Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant/Dining Help Thread

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

Make sure the chefs know it is an actual allergy, and not a food preference or diet. Yes, they aren't supposed to differentiate, but if you tell them it is an allergy they will usually be even more careful with the food/cross-contamination issues. I would also suggest looking at some of the vegan disney sites when you think you know where you want to go and look for reviews specific to the restaurant, and to see if they offer any off-menu items you may be interested in.

Thank you, I'll share that advice with my wife.

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

I don't have experience with your wife's condition, however, I've been a vegan (so no animal products at all) for many years, and WDW is an absolute vegan haven, with so many food choices practically everywhere. There's a terrific WDW vegan food blog with lots of reviews of restaurants in the parks and at the resorts. It's been very helpful to me.

Also, note that TS (sit-down) restaurants are tremendously accommodating to all dietary needs. The executive chef will come to your table and discuss what you can and can't have and often come up with something that isn't even on the menu. And note that there are many off-menu items at all (I think all) the TS restaurants.

Good luck to you and enjoy your trip!

Thank you, I appreciate your response.

 

[TwoMisfits]

My wife contracted Alpha Gal this summer and cannot have anything that has any products made from mammals so this will be a new experience for us. We've been going to DW since the late 1980's and have always heard that they are great when dealing with food allergies. She has been researching menus in preparation for our trip next month. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Also, since she only has to avoid mammal, I'd look for places that do a lot of fish and bird normally. That way, she doesn't have to stay vegan if she doesn't want to. Those types of places will also be able to adapt more b/c they'll have more to start with...

AKA - I would skip burger and steak places, and seek out fish and sushi sites for good protein options, as one example...

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

Also, since she only has to avoid mammal, I'd look for places that do a lot of fish and bird normally. That way, she doesn't have to stay vegan if she doesn't want to. Those types of places will also be able to adapt more b/c they'll have more to start with...

AKA - I would skip burger and steak places, and seek out fish and sushi sites for good protein options, as one example...

Thank you, great ideas.

 

[WA to FL Girl]

As others have mentioned, stress that this is an allergy and not a preference. They take allergies VERY seriously and at some restaurants the chef will appear table-side to double check and keep her safe.

I am a long time vegetarian and I frequently eat at Disney World table service restaurants. Some are great, some are just OK. The only total failure was the Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios. The dish they served was a pasta so loaded with fresh garlic that is was not edible. I would avoid this restaurant all together if serious food allergies are an issue. Avoid if possible.

My very favorite vegan option is the vegan (Gardein) fish and chips at the Rose and Crown. The meal comes with mushy peas (delicious) and fries. Since Im a vegetarian I ask for the standard tartar sauce in lieu of the vegan sauce and the meal is so yummy I can't wait to have it again.

My second favorite is the Liberty Tree Tavern Plant Based Keeper's Feast with Impossible Meatloaf. The gravy they top it with is amazing. Since I am a vegetarian I request the standard Mac and cheese as a side.

I'm so happy that there are more options all the time for vegan and vegetarian dining.

 

[ishbit92]

It's awesome to see an entire thread dedicated to vegan/vegetarian foods! I am a DLR vet and am going to WDW with my family for the first time since 2003, so I am just venturing over to this side of the DISBoards. Just got back from DLR (it was first time visiting a Disney park since I stopped eating meat) and the plant-based food there was incredible! I can't wait to try all the offerings at WDW, I've perused some menus and was pleased to see plenty of options. What are some of your favorites/"must-do" vegan/vegetarian meals/locations in WDW (in the parks and/or hotels)? At home I mostly eat vegan, but I'll have dairy/eggs occasionally so any meatless suggestions would be awesome.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

It's awesome to see an entire thread dedicated to vegan/vegetarian foods! I am a DLR vet and am going to WDW with my family for the first time since 2003, so I am just venturing over to this side of the DISBoards. Just got back from DLR (it was first time visiting a Disney park since I stopped eating meat) and the plant-based food there was incredible! I can't wait to try all the offerings at WDW, I've perused some menus and was pleased to see plenty of options. What are some of your favorites/"must-do" vegan/vegetarian meals/locations in WDW (in the parks and/or hotels)? At home I mostly eat vegan, but I'll have dairy/eggs occasionally so any meatless suggestions would be awesome.

A couple of our favs are the veggie burger at Beaches and Cream and the non-meat options at the Skipper Cantina (especially the falaffel app)

 

[WA to FL Girl]

Beaches and Cream is a favorite of mine. Make sure to get a reservation because they are busy!
If you are able to eat cheese I highly recommend the tomato soup with grilled cheese. Both are delicious and when the plate is first brought to the table it looks like a small meal but is is filling and really great. If you have any room left after your meal I highly suggest ordering dessert. The strawberry shortcake is delicious and they have many options if you have a dietary restriction. The restaurant is casual and a bit loud and almost always filled to capacity but yummy!

 

[disneymouse16]

This is my first time traveling with my aunt who is vegan and gluten free. I'm not very familiar with the options, although I have been doing some research so hopefully we will have some ideas before we go. However, the first night we are there it is her birthday. I would like to surprise her somewhere for dinner that she can eat comfortably, maybe even have some choices but somewhere in Disney Springs or one of the resorts, as we will not be in the parks that day. What would you suggest? Any favorites? I think I'm going to order a cake from Erin Mckenna. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Sabine W.]

This is my first time traveling with my aunt who is vegan and gluten free. I'm not very familiar with the options, although I have been doing some research so hopefully we will have some ideas before we go. However, the first night we are there it is her birthday. I would like to surprise her somewhere for dinner that she can eat comfortably, maybe even have some choices but somewhere in Disney Springs or one of the resorts, as we will not be in the parks that day. What would you suggest? Any favorites? I think I'm going to order a cake from Erin Mckenna. Any help would be appreciated!

As a vegan, my top choice would be Sanaa in Animal Kingdom Lodge. So nice of you to plan for your aunt!! Hope you enjoy!

 

[WA to FL Girl]

Also at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boma would be a perfect choice. It is a very nice buffet and the chefs will even come out from each station to guide you in regard to appropriate dishes. They also print a paper menu hi-lighting each offering and whether they are vegan, gluten free, etc.

Actually, any of the resort hotel restaurants will be able to accommodate her dietary needs. The first thing the servers ask is about any dietary restriction. When you sign in for your dining reservation you will also have a chance to indicate allergies or dietary restrictions.

Many Disney Springs restaurants will also have appropriate selections but starting the trip at the beautiful Animal Kingdom Lodge would be perfect.

 

[disneymouse16]

As a vegan, my top choice would be Sanaa in Animal Kingdom Lodge. So nice of you to plan for your aunt!! Hope you enjoy!

Also at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boma would be a perfect choice. It is a very nice buffet and the chefs will even come out from each station to guide you in regard to appropriate dishes. They also print a paper menu hi-lighting each offering and whether they are vegan, gluten free, etc.

Actually, any of the resort hotel restaurants will be able to accommodate her dietary needs. The first thing the servers ask is about any dietary restriction. When you sign in for your dining reservation you will also have a chance to indicate allergies or dietary restrictions.

Many Disney Springs restaurants will also have appropriate selections but starting the trip at the beautiful Animal Kingdom Lodge would be perfect.

Oh! Thank you! I will definitely look into those!

 

[WA to FL Girl]

Oh! Thank you! I will definitely look into those!

A tip - at Boma, if you have a party of two, if you want a quieter meal, ask for a table near the windows when you check in. You will be further from the buffet but will be further from the large groups and in a quieter zone. Also, the POG juice is free (included with the meal) if you want some in addition to your chosen beverage.

 

[1lilspark]

The vegetable wellington at steakhouse 71 was

 

[cjBren]

Does anyone here know if there are vegan options at any of the MK fireworks parties? We would like to do Treats and Seats in the park one night and go to the Contemporary on another night for Celebration at the Top. I've watched/read a lot of reviews but I can't find any info about vegan items at either one of them.

 

[WA to FL Girl]

Check this site. The report is from 2020 but this would maybe be a start in your research. Vegan Disney Food dot com and search for the fireworks party. It seems I cannot include a link here.

 

[Sabine W.]

Does anyone know what the plant-based offerings at Crystal Palace currently are? Thanks!

 

[ChanaC]

Hey all - I just went to WDW in December and finished writing up a trip report in the trip report sections. I'm not a vegetarian, but I guess I'm a flexitarian who also doesn't eat beef and pork. I skimmed this thread while planning for my trip and I ended up ordering a few vegan dishes, so I thought I would share what I tried in case it helps anyone else! Sorry, I don't have pictures!

Satu'li Canteen, Animal Kingdom - Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl with the red and sweet potato hash and charred green onion vinaigrette
I liked this one a lot! All the flavors went really well together and the tofu had a bit of a spicy kick! Nothing too extreme for people who are spice adverse but enough that you can feel it. The vinaigrette was great too. I was considering ordering a kids portion, but weirdly the potato base wasn't a kids option on the mobile app. Maybe you could request it in person? Either way the portion was great, not too big and not too small so I was glad I went with the adult portion. If I had one complaint, it was about the boba balls they put on top of it. It's more for the alien aesthetics than anything. I think they were mango or some other tropical fruit flavored and it just didn't really go well with the dish. They were too sweet for a savory dish. Luckily there are only a few of them on there so you can try one or two and easily scoop the rest off, or just request for them to be left off.

Ronto Roasters, Hollywood Studios - Zucchi Wrap
I loved this one! I had saw some pictures of this and thought it looked lackluster, and not really filling. I was wrong! Not only was it filling, they flavors were amazing. This one also has a spice kick, even more than the Satu'li tofu. I would call it somewhere between mild and medium, especially if you aren't drinking with it and the spice builds up on your tongue. A word of warning, this gets messy and the chickpeas drip out of the pita, so get plenty of napkins and a fork too. I might actually see if there are any copycat recipes out there and try to make it myself.

Casey's Corner, Magic Kingdom - "Sausage" Dog
So some backstory here, we had planned on eating at Pecos Bill's for dinner, but we realized the crowds were starting to build for Enchantment so we grabbed a Main Street spot when we found one. Because we were saving our spot, we decided just to pick up food from Casey's since it was the closest, and honestly the only logistical option as we got boxed in by the crowds. I was considering ordering the vegan loaded slaw dog, but since I was literally sitting in the street and it seemed like a messy item I decided to just go with the plain dog to make life easier. And it was fine. I like Beyond Burger dogs, but it didn't quite taste like it so I think it was Impossible. I know Impossible now has a sponsorship at Animal Kingdom too, so it's probably the sole provider of vegan burgers and dogs. And yeah, it was fine. I added some mustard to it. Nothing to write home about, and I would have much rather tried something else, but hey, you do what you have to do. The slaw dog did look interesting though! And as a note, it comes with a side of fries, which I don't eat, so you can also request a Cuties mandarin. I think on pretty much any quick service item you can substitute the side for the healthier kid's option.

Anyway, hope this helps anyone who is thinking about ordering these items!

 

[TW22]

Satu'li Canteen, Animal Kingdom - Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl with the red and sweet potato hash and charred green onion vinaigrette
I liked this one a lot! All the flavors went really well together and the tofu had a bit of a spicy kick! Nothing too extreme for people who are spice adverse but enough that you can feel it. The vinaigrette was great too. I was considering ordering a kids portion, but weirdly the potato base wasn't a kids option on the mobile app. Maybe you could request it in person? Either way the portion was great, not too big and not too small so I was glad I went with the adult portion. If I had one complaint, it was about the boba balls they put on top of it. It's more for the alien aesthetics than anything. I think they were mango or some other tropical fruit flavored and it just didn't really go well with the dish. They were too sweet for a savory dish. Luckily there are only a few of them on there so you can try one or two and easily scoop the rest off, or just request for them to be left off.

I agree on the Satu'li Canteen Tofu Bowl. It's one of my favorite Disney meals. I didn't know about the Zucchi Wrap at Ronto Roasters. I will definitely try it on my next trip!

I wanted to add a review for Space 220 for anyone interested. We ate there in late January and I had the Terra-Bolognese. It was one of the best dishes I've ever eaten (right up there with the Chickpea Panisse at CRT). When we booked Space 220, we were doing so mostly for the atmosphere and experience because we heard the food was not that great. I actually ended up liking my food better than the experience. We were right up against the windows toward the end, so we only had a limited view of what was going on in "space". If you go, I would suggest asking to sit a little further back from the windows or more toward the center. As good as my meal was, I don't know that we will go back, so I will need to try to recreate the recipe at home.

 

[1lilspark]

The plant based dish at steakhouse 71 I’m still thinking about almost 2 months later