Vegetarian buffets, and restaurants, at WDW

[seema]

For vegetarians, what are the best buffets, and best restaurants, at WDW theme parks, or Downtown Disney, or at WDW hotels?

Does one need to (in advance) indicate that one is a vegetarian (or not) at these establishments - so that the meal can be ordered and prepared in advance?

 

[spielerin]

There is a great guidebook out for vegetarians. I am not a vegetarian myself but I have used several of the tips from this guidebook. It is Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando by Susan Shumaker and Than Saffel. And it's also a really good read.

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Originally posted by seema
For vegetarians, what are the best buffets, and best restaurants, at WDW theme parks, or Downtown Disney, or at WDW hotels?

Does one need to (in advance) indicate that one is a vegetarian (or not) at these establishments - so that the meal can be ordered and prepared in advance?

I'm not a vegetarian myself, but in my opinion, there really are a number of good choices:

At AK, Tusker House has a pretty good veggie sandwich!

In Epcot, Restaurant Marrakesh has
delicious vegetable couscous!! That's usually what I get, even though I do eat meat!

Chefs de France has a nice veggie and pasta dish on their menu.
And the onion soup is great there too!

Teppanyaki in Japan would be a nice choice with all the veggies stir fried, and the soup and salad.

In the MK, Liberty Tree Tavern has a great grain dish that I've read several non-vegetarian eaters rave over, and they've got some good salads there also.

At the Animal Kingdom Lodge, I think Jiko might just be one of the best choices on property for you - lots of very good choices .. and Boma, the buffet restaurant there, has plenty too.

Spoodles at the Boardwalk has some good tapas that would suit you too..

 

[Jinnyboom]

Boma has an excellent selection of vegetarian dishes.
The Coral Reef sandwich at Columbia Harbor House (MK) is good. The vegetarian chili in a bread bowl was less than spectacular...(could have just been an off day as I've read many good reviews).
The Whispering Canyon Cafe offers a vegetarian pasta dish.
The Natural Burger at RFC in Downtown Disney is good....
The very best vegetarian entree that I had was the Stuffed Pepper Plate at Prime Time Cafe.
There are several others and yes...it is a good idea to phone the restaurant 24 hours in advance if you are unsure.

 

[cavepig]

It is a good idea to tell them when you make your PS that you are a vegetarian, but sometimes they don't do anything in advanced and you still have to tell them when you check in. Also sometimes if you ask the waitor what is good for vegetarians they can help you or go tell the chef.

At buffets sometimes the vegetables, potato dishes, etc look safe but will contain chicken broth, so always asks the chefs behind the counter what is in the food to be sure. I know this was the case at Chef Mickeys' and Crystal Palace. At Crystal Palace I was brought out two pasta dishes as well as being able to eat the safe stuff from the buffet. At Chef Mickey's I was supposed to get something made special but I never got anything.

Garden Grille had a vegetarian dish that was really good. The Norway Buffet Resaurant Arkeshus is good also (but expensive considering you don't get dessert or drinks).
Rainforest Cafe has a vegie burger and pasta dishes.

I have heard Boma's is a good buffet for vegetarians but have never eaten there, same with Jiko. A lot of sitdown restaurants won't advertise they have a vegetarian option but I have heard many do if you ask.

From what I remember seeing for Counter Service there is :

MK
The sandwhich with hummus at Columbia Harbor House
A jicama salad at Pecos Bills
Nachos at El Pirata y el Perico (ask for without chili)
Vegie burger at Cosmic Rays
Vegie salad at Pinochio's Village Haus

Epcot
Pasta, potatos, fruit, pastry items at the Sunshine Food Fair in the Land
Nachos, or taco salad at the Cantina in Mexico (ask for without meat)
A vegetable Lo Mein that I was told was safe at Lotus Blossom Cafe in China Tangierine Cafe in Morrocco has a vegie platter with couscous, hummus, lentils, tabouhli, bread, olive salad.


MGM
Vegie or cheese pizza at Toy Story Pizza Planet
cheese pizza, fruit, pretzels, potatos, vegie burger at the food area by Tower or Terror (Rosies, Cantalina Eddies, etc)

Animal Kingdom
Tusker House has either a vegie sandwhich or a vegie wrap that has changed from time to time.
Pizzafari has cheese or vegie pizza
Flame Tree has kids PB & J deal (along with many other restaurants on WDW property)
Restaurantosaurus has a vegetarian salad

Food Courts at many of the resorts are okay but I have found really don't offer much for vegetarians besides pizza and pasta (And even then I have found beef in the sauce since ladels get drug on top of meatballs, so be careful), but many of them have sitdown restaurants that are probably accommadating.

 

[Ricola]

Some of our favorites are Jiko (a wonderful grains, peas and veggies dish with tofu), and Spoodles (Many yummy appetizers and/or entrees that can be combined and shared), as well as Hollywood Brown Derby (a tofu dish)

You should be able to find something at every restaurant. We never call ahead to make arrangements, nor do we mention anything wehn we make ressies. We DO talk to our server, and ask them to consult the chef if there are any questions.

We eat dairy and eggs. If you are vegan, or have specific requests/requirements, you should probably call ahead.

BTW - I was told the veggie couscous at Marrakesh is NOT vegetarian. It is made with chicken stock.

 

[Wes]

I have not seen any of the other posts mention that Rain Forest Cafe (probably both at Downtown Disney and at Disney's Animal Kingdom -- but definitely at DAK) has a "natural burger" or some name like that.