Aquarium Cafe

5 recent ratings
$$ • Cafe
Reported NOT to have a gluten-free menu, but gluten-free options are available
Reported gluten-free menu items: Bread/Buns, Burgers, Fries, Sandwiches
Safety Rating
5 ratings

As rated by the community

Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940

Most Recent Reviews


Celiac
4 months ago

I had a very tasty lunch and was actually really impressed with how they handled protocol. They cleaned a spaced, washed up/new gloves, all new bowls/tongs/etc. I did the stone fruit buratta salad and a gf packaged cookie. They were great!

Safety
Taste
Variety
Safety
  • — No dedicated fryer
Gluten-Free at Aquarium Cafe
Celiac
9 months ago

Asked about gluten free options and instead was given a list of vegetarian options- they even said a pretzel was gluten free. Staff did not seem knowledgeable at all. I may have had a different experience if I asked to talk to a chef but didn’t.

Safety
Celiac
1 year ago

GF items are not marked anywhere, but you can ask the staff behind the counters and they seemed knowledgeable to me. I ordered a salad, which was fine except for the vinegar-heavy dressing, and pita bread that was supposedly GF but I'm not totally sure it was uncontaminated.

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — No gluten-free information on the menu

Important

This establishment is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility and may not be safe for those with celiac disease. Please contact the establishment directly to inquire about safety precautions.
Information contained in this listing is based on reports by the community. Please verify all information directly with the establishment.

Reported safety features

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Gluten-Free at Aquarium Cafe
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More Reviews


1 year ago

The staff was very willing to help ensure the food was gluten free. However, there was some confusion regarding the poke bowl. Although the bowl was offered as a gluten free option, the wakame (seaweed salad) that is used in the poke bowl (both as its own topping and as part of the creamy poke mix) is not gluten free. It is sold as a separate item in a glass jar in the refrigerator and lists wheat as an ingredient! Fortunately we noticed this before my celiac wife ate her poke bowl. They were able to make her a new custom bowl with the rest of the poke bowl ingredients and grilled salmon instead and everything turned out fine. Just a reminder to always be vigilant.

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — No gluten-free information on the menu
Safety
  • — Knowledgeable staff
Other
  • — Vegetarian options
  • — Vegan options
  • — Healthy options
Celiac
1 year ago

I only asked about the Poke Bowls to see if they were GF. I didn't ask about more of the menu. The Poke Bowl was good with nice big portion.

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — No gluten-free information on the menu
2 years ago

Are here for lunch while at the aquarium. All sandwiches/burgers can be made with a gluten free bun. Fries are made in their own fryer. I had to wait a few minutes for them to make my food separately.

Safety
Taste
Variety
Is there a gluten-free menu?
  • — No gluten-free information on the menu
Safety
  • — Dedicated fryer
  • — Knowledgeable staff
  • — Staff accommodates
Celiac
5 years ago

The lable gluten free. But the options are very limited. No bun hot dog and fries is about it for a child. They said gf bread is a problem because of individual plastic wrapping and they focus on reducing waste. For my kids, we had to ignore the signs and bring in our own food. Or go hungry. There is a spicy taquito that was pretty tasty but not kids friendly.

Celiac
5 years ago

Very awesome place inside the aquarium. Everything is clearly marked, they knew what they were doing, and it was very tasty. No reaction and could eat most of their menu.

Safety
Celiac
5 years ago

Staff was very knowledgeable and the hostess had celiac and recommended the restaurant over the cafe because they had more options. Everything that was gluten free was marked on the menu. A little pricey but good views

5 years ago

There were very few options for me as I can’t have dairy, and some staff was very knowledgeable, BUT they were careful about checking the ingredients and avoiding cross contamination. Next time I’ll probably bring my own lunch, but they at least were careful and knowledgeable and I had a burger no bun and some potato chips instead of fries as they didn’t have a dedicated fryer.

Celiac
5 years ago

Had a gluten free menu available upon request. Fries are no longer celiac safe as they are prepared in a shared fryer with fried chicken wings. But, me and my husband had delicious potato soup, and things like salad and fish tacos/quesadillas were all labeled gf. Knowledgeable staff and good to have options.

Safety
Celiac
7 years ago

So happy to have fries! Pricey for basic but to be expected in the aquarium.

Safety
Celiac
7 years ago
Safety
Symptomatic Celiac
8 years ago

Not a ton of options but I had a bun-less burger with fries and didn't get sick. Just being able to have fries was great. They have a gluten free menu with options, be sure to remember to mention that gluten/wheat makes you sick when you order if you have celiac.

8 years ago

They've really improved options and labeling since we last visited. Pick up plastic menu in center of cafeteria with gf options. Gf fries. Gf burger and dog without bun. Gf fish tostada (yum!!!). Gf pizza option. Also had numerous gf snacks like Lucy's cookies. Happy for options.

Symptomatic Celiac
8 years ago

I was watching as they cross contamination

Safety
9 years ago

Anyone with celiac disease (or celiac kids) knows how stressful it can be of you don't plan where to eat. I did my research. I looked into multiple websites for reviews about the Acquirium's gf friendliness. I was so frustrated when we went to get lunch there. The cafe is set up like a cafeteria. none of the menus mention gf products. you'd have to go to every counter and ask about gf, whole the other 1000 people in the acquirium attempt to order... We finally figured out the only gf option was pizza if we waited an hour. We decided to avoid the madness and go into the restuarant. There are very knowledgeable but have very limited options.

Safety
Gluten Intolerant
9 years ago

The cafe is very accommodating and the food was very good. A little pricey but good. Garlic fries are awesome!

Safety
9 years ago

This was the best cafe inside a museum/aquarium/ zoo or any of the sort I have ever been to! All of the food was good, not just the gluten free options. They had amazing fresh salads, great gluten free pizza, gluten free soup options, and delicious gluten free cookies, just to name a few things. I would recommend eating here if you visit the aquarium, it was delicious

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