It was my favorite of the two we tried and had so much flavor. The grilled zucchini had a great grill flavor and the smoky chickpea-onion slaw is spicy and adds a nice bit of texture to the wrap. If you can have dairy, this gluten free version is definitely a big winner for a veggie option. I wouldn’t hesitate to order this again. So good!

Ronto Roasters - Gluten Free Ronto Wrap / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also got the traditional Ronto Wrap with Roasted Pork, Grilled Pork Sausage, Peppercorn Sauce, and Tangy Slaw wrapped in Allergy-Friendly Pita Bread. We were able to get the slaw served on the side, so that Brandon could enjoy the main wrap since he is allergic to vegetables in the cabbage family.

Like the Zuchii Wrap, this was made gluten free (and nut free) by swapping out the wrap, but the wrap itself does contain dairy. You can get a version of this wrapless gluten free and dairy free, but like the Zuchii Wrap, I would probably skip it.

We both really liked this wrap. Brandon loved the roasted pork, and we both thought the peppercorn sauce was very tasty. I would get this one occasionally, but would prefer the Zuchii Wrap. Brandon really liked this more than he thought he would and said he’d get this one again. If you’re looking for a hearty on the go option, this Ronto Wrap could be one to get.

If you want to hear more about our experience at Ronto Roasters, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information. We cover a lot more detail about ordering, special dietary needs, and other considerations when visiting this location. We also highlight Docking Bay 7 in the video too!

Overall

We were excited to finally be able to try some of the options at Ronto Roasters. Both the wraps were really tasty and hearty — perfect for fueling up before you go on Rise of the Resistance or Smuggler’s Run. If you’re gluten free and dairy free, this location has limited options, because of the GF wrap containing dairy. If you’re looking for a solid GFDF option, we would recommend Docking Bay 7 over Ronto Roasters. If you’re gluten free, this could definitely be a good on the go or quicker option if you’re in Galaxy’s Edge for the day. Plus, the wraps were very tasty! While it wouldn’t be our number one spot to go to in Hollywood Studios, we love that there are GF options and will definitely getting a Zuchii Wrap or two the next time we’re at the park.

Have you been to Ronto Roasters? What was your experience dining there with special dietary needs?

Sebastian’s Bistro Dinner Review [2024 Gluten Free & Food Allergy Options]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro

Sebastian’s Bistro, located at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, is a table service restaurant that we consider to be one a hidden gem of a restaurant at Walt Disney World. The family-style menu and price point also make it one of the best values for a hearty meal at Disney too. Recently, we had dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro for the first time in quite a while, so we were looking forward to our meal.

Atmosphere

Located at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Sebastian’s Bistro has a Caribbean inspired theme. It is located in its own building near Old Port Royale, where the main quick service restaurants and resort check-in are located.

Caribbean Beach Resort / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

It’s just a short walk from Old Port Royale to Sebastian’s Bistro. You’ll get great views of the resort, because the restaurant is located right on the waterfront. It’s a gorgeous area, especially in the evening time — and the perfect spot for an after dinner stroll.

Sebastian’s Bistro Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While the exteriors and surrounding resort area is well-themed, we both agree that Sebastian’s Bistro itself is a bit light on the theming. Named after Sebastian from the Little Mermaid, you’ll see one large art print of Sebastian at the back of the restaurant — and the main dining room is just a bit bland. That isn’t to say it’s bad, but it is a little less themed than we would expect compared to the rest of the resort.

Still, you’ll find comfortable seating, and the restaurant is brightly lit with the sun coming in from the waterfront nearby.

The Food

What we really come to Sebastian’s Bistro is the food. The restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, which means they do have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also speak to a chef at any time to discuss options.

Sebastian’s Bistro Allergy-Friendly Menu (May 2024) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we did speak to Chef Fallon, who used to work at Sanaa many years ago. It was great to see her, and she was really helpful in navigating the menu with Brandon’s allergies, which require the menu to be modified a bit.

Sebastian’s Bistro - Allergy-Friendly Rolls & Salad / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

What I love most about Sebastian’s Bistro is how gluten free, dairy free, and allergy-friendly it is. Everything on the menu is either GFDF as is or can be easily modified. For instance, the salad and bread service is well setup for GFDF guests.

Up first was the Plant-Based Spice Necklace Salad with Mixed Greens with Spiced Candied Pumpkin Seeds, Tropical Fruit, and Radish with Key Lime Dressing. This salad is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the restaurant’s allergy-friendly menu.

The salad is always really good at Sebastian’s Bistro. I love the refreshing flavors, and the key lime dressing is SO flavorful. I especially like the spiced candied pumpkin seeds for some added crunch and texture. The tropical fruit on this has varied over time, and while the current version is OK, I do prefer some of the previous versions better.

The allergy-friendly bread service is another great option. This includes Bloomfield Farms brand allergy-friendly rolls along with a dairy-filled or Plant-based Guava Spread (depending on whether you can have dairy or not) and Caramelized Onion Jam. The is marked Gluten Free and the plant-based version is safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

While bread service isn’t usually my priority of a meal, this one is not to be missed. The guava spread and onion jam both have unique flavors that are just so good and really make this bread service stand out.

Sebastian’s Bistro - Modified Salad / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because Brandon is allergic to vegetables in the cabbage family, Chef Fallon made him his own custom salad with a lettuce mix that did not include kale. There is also a cross-contact issue for the candied pumpkins seeds with nuts, so that was omitted too. Overall, Brandon really loves this salad — mostly because of that incredible key lime dressing.

Sebastian’s Bistro - Gluten Free & Dairy Free Meat Platter / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For entrees, instead of getting one big family sized platter of meats, we were served separate platters to avoid cross-contamination. I was given the standard Taste of the Caribbean entree with Oven-roasted Citrus Chicken (not shown here but served on the side), Slow-cooked Mojo Pork with Mango Sambal, Grilled Chili-rubbed Beef with Mojito Relish, and Sustainable Baked Fish with Veracruz Sauce. This was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies.

As always, this entree was a winner. Both Brandon and I think the mojo pork is our favorite of the meats, but the beef was really good on this visit too. Probably my least favorite of the dishes was the fish. It was a bit on the bland slide, so I might actually just skip this next visit.

As a side note, I didn’t order it, but you can pay an additional charge (currently $13) for a side of Crab and Seafood Cake with Tropical Mango Slaw and Guajillo Aïoli which is gluten free! It is also marked safe for peanut and sesame allergies. Our friend Gina from Gluten Free Disney World has ordered this and said great things about it.

Sebastian’s Bistro - Modified Vegetable Platter / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We did get a shared platter of vegetables, which included Cilantro Rice and Beans and a sautéed vegetable medley, made of veggies that Brandon can eat. Typically, the restaurant will also serve a vegetable stew and sautéed veggies (right now broccolini). Both are Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

I’m pretty obsessed with the cilantro rice & beans. They have so much great flavor in them, and I have a hard time not wanting to eat every bit that we’re served. We also both really love the vegetable medley that we usually get. This version had butternut squash, peppers, and onions, but it varies sometimes on our visits. Both were great, and I honestly prefer the custom veggie medley over the regular veggie options served.

Sebastian’s Bistro Modified Meat Platter (Vegan “Fish” Cakes NOT Gluten Free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon did get a modified Taste of the Caribbean entree, which included the Mojo Pork, Grilled Chili-rubbed Beef, and also the Plant-Based Caribbean "Fish" Cake. The plant-based “fish” cake is NOT gluten free and cannot be made GF, which is a bummer. But, if you’re dairy free & can have gluten, this might be a good option.

Brandon really loves the plant-based “fish” cake, which he’s had on several visits and raved about the meats he was served.

I did forget to get a photo, but for dessert we were served gluten free, dairy free & allergy-friendly vegan cupcakes. We got them to-go, because we were so full from dinner. The restaurant does also have a gluten free brownie right now (contains dairy). Dessert isn’t the restaurant’s strongest suit, but I love the seasonal cupcakes they serve — though I really do wish they would come up with a GFDF bread pudding like ‘Ohana now has! That would make this meal even more amazing.

Overall

We can’t say enough good things about Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The food is plentiful, delicious, and allergy-friendly, which we love. At $38 for adults and $20 for kids (ages 3-9), it’s a pretty good value as far as Disney “all-you-care-to-enjoy” style meals go. They definitely make sure you do not go hungry. The chefs at this location are always so helpful and accommodating too. Huge thanks to Chef Fallon for another great dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro. We can’t wait to go back again soon and definitely recommend this restaurant if you’re staying at Caribbean Beach Resort or enjoy this type of food.

Have you been to Sebastian’s Bistro for dinner? What was your experience dining there with special dietary needs?

Tiffins Lunch Review [New 2024 Menu]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in June 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Lunch at Tiffins

Tiffins, located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is a signature dining location that is inspired by the explorations of Disney Imagineers who designed the theme park. We have had some really wonderful dining experiences at Tiffins over the years, thought we haven’t been in a while. This restaurant can be a bit on the expensive side, so we were excited to see a new burger was added to the lunch menu at a slightly lower price point. We always enjoy a good signature burger, so we knew we wanted to check it out.

Atmosphere

Like everything at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tiffins is beautifully themed with so many details to look it. The restaurant itself is named after “Tiffins” which are lunch containers often used in South Asia.

Tiffins Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You’ll see nods to this throughout the restaurant, but you’ll also see these tiffins prominently featured on the restaurant’s main sign.

Tiffins - Lobby / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant’s lobby welcomes you and shares a bit more about the restaurant’s theming and what you’ll experience while dining here. There’s beautiful woodwork and unique lighting. Some of the lights even look like tiffins.

In the corners of the lobby, you’ll see enclosed glass shelving with artifacts and notes from Disney Imagineers. We highly recommend taking a look at these while you’re waiting to be seated or after your meal.

Tiffins - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

There are several dining rooms with unique themes in Tiffins. We were seated in the Safari Gallery on this visit. But, we also really like the Grant Gallery too. Both rooms are equally well decorated and themed, but we do find the Safari Gallery to be a bit smaller and cozier.

Tiffins - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

All throughout this dining room, you’ll see nods to inspiration for Kilimanjaro Safari and Harambe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The tiny baobab tree is really neat on one of the walls!

Tiffins - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The art and the cozy seating really make this dining room inviting and one you’ll want to explore. Servers do recommend that you take some time to explore if you’re interested in learning more about the park design and inspiration Imagineers got during the park construction.

The Food

Like the theming, the food served at Tiffins is inspired by the travels of Imagineers. You’ll see dishes inspired by Africa, and Asia.

Because this restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, they do have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also speak to a chef at any time to discuss options.

Sarah with Tiffins Allergy-Friendly Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we did speak to a chef, so that we could ask questions about the new Tiffins signature burger. This burger is only available at lunch, and we received a separate small allergy-friendly lunch menu with a few additional options not available at dinner now.

The chef on this visit was super helpful, and we were able to talk through options and modifications for several different dishes, which was great. We always find the chefs at Tiffins to be so accommodating at making modifications and swapping out items if needed.

Tiffins - Iced Tea / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Before our food arrived, we did get several drinks. If you’re an iced tea drinker, the tea at Tiffins (and also at Nomad Lounge) is a unique one. It has passionfruit in it and has a hint of sweetness and fruity flavor. It’s not overpowering at all, and I love it for a refreshing twist on iced tea.

Tiffins - Glass of Wine / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Every time we go to Tiffins, I have to get a glass of wine. Outside of Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort, Tiffins has one of the largest collections of South African wines. I got a lovely pinotage on this visit that paired perfectly with the burger I got as my entree. If you’re a wine fan, you’ll definitely want to try the wines at Tiffins.

Tiffins - Tempting Tigress Cocktail / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon always gets the Tempting Tigress cocktail at Tiffins (also available at Nomad Lounge). It includes: Russell's Reserve 10yr Bourbon, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Tamarind Syrup, and Lime Juice. The tamarind syrup is house-made too. If you enjoy a good bourbon drink and a unique twist on an old fashioned, Brandon highly recommends this cocktail.

Tiffins - Pineapple Glazed Pork Belly / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For appetizers, we got a couple of different options. The first was a Pineapple-glazed Pork Belly which is a newer addition to the menu, since we dined at Tiffins last. It included: Pineapple-glazed Pork Belly with Guajillo Chili Sauce, Chicharrónes, and Spice Pickled Vegetable Slaw. This appetizer is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

Because Brandon is allergic to vegetables in the cabbage family, they served the veggie slaw on the side. The gluten free fryer also flash fries fish in it, so the chicharrónes that were GF were also served on the side so that Brandon could try the pork belly. I forgot to take a photo of these on the side, but you can see them in our YouTube video of this restaurant.

Overall, we both liked this appetizer. The pork belly was very tender and the flavor profile was a little sweet and spicy. If you’re not a big spicy food fan, I might recommend skipping this. But, if you like pork belly and these kinds of flavors, it was a great GFDF appetizer option.

Tiffins - Brandon with Mac & Cheese (NOT Gluten Free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon had to get his favorite appetizer at Nomad Lounge and Tiffins — The Lobster Mac & Cheese…minus the lobster. This appetizer is NOT gluten free but when modified was safe for Brandon’s allergies including fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage. On the restaurant’s allergy-friendly menu, it was also marked safe for egg & sesame allergies too.

Brandon said that this is his favorite mac & cheese on Disney property. He loves it so much despite the steep price tag.

Tiffins - Side of Sautéed Lobster / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we did ask if I could get the lobster normally added to this mac & cheese served gluten free and on the side. The chef said that was no problem and brought it out in a separate bowl. While it wasn’t the best sautéed lobster that I’ve ever had, I’m glad we could still have it served on the side so the price point of Brandon’s mac & cheese (at $19) didn’t feel quite as bad.

Tiffins Signature Burger (made gluten free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For entrees, we both got the Tiffins Signature Burger. It includes: In-house Beef and Pork Blend, Aged Cheddar, Demi-glace, and Seasoned Waffle Fries. Both our burgers were modified from the main version typically served. The photo shown here is the gluten free version. It was made GF by swapping out the bun. It is also marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

If you’re dairy free, you’ll want to talk to a chef about modifications. The cheese needs to be omitted, but there may be dairy in the demi-glace sauce.

The waffle fries I had were made in the GF fryer that also contains fish. So, that meant Brandon’s fries needed to be made separately in a fresh pot of oil — not in the fryer. Brandon’s fries were also not seasoned like mine and did not come with the sauce on the side. Both of us agreed that the fries were good regardless of seasoning — though I personally though the spice they used on the fries was very good, and I loved the aioli.

The burger itself was good, but not as amazing as we had both hoped. The burger itself is good more on the medium rare side, so if you want your burger cooked more thoroughly, be sure to tell your server or a chef that. The demi-glace added a ton of flavor and was my favorite part of the burger. But, it definitely made it very messy to eat. Be prepared with hand wipes!

Brandon’s burger did not come with demi-glace due to chicken being used in the base, so he felt he was missing a lot of components that would have made his burger better. Overall, I think we both liked this but probably wouldn’t prioritize getting it again at Tiffins.

Tiffins - Sweet Mango Sticky Rice / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Tiffins has a new gluten free, dairy free & plant-based dessert on the menu since we dined at this restaurant last, so of course, I had to try it. The Sweet Mango Sticky Rice came with Sweet Jasmine Rice, Mango Gelée, Lemon Verbena-Avocado "Ice Cream," Avocado Sauce, and Sesame Florentine. It was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut Allergies.

This was a real highlight of our meal. The flavors were all very unique and came together beautifully. the lemon verbena avocado “ice cream” was so good and so flavorful. It had a hint of mintiness to it that really surprised me. If you love a good rice based dessert or mango sticky rice in general, you will probably really enjoy this dessert.

For me, it was a great non-chocolate based GFDF dessert that I would definitely get again.

If you want to hear more about our experience at Tiffins, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

We both continue to really enjoy and recommend Tiffins for guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom who are looking for a table service option. The food is elevated and beautifully presented. The chefs always do a wonderful job at navigating our special dietary needs. Plus, the theming at Tiffins is incredible. While we didn’t love the burger that we got for lunch, we do love that the restaurant is trying out new dishes and more affordable price points for guests interested in dining at this signature restaurant. We would highly recommend it for a nice meal to end your day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plus, it’s right next door to Nomad Lounge, where you can get gluten free churros! What could be better?!

Have you been to Tiffins What was your experience dining there gluten free or with other special dietary needs?

Olivia’s Cafe Brunch Review [2024 Gluten Free & Food Allergy Options]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Brunch at Olivia’s

Olivia’s Cafe is a table service restaurant located at Disney’s Old Key West Resort that is a long time favorite for my family, because of it’s relaxed atmosphere. Inspired by all things Key West, it definitely has those #chillaxing vibes to it. This review covers two recent visits that we made to Olivia’s Cafe for brunch.

Atmosphere

You can’t help but feel like you’re hanging out in Key West when you visit Disney’s Old Key West. From the perpetual music track that features Jimmy Buffett and all the tropical favorites, you’ll definitely be transported to a relaxing place. I always say that Old Key West Resort gives me Disney Cruise Line and Castaway Cay vibes too, with a very similar musical track playing in the background.

Olivia’s Cafe Exterior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Everything at this resort is bright and inviting. Olivia’s Cafe is nestled between the main check-in building, the boat dock for the ferry, and the main hub of the resort. You can also do some quick shopping in the gift shop located next door (and connect to) the restaurant.

Olivia’s Cafe Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You’ll see lots of beach and tropical inspired decor inside and outside of the resort. There’s loads of nautical touches, almost as if you’ve found yourself on a tropical island.

Olivia’s Cafe Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the restaurant has seen a bit of a refresh over the past few years with new flooring and slightly updated paint. However, the rest of the restaurant is totally retro and looks the same as it has for the more than 20 years I’ve been visiting this location. It’s cozy, inviting, and I love the nostalgia of all the DVC family photos on on the walls — a super unique feature of this restaurant.

The Food

On the two occasions that we visited Olivia’s Cafe, we were there for brunch, which includes some breakfast options and more lunch style options. The restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, which means they do have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also speak to a chef at any time to discuss options.

Sarah with Allergy-Friendly Menu at Olivia’s Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our first visit, we did speak to a chef, because of Brandon’s allergies and to ask some additional questions about the allergy fryer (more on that soon!). On the second visit, we spoke with our server but didn’t ask to speak to a chef, because we’d dine there just a few weeks earlier and felt comfortable with the menu.

Seared Salmon Salad from Olivia’s Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our first visit, I ordered the Seared Salmon Salad which was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Shellfish Allergies. The salad included quinoa, avocado, mandarin oranges, and some leafy greens along with a key lime vinaigrette.

Overall, I liked this salad but didn’t love it. The salad dressing was so flavorful and the star of the dish. I did ask for more vinaigrette on the side, because the salad was very underdressed. Everything else about the salad was pretty bland and uninspiring. Still, if you’re looking for a lighter or more healthful option at Olivia’s for brunch, this could hit the mark.

Signature Bacon Cheeseburger from Olivia’s Cafe (NOT Gluten Free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon opted to the Signature Bacon Cheeseburger for his entree, which came with Cheddar, Avocado, and Bacon Jam with House-made Key West Ketchup and Aïoli. He was also served a side of French Fries which were made in a dedicated fryer for his allergies.

Because he is allergic to chicken, sometimes the allergy-fryer is not safe for him due to cross-contamination. We always double-check to be sure, and we always love when locations have dedicated fryers just for fries or can easily heat up a pot of oil to make him safe fries.

This burger was marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. And, as you’ll see shortly, it can be made both gluten free and dairy free.

Overall, Brandon liked this burger and ordered it on both visits to Olivia’s.

Signature Bacon Burger from Olivia’s Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Shown here is a photo of the version that I got on our second visit. This version of the Signature Bacon Burger was made gluten free and dairy free by swapping out the bun and omitting the cheese. Not shown in this photo is the bacon jam, which was served on the side.

In general, I liked the burger. The burger had a great grill flavor, and I really liked the Key West Ketchup, Aioli, and Bacon Jam. We both agreed this burger was spectacular, but it was a solid option and fit the bill for what we wanted in a simple burger.

Allergy-Mickey Waffles from Olivia’s Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our second visit, we also ordered a side of Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles which were marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies. I liked that the waffles were dusted in powdered sugar and included some fresh fruit. We also got 100% pure maple syrup for the waffles too.

Although I always love a good Mickey waffle, I am continually bummed that Disney is choosing to use the Carbon’s Golden Malted Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix right now for their allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. The taste of these are not as good as other brands like Bloomfield Farms, and the waffles do not cook well at all in the waffle makers (ironic, given the mix is from the company that makes the waffle makers).

The ones that we had at Olivia’s Cafe were not bad and fairly well cooked, but I have found them to be very inconsistent across Disney property right now.

Plant-Based Chocolate Fudge Brownie from Olivia’s Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On both visits, we also had to order the new Plant-Based Chocolate Fudge Brownie with Chocolate Ganache, Dehydrated Strawberries, Mixed Berries, and a Berry Sauce. This is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

If you’ve been to Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you’ll recognize this brownie, as they serve it over there too. We absolutely love this brownie. The flavor and texture are both great. And, we loved the accompaniments that chefs at Olivia’s Cafe chose to serve the brownie with. This is a winner and a high recommend from both of us.

Overall

Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort continues to serve solid gluten free and food allergy friendly options for guests at brunch. While neither one of us find the food to be the best on Disney World property, everything was tasty. We especially love the relaxed atmosphere at the resort and restaurant — making it a nice option, if you’re looking for something low-key. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a brunch last minute. We tend to find openings at Olivia’s are usually fairly plentiful.

Have you been to Olivia’s Cafe for Brunch? What was your experience dining there with special dietary needs?

‘Ohana Dinner Review [2024 Gluten Free & Food Allergy Options]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in April 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at ‘Ohana

‘Ohana, located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, is a table service restaurant that holds a special place in my heart. My very first visit to ‘Ohana was in 2003, and just from that one visit me and my family were hooked. The food, the vibes, and the “ohana” of it all have made this restaurant a staple for my family now for over two decades. Believe it or not, it had actually been several years since we’ve dined at ‘Ohana for dinner — and truth be told, Brandon wasn’t a huge fan on our first visit. But, we decided to give it a visit after we heard that the restaurant recently added a new gluten free and allergy-friendly bread pudding.

Atmosphere

‘Ohana is inspired by all things Hawaiian and Polynesian. Set on the second floor of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, it does make you feel a bit like you’ve stepped by in time to 1971 when the resort first opened. I swear, the decor has changed very minimally in more than 20 years since I’ve been dining there.

‘Ohana Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant’s sign is emblazoned with flames, letting you know right away that you’re in for a meal that is inspired by all things grilled. The smells coming from the restaurant are pretty incredible too, because they use wood fire to cook all of the grilled meats that you’re served.

‘Ohana Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant has ample seating and a lot of large table settings too. It’s pretty common to see large groups dining at ‘Ohana — keeping that family vibe going!

‘Ohana Table Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant can get pretty crowded, but the seating areas are comfortable. We especially love the big chairs at each table.

View from ‘Ohana of the Seven Seas Lagoon / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Our favorite seats at ‘Ohana are always those that are by the windows. You can get amazing views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. If you dine when the Magic Kingdom fireworks are happening, you’ll be treated to great fireworks views. The restaurant even pipes in the music from the fireworks show too!

The Food

Beyond the amazing theming and great views, we’re really at ‘Ohana for the food! Because this restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, they do have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also speak to a chef at any time to discuss options.

Sarah with the ‘Ohana Allergy-Friendly Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this visit, we spoke to Chef Angel about various options, especially for Brandon because of his food allergies. ‘Ohana is a great option for guests who are gluten free and dairy free, because almost the entire menu has been tailored to those special dietary needs. But, if you have other allergies, and those that may not be in the top 9 common allergens, it’s always a good idea to talk to a chef.

The chef did have to get many items for Brandon from Kona Cafe next door, and we were so grateful that the restaurant could easily accommodate.

Mixed Greens Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For our starters, we were each brought our own salads. I had the standard Mixed Greens Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette on the allergy-friendly menu. It was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

‘Ohana has changed up their salad starter over the years. This version had a lot of bright, vibrant flavors and a major citrus punch. The fresh greens, crispy vegetables, along with a super flavorful citrus vinaigrette was the perfect way to start our meal. We both agreed that the vinaigrette was incredibly good.

I also got allergy-friendly Bloomfield Farms brand rolls which are marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. They came with a side of honey butter, but the restaurant also carries non-dairy buttery spread too.

In all honesty, the rolls were my least favorite part of the meal — mostly because the rolls were not heated well. But, really, who is going to ‘Ohana for the rolls?! Definitely not me with so many other amazing dishes on the menu!

Modified Mixed Greens Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon’s starter salad, he got a modified version of the Mixed Greens Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette. The major difference between our salads were the greens. Brandon’s version was made with Iceberg Lettuce, while mine included other greens including Kale. Because Brandon is allergic to vegetables in the cabbage family, Kale is out for him.

The chef was so accommodating and said that it was no worries to go get him safe lettuce from Kona Cafe. Brandon loved this salad, primarily because of that amazing dressing. We both agreed it was a winner.

Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings, Stir-Fry Vegetables & Steamed Rice / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my meal, I was given a platter that included:

• Stiry-Fry Vegetables

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies

• Steamed Rice

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

Each of these dishes were gluten free and dairy free. ‘Ohana really is a very GFDF friendly restaurant.

The stir-fry veggies and rice were good — nothing fancy. But, the real star was the honey-coriander chicken wings. These are the stuff of ‘Ohana legends, and they did not disappoint. The flavors were incredible, and I probably could have happily just eaten a whole platter of these wings. They are messy, but they should not be skipped if you like chicken!

Wood-fire Grilled Teriyaki Beef and Peel-n-Eat Shrimp / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The grilled meats at ‘Ohana are the stars of this meal too. Although I forgot to take a photo of the chicken, I had three grilled meats served to me. They included:

• Wood-fire Grilled Teriyaki Beef

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies

• Grilled Chicken with Guava-Pineapple Glaze

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies

• Peel-n-Eat Shrimp coated with ‘Ohana Seasoning

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

Overall, all three meats were really great. The shrimp were my least favorite — mostly due to the flavor profile. The shrimp had what seemed like an Old Bay type seasoning on them, similar to a shrimp boil, and for me it missed the mark. The restaurant used to have a shrimp that had a lovely Polynesian inspired sauce on the shrimp, which I think paired much better with the menu. The shrimp are peel-n-eat, so bear that in mind too if you don’t like messy food!

The beef was good. The sauce was super flavorful — though I do tend to find the steak cuts here to be a bit on the tough side. The chicken (not shown) was my favorite. So much great grill flavor and the guava-pineapple sauce was fire.

‘Ohana Noodles, Sautéed Carrots & Pan-Fried Steak (NOT Gluten Free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon’s entree, he was served three options — the first was a large amount of ‘Ohana noodles. These are NOT gluten free and are marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. Brandon absolutely loved these noodles. He is still raving about them! If you can have gluten like Brandon can, these are a must get.

Brandon also had two custom items made. The first was pan-fried steak. Because of his allergies to fish, shellfish, and chicken, the chef recommended that they pan-fry his steak to avoid cross-contamination. Brandon was super happy with the steak he got and said the flavor was really great.

The chef also brought Brandon some sautéed carrots that he got from Kona Cafe. ‘Ohana’s current vegetable medleys all contain veggies that Brandon is allergic to, so this was another nice modification that the chef offered to make him. Everything for Brandon’s main meal was made safe for his Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Chicken/Turkey & Cabbage Allergies.

Allergy-Friendly Bread Pudding with Soy-based Frozen Dessert / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

By the time dessert rolled around, we both already felt like we could be rolled out of the restaurant. But, we had to try the new gluten free & allergy-friendly dessert! I got the Allergy-Friendly Bread Pudding with Soy-based Frozen Dessert. This was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the Allergy-Friendly Menu, but if you’re soy free, you need to get it without the soy-based non-dairy ice cream.

I was SO excited to try this dessert, because it’s been something that guests have been wanting ‘Ohana chefs to make GF for years! Overall, I have to say that I was impressed. The chefs did use the Bloomfield Farms brand rolls for the base, and I really loved the pineapple flavors. If you are a pineapple fan, this is a must get. Note that if you’re just gluten free, you can order this with dairy-filled ice cream too.

Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut with Ice Cream / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon isn’t a big pineapple fan, so we asked Chef Angel if Brandon could get the Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC cinnamon sugar doughnut that is normally served at breakfast for his dessert. He noted that it would depend on what was in the freezer, and we were happy to see that they could accommodate. Your mileage may vary on if you can get this at dinner or not, but we were truly appreciative that Chef Angel was so helpful and accommodating to make sure Brandon had a great and safe meal.

Brandon was super full by this point of the meal, but he did say that he really enjoyed it. The doughnut itself is gluten free & dairy free (and vegan), but Brandon got dairy-filled ice cream with his dessert.

If you want to hear more about our experience at ‘Ohana, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

We had a really delicious meal at ‘Ohana. Brandon, who hasn’t always loved this restaurant, really enjoyed it on this visit. He said that he would definitely go again, just for the ‘Ohana noodles alone! For me, this location will always have a special place in my heart, and I was so glad that the food was still just as good and as accommodating as it has been in the past. We would definitely recommend this location if you’re looking for a hearty all-you-care-to-enjoy option and like this style of food. Plus, you can’t go wrong with the vibes at ‘Ohana.

Have you been to ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? What was your experience dining there with special dietary needs?

1900 Park Fare Dinner Review [2024 Reopening]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in April 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare

1900 Park Fare located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort recently reopened in April 2024 after being closed since 2020. Like lots of Disney World fans, we were really excited for the restaurant to finally be open again. Brandon and I recently dined for breakfast at this character dining location and had an incredible experience. So, we knew dinner needed to be on our radar to check out soon. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long, because I got to enjoy dinner at 1900 Park Fare recently with my friends Alexis from Alexis’ Gluten Free Adventures, Christy from Pack Your Pixie Dust, and Gina from Gluten Free Disney World.

Atmosphere

Like all of the decor at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 1900 Park Fare is inspired by the early 20th century. You’ll see lots of vintage decor and that turn-of-the-century inspiration around the restaurant.

1900 Park Fare Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

With the reopening of the restaurant came a refurbishment. The new decor reflects a lot of the new refurbishments and color palettes we’ve seen throughout the resort.

1900 Park Fare Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I especially loved the color palette and the cozy seating. If you want to read more about the decor, we did highlight more of this in our breakfast review blog post.

The Food

Everyone in our group was very excited to check out the food options for gluten free and special dietary needs guests. When Brandon and I had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, I was able to get the restaurant’s allergen guide for dinner, so we could get an idea of what might be safe for us to enjoy.

1900 Park Fare Allergen Guide for Dinner / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You know you’re in a group of celiacs, when we all collectively reviewed the guide and circled the items we were most interested in or had questions about!

From there, our server brought out the amazing Chef Heidy who reviewed options with us and answered our questions. Because we all have celiac disease, we asked Chef Heidy if we could get items directly from the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination, which she was more than happy to do.

The Gluten Free Girls with Chef Heidy at 1900 Park Fare / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

She was such an amazing Chef and truly made our meal experience. So naturally, we had to take a photo with her. She was truly the star of our meal! If you dine at 1900 Park Fare for dinner and Chef Heidy assists you, you are in for a treat.

Wishing Autograph Card at 1900 Park Fare / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Like breakfast, you do also get an autograph card, which has space for you to write your personal wish. Our group decided our wish was for safe gluten free & food allergy options for everyone — and wish that we hope continues to come true at Disney World and everywhere.

1900 Park Fare - Allergy-Friendly Rolls / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Up first, Chef Heidy brought us a big platter of Bloomfield Farms Allergy-Friendly Rolls. These are marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the guide.

We were served regular butter with this meal, but the restaurant does have dairy free & vegan buttery spread options too.

1900 Park Fare - Trio of Salads / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were all pretty pumped about the variety of salads on the allergen guide, and when we told Chef Heidy we wanted all the potato salad, she delivered and then some. As we all said, she understood the assignment!

We were served a trio of salads including:

• Loaded Potato Salad

  For Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Broccoli Slaw

  For Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Mediterranean Kale Salad

  For Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

Both the kale salad and broccoli slaw were gluten free and dairy free. The potato salad did contain sour cream, so you’ll want to skip it if you can’t have dairy.

Overall, we all agreed that the salads were the star of the meal. The potato salad and broccoli salad were neck and neck in terms of our favorite and the kale salad while good ranked third in the list. All of us would recommend the salads, and honestly, I’m still dreaming about them. They were so good.

1900 Park Fare - Salad Platter / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We did also get a basic salad with all the fixings. All of the salad ingredients are gluten free, dairy free and top 9 allergy friendly, if you get it without the cheese. We opted for two salad dressings:

• Citrus Vinaigrette

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Italian Dressing

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

The dressings were a bit of a letdown for this meal. The citrus vinaigrette was pretty mild in flavor and a bit on the bland side. Next time, I’d probably just skip the house salad and stick with the other salads we got.

1900 Park Fare - Peel & Eat Shrimp / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Gina and I both enjoy a good peel and eat shrimp option, so we ordered a bowl of this along with cocktail sauce.

• The shrimp was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

• The cocktail sauce was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

Overall, these were very good. The shrimp had great flavor to them, and the cocktail sauce was very tasty. I would definitely recommend this if you’re a shrimp fan. But, be warned, they are messy!

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free Platters / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For the main meal, we were served a platter of various meats and a side platter with veggies. This included:

• Spice-Roasted Chicken

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Baked Salmon with Saffron-Lemon Butter

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies

• Spice-Roasted Turkey Breast

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Prime Rib

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

Of the meats, I liked the chicken the most, which had a curry sauce on it and was very flavorful. The turkey was also fairly good too. The salmon was my least favorite as it was a bit overcooked and had a strong fishy flavor. All of the group enjoyed the prime rib.

We did also get several sauces with the meal too which included:

• Au Jus

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Horseradish Cream Sauce

  For Gluten/Wheat, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• House-made Steak Sauce

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies

If you’re a steak sauce fan, I would recommend the steak sauce which was very flavorful. I also realized we didn’t get this at breakfast and thought it would have been amazing with the prime rib hash we had! Next time, I am 100% getting it at breakfast.

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free Vegetables / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The veggies, in my opinion, were the star of the main meal. We had several delicious gluten free and dairy free options which included:

• IMPOSSIBLE Merguez Sausage with Zucchini Noodles

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies

• Green Beans

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Glazed Carrots

  For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

It’s hard for me to decide which one I liked better, but I think the IMPOSSIBLE sausage with zoodles was the highlight. There was SO much flavor packed into the dish, and it was…well, impossible…to tell that the sausage wasn’t meat based.

The carrots were also outstanding and the green beans were fantastic too. Chef Heidy steered us clear from the other veggies like corn, and we’re so glad we listened to her. All of these were phenomenal.

1900 Park Fare - Mashed Potatoes / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For the potato lovers out there, I’m sad to report that the mashed potatoes were just OK. Some of our group loved them and others did not. I was in the latter category.

These were marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. The potatoes do contain dairy, but you can always talk to a chef about some other options that may be available if you are looking for some type of potato with your meal. Personally, I would skip the ones we got on this visit.

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free Desserts / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, Chef Heidy let us know that she could bring a variety of options out that weren’t on the allergen guide — another reason to always check with a chef! We were given the following:

• Sweet Street Manifesto Brownies - gluten free but contain dairy

• David’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies - gluten free and dairy free

• Double Chocolate Muffins from 1900 Park Fare Breakfast - gluten free, dairy free & top 9 allergy friendly

Everyone in the group agreed that the double chocolate muffins were incredible. They were just as good as they were at breakfast — and maybe slightly better, because Chef Heidy heated them up. Mind blown at how good these are!

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free & Plant-Based Dessert / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also got the dinner menu’s plant-based dessert — Toasted Coconut Cake with Passion Fruit Custard and Hibiscus Creme. This is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

I wasn’t sure what the flavor profile would be on this cake, but my goodness. These were so good. They were very lemon forward and the frosting/creme had a lovely fruity flavor. None of us, including Alexis who really dislikes coconut, could detect much coconut flavor. Overall, these were outstanding. I just wish I hadn’t been so full by the time they arrived!

Overall

We were all really impressed by the dinner options at 1900 Park Fare. Everything was very tasty, and there were a lot of surprise hits we didn’t anticipate. Chef Heidy did such a wonderful job ensuring we had safe and delicious options, and we can’t say enough good things about getting to meet her. She really truly made the meal magical. Of course, we loved the character interactions which were fantastic too. For the price point, this is a pricey meal at $66 per adult and $41 per child (ages 3-9). That being said, I think you’re getting a lot for the price. I personally would lean towards going again for breakfast over dinner, but that’s because I know what Brandon and I tend to like — and the dinner might be a bit more limited for Brandon’s special dietary needs. You really truly can’t go wrong with any of the options here, and we would recommend it if you are gluten free, dairy free or have other special dietary needs. The chefs at breakfast and dinner have been rockstars, and both experiences were outstanding.

Have you been to the newly reopened 1900 Park Fare? What was your experience dining there with special dietary needs?

Toledo Dinner Review [New 2024 Menu]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in April 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Toledo

Toledo located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort continues to be one of our favorite places to get gluten free and dairy free options at Disney World. With minimal modifications needed, we can honestly say that this table service restaurant is one of the most gluten free and dairy free friendly menus on property. Add in that it’s Michelin recommended, and you have the perfect spot for a nice meal out with incredible views, amazing food, and lots of options. We recently went to Toledo with Brandon’s parents to celebrate their wedding anniversary and to try out the new updated menu options. There were several new dishes that I was looking forward to trying.

Atmosphere

We highlighted Toledo’s atmosphere and theming in-depth in several other reviews that we’ve written, but it goes without saying that we adore everything about this restaurant.

The restaurant’s theming (along with the food) in inspired by Spain and Spanish surrealist painter, Salvador Dali. Everything is bright, colorful, and inviting.

Even better? The restaurant is located on the top floor of the Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort which means stunning views wherever you are seated.

We especially love the seats near the large vaulted windows. You get incredible views of Disney World property — and beyond. If you’re here during fireworks, you may get good views, and we love dining here on bright sunny days. On this visit, the weather was incredible, and we had the perfect table right near the windows.

The Food

As much as we love the theme at Toledo, what we really love is the food. Because this restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, they do have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also speak to a chef at any time to discuss options. Because we’ve been to Toledo a lot, we didn’t end up speaking to a chef on this visit, but we have many times and always find them very helpful.

To celebrate Brandon’s parents’ anniversary, we kicked off our meal with drinks. I always get the Gran Gin Tonic which has a unique twist on a classic gin & tonic. It includes a house-made Saffron-Orange Tonic which is really flavorful. If you like gin & tonics, this is a great option to get.

As a note about distilled spirits, those spirits made with gluten containing grains are considered gluten free due to the distillation process. But, we know that not everyone feels comfortable with or can tolerate certain spirits. Gin is OK for me, but always use your comfort and judgment when consuming spirits.

Brandon’s sister got a Brandon approved favorite — a classic Old Fashioned. Brandon also recommends the Alla Prima Manhattan if you are a fan of bourbon and whiskey.

On this visit, we actually tried to get a different starter to our meal, rather than ordering The Spaniard for Two appetizer. Alas, we found out that the Rioja-Braised Chorizo that we wanted to get does contain chicken broth, which meant it wasn’t safe for Brandon. If you’re gluten free and dairy free, that may be a great option though. We’ve heard good things about it.

Because, we couldn’t get the chorizo, we did go ahead and order The Spaniard for Two. It is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. But, it can be made gluten free by swapping out the bread and tree nut free by omitting the sliced almonds. Our server brought out the gluten containing bread and the almonds for our family so they could enjoy, which was really nice.

As always, this appetizer did not disappoint. If you love a high quality charcuterie, you will enjoy this version at Toledo. We love that it’s super easy to make gluten free — and everything tastes amazing. Brandon loves the cheeses, especially the blue cheese, and I love the olives and dried apricots. So, between the two of us, we usually split the options into things we like the most. It’s a sizeable portion and great to share with a table.

Brandon’s sister ordered several appetizers as her main meal that also happened to be gluten free. Up first was the Romaine Salad with White anchovy, Manchego, Cracked Black Pepper, Soft-poached Egg, and Lemon Vinaigrette.

This was marked gluten free and safe for Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies. Overall, Brandon’s sister really liked this. She said she wished it had a bit more to it but overall liked it. Our friend Gina from Gluten Free Disney World also got this recently during her visit to Toledo (the same night!) and found it to be a bit underwhelming.

Brandon’s sister also ordered the Blistered Shishito Peppers. These are considered a side dish and are marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

We have had these on several occasions, and we can honestly say that while we love these our previous visits have included extremely spicy peppers. Funnily enough, on this visit, Brandon’s sister said only one pepper was spicy. So, your mileage may vary on whether you get spicy or not so spicy shishito peppers. If you want to create your own Hot Ones challenge, this dish could be a good option!

Brandon can never get enough of all things potato, so we had to ordered our favorite Patatas Bravas side dish. These are marked Gluten Free and safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

If you are a potato lover, these make a great shareable side dish. We love the spicy aioli that tops the potatoes, and the potatoes are always so well cooked.

Because Brandon has a food allergy to vegetables in the cabbage family, these are often made slightly differently than the versions made in the gluten free & allergy-friendly fryer. That’s because they flash fry Brussels Sprouts. The fryer itself is going to be good for those who are gluten free and dairy free, but it’s always good to double-check what is being fried in the allergy fryer.

For my entree, I decided to try the new plant-based entree Mezcla de Verduras, which comes with Gigante Bean Silk, Seasonal Garden Vegetables, Patatas Bravas, and Carrot Romesco. This dish is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame, Soy Allergies.

I did also add a side of grilled shrimp which was an additional charge. The shrimp were marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

This dish was so colorful and beautifully presented. Talk about the perfect Instagrammable photo! And the flavors were excellent. I loved the roasted potatoes in the dish and all the different flavors, textures, and cooking preparations used on the vegetables. The shrimp was beautifully cooked and seasoned.

On its own without the shrimp, I’m not sure I’d recommend the entree as a substantial option. It felt like it would be lacking without something else. The shrimp really added to the dish, and I thought the flavors worked well together. I would definitely get this again just as I ordered it. So good!

Brandon ordered his favorite Filet of Beef with Olive Oil-Potato Purée, Forest Mushrooms, Date Jam, and Sherry Vinaigrette. This dish is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

I’ve had this entree before too, and it really stands the test of time as a solid steak entree. The flavors are all really outstanding, and we’ve found the steak to be well cooked on every occasion. The date jam is incredibly flavorful and the sherry vinaigrette adds a nice punch to the dish too.

Although we didn’t get them dairy free, we have heard reports from other guests who were able to get the mashed potatoes made dairy free and raved about them.

This entree is a high recommend for steak lovers from both Brandon and his mom too who also gets this entree every time we dine at Toledo.

For dessert, I was really looking forward to the new gluten free, dairy free & vegan dessert. The culinary team switched up the plant-based option, which was previously an avocado chocolate mousse with sorbet to an absolutely decadent Chocolate Ganache Tart with Coconut Frozen Dessert.

This is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame, Soy Allergies.

Omigoodness. If there was every a next level gluten free and dairy free dessert at Disney World, it’s this one. I loved everything about it — from the vegan caramel sauce to the coconut ice cream and the super rich chocolate tart. It was like tasting a fancy candy bar. If you love chocolate and can have tree nuts, this is a dessert for you.

I still can’t believe this dessert was gluten free, dairy free & vegan and am blown away by the culinary team at Toledo. This is a must get dessert every time we go to Toledo now!

If you want to hear more about our experience at Toledo, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

We can’t say enough good things about Toledo. From the amazing and inviting ambiance to the next level food (at reasonable price points given it’s at Disney World), it is a high recommend from us. It’s perfect for a date night or a celebration dinner with a great view too. We love how gluten free, dairy free, and food allergy friendly this restaurant is. There’s so many options for us to choose from. It’s actually hard sometimes not to want to order everything! If you’re looking for a menu that requires little to no modifications for gluten free and dairy free options, you’ll find Toledo to be an excellent option. And, of course, everything is incredibly delicious. It was the perfect way to celebrate Brandon’s parents’ anniversary, and we can’t wait to go back again soon. That new dessert is calling my name!

Have you been to Toledo What was your experience dining there gluten free or with other special dietary needs?

Turf Club Bar & Grill Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in April 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Turf Club Bar & Grill

Turf Club Bar & Grill is a table service restaurant located at Disney’s Saratoga Spring Resort. A bit off the beaten path, we have found this restaurant to be a bit of a hidden gem for special dietary needs the last several years. We often go there for a low-key dinner and always enjoy the food there. Recently, the restaurant saw major menu change, so we decided to stop by for dinner to check out the new menu.

Atmosphere

Turf Club is located near the lobby of Saratoga Springs Resort and has entrances both by the lobby and in the back of the main building, near the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course clubhouse. If you’re driving to the resort, you’ll end up entering this way.

Turf Club Bar & Grill Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We always love this side of the restaurant, which is just lovely when the weather is nice out. Not only do you get to see the golf course in action, but the ferry boat dock is also nearby, so you can watch the boats go by. If you’re a fan of outdoor seating, Turf Club Bar & Grill has a lovely covered outdoor seating area which is great for “cooler” times of the year.

Turf Club Bar & Grill Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant itself is inspired by turn-of-the-century Upstate New York horse racing. So, you’ll see a lot of equestrian nods from the carpet to the décor. I would say the theming is a bit rustic and subtle.

Turf Club Bar & Grill Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You’ll find some art and memorabilia throughout the restaurant that reflects the them. The restaurant itself is a bit on the dark side and has lots of rich wood set to resemble a clubhouse or that turn-of-the-century look.

The Food

Because this restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, so they do have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also speak to a chef at any time to discuss options.

Pondering whether Turf Club’s new menu be good or not?! / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Over the past few years, Turf Club Bar & Grill has had a pretty static menu, with some standby favorites that we enjoy. So, we were a bit nervous going into this dinner with a new menu — wondering what options might be available and how it would stack up to some of our favorites that were no longer available.

During our meal, we spoke directly to Chef Chris who was super helpful at helping us navigate the new menu and making modifications to dishes when needed.

Turf Club Bar & Grill - Gluten Free & Allergy-Friendly Bread / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For bread service, Chef Chris let us know that Disney was having a bit of a shortage on gluten free & allergy-friendly rolls when we went. He did offer me a gluten free, dairy free & allergy-friendly Bloomfield Farms hot dog bun for bread service, which worked. It may not be roll shaped, but I will never turn down a Bloomfield Farms bread product.

The restaurant does have both Earth Balance vegan buttery spread and dairy-filled butter options for the bread service too.

Turf Club Bar & Grill - Gluten Free Charcuterie Turf Club Bar & Grill / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon absolutely adored the previous version of the charcuterie board at Turf Club. This version can be made gluten free by omitting the GF bread. It is also marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

If you’re dairy free, you can order a version that doesn’t include the cheese. We’ve found that Turf Club is really good at making modifications — and even adding more of items to the charcuterie when we couldn’t have other options typically on the board.

Brandon really enjoyed this version a lot. He loved the pastrami currently being served on the charcuterie board and all of the other accompaniments. I really liked the coffee cherry jam but do miss the original charcuterie board that we used to get. It’s a soft recommend from me, but a strong recommend from Brandon.

Turf Club Bar & Grill Gluten Free Salmon Entree / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I decided to order one of the new dishes — Lemon Pepper Salmon with Sweet Corn-Vegetable Sauté, Quinoa, and Local Greens. This dish was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, Shellfish, and Soy Allergies. I love that this was a naturally gluten free and dairy free dish with no modifications needed.

Overall, I really enjoyed this dish. The salmon was cooked beautifully and very well seasoned. The lemon sauce was so flavorful too. I also really liked the fresh salad with greens from the Land pavilion. The only so-so part of this meal was the quinoa and vegetable sauté. The quinoa itself was fine, but I didn’t love the mixture of the veggie sauté with it.

I’d personally love to see this dish slightly updated, but I think it’s a lovely option if you’re GFDF and love salmon.

Turf Club Bar & Grill - Gluten Free NY Strip Steak Entree / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon was extremely sad that our favorite Filet Mignon entrée was no longer on the menu. It has now been replaced by a Char-grill New York Strip Steak with Savory Compound Butter, Seasoned French Fries, and Cherry Tomatoes. This dish was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, Soy Allergies.

You’ll notice that Brandon’s version is heavily modified. That’s because the French fries were not safe due to Brandon’s cabbage family vegetable allergy. Chef Chris let us know that they flash fry the Brussels sprouts appetizer in the gluten free & allergy-friendly fryer, making the the fries not an option for Brandon due to cross-contamination.

Ever the potato lover, he asked for mashed potatoes instead, which was an easy fix and substitution. Chef Chris also made Brandon some carrots on the side, since he was not a fan of the tomato salad that was going to be served with the entrée.

Overall, Brandon liked the dish but didn’t love it. It’s hard to compare after having such an amazing filet mignon entrée with accompanying sides for so many years. While Brandon would get this again, we’re not in a rush to go back to Turf Club due to the menu changes.

Turf Club Bar & Grill - Gluten Free & Plant-Based Strawberry Shortcake / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

What I would come back for is this new gluten free, dairy free & vegan Strawberry Shortcake dessert. We had heard about this from Princess & the Bear and knew we needed to check it out. This dessert was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, Soy Allergies.

I absolutely loved this dish. The shortcake was a bit dense but super moist and flavorful. It had a strong lemony flavor, which I personally loved. You do have to be a pretty big strawberry fan to enjoy this dessert. I really enjoyed the lovely strawberry sauce and the fresh berries.

I personally would have preferred a non-dairy whipped cream versus a non-dairy gelato but that’s being very nitpicky. It was an excellent dessert and a great addition to the menu.

Turf Club Bar & Grill - Espresso / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon did not like the Strawberry Shortcake at all, so he stuck with an after dinner espresso instead.

If you want to hear more about our experience at Turf Club Bar & Grill, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

We will always have a special place in our hearts for Turf Club Bar & Grill. The service team (especially one of our regular servers, Chelsea) and the chefs at this restaurant always go above and beyond to provide safe options and a lovely dining experience. As far as gluten free Disney World dining, it has always checked a lot of boxes off for us with solid options. While we liked many of the new menu items, we both do really miss the previous menu for Turf Club Bar & Grill. We will both really miss the filet mignon entrée, which we both always said was one of the best value filets on Disney property. Sadly, with the new menu changes, we will probably go to Turf Club Bar & Grill a lot less. We really applaud the culinary team for thinking creatively and coming up with an amazing new gluten free and dairy free dessert, but the rest of the menu isn’t our our favorite. Overall, we would still recommend Turf Club for the reasons we mentioned, but it’s not a high recommend like it used to be. But, if the menu really appeals to you, it’s a lovely low-key option you won’t regret going to.

Have you been to Turf Club Bar & Grill? What was your experience dining there with special dietary needs?

Steakhouse 71 Lunch Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in April 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Lunch at Steakhouse 71

Steakhouse 71, located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is one of our go-to spots for table service lunch at Disney World. We always find the options to be plentiful for our special dietary needs, the prices reasonable (for Disney!), and low-key vibes, which we always appreciate. On this occasion, we decided to stop by Steakhouse 71 for lunch to get our favorite Stack Burgers and try out a new gluten free and dairy free dessert.

Atmosphere

Steakhouse 71’s design elements are inspired by 1970s and Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s theming back when it was originally built. This restaurant was previously, The Wave (RIP), but now has a decidedly retro vibe to it.

Steakhouse 71 Restaurant Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The entrance includes lots of photos from concept art to construction photos. It definitely sets the tone and brings in the theme from the recently rethemed Contemporary Resort lobby area.

Steakhouse 71 Lobby Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Both Brandon and I especially love all of the concept art in the lobby. We both always say that we’d love to have versions of these at our house. They are gorgeous and remind us of all things 1970s.

Steakhouse 71 Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the restaurant itself, the theming is a bit more understated. The seats are comfortable, and the décor is bright and inviting. That being said, it won’t win any awards for strong theming compared to some other restaurants on Disney property. We do the pretty monorail mural on one side of the restaurant though!

Steakhouse 71 Booth / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Around the restaurant area a large set of booths, meant for bigger parties. We’ve only sat at these a few times, when we dined with multiple family members. We do always like the booths as they feel a bit removed from the chaos of a busy restaurant.

The Food

Of course, what we love most about Steakhouse 71 is the food. This restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, so it does have an allergy-friendly menu. The lunch menu is different than the dinner menu, which is more reflective of a steakhouse. The lunch is much more low-key and includes lots of sandwiches and lighter bites.

Steakhouse 71 - Gluten Free Bacon & Eggs Appetizer / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Any time we go to Steakhouse 71, we have to order the Bacon & Eggs appetizer. This is one of Brandon’s favorite dishes, and it’s a great starter for those who can have dairy. It is marked Gluten Free and safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

The overall flavors of this appetizer are incredible. The pork belly is always so well cooked and has a beautiful sweet and salty flavor combination with a maple lacquered top and maple glaze. The grits are some of the best, if not the best, on Disney property — and the perfectly sous vided egg on top adds some richness to the dish too.

Steakhouse 71 - Gluten Free & Plant-Based Stack Burger / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entrée, I ordered the plant-based Stack Burger, which is not listed on the menu but is available upon request. This is a secret menu item that I can 100% get behind. I love that you can make this gluten free along with it being dairy free and vegan. The only modification needed is to swap out the bun for the GF vegan one (if the regular bun is currently dairy free & vegan).

One thing that we have noticed at Steakhouse 71 is that they seem to often have supply issues. On a previous visit, they didn’t have any safe gluten free fries, so I ended up with potato wedges for my side. Another time, I had gluten free bread instead of a bun. So, your mileage may vary on what your dish looks like.

On this occasion, I had the standard version — though we did find out that they baked our fries instead of fried them due to Brandon’s allergies and an issue with cross-contamination for him with the GF fryer. We do always recommend talking to a chef for questions.

Overall, I was so happy with the plant-based stack burger. The flavors, the cook of the IMPOSSIBLE burger, and even the melty Follow Your Heart vegan cheese is a bit of magic. Both Brandon and I love this version. We usually rotate whether we get this version of the beef burger version. This is a high recommend and a great GFDF option.

Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger (NOT Gluten Free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon’s entrée, he ordered the regular Stack Burger on the menu, which includes beef patties and pork belly, along with all the other accompaniments that I had on the plant-based version. This version can be made Gluten Free by swapping the bun and is marked Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. If you’re dairy free, you can also swap the cheese out for Follow Your Heart cheese, which I recommend!

As always, Brandon raved about the burger. We both think it’s one of the best burgers on Disney property. It’s everything you want in a smash style burger. I have had the GF version of this and can also say that it’s a winner.

Steakhouse 71 - Gluten Free & Plant-Based Banana Cream Pie / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, I had to try their new gluten free AND dairy free dessert — The Chocolate Banana Cream Pie. This dish comes with Milk Chocolate Mousse, Caramelized Banana, Vanilla Wafer, Macadamia Nut Crumble, Caramel Sauce, and Vanilla Bean Chantilly. It is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame Allergies.

Wow, was this a great dessert. The presentation was very unexpected from the description of the dish, but the flavors were all outstanding. I really liked the chocolate mousse and the caramelized banana inside was very tasty. If you do not like banana flavor, you’ll probably want to skip this dish, but if you like banana, it’s a must order. I also loved the macadamia nut crumble and the vegan caramel sauce.

This dessert is a bit on the sweet side, so I do wish Brandon could eat it (he’s allergic to nuts, so it’s not an option for him) as it seems like a good sharing dessert. But, I would definitely order this again.

If you want to hear more about our experience at Steakhouse 71, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

Steakhouse 71 continues to be one of our favorite lunch spots at Disney. Between the low-key vibes and the excellent options, we always feel really happy that we chose to eat there. The food is consistently good (even if some of the preparations aren’t), and that is a sign of a restaurant that’s one to go to. You can’t go wrong with either version of the stack burgers, and those are high recommends from us. With the new dessert, I think Steakhouse 71 has upped its game on GFDF options and a solid place to dine for lunch or breakfast or dinner. We always look forward to going back to Steakhouse 71 again.

Have you been to Steakhouse 71 for lunch? What was your experience dining there?

Story Book Dining Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in April 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Story Book Dining

Story Book Dining at Artist Point, located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, has been a restaurant that has been at the top of Brandon’s wish list for a long time. We’ve also had tons of requests by readers to do a review of this location. Story Book Dining can be a difficult dining experience to book, because it is a pretty popular character meal. But, we managed to find a last minute reservation recently and finally decided to check it out.

Atmosphere

Story Book Dining is located in the restaurant space that formerly housed the signature restaurant Artist Point. Disney has kept the Artist Point name as a part of Story Book Dining’s official title, so you will see that featured at the restaurant’s entrance area.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon and I shared some wonderful meals at Artist Point, so we’re always a bit nostalgic for this location — and in all honesty, do miss the signature restaurant. Spoiler alert, we do also really like Story Book Dining too!

Story Book Dining at Artist Point Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The interior of Story Book Dining features most of the original decor from the original Artist Point theming. But, you can also see new highlights that reflect the character dining experience. We didn’t get a ton of photos, but you can see that there is greenery around the restaurant that is supposed to make you feel like you’re in the Enchanted Forest with Snow White and her friends.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Autographed Card / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because this is a character meal, there were no shortage of character experiences. We were given a pre-signed autographed card featured all of the characters that we would see during our meal. This included the Evil Queen, Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy.

Brandon with Dopey at Story Book Dining at Artist Point / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Snow White, Dopey & Grumpy also come to your table where they can sign autograph books or other items and take photos. The characters are timed throughout your meal, so they will come out periodically, and we saw both Grumpy & Dopey twice.

Sarah with Grumpy at Story Book Dining at Artist Point / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Of course, you have to get into the spirit of photos, so don’t forget to get your poses on! I was channeling my inner Grumpy when taking this photo!

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Invitation to Meet the Evil Queen / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

While Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy come to the table, you will receive an invitation to meet the Evil Queen at a designated location in the restaurant for a photo opportunity. Servers tend to keep an eye on the food pacing and breaks in the line for the Evil Queen. She can be very popular. Our server gave us the card in between our entree and dessert, which was the perfect timing.

Talking to the Evil Queen at Story Book Dining at Artist Point / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I love this candid photo of us talking to the Evil Queen. She was absolutely fantastic. The character interaction was amazing, and we had ample time to talk and take photos. If you’re going to Story Book Dining, do not miss out on meeting the Evil Queen.

Food & Drinks

As much as we loved all the characters at Story Book Dining, what we were most looking forward to and curious about was the food. This restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, so they do have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also speak to a chef at any time to discuss options.

On our visit, we spoke to Chef Chris, who was so helpful at answering our questions and talking through options. He mentioned when we went that the the allergy-friendly menu wasn’t fully up-to-date. He also said there were a lot of easy modifications they could make too. So, it can be really helpful to talk to a chef, especially if you have multiple dietary needs.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Gluten Free Appetizer Trio / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because of our special dietary needs, both Brandon and I had slightly different options throughout the meal. Shown here is my gluten free appetizer trio. This included:

• Wicked Shrimp Cocktail - Bloody Mary Vinaigrette, Seaweed Salad, Spiced House-made Seasoning

  Marked Gluten Free & Safe for Egg, Fish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies

• Hunter’s Pie - Turkey and Chicken, Cranberry Preserve, Crispy Sauerkraut

  Was not marked Gluten Free but currently IS gluten free and safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies (Chef Chris said this dish needed updating on the allergy-friendly menu)

• Wild Mushroom Bisque with Chive Oil

  Marked Gluten Free & Safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

If you’re dairy free, you can get versions of appetizers with modifications. We have seen vegan versions of the bisque (where it’s similar to a consomme) — and Brandon was served a gluten free & dairy free cucumber salad that could be an option too.

Overall, all three of these items were delicious. My favorite was actually the mushroom bisque. I’m not usually a mushroom fan, but both Brandon and I were loving this soup. I also really loved the meatball that I had too. This was so flavorful, and I could honestly have made a meal out of the soup and meatball if I had a big bowl and platter of them.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Modified Appetizer Trio / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon’s version was heavily modified, because he is allergic to fish/shellfish, chicken & turkey. He was able to get the Mushroom Bisque with no modifications. And, in place of the other two appetizers, he was given a cucumber salad and a side of kids mac & cheese (not gluten free).

Brandon really enjoyed everything he got, and he even liked the cucumber salad, which he’s not normally a fan of.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Wild Mushroom Bisque / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were both raving about the mushroom bisque to Chef Chris, so he popped back to our table with a few additional bonus cauldrons of soup. So good!

Also, how adorable are these little cauldron soup cups?! Such great theming for the restaurant.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Waterbook Sauvignon Blanc / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We did end up getting drinks with our meal on this visit. Story Book Dining and many of the dining locations at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge do have a large collection of Pacific Northwest wines. I ended up with the Waterbook Sauvignon Blanc from Washington.

It wasn’t my favorite Sauvignon Blanc but it wasn’t bad either. I would say a solid glass of wine and a white wine that would please most palates.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Smoking Mirror / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon got one of the specialty cocktails made for the restaurant. The Smoking Mirror included Johnnie Walker Black 12yr Whisky, Wildberry, Lime, and Rosemary Smoke. The presentation of this was great. But, Brandon said that was probably the best part of the drink. It wasn’t his favorite and was extremely sweet. He wouldn’t get this again but said he was glad he tried it.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Magic Mirror's Slow-braised Pork Shank / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I kept debating on what to order. I had originally planned on getting the gluten free & dairy free herb chicken dish on the menu, but Chef Chris said the pork shank was highly recommended and his favorite entree.

So, I ended up getting the Magic Mirror's Slow-braised Pork Shank. This entree was marked gluten free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. It does contain dairy.

Overall, I really liked this dish. I can see why it’s so popular. The portion size was huge, and the pork was very tender. It was falling off the bone and had a lovely sweet & sour type glaze on it. The grits were good but not my favorite. They had a pretty hefty amount of goat cheese in the. I’m not a big goat cheese fan, so next time I’d probably order the herb chicken entree instead.

If you love pork and want a hearty meal that’s a sizeable portion, this is a really good entree to get at Story Book Dining.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Royal Prime Rib Roast / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon’s entree, he ended up getting the Royal Prime Rib Roast entree. Chef Chris confirmed that the potatoes, carrots & jus were all good for his special dietary needs — along with the popover (aka Yorkshire Pudding).

This dish can be made gluten free by removing the popover. It is also marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies. Some components do contain dairy, but I suspect this is an easy one to modify GFDF.

Brandon liked this entree but didn’t love it. He did say it exceeded his expectations, as he’s not a big prime rib fan. So, if you’re a prime rib fan, you will probably love this entree. Chef Chris did say this is the #1 best seller in the restaurant.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Gluten Free & Allergy-Friendly Dessert Trio / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, we were each served our own unique trio of dishes. Mine was the gluten free and allergy-friendly dessert. It was also vegan. I got the following (some of which weren’t listed on the restaurant’s allergy-friendly menu):

• Fairy Tale Goosberry Crumble

• Rotted Apple (aka plant-based brownie)

• Chia Pudding

All of the dishes were gluten free, dairy free, nut free & vegan.

My favorite by far was the plant-based brownie shaped into a “rotted apple.” The flavors were great — perfect for a brownie bite. The chia pudding was my least favorite. I love pineapple, but I found the pineapple topping to be really bitter and the pudding itself wasn’t super flavorful. The gooseberry crumble was actually pretty tasty but super duper tart. If you don’t like that super tart flavor, you may not be a fan of this.

Overall, I really liked the dessert options and was impressed with the theming and inventiveness.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - Peanut & Tree Nut Free Dessert Trio / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon got the standard dessert trio, which were all safe for his peanut/tree nut allergies. This included:

• Fairy Tale Gooseberry Pie

  Marked Safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies

• Miner’s Treasures - Cookies 'n Cream Panna Cotta, Chocolate Gems

  Marked Safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies

• “Poison” Apple

  Marked Safe for Fish/Shellfish and Sesame Allergies and Chef Chris cleared it for Brandon’s nut allergies too

Brandon’s favorite of his desserts was by far the poison apple. He did not like the gooseberry pie, and he thought the cookies and cream panna cotta was just OK. So, you’re mileage may vary on which desserts you like or want to skip.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point - The Hunter’s Gift to the Queen / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

At the end of our meal, we were served a special “Hunter’s Gift to the Queen,” which included hand made chocolate hearts. We were told these were made in-house and didn’t contain any gluten. They told us we could also get Partake Brand cookies in place of the chocolate hearts if we didn’t feel comfortable consuming them.

We had no issues with the chocolates but were really glad that Chef Chris gave us options so we could make a decision about consuming what we felt most comfortable with.

If you want to hear more about our experience at Story Book Dining, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

Our expectations for Story Book Dining were pretty middle of the road, because we’re not always big fans of character meals and set menus. But, we were absolutely blown away by how good this experience was. From the character interaction being well spaced out to the outstanding special dietary needs options, we couldn’t have asked for a better meal experience. If you love the Snow White characters and want a chance to meet them, this is hands down a must recommend. Even if you’re not a big fan of these characters, we felt the overall experience for a character meal was excellent. We really liked the pacing of the meal, the character interactions (be sure to check out our vlog for the most adorable message Snow White left for Brandon’s dad), and the quality of the food & the options we had. Both of us would agree that we wouldn’t hesitate to go back again and would highly recommend it.

Have you been to Story Book Dining? What was your experience dining there?

1900 Park Fare Breakfast Review [2024 Reopening]

*This gluten free dining experience took place in April 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare

1900 Park Fare, located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is a beloved character dining location that has been closed since 2020. Guests have been long wanting to this location to re-open. And, finally, in April 2024, wishes came true with the reopening of this restaurant. In addition to some menu updates, this restaurant had a refurbishment and character changes. 1900 Park Fare is now inspired by wishes and features characters whose wishes have been granted, like Tiana, Aladdin, Mirabel, and Cinderella. With the restaurant finally reopening, we knew we had to go check it out. Brandon had never been, and I haven’t been in years. We managed to get a last minute breakfast reservation during the first few days the restaurant was opened, which was exciting.

Atmosphere

1900 Park Fare, like the Grand Floridian Resort, is inspired by the early 20th century. The restaurant used to feature a carousel, and that theme still continues with the refurbishment.

1900 Park Fare Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We thought the updated decor fit well with the Grand Floridian’s continued refurbishment across the resort. It gave us Enchanted Rose Lounge vibes and was all very elegant and modern, with the vintage vibes still present.

1900 Park Fare Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The main dining room continued this elegant look. We especially loved seeing all of the artwork of different Disney characters surrounding the restaurant.

1900 Park Fare Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The seating areas were cozy and inviting. The booths were lined with beautiful fabric, and even the different designs on the backs of the chairs were lovely. Nothing felt overstated or gaudy, and we really appreciated that the restaurant seating wasn’t super close to each other. A big bonus!

The benches and booths also reminded us of the design aesthetic from Citricos which we really like too. All in all, we thought Disney did a great job with this refurbishment.

1900 Park Fare - Big Bertha / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Fans of 1900 Park Fare will be glad to see that Big Bertha, the turn-of-the-century organ from France that’s been at the resort since 1988 is still around!

1900 Park Fare - Sarah with Cinderella / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Of course, one of our favorite things about this meal was getting to meet the characters. We felt we had ample time to meet each character and the spacing of character time was very well done. We experienced a similar style at Story Book Dining recently and appreciated that Disney is giving character time a good flow, so that you’re also not feeling rushed to eat your meal.

1900 Park Fare - Brandon with Mirabel / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

It was also fun to see characters that we don’t always see at other locations, like Mirabel from Encanto.

1900 Park Fare - Brandon with Tiana / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Tiana’s new Bayou Adventure outfit was also incredible. Brandon and Tiana had a long talk about one of Brandon’s favorite Disney animated characters — Ray the Firefly.

1900 Park Fare - Sarah with Aladdin / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Aladdin was also wearing his prince outfit, which was fun to see too!

The Food

Of course, what we were really looking forward to was the food at 1900 Park Fare. This restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, which meant that they had an allergen breakfast guide for us to review. Restaurants that are all-you-care-to-enjoy typically have these guides to help you navigate the buffet, while other Disney restaurants typically offer an allergy-friendly menu.

As you can see from the guide, it labels the top 9 common allergens and indicates what allergens are included in various dishes from the buffet.

*One important note, especially for breakfast. Disney does currently mark oats as gluten free. While it’s possible a restaurant is using certified gluten free oats, most Disney locations use standard Quaker Oats which are not certified GF and are not safe for those with celiac disease. We recommend speaking with a chef about the oats being served at the location you visit.

While guests are always able to use this as a guide and eat directly from the buffet, if they feel comfortable, you can ask for items to be brought from the kitchen if you ask. This is our personal preference to avoid cross-contamination that can be more common at a buffet with shared utensils.

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free & Allergy-Friendly Options / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On this occasion, we spoke with Chef Marq who came to our table to discuss options. Chef Marq shared with us that he also has celiac disease, and we really appreciated a fellow celiac understanding why we might feel more comfortable having items brought from the kitchen instead of eating food from the buffet line.

The photo above shows the bounty of gluten free foods that Chef Marq brought to our table. We definitely did not go hungry!

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free & Allergy-Friendly Potato Barrels / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The allergen guide indicates that the potato barrels (or tater tots, depending on what you like to call them) did contain gluten. Chef Marq let us know that he could make us safe tater tots in a dedicated fryer. Your mileage may vary on whether this may or may not be an option, so we always recommend speaking to a chef directly about this.

Chef Marq definitely didn’t disappoint on the potato barrel request. We had a giant bounty of freshly deep fried potatoes. These were made gluten free and marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergen guide.

While these weren’t anything fancy, we absolutely love a good potato barrel, and we admittedly ate almost all of them. Neither of us can resist them!

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free & Allergy-Friendly Muffins / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also got the Double Chocolate Muffins which were gluten free and marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

These are made in-house, and Chef Marq mentioned that a chef who was previously at the Galactic Starcruiser (RIP) came up with this recipe. Both of us were very impressed with these, and after the potato dishes we had, I think the muffins were one of the stars of the breakfast. So good!

We also had a side of Cheese Grits which are gluten free and marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. They do contain a lot of dairy. Neither of us thought these were that good. They were probably the only let down of the meal as far as the food options we got.

We also had a huge bowl of Fresh Berries. These are also gluten free and marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. We ended up topping these on our allergy-friendly Mickey waffles!

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free Tofu Scramble with Vegetables / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We were very curious about trying the Spiced Tofu Scramble with Vegetables after seeing the review from Princess and the Bear on their YouTube channel. This was gluten free and marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies.

Overall, I really enjoyed this dish. I thought the spice level was great, and I loved all the fresh veggies in it. Brandon wasn’t a big fan of this.

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free Potatoes / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

But, Brandon was a fan of all the potato dishes that we got at 1900 Park Fare. Up first was the Cheesy Potato Casserole which was gluten free and marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. This dish does contain dairy.

These potatoes were good but not the best cheesy potatoes ever. As Brandon said in our video, they are still a #thereitis in his opinion and a good potato option if you can have dairy.

The best dish we had during breakfast was the Beef and Potato Hash. This was gluten free and marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies. It does contain dairy (but might be able to be modified).

Both of us agreed that the beef in the dish was very flavorful and tender. The potatoes combined with onions, peppers & beef made it a very filling rich hash. We both thought it had excellent flavor and perfect seasoning. This was definitely a winner and a high recommend from us.

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free Eggs Benedict / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Though not listed as an option on the allergen guide, I did ask Chef Marq if it was possible to get GF bread and make a version of eggs benedict that was safe for me. He said it would take some time, because he had to get bread from next door at Grand Floridian Cafe, but that it was doable. I SO appreciate how accommodating and willing he was to make this.

The only modification for this dish to be made GF was to swap the bread. The dish was also marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies. It does contain dairy.

It wasn’t the fanciest of eggs benedicts that I’ve ever had, but it was really solid, and I was so grateful that I was able to get it as an option. One of the many reasons that Disney chefs are so incredible!

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free & Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also got some allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. These are gluten free and marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

The restaurant is currently using the Carbon’s Golden Malted Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix. Despite the name, there is no gluten (aka malt) in the mix. Our understanding that property wide, most locations are switching to this mix from the Bloomfield Farms GF mix that was previously being used. We’re bummed about this, because we find the mix to be a big downgrade. We haven’t had good experiences with the mix cooking well or having the best flavor profile.

Still, we’ll give Chef Marq some kudos for making sure the waffles were well-cooked on this occasion. It’s still not our favorite mix, but the waffles were decent on our visit.

1900 Park Fare - Gluten Free & Allergy-Friendly Mickey Waffles with Toppings / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For toppings, Chef Marq brought us 100% pure maple syrup, which you can typically request at most restaurants.

If you can have dairy, we highly recommend using the classic 1900 Park Fare Strawberry Soup, which is gluten free and marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies, as a topping. You can also add some whipped cream and fresh fruit for a full berry explosion on your waffles. It’s the hack you didn’t know you needed!

Of course, you can always just enjoy the strawberry soup on its own too.

If you want to hear more about our experience at 1900 Park Fare, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

We were really impressed with our breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. The characters, the theming, and the options that we had really made it an outstanding experience. If you have specific characters that you want to meet, you may want to prioritize seeing them at this restaurant. We felt the interactions were excellent, and we had plenty of time with each character too. The theming was lovely and while not a reason to eat at a location, we really did like how the team at Disney updated 1900 Park Fare. Of course, what we loved the most was the food. Chef Marq was so helpful and really made wishes come true with a safe and delicious meal. As always, use your own comfort and judgement when it comes to eating at a buffet or speaking to a chef. In terms of pricing, that is probably the one “negative” of the meal. Like all character meals, this one is pricey. Coming in at $54 per adult and $39 per child (ages 3-9), it isn’t cheap. But, we found it to be a good value based on our experience (especially if you have specific characters you want to see). We can’t wait to go back again to check out dinner options too.

Have you been to 1900 Park Fare? What was your experience dining there?

Toledo Dinner Review

*These gluten free dining experiences took place in January 2024 and March 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Toledo

Toledo at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a table service restaurant with Spanish style food and a theming that is reflected of surrealist artist, Salvador Dali. It’s received national recognition and is currently listed as a Michelin recommended restaurant — one of only a few on Disney World property. Over the years, we’ve had outstanding meals at Toledo, and this review includes two of our most recent reviews from meals that we had with friends.

Atmosphere

Although we don’t have a ton of photos in this dining review of the interior of the restaurant, we can say that the theming of Toledo is so well done. We love everything about the inviting feel. It’s artistic and very inviting — and totally unique from many other Disney restaurants.

Toledo - Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We love the use of stained glass style touches from the entrance sign to the interior of the restaurant. There are lots of cozy benches and lots of amazing views of Disney World since it’s set on the rooftop of the Gran Destino Tower.

Toledo Restaurant Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We especially love the stained glass style ceiling, which changes colors during your meal. We also love the greenery in the restaurant, giving an al fresco vibe.

Food & Drinks

In addition to the amazing theming, what we really love about Toledo is the food. This restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, which means the restaurant has an allergy-friendly menu. Most of the menu can be made gluten free, even if the items aren’t marked GF on the menu, so be sure to ask your server or speak with a chef about options. We’ll include several easy to modify dishes in this review.

Toledo - Gran Gin Tonic / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We do love the different drinks at Toledo. If you’re a fan of gin & tonics, the Gran Gin Tonic is a unique option with gin, house-made saffron-orange tonic and soda water. The flavor profile is just a bit different than a standard gin & tonic and one that we’d recommend.

Toledo - Verdejo Wine / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If wine is more your style, they have a large selection of Spanish wines by the glass and bottle. On our second dining experience, we split a bottle of Verdejo with friends and really enjoyed it a lot. If you prefer sparkling wine, their selection of Cava is also excellent.

Toledo - Gluten Free Pan Con Tomate / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

There are so many options when it comes to gluten free and allergy-friendly appetizers at Toledo. For something very Spanish inspired, the Pan con Tomate (i.e. bread with tomatoes) is a great gluten free and dairy free option. This is not marked gluten free on the allergy-friendly menu, but it can be easily made GF by swapping out the bread. Ours was served on GFDF bread. The dish is also marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the menu.

If you are a fan of tomato and garlic, you will really like this dish. It does have a pretty strong garlic presence, so if you have any intolerances or sensitivities to garlic, you’ll want to avoid this. This dish is also served cold and not hot, which may surprising if you’re not familiar with the dish.

Toledo - Gluten Free Flight of Four Pintxos / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On my first visit to Toledo with friends Laura from Five Hungry Travelers and Gina from Gluten Free Disney World, Gina and I split the Flight of Four Pintxos appetizers which can be made gluten free. It is also marked safe for Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

We did ask if it can be made dairy free, and while they can make a version of it GFDF, it may look very different than the version shown above. We’d recommend talking to a chef about whether this option might be a good fit for your special dietary needs.

Wow! This was a super surprising set of flavor profiles. All of the flavors were totally different, and this appetizer was just an absolute delight to try. I loved all the unique flavors and textures. I would definitely get this again and would recommend it for fellow gluten free diners who want to try a variety of flavors.

Toledo - Gluten Free Spaniard for Two / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When Brandon and I went with friends, we ordered our favorite Spaniard for Two charcuterie board. This can be made gluten free by swapping out the bread and nut free by omitting the almonds normally served with the dish. It is also marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

If you love a good charcuterie board, you can’t go wrong with this version. All of the meats are very high quality and super flavorful. The cheeses do include several non-cow’s milk options (sheep), so if you can tolerate those kinds of cheeses that may give you some options. The olives are always my favorite, but they are very garlic heavy, like the Pan con Tomate.

Toledo - Rioja-Braised Chicken / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On both visits, I ordered the Rioja-braised Chicken entrée which is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. In terms of gluten free and dairy free dishes, this is an excellent one.

Toledo - Rioja-Braised Chicken / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I absolutely loved the different textures and flavors in this dish — a theme that was throughout all parts of our meals. The chicken was well seasoned and well-cooked. The rice was very tasty, and I loved the crunchy potato chips on top (because, of course, potatoes), and the pickled grapes were unexpected and added a nice vinegar punch to the dish. I liked it so much the first time that I ordered it on our second visit too!

Toledo - Marinated Hanger Steak /Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of our friends ordered the Marinated Hanger Steak entrée which was marked Gluten Free and safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. Our friend said the flavors were great and everything was well cooked. If you’re a shishito pepper fan, this dish does have peppers with it, which could be mild or could be spicy. If you like gambling with spice during your meal, this could be a good option.

Toledo - Filet of Beef / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon ordered the Filet of Beef which is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. It’s his go-to dish, and one he really enjoys. I had it on a previous visit and have to concur that the flavors are great in this dish. If you’re a steak lover, this is a good entrée to get.

Toledo - Brussels Sprouts Side Dish / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Don’t forget about sides when you go to Toledo! There are so many gluten free & dairy free sides or very allergy-friendly options. The Brussels Sprouts are a hands down winner. They are marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

In this photo, you can also see part of the Brick Oven Cauliflower entrée at Toledo. It’s marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. I was able to try a bite of this on my first visit, and it was so flavorful. A great gluten free, dairy free, and vegan option. And very hearty!

Toledo - Olive Oil Potato Puree / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For all our potatoholders out there, there are several potato options at Toledo. Brandon loves the Olive Oil Potato Puree which is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. We have heard that the restaurant can make these dairy free if you ask too!

Toledo - Potatas Bravas Side Dish / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also love the Patatas Bravas which are marked Gluten Free and safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. For some reason, on our recent visit, they didn’t give us a version with the aioli that is normally served with the potatoes, but they were still tasty.

Our version was made differently than they normally are too, because the fryer currently includes Brussels Sprouts that are flash fried. Brandon is allergic to vegetables in the cabbage family, so the fryer wasn’t a safe option for him (but the fryer is GF). We still loved these and really appreciate the chefs making an option that was safe for him.

Toledo - Blistered Shishito Peppers / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If you’re a spicy food fan, don’t skip the Blistered Shishito Peppers. These are marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies.

Every time we’ve gotten these, our servers have told us that usually it’s only one or two spicy peppers in a bowl. However, every single time we’ve gotten these, we’ve had almost all spicy peppers. It’s definitely a gamble, and while we love the flavors, we might be skipping these the next few times we go to Toledo!

Toledo - Custom Gluten Free & Dairy Free Dessert / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert options, we were recently served a custom off-menu gluten free and dairy free dessert. This included a lemon curd style pudding, crumbled coconut topping, and fresh blueberries. We all agreed that this dish was lovely, and I honestly would love to see a version of this on the menu. It was light, refreshing, and a perfect end of the meal palate cleanser.

I do also enjoy the chocolate avocado mousse on the menu which is another gluten free and dairy free dessert option.

Although we didn’t vlog any of our meals, you can find some previous Toledo reviews up on our YouTube channel.

Overall

Toledo continues to be a great option for a moderately priced table service restaurant with great views, great theming, and a very special diets friendly menu. When we went with friends a while back, they remarked that it was their favorite restaurant of the trip, and they loved how it felt totally different from most Disney restaurants. If you’re looking for something unique with excellent food, you can’t go wrong with Toledo. We can’t wait to go back there again soon for more of their delicious options.

Have you been to Toledo? What was your experience dining there?

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experience took place in March 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Three Bridges Bar & Grill

Three Bridges Bar & Grill, located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, is a table service restaurant that serves Spanish-American style food in an open-air setting. If you’re looking for al fresco dining at Disney, Three Bridges is a great option especially when the temperatures are more mild in Central Florida. This restaurant has been a favorite of ours for years, but it’s been ages since we’ve dined there. We recently decided to get dinner here to check out the newer menu updates and items.

Atmosphere

Three Bridges Bar & Grill is located in the middle of the lake at the resort. It’s connected by several bridges that converge together. You can’t miss the large building and open are seating at Three Bridges.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Building Exterior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We do always joke that it’s hard to know where Three Bridges is, because it’s not well-marked on the building sign. The only large sign says, “Villa del Lago” which is considered the “island” of the resort. If you see the large building, you’re know you’re in the right place though!

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Building Exterior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

As you can see from this photo, the restaurant’s exterior is very open with sweeping views of the resort. We always prefer a table closer to the water for great views and a bit of a breeze from the water when it’s a bit hotter out.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Interior Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When it’s cooler, the restaurant does have heaters inside, as shown in the photo here. There is a good amount of seating, with lots of large tables, and in some areas of the restaurant cozy seats that are better for those just coming to the restaurant for drinks or a few small plates.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Interior Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We love the Spanish inspired theme of the restaurant. It has some lovely touches but also doesn’t feel overdone either.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Bar Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If you’re just looking for drinks, the bar has ample seating, and you can still order food there too.

Because Three Bridges Bar & Grill does not take reservations, the bar seating can be a great option if you’re looking at a longer wait and you’re with a small party. The restaurant does have a walk-up list that you join on the My Disney Experience app, which we did on this visit. We had a less than 5 minute wait before our table was ready, because the restaurant had just opened around 4:30 p.m.

The Food

Of course, what we were really looking forward to was the food at Three Bridges Bar & Grill. This restaurant is owned and operated by Disney, so they do have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also ask to speak to a chef if you have questions or want to discuss options too.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Brandon with Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Our server Carol was super helpful on our visit too and helped talk through the options as well. Because the menu has changed a lot since we visited last, she was great at walking through recommendations and updated dishes.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - House-Made Guacamole / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because Brandon is on a guacamole kick lately, we had to try to the House-Made Guacamole with Tortilla Chips and Tajín. This appetizer was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu, making it a great GFDF option. The chips are made in a dedicated fryer.

Overall, I thought this appetizer was good but not amazing. Brandon loved it, mostly because of the Tajin. I thought that it tasted mostly like crushed avocado without a lot of additional flavor, but if you like avocado and are looking for a gluten free & dairy free appetizer, you’ll enjoy this.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - White Queso Dip / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For our second appetizer, we decided to try the White Queso Dip with Chorizo, Roasted Peppers, Tortilla Chips. This was marked Gluten Free and safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. It does contain dairy and cannot be modified.

Neither of us really liked this appetizer. The previous version tasted very authentically Spanish inspired with Manchego cheese and slices of chorizo. This version, in all honesty, tasted like processed cheese dip and had a bit of a weird flavor to it. If you’re gluten free and can have dairy, we would recommend skipping this.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Plancha-Seared Mahi Mahi & Shrimp with Red Curry / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I chose the Plancha-seared Mahi Mahi and Shrimp which was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Peanut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu. It does contain dairy in the Thai red-coconut curry sauce. If you’re looking for a gluten free and dairy free entree, I would recommend the poke bowls also served at the restaurant which are gluten free and dairy free as is.

This was an absolute wow of a dish for me. I do love all kinds of curry and Thai red curry is a flavor profile I love. Everything about this dish was well done and executed. The fish and shrimp were super flavorful and well seasoned. The grilled bok choy was outstanding, and I loved the addition of fresh mint and the crispy textures on the garnish. The dish was a bit spicy, but not overpowering. We like anything with a bit of a spice kick to it, and this one was perfect. I would 100% get this again and would recommend it to anyone who likes these kinds of flavors.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Signature Burger (NOT Gluten Free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon ordered the Three Bridges Signature Burger which can be made Gluten Free by swapping the bun. It was marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies on the allergy-friendly menu.

The current version is totally different from the previous one. Brandon’s version was modified but the standard version comes with: Bacon Marmalade, Sun-dried Tomato Jam, Smoked Gouda Queso, Crispy Vegetables, and Arugula served with Smoked Paprika Fries. His version had the crispy vegetables and arugula removed, and I suspect the GF version would require the crispy vegetables to be removed too.

Brandon said he liked this a lot, though we both agreed it seemed very greasy. He said he preferred the original version but would order the burger here again and would recommend it.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill Paprika Fries / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

He raved about the paprika fries, which have always been a winner at Three Bridges. They do have a dedicated fryer for those who are gluten free and dairy free to enjoy the fries.

Three Bridges Bar & Grill - Gluten Free Churros / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For dessert, we had to get the Gluten Free Churros. Sadly, they are no longer listed on the allergy-friendly menu as an option. But, the good news is that they are still available. You do have to ask your server or a chef for these when you go. They are also not currently available, at the time we’re writing this review, for guests to order through mobile order on the My Disney Experience App. We’re not sure why they have made these less accessible to get, so we’re hoping that they’ll be added back to the menu and the app in the future.

These churros are still made in a dedicated fryer. They are made using Cup4Cup gluten free flour mix, which does contain milk in it, so it also not dairy free — and can’t be modified.

The churros were outstanding on this visit. Both Brandon and I agreed that they were well seasoned and well fried. They came with three dipping sauces: Tequila Caramel, Spiced Chocolate Sauce, and Mango-Chamoy. I really loved the Mango-Chamoy and enjoyed the Spiced Chocolate Sauce but didn’t love the Tequila Caramel. I do love that the sauces here are totally different than the ones at Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — the other location at Disney that serves GF churros.

If you’re gluten free, these are a must-get and a high recommend from us!

If you want to hear more about our experience at Three Bridges Bar & Grill, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

Three Bridges Bar & Grill is a solid table service option, that we highly recommend especially if you’re staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. They have a variety of special diets options, quite a few gluten free & dairy free dishes, and of course, gluten free churros! We also really loved the relaxed vibe and chill setting at the restaurant, especially when it’s “cooler” out in Central Florida. We definitely won’t wait as long as we did this time to visit Three Bridges Bar & Grill again.

Have you been to Three Bridges Bar & Grill? What was your experience dining there?

Summer House on the Lake Brunch Review

*These gluten free dining experiences took place in February 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Summer House on the Lake

Summer House on the Lake is the newest restaurant in Disney Springs. And, it has quickly moved up in the ranks as one of our favorite spots there for gluten free options. After having an amazing dinner there, we decided that we needed to check out the brunch options. Brunch is served from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the weekends and includes both breakfast and some of the regular dinner menu options. This review covers two visits that we made for brunch and highlights lots of gluten free and special diets friendly options.

Atmosphere

Summer House on the Lake has a theme that reflects endless summer beach / lake vibes. We love how bright and open the entire restaurant is.

Summer House on the Lake Entrance Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because of the theme, they do have ample open outdoor (but covered) seating areas in the front and back of the restaurant. We dined here on a couple of chilly days and one warmer day. On the warmer day, it was the perfect weather for outdoor covered seating. On the other days, it was really chilly. They do have heaters outside and fans, so plan accordingly if you’re dining here on a Florida winter day or a hot summer day.

Summer House on the Lake - Outside Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because there is outdoor seating attached near the main dining area, we found the restaurant got really cool when the weather was chilly out and hot when it was warm out, because the doors are open. I don’t know how that will play out in the summer time, but it was noticeable on our visits.

Summer House on the Lake Interior - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The indoor seating area is so bright and inviting. We love the cozy seating — and oh so much wicker!

Summer House on the Lake - Interior Lighting / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Even the light fixtures are wicker! Summer House on the Lake has done a great job keeping the beachy theme going inside and outside of the restaurant.

Food & Drinks

Summer House on the Lake is not owned and operated by Disney, so they don’t have an allergy-friendly menu. Based on our recent visits, we have found that the restaurant has good protocols in place, and the managers are very helpful at navigating the menus. Because it is a newer restaurant, if you have a lot of questions or a specific dish you’re interested in, you may want to talk to a manager directly.

Summer House on the Lake - Brunch Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The brunch menu has a solid variety of options. I’m a sucker for breakfast food at restaurants, while Brandon prefers the more lunch or dinner type options. There was definitely something for everyone and at various price points.

Summer House on the Lake - Signature Guacamole / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We didn’t want to repeat the same items we got at our dinner at Summer House on the Lake, so we decided to get more “brunchy” items. Up first was the Signature Guacamole with Chips and a Trio of Salsas. These were gluten free, dairy free & safe for Brandon’s Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Chicken/Turkey & Cabbage Allergies. It should also be vegan, although we did not confirm that. Our server did indicate that the chips were made off-site and not at the restaurant but were gluten free.

At $17.95, it was a bit on the pricey side. However, I’ll say that they were very generous with the amount of guacamole we received and the salsas and chips. Brandon loved the guacamole, and I really enjoyed it too. It was very well seasoned with both salt and lime. If you like very citrusy guacamole, you will enjoy this version. That being said, I always feel like guacamole is subjective and dependent on who is making it. But, for us, this was a home-run.

Summer House on the Lake - Salsa Trio / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We both also enjoyed the salsas and found that the salsa verde was our favorite. The pico de gallo was pretty standard, and the Salsa Ranchero was very good — with hints of smokiness and a pleasant level of spiciness.

Side note: We learned that for a while they were putting chicken stock in the Salsa Ranchero that was included in this trio. They are no longer using chicken stock, but we were so surprised to learn that this was even a thing. Definitely double-check this if you’re vegetarian or vegan or have any poultry allergy when you go.

Summer House on the Lake - Cheesy Dream Puffs / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Of course, Brandon insisted we order the Cheesy Dream Puffs. These are gluten free, fish/shellfish free, peanut/tree nut free, chicken/turkey free, and cabbage free. They do contain both egg and dairy and cannot be modified. Brandon will tell you that these are a must-order any time that you go to Summer House on the Lake. I can’t disagree with him. These are pretty amazing!

Summer House on the Lake - Breakfast Tostadas / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For a breakfast option, I ordered the Breakfast Tostadas with pulled chicken, silky black beans, ranchero sauce, jack cheese, and sunny-side-up eggs. These are gluten free as is but do contain dairy. If you’re dairy free, you’ll want to talk to a manager or your server about potential modifications.

Overall, I really loved these. The chicken in ranchero sauce was so flavorful, and the combination of the beans with the sunny-side-up eggs made for a rich and decadent brunch option. The side of guacamole and limes added some freshness to the dish too. I would absolutely get this again. It was that good!

Summer House on the Lake - Prime Cheeseburger (NOT Gluten Free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon ordered the Prime Cheeseburger which came with fries. This was safe for fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies. If you’re gluten free, this can be modified to be both gluten free and dairy free. The restaurant doesn’t have dairy free cheese right now, but you could get a burger minus the cheese. The fries are made in a dedicated fryer just for French fries.

Overall, Brandon really enjoyed his burger. He said it was well-cooked and flavorful. He also liked that they cut the burger in half, so it was a lot less messy. He said he’d get it again for a lunch or dinner option.

Although I forgot to take photos, be sure to check out our YouTube video on this brunch. I also ordered the gluten free chicken strips and wow, were they delicious!

Summer House on the Lake - Aperol Spritz / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On my second visit to brunch, I dined here with a friend. We decided to get some boozy brunch drinks. Summer House on the Lake has a great variety of drink options. I ended up with an Aperol Spritz, which was delicious and very refreshing. My friend got the Grapefruit Spritz which was also very tasty. The restaurant also has classic mimosas too.

Summer House on the Lake - Grilled Avocado / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We’ve been hearing nothing but rave reviews about the Grilled Avocado with Salsa Matcha, so I knew we finally needed to order it. This is a great gluten free, dairy free, and vegan option that doesn’t require modifications.

I have to admit that while I enjoyed this, I wasn’t blown away by the grilled avocado. The flavors were nice, and I liked the salsa matcha, but it wasn’t anything that I’d probably order again. I’d actually just get the signature guacamole over this version. Still, I’m glad I tried it, and I love anything that’s naturally GFDF and avocado based.

Summer House on the Lake - Brussels Sprouts / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

What I would order again are the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. These are gluten free but can be made dairy free and vegan by omitting the cheese.

Wow, were these incredible. So much flavor! My friend and I ate the entire plate of them and have zero regrets. So good. If you like Brussels Sprouts, order these!

Summer House on the Lake - Mexican Hash Browns / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I wanted to try a different breakfast entree and decided to get the Mexican Hash Browns at the recommendation of our server. These are gluten free and can be made dairy free with easy modifications.

This dish looks deceptively simple, but it ended up having a lot more flavor…and heat…than I was expecting. I really enjoyed the layers that you found beneath the egg and hash browns. There was guacamole, cheese, and oh so many jalapeños! I really liked the fresh bright flavors — and it was very filling. If I had to choose breakfast entrees, I’d still get the Breakfast Tostadas over this dish, but it was still very tasty and a solid entree.

Summer House on the Lake - Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our first brunch visit, our server told us that the restaurant did not have any gluten free pancake options. But, our friend Gina from Gluten Free Disney World had gotten them on a previous visit. On this second visit, I asked again and was told that they do have GF pancake options but no GF waffles. So, of course, I had to try them!

I got the gluten free Buttermilk Pancakes which were made with Bob’s Red Mill GF Pancake & Waffle Mix. The pancakes do contain dairy and cannot be modified. You can also get the blueberry pancakes GF too. Overall, I really enjoyed these. It tasted to me like they added some vanilla extra to the pancake mix. They were very well cooked and so flavorful. They served the pancakes with 100% pure maple syrup, which was great too. I would get these again if I were craving pancakes.

The only downside is that they were $15.95 and came with zero sides. I would have loved to have received some fruit or a breakfast meat on the side for the price point.

If you want to hear more about our experiences at Summer House on the Lake, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

Summer House on the Lake did not disappoint for brunch options. While I think both Brandon and I prefer the full lunch/dinner menu over the brunch, I’m so glad that we have another brunch spot at Disney. The food was great, and we really liked the variety of options that we got. If you’re planning on going to Summer House on the Lake a few times, be sure to sign up for their rewards program. We’ve already received a birthday reward and several $10 coupons for our next visits. If you’re coming on vacation and looking for a new spot in Disney Springs with gluten free and special diets options — definitely consider adding Summer House on the Lake to your list!

Have you been to Summer House on the Lake? What was your experience dining there?

Summer House on the Lake Dinner Review

*This gluten free dining experiences took place in January 2024. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies.

Dinner at Summer House on the Lake

Summer House on the Lake is the newest restaurant to open in Disney Springs. This table service location is operated by the Lettuce Entertain You group of restaurants, which has restaurants primarily based in Illinois and Chicago, with a few locations in other states. Everyone was eagerly anticipating this restaurant, especially since it’s in area that has been long vacant since Bongo’s closed several years ago. Brandon and I dined here a few weeks after the restaurant opened and Brandon’s mom joined us too.

Atmosphere

The restaurant has the vibes of endless summer — with a bit of a retro theme along with bright colors and very open and airy seating areas, including ample outdoor seating both in the front and back of the restaurant.

Summer House on the Lake Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We love the beachy and almost Mid-Century vibes to the decor, which are highlighted from the moment you walk up to the restaurant.

Summer House on the Lake - Bar Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the restaurant are two bar areas — one in the main dining room area and one in the front near the cookie bar and host stand. We absolutely loved the theme here. It truly feels like you’re on the front porch or a breezy enclosed lanai. And, if you love wicker furniture, it’s everywhere at Summer House on the Lake!

Summer House on the Lake Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant has large signs that proudly proclaim, “yes to rose” wine and also tell you what to expect from the vibe of the Summer House on the Lake when you dine there. Who doesn’t want to be relaxing on a sunny day at a lake?!

Summer House on the Lake Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The lighting in this restaurant were A+ too. All of us commented on how bright and open everything felt, and I am personally a sucker for anything that has a Mid-Century vibe to it.

Summer House on the Lake - Lighting / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The main dining area had a lot of wicker lighting too, which lent itself well to the outdoor feel.

Summer House on the Lake - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We all liked how the restaurant had a good mix of that lake vibe along with beachy themes. It fit in well with Florida and what many people might expect coming to a summer themed restaurant here.

Mama Joy at Summer House on the Lake / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

And, you can see from this photo, Mama Joy was enjoyed herself immensely on this visit. Plus, you can see a bit more of the main dining area, which was very bright and open — and spacious.

Food & Drinks

Summer House on the Lake is not owned and operated by Disney, so they don’t have an allergy-friendly menu. But, based on our visit, we were pretty impressed with the protocols they have in place. We also love that their menu proudly notes that most items can be made GF.

Summer House on the Lake Menu / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our visit, our server asked after greeting us if anyone had special dietary needs. She then noted that they take special diets very seriously and that a manager was available to talk to us about options and protocols. The manager, Rich, was super helpful and talked through the many questions that we had included asking about dedicated fryers for GF guests, ingredients, and cross-contamination.

We learned that all special diets orders are cleared by the managers to ensure that meals are prepared safely for guests and orders also have allergy picks included. Rich also noted that they have three fryers - one strictly for the few gluten-filled items, one solely for French fries, and one for fried items like fish and chips. You’ll want to double-check when you dine at Summer House on the Lake, especially if you have any specific allergies or concerns with a potential shared fryer (like dairy). More on that later in this post.

In terms of GF options, the manager said almost everything can be made GF with the exception of a few items, like the meatballs and crispy wontons.

Summer House Rose / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We started our meal off with drinks while we were waiting for the manager and deciding what to order for our meals. I got the Summer House Rose 9 oz pour. This is their house rose. Overall, I liked the rose. It wasn’t my favorite rose that I’ve ever had, but it was crisp and refreshing — and not overly sweet. This would be the perfect type of wine to enjoy on a hot day, especially if you’re sitting outside.

If you’re not a rose fan, you might consider the other wines at Summer House on the Lake. Brandon’s mom really enjoyed the glass of chardonnay that she got.

Summer House on the Lake - Rose Wine Display / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Summer House on the Lake was definitely all about the rose. There were displays of various rose wines all over the restaurant.

Summer House on the Lake Rose Wine To-Go / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

You can even get bottles of rose to go too! We didn’t on this visit, but I could totally see us doing that on a future visit to Summer House on the Lake.

Summer House on the Lake - Endless Summer Old Fashioned / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon got the Endless Summer Old Fashioned with Brother's Bond Whiskey, lemon demerara, and orange bitters. If you drink whiskey, this could be a good option for you. Brandon liked it but didn’t love it and said it was very citrusy. Summer House on the Lake definitely had a summer feel to all of their drinks and the menu.

Summer House on the Lake - Cheesy Dream Puffs / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We started our meal with two starters. The first were the Cheesy Dream Puffs. We had heard rave reviews about these from fellow gluten free friends Alexis’s Gluten Free Adventures, Gluten Free Disney World, and Pack Your Pixie Dust. These rolls are naturally gluten free. They do contain dairy and egg and cannot be modified.

Wow! These dream puffs were truly the stuff dreams were made of. They didn’t disappoint at all and well exceeded all our expectations. We all thought the flavors were great. We especially enjoyed the sea salt, black pepper & rosemary on top of the rolls. The texture was also fantastic, and the cheese flavor was perfectly balanced. I think we all agreed that these are a must-order again.

Summer House on the Lake - Truffle Fries / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We also got the truffle fries which were gluten free and safe for fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey, and cabbage allergies. They do contain dairy but might be able to be modified to be dairy free by omitting the cheese.

As Brandon says with any food he loves at Disney, these were a #thereitis moment. Even Brandon’s mom said these were outrageously good. All three of us agreed that these are a must-get appetizer, and I have a feeling we’ll be getting these every time we go to Summer House on the Lake. If you’re gluten free, these are a fantastic treat.

We did confirm with the manager that the fries are made in a dedicated French fry only fryer. If you are dairy free or vegan, this is great to know, because it means you can have plain fries without worry of cross-contamination with any of the other fried items at the restaurant.

Summer House on the Lake - Gluten Free Pizza / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

With so many choices at the restaurant, it was hard to decide what to get. But, we were super curious about the GF pizza. We did learn that the pizza crust is a combination of gluten free flours and cauliflower. If you are on a low FODMAP diet or can’t have cauliflower like Brandon (it’s in the cabbage family of vegetables), then this would not be a safe option for you. The manager also told us that they don’t currently have a dairy free/vegan cheese option.

I decided to try the GF Margherita Pizza. Priced at nearly $19.95, this was a pretty pricey pizza, so I probably wouldn’t get it again unless I was really craving pizza, but I was glad that I tried it. The pizza itself was surprisingly good. Brandon’s mom tried it and called it a "pleasant surprise.” The sauce was very flavorful, and I loved the addition of coarse sea salt on top of the pizza.

Side note, if you get this and take it home, it does not reheat very well, even with an air fryer. So, I would say eat this all at the restaurant instead of taking any leftovers with you.

Summer House on the Lake - Grouper Fish ‘n’ Chips / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my main entree, I ordered the Grouper Fish ‘n’ Chips. The manager told me that these were both gluten free and dairy free, though I realized after we got home that I had forgotten to ask about a shared fryer. The fryer itself is a dedicated GF fryer, but the manager told us that the GF chicken strips did contain dairy (buttermilk). I assume that the chicken and fish may be fried in the same fryer. We will double-check this on a future visit and would encourage you to double-check/confirm especially if you have a dairy allergy or do not want to consume anything with cross-contamination.

The manager also told us that the fish and chips here are naturally gluten free and dairy free for everyone who dines at the restaurant. How cool is that? So, the recipe is the same across the board — which makes it great for everyone.

The menu does indicate that this dish comes with malt vinegar fries. I asked for plain French fries, assuming that the malt fries were not safe, because malt contains gluten. When I got my entree, I did take a bite of the fries first and noticed a decidedly malt vinegar flavor to them. I asked our server who removed them from the table and double-checked with the manager.

The manager did come back to the table and discussed it with me, while they were remaking my meal so that I could have plain GF fries. He confirmed that the malt flavor is a powder that does not contain gluten. We encountered this at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival the past few years at the Fry Basket booth, so I knew that this was a thing, but it was good to get more info from the manager. It’s definitely something to know about, and of course, everyone should use their own comfort and judgement when consuming items. Thankfully, I didn’t get sick from our meal, and we learned important information to share with all of you.

In terms of flavor, ya’ll. Can I just say how good these fish & chips were?! They were super crispy and not overly greasy (which can sometimes be hard with some of the fish & chips that I’ve had). The flavor was incredible, and the fish was perfectly seasoned. You definitely get more than enough fries with the meal — and my only complaint was that I would have liked maybe a bit more fish and less fries. The tartar sauce was excellent too. The coleslaw was fine. Nothing to write home about but fresh and crisp, like a coleslaw should be.

In terms of ordering this again, it’s a hands down yes. I would say that price point wise, this is on the high end compared to the fish & chips from Raglan Road and Cookes of Dublin.

Summer House on the Lake - Center-Cut Filet Mignon / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon’s entree, he got the Center-Cut Filet Mignon with mashed potatoes and crispy onions. This can be made gluten free and was safe for fish/shellfish, peanut/tree nut, chicken/turkey & cabbage allergies. Brandon did like this entree, but he said price point wise, it was not worth the $52 cost. The portion was on the smaller side, especially the potatoes. He said he was glad that he tried it, but he wouldn’t order it again.

Summer House on the Lake - Gluten Free Cookie and Brownie / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

We did also get both of the gluten free desserts to-go, because we were too full. Both the chocolate chip cookie and brownie were gluten free but contain dairy. Unfortunately, the restaurant does not currently have a GFDF dessert. The vegan cookies are not gluten free either. We both agreed that this is one big let down at this restaurant. The options were definitely limited. Thankfully, there is Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC right there in Disney Springs, if you’re looking for a 100% gluten free, dairy free & vegan bakery.

We did talk to the team at Summer House on the Lake, and like the regular menu, they do take great care at minimizing cross-contamination. The cookies and brownies were in a separate area and require glove changes, etc.

In terms of flavor, the chocolate chip cookie was a big miss for me. It was extremely dry and had an unpleasant texture and taste. It seemed like they were using the Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose GF Flour that contains chickpea flour. The cookie had a strong chickpea taste to it, and overall was just not good. I would not recommend this and would skip it. The cookies from Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC or even the GF Chocolate Chip Cookie from Sprinkles Cupcakes are far better.

I did really enjoy the GF brownie though. It was super rich, fudgy, and decadent. If you like a good brownie, you’ll enjoy this one.

If you want to hear more about our experiences at Summer House on the Lake, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.

Overall

We were absolutely blown away by the amount of gluten free options available at Summer House on the Lake. There were so many items to choose from that it was hard to decide. We also really enjoyed everything that we got and found the quality to be excellent. The team at Summer House on the Lake were friendly and super helpful at navigating the special diets options too. Probably the only downside was that the menu is a bit on the pricey side, so that’s something to know and consider when dining here. That being said, we did find several more affordable options that we would get on our next visit or more frequently. We are definitely planning to go back again soon to try more menu items and brunch. We’re glad to see this restaurant as another excellent option for table service dining in Disney Springs.

Have you been to Summer House on the Lake? What was your experience dining there?