Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant/Dining Help Thread

[DaisyD3]

Love! It's great to find others who like Disney and eat vegetarian too! Can't wait to go through all the posts. I am vegetarian and found pretty decent success on my last trip, but would love to be even more knowledgeable on my next trip. Yeah!

[DaymanX]

Originally Posted by VeganCupcake

Hey everyone! Has anyone tried the new vegetarian spaghetti and meatballs at Prime time? Wondering if they are vegan and if they are good. I really liked that couscous dish with the veggies minus cheese.Oh well, I make it at home anyways. We're going up for Star Wars weekends, and I always find Studios to be the most frustrating park to get food at. I just want to make a reservation somewhere so we can get into the air conditioning!

The Studios are actually pretty easy to get vegan food at. At least they have been in my experience.

I was told that the vegetarian spaghetti and meatballs were vegan when I ate at the Prime Time Cafe in October. The time I was there before that, they made me something custom and it was really good. Also, they do amazing vegan milkshakes and sundaes there.

Pro-tip: If the wait is long for Prime Time, eat at the bar. You don't get the shtick, but it's the same food.

The Brown Derby has a vegan curry and tofu dish. It's pretty filling with lots of noodles and vegetables, but there's only one decent sized piece of tofu, encrusted with coconut.

Pizza Planet also has a vegan pizza (Amy's I think) that isn't on the menu, but when all else fails claim dairy allergy and they'll bring out the allergy binder for you, which has some vegan and gluten-free options.

A ten-minute walk from the Studios is Beaches & Cream at the Disney Beach Club hotel. I had an amazing vegan sundae there with Tofutti ice cream covered in peanut butter and marshmallow topping, which I was assured was vegan.

Right across the way is also Kouzinna at the Disney Boardwalk hotel, and the Chef there was incredibly attentive and made me a custom vegan sampler platter and incredible hot berry crumble.

Plus, from there it's only a five-minute walk to EPCOT.

(I recommend between walking between DHS and the hotels, EPCOT, because it's actually much faster than the slow boat ride).

[etoiles]

Has any vegetarian ever been to the Whispering Canyon Cafe? We are trying it out for the first time on this visit.

I am curious how the quinoa cakes are as an entree. Also, DH will probably be ordering the skillet but it has so much meat on it it doesn't make sense for a vegetarian. You don't think they would substitute quinoa cakes for the meat on the skillet??

Just curious, thanks!

[yarlenna]

Originally Posted by etoiles

Has any vegetarian ever been to the Whispering Canyon Cafe? We are trying it out for the first time on this visit.

I am curious how the quinoa cakes are as an entree. Also, DH will probably be ordering the skillet but it has so much meat on it it doesn't make sense for a vegetarian. You don't think they would substitute quinoa cakes for the meat on the skillet??

Just curious, thanks!

Yes! I am vegan and had no problems. I just told the waiter that I was vegan and the chef came out and talked with me. After the second time I was there, the waiter just got the chef, not bringing the memu at all. I am jealous. It was a wonderful vacation.

[giantstoindy]

Just wanted to let you know I have a review in progress:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2950804

[poorunfortunatesouls]

I am veggie currently (3.5 years!) and am trying oh-so-hard to be vegan. I didn't have any problems at WDW with veggie food, even at Liberty Tree Tavern. Eating healthy, on the other hand, is another story. I seek out veggie first, then healthy...
I got great meals at Kona, Boma, Sci-fi, Hollywood Brown Derby, Benny Hana (Hilton at WDW), and numerous QS dining places!

I usually pull the "allergy card" too, not only at WDW, but anywhere where there may be a problem. Yes, lying is bad, but is it as bad as killing animals?

[hogwartsdropout]

Does anyone know which pastas at Via Napoli are vegetarian?

[etoiles]

Question for those that have been to Tusker House and Boma. During our last visit we tried Boma and it was our favorite restaurant of all the places we visited. It just has so many vegetarian options.

This time DH was so enthused he booked us for Boma twice. However, after reading some reviews of Tusker House for vegetarians I am starting to wonder if we should do Boma once and Tusker House once. Any opinions???

[gardengirl628]

Originally Posted by etoiles

Question for those that have been to Tusker House and Boma. During our last visit we tried Boma and it was our favorite restaurant of all the places we visited. It just has so many vegetarian options.

This time DH was so enthused he booked us for Boma twice. However, after reading some reviews of Tusker House for vegetarians I am starting to wonder if we should do Boma once and Tusker House once. Any opinions???

We have had great meals at both, and are actually doing dinner at both in October. If you haven't been to Tusker House, I would give it a try.

[Teresa Pitman]

Originally Posted by etoiles

Question for those that have been to Tusker House and Boma. During our last visit we tried Boma and it was our favorite restaurant of all the places we visited. It just has so many vegetarian options.

This time DH was so enthused he booked us for Boma twice. However, after reading some reviews of Tusker House for vegetarians I am starting to wonder if we should do Boma once and Tusker House once. Any opinions???

I think it's fun to do both of them, too. Last time I was at Tusker House (February), chef Joaquim brought us several extra plates of food he'd prepared for us beyond what we could get at the buffet.

But I could also eat at Boma over and over - they have some different options every night.

TP

[disneyfav4ever]

Originally Posted by etoiles

Question for those that have been to Tusker House and Boma. During our last visit we tried Boma and it was our favorite restaurant of all the places we visited. It just has so many vegetarian options.

This time DH was so enthused he booked us for Boma twice. However, after reading some reviews of Tusker House for vegetarians I am starting to wonder if we should do Boma once and Tusker House once. Any opinions???

I would do both. For vegetarian I actually prefer Tusker House, though Boma is still a favorite. There actually seemed to be a little bit more I could eat at Tusker House.

[Physics Guy]

Sorry if this has been discussed, I tried looking through all the posts, but it's a lot of pages...

Several months ago, my wife, for medical reasons, now follows a vegan, no oil diet. I became a vegan for support. I was already mostly vegetarian with an occasional bit of chicken or even red meat so it wasn't too far a leap, except the dairy. We're doing great and found some great home recipes and food products for our needs.

Vegan is tough enough, but the no oil is very challenging. Especially now realizing how many chefs/wait staff do not understand what that means. We even had one waitress (not in Disney) suggest chicken fingers for us when we asked for vegan options!

We just got back from DisneyLand (we had noted vegan, no oil on our reservations) and they were so accommodating and even had food prepared in advance of our arrival! Nothing but good things to say.

We also were in Las Vegas and if you haven't eaten at the Wynn Resort/Casino, it's a MUST DO! Steve Wynn is a vegan and required all the restaurants to have extensive vegan/vegetarian offerings and there were some fantastic menus!

Here's the link to the menus (then back to my point): http://www.visitwynn.com/documents/W...egan_Menus.pdf

So I had made ALL our reservations for our week-long DW trip this August before our dietary change. I just called the dining number to note vegan no oil on the reservations and the CM told me they don't make that kind of a notation! What!? She said it had to be an allergy. My problem is I'm honest to a fault and I couldn't say it was an allergy, but it is a medical condition (high blood pressure combined with LPR, a severe type of reflux). I hung up without making any notations to our reservations.

It's alarming how accommodating DL was, but not DW.

My question is, will it be fine if we just let the servers know at each restaurant of our diet when we arrive? If the chefs do not need the advance notice I'm fine with that. Or should I call back and have them note it as an allergy?

[danijake]

Originally Posted by Physics Guy

My question is, will it be fine if we just let the servers know at each restaurant of our diet when we arrive? If the chefs do not need the advance notice I'm fine with that. Or should I call back and have them note it as an allergy?

Some restaurants may be more accommodating than others. If your wife will be happy with salads and lots of fresh fruit, I think you will be fine. I personally try to follow a low-fat/no-oil vegan diet, but I when I eat out and on vacation, I just eat regular vegan.

If I were you, I would note dairy and egg ALLERGIES on your reservations. This is what I always do. I always tell the chefs I'm a vegetarian with dairy and egg allergies, just in case they aren't 100% sure what vegan means.

Because of your wife's medical issues, you might want to try to see if you can speak to the chefs about a week before your trip. I have not personally spoken to the chefs in advance, but I have read many reviews online where people have gotten ahold of chefs in advance. They may be able to prepare something for her in advance if you can reach them. I read that one chef made a guest fat-free vegan chili in anticipation of their arrival. If you do not speak to the chefs in advance, when you sit down and tell your waiter you have an allergy/medical issue and need to speak to the chef, the chef is usually very helpful. I'm sure they will be able to prepare something vegan/oil-free for you, but again, I don't know how complex it'll be.

I wouldn't expect any over-the-top meals, but I guess that depends where you go. She should be able to get fresh fruit, salads, steamed veggies, plain baked potatoes. I'm sure Via Napoli in Epcot could make her a nice pasta dish with steamed veggies and fresh tomatoes. Again, when the chefs come to your table, explain the situation. I would say, "I have allergies to dairy and eggs. In addition, for health reasons (severe HBP), I follow a strict vegetarian diet with NO OIL. Can you make a meal for me like this ____?" And give them some feedback. "I would like a plate of fresh fruit, a large salad (with balsamic vinegar or lemon & vinegar). Or I would like pasta with steamed veggies and fresh tomatoes." If you give them some suggestions, I'm sure you will have no issues, especially if it's at a somewhat higher-end restaurant like Via Napoli.

[Teresa Pitman]

Originally Posted by Physics Guy

Sorry if this has been discussed, I tried looking through all the posts, but it's a lot of pages...

Several months ago, my wife, for medical reasons, now follows a vegan, no oil diet. I became a vegan for support. I was already mostly vegetarian with an occasional bit of chicken or even red meat so it wasn't too far a leap, except the dairy. We're doing great and found some great home recipes and food products for our needs.

Vegan is tough enough, but the no oil is very challenging. Especially now realizing how many chefs/wait staff do not understand what that means. We even had one waitress (not in Disney) suggest chicken fingers for us when we asked for vegan options!

We just got back from DisneyLand (we had noted vegan, no oil on our reservations) and they were so accommodating and even had food prepared in advance of our arrival! Nothing but good things to say.

We also were in Las Vegas and if you haven't eaten at the Wynn Resort/Casino, it's a MUST DO! Steve Wynn is a vegan and required all the restaurants to have extensive vegan/vegetarian offerings and there were some fantastic menus!

Here's the link to the menus (then back to my point): http://www.visitwynn.com/documents/W...egan_Menus.pdf

So I had made ALL our reservations for our week-long DW trip this August before our dietary change. I just called the dining number to note vegan no oil on the reservations and the CM told me they don't make that kind of a notation! What!? She said it had to be an allergy. My problem is I'm honest to a fault and I couldn't say it was an allergy, but it is a medical condition (high blood pressure combined with LPR, a severe type of reflux). I hung up without making any notations to our reservations.

It's alarming how accommodating DL was, but not DW.

My question is, will it be fine if we just let the servers know at each restaurant of our diet when we arrive? If the chefs do not need the advance notice I'm fine with that. Or should I call back and have them note it as an allergy?

Can I just say that the menus from Las Vegas look AMAZING! I've never been all that keen to visit but now I want to go!!

Re: the allergies. My daughter has a medical condition that means she can't eat meat or dairy, and even a small trace can make her sick. It's not an allergy, but I always indicate that it is when we reserve it, because I want to be sure they recognize that even a small amount is dangerous for her. So I would do that for a medical condition.

I find that even without advance notice, the chefs do a great job in making creative and delicious meals for us.

Teresa

[etoiles]

Originally Posted by gardengirl628

We have had great meals at both, and are actually doing dinner at both in October. If you haven't been to Tusker House, I would give it a try.

Originally Posted by Teresa Pitman

I think it's fun to do both of them, too. Last time I was at Tusker House (February), chef Joaquim brought us several extra plates of food he'd prepared for us beyond what we could get at the buffet.

But I could also eat at Boma over and over - they have some different options every night.

TP

Originally Posted by disneyfav4ever

I would do both. For vegetarian I actually prefer Tusker House, though Boma is still a favorite. There actually seemed to be a little bit more I could eat at Tusker House.

Based on all of these great veggie recommendations, we decided to and have booked Tusker House for this trip! I'm looking forward to eating there.

Thanks!