9/6/20 9/6/20

Olivia's Cafe Dinner Review

Olivia's Cafe, located at Disney's Old Key West Resort, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's been several years since we've dined at Olivia's. So, we were looking forward to dining there after a several year gap. On this visit, we opted for a late dinner, as we had found the later seatings to be a bit quieter. It also gave us some extra time before our meal to explore the resort too.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Olivia's Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made a last minute reservation on the same day that we dined. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a 8:30 p.m. seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 9 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Olivia's Cafe. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It’s super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

Old Key West Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use throughout the resort. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit. The resort itself was a bit busier than we expected, but we had no issues being able to socially distance. The restaurant wasn't that busy but did include several large parties of guests. But, overall, the restaurant did an excellent job at spacing out tables and seating for social distancing.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Contemporary Resort, Old Key West Resort, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Olivia's Cafe is located near the main lobby and the gift shop of Old Key West. The restaurant and the resort all have a tropical Florida Key West vibe. I love the bright and chipper colors and general decor.

Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Olivia's is the only table service at the resort and is a very popular location to dine. We have always loved the homey atmosphere, as everything feels very inviting and laid-back.

The interior of the restaurant almost feels like a small restaurant that you might find in Key West. There are two rooms and patio dining, as well. We were seating in one of the comfortable booths which was tucked in a back corner of the restaurant.

I do always recommend taking a look at the decor -- there's lots of fun photos and nods to Key West.

Here is a photo of the main room. The decor may not be the most spectacular as far as Disney restaurant theming goes. But, I always find dining at Olivia's to be comfortable, relaxing, and nostalgic -- as it's been a restaurant that my family and I have been dining at for a very long time.

Olivia's Cafe - Photos / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

One of my favorite features at Olivia's Cafe is being able to look at the walls of photographs of families who are DVC members and call Old Key West their home resort. It's pretty neat to see all of the Disney history and a tradition that took place back when Old Key West was the only DVC resort.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Olivia's Cafe does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We were also told by our server that we could speak with a chef at any time. As far as protocols and offerings, we found the restaurant to be just as accommodating as they are during normal times.

Olivia's Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I always recommend looking at both the allergy-friendly menu and the regular menu of any Disney restaurant that you dine. That's because there are often dishes that may be able to be easily modified to fit your special dietary need -- if you ask. On this visit, both Brandon and I ordered directly from the allergy-friendly menu.

To start our meal, our server brought us bread service. Depending on the restaurant that we dine, sometimes we share the allergy-friendly bread service. And, other times, Brandon is given his own bread.

On this visit, I was brought a separate basket of Bloomfield Farms Allergy-Friendly Rolls, which are free of the top 8 common allergens (including gluten/wheat and dairy). I was served butter on this visit, but the restaurant also carries Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread.

Hands down, Olivia's Cafe heated these rolls up by far the best of any restaurant that we've dined at recently. They were super well heated and tasted great. As Brandon and I always say, heating gluten free rolls well can be the key to them tasting really good or being awful. In fact, Brandon ended up preferring the allergy-friendly rolls over the gluten-filled rolls that he received.

Olivia's Cafe - Rolls in this Photo are NOT Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW — Olivia's Cafe - Rolls in this Photo are **NOT** Gluten Free / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon's bread service included a Pineapple-Coconut Bread. If you have a nut allergy, be aware that this bread is made in a facility that may include peanuts. Use your own judgement and comfort level on any item made in a shared facility.

Overall, Brandon said the rolls were fine but not amazing. And, as I mentioned, he ended up eating the allergy-friendly rolls instead as he preferred them.

For my entree, I debated on several dishes including the Fish of the Day which was gluten free and dairy free. However, I opted to get the Seven Mile Sea Scallops which was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

Overall, I really enjoyed this dish. It wasn't the best scallop dish I've ever had, but it was still really tasty. The scallops were cooked really well, and I loved the succotash in the dish. The polenta was the weakest part of the dish, as it needed a bit more seasoning. But, overall, all of the flavors went really well together, and I could see myself ordering it again.

For Brandon's entree, he ordered the Grilled New York Strip. It is normally served with Parmesan-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Herb Chimichurri. But, Brandon asked if he could get mashed potatoes instead. This dish was marked safe on the allergy-friendly menu for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Shellfish Allergies.

Overall, Brandon said this was a solid dish. Like me, we both thought everything was very tasty and a nice solid meal option. He also really liked how the steak was cooked and seasoned. I have to admit, the chimichurri on the steak looked really great!

Olivia's / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Normally, we don't get desserts at restaurants. But, I was so curious about the Tropical Chocolate Tart made with Avocado-Chocolate Ganache and topped with a Mango-Lime Sorbet. This dessert was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, and Milk Allergies (and it was also vegan). Whenever there's a gluten free & dairy free dessert that is more than sorbet, I have to try it!

Overall, I really enjoyed the dessert. I could definitely detect a bit of avocado flavor -- so be aware that it could have a slight avocado taste (especially if you're not a fan of avocado). But, if you ate the cake, sorbet, and mango sauce all at once, you really couldn't tell there was avocado in the cake. The sorbet was by far my favorite part of the dish -- as I love sorbet that is a bit different. While it wasn't my favorite dessert, I would definitely get this again and would recommend it to gluten free & dairy free guests.

For Brandon's dessert, he got the Ice Cream Sundae which was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. Neither Brandon or I expected the sundae to be deconstructed. But, Brandon had fun adding in the chocolate sauce and cute Mickey sprinkles to his ice cream.

Like me, Brandon enjoyed his dessert and would get it again -- especially as he's a fan of ice cream sundaes.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Olivia's Cafe and Old Key West Resort, check out our vlog that we recorded on our YouTube channel.

Overall

We were both pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed our meal at Olivia's Cafe. Both of us agreed that the meal and overall experience wasn't anything special. But, it was super relaxed and a really pleasant meal. I'd love to go back to Olivia's for breakfast sometime -- as that is always my family's favorite meal at the restaurant (and it's been years since I've been). Overall, we're both really glad we went to Olivia's and hope that we don't go as long as we did this last time in between visits.

Have you been to Olivia's Cafe at Disney's Old Key West Resort? What was your experience dining there?

11/17/17 11/17/17

Olivia's Cafe -- Lunch -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in October 2017 and contains a gluten free only review.

Lunch at Olivia's Cafe

Olivia's Cafe, a table service restaurant located at Disney's Old Key West resort, is an easy-going and low-key place to have a meal. After getting back from Disneyland, I needed to do errands and so, I decided to stop by Olivia's for lunch. I had really had my heart set on breakfast at Olivia's, but I missed the breakfast service by about 30 minutes, so lunch it was.

Atmosphere

One of the things I love most about Olivia's Cafe is the low-key, laid-back vibe. You'll feel like you've been transported to Key West, Florida, for sure. And, I'm always waiting for Jimmy Buffett to come around the corner -- not too far off really, since you'll hear Jimmy Buffett music, like Margaritaville throughout the resort.Olivia's Cafe includes both indoor and outdoor seating. I like to sit outside on cool days, since the outdoor seating area is covered. But, on this visit, I definitely didn't mind eating inside.Inside you'll find lots of tables and even some cozy booths.And, of course, you'll see nautical nods everywhere from large wooden fish on the walls to sea-side photos and paintings.

The Food

One of the reasons I like to go to Olivia's is the food. While, I wouldn't say the menu there is anything fancy, I've always had solid meal options and choices that fit just about every preference or taste.Like most Disney restaurants, Olivia's Cafe does have an allergy-friendly lunch menu. But, I always ask for both a regular and allergy-friendly menu when I dine at any Disney restaurant. That's so I can compare the menus and see what options I think could be easily modified. And, surprisingly, a lot of gluten free or even gluten free and dairy free dishes aren't actually listed on the allergy-friendly menu. That's because in order to make the menu, they need to cover multiple allergens. So, it's always a good idea to ask.On this visit, I was really looking forward to some gluten free and dairy free bread and Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. Having just returned from Disneyland, where they don't carry any type of non-dairy butter alternative, I was looking forward to having this option. Normally, when I go to Olivia's, when I ask for rolls, they give me Deanna's Gluten Free rolls. But, for some reason I received Udi's Gluten Free toast, which is both gluten free and dairy free. That seemed OK, until I got the bill later and realized that I was actually charged for the toast, instead of receiving complimentary rolls. Next time I go, I will definitely ask before ordering.For my entree, I actually spoke to the server about the Mallory Square Cobb Salad. I usually am able to order it without modifications. But, it wasn't listed on the allergy-friendly menu. She confirmed with the chef that it is naturally gluten free (including the blue cheese, which can often contain gluten).The Mallory Square Cobb Salad made with Romaine Lettuce with layers of Chilled Shrimp, Crab Salad, Bacon, Egg, Blue Cheese, Tomato, and Avocado with a Key Lime-Mustard Vinaigrette is gluten free. I believe you can modify it to be dairy free by omitting the blue cheese.This is a great summertime salad. I love the bright, crisp lettuce and flavors of the dish. The seafood is rich and buttery and pairs really well with the bacon, blue cheese, and egg. Add in the key lime vinaigrette for a pop of citrus that pulls it all together. This continues to be one of my favorites when I go to Olivia's Cafe for lunch or dinner.

Overall

Olivia's Cafe continues to be a solid restaurant with hearty food and charming atmosphere. I really love coming here for a low-key and less crowded meal that's can be a lot more relaxing than some of the other busier table service restaurants.Have you been to Olivia's Cafe? What do you enjoy about this restaurant?

1/8/17 1/8/17

Olivia's Cafe -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in January 2017.Olivia's Cafe, located at Disney's Old Key West Resort, is a table service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast has to be my favorite meal at Olivia's Cafe. I really enjoy their sweet potato hash, which is exactly what I ordered on my most recent visit to the restaurant.One of the things I love about Olivia's Cafe and Old Key West in general is the laid-back vibe and the long standing DVC member decor. Olivia's is flagged by photos of Disney Vacation Club Members who have stayed here in years past, which is really neat to see!Olivia's does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu, but if you have multiple dietary needs or those not covered by the allergy-friendly menu, you can always ask to talk to a chef. I do this quite a bit, as I tend to cross-reference the regular menu and look for things that can be made gluten free and dairy free whenever possible.Thankfully, the Poached Eggs and Hash is easily made dairy free by removing the Hollandaise Sauce.The Poached Eggs and Hash is Poached Eggs served over Sweet Potato-Ham Hash topped with Key Lime Hollandaise and served with Allergy-Friendly Bread. Removing the Hollandaise does make it both gluten free and dairy free. Plus, you can get Earth Balance vegan buttery spread with your Udi's Gluten Free toast too!Though I should probably branch out and try some other newer dishes at Olivia's Cafe, I keep coming back to the sweet potato-ham hash. The flavors are delicious, and it's a simple, hearty breakfast option. It's definitely a go-to whenever I am craving breakfast at Disney.Right now and through 2017, annual passholders can get 20% off their meal at Olivia's Cafe, which makes it even better. I will definitely be heading back there again a few times this year to get this favorite breakfast of mine!Though not breakfast, I'm also a huge fan of the Mallory Square Cobb Salad served at Olivia's Cafe too. It's soooo good!Have you been to Olivia's Cafe? What's your favorite breakfast item?

11/30/15 11/30/15

Olivia's Cafe -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in August 2015. Olivia's, located at Disney's Old Key West Resort, is a great quiet and cozy dining location. I often dine here for breakfast when I'm looking for something easy and quick. And, I loved the super chill and relaxed vibe here. Recently, I stopped by for dinner and checked out the allergy friendly menu they now have at the restaurant.The last several times I've been here for lunch or dinner, I've ordered the Mallory Square Cobb Salad which has shrimp and crab on it and is insanely delicious. I was craving this again but oddly noticed it wasn't on the allergy friendly menu. I was able to talk to one of the chefs there who confirmed it could be made gluten free.While waiting for my salad, I was brought Udi's Gluten Free rolls (most locations carry the GNI Brand rolls, so it was surprising to see these) with Earth Balance vegan margarine. The rolls were a bit tough, so I didn't eat too much of them.My salad, on the other hand, was so delicious. Filled with avocado, bacon, tomato, chopped egg, crab, and shrimp and topped with a key lime vinaigrette, it was very fresh and flavorful. Perfect for a hot Florida summer evening. This salad continues to rank high on my favorite Disney salad list, so it's one I will definitely order again.Overall, I enjoyed my meal at Olivia's. Next time, I hope to try some of the other dinner entrees served there. If you're a DVC member, don't forget to show your member ID for 10% off.Have you been to Olivia's? What did you order when you dined there?

6/1/15 6/1/15

Olivia's -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in May 2015.Olivia's located in Disney's Old Key West Resort is one of those restaurants I love to dine at. With a charming atmosphere and relaxing vibe, you'll feel like you are in Key West any time you dine here.In fact, I've dined here so much, the chefs and servers tend to recognize me. The team here is known for remembering faces of frequent Disney Vacation Club vacationers, and I'm sure as a special diets diner they remember you even more. After we arrived, we were greeted by Chef Corey who said, "You've been here a bunch of times before, haven't you?" Why yes, yes, I have!Because I've been there many times, I knew exactly what I wanted. The poached eggs and hash have been a staple of mine for the last several times I've visited. I love sweet potatoes and hash, plus poached eggs. Well, those are a win-wins for me. The only thing I can't get with this dish is the Hollondaise sauce, which isn't a huge loss for me, given how tasty everything else in this entree is.In addition to the hash and poached eggs, I also got Udi's Gluten Free white sandwich bread toast along with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread (they do not carry the soy free version). I'm so glad that Olivia's carries both of these products, as they make the breakfast complete.The dish on this visit was delicious, though my eggs were a little more hard poached than I would have liked. I love a good runny poached eggs with hash and toast any day!Overall, Olivia's continues to be one a great location for a quiet and relaxing breakfast at Disney. It's truly a hidden gem of a restaurant, one that has great atmosphere, service, and food.Have you been to Olivia's? What did you order when you dined there?

3/16/15 3/16/15

Olivia's -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in February 2015.Olivia's at Disney's Old Key West Resort is one of those restaurants that I find myself frequenting quite a bit. I've probably mentioned it a million times but I love the relaxed vibe and Key West theme that the restaurant and the resort offer guests. There's just something so chill about it.One of my recent staples for breakfast at Olivia's is the Sweet Potato Hash with Poached Eggs. It normally comes with hollandaise sauce, but since that contains dairy, I get the hash sans sauce. Which is actually OK because it's super delicious even without the sauce.On this particular visit, I didn't branch out and try anything new. In fact, I was looking forward to the hash and some hot tea. My visit came directly after the Princess Half Marathon 5K race, which my mom ran (yay, mom!) but was absolutely frigid in terms of temperature for Florida. Yes, the Frozen 5K theme definitely transferred over to the weather -- it was a balmy 33 degrees. In Florida terms, that is FREEZING! Thankfully, when we arrived I was able to get some hot tea pronto. I love getting my own little tea pot to enjoy. Often table service locations will only bring you one tea bag but multiple pots of hot water. Thankfully, Olivia's kindly gave me fresh tea bags with every new pot of hot water...and on this visit, there were plenty of pots! The chef who assisted me did a great job with my hash. The eggs were well poached (important, as I always enjoy a good poached egg with a runny yolk) and the toast was well toasted. They also had Earth Balance Vegan Margarine on hand (not the soy free version) for the toast.Overall, this was another delicious breakfast at Olivia's. Next time I might branch out and try something different on the menu, but I always have my go-to sweet potato hash as a breakfast staple in my visits to Olivia's. You can also read a review of the sweet potato hash from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando. Have you been to Olivia's? What have you ordered for breakfast there?

2/25/15 2/25/15

Good's Foods to Go -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in February 2015. Good's Foods to Go is literally my "go-to" place for quick service options when I stay at Disney's Old Key West resort. As a small quick service location, their menu isn't lengthy, but they do provide many gluten free and dairy free options. One thing I love about this location is that their kitchen is shared with Olivia's (a wonderful table service restaurant and home to one of my favorite salads), so the chefs from Olivia's will work with you on your special diets order.On this particular occasion, I was coming in late in the evening the night before the runDisney Enchanted 10K held during the Princess Half Marathon weekend. Good's Foods to Go was an easy spot to grab a quick bite around 8 p.m. When I arrived, I let the cast member at the cash register know I had special dietary needs. From there Chef Matt came out to assist me. I've met Chef Matt quite a few times at Olivia's, and he is always great at helping me get a tasty and safe meal. With it being late and as a pre-race tradition, I ordered allergy friendly chicken tenders and french fries.It took about 10 minutes before they came out, and when I got them, they were placed in a nice to-go container and bag. Perfect for taking back to my DVC room to eat, rest and unwind. Also, it was freezing outside (well, that's relative but 40 degrees is pretty cold for us Floridians!), and Good's Foods to Go is an outdoor walk-up counter with outdoor seating, which is something to keep in mind when it's hot or cold outside.The chicken tenders and fries were great. They were well-fried and piping hot. I'm always really glad that most quick service locations carry these, because they are a great go-to gluten free and dairy free option (and totally kiddo friendly).One of these days I'll request some of the other special diets options at Good's Foods to Go (burgers, sandwiches, etc.), but I do always enjoy getting allergy chicken tenders there!Have you been to Good's Foods to Go? What did you order when you dined there?

7/25/14 7/25/14

Olivia's -- Lunch/Dinner -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in July 2014.When I want to get away from it all and have a low-key and relaxing meal, I head to Olivia's at Old Key West. I don't know if it's the Jimmy Buffett music or the easy-going back cast members and guests, but there is something calming about visiting the Old Key West Resort. It's one of my favorite places to stay on property, and I absolutely adore their restaurant, Olivia's Cafe.Olivia's is located near the Hospitality House (i.e. lobby/check-in), and even though it's amidst all the action, it never feels bustling or crowded. It's food is very Key West inspired - seasonal, seafood, and full of flavor. I usually head there for breakfast, as I love their breakfast options (especially the sweet potato hash with poached eggs). On this particular occasion, I stopped by for lunch before heading out to the Mall at Millenia in Orlando for an afternoon of shopping. Though the mall does have a California Pizza Kitchen that I'd like to check out - I've heard fabulous things from Gluten Free in Orlando & Eating Out Without - but I had dinner at Boatwright's that night, and I knew I was going to need a bit of a lighter meal. I was greeted by my server Jerry, who has assisted me many times and is very attentive. I think my only sort of "complaint" about the service was that the hostess seated me in the middle of the restaurant. As a solo diner, that can be a little odd when you're right in the middle of the action! Thankfully, I was given some art work to color!Chef Paula, the location's culinary intern, came out to chat with me about the options. I was most keen on getting a salad and asked about the Mallory Square Cobb Salad which came with both shrimp and crab meat, along with standard Cobb salad accompaniments (bacon, egg, avocado). The dressing was a key lime vinaigrette which sounded amazing (and was!). She said she needed to double-check to see if the seafood had butter in it, but she thought it was made with extra virgin olive oil (it was).Once we were cleared with that, I was able to enjoy a generous portion of this Cobb salad. As a Cobb salad fan (and a huge fan of the Brown Derby Cobb Salad), I had high hopes for this. And it did not disappoint. The seafood was perfectly cooked and seasoned. It had a hint of Old Bay in it, which I adore but can be overpowering if used too generously. This was perfection. The bacon, hard boiled egg, and avocado married well with these light but rich proteins. And the key lime vinaigrette was the perfect light dressing to bring it all together. I may or may not have inhaled this salad. It was that good!Overall, I really enjoyed my lunch at Olivia's. I still think the Cobb salad at the Brown Derby is my favorite salad on property, as far as a full meal salad, but this is a very close second. I wouldn't hesitate to order this again, and likely will the next visit! I give this a solid 9 out of 10! The perfect meal salad for the summer in Florida.Have you dined at Olivia's? What do you like to order there?

4/7/14 4/7/14

Olivia's -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in April 2014.When it comes to a relaxing destination on Disney property, Old Key West resort can’t be beat. It’s one of my favorite Disney resorts to “get away from it all.” I frequently find myself wanting to stay at this Disney Vacation Club resort just to relax and skip the parks. Whenever I visit, I’m immediately transported to Key West, Florida – with the low-key vibe and frequent sounds of Jimmy Buffet. Add in some terrific Key West inspired food from Olivia’s and your vacation is complete.On this particular occasion, I stopped by Olivia’s for breakfast during my weekend stay for the Gluten Free Living Conference held in Orlando. I knew that I had a busy day ahead of me, and I wanted a solid breakfast before I hit the expo and conference (and all the sweets that awaited me there).On the last visit to Olivia’s I had been pretty impressed with my breakfast – it had been the best one I’d had at the restaurant to date. I was looking forward to an equally good meal this time. I have to say that one of the things that I love about Olivia’s is that the cast members totally remember you here. Even though I’m not really a regular, they do seem to recognize familiar faces and address those guests by first name when they’ve been there a lot. I also really enjoy the atmosphere too. It’s very relaxed and casual. Our server this visit was Jerry, who has assisted us before. My family joined for coffee and some fresh fruit but didn’t order anything else because they had reservations that day at Kouzzina (lucky ducks). I wanted something different, and I was very curious about the sweet potato hash that was on the menu.Chef Paula who was a culinary intern, assisted me on this visit. I asked if the sweet potato hash entrée was safe, and she said it was – minus the hollandaise sauce. It was served with poached eggs (which I really love) and toast. I was able to get Udi’s white sandwich bread toast and Earth Balance vegan margarine with the hash. When I got my entrée, I have to say, it looked great. The hash has regular potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, and ham in it. Now that’s my kind of hash! The poached eggs on top were cooked perfectly. I find that getting perfectly poached eggs is a bit of a gamble sometimes, so I was very pleased to have well poached eggs. If you’re an egg yolk kind of person like me, you know how important it is and how delicious runny egg yolk is over hash or any type of breakfast potato (and if you’re not an egg yolk fan, you don’t know what you’re missing!). The hash was outstanding. It was a little onion heavy, so if you’re not an onion person, you’ve been warned. But, I thought it balanced really well with the potatoes and ham. Add in the toast, and this was a very hearty breakfast. I’m going to say that this was officially my favorite breakfast item at Olivia’s. It was really excellent. Even minus the hollandaise, it was a great choice. I’m pretty sure this is what I’ll be ordering again next time. It was that good!If you get the chance to pop by Olivia’s, I would highly recommend it. The food tends to be a bit basic at breakfast time, but this sweet potato hash with poached eggs will knock your socks off! I give this visit a solid 8 out of 10 for an excellent entrée, great service and terrific atmosphere.Have you been to Olivia’s? What was your favorite item to order for breakfast?

9/27/13 9/27/13

Good's Foods to Go -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in September 2013.

View from Good's Foods to Go of Old Key West

This is just a brief review of the quick service location at Old Key West. I recently went there (see older review HERE) and got the same thing, so this is a fairly brief and similar report. On this particular visit, I knew that I wanted to get the allergy friendly chicken tenders & French fries. The menu here is rather limited so this is always my go-to choice. There was a fairly long line and once I got to the front I let them know that I had a special diet and that I wanted the chicken tenders. They still needed to page the chef, so that they could make all of this happen. Chef Julie from Olivia's came by to greet me and took my order. I would also see her the next day at Olivia's for breakfast (see review HERE). She said it would be a few minutes and then went to make the tenders. While I waited, I noticed that this location also has the new Rapid Fill soda machines installed.

I will say that it took a pretty long time for the tenders. I kind of almost wonder if they didn't have a dedicate fryer heated up because it took longer than normal. But once I got them, I was very excited. They were piping hot (I mean HOT, we had to let them cool down a lot). They were delicious as always and well cooked. The fries were also very hot and fresh.

Love those allergy chicken tenders & fries!

Overall, I like this location for the quick service that it is. It's a limited menu, so I would say you will have minimal options, but the nice thing is you get to talk to a chef from Olivia's which I love. The other conisderation is that this is an outdoor seating only area and the kiosk itself is usually very full. It tends to take longer than normal to order food here, so don't expect to be in a hurry here. I'd give this a 6 out of 9, primarily for limited menu and overall wait times of the kiosk (regardless of special diet) and no indoor seating.

9/15/13 9/15/13

Olivia's -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in September 2013.

I always eat breakfast at Olivia's Cafe when I stay at Old Key West Resort. There's just something about it's relaxing vibe & charming atmosphere. I always feel like I am at Key West, just relaxing and listening to Jimmy Buffet. One of the great parts about Old Key West is that everything is tailor made for Key West living and Olivia's is no exception. I always enjoy grabbing breakfast here.On this particular occasion, we stopped by for a late breakfast. One thing I will say is that I never feel like this place is busy. Is it just that people don't know about it? I don't know, but it always seems rather low-key. I like this but I also don't want it to ever close, so I hope that maybe they're busier at different times of the day. I've had lunch here and I remember it being much busier then. The other thing I always notice is there are either big groups or just groups of 2 scattered through the restaurant. Kind of funny how it's not much in between.

I was greeted by Chef Julie, who I'd seen the day before at Good's Foods to Go (I needed to grab some allergy chicken tenders, of course). Chef Julie used to be at the Polynesian and has a real reputation for being very accommodating for special diets, so I'm always glad to see her. She, of course, recognized me from the day before. The last time I'd visited I'd had the breakfast Cuban, which I liked (see review HERE), but this time I decided to go for the modified version of the Pancakes & Eggs entree. I asked for the allergy Mickey waffles (Bob's Red Mill version, thank goodness), scrambled eggs, and ham.

Look at all those Mickey waffles!

This was by far the best breakfast that I've had at Olivia's. Not only were the eggs really cooked well, but the ham was nice and tender and the allergy Mickey waffles were the best I've had there as well. Really crispy. The way Mickey waffles should be! I also got REAL maple syrup, not that terrible corn syrup maple syrup they had at Contempo Cafe recently. I will say, it was a lot of food, though apparently I was very hungry, as I quickly devoured it all (minus 1/2 a Mickey waffle that I gave to my mom, who really loves them).While I wouldn't say that the food at Olivia's is spectacular, I will say that it's good solid, tasty food. I always feel satisfied after my meal and will continue to keep this as an Old Key West tradition. Overall, I give this visit a 7 out of 10. A definite OKW tradition!

5/30/13 5/30/13

Olivia's -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in May 2013.

Put on your Jimmy Buffett and your best Key West inspired duds because it's another visit to Disney's Old Key West Resort and their table service restaurant, Olivia's. Having been to this restaurant many times, I'm always reminded why I enjoy the atmosphere of this location every time I visit. I love how casual and low-key it is. The relaxed vibe is why Old Key West is such a great place. I also like that they can accommodate me at Olivia's. On this visit, we actually stayed at OKW and decided to pop over for a late breakfast after the Disney 24 event. We were all quite tired from the previous day's festivities so this proved to be a perfect uncrowded location.

Menu outside of the restaurant

The last time I went to Kona Cafe, I was told that Chef Julie was now over at OKW and this visit I got a chance to see her. She's very nice and was very accommodating. The chef who assisted me at Good's Foods to Go the day before was also with her. Normally I get their Olivia's breakfast--basic eggs, breakfast meat, etc. however I really wanted something a little different that morning. So I asked Chef Julie if she could make a breakfast Cuban with no cheese and on GF bread. They have the Udi's sandwich bread there, so she said they could do a variation of it. The major changes were the switch of bread which was toasted rather than pressed and fruit instead of breakfast potatoes. Their breakfast potatoes here are loaded (and I mean LOADED) with dairy. Sometimes they'll make me plain potatoes but today they offered fruit. I was actually fine with that. I sort of pigged out the day before. Plus a breakfast Cuban seemed pretty filling.

View of the restaurant while waiting for our meal

When the Cuban came out, I was pleasantly surprised. I actually think I'd get this again over the Olivia's breakfast. What I liked about it was that they had ham and roast pork on it, scrambled eggs, and tomato. It was just a nice change of pace from some of the other breakfast items I tend to get. The fruit was OK. I really am not a melon fan and it seemed like I got an awful lot of it. Next time I will ask for specific fruits.

My breakfast Cuban and fruit!

In general, I wouldn't say that Olivia's food is super spectacular. It's never going to be my favorite place for breakfast, but it's not bad either. It's a basic place with moderately good food. I wish they had some better potato options handy but I think this particular breakfast didn't warrant potatoes. I do like the Key West inspired theming and the low-key vibe. I would definitely get this breakfast option again.Overall, I give this a solid 7 out of 10.

5/27/13 5/27/13

Good's Foods to Go -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place in May 2013.

Welcome to the relaxed vibe of Old Key West. With the easy-going atmosphere and Jimmy Buffett playing in the background, OKW is truly inspired by the Florida Keys. And the restaurants here also reflect that vibe. That includes the quick service location, Good's Foods to Go. Having never eaten at this quick service, I wasn't sure what to expect, especially after I discovered it was an open air restaurant with outdoor seating. I have had hit or miss luck with these types of locations, so I was really hoping to get something safe. The first thing that I noticed was that they had a fairly limited menu and pretty small storefront to wait on people.

Menu from Good's Foods to Go--definitely a burgers & fries type place

When I got up to the counter, I asked the cashier for a chef or manager, and they were happy to oblige. They quickly went back and got someone who also came out rather quickly. The chef that I spoke with said that they had the allergy buns there (assuming GNI brand but didn't end up getting them) as well as a dedicated fryer for french fries & allergy chicken tenders. Since I hadn't had the chicken tenders in a while, I decided to go with them. Plus, it was crazy busy at this location, and I figured these would come out fairly quickly.

View of the counter area, as you can see the line was getting busier

I'll note that they rang my order up as regular chicken nuggets, so I paid the exact same price as my brother who got the regular chicken nuggets ($8.99, I believe). So it was nice to get something that didn't cost an arm and a leg. No upcharges for special diets food is always appreciated. While I waited, I was given a pager (as was everyone). It took a little longer than my brother's meal, but it wasn't too slow. While I waited I got an iced tea from the drink area, but I will say, that it was quite clustered. It is also the location for the refillable mugs & drinks and they only have 1 drink station for this restaurant. Many people stop by quickly to fill up and it can get a little busy. Seating was equally challenging. Since it was a hot day (well over 90 degrees) all of the shaded outdoor seating was taken. Bummer. We ended up sitting on benches near the designated smoking area (yuck) and then headed back to the room to finish up our meal. So, during peak times seating can be challenging.

My allergy chicken tenders were delicious as usual and my fries were also good. What I did appreciate about this location is that they boxed my food up and marked it allergy which was very nice considering how crazy the counter was there. It also made it really convenient to take back to the room.

Allergy friendly chicken tenders & fries. Yum!

Overall, I'd say this was a fair choice at OKW. As far as quick service goes, it wasn't my favorite by a long shot, but was it safe? Yes. I appreciated that their quick service location can accommodate despite its size and limited menu. Sure, you won't be getting much more than basic food, but then again so is everyone ordering from the non-allergy options. The cons to this location were the limited menu for sure and also the outdoor seating. But, if you're staying at OKW and looking to take something back to the room, this isn't a bad choice. I'd give this a solid 7 out of 10.

12/3/12 12/3/12

Olivia's -- Breakfast -- Table Service -- Old Key West

*This dining experience took place December 2012.

Entrance to Olivia's at Old Key West Resort

If you've ever been to Old Key West Resort (Disney's original vacation club villas), you're familiar with Olivia's. It's this resort's table service location and a well loved DVC restaurant. Prior to this visit, I had only been one other time, but had had a good experience and was looking forward to visiting again. What I most loved about this restaurant was the quiet relaxed atmosphere. Many restaurants on property are filled with hustle and bustle, and sometimes it's nice to be in a quiet low-key environment. Olivia's definitely reflects the atmosphere and vibe of the Florida Keys.On this trip, I headed there with my family for breakfast. We were headed to Universal Studios that day, but I'd been after eating at Universal on the last several trips, so I wanted to eat at Disney. Old Key West was fairly accessible and easy for us before our trip over to Universal.The first thing you'll notice about this resort is that you almost feel like you're in the Florida Keys. Lots of great island flair. It was also nicely decorated for the Christmas holiday with island inspired wreaths and ornaments.

It's an island inspired Christmas!

We got to the restaurant fairly early because of our travel time over to Universal, so it was pretty quiet in there. We had a nice corner table, so we could really take in the decor.

Dining room at Olivia's--Love the fans!

We were quickly greeted by Chef Brian who started to give me some options. I more or less knew what I wanted, and I asked about the Olivia's Breakfast which is like American at most Disney breakfast locations. It came with eggs, breakfast potatoes, toast and choice of breakfast meat. Chef Brian said their regularly served breakfast potatoes were loaded with dairy but that he could easily make me breakfast potatoes without dairy. He also said that they could do the Udi's toast or bagel. They also had Earth Balance on hand. I also inquired about the allergy friendly pancakes/waffles and he said they could make them. I asked which they use Namaste or Bob's Red Mill and he said that they do have both on hand. This is good to know if you have certain allergies like corn or potato because Namaste is a better at covering more than just gluten and dairy free. I asked if they could do the Bob's Red Mill (my personal taste preference) and he was happy to oblige. So, I ordered a side of Mickey waffles. Yum!

Olivia's Breakfast Platter

First up was the breakfast platter. It was good--nothing really special per se--solid breakfast. The scrambled eggs were slightly overcooked, not the best I've ever had. The ham was also just OK, but I was glad to have it as an option because in a lot of places it's just bacon and sausage. The breakfast potatoes were excellent. They were deep fried and nicely seasoned with salt. The Udi's toast was great as usual, but probably my only slight complaint was that it needed to be toasted more. I love that they had Earth Balance. Anytime I get Earth Balance, I'm so happy!

Mickey Waffles!

The Mickey waffles were pretty good. Not as crispy as Kona or Kouzzina, but good. I always love a good Mickey waffle. These fit the bill quiet nicely.

My breakfast--quite the bounty!

Overall, the breakfast was really pretty good. If you compare it to a lot of non-Disney owned restaurants, it down-right rocks. I'm just always glad when I get to eat breakfast at Disney because I get gluten free/dairy free toast and waffles and even vegan margarine. It's just such a treat.

Photos throughout the restaurant

I would definitely recommend Olivia's to anyone. It's got a great vibe and lovely atmosphere. It's not just for DVC members either--It's just a great all around place to enjoy and relax.A solid 8 out of 10.

4/25/12 4/25/12

Olivia's -- Table Service -- Lunch -- Old Key West

**This dining experience took place in April 2012.

*Sorry, I was so hungry that I forgot to take pictures!I like eating at places off the beaten path, but have never wanted to venture to Olivia's simply because I thought it would be too remote. During my sister's recent visit, she requested Olivia's because the menu sounded good and also because her daughter's name is Olivia (and she would get a kick out of it). So, off to Old Key West we went. We decided on lunch because it seemed reasonably priced and had fairly good menu options.Unfortunately, I've been having gallbladder problems (yep, it's going to have to come out), so I need to eat not only gluten free/dairy free, but also low-fat. So, I've been more conscious when eating at WDW in the past month or so.Upon arrival, the chef greeted us and asked what I would like. I think I could have had a lot of the menu options (modified, of course), but worrying about the fat content, I asked for something custom. I really wanted something light (i.e. not a heavy burger). I was interested in something seafood (which can have a higher fat content). We agreed on a seafood salad sandwich with the mayonnaise on the side and a fruit salad instead of fries.What I received was quite good--crab salad with old bay in it (or some similar type of seasoning) and mayo on the side. I also had fresh fruit--strawberries and blueberries. The crab salad was on a udi's bun (which I now love!); I ate it open face sandwich style--meaning I only ate 1 part of the bun.The others eating with me liked their sandwiches; my mom got the Cuban sandwich (which she said was very good) and my sister had the shrimp po'boy (which she loved). Overall, I didn't find the food to be amazing, but it was solid.I would give this a 7 out of 10 for options, service, and general ambiance. I hope I get a chance to go back there sometime with less dietary restrictions (related to the gallbladder), and so I can post some pictures!