Hey there, fellow gluten-free eaters! If you're planning a trip to Busch Gardens Tampa, you might be wondering what food options are available for those of us with dietary restrictions. Well, fear not, because I'm here to share my personal experience trying out the best gluten-free food in the park. We also purchased the all day dining deal, which if you're going to eat more than once in the park, pays for itself.
The first place we decided to get a bite to eat was at Serengeti Overlook, which offers stunning views of the Serengeti Plain. Serengeti Outlook houses both Oasis Pizza and the Giraffe Bar. I had done a bit of research so I knew Oasis Pizza offered gluten free pizza and was a safe first bet.
The gluten-free pizza is cooked in its own bag to prevent cross-contamination. And the best part? They even gave me my own pizza cutter! Just be forewarned that it takes about 15 minutes to heat the pizza up.
The pizza was okay. In typical big-chain fashion, the gluten-free crust was very brittle and tasted like a cracker, but it was good to know there was at least a safe option available. There is no room for personalization on the pizza so all you're getting is a cheese pizza. They also had grapes and salads available as gluten-free sides as well.
Later on, we made a stop at Zambia Smokehouse. They offer gluten-free rotisserie chicken, which you can get with or without BBQ sauce. I went for the chicken without the BBQ sauce, and it was a perfect, simple, juicy and flavorful chicken. They also had carrots and a pickle as gluten-free sides, which was a great way to get some veggies in my diet while enjoying all the meaty goodness.
The chicken was my favorite meal at the park and a welcome contrast to the artificial and bland taste of the pizza. I typically find that if you can find foods that are naturally gluten-free, those are usually your best bet for eating gluten-free without compromising on taste.
The smokehouse also had gluten-free brisket available and I think they may have actually had gluten-free buns for their pulled pork sandwich as well. Overall, this was a hearty meal that kept me full for a good bit, even after walking 25,000+ steps!
Finally, I stopped by Chick-Fil-A. While they don't offer gluten-free buns and they didn't have any gluten-free entrées available, they had plenty of other side options that were safe for me to eat. I got their waffle potato fries, which I normally get at Chick-Fil-A. I also tried their gluten-free chips made by a brand called Siete. And for dessert, I had the vanilla ice cream, which was gluten-free and a perfect sweet treat.
When we got caught in the rain, we took a little intermission at the Giraffe Bar for a few drinks! While these aren't included in the all-day dining deal, it was still a great little treat.
The Giraffe Bar, located in the Serengeti Overlook area, offers a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are gluten-free. Their cocktails are made with fresh fruits and juices, and they also have a selection of gluten-free beer and hard seltzers. If you're looking for something non-alcoholic, they have plenty of options as well, including bottled water, soda, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. The best part? The Giraffe Bar offers stunning views of the Serengeti Plain, making it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a refreshing drink while taking in the beautiful scenery.
So, whether you're in the mood for a cold beer or a fruity cocktail, the Giraffe Bar has plenty of gluten-free options to quench your thirst:
Cocktails:
The Serengeti Sunrise, made with Flor de Caña Rum, strawberry and orange;
The Masai Margarita, made with Milagro Silver Tequila, spicy pineapple and lime;
Sparkling Madagascar Mojito, made with Starr African Rum, mint and lime.
The Posh Puffin (what I got), made with Reyka Small Batch Icelandic Vodka, frozen watermelon
Wine: There are a couple different rotating wines that help support wildlife and places.
Hard Seltzers: White Claw and Truly both offer a variety of flavors that are gluten-free, including black cherry, mango, and raspberry.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Dasani bottled water, Coca-Cola products like Coke, Sprite, and Fanta, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
All Day Dining
If you're planning to spend the whole day at the park, I highly recommend the All-Day Dining deal. It was great to be able to try out different restaurants and not have to worry about the cost of each meal. And the good news is that many of the restaurants participating in the deal offer gluten-free options. The deal allows you to get an entrée, side or dessert and beverage once every 90 minutes. My favorite was Zambia Smokehouse.
Ensuring a Gluten Free Experience
Just make sure to communicate your dietary needs to the staff at each restaurant, and they'll be happy to help you find a safe and delicious gluten-free option. Here is an online resource listing Busch Garden's Food Allergen Information which basically says to:
Talk to the supervisor of the food facility upon your arrival at park
Plan your meals at slow times of the day to better assure your meal is prepared correctly.
Never hesitate to ask about cross contact potential
Opon arriving at a chosen food venue go straight to the cashier and ask to speak with the supervisor to give them details about your allergen concerns.
For additional concerns, you can contact Busch Gardens ahead of time via email at BGA.GuestInformation@BuschGardens.com or via phone by calling (813) 884-4386.
Looking to Bring Your Own Gluten Free Snacks?
If you're celiac or can't risk cross contamination at the restaurants on Busch Gardens property and are looking to bring your own snacks/food, there are quite a few lockers throughout the park that you can use to store a cooler or snack bag while you ride the rides. We brought a medium sized backpack with us and were able to bring it around the park with us, storing it in s locker at each ride while we rode the ride. It cost $10 for an all-day locker rental that follows you around the park. The rental is linked to a code that you set up and is easily able to move locations.
There are also all-day lockers located at the front of the park and range from $15-$25 for all-day use depending on bag size. Just keep in mind that these lockers are located in out-side areas without air conditioning, and the Florida heat isn't always kind to food or items that must remain cold!
Dining Resources and Busch Gardens Contact Info for a Gluten Free Experience
So there you have it, my fellow gluten-free foodies. Busch Gardens Tampa offers plenty of delicious and safe options to satisfy your hunger while enjoying all the thrills and fun the park has to offer. For a full list of restaurants and snack places available at Busch Gardens, visit the dining information on the Busch Gardens website.
If you're looking to pack your own Gluten Free snacks and are looking for some inspiration, check out our list of our favorite gluten free snacks and naturally gluten free snacks. I hope this guide helps you plan your next visit to the park and enjoy some tasty gluten-free eats!