Welcome!
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to gluten free at Universal’s CityWalk Orlando entertainment district.
This article is the fifth (5th) in a series that covers the gluten free and celiac safe options at every food venue across Universal Orlando Resort. These articles cover each theme park, each on site hotel, and CityWalk Orlando.
RELATED: We have many gluten free guides other than this series. Click here to find them.
Gluten Free at Universal Orlando Resort
At the end of the day Universal Orlando is a mixed bag when it comes to allergy friendly, and specifically gluten free, food. The budget hotels are 95% safe and awesome, but there are a couple bad eggs. And the same can be said for the premier hotels.
CityWalk has incredible options but also has Voodoo Doughnut and unsafe fast food that you should avoid at all costs.
The theme parks themselves are extremely hit and miss, but the hits are good. Some places can make everything safe and some say lol here’s a side salad. And some places the side salad isn’t even safe.
EPIC Universe is by far the best park for food allergies. You can tell the older parks at some point decided they needed to become allergen free friendly but clearly did not start out that way. It’s a “let’s see what we can retroactively make allergen free friendly” vibe. However, because it’s so new, EPIC Universe was built with food allergies in mind, and you can tell.
But no matter what area of the resort you’re in, there will be too many safe options to choose from. Be pumped for that.
Our Comprehensive Gluten Free Series
Most gluten free guides out there will steer you to several gluten free options to hit up on your trip. We have those too (link above), and they’re all good and helpful! However, this series expands coverage of gluten free availability at Universal Orlando so that you are fully aware of the allergy friendly situation when entering literally any dining establishment at the resort. (We will eventually try to include the Volcano Bay water park, but the water park leans less into dining.)
UNRELATED: If you’re new to gluten free or struggling with celiac life at home/away from the parks, I wrote down some products and recipes to help. Find them here!
These encyclopedias of gluten free options at Universal Orlando are now 100% complete. Whatever venue you are curious about across the entirety of Universal Orlando Resort, you can find the answer here. And then of course I will be regularly updating them with current safety practices or deficiencies.
UPDATE: Universal has announced the addition of Category 10, Luke Combs’ entertainment venue, to CityWalk Orlando in 2027. It’s highly rated on Find Me Gluten Free, and we’re looking forward to trying it out and reviewing it!
Jump to the following comprehensive gluten free guides in this series:
- Gluten Free at EPIC Universe: Complete Guide (2026)
- Gluten Free at Universal Studios Florida: Complete Guide (2026)
- Gluten Free at Islands of Adventure: Complete Guide (2026)
- Gluten Free at EPIC Universe Hotels: Complete Guide (2026) (Helios Grand Hotel, Terra Luna Resort, and Stella Nova Resort)
- Gluten Free at Universal Budget Hotels: Complete Guide (2026) (Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Aventura Hotel, Endless Summer Resorts)
- Gluten Free at Universal Luxury Hotels: Complete Guide (2026) (Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort, Sapphire Falls Resort)
- Gluten Free at Wizarding World: Complete Guide (2026)
About Universal Unlocked
My name is Laney, and I was diagnosed with celiac disease in early 2019. I have been strictly gluten free ever since.
I get a celiac panel blood test once per month, and my numbers have always been completely normal when I’ve returned from trips to Orlando where I have eaten everything I talk about in these guides. Everything I have eaten at the resort has always been safe.
Always remember, however, that these articles are just guides to enhance your theme park experience and do not guarantee a safe dining experience. It is essential that you effectively communicate your specific needs with restaurant staff each time you go.
Please click here if you’re interested in my gluten free story and credentials. Use the table of contents below to check out the restaurants you’re interested in. Or, if you have time, read the whole thing!
RELATED: Click here to explore our review of ten (10) great gluten free dining options at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk Orlando.
If you want a quick run down of what is and isn’t safe, open the table of contents directly below ⬇️. Emojis by each venue will tell you:
- ❤️❤️❤️: our favorite restaurant at Universal Orlando Resort
- ❤️❤️: love it the most
- ❤️: love it regularly
- 👍🏼: not over the moon about it, but it is safe
- ⛔: may have a couple gluten free options, but also has a lot of gluten, so be careful
- 🚫: not safe, skip it (except gluten free bottled drinks)
What You Should Know about Gluten Free at CityWalk, Generally
I will cover every single gluten free option at Universal CityWalk Orlando in these guides. But I have eaten at CityWalk dozens of times and can also give you general tips about eating in the entertainment district.
The Menus are Not Gospel
While the menus occasionally have marked gluten free options, these are typically menu items that are naturally gluten free or don’t require adjustments to make them gluten free. But do not by any means limit yourself to these items. Most venues are well versed in preparing allergen friendly alternatives to many existing menu items.
Well Trained Staff
About 90% of venues at the resort have extremely competent staff that are well trained in allergy safe protocols. Whether there are just a few or many items on the menu, chances are they can be made safely with the right conversation with the kitchen.
Skip the Kiosks
The 10% of park venues that cannot be guaranteed to be safe are the kiosks. My advice is to always skip them. Even the ones that have labeled gluten free food on the menus. The team members will tell you every single time that the food is brought in from a kitchen somewhere else and they know nothing about cross contact.
CityWalk Orlando Gluten Free Overview
Universal’s CityWalk Orlando opened in 1999 as part of Universal Orlando Resort’s first major expansion. It coincided with the debut of Islands of Adventure and the transformation of Universal Orlando into a multi park, entertainment, dining, and on site hotel resort destination.
RELATED: Click here to read more about the history of Universal Orlando Resort.
I have eaten at (or asked about and skipped) each of the twenty-five (25) restaurants at CityWalk Orlando, and below I share everything I know. We start north coming from the parking garage and shuttle depot and work our way around. You will find ❤️ next to our favorites. If you spot ❤️❤️, we consider it a can’t miss.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co™ Restaurant and Market 👍🏼
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
If you’re a shrimp person there will be several options here for you (obviously). There is also a steak, and they have good salad and sides. The fryer is not separate so no chips or fries (if you want they can bake the fries).
While the menu is not extensive, they have a great understanding of safe preparations and precautions. Our server got a chef immediately.
UNLOCKED TIP: Most celiacs will warn people off of chains, but Universal just doesn’t go by this rule (a rule I am frankly skeptical about anyway). All full service venues are basically required to be good at allergy prep and awareness.
Click here to explore the Bubba Gump menu.
Bend the Bao 🚫
- What: Counter service
- Our Review:
They can turn a bao (not safe) into a rice bowl, but it’s a small kitchen that made me feel unsafe, and the staff was not very knowledgeable.
Click here to explore the Bend the Bao menu.
Cold Stone Creamery® ⛔
- What: Quick service
- Our Review:
Trust as much as you would trust any other Cold Stone outside Universal Orlando.
Panda Express ⛔
- What: Fast food
- Our Review:
Trust as much as you would trust any other Panda Express outside Universal Orlando.
Moe’s® Southwest Grill ⛔
- What: Counter service
- Our Review:
Trust as much as you would trust any other Moe’s Southwest Grill outside Universal Orlando.
Click here to explore the Moe’s menu.
Burger King® Whopper™ Bar (CLOSED)
UPDATE: The Burger King Whopper Bar has closed and will be replaced later this summer with a Five Guys. Read more in our News & Updates page.
Bread Box Handcrafted Sandwiches™ ⛔
- What: Counter service
- Our Review:
I know some people who eat safely here, but I have never gotten any staff who know anything about safe prep. They do have the cutest porch swing tables though.
Click here to explore the Breadbox menu.
Menchie’s® frozen yogurt ⛔
- What: Quick service
- Our Review:
Trust as much as you would trust any other Menchie’s outside Universal Orlando. We do trust it and grab yogurt here often.
Click here to explore the Menchie’s menu.
Voodoo Doughnut 🚫
- What: Quick service
- Our Review:
Not only should you avoid this place, but you should actively avoid the hundreds of people you pass on your trip carrying that pink box.
Click here to explore the Voodoo menu.
Red Oven Pizza Bakery™ 🚫
- What: Counter service
- Our Review:
The chef practically guaranteed cross contact with flour. Skip it.
Click here to explore the Red Oven menu.
The Cowfish® ❤️❤️
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
Back before we realized full service CityWalk restaurants are all good at allergy friendly food, this place was a total surprise to us. I didn’t expect them to have such an amazing allergy protocol. Or these fries. Very lovely. Great vibe. Lots of gluten free options. Amazing drinks. Good safety.
Definitely recommend. The dining room is upstairs but there’s an elevator if you’ve already walked enough stairs at the parks.
Click here to explore the Cowfish menu.
Vivo Italian Kitchen™ ❤️
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
Vivo is basically the Italian version of Antojitos. The chef and the kitchen staff are committed to making an allergen safe meal. The pasta is boxed and the sauce is premade.
We had salad, bolognese, and really delicious flourless chocolate cake. The ding from us is that there is no appetizer gluten free bread and olive oil. And we’re so spoiled by BICE, where you get it. Otherwise, perfect experience.
Click here to explore the Vivo Italian menu.
Bob Marley—A Tribute to Freedom℠ ❤️
- What: Full table service
- Our Review:
This is the most amazing place. Grab a drink here if nothing else. But they do have very tasty gluten free options and good protocol. And lots of Bob Marley stuff.
Click here to explore the Bob Marley menu.
Pat O’Brien’s® ⛔
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
This Irish dueling piano bar can make you safe food, but you have to sit in either the high top bar or outside. If you sit in the piano lounge, it is insanely loud and you can’t communicate anything, much less allergy needs.
Click here to explore the Pat O’Brien’s menu.
Fat Tuesday® ⛔
- What: Quick service
- Our Review:
Trust this as much as you would any premade frozen drink place. We skip it.
Click here to explore the Fat Tuesday menu.
Starbucks ⛔
- What: Quick service
- Our Review:
Trust it as much as you would trust any other Starbucks outside Universal Orlando.
Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice
UPDATE: Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice officially opened at Universal CityWalk on September 19, 2026, but this isn’t actually a brand new concept. Joey Fatone and his longtime manager and business partner Joe Mulvihill originally opened Fat One’s at The Florida Mall in 2016 before taking the concept on the road as a food truck. The new CityWalk restaurant is its latest—and much bigger—iteration, with a menu developed in collaboration with Universal Orlando’s culinary team.
For now, the menu only specifically labels the fries as “gluten sensitive,” so there isn’t enough information for me to make any calls about how useful Fat One’s will be for gluten free guests. But the involvement of Universal’s culinary team makes me cautiously optimistic that there may be more options or allergy procedures available than the published menu suggests. I’ll be back at Universal in February and plan to investigate the restaurant in person, including the hot dogs, buns, fryer and allergy protocols. Stay tuned.
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food™ ❤️❤️❤️
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
Our favorite restaurant at Universal Orlando Resort. No exceptions. No questions. Just amazing service, every single visit (dozens on dozens, frankly). I loved this restaurant before my diagnosis, but I actually had no idea how amazing it was until I asked them to handle an allergy.
They have the most caring staff of all time. So much of the menu is allergy friendly. The chefs are amazing. The food is so good. The cocktails are amazing. I could never say enough good things about it. If you only go to one restaurant at Universal, make it this one. 10/10. No notes.
Also, they have the best table side guacamole on the planet. Seriously. Go check and then email me to tell me I was right.
UNLOCKED TIP: On my last visit I ran into a manager who had no idea what she was talking about and told me nothing in the entire restaurant can be made gluten free. Don’t listen to someone like this at Antojitos. Ask to speak with the chef. They always know. Once I got a chef we clicked and he knew exactly how to make my favorites.
Click here to explore the Antojitos menu.
Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville® ❤️❤️
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
We don’t love this quite as much as Antojitos, but it’s still a regular haunt. And we have a tradition of posting up on the Porch of Indecision for a couple hours as the last stop on our trip.
They are really good at gluten free. Make sure to ask about anything you want to eat. They are great at making things gluten free that aren’t marked on the menu. We love the Volcano Nachos (where they have to sub the chili with chicken tinga, which is better, in my opinion).
Click here to explore the Margaritaville menu.
Lone Palm Airport ❤️
- What: Bar and food service
- Our Review:
This little offshoot is a standard bar with the same menu as Margaritaville. We love it. And it features Jimmy Buffet’s Hemisphere Dancer, recently restored. Read more about his famous plane here.
Click here to explore the Lone Palm menu.
Butterbeer Counter at CityWalk Universal Studios Store ❤️
- What: Quick service
- Our Review:
In 2025 for the first time, Universal made Butterbeer available for purchase outside a Wizarding World. Find it toward the back of the big Universal Store in the middle of CityWalk. Same rules apply. Always gluten free.
Bigfire ❤️
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
Bigfire has a very nice staff with excellent safety and knowledge. And a great menu with lots of gluten free options. Almost all sides are gluten free, including an amazing corn bisque. Plus the salads, steak, and seafood can be made celiac safe. And they have a gluten free flourless chocolate cake. We finished it before I remembered to get a picture. Amazing cocktails, too.
They have a new Sunday brunch, but I’ve never been on a Sunday.
Click here to explore the Bigfire menu.
Cinnabon® 🚫
- What: Quick service
- Our Review:
Trust as much as you would trust any other Cinnabon outside Universal Orlando.
Click here to explore the Cinnabon menu.
Auntie Anne’s 🚫
- What: Quick service
- Our Review:
One of three (3) Auntie Anne’s at the resort. And I get sad each and every time I have to pass one up.
NBC Sports Grill & Brew 👍🏼
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
This restaurant takes allergy protocol very seriously and they’re very knowledgeable. And they have gluten free buns.
Click here to explore the NBC Sports Grill menu.
Hard Rock Cafe® Orlando 👍🏼
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
This iconic restaurant is very safe. I wouldn’t trust other Hard Rock Cafes, but this one has a separate fryer and very standard gluten free protocol.
Click here to explore the Hard Rock Cafe menu.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen™ ❤️
- What: Full service tables
- Our Review:
This is probably the coolest restaurant in all of Universal Orlando. The steampunk Victorian vibe is unmatched. There aren’t a ton of gluten free options on the gigantic menu, but the chefs are second to none, and they will literally create something safe for you.
The hardest part about eating at Toothsome is watching everyone else devour the gluten full items on the menu. They are all over the top and insanely delicious and look it. So, avoid this place if that will make you too sad.
Click here to explore the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium menu.
Conclusion: Gluten Free at CityWalk Orlando
Thanks for reading! I’ll be updating this guide regularly as we continue to check on the safety and options of restaurants at Universal’s CityWalk Orlando. So make sure to bookmark this page!
Click here to reach out if you have any questions or comments. I usually respond quickly!
When I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I mourned my Universal vacation dining and brought an entire suitcase of gluten free snacks on my first trip back. Little did I know, I was about to discover an absolute gluten free paradise. You will, too. It’s impossible to feel less than or other at Universal Orlando. I hope you enjoy it!
🌮🍔🍟