The Ultimate Orlando Keto Kitchen Guide: Navigating Theme Park and City Dining

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For those adhering to a ketogenic diet, the prospect of visiting theme parks and navigating the culinary landscape of Orlando can seem daunting. However, with careful planning and knowledge of keto-friendly options, it's entirely possible to enjoy the magic of Orlando while staying true to your dietary goals. This guide provides comprehensive tips and restaurant recommendations to help you navigate the Orlando food scene while maintaining a keto lifestyle.

Understanding the Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet, in its standard and "dirty" forms, aims to minimize carbohydrate intake, prompting the body to burn fats (ketones) for energy instead of glucose from carbs. This metabolic shift can lead to weight loss and other health benefits.

General Tips for Keto Dining in Orlando

  • Bunless Burgers: A simple yet effective strategy is to order burgers without the bun. Many restaurants offer the option to substitute the side dish with a keto-friendly alternative like a salad or vegetables.
  • Starbucks Customization: Starbucks can be a surprisingly accommodating option for keto dieters. Inquire about low-carb beverage options and sugar-free syrups.
  • Turkey Legs: A classic theme park treat, turkey legs are a protein-rich snack. However, be mindful of the sauces, as they often contain added sugars.
  • Bring Your Own Food: Universal Orlando allows guests to bring their own food within reasonable limits, making it easier to control your carb intake.

Keto-Friendly Dining at Universal Orlando

Table Service Restaurants

  • Lombard's Seafood Grille (Universal Studios Florida): Specializing in seafood, Lombard's offers a tuna poke appetizer (without the crispy wontons) as a solid keto option.
  • Finnegan's Bar & Grill (Universal Studios Florida): While tempting appetizers, soda bread, and beer might be off-limits, the Pistachio Crusted Salmon Salad stands out. This dish features salmon fillet on baby greens with roasted root vegetables, tomatoes, onions, and Havarti dill cheese, dressed with homemade mustard ale vinaigrette. The Irish Cobb salad is another potential choice, depending on whether Scotch eggs fit your keto plan.
  • Confisco Grille (Islands of Adventure): Confisco Grille boasts excellent salad options and fresh catch of the day selections.
  • Mythos (Islands of Adventure): Similar to Confisco Grille, Mythos offers a range of salads and customizable dishes that can be adapted for a keto diet.

Quick Service Restaurants

  • The Leaky Cauldron & Three Broomsticks (Wizarding World): Both locations offer roasted chicken with steamed vegetables. Some guests have reported success in ordering salads with added protein.
  • TODAY Café (Universal Studios Florida): This café may offer keto-friendly options, so it's worth checking their menu.
  • Bumblebee Man's Taco Truck (Springfield USA): If your keto diet allows for minimal carbs, the tacos might be an option, but be mindful of the tortillas.
  • Lisa's TeaHouse of Horror (Springfield USA): While not known for its exceptional taste, this spot offers several keto-friendly items.
  • Thunder Falls Terrace (Islands of Adventure): Salads, chicken, and ribs are available, but pay attention to the sugar content in the BBQ sauce.
  • Comic Strip Café (Islands of Adventure): This food court offers salads and the "Dragon Platter," a combination of Asian-style chicken and beef that can be modified to reduce carbs.

CityWalk Dining

  • Red Oven Pizzeria: High-quality salads are available.
  • Margaritaville & Bubba Gump's: These restaurants offer grilled sandwiches that can be enjoyed without the bun.
  • Bigfire: The Cauliflower Steak is a dedicated keto-friendly option.
  • Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar: Despite its name, Cowfish offers sushi-style appetizers and entrees that cater to keto needs.
  • Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen: Surprisingly, this spot offers several appetizer options that may align with keto, along with a "super foods" salad.

Specific CityWalk Restaurant Recommendations

  • Big Fire

    • Starters:
      • Skillet Roasted Mussels (hold the bread)
      • Wood Charred Brussels Sprouts (hold the smear)
    • Salads:
      • Cobb (hold the corn, sweet potatoes, honey, BBQ dressing, and cornbread; request Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing)
      • Wedge
    • From the Hearth:
      • Filet Mignon (ask about seasonal veggies, avoid high-carb options)
      • N.Y. Sirloin Strip (ask about seasonal veggies, avoid high-carb options)
      • Cowboy Ribeye (ask about seasonal veggies, avoid high-carb options)
      • Prime T-Bone (ask about seasonal veggies, avoid high-carb options)
      • Wild Salmon (ask about seasonal veggies, avoid high-carb options)
      • Brook Trout (ask about seasonal veggies, avoid high-carb options)
    • Entrees:
      • Catch of the day (ask about seasonal veggies, avoid high-carb options)
      • Colorado Lamb Shank (ask about seasonal veggies, avoid high-carb options)
    • Burgers & Sandwiches:
      • Signature Bison Burger (hold the bun and cheese sauce, ask for sliced cheese and extra lettuce)
      • Bigfire Cheeseburger (hold the bun, request extra lettuce)
      • Salmon BLTA (hold the bread)

  • NBC Sports Grill and Brew

    • On the Green:
      • Caesar Salad (hold the croutons)
      • Grilled Steak Wedge
      • Smoked Chicken Cobb (hold the dressing and crispy onions, use ranch or blue cheese dressing)
    • Bases Loaded Burgers:
      • Smokehouse Stack (hold the BBQ sauce, crispy onions, and bun; ask for extra lettuce and chipotle aioli)
      • Wagyu (hold the hoisin BBQ sauce, tomato jam, crispy onions, and bun; ask for extra lettuce and chipotle aioli)
      • Lamb (hold the brioche bun, ask for extra lettuce)
      • Turkey (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce)
      • Mushroom (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce)

  • Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville

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    • Salads:
      • Chicken Caesar Salad (hold the croutons and fried onions)
      • Taco Salad (hold the tortilla chips)
      • Fried Chicken Cobb Salad (sub fried chicken for grilled chicken, sub honey mustard with ranch)
    • Entrees/Burgers in Paradise:
      • Blackened Salmon (hold the rice, beans, and pineapple salsa; served over a house salad)
      • Cheeseburger in Paradise (hold the bun and sauce, ask for extra lettuce and a mixed green salad)
      • Black and Bleu Burger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce and a mixed green salad)
      • Rancho Deluxe Burger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce and a mixed green salad)

  • Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food

    • Aperitivos:
      • Tableside guacamole (hold the chips, ask for sliced peppers and celery)
    • Ensalada:
      • Ensalada de taco (hold the black beans, corn, tortilla chips, and dressing)

  • Cow Fish

    • Appetizers:
      • Big Al’s Yellowtail (hold the dipping sauce, request plain soy sauce or jalapeno aioli)
      • Sashimi (any sashimi is fine, dip in soy sauce)
    • Burgers:
      • Shroomin Swiss Burger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce)
      • The C.B.C.L.T (hold the bun and sauce, ask for garlic aioli and extra lettuce)
      • Black Truffle Cheese Burger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce)
      • The Rise & Swine Burger (hold the bun and sauce, ask for garlic aioli and extra lettuce)
      • Black & Brie (hold the bun, honey, pear, and sauce; ask for garlic aioli and extra lettuce)
      • Royale Burger (hold the roll and sauce, ask for garlic aioli and extra lettuce)
      • The Boursin Bacon Burger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce)
      • Chicken Bacon Avocado (hold the bun)

  • Pat O’Brien’s

    • Starters:
      • Pat O’Brien’s Wings (as is)
    • Salads:
      • Blackened Chicken Caesar (hold the croutons and crispy onions)
    • Sandwiches:
      • Courtyard Cheeseburger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce)

  • Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Savory Feast

    • Appetizers:
      • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Salads:
      • Caesar Salad (hold the croutons, add chicken or shrimp)
      • Super Foods (hold the quinoa, sub dressing for Caesar or ranch)
    • Sandwiches/Hamburgers:
      • Fork & Knife Grilled Rib Eye Steak Sandwich (hold the bun, request over a side salad and sub french fries with green beans)
      • Tour de France (hold the bun and crispy onions, ask for extra lettuce)
      • Cheddar Bacon (hold the bun and sauce, ask for extra lettuce and herb aioli)
    • Entrees:
      • Toothsome Signature Beef Filet Mignon (hold the sherry cream, mashed potatoes, and shallot jam; top with butter, ask for grilled asparagus)
      • Grilled 10oz New York Strip Steak (hold the potatoes and fried onions)

  • Hard Rock

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    • Starters:
      • Wings (traditional bone in with buffalo sauce)
    • Salads:
      • Steak Salad (hold the vinaigrette and crispy onions, choose ranch or blue cheese dressing)
      • Grilled Chicken Salad (hold the croutons)
    • Legendary Steak Burgers:
      • Original Legendary Burger (hold the bun and sauce, ask for extra lettuce and a mixed green salad)
      • The Big Cheeseburger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce and a mixed green salad)
      • Double-Decker Double Cheeseburger (hold the bun and sauce, ask for extra lettuce and a mixed green salad)
      • Swiss Mushroom Burger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce and a mixed green salad)
      • Spicy Diablo Burger (hold the bun, ask for extra lettuce)

Additional Orlando Dining Options

Beyond Universal Orlando, the city offers a wide array of restaurants catering to various dietary needs, including gluten-free and dairy-free options that can often be adapted for keto.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Restaurants (Adaptable for Keto)

  • Chipotle Mexican Grill: Customize bowls and salads, omitting rice and beans.
  • Whole Foods Hot Bar / Salad Bar: Create your own keto-friendly meal with roasted vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats.
  • Publix: Build your own sandwiches or wraps, opting for lettuce wraps instead of bread.
  • Fresh Kitchen: This restaurant is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, with options for anti-biotic-free meats and no processed sugar.
  • Bolay: Offers fresh, bold ingredients with custom spice blends.
  • CAVA: Build a fast Mediterranean meal with a base of greens, protein, and various toppings and dressings.
  • Blaze Pizza: Offers gluten-free crust options, including cauliflower and keto dough.
  • Chicken Guy: Features all-natural fresh chicken tenders and many sauces.
  • Sus Hi Eatstation: Customizable sushi rolls, bowls, and burritos with gluten-free seaweed.
  • Salata Salad Kitchen: Fully customizable salads, wraps, and soups with fresh ingredients.
  • Black Rooster Taqueria: Contemporary Mexican tacos, bowls, and ceviches.
  • Hungry Pants: Offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items such as crispy cauliflower and sweet potato tots and vegan poke bowls.
  • Greens & Grille: Salads, wraps, sandwiches, and soups.
  • SoFresh: Hot bowls, salads, wraps, broth bowls, smoothies, and juices with scratch-made sauces and dressings.
  • Fresh&Co: Partners with local farmers to serve 100% vegetarian-fed, hormone-free poultry & meats + non-GMO, natural ingredients.
  • Seasons 52: Offers gluten-sensitive, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-sensitive menus.
  • Piggza: Modern Italian-styled restaurant with gluten-free and dairy-free pizza crust and pastas.
  • The Ravenous Pig: Gastropub serving sustainable food created with passion and prepared using ingredients sourced in Florida.
  • Greenbeat: Partners with local farms, suppliers and artisans in order to bring the most vibrant, seasonal and healthy ingredients possible with the ultimate aim of crafting health conscious meals that are affordable to nearly everyone.
  • Tap Room at Dubsdread: Offers fresh fish, prime cuts, and Orlando’s best burger.
  • Gnarly Barley: Sandwich shop with craft brews.

Grocery Stores

  • Whole Foods Market: Wide selection of organic and natural foods.
  • Trader Joe’s: Unconventional, delicious, and interesting products at relatively low costs.
  • Sprouts Farmers Market: Natural and organic grocery items.
  • Publix GreenWise Market: Organic grocery store with earth-friendly prepared foods and products.
  • Fancy Fruit & Produce: Fresh fruit and produce every day.
  • Fresh Market: Easy meals and fresh foods, including meats and seafood, as well as premium fresh produce.
  • Earth Fare: Foods free of added hormones, antibiotics, artificial fats/trans-fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, bleached or bromated flour, and artificial colors or flavors.
  • Chamberlin’s Natural Foods Market: Fresh foods, vitamins, supplements, and homeopathic remedies.
  • Costco: Natural and organic finds.
  • Freshfields Farm: Local produce, meats, and ice cream.

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tags: #orlando #keto #kitchen #guide

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