Restaurant Reivew

Dandelion Communitea Cafe

618 N. Thornton Avenue
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 362-1864
Five Stars
Main Photo

Dandelion Communitea Cafe should be a top choice for vegans and gluten-free diners in the Orlando area. This fantastic local find near downtown offers a variety of options for both diets.

In addition, affordable prices, friendly employees, and a comfortable outdoor patio make dining at Dandelion a truly pleasing experience.

  • Dandelion Communitea Cafe Restaurant Preview
  • Dandelion Communitea Cafe Restaurant Preview
  • Dandelion Communitea Cafe Restaurant Preview

Food

Not surprisingly, Orlando is home to an abundance of unhealthy fast food and restaurant chains. It's a real treat to find a small local cafe serving wholesome, homemade organic fare.

Dandelion delivers with meals made using local, organic ingredients. No GMOs or artificial ingredients are used in any dishes.

Everything on the menu (except the grilled cheese) is vegan and many items can be made gluten and soy free with a few small substitutions. Everything is thoroughly marked according to allergens, so you will have no problem dining with multiple food sensitivities. There are plenty of choices for everyone.

Vegan variations of popular appetizers, sandwiches, rice bowls, salads, and burritos comprise most of the menu.

The highlight here is a DIY dish where you choose from a bowl or wrap and any assortment of veggies, special toppings, vegan cheese, and dressings. You can even add vegan chilli, sweet potatoes, and tempeh to your bowl/wrap for an added kick.

I started with a base of quinoa and spring mix (you can choose 1 or the other or add both), and then added chick peas, broccoli, carrots, red onion, and cilantro. I chose a delicious ginger cilantro dressing. If you do not feel like designing your own bowl, you can choose from a few specialties.

Starters include homemade nachos, raspberry parfait, rice rolls, black bean quesadillas, hummus and veggies, and a side sampler. The side sampler is a great idea for those who want to experiment with a few different dips. With this dish, you will get to try a black bean based dip, whirled peas guacamole, and vegan Queso. I have never had Vegan Queso before: I have to say I was quite impressed!

The dips are served with blue corn chips: for those watching their carb intake, these chips are much better as they are higher in protein than traditional corn chips. My only complaint is that there were too many chips for the small dip servings: I recommend increasing the quantity of dip given out so guests can enjoy the flavor of the dips more.

In terms of drinks, Dandelion offers an impressive menu of loose leaf tea in all sorts of flavors including green, white, black, roobios, and specialty herbal blends. Kombucha (delicious!), beer, wine, and coffee are available too.

Service

Service was pretty quick despite the full house. Staff was knowledgeable about ingredients and allergens, which is always a plus!

Atmosphere

Dandelion offers a small indoor dining room as well as a beautiful outdoor patio. On cooler days, the patio is the perfect choice for enjoying a healthy meal in the fresh air. Cute decor and a quiet, less clustered atmosphere sets Dandelion apart from most health food restaurants.

Restaurant Photo

Final Remarks

Dandelion Communitea Cafe is one of the best choices for Orlando locals and visitors choosing to follow a gluten-free and/or vegan diet. You will not find many other restaurants in the area with such an extensive allergy friendly menu.

Fantastic organic health food, a quaint outdoor setting, and friendly service place Dandelion on my list of top allergen friendly choices in Orlando.

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Waiter
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