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4 Tips for Gluten-Free Dining in Orlando

For many people, trying new restaurants is one of the best parts of traveling.

But deciding where to eat can be tricky for travelers who follow a gluten-free (GF) diet.

To help anyone with a gluten allergy or sensitivity make the most out of Orlando’s culinary scene, we’ve put together this dining guide.

 A slice of bread with a sprig of wheat and a red circle with a line through it resting on a light blue background.

Follow these four tips for gluten-free dining in Orlando so you can make the most of your travel experience.

1. Research Restaurants Ahead of Time

Before arriving in Orlando, make a list of restaurants that can accommodate a gluten-free diet and have appealing menus.

Being proactive in your search will help you use your time in Orlando more efficiently. It also gives you a chance to ask restaurants about things like cross-contamination.

 Two women and two men sit at a corner booth table set with a glass dish of fresh fruit, while a waiter sets coffee onto their table.

To get you started, here are a few restaurants we recommend:

Fresh Kitchen and Bolay are both 100% gluten-free restaurant chains that allow you to build your own bowls with proteins, veggies, and other delicious add-ons.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery’s extensive gluten-free menu has dishes like filet mignon, lettuce wraps, and GF pasta.

Toasted is a grilled cheese spot with Windermere and Winter Park locations. The restaurant can make most sandwiches with gluten-free bread, and there are dedicated cooking surfaces for GF food.

Raglan Road prepares its GF fish and chips and other gluten-free items in a separate fryer. This Disney Springs restaurant also serves Redbridge beer made from sorghum.

Fondue chain Melting Pot got its start in Central Florida. Restaurant staff go through a GF training program. You can even enjoy the beer cheese here by swapping out the standard lager for Redbridge.

Bartaco in Dr. Phillips has surprising GF items like fish tempura (made with rice batter) and croutons.

While quick-service options vary, most sit-down restaurants at Orlando’s theme parks have GF entrées. For extra assurance, ask to speak to a chef before ordering or email the theme park for guidance before you arrive.

2. Save Room for Dessert

A fluffy waffle on a white plate topped with banana slices, ice cream, drizzled Nutella, and powdered sugar. A blue clock and a white teapot are in the background.
Photo: White Rabbit Dessert Experience

Your dietary restrictions shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the sweeter things in life.

Luckily, there are many places in Orlando where you can pick up gluten-free treats.

In Waterford Lakes, White Rabbit Dessert Experience is an Alice in Wonderland-inspired eatery serving up desserts that are dinner-worthy, including a selection of indulgent GF Belgian waffles, cakes, and brownies.

Prairie House Coffee Co, near Winter Garden, serves fresh baked goods every morning. Erin McKenna’s Bakery sells allergy-friendly sweets in Disney Springs.

3. Stock Up on Gluten-Free Goodies

Early into your Orlando trip, stop by a grocery store and pick up some snacks. Most area grocery stores, including local favorite Publix, have extensive GF options.

Before heading out to the parks or convention center, put a few treats in your bag. That way, no matter where the day takes you, you’ll know there’s something you can eat.

Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort allow guests to bring nonperishable food. These parks do ask that you avoid glass containers and hard-sided coolers.

SeaWorld Orlando generally does not allow outside food but makes exceptions for guests with dietary restrictions. Ask to speak with a security or guest services supervisor before going through the bag check.

A man, woman, and girl put items into a grocery cart in a grocery store.

4. Consider Your Hotel’s Gluten-Free Offerings

Thanks to a growing population of individuals with gluten allergies and sensitivities, restaurants are becoming more proactive to guests’ dietary needs. As a result, gluten-free dining options are popping up all over Orlando.

If you choose the right hotel, you can enjoy gluten-free food right on-site.

Plated grilled swordfish at Everglades, topped with tomatoes, microgreens, and edible flowers and served on a bed of baby potatoes. A beautiful gluten-free dish at Everglades.
Photo: Everglades

Everglades Restaurant at Rosen Centre is a must for gluten-free diners. This Orlando restaurant’s GF options include fresh watermelon and goat cheese salad, grilled swordfish, and tamarind chicken.*.

Banshoo’s menu features freshly made GF sushi rolls. Down the hall, Sam & Bubbe’s Lounge is stocked with seltzers, ciders, and wine.

* We are sensitive to our guest’s dietary needs. Although we aren’t an allergen-free facility, we’ll make every effort to avoid cross-contamination of ingredients.

Please inform your server to speak with a chef concerning allergies or diets.

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