Cookie's BBQ Lunch Review on Castaway Cay
*This gluten free dining experience took place in January 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as a review of fish/shellfish free, peanut free, cabbage free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.
Lunch at Cookie's BBQ
Cookie's BBQ located on Castaway Cay is the main restaurant on Disney's private island. There are two other dining locations: Cookie's Too and Serenity Bay BBQ that also provide guests with meals during their visit on Castaway Cay. On our recent cruise in January 2020, we enjoyed a lunch at Cookie's BBQ, which is the recommended location for all guests with special dietary needs (because it's the location that accommodates pre-ordered meals). We always look forward to a BBQ lunch at Cookie's!
Atmosphere
Any day at Castaway Cay is a great one (in my opinion), and on our visit, the skies were clear and it was a beautiful sunny day.
Cookie's BBQ Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Bright and cheery, Cookie's BBQ is always an inviting place to enjoy lunch. I love the signs and details that let you know your meal at Cookie's BBQ is all about the barbecue food.
Cookie's BBQ - Fresh Fruit Stand / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The restaurant features many different buffet style stations. I especially love the fruit station which features just about every fruit you can think of from grab and go options, like apples & bananas, to freshly sliced fruit like papaya and pineapple.
Every aspect of Cookie's BBQ is bright and inviting. And, you'll be ready to dig in to great BBQ food when you smell the grills going at Cookie's BBQ too!
The Food
Cookie's BBQ typically does not offer an allergy-friendly menu; however, on our most recent cruise, we were presented with a gluten free and dairy free menu the night before we arrived at Castaway Cay that featured many items available at Cookie's BBQ. In addition to the items listed, you can also request other items like French fries made in a dedicated fryer too!
We pre-ordered several items, including our favorite burgers and fries combo. We were also excited to pre-order some desserts, which haven't been as easy to order on Castaway Cay on previous cruises.
Cookie's BBQ / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
When we arrived at Cookie's BBQ, we went to the station where you talk to a coordinator about your pre-order. It's usually in the middle of the restaurant area. If you're not sure where to go, as a cast member! They're always happy to direct you.
Once our pre-order was confirmed, Brandon went and found a picnic table, and I picked up some fresh fruit from the fruit station. I don't mind getting fruit from the station, because it's completely removed from the regular buffet and only contains fruit. But, you can always request fruit to be brought with your pre-order too.
I don't know what it is, but the fresh fruit on Disney Cruise Line, and especially at Castaway Cay, is always so fresh. Pineapple is always a must, and it never fails to disappoint! So good!
Cookie's BBQ / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Our pre-order arrived, and we didn't waste any time digging in. Both Brandon and I got burgers and fries. The burgers are served on a gluten free, dairy free, peanut/tree nut free, egg free, and vegan Ener-G bun. While it's not our favorite, I'm always glad we have a bun option. The burgers can be made gluten free and dairy free by omitting the cheese; or, you can add cheese if you do not have an allergy or can tolerate it.
Fun fact! Only guests with special dietary needs can get fries on Castaway Cay. They are a pre-order item only, and a very special treat to get when you're on the island. We always enjoy them lots and are super grateful that they offer guests with special dietary needs this option!
Cookie's BBQ / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For dessert, we were served a Namaste chocolate cake with fresh fruit. This was gluten free, dairy free, egg free, peanut/tree nut free, and vegan. While I usually love Namaste cake, for some reason this one wasn't very good.
We both agreed that the cake was very rubbery and hard to chew. I'm not sure if it was over-baked, sat too long, or had some other issue with the replacement ingredients to make it allergy-friendly. All the desserts we had the ship that were top 8 allergy free were fantastic, so we figured this was just a weird fluke. But, I'm so glad to see Disney Cruise Line step up their game with lots of additional options!
If you want to see our visit to Castaway Cay in video form, check out our vlog, which includes our lunch review of Cookie's BBQ!
Overall
Cookie's BBQ is always such a fun tradition for us for lunch whenever we visit Castaway Cay. The BBQ vibe always feels just right for being on the island, and you can't beat burgers and fries and fresh fruit! There are also a lot of other options that we didn't get on this visit, but you can read some of our older reviews for options too. We can't wait til our next cruise and visit to Castaway Cay and Cookie's BBQ for delicious food in an island setting.
Have you been to Cookie's BBQ on Castaway Cay? What did you get when you dined there?