Author: Alisa Fleming

Updated February 2024! Several years ago, a reader named Donna recommended Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants to us for their extensive food allergy training. In addition to attentive servers and managers, this fine dining chain notes gluten-free options on their menu. They no longer label for vegan, nor dairy-free, but their corporate staff went above and beyond to help us identify dairy-free options. Most of their menu contains dairy, but we’ve uncovered some delicious custom order options and included them in the dairy-free guide below. Cooper’s Hawk Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Custom Order Options Like many restaurants, Cooper’s Hawk paired…

This has to be one of the quintessential American foods. In the United States, we love dipping pizza, crudité, French fries, and a range of appetizers in classic ranch dip. At restaurants and grocery stores, it usually contains milk. Yes, there are many brands of runny vegan ranch dressing. But when it comes to a thick, rich small plate companion, nothing beats this dairy-free cool ranch dip! Keep Your Cool with this Dairy-Free Ranch Dip This recipe is adapted from my flagship book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook. I’ve included some tips, options, and easy answers to FAQs below,…

Updated February 2024! Though they have more menu items, the menu at Carl’s Jr. has actually simplified a bit over the years, making it easier to custom order without dairy. We’ve detailed the options based on the most recent data available, and have even added a separate new vegan menu guide and additional allergen tips. We’ve also merged Green Burrito into this listing, since all Green Burrito locations are attached to Carl’s Jr. Carl’s Jr. Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Allergen, Vegan, and Green Burrito Info Be aware of special order requirements in parentheses () next to the menu items, and…

Updated February 2024! Appetizers are often loaded with dairy. Even chicken wings are frequently battered with dairy or buffalo-sauced with a buttery mixture. We usually just make our own, but lately I’ve been hearing a lot about Wingstop. They have quite a few options for dairy-free diners, and several people have reported them as milk allergy-friendly. We looked into it, and discovered this big menu of dairy-free options, which happens to be egg-free and nut-free, too. Wingstop Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Custom, Vegan & Allergen Notes They have an “every item but these” allergen statement on Wingstop, which hasn’t been…

You thought I was going to say “pastabilities” didn’t you? That would be underselling this very versatile product. Treeline Cashew Ricotta Cheese is a wholesome, cultured product that really does have the texture and reminiscent flavor of dairy ricotta cheese. And yes, it’s perfect for stuffing in lasagna and other pastas. But we discovered it’s also delicious on toast, in sauces, and simply dolloped on vegetables. Treeline Non-Dairy Cashew Ricotta Cheese is Purely Cultured We’ve tried many cheese alternatives over the years, and while many are good, few really impress us as true dairy substitutes. But this vegan ricotta is…

Updated February 2024! Benihana is the only major restaurant chain in the U.S. where your meal comes with a knife show. Teppanyaki chefs toss and flip both food and utensils as they prepare your meal in front of you on a searing hot hibachi grill. How they find so many chefs with that level of coordination is beyond me. In addition to grilled food, they offer a whole menu of sushi, sashimi, and appetizers. Our guide below includes all of the dairy-free menu and custom order options at Benihana, plus notes for vegan guests, too! Benihana Dairy-Free Menu Guide with…

There’s something about pancakes that’s just so special. They’re perfect for telling that special person “I love you,” for consoling a friend or family member, or for turning breakfast into brunch! And these dairy-free red velvet pancakes take it up another level. They marry vanilla and chocolate with a pretty reddish hue, and beg to be garnished with fresh berries, maple syrup, powdered sugar, or even dairy-free chocolate syrup! We’re Sweet on these Dairy-Free Red Velvet Pancakes This recipe is adapted from one shared with us by Culinary.net, for a special Valentine’s Day treat. We’ve made them dairy-free and have notes…

Their are now dozens of chocolatiers that ship dairy-free and vegan Valentine’s Day gifts to homes across the country. But what about thoughtful goodies you can simply pick up at the store? Fortunately, there are quite a few dairy-free Valentine’s Day treats available at mainstream grocers, big block stores, and natural food markets. In fact, we’ve uncovered over 50 seasonal little sweets for enjoying, gifting, or sharing in office and classroom swaps. Allergen Notes: All items listed below were dairy-free by ingredients at the time of our review. We have also labeled any top allergens that these products contain. But…

Updated February 2024! For years, Yogurtland simply watched competitors like 16 Handles, Orange Leaf, and TCBY succeed with vegan frozen yogurt flavors. But in 2020, they finally decided to swirl some creamy dairy-free options into their own mix. In fact, they’ve been releasing a couple new plant-based flavors a year. We’ve got the full details below, along with ingredients and allergen notes for the full non-dairy selection at Yogurtland. Yogurtland Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Allergen Notes & Vegan Options Despite the names, all of the following Yogurtland flavors are dairy-free by ingredients! Probiotic Note: Unlike many other froyo chains, several…

Updated February 2024! Butter is big at this international seafood shack. They also defy longstanding culinary rules, and drench many of their fish dishes in cheese and/or creamy sauces. Nevertheless, Red Lobster has quite a few dairy-free options, both on the menu and with simple custom order requests. We have them all detailed below, along with allergen notes and a petite vegan menu guide. Dairy-Free Menu Guide to Red Lobster with Allergen & Vegan Notes Be aware of special order requirements in parentheses () next to the menu items, and see the Heads Up notes to help fill in the…

It’s usually made with processed ingredients and has earned the nickname “pâté of the South.” But Treeline has elevated humble pimento cheese by culturing it with healthy, dairy-free ingredients. Treeline Cashew Pimento Cheese is thick, creamy, and spreadable, much like their French-style cheese alternatives and cream cheese alternatives. But this version is blended with red pimento peppers and a touch of jalapeno peppers for a tangier, slightly spicier, and bolder flavor. Treeline Keeps Pimento Cheese Simple with these Vegan Ingredients You won’t find cheddar, Velveeta, mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, flavoring, or anything like them in this plant-based spread. Treeline uses whole food ingredients…

Last Update in February 2024! Domino’s Pizza is one of the largest pizza chains with thousands of locations worldwide. They rebranded to just Domino’s several years ago since they now offer much more than pizza. Not to mention, single names seem to be the trend lately (just ask Jamba and Dunkin’). No matter what you call them, this pizza institution has quite a few dairy-free options! We’ve outlined all of the choices below, including custom order and build-your-own notes. This U.S. and Canadian guide also covers vegan needs, and includes allergen notes. Domino’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Allergen Notes &…

Updated February 2024! I was tempted to remove Graeter’s Ice Cream Shops from our listings, due to a few concerns. But this post is still referenced often, and they have continued to release some dairy-free options. So I’m updating it with dairy-free details that we have been able to obtain and some important words of warning about their shops and pints. Dairy-Free Guide to Graeter’s Ice Cream Shops You can get sorbet at most ice cream shops, but several of our viewers have raved about Graeter’s. All of their sorbets are naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and top allergen-free. They also…

Eat Just, formerly known as Hampton Creek, has been one of the most tumultuous little plant-based companies. Their products have swung in and out of availability multiple times, and they’ve been plagued with legal battles. In late 2020, we thought they were phasing their salad dressing line out for good, but it’s back again! It seems four years of “pseudo online bullying and boxes of hate mail” from Just Ranch fans going through withdrawals was influential. Eat Just Relaunches Just Ranch in Two Dairy-Free Varieties Eat Just has relaunched both the Original and Chipotle Just Ranch flavors. But this time…

Last Updated February 2024! We’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores on the Hawaiian Island of Maui that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city, and we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state. Support Maui: Tourism is welcome and encourages on Maui to help their local economy recover. But they urge you to “buy local, eat at local restaurants, enjoy the activities and attractions and visit with patience and grace.” For…

Updated February 2024! This iconic, Canadian coffee and bake shop franchise was founded over 50 years ago by a professional hockey player. They’re most known for their donuts and “Timbits,” all of which do contain dairy. But Tim Hortons has made efforts for dairy-free and vegan customers. These days they offer three types of non-dairy milk beverages, flavored drinks, and quite a few sweet and savory food options, as outlined below. Tim Hortons Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Allergen Notes & Vegan Options This menu guide includes dairy-free menu options first, followed by custom order components. Be aware of special order…

Updated February 2024! When you’ve got a good thing going, why mess with it? Over a decade ago, Sprinkles Cupcakes introduced a Vegan Red Velvet Cupcake, and they haven’t changed a darn thing about it since. It’s consistently available at all of their locations and made with the same ingredients, which you can see below. Sprinkles Cupcakes Vegan Red Velvet is Layered with Possibilities Red Velvet is the signature flavor at Sprinkles Cupcakes. They make a classic Red Velvet cupcake in addition to Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free, and Vegan versions. All four are available at every Sprinkles location, every day. But only…

You won’t fumble on game day! We’ve got you covered with 58 Dairy-Free Super Bowl Recipes. In honor of Super Bowl LVIII, we’re fielding a full team of delicious handhelds, bites, dips, and even some sweets for a half time treat. Many of the recipes are vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly, so your whole crowd can enjoy. 58 Dairy-Free Super Bowl Recipes for the Win Those cute ice cream sandwich footballs in the photo at the top and as the feature photo for this post are simply dairy-free ice cream sandwiches cut into small footballs with icing stitches painted on. No…

When they first launched Icelandic Provisions Oatmilk Skyr back in 2021, some production issues arose that kept them from meeting demands. But this thick, creamy, dairy-free line has returned with an all new formula that’s even higher in protein. They’ve also made a few flavor changes, bringing blueberry, peach, and strawberry into the mix. Icelandic Provisions Oatmilk Skyr is How the Nordic do Dairy-Free Yogurt Skyr (pronounced skeer) is a traditional Icelandic dairy product, made specifically with skyr cultures, to produce a food that’s like yogurt, but thicker and creamier. It also has a rich flavor that isn’t overtly sour…

2024 Update! We started this dairy-free Valentine chocolate round-up over fifteen years ago(!) and it’s still going strong. It’s always live, but in the month leading up to Valentine’s Day, we make necessary little tweaks to update this guide. Holiday deadlines quickly approach when it comes to buying gifts online, so make sure to order soon if you want your sweet gift to arrive in time. Of course, you’ll still be able to purchase from these vegan-friendly chocolatiers (over 25 of them!) well beyond the beloved holiday. But why not make someone’s February special? Allergen Notes: All items listed below…