Yes, Dutch Bros does offer some dairy-free options for customers with dietary restrictions or preferences. While their signature drinks are made with dairy milk, Dutch Bros has non-dairy milk alternatives and several dairy-free menu items to choose from.
Non-Dairy Milk Options at Dutch Bros
For customers who want to customize their drinks with non-dairy milk, Dutch Bros provides the following plant-based milk alternatives:
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk
- Soy milk
- Oat milk
These can be substituted in place of regular dairy milk in any hot, iced, or blended drink on the Dutch Bros menu. This allows customers with lactose intolerance or vegan diets to still enjoy Dutch Bros specialty coffee drinks suited to their dietary needs.
Dairy-Free Drinks on the Dutch Bros Menu
In addition to customizing with non-dairy milk, Dutch Bros has some standard menu items that are dairy-free by default:
- Black coffee
- Americano
- Cold brew coffee
- Nitros (nitro cold brew)
- Hot or iced tea
- Hot chocolate made with non-dairy milk
- Rebel energy drinks
- Lemonade
- Italian sodas made with non-dairy milk
- Smoothies made with non-dairy milk and no yogurt
With these options, customers avoiding dairy can stick to the standard Dutch Bros menu without having to customize or substitute. The coffee-based drinks highlighted above are automatically dairy-free in their standard recipe.
Other Dairy-Free Items at Dutch Bros
Beyond drinks, Dutch Bros offers some food and snack items that are dairy-free:
- Oatmeal – can be customized with non-dairy milk and no butter
- Red Bull energy drinks
- Monster energy drinks
- Bottled water
- Assorted chips and snacks
These provide some quick, dairy-free grab-and-go options for customers seeking an energy boost or snack without dairy.
Is Dutch Bros Accommodating of Dairy-Free Dietary Needs?
Overall, Dutch Bros is reasonably accommodating for customers wishing to avoid dairy products. Key things to know:
- Non-dairy milks are available at no extra charge
- Employees are trained to handle dairy-free customization requests
- Ingredients and allergen information is readily available
- Many standard menu items require no customization to be dairy-free
- Dairy-free snacks and food options exist, though limited
With its wide range of specialty drinks that can be customized, as well as some dedicated dairy-free options, Dutch Bros does provide alternatives for those with medical or ethical dietary restrictions. Be aware that dairy is a prominent ingredient in many of their signature blended and iced beverages, so customization is often required. But customers seeking to avoid dairy can still enjoy Dutch Bros’ unique flavors.
Tips for Ordering Dairy-Free at Dutch Bros
Here are some useful tips to get dairy-free drinks and foods at Dutch Bros:
- Request one of the non-dairy milks as a substitute in any blended, iced, or hot drink
- For hot chocolate, specify non-dairy milk and no whipped cream
- Ask baristas to clean blenders and steam wands between dairy and non-dairy drinks to prevent cross-contamination
- Stick to drinks that are naturally dairy-free like brewed coffee, tea, and lemonade
- Clarify if you want a “splash” of non-dairy milk added to drinks for flavor versus having it be fully substituted for dairy milk
- For smoothies or blended drinks, ask for no yogurt and non-dairy milk instead
- Check ingredients lists for snack items like chips, oatmeal, and energy drinks to verify they are dairy-free
Being clear and specific with your order will ensure you receive a drink that suits your dietary needs. Dutch Bros baristas are generally happy to accommodate requests for dairy-free and other allergen-friendly customizations.
What About Vegan Options at Dutch Bros?
For customers who are vegan, Dutch Bros also has suitable options beyond just dairy-free. Here are some tips for vegans:
- Request drinks with almond, coconut, oat, or soy milk
- Ask for no whipped cream or flavored syrups, as these often contain dairy
- Stick to fruit smoothies made with non-dairy milk and no yogurt
- Try dairy-free snacks like chips, energy drinks, and water
- Ask about vegan sandwich wraps or bagels if available
- Some locations may offer plant-based cream cheese spreads upon request
While Dutch Bros menus are not 100% vegan, customized dairy-free drinks and a handful of vegan snacks and light food options can be found at most locations. Calling ahead to ask about specific vegan offerings is recommended.
Locating Dutch Bros Outlets with Dairy-Free Options
With over 600 locations across 14 U.S. states, Dutch Bros coffee shops can be found in many cities and towns, particularly on the West Coast. Use the Dutch Bros store locator to find one near you.
All company-owned Dutch Bros outlets carry almond, coconut, soy, and sometimes oat milk options, enabling dairy-free customization. They are also trained to handle allergy and dietary restriction requests from customers.
Some Dutch Bros franchise locations may have more limited non-dairy milk choices. Calling ahead to a specific shop is the best way to confirm availability if you have strict dairy-free needs.
Dairy-Free Menu Offerings at Specific Dutch Bros Locations
To showcase what kinds of dairy-free menu items may be available locally, here are some options at example Dutch Bros locations:
Dutch Bros – Salem, OR
- Vegan blueberry smoothie with almond milk
- Soy latte
- Nitro cold brew with coconut milk
- Oatmeal customized with almond milk and no butter
- Lemonade
- Chocolate Rebel energy drink
Dutch Bros – Phoenix, AZ
- Strawberries wild frozen drink made with coconut milk
- Cold brew with oat milk
- Vegan cinnamon roll protein smoothie with soy milk
- Soy mocha freeze
- Bagels with non-dairy cream cheese spreads
- Cinnamon toast oatmeal with almond milk
Dutch Bros – Denver, CO
- Oreo milkshake substitute almond milk
- Americano
- Hot chocolate with oat milk
- Vegan blue majik freeze with coconut milk
- Soy latte
- Chips and Red Bull energy drink
Individual franchise locations may differ, but this gives an idea of dairy-free customization options at various Dutch Bros shops.
Dairy-Free Menu Items at Dutch Bros Coffee Food Trucks
In addition to brick-and-mortar coffee shops, Dutch Bros operates coffee food trucks in many areas. These mobile Dutch Bros also offer dairy-free menu items:
- Cold brew, tea, and lemonade
- Oat, almond, soy, and coconut milk
- Smoothies and blended drinks customized with non-dairy milk
- Americano
- Hot chocolate or mocha with non-dairy milk
- Iced and frozen drinks modified to be dairy-free
- Chips and other packaged snacks
Dutch Bros food trucks give customers access to the chain’s specialty coffee and energy drink menu using non-dairy milks to suit dietary requirements.
Reasons Customers Choose Dutch Bros for Dairy-Free Options
There are several compelling reasons dairy-avoiding customers may favor Dutch Bros over other coffee chains:
- Wide range of customizable cold blended drinks
- Familiar flavors like caramel, mocha, and chocolate available dairy-free
- Unique specialty drink options not found elsewhere
- No extra charge for substitute milks
- Helpful staff passionate about customer service
- Clear ingredient and allergen information provided
- Fun brand image and vibe attracting younger crowds
- Many energizing infusion energy blends
- Often open earlier and later than competitors
While options are still somewhat limited compared to traditional dairy-based menus, Dutch Bros provides a solid range of customization choices at a good value to meet non-dairy needs.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Despite its efforts, some challenges remain for Dutch Bros to improve its dairy-free accommodations:
- Dairy milk still used by default in most drinks
- Limited vegan food choices beyond drinks
- Not all employees fully trained on allergy protocols
- Potential cross-contamination from shared equipment
- Inconsistent non-dairy milk availability at some franchises
- Menu descriptions not always clear about hidden dairy ingredients
By expanding its non-dairy milk options, adding more substantial vegan food items, thoroughly training staff, updating equipment protocols, and providing clearer labeling, Dutch Bros could enhance its appeal to dairy-free consumers.
Should You Rely on Dutch Bros for Dairy-Free Needs?
Dutch Bros can be a good option for dairy-free needs in a pinch or as an occasional treat, providing a range of customizable drinks at a fair price point. However, those with severe milk allergies or strict vegan diets may want to exercise caution or avoid it as a regular go-to due to the prevalence of dairy in its core menu offerings.
With some modifications, Dutch Bros can accommodate most dairy-free requests, especially for one-off orders. But its operations are not designed to be 100% dairy- or allergen-free. Customers with acute dairy restrictions should use their own judgement before purchasing.
The Bottom Line
Dutch Bros does provide various dairy-free options, including:
- Non-dairy milk alternatives for customization
- A selection of drinks and foods that are naturally dairy-free
- Ingredient information for modified ordering
- Dairy-free choices at most brick-and-mortar and mobile locations
However, dairy remains integral to many classic Dutch Bros recipes. Customizing is often required, and those with severe allergies or ethical vegan needs may want to exercise caution.
Overall, Dutch Bros does try to accommodate dietary restrictions while satisfying dairy-based tastes. With planning and targeted ordering, most can enjoy something dairy-free from the Dutch Bros menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Dutch Bros have non-dairy milk options?
Nearly all company-owned Dutch Bros locations have almond, coconut, soy, and sometimes oat milk available to substitute in drinks. However, some independently owned franchised shops may have fewer or no non-dairy milk choices.
What can I order at Dutch Bros if I’m lactose intolerant?
Those with lactose intolerance have many options, including customizing dairy milk drinks with lactose-free milk, choosing drinks naturally without dairy milk like cold brew, or ordering dairy-free snacks like chips. Smoothies and frozen blended drinks can also be made dairy-free.
Does Dutch Bros have oat milk?
Some locations have oat milk, but availability varies. Almond, soy, and coconut milk are more widely available across Dutch Bros shops. Calling ahead to confirm oat milk availability is recommended if this is your preference.
Is Dutch Bros good for vegans?
Dutch Bros provides some vegan-friendly options, like drinks customized with plant milks and snacks like chips and energy drinks. But it lacks extensive vegan food choices, so it may not suffice as a sole option for vegans without supplemental planning.
Do all smoothies at Dutch Bros have dairy?
Most default Dutch Bros smoothie recipes contain yogurt or dairy milk. But you can request for them to be made with non-dairy milk and no yogurt to suit vegan diets or dairy allergies. Not all smoothie flavors may be possible dairy-free though.
Can I order a dairy-free frappuccino at Dutch Bros?
Dutch Bros doesn’t serve true Starbucks frappuccinos. But you can order or customize a Dutch Bros blended iced drink like their Smoothie or Freeze with non-dairy milk to mimic a dairy-free frappuccino experience.
Conclusion
Dutch Bros provides a worthwhile option for dairy-free drink and snack needs on occasion. With some navigating of the menu and custom ordering, lactose-intolerant, dairy-allergic, and vegan patrons can often find suitable choices. Requests are accommodated without fuss or added cost. However, those with strict dietary limitations should weigh risks of cross-contamination before choosing Dutch Bros for regular needs, given dairy’s emphasis in their core menu.
