Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant/Dining Help Thread

[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]

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]

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]

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/Wynn_and_Encore_Vegan_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]

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]

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/Wynn_and_Encore_Vegan_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]

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.

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

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!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

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!

Great choice!

 

[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/Wynn_and_Encore_Vegan_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?

Thanks for the help everyone!

So anyway I emailed the special diet address and specifically requested the form to fill out and they sent it.

I checked allergy to all but soy and wheat and also listed no oil. This will be sent to the restaurants I listed our reservations at. At least I'll feel better that they have advance notice. If they prepare something in advance, wonderful. If not, at least they know, I'm sure it'll be fine (and we'll inform the server at each restaurant as we are seated).

Other threads have noted the forms are not necessary, but if someone would like a copy I can post it on the boards or email it directly to anyone. Let me know.

 

[etoiles]

Hi everyone,

DH and I wanted to eat breakfast somewhere before leaving the last day. What places have wonderful vegetarian breakfasts???

I'm not a big egg person so omelets are not really for me. Normally we eat breakfast in the room so I'm not sure what place would be good for breakfast.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Hi everyone,

DH and I wanted to eat breakfast somewhere before leaving the last day. What places have wonderful vegetarian breakfasts???

I'm not a big egg person so omelets are not really for me. Normally we eat breakfast in the room so I'm not sure what place would be good for breakfast.

I really like the pancakes at the Wave and Kona, and Kouzzina had wonderful waffles the last time I had breakfast there.

 

[nancy drew]

I've heard good things about the breakfast at Kouzzina. They did a fantastic vegan dinner for me, but I did not eat breakfast there.

 

[etoiles]

I really like the pancakes at the Wave and Kona, and Kouzzina had wonderful waffles the last time I had breakfast there.

I've heard good things about the breakfast at Kouzzina. They did a fantastic vegan dinner for me, but I did not eat breakfast there.

I can't believe I never heard of Kouzzina before. I looked at the menu and it looks AMAZING! Thanks guys!

 

[hpfan100]

I can't believe I never heard of Kouzzina before. I looked at the menu and it looks AMAZING! Thanks guys!

The sweet potato pancakes at the wave were amazing!!! Boma had a decent spread if you like buffets. They will make custom goodies if you are a vegan but almost everything on the "line" was vegetarian including the yogurt!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I know Tusker House is a great option for lunch and dinner, but I was wondering if any of you had any experience there for breakfast, eating vegan.

 

[nansmama]

I was wondering if anyone could comment on any options from the snack carts or counter service (either in parks or resorts) that they'd recommend? We order groceries and bring food into the parks, but we do get snacks and sometimes counter service. We found a few things last time, some good, some bad.

EPCOT:
* Tea slushies in China (good)
* A stand in Japan that had edamame and miso soup (good)
* The veggie plate at Tangierine Cafe in Morocco (good)
* Crepes from the stand in France (the kids loved these; I was less impressed)
* A counter service place in China that had a vegetable noodle meal (not very good but edible in a pinch)
* We also ate at some counter service place in Mexico that was terrible... neon yellow fake cheese, etc. I don't know the name of it but it's on the right side across from the pyramid as you're headed into Mexico from Future World.

MAGIC KINGDOM:
* Lots of pretzels and popcorn
* Dole Whips (good)
* Veggie burger from various counter service places -- not good AT ALL! We did try a few different places, thinking they might have different versions (not sure why I thought that, haha), but no luck.
* Ice cream from some place in Fantasyland

I don't remember getting any food at DHS... maybe we had given up by then or weren't at the park for long enough to have to eat there.

 

[Kimmers127]

Thanks for the help everyone!

So anyway I emailed the special diet address and specifically requested the form to fill out and they sent it.

I checked allergy to all but soy and wheat and also listed no oil. This will be sent to the restaurants I listed our reservations at. At least I'll feel better that they have advance notice. If they prepare something in advance, wonderful. If not, at least they know, I'm sure it'll be fine (and we'll inform the server at each restaurant as we are seated).

Other threads have noted the forms are not necessary, but if someone would like a copy I can post it on the boards or email it directly to anyone. Let me know.

I would love a copy of the form, thank you! My email address is kimmers127@gmail.com.

I've just recently become vegetarian and this is my first trip eating this way, so I'm feeling a little shy about it!