No visit to Universal Orlando is complete without sampling Butterbeer – and it’s gluten-free!

If you or your children suffer from a gluten sensitivity or allergy, traveling can be tough. While there is always the option to bring your own food, sometimes that’s just one more thing to add to the long list of traveling needs. Thankfully, Orlando theme park like Universal Orlando are beginning to offer a number of gluten-free options. And in case you’re wondering, they are anything but gross.  

Butterbeer – You can’t visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando without sipping on some butter beer. Luckily, the concoction is free of gluten so you can satisfy your sweet tooth all day long. The Butterbeer is served throughout the themed area including restaurants and outside beverage carts at Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. 

Three Broomsticks Pancake Breakfast – At Three Broomsticks they have both an allergy- and gluten-free menu. Both menus indicate what you can and cannot have, which we found super helpful. As far as gluten-free goes, guests can enjoy the gluten-free pancake breakfast. There are several other options in the “Can Eat” list as well.  

Cheeseburger in Paradise – Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville knows how delicious a cheeseburger is to your diet, which is why the Universal restaurant has included the gluten-free Cheeseburger in Paradise option to the menu. The meal includes a cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles and paradise island sauce, served with a side of fries. It all comes together on a gluten-free bun that’s so tasty you won’t notice the gluten is gone. 

Margaritaville’s Brownie Sundae – Speaking of Margaritaville, the Orlando restaurant also ensures gluten-free eaters can have their cake and eat it too, or in this case, a brownie sundae. A gluten-free brownie isn’t an easy treat to get down but Margaritaville does an excellent job recreating a rich and warm brownie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s just like what mom used to make, gluten and all.

It is also worth mentioning that several Universal restaurants do offer gluten-free menu options even if nothing on their menu is labeled as such. A simple ask will get you a different menu and/or a special gluten-free meal from the chef.

Orlando, FL – 7/19/17

By: Jena Pugh