Explain the requirement before the visit
Contact the restaurant with the exact ingredients you need to avoid and explain the level of cross-contact concern. A booking note is useful, but it should not replace a direct conversation with someone able to speak for the kitchen. Ask whether the venue can handle the requirement on the intended service, particularly for buffets, tasting menus and large events. If the answer is uncertain, choose another arrangement rather than interpreting politeness as a guarantee.
Use the information available
EU food-information rules cover allergen information for non-prepacked food as well as packaged products. Ask how the restaurant provides that information and whether it applies to the actual dish being served today. A familiar dish name or a vegetarian symbol does not answer an allergy question. Check sauces, coatings, bread baskets and shared utensils. Follow your own clinician’s advice and travel plan; a dining guide cannot decide whether an individual meal is safe.
Repeat the check when ordering
Tell the server again on arrival, even if an email has already been exchanged. Confirm that the order has been identified correctly when the food arrives. For delivery, obtain the necessary information before completing the purchase and check the packaging against the order. Keep any personal emergency medication accessible according to your medical plan. A calm, specific exchange and an agreed alternative are more useful than trying to negotiate a complicated menu after everyone else has ordered.
The useful details.
- Send exact requirements before reserving.
- Ask about preparation and shared equipment.
- Reconfirm the order on arrival.
Sources & updates
Reviewed 2026-10-29. Prices, opening times, transport and access rules can change; use the official sources below before setting off.
