Daily Lunch Menu with Allergies: How to Choose
Published 26 October 2026 · 6 min read
In Slovakia, many restaurants serve a "denné menu": a fixed-price daily lunch, usually a soup and a main course, written on a board or posted online. For people with allergies it is harder than a regular menu, because it changes every day, preparation is fast and there is not always time for anyone to check the ingredients. The best approach is to look at the menu in advance, focus on the soup and the sauce, and ask outside the busiest hours. Allergen labelling on a dish is a useful aid, not a guarantee.
Why the daily menu is different
- The menu changes. The ingredients differ from day to day, so your experience from last week may not apply.
- Cooking is done in batches. Soups and sauces are made in large quantities and contain ingredients the staff may not know about.
- Time is short. At lunchtime the waiting staff and the cook have no time for long questions.
- Allergen labelling is often brief. A menu on a board or on a website may give only numbers, or nothing at all.
A list of the allergens and their numbers is in The 14 EU allergens. The numbers on menus are explained in Allergen numbers on menus.
How to read the daily menu
- Look for allergen labelling. Many places give numbers in brackets after the dish, for example "(1, 3, 7)". Check the legend. If you cannot see one, ask.
- Do not read missing labelling as "no allergens". It may simply mean the information is missing.
- Notice how the dish is prepared. Words such as "in cream", "baked", "in pastry" or "breaded" suggest milk, eggs or gluten.
- Look at the sides. Rice, potatoes or dumplings may be prepared with an allergen you are not looking for in the main dish.
- Pay attention to the soup. Soups are the most common place for hidden allergens.
Soups and sauces
With an allergy, the soup and the sauce are the riskiest parts of lunch. The reason is simple: they are mixtures in which you cannot see the ingredients.
| What | What may be hiding in it |
|---|---|
| Broth | celery, meat extract, gluten |
| Thickened soup | flour (gluten), cream (milk), egg |
| Cream soup | milk, butter, cream, nuts |
| Sauce for meat | flour, butter, cream, mustard, soy sauce |
| Ready-made mix from a packet | several allergens at once |
Ask specifically: "What is the soup made from? Is it thickened with flour or cream? Did you use a stock cube?" For celery and mustard allergy, see Mustard and celery allergy.
Ask in advance
The most effective strategy is to phone or message before lunch.
- Look at the menu on the website or social media. Many places post it in the morning.
- Phone in the morning, before lunch. The cook has time to answer and may be able to prepare an alternative.
- Be specific in writing. Name the allergen and ask about a particular dish.
- Ask whether they can adapt the dish. For example, meat without the sauce or a side without butter.
Staff can often tell you more if you ask a question that can be answered yes or no, rather than a general "I have an allergy". More on phrasing is in How to ask about allergens in a restaurant.
Lunch hour: when to ask
At lunch, the pressure is greatest between about 11:30 and 13:30. The staff are busy and the cook is working at top speed, which raises the risk of a mistake or a rushed answer. If you can:
- come earlier or later, when there are fewer guests,
- order as soon as you arrive and mention your allergy when you order,
- if the place is full, choose a simpler dish with fewer ingredients,
- if you are not sure, do not eat where you cannot get a clear answer.
If you do not feel safe, it is fine not to order.
Typical daily menu dishes and what to watch for
| Dish | Possible allergens |
|---|---|
| Schnitzel, fried cheese (smažený syr) | gluten, egg, milk |
| Goulash, roast meat with sauce | gluten (thickening), celery, mustard |
| Pasta with cream sauce | gluten, milk, egg |
| Risotto | stock (celery), milk (butter, cheese) |
| Fish dishes | fish, gluten (coating), milk |
| Salad with dressing | mustard, egg, sesame, nuts |
| Dessert that comes with the menu | gluten, milk, egg, nuts |
The table is only a guide. Every place cooks in its own way, so ingredients differ. For specific allergies, see also Egg allergy and Peanut and tree nut allergy.
The daily menu at a place you visit regularly
If you have lunch at the same place regularly, it is worth building trust. Mention your allergy on your first visit, ask how the kitchen works, and remind them briefly on later visits. The staff will remember you, and the cook can prepare your food in advance. Be careful, though: even a regular place can change supplier or recipe, so do not skip the question even after months.
What if nothing on the menu suits you
- Ask for a simple dish off the menu, for example meat or fish with a side and vegetables.
- Ask for a change: no sauce, no topping, no cream.
- Ask whether anything is being cooked fresh to order.
- Look for another place with clearer allergen labelling. For different diets, see Gluten-free restaurants, Vegan restaurants and Vegetarian restaurants.
If you suspect a severe reaction, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or weakness, call 112 and use your adrenaline auto-injector if you have been prescribed one.
How AvoiDino can help
In AvoiDino you set your allergens and filter dishes by allergen. It helps you narrow down your choices more quickly, even before lunch. The daily menu changes, so treat the app as an aid, not a guarantee. Always check the specific dish with the staff.
Frequently asked questions
Does a daily menu have to show allergens?
Information about allergens must be available for non-prepacked food. How the restaurant provides it (in writing or verbally) is decided by each member state, so ask the staff where to find it.
Can I rely on the allergen numbers on the menu?
They are a good starting point, but they can be incomplete or out of date. With an allergy, always confirm with the staff.
Which parts of lunch are the riskiest?
Soups, sauces and breaded dishes. They are mixtures in which you cannot see the individual ingredients.
When is the best time to ask about allergens at lunch?
Outside peak hours, ideally by phone before lunch or as soon as you arrive. Between 11:30 and 13:30 the kitchen is usually at its busiest.
What should I do if the waiter cannot answer?
Ask for the cook or the shift manager. If you do not get a clear answer, it is fine not to order.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, Article 44 and Annex II.
This information is general and does not replace medical advice. If you have an allergy, always check the ingredients with the staff.