Restaurant Allergy Questions to Ask Before Ordering
If you have food allergies, the right questions can make the difference between a safe meal and a risky one. This guide explains what to ask restaurant staff — and why menu descriptions alone are not enough.
Guide only. Questions don't guarantee safety. Use your judgment.
Why asking questions matters
Restaurant menus rarely include full ingredient or preparation details. Even when allergens are listed, important risks can remain hidden — unlisted ingredients in sauces, shared cooking equipment, pre-made components, and staff assumptions about "safe" dishes.
Clear questions help reduce uncertainty before you order.
Ask specific, direct questions. Avoid yes/no shortcuts.
Start with clarity
Say:
- •"I have a food allergy to [allergen]."
If relevant, clarify severity:
- •"It's a severe allergy."
- •"I need to avoid even small traces."
Clear communication reduces misunderstandings. If answers are uncertain or inconsistent, it's okay to choose another dish — or another restaurant.
Essential questions to ask
Ingredients:
- •"Does this dish contain [allergen] in any form?"
- •"What ingredients are in the sauce or dressing?"
- •"Are any components pre-made or purchased?"
Preparation:
- •"Is this cooked on shared equipment?"
- •"Are the same oils used for other dishes?"
- •"Is there a risk of cross-contact during preparation?"
Process:
- •"Can the kitchen safely prepare this without [allergen]?"
- •"Is it possible to check with the chef?"
What questions cannot guarantee
Even good questions cannot eliminate all risk.
- •Guarantee zero cross-contact
- •Override kitchen limitations
- •Replace your own judgment
How menu scanning helps before you ask
- 1
Identify higher-risk dishes in advance
- 2
Focus your questions on specific items
- 3
Avoid asking broad or vague questions
- 4
Have a more efficient conversation with staff
Menu scanning supports preparation — not replacement — of questions.
What this guide helps with — and what it doesn't
Helps with:
- ✓Knowing what to ask
- ✓Communicating allergies more clearly
- ✓Reducing avoidable risks
Does not replace:
- ⚠Restaurant responsibility
- ⚠Medical advice or diagnosis
- ⚠Personal risk assessment
This guide provides general information only.
Prepare better questions before you order.