Like I’ve stated in multiple places here on our site, I think Walt Disney World is one of the best places for eating gluten-free!
Sit Down/Table Service
To sit down or not to sit down?
Let’s first talk about what Sit Down/Table Service means in Disney terms. A Table Service restaurant will be sit down, meaning there will be actually seating inside the building, with a server who comes to take your order, and it’ll probably be more expensive than a quick service eatery. If you are on the Disney dining plan, you’ll use one of your table service credits here. Depending on the price, it might take two.
Parks and Resorts
In every park, and resort there will be multiple table service restaurants. However, you may not might find adequate gluten free food or allergen choices available. Most will have at least one, so I would look head at the menu to plan accordingly.
Some I know to have issues are the different countries at Epcot. France, Japan, China, and Germany are ones I know for sure with no good GF choices. Electric Umbrella was always a go-to for us in Future World, but now that has closed.
I love to try new places and new dishes every trip, and look forward to discovering new GF goodies!
Remember: Always ask for an allergen menu, and when in doubt, ask to speak to a Chef.
Quick Service
How quick is quick?
What makes Quick Service restaurants different than Table Service? With Quick Service you go up to a counter, place your order, and wait to pick up your order. It’s supposed to be “quick”, hence the name. However, with GF or any allergen, it can add time to your waiting, especially if it’s at the height of a mealtime. Mobile ordering has helped with this issue. I think the most we have ever waited was about thirty minutes.
While most Table Service restaurants will be able to accommodate food allergies, and have a few choices, some Quick Services will not. They will either not have GF/allergy friendly items or they will have one choice. I do believe Disney is getting better at this, and will include more choices in the future.
One time, I was starving but only wanted a quick snack, and went to the snack kiosk in the middle of Tomorrowland. I got two hotdogs without buns and a bag of plain Lays chips! To make it even better, the Cast Member told me Mickey wanted me to have it and gave it to me for free! #magicalmoment
My Favorites
Here is a list of some of my absolute favorite places to eat at while visiting Disney World because of their gluten free food options.
Table Service
One of my favorite table service meals was at a restaurant I did not expect to love as much as I did: Liberty Tree Tavern! Not only did they have a GF meal, but they also had a GF appetizer, which is always a bonus in my book! A small iron skillet filled with warm crab, spinach, and artichoke dip, and warm GF rolls–so yummy. For my main entrée, I had the pot roast with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was a massive portion! And soo delicious. I cannot wait to eat here again.
Quick Service
My favorite go-to for a quick meal at Magic Kingdom is the Columbia Harbor House. They have GF chicken tenders and French fries. Once again, a huge portion. And for someone who doesn’t always get to eat restaurant French fries for fear of cross-contamination, I gorge on these at Disney World!
Dessert Spot
Finding GF dessert anywhere can be hard, but Disney World tries to provide the best and yummiest for those of us with food allergies. They’re not always the cutest ones like Mickey Mouse cupcakes, or Disney Character shaped cookies, but like I said they’re still yummy. With Fall coming up, I can’t stop thinking about the GF Pumpkin Spice beignets I got at Sassagoula Floatworks at Port Orleans French Quarter. They were so so good!!
Snack Spot
There’s two good places for gluten free food, specifically snacks, in Magic Kingdom: Gaston’s Tavern and Mainstreet Confectionary. At Gaston’s Tavern they do have little mixed veggie packets, apples with caramel dip, little wheels of cheese, and Le Fou’s Brew. As long as you don’t have other food allergies, these might be good for you! And I loooove Le Fou’s Brew. And I know what you’re thinking, how is a confectionary a good place for GF? The white chocolate covered marshmallows are my favorite! And I never worry about cross-contamination with them, but if you are then don’t get them. I’ve also heard that certain candy apples are okay too, but personally have never tried one. And if you want something really really safe, labeled gluten free, head to the Starbucks and get a dream bar! Which is a GF rice crispie treat.
Since I mostly named my favorite spots in Magic Kingdom, I will continue to do these and name my favorites at each park! And maybe I’ll wait until after my upcoming trip this October since I’ll have eaten at so many new places! In the mean time, check out our Gluten Free Disney page for more info on Disney’s gluten free food options.
Be sure to also check out our other great Disney content. We’ve got lots of videos up on our YouTube channel Dole Whip and Castle. We also have lots of great info on our other pages here on our website. We’ve got Tips and Tricks for visiting the parks. Treats and Eats for all things tasty at Disney, and Magical Homents where we show you how to bring the Disney magic home!