Dietary Restrictions
Accommodating the needs of guests who may have dietary restrictions is a priority at the Saint Louis Zoo. The Zoo does not cook with peanut oil.
If you have any allergy questions or concerns, please reach out to one of our food service supervisors or managers before ordering any food. We will do our very best to answer your question!
Cafe Kudu
We are happy to serve several items that are free of gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and more. Cafe Kudu showcases many Zoo favorites, including chicken strips, thin-crust pizza, soft pretzels, nachos and assorted snacks. See the full menu here.
Lakeside Cafe
Lakeside Cafe will offer an allergy-friendly menu from November through February, as Cafe Kudu is closed on weekdays during the cooler months of the year.
Please allow a little extra time at either location, as these items are prepared to order!
Frequently Asked Questions
Feel free to contact us by email FAB@stlzoo.org or call us at (314) 646-4576. Please be sure to allow a minimum of 48 hours prior to your visit for a response.
Our food and beverage staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. We keep ingredient files at each location, and our staff can supply you with that information.
Tell the employee taking your order of your dietary needs. A supervisor or manager will personally see to it that your request is safely prepared for you. Please note that our specialty items take a few extra minutes to prepare.
Our staff is trained to handle our allergen-friendly food options with the utmost care. When an order is placed for a specialty item, our staff will wash their hands, put on new gloves and use all new utensils designated specifically for your specialty items. All of our concessions locations use vinyl gloves and latex gloves.
Yes. EpiPens and insulin needles are permitted. The Zoo also has a First Aid Station with a registered nurse or paramedic on site at all times to assist if necessary.
All of our locations fry in a zero trans-fat vegetable oil. Our ice cream novelties and hand-scooped ice cream locations serve items that contain nuts or are prepared using shared facilities and equipment with items containing nuts. Soft-serve ice cream available at Ice Cream Oasis is a strongly suggested alternative. We also offer a pre-packaged peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
All of our locations fry in a zero trans-fat vegetable oil, and typically seafood and fish are not cooked in these fryers. However, on rare occasions, we do cook seafood in our fryers for private catered events at these locations. Please notify the supervisor or manager on duty of your allergy.