Safe Restaurants for Food Allergy Families: Our Tested List

Last updated: [Aug. 4, 2025] - This post will be updated as we discover new safe dining options

Our food allergy journey didn't start with caution - it started with discovery. When our child began eating solids, food allergies weren't even on our radar. Like many parents, I happily let him sample little bits of soft foods when we were out at restaurants - a bite of food here, a sip of broth there. We were just excited to introduce him to new flavors and experiences.

It wasn't until our big milk scare at 13 months that we realized we were possibly dealing with food allergies. When he was officially diagnosed at 15 months old, those carefree restaurant visits suddenly felt overwhelming.

I started hesitating to give him restaurant food at all. Our family would still go out to eat, but I would always pack homemade foods that were similar to what the restaurant served - my own version of pasta if we went Italian, safe burger patties and sides if we went to casual dining spots. We tried several times to order for him, even armed with FARE food allergy cards, but he had reactions due to cross-contact. Each reaction reinforced my decision to stick with packed meals.

For years, restaurant dining meant our family enjoyed their meals while he ate food I'd brought from home. It worked, but it wasn't ideal, and I always wondered if there might be places where he could safely eat restaurant food like everyone else.

Fortunately, as he's gotten older with a stronger immune system, and as I've become more skilled at restaurant research and communication, we've found places where he can safely eat restaurant food. The restaurants listed below represent careful research, communication, and positive experiences.

After years of navigating this new reality, I've learned that finding truly safe restaurants isn't just about checking a website or communicating once. It requires thorough research, preparation, and honest conversations with restaurant staff. We haven't been to many, but the places listed below have earned our trust through careful vetting and positive experiences.

How I Research Restaurant Safety

Managing multiple severe food allergies means I can't rely on general "allergy-friendly" lists or assume that one family's safe experience guarantees ours. Here's my process:

Before We Visit

Initial Research:

• Check the restaurant's official allergy policy and procedures online

• Look for detailed allergen menus, not just basic disclosures

• Research whether the restaurant had allergy training programs

• Find to read recent reviews from other allergy families (within the last 6 months)

The Email: I always email ahead, rather than call as documentation, even sometimes to restaurants we've visited before. In the email, I explain our specific allergies. I also ask about:

• Cross-contamination prevention protocols

• Separate preparation areas or dedicated allergy procedures

• Staff training on food allergies

• Which menu items they feel confident preparing safely

• Peak vs. off-peak times for better attention to detail

I have a restaurant email template. Email me at hello@foodallergiesstrong.com.

During Our Visit

Arrival Strategy:

• I arrive with our allergy cards that list all allergens clearly

• We eat during less busy times when possible

• I speak with our server and usually the server brings out the manager &/or chef

• I reference our email, when necessary

Communication:

• I'm specific about cross-contamination concerns, not just ingredient avoidance

• I ask about shared fryers, prep surfaces, and utensils

• I verify that everyone handling our food understands the severity

• I always carry our emergency medications and keep them visible

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Our Tested Safe Restaurants

Note: These represent our family's experiences with our specific allergies (currently, wheat/gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, oats, flaxseed, & buckwheat). Your experience may differ based on your allergens, severity, location, and timing.

Restaurants

Quick Reference by State/Country

• California: Huntington Beach

• Florida: Orlando

• Texas: Austin, Dallas

• Washington: Bellevue & Seattle

• Victoria, British Columbia

Restaurants by Location

California

Huntington Beach

Nov. 2021 - Watertable & Pete’s restaurants at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa

• What my kid ordered: Chicken Tender & Fries, I think

• Why it worked: Their Executive Chef, Manfred Lassahn, is well-versed in food allergies and encounters hundreds of families going through TIP at the Food Allergy Institute in Long Beach, CA. He is personable and has trained his staff well.

• Notes: Super accommodating & advanced notice is helpful.

Florida

Orlando

Mar. 2022 & Mar. 2025 - Walt Disney World Resorts

• Read my separate post all about WDW

Texas

Austin

May 2019 & July 2024 - Picnik Restaurant

• What my kid ordered: Chicken, steak, sweet potatoes, & avocado

• Why it worked: Their staff is well-versed on food allergies. They made his food in separate pans, as opposed to their cooktop.

• Notes: They were accommodating.

Apr. 2025 - The Well - 2nd St. (Downtown)

• What my kid ordered: Breakfast Tacos

• Why it worked: They proud themselves in offering food free of gluten, dairy, soy and so much more. They are a "100% gluten-free kitchen." Their server was knowledgeable and a manager double-checked his order.

• Notes: His Breakfast Tacos were delicious! They have a couple of locations in Austin, so we will definitely return.

Aug. 2025 - The Well - Westlake

• What my kid ordered: Kids'Menu Chicken Nuggets

• Why it worked: They proud themselves in offering food free of gluten, dairy, soy and so much more. They are a "100% gluten-free kitchen." When I called them, the person on the phone sounded knowledgeable and said their staff was very allergy-aware and trained on cross-contamination. When we arrived for dinner, both the server and someone who appeared to be the restaurant's manager double-checked everything with the chef. They took their time to bring out our meal all at the same time.

• Notes: My kid really enjoyed their nuggets and even wanted me to ask them for their recipe!

Dallas

Jul. 2025 - HG Sply Co.

• What my kid ordered: Kids' Chicken Bowl with side of broccoli

• Why it worked: I showed our server our FARE food allergy card and he double-checked everything, then the Manager came out, as well. The Manager's mom has severe food allergies, so he understood kitchen safety.

• Notes: It was a busy Saturday evening, and they still were very accommodating and was able to keep my son safe.

Jul. 2025 - Medieval Times

• What my kid ordered: Gluten Free Meal

• Why it worked: On their website, they are transparent with the food in their feast for those with food allergies. The company was communicative via email and you can note food allergies when booking. We gave them our FARE card and a chef came to us.

• Notes: My kid enjoyed eating with his hands there!

Washington

Bellevue

Mar. 2022 - Melting Pot

• What my kid ordered: 1st entree is usually fruit & veggies. 2nd entree is chicken, shrimp, steak, & veggies with their Court Bouillon broth. Dessert is their Pure Chocolate Fondue.

• Why it worked: The servers always ask if anyone has food allergies in the group. I give them our FARE card and they share the information with the team in the kitchen. They bring my child's entrees separate from ours to prevent cross contact.

• Notes: We've also been to the Melting Pot in Austin, TX several times for celebratory occasions and every time they have been accommodating.

Seattle

Countless times from 2021-2024 - Askatu Bakery

• What we've ordered: Custom birthday cakes & cupcakes, brownies, sugar cookies, hand pies, apple & pumpkin pies, & quick bread mixes

• Why it worked: The owner, Estela, is a food allergy mama, so she completely understands how hard it is.

• Notes: Estela has made all types of sweets for my kiddo and his multiple food allergies. They were all delicious! We miss Askatu Bakery.

Multiple times from 2022-2024 - Palisade Restaurant

• What my kid ordered: Grilled salmon, grilled asparagus, & roasted potatoes

• Why it worked: We gave our FARE card to our server. The manager came out and reassured us they took food allergies seriously. He mentioned that everything would be prepared separately in it's own pan. The manager brought of the food and my kid said it was delicious.

• Notes: The view was beautiful.

Bristish Columbia

Victoria

Mar. 2023 - Boom & Batten Restaurant

• What my kid ordered: Steak with broccolini & string beans

• Why it worked: I was in contact with Chef Laurie Munn prior to our arrival. She was sweet and reassuring about her understanding of food allergies.

• Notes: We didn't get to meet Chef Munn in person, as it was a busy Friday evening, but she and her staff really took care of us.

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Red Flags That Make Me Walk Away

Through experience, I've learned to recognize when a restaurant isn't prepared to handle severe allergies safely:

• Staff who seem annoyed or dismissive about allergy questions

• Responses like "everything has allergens" or "we can't guarantee anything"

• No clear protocols for preventing cross-contamination

• Extremely busy kitchens with harried staff during peak times

• Multiple menu disclaimers but no actual accommodation procedures

• Staff who don't understand the difference between preference and medical necessity

What Makes a Restaurant Truly Allergy-Safe

The restaurants on our trusted list share these characteristics:

• Clear Protocols: They have written procedures for handling allergy orders, not just general awareness.

• Trained Staff: Multiple people (manager, server, kitchen staff) understand food allergies and cross-contamination.

• Communication: They ask questions about our specific needs rather than making assumptions.

• Flexibility: They're willing to modify preparation methods, not just ingredients.

• Documentation: They take our allergies seriously enough to write them down and communicate clearly with the kitchen.

• Follow-Through: What they promise by phone matches what happens during our visit.

Tips for Your Own Restaurant Research

• Start Small: Test new places with less severe reactions first, or during less risky times.

• Build Relationships: Once you find safe spots, become regulars. Familiar staff are more likely to remember your needs.

• Timing Matters: Avoid peak rush times when kitchens are overwhelmed and mistakes are more likely.

• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it's okay to leave. No meal is worth risking a reaction.

• Have a Backup Plan: Always know where the nearest hospital is, and keep emergency medications easily accessible.

The Reality of Dining Out with Multiple Severe Allergies

I won't sugarcoat it: dining out with multiple severe food allergies is challenging, let alone traveling to new places. Many restaurants that advertise as "allergy-friendly" are really only equipped to handle one or two common allergens. When you're managing multiple severe allergies, the complexity increases exponentially.

When we started testing restaurant foods, again, I still brought food from home, just in case. Several times, we've had to leave restaurants after realizing they couldn't accommodate us safely. Some family trips required more grocery store meals than restaurant experiences. That's okay. Our safety comes first, and over time, we've built a reliable list of places where we can eat with confidence.

The restaurants and resorts listed here have earned our trust through consistent, safe experiences. But remember: staff changes, procedures evolve, and what works for our family might not work for yours.

A Growing List

This post will be updated regularly as we discover new safe dining options. If you have severe food allergies and have found restaurants that consistently accommodate multiple allergens safely, I'd love to hear about your experiences. Contact me at hello@foodallergiesstrong.com.

Food allergy families deserve to enjoy dining out without fear. By sharing our tested experiences and research methods, I hope to help other families find their own safe dining options with more confidence and less trial-and-error.

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Important Disclaimer: This information is based solely on our family's personal experiences with our specific food allergies. Restaurant policies, staff training, menu items, and preparation methods can change at any time. Every food allergy situation is unique in terms of specific allergens, severity of reactions, and individual tolerance levels.

You are responsible for your own food allergy management. Always:

• Verify current allergen information directly with the restaurant

• Communicate your specific allergies and severity clearly

• Ask detailed questions about preparation methods and cross-contamination prevention

• Trust your own judgment about whether a restaurant can accommodate your needs safely

• Carry emergency medications and know your action plan

• Never rely solely on another family's experience to determine safety for your situation

The restaurants listed have worked for our family, but this does not guarantee they will work for yours. Every family's allergy situation is unique. When in doubt, don't risk it. Your safety is more important than any dining experience.