Orlando is a large city with many food options, but sometimes when we have special dietary requirements, finding good places to eat can be frustrating. There is no shortage of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices here in Orlando.
Top Vegetarian Choices
Veggie Garden 1216 E Colonial Dr Ste 11, Orlando, Florida 32803 407-228-1740 Now Open: Mon-Thu 9:00am-8:00pm, Sat 9:00am-9:00pm, Sun 9:00am-8:00pm Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, Take-out, Asian, Vietnamese Serves Vietnamese vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Menu features a signature soup broth which uses over eight kinds of fresh vegetables and fruit. Small and cozy, sit down for a quick bite or take food to-go. Accepts credit cards. Inexpensive.
Dandelion Communitea Café 618 N Thornton Ave (at downtown), Orlando, Florida 32803 407-362-1864 Mon-Sat 11:00am-10:00pm, Sun 11:00am-5:00pm Cuisine: Vegan-friendly Orlando vegetarian cafe and urban teas shop. Provides a friendly and relaxing environment. Find Sweet Tooth vegan goodies here. Moderate.
Woodlands Pure Veg 6040 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida 32809 407-854-3330 Call for hours – tell us Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, Lacto, Indian, Buffet, Catering Vegetarian Indian restaurant features south Indian cuisine. Has a varied. daily lunch buffet. Food can be spicy. Simple decor. Open Tue-Sun lunch and dinner, closed Mon. Moderate.
Vegan Choices
Fresh 24 2816 Corrine Dr, Orlando, Florida 32803 407-897-1355 Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm, Sun 11:00am-4:00pm A produce market selling only local farm fresh produce which arrives at the store within 24 hours of being picked. Daily produce arrivals include hydroponic, organic, and conventional farming.
Rhaphsodic Bakery 710 N Mills Ave, Orlando, Florida 32803 407-704-8615 Mon-Thu 11:00am-7:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:00am-8:00pm Vegan except for jars of honey, this bakery makes all-vegan desserts and baked goods and has a cold case with drinks, cakes, cookies, biscuits. Rotating local artwork displays. Free Wi-Fi. Wheelchair accessible. Accepts credit cards.
Veg-Friendly
Mediterranean Blue 435 E Michigan St, Orlando, Florida 32806 407-422-2583 Call for hours – tell us Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, Lacto, Take-out, Non-veg Serves meat, veg options available. A small, Greek family owned and operated restaurant that offers vegetarian and vegan options that are prepared and cooked separately, including falafel, grilled seasonal vegetable dish that includes grilled eggplant and zucchini, Mini Meze with kalamata olives and peppers and more. Has outdoor seating. Wheelchair accessible. Accepts credit cards. Inexpensive.
Mellow Mushroom 11680 E Colonial Dr (at N Alafaya Tr), Orlando, Florida 32817 407-384-4455 Call for hours – tell us Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, Lacto, American, Pizza, Take-out, Non-veg Serves meat, veg options available. Part of hippie-themed pizza chain. Has pizzas, calzones, hoagies, plus hummus and pita. Options for pizzas and calzones include tofu, tempeh, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, peppers, sundried tomatoes, and more. All pizzas can be made with vegan cheese. Many options for hoagies made with tofu and tempeh. Accepts credit cards. Moderate.
Mythos Restaurant 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, Florida 32819 407-224-4012 Call for hours – tell us Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, Thai, Non-veg Serves meat, veg options available. Fine dining restaurant located inside Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure, dvertises pad thai that can be made vegan (stated on the menu). Also has many gluten free options. Moderate.
Gluten Free
Maggiano’s 9101 International Dr Ste 2400, Ste. 2400, Orlando, FL 32819-8120 Gluten-Free Features: Pasta Categories: Kid Friendly, Italian, Restaurant, Chain (407) 241-8650 maggianos.com
Toasted 1945 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792 (407) 960-3922 Open daily 11am – 9:30 pm igettoasted.com Gluten-Free Features:Gluten-Free Menu, Celiac Friendly, Burgers, Sandwiches, Bread/Buns, Dedicated Kitchen Space, Dedicated Fryer, Fries, Allergen List Categories:Lunch, Kid Friendly, Restaurant
Visit the YALSA Wiki for more restaurant suggestions and locations.
Two apps for those travelers with special dietary needs:
Happy Cow www.happycow.net
Created by Erica Brent, this app lists vegan-friendly, vegan, vegetarian, raw, ovo, organic cafes, restaurants, stores, bakeries, and markets. Search by locale and eat like a local.
V Cards
Having trouble explaining your special dietary needs? Use V-cards. It is an app with a comprehensive description of veganism in over 70 native languages.
Vandy Pacetti-Donelson is a Library Media Specialist. She is a Florida Native, library advocate and Board Director for the Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME). Find her online atwww.eliterateandlevelingup.com or follow her on Twitter @VandyPD.
