- Narcoosee’s Reopening at Walt Disney World: a Gluten-Free Review
We were so excited that one of our favorite Gluten- Free restaurants in Walt Disney World, Narcoosee’s – a signature dining restaurant which focuses on seafood – was back after their refurbishment and we didn’t hesitate to try their new menu and see what gluten free gems they could make for us!
How to Get to Narcoosee’s – So Many Ways!
Narcoosee’s is located at the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa near the boat dock on Seven Seas Lagoon. One of the best things about its location is the fantastic views of Magic Kingdom fireworks! There are so many ways to get Narcoosee’s, that is an adventure in itself! We happened to drive this time. If you have a dining reservation, parking is available and free.
Many times we uber/lift, or park at TTC and take the monorail. You could also take a bus or boat or any combination of these modes of transportation! However you arrive, just ask a cast member to point you in the right direction or head towards the water/boat dock and you’ll run into it. Our reservation was at 8:45, so we sat down at our table just before the Magic Kingdom fireworks were set to go off. Our server told us to head out to the porch and he would be there when we got back to take our orders!
How to Order Gluten-Free at Narcoosee’s
Narcoosee’s is a table service restaurant with an allergy menu available for top allergens. Even though Narcoose’s has an allergy menu with designated gluten free items, they require you to speak to a cast member regarding your food allergy. This could be your server, chef, or a manager. Since we have more than one allergen (one is not a common allergen), our server immediately asked the Chef to speak with us. The Chef explained the new menu to us and that some of their offerings now have xanthan gum in them and that cannot be avoided in those dishes. We still felt like there were plenty of options for us though. After taking our order and checking more items in the kitchen, our chef came back to let us know everything was good to go!
What We Ate and Drank Gluten-Free at Narcoossee’s*
For drinks, and yes the Chef even checked the drinks and their ingredients for our allergies, D ordered a Hendricks Martini($15.50)**. We love to order martinis “deconstructed” with olive juice (brine) and dirty rocks on the side, giving us the control over the amount of “dirty”. We are very picky… J got the house featured cocktail, Empress Lime Gimlet ($16.50)** made with Empress 1908 Gin, Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur, Cane Sugar, and Cold-pressed Lime Juice. It tasted flowery, but not in a bad way.
We loved the appetizers at Narcoossee’s! They always seem to have plenty of gluten free appetizers on the menu and they are outstanding in taste and quality. We ordered two appetizers: Shrimp and Grits ($19.00)** and the Buttermilk-fried Calamari ($18.00)**. We were so happy that the Calamari was still on the menu and still gluten free! Crisp, tender, and a real gluten free exclusive, it was served with a tomato coulis which was a perfect dipping sauce and pickled vegetables that were divine. The Shrimp and Grits were also delicious, we especially loved the combo of shrimp, applewood bacon, and grits.
For our entrees, we selected the Gulf Shrimp Pasta ($42.00)** and the Yuzu-Ginger Salmon ($46.00)**, both are gluten/wheat allergy designated on the allergy friendly menu. The Gulf Shrimp Pasta was very good. It was prepared with lots of butter and a Basil pistou – similar to a pesto, but it does not have cheese or nuts. While we loved the pasta (we almost always share), the salmon was good, but not as flavorful as we would have liked.
We have to note, our non gluten free friend joined us for dinner. She had the Surf and Turf ($87.00)**. Even though this is a little pricey, it was well worth it! The steak was tender and cooked perfectly to her liking. She could not stop talking about how good the lobster was. Served with the Surf and Turf was the house bread service which was the most amazing smelling sourdough bread!
Narcoossee’s – A Gluten-Free Favorite Restaurant at Disney World
Is Narcoosee’s worth the price? Depending on each person and their situation, but for us the quality of the food, outstanding service, and views of Seven Seas Lagoon, Magic Kingdom, and the fireworks are worth it. So, while it’s not a value restaurant it is a magical experience where we feel safe with our allergies and would be a great choice for a special occasion.
Narcoosee’s offered individual attention from both our server and the chef to address our allergies and dietary needs – gluten and xanthan gum. That said, the new menu does have quite a few items that are gluten free, but did contain xanthan gum limiting some of our options. If you are strictly gluten free, there are lots of gluten free options.
Narcoosee’s will stay on our list of top gluten free restaurants in Disney World!
Have you been to Narcoosee’s? Let us know how you liked it!
GREAT LIFE GLUTEN FREE RATINGS FOR DINNER AT NARCOOSEE’S
SCALE: EXCELLENT ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ GOOD ⭐⭐⭐⭐ FAIR ⭐⭐⭐ POOR ⭐⭐ NEVER AGAIN ⭐
TASTE/QUALITY ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
VALUE ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ALLERGY FRIENDLY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SERVICE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CONVENIENCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐
OVERALL: 4.6/5 ⭐
Want to bring more Disney World food magic home?
Check out our copycat recipe version of The Hollywood Brown Derby’s Famous Cobb Salad! Copycat Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad – Gluten Free and other recipes!
For a full review of our gluten free experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby, check it out here → The Hollywood Brown Derby
For more gluten free restaurant reviews and great gluten free recipes and how we live a great life, gluten free check out our linktree Follow us on instagram and tik tok for more gluten free ideas and adventures!
*These foods/products have not caused a reaction for us.
Please consult a medical professional for your own food allergen restrictions.
**Prices at time of our dining. Please check online menus for current prices.
- Yak and Yeti – Gluten Free Review
This restaurant was a huge surprise for gluten free and food allergy dining! Yak and Yeti is a non Disney owned restaurant, even though it is located on Disney property in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, so we had no idea what to expect with allergy needs. Yak and Yeti is part of Landry group, which also owns The Boathouse in Disney Springs among many other restaurants across the U.S. Yak and Yeti is located just across the bridge from Discovery Island where it heads into Asia.
We had reservations for dinner time and ended up waiting a few minutes to be seated, because the restaurant was very busy. Upon being seated, our server who had been notified of our allergies – gluten and xanthan gum – told us, “There will be no substitutions or modifications, you must follow the allergy menus.” Between the server’s attitude and the menu which resembled the kid’s menu at Rainforest Cafe (also Landry owned), we were terrified of what our meal would be!
How We Ordered at Yak and Yeti
Already apprehensive, we glanced over the menu and saw very few options to choose from for gluten free. To make matters even more stressful, our xanthan gum allergy is not a common allergy so it is not marked on menus anywhere. With the lack of caring from the server and the underwhelming menu, we were concerned to say the least. At last, the server offered to speak with the Chef. We practically screamed, “YES”, simultaneously! Chef Phil was attentive and accommodating, telling us some options and then asking what we really wanted to eat. He was very knowledgeable and knew his ingredients without having to check. He wrote everything down on our allergy ticket and was off to oversee our food preparation.
What We Ate Gluten Free at Yak and Yeti*
Some drinks were the first thing on our list here. Surprisingly, their drink menu is creative and offers many choices, though quite a few were rum and we are not big rum fans. The Lycheeni ($15.00)**(lychee martini) was on the specials menu, so D ordered that. It was not too sweet – which she prefers – and refreshing with a citrus note, but not acidic. We both loved the Lycheeni! J ordered the Snap Decision ($15.00)** which is made with a Woodford Reserve Bourbon, an apple syrup, and apricot brandy. She loved it! However, D was not a fan, only because she’s a picky whiskey drinker.
One of the main reasons we wanted to give Yak and Yeti a try was for their infamous Ahi Tuna Nachos ($21.99)**. So when the server delivered his news that there would be no modifications – the Nachos were not listed as gluten free, we were deflated and headed towards some severe disappointment. Chef Phil was incredible though and modified the appetizer for us. We could not do the chips or wontons, but everything else was fine for our allergies – gluten and xanthan gum. They did bring us lettuce wraps to substitute for the nacho chips and that worked perfectly for us. In fact, we would prefer lettuce wraps instead of fried chips. The tuna was super fresh and the Asian slaw was perfectly ribboned cabbage and veggies. We would definitely order the Ahi Tuna Nachos again!
Things only got better after the Tuna Nachos! D ordered Lo Mein Combo ($23.49)** with chicken and shrimp. We were both very excited about the lo mein garlic noodles! They were so delicious we’ve tried to copycat them at home, but no success yet. We’re getting close, but still not nearly as good as the garlicky yumminess of the noodles at Yak and Yeti! Plus, the serving size was so big that even though we shared, we still couldn’t finish them. The overall taste of the dish was excellent and we would go back to Yak and Yeti just to get this entree!
J ordered off the specials menus: Seared Scallops ($40.00)**. The scallops were cooked perfectly and were a nice size. They were served with feta cheese, jalapenos, and corn. Everything was sweet and had a bit of spice (heat), but not too hot.
Yak and Yeti Gluten Free Dinner Experience
Despite not being a signature dining experience, we found Yak and Yeti to be attentive to our allergies, the food was delicious, and we felt safe eating there. We felt the food was a great value for the quality and serving sizes.They do offer an annual pass discount which did help a little with the cost. Our criticisms were few. First, the overall aesthetics of the restaurant and menu were not appealing. Secondly, our servers’ initial reaction to our allergies which made us apprehensive about our food being safe for us. As we stated before, Chef Phil put those worries to rest and then we felt confident in the safety of our food. We have to note that our server was good,(not great) for the remainder of our visit.
We put this restaurant on our “will do again list”!
Have you been to Yak and Yeti? Let us know how you liked it?
GREAT LIFE GLUTEN FREE RATINGS FOR DINNER AT YAK AND YETI
SCALE: EXCELLENT ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ GOOD ⭐⭐⭐⭐ FAIR ⭐⭐⭐ POOR ⭐⭐ NEVER AGAIN ⭐
TASTE/QUALITY ⭐⭐⭐
VALUE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ALLERGY FRIENDLY ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SERVICE ⭐⭐⭐
CONVENIENCE ⭐⭐⭐
OVERALL: 3.6 (out of 5.0) ⭐
Want to bring more Disney World food magic home?
Check out our copycat recipe version of The Hollywood Brown Derby’s Famous Cobb Salad! Copycat Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad – Gluten Free and other recipes!
For a full review of our gluten free experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby, check it out here → The Hollywood Brown Derby
For more gluten free restaurant reviews and great gluten free recipes and how we live a great life, gluten free check out our linktree Follow us on instagram and tik tok for more gluten free ideas and adventures!
Please consult a medical professional for your own food allergen restrictions.
*These foods/products have not caused a reaction for us.
**Prices at time of our dining. Please check online menus for current prices.
- Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno, Disney’s Boardwalk – Gluten Free
Looking for a great breakfast to start your Disney park day? It’s often difficult to find a great place to eat breakfast with gluten free/food allergies. We had breakfast at Trattoria al Forno before our day at Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Come with us and see how it went!
How We Got To Trattoria al Forno
Trattoria al Forno is located on the Boardwalk at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and is convenient to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin via boat or walking. We stayed at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort and decided to make the 10 minute walk. We didn’t feel like waiting for the boat, but that’s an option too.
How We Ordered Gluten Free Breakfast
First, we submitted our food allergies on the reservation form when we made our reservation. You can also let the hosts know when you check in. They will make a special ticket for your food allergies and will give it to your server. This is probably the most important step when dining with food allergies at Walt Disney World.
Next, we reviewed the allergen friendly menu they gave us upon being seated. You can check out their Allergy Friendly Menu online → Trattoria al Forno Allergy Friendly Menu. Scroll down the menu for Allergy Friendly Offerings.
Because we have multiple allergens (gluten and xanthan gum), our server asked if we’d like to speak to a chef. The chef was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful and made us feel comfortable eating there with our allergies. If your server doesn’t offer to speak with a chef, you ask them to send a chef out.
We don’t always speak with a chef, but usually the first time we visit a restaurant we ask to speak to a chef. To be honest, this was not our first visit to Trattoria al Forno. Last year, one of us had dinner here and it was not a pleasant experience. Yes, we spoke to Guest Experience and they did address the issues. This was our first time having breakfast together at Trattoria al Forno.
What We Ate Gluten Free and How It Tasted*
Coffee came out first. D thought it was good, but J felt it was a little strong. We also ordered an orange juice, which was a large serving, but it tasted like it was from concentrate and not fresh. J had the Caprese Omelet* – $17.00** which is listed as gluten/wheat friendly on the menu. It was okay, but not the best omelet we’ve had. The mozzarella cheese was skimpy with only a little sprinkled on top, and there were not a lot of tomatoes. We actually checked the menu to be sure it was a caprese omelet that she ordered. Caprese as in tomatoes and mozzarella??? The Caprese Omelet came with sausage which was cooked well and breakfast potatoes that were very good. D had Two Eggs Your Way* – $16.00** which is listed as gluten/wheat friendly on the menu. The scrambled eggs portion was very generous. However, the eggs had a “fake’ texture. Maybe they were just so tender that they had that texture? The eggs came with bacon, sausage, and breakfast potatoes. The oversized serving of bacon was delicious! We also shared a side of Steel-cut Oatmeal* – $7.00**. It was a generous serving with fresh fruit – bananas and blueberries. It came without sugar or salt, so it can be seasoned to your liking. It was good, but nothing to rave about.
The Final Verdict on Trattoria al Forno Breakfast
We were looking for a good solid gluten free breakfast to last us through the day until an early dinner at Le Cellier (review coming soon!). It was a decent breakfast, they were accommodating with our allergies and it wasn’t a budget breaker. Would we go again? Probably, if we were staying at an Epcot resort and were looking for breakfast on the way into a park day. Maybe next time, we will order a mimosa to hide the taste of the orange juice. Let us know if you’ve tried Trattoria al Forno and how you liked it!
GREAT LIFE GLUTEN FREE RATINGS FOR BREAKFAST AT TRATTORIA AL FORNO
CONVENIENCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
VALUE ⭐⭐⭐⭐
TASTE/QUALITY ⭐⭐⭐
ALLERGY FRIENDLY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SERVICE ⭐⭐⭐⭐
OVERALL RATING 4.25
Want to bring more Disney World food magic home?
Check out our copycat recipe version of The Hollywood Brown Derby’s Famous Cobb Salad! Copycat Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad – Gluten Free and other recipes!
For a full review of our gluten free experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby, check it out here → The Hollywood Brown Derby
For more gluten free restaurant reviews and great gluten free recipes and how we live a great life, gluten free check out our linktree Follow us on instagram and tik tok for more gluten free ideas and adventures!
*These foods/products have not caused a reaction for us.
Please consult a medical professional for your own food allergen restrictions.
**Prices at time of our dining. Please check online menus for current prices.
- Yachtsman Steakhouse – Yacht & Beach Club
We recently visited the Yachtsman Steak, located at Walt Disney World’s Yacht and Beach Club, for a gluten free and no xanthan gum dining experience! Known for its aged in-house steaks and New England nautical atmosphere, we had conflicting opinions about our evening here.
How We Got To and Arriving at Yachtsman Steakhouse
The Yachtsman Steakhouse is conveniently located to Epcot at The Yacht & Beach Club. We spent the bulk of our day at Hollywood Studios, then took the Skyliner over to Epcot to check out the Festival of the Arts. We highly recommend reservations, ours was at 8:10, so we took a boat around 7:30 from the International Gateway at the back of Epcot to the Yacht & Beach Club.
How We Ordered Gluten Free at Yachtsman Steakhouse
When we were seated, on time for our reservation, our allergies were noted. Yachtsman has an allergy menu which we had reviewed online prior to our reservation. Our server, Kathy, asked if we would like to speak to a chef, which we took advantage of. We’ve had many great and safe (for us) dining with allergies experiences throughout Walt Disney World by communicating through servers, but if we have the chance to speak to a chef, we will take it every time.
Chef Alexis promptly visited us to discuss our allergies; gluten and xanthan gum. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and offered quite a few options for us – some not on the menu as gluten free! We greatly appreciate Chef Alexis’ knowledge, accommodations for our allergies, and table side manners!
There are many gluten free menu items at Yachtsman Steakhouse. You can review the Yachtsman Steakhouse Allergy Menu here → Yachtsman Menu
Scroll to bottom of menu for Allergy Offerings.
What We Ate and Drank Gluten Free*
First, we tried some house specialty cocktails: A rosemary lemonade gimlet that we ordered “less sugary” and St. Germaine & pinot grigio cocktail. Even after ordering less sugar, we found the drinks too sweet for our tastes. Then we ordered one of our favorite go-to drinks, a “deconstructed” Hendricks martini – dirty. We ordered this by asking for a Hendricks martini, up with olive juice (or brine) on the side. This is a great way to control that dirty factor!
For appetizers, we chose the Beef Carpaccio and the Steakhouse Wedge Salad. Neither appetizer required adjustments for our allergies or to be gluten free. We did double check on the salad as many dressings, because xanthan gum is a common additive to thicken. To our delight, all dressings and sauces are house made, and Chef Alexis double checked the ingredients as allergens can be in anything that comes prepackaged and verified they have a dedicated gluten free fryer. The Beef Carpaccio paired with marinated artichokes and fried capers was the BEST we’ve ever had! The Wedge Salad was good. We loved the dressing – just needed more of it. We also loved the candied bacon and soft poached egg.
Of course, we had to order steaks for our entrees! Here’s where things get a little shaky…We ordered two steaks and shared them. First, the ribeye came with a peppercorn sauce, was very tasty and cooked properly (rare), but one of us felt there was just too much fat and gristle. It was a lot of work to find “good” meat and difficult to eat, which was quite disappointing. However, the au gratin potatoes that accompanied it were mouth watering good! Cheesy, soft, gooey, and delicious! Next, we had the NY Strip with a bleu cheese sauce and truffle fries. The NY Strip was better than the ribeye, but it had a large tendon running all around and through it making it also difficult to eat. It was cooked properly too (rare), and was also on par for a NY Strip taste. We were so glad to have the truffle fries from the dedicated fryer. They were very good and savory. BUT…we still have to rate them #2 compared with the Truffle Fries at Enchanted Rose.
As of this writing, Yachtsman Steakhouse offers two gluten free desserts: Chocolate Cake and Brülee Cheesecake. Both desserts sound delectable. It was late by the time we had to decide about dessert, so we had to pass this time.
Why We Will Try Yachtsman Steakhouse Again for Gluten Free Dining
To be truthful, when we left the Yachtsman we were thinking – this is a one and done. After writing this review, we decided we will go back some day and give it another try. It was very disappointing that at their price point, the cuts of beef would not be impeccable. Next time, we will order a filet to compare it with other filets on Disney World property. Sometimes when eating out with allergies, it takes getting accustomed to ordering from different menus and we don’t blame that on the restaurant. Most of the restaurants we review, we’ve eaten there many times. This was our first experience at the Yachtsman Steakhouse, but it will not be our last! In summary, we can’t live life without ever having those au gratin potatoes again! Maybe we will save room for dessert too!
Let us know if you’ve tried Yachtsman Steakhouse and how you liked it. Would you go back?
Want to bring more Disney World food magic home?
Check out our copycat recipe version of The Hollywood Brown Derby’s Famous Cobb Salad! Copycat Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad – Gluten Free and other recipes!
For a full review of our gluten free experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby, check it out here → The Hollywood Brown Derby
For more gluten free restaurant reviews and great gluten free recipes and how we live a great life, gluten free check out our linktree Follow us on instagram and tik tok for more gluten free ideas and adventures!
*These products have not caused a reaction for us. Please consult a medical professional or dietician for your own food allergen restrictions.
- Tiffins at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Eating Gluten Free and With Allergies
Tiffins is one of our absolute favorite restaurants in Walt Disney World to eat gluten free (and other allergies) for so many reasons!
Tiffins is a signature restaurant located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DAK) at Walt Disney World in Florida The menu is influenced by African and Asian flavors. Tiffins is located on Discovery Island in DAK between the shops and entrance to Pandora, making it a relatively short walk from the entrance. Three dining rooms are decorated with African, Asian and exotic animal themes. Be sure to look for collages, sketches, paintings and more. When you enter, there is a giant wooden map of the globe behind the check in desk. Don’t miss all the Disney Parks featured on the map!
Ordering off the Gluten Free and Allergy Menu
Before you are seated, ask the host/hostess for both an allergy menu (if available) and a regular menu. First, allergy menus may not always have the pricing and secondly, sometimes an offering could be easily accommodated by simply leaving off an item or topping. At Disney, they will most likely ask you when you check in about any allergies in your party. But no worries if they don’t, it’s more important to let your server know!
It’s easier for the servers/cast members if you have an idea of what you’d like to order. Give them at least two choices you’re interested in. This will help them determine what fits your allergy diet and make your meal go faster! Be sure to identify each person in your party and their allergy(ies) and if you will be sharing any items. Often, the Chef will come out to talk to you, but we’ve had many safe (for us) and amazing experiences by speaking only with our server. If you do not feel confident about your allergies after speaking to your server, don’t hesitate to ask to speak a Chef or Manager!
Ordering with gluten free and allergies starts before you even enter a restaurant. We check the restaurant’s website before we make a reservation. Some Disney table service restaurants have an allergy menu, but some do not. We have two allergies, gluten and xanthan gum, so we prefer table service restaurants to be able to interact with our server/chef/staff and ensure our safety. You know your allergies better than anyone else and can make the best decisions for you!
On The Allergy Menu
On the menu as of this article, Tiffins has many gluten free offerings, more than most Disney restaurants! Appetizers listed as available gluten free are Charcuterie, Spiced Chickpea Falafel, The Land salad, Charred Octopus, and Tacos. Six entrees are listed as gluten free: 50th Braai Spiced Veal, North African Spiced Tofu, Tamarind Braised Short Rib, Butter Chicken, Surf & Turf, and Shrimp & Grits. And lastly, one dessert is gluten free: Tropical Trifle
See Tiffins’ Full Menu → Click Here
Wow, Yay for Tiffins! We can’t think of another Disney restaurant with so many gluten free choices! But we don’t go to Tiffins for the choices, it’s the quality of the food and the incredible and attentive staff who make us feel so safe eating there! It’s the one Disney restaurant where we “know people” or they know us. If you can, make a note of who you interact with and the next time you go, ask for them! This will give the cast members accolades and inspire them to help you and others!
What We Eat Gluten Free at Tiffins
We’ve eaten at Tiffin’s many, many times! We find ourselves ordering the same items over and over, because we love them so much. Let’s talk about the appetizers we’ve had! Our favorite gluten free appetizer we’ve had is the Octopus. We order it every single time and have never been disappointed. Our next favorite is the Land Salad. Nothing unique about the Land Salad, but it is so fresh and just tastes delicious. We’ve also ordered the charcuterie and enjoyed it, especially the duck liver pate and pickled onions. In the past, we had the tacos and loved them, but recently they’ve had xanthan gum in shells, so unfortunately we had to pass on the tacos.
Gluten free entrees are plentiful at Tiffins with 6 offerings: 50th Celebration Braai Spiced Veal, North African Spiced Tofu, Tamarind Braised Short Rib, Butter Chicken, Surf and Turf, and Shrimp and Grits. They change their entrees occasionally, but we’ve had 3 of the 6 gluten free entrees. First, the Braai Spiced Veal was tender and juicy. We loved the mushroom ragout and truffle polenta that came with it. Next, the Shrimp and Grits we also loved, but be warned the Applewood Bacon- Pepper Jam is fairly spicy and not for the faint of taste buds. Lastly, and our favorite of the 3, is the Surf and Turf. Once again, we see the South African Braai Spice again on the melt mouth in your mouth beef tenderloin. The surf is scallops perfectly cooked and browned. We were even able to have the Cola demi-glace, which was delicious!
Almost forgot, we had dessert! We do not do dessert often, but glad we tried dessert at Tiffins. The Tropical Trifle is a panna cotta with coconut crumbs, and fruit is currently on the menu as gluten free. The panna cotta is rich and creamy and makes a nice combination with the fruits. We also loved the coconut crumbs and crisps. The Tropical Trifle was light and refreshing and the perfect ending to our Tiffins meal!
In order for us to go back to a restaurant over and over, there are a few things we rely on. Good food, we’ve established that for Tiffins. Easy availability, we’ve never had a problem getting the reservations we’ve needed. Most importantly, excellent service and attention to our allergies. This is where Tiffins stands out! We know a few cast members who work there and they always go out of their way to make sure we are taken care of and can eat safely. We cannot say enough about Tiffins service, they are diligent, caring, and go above and beyond in every aspect! Whether you are gluten free or not, we hope you give Tiffins a try on your next visit to Walt Disney World. You will not be disappointed!
Want to bring more Disney World food magic home?
Check out our copycat recipe version of The Hollywood Brown Derby’s Famous Cobb Salad! Copycat Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad – Gluten Free and other recipes!
For a full review of our gluten free experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby, check it out here → The Hollywood Brown Derby
For more gluten free restaurant reviews and great gluten free recipes and how we live a great life, gluten free check out our linktree Follow us on instagram and tik tok for more gluten free ideas and adventures!
*These products have not caused a reaction for us. Please consult a medical professional or dietician for your own food allergen restrictions.
**This article contains affiliate links which we may benefit monetarily from.
- Best Gluten Free Breakfast in Walt Disney World- Steakhouse 71
How much fun is breakfast out at Disney World! But let’s face the truth: Eating breakfast as a gluten free diner (plus additional allergies) at a restaurant is often not worth it. Many breakfast foods, ie. pancakes, waffles, toast, can be substituted with gluten free options that are cardboard tasting, grainy, and just plain unsatisfying. For us, add in the xanthan gum allergy and there are few options left for breakfast.
When The Wave at the Contemporary closed, it was replaced with Steakhouse 71 and the Bottomless Mimosa was added to their menu. Now we’re not going to say the only reason we decided to try Steakhouse 71 is for a mimosa, but we were very happy we gave breakfast in Disney World a chance!
Starters & Menu overview
After coffee and our first round of mimosas arrived, our server consulted with us concerning our allergies – gluten and xanthan gum. Of course, the Mickey waffles had xanthan gum in them, but there were plenty of other choices. Offered as gluten entreés on their allergy menu were 3 choices of omelets, Steak and Eggs, The Steakhouse 71 Feast and of course the gluten free Mickey waffles.
Our order & thoughts
For our entreés, we first ordered the Veggie Omelet with a side of bacon. Second entreé was The Steak and Eggs, sunny side up and rare steak. Not sure how the steak is prepared, but we would rate it possibly the second best steak on property – Le Cellier being our first choice. We were happily surprised to be able to have the potatoes, because often they are either cross-contaminated or have xanthan gum (it’s in everything it seems!). Everything was cooked perfectly, warm and tasty! One of the best breakfasts we’ve had anywhere, not just Disney World. We can’t say how many rounds of mimosas we partook, but we relaxed and enjoyed a leisurely meal. We definitely got our money’s worth! The price of the Bottomless Mimosa is comparable to one cocktail price on Disney property, so having even 2 drinks seems like a value.
After breakfast, we hopped on the monorail and spent the rest of the morning in Magic Kingdom.
Hereafter on our visits, we will book at least one breakfast at Steakhouse 71!
UPDATE: April 2022
Our second breakfast at Steakhouse 71 was better than the last! Our server was super attentive and brought Chef Dan out to speak to us. Even the manager stopped by to speak to us about our experiences as allergy diners. We had the same meals as the first time and everything was as great as before! We lingered and enjoyed our mimosas and before we headed over to Magic Kingdom!
- How to Order Gluten Free or With Allergies at Walt Disney World Quick Service and Festival Booths
How to order food and drink with allergies at a Disney quick service or festival booth is a top priority when you have serious allergies. Eating out with allergies can be risky for those of us who have severe allergies to certain foods. You have to worry about mistakes being made in the kitchen, miscommunications with the kitchen, cross contamination…It can be nerve wracking for sure. That’s why we usually choose to eat at a sit down restaurant where we can talk to servers, chefs, or managers to have our allergies addressed safely and with confidence. Sometimes, we don’t want to take the time for a sit down nor do we want to miss the festival booths at Epcot!
Cast members are happy to help and want to keep you safe, so don’t hesitate to ask. First, we review the menu items either on a menu board or in the festival booklet.
Some menu items are marked with “G” in a colored circle that represent ‘Gluten/Wheat – friendly”. Our allergy is very serious so we always double check the gluten free aspect, when it says “gluten friendly”.
We usually say “Hi, I’m interested in “menu item”, and I see it’s gluten friendly, but we have a serious allergy that we were wondering if you could check on?” One of us is also allergic to xanthan gum, so we add that to our request.
Normally, the cast member will consult the Manager or the Chef to verify ingredients for your allergies. It’s always best to speak with the Chef directly if you can, but they are not always available and a manager will help you. By speaking directly with the manager or chef, sometimes they can offer menu items not normally listed as gluten free.
At Satuuli in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, they have an allergy specialist cast member who will help you with ingredients listed on an ipad. This is one of the easiest and most reliable quick service restaurants to order food with allergies. Be sure to tell the cashier, before ordering, that you have multiple allergies and would like to speak to someone to order.
If at any time you don’t feel confident in the cast members to provide an allergy free food item, just say “No thank you, I don’t feel safe eating that item.” Or it may not be worth purchasing the item if they have to leave on too many components that will affect the overall taste and experience.
Next time you head to Disney, stop by a quick service or Epcot festival booth and try out ordering some allergen free food!
- Disney Review: Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Magic Kingdom seems to be one of the trickiest parks to find quality, easy access, gluten free dining. Usually bringing your own snacks and then trekking out of the park to find a decent meal is the best option. A recent discovery, Tony’s Town Square Restaurant is a gluten free and delicious dining choice inside Magic Kingdom! Plus, who doesn’t love the Lady and The Tramp theming?
Tony’s Town Square often gets a bad rap for less than desirable dining, but turns out, not only were they attentive to allergies, dinner was delicious and the view can’t be beat!
Tony’s might be passed by if judged only by their menu. Their allergy menu is not exactly a gluten free diner’s smorgasbord, but Tony’s is more than happy to provide and adapt a gluten free (and xanthan gum free) satisfying and tasty dinner within MK.
Watching everyone enter and leave the park on the porch for sit down service is one of the best parts of dining at Tony’s. On a chilly December evening, this restaurant provides a view to watch all the happenings on Main St. including the holiday cavalcades.
Tip: I brought an extra oversized sweater to use as a blanket.
First Up, Drinks!
Tony’s is one of the sit down restaurants in MK that now serves alcoholic beverages. While they don’t serve liquor, there are ample choices of Italian wines and a few beer options. One specialty drink option is a wine cocktail, Tony’s version of a bellini. Nino Franco ‘Rustico’ Prosecco, Veneto was a great choice. Dry, not too sweet, this is available by the glass, quartino, and bottle.
Menu Options
The gluten free menu options at Tony’s make ordering simple, but with additional or severe allergies speaking to a chef is recommended. It will add confidence that your meal will be safe and enjoyable. Disney Chefs are normally more than happy to come out and discuss allergies. In my experience speaking to the chef, he asked, “If there was anything on the menu that you would like?” Pasta and seafood, duh!!
For an appetizer, the caprese salad with the balsamic vinegar in place of the balsamic glaze made a great start to the meal. For all the gluten free friends, the glaze is gluten free, but not xanthan gum free, so I was grateful for the substitution. Tomatoes in December, even in a produce capital like Florida, can taste bland. Tony’s version of Caprese composed of both slicing tomatoes and grape tomatoes. The grape tomatoes were flavorful. Overall, it was a delight to have a refreshing appetizer in the middle of December.
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant makes the impossible, possible with seafood pasta gluten free! Tony’s chef adapted Scampi Pasta – gluten free pasta, shrimp, mussels, and spinach in a lemony, garlic sauce – to meet our needs.
While Tony’s Town Square Restaurant does not compare to some of the higher end establishments, they deliver value with atmosphere! Bella Notte!
Chef adapted Shrimp Scampi- Gluten Free and Xanthan Gum Free - Most Under-rated Restaurant at a Walt Disney World Resort
While we have mentioned a favorite Walt Disney World restaurant for gluten free and allergy dining before, ahem…The Hollywood Brown Derby, this is our first review for another favorite, Toledo which is located at the top of Gran Destino Tower in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Being at the top of Gran Destino offers expansive views of Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom and beyond. It’s definitely worth it to arrive early for dinner, grab a drink from the lounge and enjoy the views on the deck outside of the lounge.
Toledo’s menu, we felt, had more to offer overall than some of the other Disney Signature Restaurants, with a generous amount of gluten free and allergy choices AND staff that were very accommodating and attentive to our allergies.
Let’s start with drinks! So many choices here, Toledo has a separate full bar and lounge that offers an extensive wine list, creative specialty cocktails and even a hard cider from Spain – going to have to see if that’s gluten free next time! First choice was a custom made Hendricks Martini, deconstructed so we could regulate the “dirty” factor. Second choice was the Gran Gin and Tonic with house made saffron-orange tonic which was light, refreshing and not too sweet.
Toledo does have a separate allergen menu that identifies gluten free items, but we found the staff (servers and chefs) to be very generous in modifying many menu items for us. Two appetizers that we loved, and ordered many times before, were modified to meet our allergies – gluten and xanthan gum. ‘Aceitunas’ Marinated Olives was a seemingly simple dish, but had so much flavor. Different kinds of olives are served warm with citrus, garlic and red pepper marinade. Charred Octopus was our other favorite. Cooked to perfection and not tough, this octopus is not to be missed if you’re a fan of octopus. Here’s where Toledo went over the top! The chef modified Flight of Four Pintxos, a quartet of mussels, tuna, potato omelet and blue cheese, for our allergies, gluten and xanthan gum. What a special treat for us! Believe it or not, the potato omelet was our favorite of the four.
Seven – yes, seven! – gluten free offerings for entrees. This last time we visited Toledo, the chef did not come out to speak with us, but the servers were very knowledgeable and put us at ease that our food would be created carefully with our allergies, gluten and xanthan gum, in mind.
We have to talk about the Scallops first, served with vegetable puree´, purple carrots, and an unforgettable harissa vinaigrette. We’ve had these many times, each serving has been tender and delicious. We deem these the best gluten free scallops we’ve tried. Being seafood fans, we’ve also ordered the Sustainable Fish multiple times. If the fish is grouper, then it’s ordered! Despite the cauliflower, the grouper was tender and tasty and served with delectable cippolini onions. Next, we tried the Marinated Hanger Steak. The steak was cooked properly to rare which kept it tender. It was served with potatoes, greens, and grilled peppers. While we enjoyed the potatoes and greens, the peppers were disappointing. Not sure why we disliked them, because at home we grill jalapeños often. However, the off tasting peppers would not deter us from ordering the Hanger Steak again.
Toledo has been one of the few restaurants to offer gluten free and xanthan gum free dessert options worth the calories. Chocolate-Avocado Mousse sounded strange, but at the server’s urging we tried it. Served with strawberry-basil sorbet and coconut crumbles, the mousse was an interesting treat. We would certainly order it again! Our other dessert was the Classic Crema Catalana. The Crema was similar to a creme brulee´ except a little more “meaty”. With its smooth cream, hint of orange with a chocolate tuile, we thought Toledo’s version was spot on.
Reservations at Toledo are readily available on My Disney Experience App until the word gets out what a great and allergen friendly Signature Dining Experience can be found here!
- Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival 2022 – Gluten Free
Taste and drink your way around the World! Just because you are gluten free or have other allergies doesn’t mean you have to miss out on this tasty fun! Here you will find some favorites and all the details to eat and drink your way through Food & Wine.
We’ve come up with a few tips to navigate Epcot’s Food & Wine festival – gluten free style!
- How to order food and drink with allergies at the festival booths is a top priority! Find out how we order at quick service and festival booths “Click here”
- Get your margaritas inside Mexico Pavilion at La Cava. The booths outside cannot check drink ingredients or cross contamination.
- Sharing food and drinks is cost effective and allows room to try more!
- In order of the festival booklet, if the booth is not mentioned then it did not offer any gluten friendly items or we just didn’t get the chance to stop. Festival Booths can adapt menu items by leaving stuff off, but they cannot “make” something gluten free.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- all time favorite, worth the money
⭐⭐⭐⭐ – very good, worth a repeat
⭐⭐⭐- take or leave it, mixed reviews
⭐⭐- probably won’t happen again
⭐ – no, no, never, never
Shimmering Sips – Mimosa flight – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Love this flight! Tropical is our favorite – made with POG juice; Key Lime is least favorite, but can’t go wrong with all of them.
Australia – While we’ve had and loved the Lamb Chop in past years, they added xanthan gum in this year’s version. The Grilled Sweet and Spicy Shrimp also had xanthan gum. After speaking directly to the chef, we skipped both items.
Canada – Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon – ⭐⭐- Two stars for effort, but they had to leave everything off, so we were left with a chunk of filet which was good, but not worth paying for again.
Appleseed Orchard – Cider Flight – ⭐⭐⭐ – We especially liked the Bold Rock Imperial Apple Hard Cider from Virginia.
Ireland – Bunratty Mead Honey Wine – ⭐⭐⭐- Very sweet, mixed reviews in our party. Fun to try something from Ireland.
France – We were very excited to see a gluten friendly item show up at this booth, but we did not get a chance yet to try the Créme Brûleé. Will update if we get to try it on our next trip.
Brazil – Pão de Queijo – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Warm, soft, and cheesy! One of few bread items you can get gluten free and no xanthan gum on property.
Belgium – Chilled Coffee with Godiva Chocolate – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Creamy, chocolatey, and refreshing, but not too heavy. Not verified no xanthan gum so only one of us tried, but loved it!
Greece – Griddled Cheese – ⭐⭐⭐- Out of 3 of us, 1 person really liked it and the other 2 no
so much. It had a great cheese flavor, but it was heavy and rich.
Wine Flight – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – A white, rosé, and red and we liked them all.
Italy – Prosecco – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Prosecco… all day, every day!
Spain – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ DO NOT MISS THIS BOOTH!!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Charcuterie – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Fresh and we all loved the herbed vinaigrette!
Paella – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Shrimp and Chorizo were yummy.
Seafood Salad – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Seafood was cooked perfectly and again the dressing
was very good.
Wine flight – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Albarino, Rosado and Garnacha were all smooth and
mellow.
Germany – Selbach-Oster Riesling – ⭐⭐ – Too sweet. Nothing on menu was gluten free.
Not worth the time to stop or wait in line.
The Alps – Wine Flight – ⭐- The flight included a veltliner, Rosé, and Dole and all were terrible.
Kenya – Kenyan Coffee Barbecued Beef Tenderloin – ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ – Beef was tender. We really
enjoyed the slaw.
Mexico – Taco al Pastor – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Pork belly on a corn tortilla, we loved the pickled onions
so much that we buy them at home now to put on everything!
Tostada De Barbacoa – ⭐⭐⭐⭐- We liked this one a little more than the pork taco,
Because the barbacoa beef is very tasty combined with salsa verde and Mexican Crema.
The Swanky Saucy Swine – Crispy Barbecued Pork Rinds – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- This is a gluten free dream! Not very often do we find something so cheesy, crunchy and indulgent that is gluten free. One of us was obsessed with this and the other not as much, but we still give it the five star!
Grilled Pork Shoulder – ⭐⭐⭐⭐- Again, the pickled onions and a cilantro lime crema made this dish. Probably the only reason it’s a four is because we are not super keen on pork.
The Noodle Exchange – Traditional Spicy Vietnamese Beef Pho – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- We loved this and each got our own to make a nice lunch with Tropical Mimosa from Shimmering Sips. The Pho was adjusted by omitting the spice sauce component because they could not guarantee no xanthan gum. We heard others complain it was too spicy so maybe skip the spicy sauce anyway! Our biggest complaint: it’s hard to eat hot soup and noodles when it’s typical Florida weather.
The Fry Basket – Adobo Yuca Fries – ⭐⭐⭐⭐- Do not miss this item!!! The garlic cilantro aioli is the star here! Gluten free fries cooked in a dedicated fryer are a rare special treat.
Salty Dog Cocktail – ⭐⭐⭐- We were very excited about this cocktail, unfortunately it didn’t stand up to the hype. It lacked flavor, but was refreshing on a hot day.
- 7 Gluten Free Dining Experiences At Walt Disney World
California Grill
Where can you find absolutely delicious gluten free* food and drink with a scenic view of Magic Kingdom? In addition to amazing food at Disney’s California Grill, made to order for your allergies, you get a panoramic view of Magic Kingdom and a chance to view nighttime shows. Located at the top of the Contemporary Resort, California Grill is a long time favorite for gluten free dining for us.
December 2020 Visit to California Grill
We checked into the desk located on the second level and walked straight on to the elevator, then the attendant pushed the buttons that sent us up to the restaurant/lounge. After getting off of the elevator, seating was immediate. Social distancing was beyond the recommended 6 feet.
When we made the reservation, we submitted allergies on the reservation form so our server already knew to ask about allergies. He brought an allergy friendly menu and a beverage menu. A regular menu was available with a QR code. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive to our allergies. Please know you can always request to speak to the chef and we usually do if we are not familiar with the restaurant.
Cocktails!
California Grill is famous for their luxurious Signature Cocktail, but it may not fit into everyone’s budget. For tonight, our server recommended the Blackberry Sour as “not too sweet, but something different” option. It did not disappoint, the lemonade was not overly sweet and the blackberries were plump and juicy and the alcohol taste was pleasantly disguised.
Apps and Entree
Appetizer choices on the allergy friendly menu were slim. On previous visit, we had the Heirloom Apple Salad from the regular menu at California Grill. We asked the server if it could be adapted to be gluten free and xanthan gum free. Since the main culprit is the doughnut on top, it was easy to alter. Let’s just contemplate for a moment why there is a doughnut on a salad, but they promise it’s delicious? Regardless of missing the doughnut, the star of this salad was the goat cheese.
Update: The current menu is prix fixe
This is where we might lose you, unless you are a sushi lover. We have as of yet, at California Grill, to order an entree as our main course. The sushi is just too good not to eat as a meal. Yes, it is that good that we will pass up all the other tempting entrees on the menu for this sushi! We have not found better sushi out there…anywhere!
Be prepared for the freshest fish and gigantic rolls! Just two rolls (per person) and we were overly satisfied. California Grill stocks gluten free soy sauce for gluten free diners.
Tonight’s choice was a tuna roll and salmon roll, no sauces, just plain. Absolutely, the best sushi, as always!
Tip: Save your receipt to show at the check-in desk, so you can return to watch the fireworks show from Magic Kingdom – they pipe in the music. You can also watch fireworks from the observation deck on the 4th level where the Contemporary and Bay Lake Towers walkway is located.
*Please consult your medical professional for allergy information and guidance.
Il Mulino – Swan
Il Mulino in Swan Hotel offers another great gluten free* Disney Italian dining experience. Often a great option because it can be easier to get a last minute reservation than an in-park restaurant. It doesn’t diminish their quality or standards! This is fine dining with personal attention, which is always important when dining out with any sort of allergies or intolerances.
While the chef did not come out and speak to us, the server was very knowledgeable and conscientious in communicating our needs to the chef.
Our server suggested starting with Gamberi con Fagioli, sautéed jumbo shrimp over cannellini beans and pancetta – as described on the menu. We’re big fans of the mussels at Maggianos with cannellini beans and chicken broth base,so we were very excited to try this shrimp appetizer. The shrimp were huge and tender, definitely not over cooked and the pancetta added savory yumminess! We love the smooth texture of cannellini beans, but if you’re not a fan they have other shrimp appetizers that you could ask to be modified to be gluten free.
For our main course, we ordered “Risotto ai Frutti di Mare”, seafood risotto. This is one of our favorite seafood dishes to eat out, as it often can be made or already is gluten free. Be sure to always ask even if it states gluten free on the menu so staff is aware of any food restrictions.
This risotto was full of mussels, calamari and bay scallops. The shrimp seemed to be lacking, but they were still tasty. We love our risotto creamy and smooth, unfortunately, this one just quite didn’t meet expectations. It was definitely good, but we felt it was missing the creaminess you’d expect from risotto dishes.
We will definitely go back and explore more gluten free options on the menu at Il Mulino!
*Please consult your medical professional for allergy information and guidance.
Nomad Lounge – Animal Kingdom
A favorite place to grab some gluten free* refreshments and relax is Nomad Lounge, located next to Tiffin’s in Animal Kingdom. Lounge chair seating and a view of the bridge to Pandora and waterway provide a chill atmosphere, while staff was happy to accommodate our allergies.
Nomad’s menu includes an allergy friendly small plates section, which is where we found Togarashi-spiced Tuna Nomad Bowl. For our allergies(gluten and xanthan gum), they substituted edamame for kimchi and left the sauce off. The spice covered tuna was cooked to perfection and served atop rice, crimini mushrooms, and edamame. It has to be said that you should probably like spicy food, because this was to me a 7.5/10 on spice scale. Granted, my family will tell you I’m on the wimpy side of tolerating spice. Paired with the made-to-order Hendricks Martin, there was some relief to the heat!
We loved watching the character boats go by and people watching on the bridge. With the tropical foliage and flowers, it was a beautiful spot to take a break. Next time you’re in Animal Kingdom give Nomad Lounge a try for a gluten free rest stop!
*Please consult your medical professional for allergy information and guidance.
The Boathouse at Disney Springs
If you are looking for gluten free* seafood in the Disney area, don’t miss The Boathouse in Disney Springs! With waterfront dining, amphicar tours, extensive seafood choices and great staff, you will not only get an outstanding dining experience but you will feel confident eating at The Boathouse with food allergies. Staff was attentive to allergies and accommodating with entrees.
Before ordering, we alerted our server to our allergies. In this case, the server noted our allergies and immediately asked the manager to come speak to us. He noted our allergies, and said he would speak to the chef after we ordered to double check they could make the entree to meet our needs. The manager came back after we ordered and confirmed our order would be made specially to accommodate our allergies.
We started with a simple Hendricks martini. I made sure to order plain olives and the server even asked the bartender to check the olives and juice as sometimes they can have xanthan gum. All clear! It was fabulous! I order my martini with juice or “brine” on the side so I can adjust the dirty factor.
If you like or love, as we do, oysters, then they are a must at The Boathouse in Disney Springs. Their selection is extensive and always fresh. They even have their own oyster, Lucky Dux. The oysters are served with house made cucumber mignonette which is refreshing. We want to try and make that at home someday!
Whenever I get the chance to get Grouper, I take it. The Boathouse Grouper was tender and juicy. The daily special was served with potatoes, tender kale, cherry tomatoes and topped with a mango salsa. Very yummy and worth the price. We also ordered a side of asparagus, which was perfectly cooked and we will definitely order again.
Be sure to make a reservation for The Boathouse next time you are in Disney Springs! Enjoy!
*Please consult your medical professional for allergy information and guidance.
The Edison – Disney Springs
Looking for a great burger and great service with unwavering attention to allergies* and food intolerance? The Edison in Disney Springs has a long list of cocktails and casual comfort food to satisfy the gluten free diner and more. With their signature drinks and candied bacon, this experience is not to be missed!
While sweet drinks are not my favorite, our server convinced me to try Strawberry Fields Forever from the Signature Cocktails Menu. Made with vodka, St. Germain liqueur, honey, lime, strawberries, mint and lemonade. It was refreshing, but still a little too sweet. The Edison Cocktail menu even includes cocktails that can be made as a punch bowl for a larger party! Definitely want to try that one with friends someday!
We ordered The Edison burger without a bun or onions to keep gluten free*. Our server suggested candied bacon on the burger, so we didn’t have to order a whole appetizer to try the candied bacon! It is the best and a must try at The Edison!! We had to order without special sauce because our server couldn’t verify that there was no gluten or xanthan gum. While we’re always appreciative of being cautious, this is where things started to decline… I asked for mayo instead. No mayo. Then it’s an early December evening and it’s quite chilly. No propane for heaters. This didn’t deter our server at all! She gave us a cocktail on the house: The Edison, a Signature Cocktail, with bourbon, pear brandy, lemon juice and honey cordial which was much more to the liking of my dry side. She also discounted the final bill because of the chilly atmosphere and lack of choices for allergy needs.
Despite some limits, we found The Edison to be a great gluten free experience with friendly service and a fantastic burger!
*Please consult your medical professional for allergy information and guidance.
Tony’s Town Square
Magic Kingdom seems to be one of the trickiest parks to find quality, easy access, gluten free* dining. Usually bringing your own snacks and then trekking out of the park to find a decent meal is the best option. A recent discovery, Tony’s Town Square Restaurant is a gluten free and delicious dining choice inside Magic Kingdom! Plus, who doesn’t love the Lady and The Tramp theming?
Tony’s Town Square often gets a bad rap for less than desirable quality of their food, but turns out, not only were they attentive to allergies, dinner was delicious and the view can’t be beat!
Tony’s might be passed by if judged only by their menu. Their allergy menu is not exactly a gluten free diner’s smorgasbord, but Tony’s is more than happy to provide and adapt a gluten free (and xanthan gum free) satisfying and tasty dinner within MK.
Watching everyone enter and leave the park on the porch for sit down service is one of the best parts of dining at Tony’s. On a chilly December evening, this restaurant provides a view to watch all the happenings on Main St. including the holiday cavalcades.
Tip: I brought an extra oversized sweater to use as a blanket.
First Up, Drinks!
Tony’s is one of the sit down restaurants in MK that now serves alcoholic beverages. While they don’t serve liquor, there are ample choices of Italian wines and a few beer options. One specialty drink option is a wine cocktail, Tony’s version of a bellini. Nino Franco ‘Rustico’ Prosecco, Veneto was a great choice. Dry, not too sweet, this is available by the glass, quartino, and bottle.
Menu Options
The gluten free menu options at Tony’s make ordering simple, but with additional or severe allergies speaking to a chef is recommended. It will add confidence that your meal will be safe and enjoyable. Disney Chefs are normally more than happy to come out and discuss allergies. In my experience speaking to the chef, he asked, “If there was anything on the menu that you would like?” Pasta and seafood, duh!!
For an appetizer, the caprese salad with the balsamic vinegar in place of the balsamic glaze made a great start to the meal. For all the gluten free friends, the glaze is gluten free, but not xanthan gum free, so I was grateful for the substitution. Tomatoes in December, even in a produce capital like Florida, can taste bland. Tony’s version of Caprese composed of both slicing tomatoes and grape tomatoes. The grape tomatoes were flavorful. Overall, it was a delight to have a refreshing appetizer in the middle of December.
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant makes the impossible possible with seafood pasta gluten free! Tony’s chef adapted Scampi Pasta – gluten free pasta, shrimp, mussels, and spinach in a lemony, garlic sauce – to meet our needs.
While Tony’s Town Square Restaurant does not compare to some of the higher end establishments, they deliver value with atmosphere! Bella Notte!
*Please consult your medical professional for allergy information and guidance.
Tutto Italia
Finding good, I mean good, gluten free pasta at Disney is not as easy as you might think! But Tutto Italia in Epcot delivers every time! Tutto is one of our go to restaurants for gluten free* and allergy sensitive* dining.
When making a reservation on My Disney Experience, be sure to check off any allergies on the form so when you walk in the restaurant they already know your allergies.
We’ve been there many times, so they know us when they see our allergies!
One of the great things we like about Tutto’s allergy menu is it’s ever changing, so there’s always something new to try. In addition, their wine menu is so extensive, the choices are literally never ending. We find every time we’ve been to Tutto, the staff, usually the manager, visits our table to offer wine suggestions and confirm any allergies.
Tonight, we started with Prosecco and Carpaccio di Manzo (Beef Carpaccio). The Carpaccio was topped with a large shaving of parmesan and a pile of fresh arugula. It was absolutely delicious! Then, for our main course, they brought out a made-to-order Fettuccine Chicken with a super cheesy blush sauce. It appeared to be a simple dish, but the savory cheese sauce was addictive!
If you have the chance, dine out on the patio and enjoy the scenery of Italy Pavilion.
*Please consult your medical professional for allergy restrictions and guidance.
- The Hollywood Brown Derby
Hollywood Brown Derby, located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is hands down our favorite restaurant in all of Walt Disney World Resort for gluten free/allergy dining! We just gave away the ending, but please read on for all the delicious, decadent details of our latest visit to Hollywood Brown Derby.
The Brown Derby is our “must do” Signature Dining in Disney. They have always provided trusted attention to our allergies and dietary needs. In the past, the server has asked the chef to consult with us about our allergies, but this time the server felt confident in relaying our needs and we felt confident in our server to be diligent. We often find, especially in Disney dining, that gluten free accommodations are fairly standard, but we have an added allergen in xanthan gum which can get tricky. Also, sometimes, the chef can alter dishes to meet allergen needs. So be sure to ask your server or chef if they can modify any other menu items to meet your food allergy restrictions.
Drinks are first! Brown Derby’s cocktail menu is extensive, including specialty martinis and even a martini flight. This time, we ordered a “custom” that we like to call a deconstructed Grey Goose martini. We ordered the brine – olive juice – and dirty rocks on the side also. It was made perfectly so we can adjust our own dirty! Our server even asked the bartender to check olives for xanthan gum.
Let’s talk appetizers! Brown Derby has some of the best appetizers on Disney property. We started with the Sea Scallops served with pork belly, tomato jam, and pea tendrils. No modifications needed for this appetizer. The scallop – pork belly combination was savory and tasted fantastic. It was amazing and we will definitely order again! Our other appetizer was Tuna Carpaccio Nicoise. This appetizer seems to have replaced the Beef Carpaccio available a few years ago and one of our favorites. The tuna version was also very good. We loved the quail egg on it! It was modified for our allergies by eliminating the olive toast.
No matter how many times we’ve eaten at The Hollywood Brown Derby, we still share Our Famous Cobb salad. It is already on the allergy menu as gluten free and since most of their dressings are house made, we had no problem with dressing – gluten free and no xanthan gum. You can never go wrong with Cobb salad, everything finely chopped, fresh, and mixed right at your table. We love it so much, we make a copycat recipe at home!
On the allergy menu, there is normally a seasonal fish option and today we had a Rainbow Trout presented with greens and mushrooms. Crispy skin, savory sauce, and fresh greens made this a light refreshing dish. The Chef did not need to modify for gluten free or xanthan gum.
No dessert this time, but we usually get the creme brulee´ even though not listed for gluten allergy, they have been able to modify. A flourless chocolate cake is also available gluten free.
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Sci Fi Dine In Theater, located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with a 1950s drive-in theater theme, is a favorite lunch spot for many and never a disappointment for accommodating gluten free and allergies! Today’s visit was fun and delicious, as always.
As soon as our server heard our allergies, she asked the chef to come out and speak with us. Gluten free is easily accommodated and our server would have been able to place that order, but she was not familiar with xanthan gum and asked the chef to speak with us. The chef at Sci-Fi was very knowledgeable with all the ingredients/offerings and was able to modify and meet all of our allergen needs.
We ordered the Classic American burgers and french fries. Yes! They have a dedicated fryer for french fries and they are gluten free! It’s not very often that a restaurant will have a dedicated fryer, so the french fries were a real treat here.
One of us tried the gluten free bun and the other the lettuce bun due to xanthan gum allergy. The gluten free bun was Udi’s (per server). It tasted good, but was a little grainy and fell apart by the end. Giant is the only word for lettuce bun! We were not expecting a huge slice of iceberg lettuce. Lettuce was fresh and we barely made a dent in it, because the portion was so big. The burger, topped with cheese and an ample amount of Apple-smoked bacon, was juicy and cooked perfectly to order. We skipped the House-made sauce because of xanthan gum and subbed mayonnaise instead. We can’t forget the marinated Heirloom tomatoes, which was highly recommended by the chef, put this burger over the top!
Fries… because I rarely can have fries at a restaurant, all I can say about it is – Heaven!
We also ordered drinks. Sci Fi’s Spicy Martian Margarita is a must for one of us – perfect every time. Thankful for a full bar at Sci-Fi, so the xanthan gum allergy could also have a beverage. Some drink mixes, if not house-made, can have xanthan gum. Patron on the rocks with lime did the trick!
So glad we finally got back to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater! Reservations can be difficult to get, we used Touring Plans to notify us when a reservation was available. You can also join the walk up list on My Disney Experience app or walk up to the podium. Please note, if you walk up to the podium, they seat you at small picnic tables in the back of the restaurant which only accommodate a party of 4 or less. If you want the full dine-in experience be sure to snag a reservation on your My Disney Experience app or with Touring Plans online.
- EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2023 – Gluten Free -Part 1
Come along with us as we make our way through EPCOT Food & Wine Festival 2023, gluten free/friendly and with food allergies! In the past, we struggled to find gluten free offerings with all the festivals, not just F&W. Either there were not a lot of designated gluten free options or we felt bad for asking questions about our allergies and holding up the line while they called a chef. With these things in mind, we were anxious about the changes with this year’s Food & Wine Festival passport/menus.
Ordering Gluten Free Menu Items at Food & Festival 2023
At first look, the festival passport lacks gluten free options. In fact, only one menu item is designated gluten friendly. We were hestitant about heading into this festival and how we would handle our food allergy requirements. We made our wish list before our trip. We hoped some of last year’s menu items would still be available, but still very unsure. However, Disney provides an allergy menu online from which we made our wish list. You can find the festival allergy menu on Disney World website under Global Marketplaces, Know Before Go. Here is the link to Food & Wine Festival Allergy Friendly Menu: Explore the allergy-friendly menu available at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
***Disclaimer: Speak to a Chef or Cast member about your food allergies. The menu is “allergy friendly”. *Consult a medical professional for your food allergies*
Once, we were at the festival, we would ask the cast member at the booth about the menu offerings we were interested in. The Cast member would then contact the Chef for that booth to verify our food allergies in each menu item we inquired about.
Check out what we ate and drank gluten free* on our first visit to the Food & Wine Festival 2023!
PART 1 Food & Wine Gluten Free*
We visited 12 booths this trip. Booths are listed in the same order as the Festival Passport book.
Flavors From Fire – World Discovery
- Chimichurri Marinated Skirt Steak Taco with Crushed Avocado, Grilled Corn Salsa, Pickled Red Onions – *No modifications were necessary for us. We found it a bit bland, maybe some spice or heat would’ve given it more flavor. The meat was tender and the goat cheese was very good. ⭐⭐⭐
The Fry Basket – World Discovery
- Adobo Yuca Fries with Garlic Cilantro Aioli – We love these fries and the aioli (if you like mayo) is unmatched! No modifications made. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Fry Flight – No modifications
- Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Fries – Despite “malt’ being in name, these are gluten free. We found them a bit dry and too much powder. Would’ve liked to see a sauce with them. ⭐⭐
- BBQ Bacon Fries with Smoked Aioli – These were tasty and good. Smoked aioli went well with fries. Again, we felt too much there was powder stuff on the outside. ⭐⭐⭐
- Sweet Potato Casserole Fries with Candied Pecans, Toasted Marshmallow Cream and Maple Bourbon Glaze – OK, mixed reviews for these fries. If you like sweet flavors, this is very good! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey – World Celebration
- Garlic Parmesan Wings – We were so happy to try the wings for the first time! In the past, they contained xanthan gum, so we could not have them. We absolutely loved these wings! They were savory and super garlicky! Serving size was large, making it a good value. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Orange Cardamom Wings – We loved these too! Orange flavor definitely showed more than cardamom, but they tasted very good. They were very sticky and messy to eat, but worth it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 3 Daughters Brewing Raspberry Lemonade Hard Cider – This cider was not too sweet and refreshing. The raspberry flavor is notable with tartness from lemon. Depending on your sensitivity, ask that the lines were cleaned or only used for this product. Disney did not have allergy information available for this product. We researched this cider with 3 Daughters directly to verify it was gluten free for us. *Please do your own due diligence to verify safety for your allergies/sensitivities. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Alps – Near Germany
- Huber Vision Grűner Veltliner – Salzburg, Austria – Very similar to a pinot gris, but slightly sweet. We would try it again, but not go out of our way to get ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spain – Between Germany and Italy
- Charcuterie In A Cup with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, cheeses, Olives, and an Herbed Serrano Vinaigrette – While we loved this 2022 Food & Wine version, this year was a little disappointing. There was less cheese and prosiciotto. More olives and more of a sausage that we were not a fan of. Hoping this was just a not
well-proportioned serving and not an indication of lower quality product ⭐⭐
- Paella with Saffron Rice, Chorizo, and Shrimp – Love, love, love this paella! This was better than last year’s version with a bigger portion and perfectly cooked shrimp. Would go out of our way to get again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Smoked Paprika – While J still liked this, we both felt there was an off taste and the mussels were chewy. Again, hoping this was just a bad batch and not the norm ⭐⭐⭐
- Sangria Flight – We liked all the sangrias! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Viña Borgia Macabeo White Sangria – Pear tastes forward, light, and refreshing.
- Viña Borgia Rosé Sangria – Even the rosé hater liked this. Light apple taste, no bitter rosé flavor comes through.
- Viña Borgia Garnacha Red Sangria – A traditional red sangria with orange notes predominant. We all liked this one the best and would order it on its own.
Flavors of America – The American Adventure
- Chilaquiles: Corn Tortilla Chips tossed in Salsa Verde with Ranchero Chicken, Queso Fresco, Cilantro-Lime Crema, and a Soft-poached Egg – A Tex-Mex treat that we really liked. It was heavy making it hard to eat on a super hot day, but the overall taste was unique and flavorful. We plan on trying to make this at home! Watch for a recipe!
Greece – Between Japan and Morocco
- Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey – This is our second year trying it and we had the same thoughts both times… J & I do not like the funky cheese taste and heaviness, but our other family member loves it and couldn’t wait to get it again. ⭐⭐⭐
Tangerine Café: Flavors of the Medina – Morocco
- 3 Daughters Fig Hard Cider – We found this cider to be very sweet with medium fig flavor. Glad we shared it because of the sweetness. *Please verify lines were cleaned and check out 3 Daughters to check for allergens. ⭐⭐
- Grilled Kebabs with Carrot-Chickpea Salad and Garlic Aioli (Chicken) – While we did not have this during this visit, we have had it many times. So, we skipped this time. D loves the carrot-chickpea salad and the chicken is always flavorful and tender. However, it seems to vary if we can have the garlic aioli or not because of xanthan gum allergy. This leads us to checking with a Cast Member for each menu item EVERY SINGLE TIME WE ORDER.** ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brazil – Between Morocco and France
- Faijoada Black Beans with Pork Belly, Brazil Nut Pesto, and BEN’S ORIGINAL™ Long Grain White Rice – This dish was delicious. We enjoyed the tenderness of the Pork Belly and all the flavors. We will definitely try it again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread – One of our all time favorites at Food & Wine! It varies each time. This version was cheese heavy and dense, but we still loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Australia – Near Port of Entry
- Roasted Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies – This is another example of asking Cast Members to check ingredients for allergies. We were not able to try this last year, because it did contain xanthan gum, but this year it was good for our food allergies. The chop was cooked well and was very tasty with Mint Pesto! We will definitely keep trying it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Viognier, South Australia – A lot like a Sauvignon Blanc. We thought it was good and worth getting again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hawai’i – Near Port of Entry
- Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts – YUMMMM! We all absolutely loved this cheesecake! Not overly sweet, smooth, and simply amazing! By far, the best food we tried at F&W! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, Fl – Another repeat item for F&W and mixed reviews for us. D does not like at all because it is overly sweet (she still tries it every time…lol), but everyone else likes this wine, admitting it is a little too sweet ⭐⭐⭐
PART 2 Food & Wine Gluten Free* (Coming Soon)
We will be visiting Food & Wine 2023 again soon! In addition to some of our favorites mentioned above, we are excited for some of the menu items at the newly opened booths. At Char & Chop, we will be asking about all the food items. J will ask about the Bloody Mary, even though we already researched the Seaside Grown Bloody Mary Mix which contains xanthan gum. J can have xanthan gum on occasion as her reactions to it are mild. We are also excited about Wine & Wedge, especially the Artist Palette of Wine and Cheese. We hope they can modify it for our allergies. Bubbles and Brine has some interesting seafood offerings that we’d like to try if safe for our allergies.
Want to bring more Disney World food magic home?
Check out our copycat recipe version of The Hollywood Brown Derby’s Famous Cobb Salad! Copycat Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad – Gluten Free and other recipes!
For a full review of our gluten free experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby, check it out here → The Hollywood Brown Derby
For more gluten free restaurant reviews and great gluten free recipes and how we live a great life, gluten free check out our linktree Follow us on instagram and tik tok for more gluten free ideas and adventures!
*These foods/products have not caused a reaction for us. Verify your food allergies with appropriate personnel/entities before consuming. This is not medical or allergy advice. Consult a medical professional for your own food allergen restrictions.
** Please check online menus for current prices and current offerings.
- Le Cellier Steakhouse – A Gluten Free Disney Dining Experience
We have been to Le Cellier in years’ past for gluten free Disney dining and thought it was ok, but not worth the dark, dingy experience until our most recent visit here! We had brushed off Le Cellier as one of our top gluten free dining experiences, not for any other reason than we didn’t feel the value was there for us. One evening at Toledo we struck up a conversation with the table next to us, as we were ogling their “Spaniard for Two” charcuterie board which we’ve never had. They told us, “If you think this is amazing, you have to try Le Cellier’s charcuterie!” Once we heard about the beef fat candle, we canceled our reservations for the next day and scooped up a time at Le Cellier! Please note: As of this article, the charcuterie is not on the menu. No worries! There are plenty of other fantastic gluten free appetizers that we loved (see section “Gluten Free Dining at Le Cellier”).
Le Cellier – A Gluten Free Canadian Dining Experience
Le Cellier is located in the Canadian Pavilion at Epcot in a dark, dingy, mysterious cellar. Yes, we are raving about a restaurant in a basement at Walt Disney World. If you are already in Epcot, it is easy to walk to Canada, just take a right at Port of Entry and Canada is the first country you will find at the World Showcase. You can enter Epcot at the front gate or the International Gateway near the Epcot resort area.
Ordering Gluten Free at Le Cellier in Canada
Before even getting to the restaurant, they knew our allergies (we submitted our food allergies on my Disney experience app) and were ready to help us! When we made our reservation we noted our allergies on the app, so when our server greeted us, she was aware and able to advise us about the gluten free options on the menu. Le Cellier does have an allergy friendly menu, but requests you speak to a cast member about your allergies. We prefer to speak to the chef to be fully confident in our food safety and often they can modify an offering that might not be labeled gluten friendly on the allergy menu.
Le Cellier Gluten Free Dinner
We love to get cocktails at most Disney restaurants, but it seems whenever we are at Le Cellier we end up getting a bottle of wine, maybe it’s the wine cellar atmosphere! The wine list is ever changing, but servers have always made great recommendations. We’ve never been disappointed in our wine choices at Le Cellier.
The abundance of gluten free appetizers alone will bring us back to Le Cellier, over and over! Let’s start with the charcuterie board (which we hope comes back to the menu). It was loaded with amazing cheeses, a house-made bison sausage, and the best thing was the beef fat candle (also house-made). The beef fat candle featured garlic and rosemary flavors and tasted incredible with all three of the cheeses which included: Blue Cheese, Spanish “Drunken Goat”, Double Creme Brie. There were also three meats: Prosciutto di Parma, House-Made Bison & Dried Cherry Sausage, and Short Rib Pastrami (house cured).
Our other favorite gluten free appetizer at Le Cellier was the Heirloom Beets & Goat Cheese salad with creamy and smooth goat cheese that melted in your mouth, tangy roasted beets, and crispy prosciutto. Also, a great gluten free appetizer choice was the Seafood Medley (now on the menu at PEI mussel) which consisted of clams and mussels in a delicious broth. Be sure to order without bread or with gluten free bread if available.
Le Cellier is all about steak, they do however have non-beef entrees including a pork chop, scallops, and plant based tart on the dinner menu. We do eat beef and chose steaks for our dinner entrees. J had the Bison Strip Loin – she thought it was a little dense, but very good. She also advised that you must be ok with a “gamey” tasting meat. D had the Le Cellier Filet Mignon which was very, very tender and tasty and cooked to perfection!
Offerings of special note at Le Cellier are the Le Cellier Signature Poutine and Maple Whiskey glazed Brussel Sprouts. We loved both! The poutine was heavy, but a rare gluten free treat. The brussel sprouts were mouth-watering and make a great side or appetizer.
For dessert, we had the Maple Crème Brûlée which was creamy, maply, and delicious as always!
Le Cellier – A Great Gluten Free Dining Experience
We were so glad we found our way back to Le Cellier! Again, the only criticism we could make is the dark atmosphere. The servers, chef, and cast members were all attentive and took care with our food allergies. The food was tasty and exciting! They took great care to make quality food, and not just remove from sauces to modify it for us. With the quality of the food and attention to our allergies, we feel the value was there. We plan on taking our friend, a steak lover, to Le Cellier very soon!
Have you been to Le Cellier? What were your favorites there? Let us know!
GREAT LIFE GLUTEN FREE RATINGS FOR DINNER AT LE CELLIER
SCALE: EXCELLENT ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ GOOD ⭐⭐⭐⭐ FAIR ⭐⭐⭐ POOR ⭐⭐ NEVER AGAIN ⭐
TASTE/QUALITY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
VALUE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ALLERGY FRIENDLY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SERVICE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CONVENIENCE ⭐⭐⭐
OVERALL: 4.6 (out of 5.0) ⭐
Want to bring more Disney World food magic home?
Check out our copycat recipe version of The Hollywood Brown Derby’s Famous Cobb Salad! Copycat Hollywood Brown Derby Cobb Salad – Gluten Free and other recipes!
For a full review of our gluten free experience at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby, check it out here → The Hollywood Brown Derby
For more gluten free restaurant reviews and great gluten free recipes and how we live a great life, gluten free check out our linktree Follow us on instagram and tik tok for more gluten free ideas and adventures!
*These foods/products have not caused a reaction for us.
Please consult a medical professional for your own food allergen restrictions.
**Prices and menu at time of our dining. Please check online menus for current prices and current offerings.