Now that I’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease for awhile, I’ve had the opportunity to try out quite a few dedicated gluten free restaurants. These are my personal favorites (in no particular order). While my tastes may be different than yours, hopefully these descriptions give you a sense of the restaurant, so you can find the ones that best meet your likes!
#1: Capitol Cider (Seattle, WA)
Gluten free food doesn’t always have to be healthy. At Capitol Cider you can enjoy a meal from a dedicated gluten free kitchen serving authentic pub food. (They do serve gluten containing beverages, such as beer in the restaurant.) I tried the fish and chips, which were simply scrumptious. My other favorite part about this is that it’s a cider bar featuring over 120 ciders. When I go out, typically my friends have a wide array of beers to choose from, and I’m stuck with 2-3 ciders. Thus, this spot is truly a gem if you’re looking to find a new drink.
Learn more about Capitol Cider:
- Gluten Free in the Pacific Northwest
- Video Review of Gluten Free Options in Washington <– My favorite video review!
#2: Palæo (Copenhagen, Denmark)
On the other hand sometimes gluten free food can be healthy, and I loved the array of options at Palæo so much that I went there back to back days on my trip to Denmark! My favorite order is a Bolo. Bolo is vegetable spaghetti with a spicy meat tomato sauce, topped with homemade cashew-parsley pesto. There is another dedicated gluten free restaurant right next door (Raw 42). It’s a little less up my alley with completely raw food, but I liked their smoothies as well. Definitely a good street to check out while in Copenhagen.
#3: Famer’s Keep (Philadelphia, PA)
Philadelphia is probably my favorite nearby gluten free friendly city. (Boston may try, but compared to other nearby cities, it just doesn’t compare.) There are many dedicated gluten free restaurants there, but my favorite is probably Farmer’s Keep. Farmer’s Keep serves healthy, creative cuisine catering to all diets. All of the food is Gluten-Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Nut Free, and Shellfish-Free. I find their meals tend to be more hearty and comforting healthy food.
Note: Agno Grill, a mediterranean build-your-own-bowl restaurant is probably my second favorite in the city.
#4: Verde Cocina (Portland, OR)
Verde Cocina focuses on putting vegetables into all of its meals. However, the restaurant itself isn’t over the top about healthy eating, all the food is simply fresh. The meals are full of flavor, and I simply loved the marinade on my steak. If this restaurant was in my hometown, it would be my go-to spot.
- Written Review: 100% Gluten Free Restaurants in Portland, OR
- Video Review: Gluten Free Options in Portland
#5: Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen (San Francisco, CA)
As arepas are naturally gluten free, there are a couple of restaurants that sell arepas and have made a conscious effort to remain 100% gluten free. My favorite is Pica Pica in San Francisco. I actually went with one of my friends who grew up making homemade arepas, and she approved. I found each one to be filled with flavor, and I also appreciated the diversity of options on the menu. If San Francisco is a bit far for you, my second favorite arepas restaurant is Quiero Arepas in Denver, which is also 100% gluten free.
Learn More About Gluten Free Arepas:
- Review of Pica Pica (San Francisco, CA)
- Video Review: Gluten Free in Northern California (featuring Pica Pica)
- Review of Quiero Arepas (Denver, CO)
Note: If it didn’t burn down, The Paleo Place in Caloundra, would certainly be on this list. Unfortunately, I don’t believe they have plans to re-open. However, if you’re visiting Australia soon, I still recommend checking out my list of Gluten Free Options Across Australia!
Looking for other options? For all my Wanderlust Wednesday reviews, check out the map below, or bookmark my Celiac Friendly Travel Reviews Page. The blue dots are all 100% gluten free restaurants!
What’s your favorite celiac friendly dining spot?!
Happy Wanderlust Wednesday!
This is a great list! I travel a ton for work so I’m going to be sure to check these out!
Awesome! Let me know if you go to any of these spots! 🙂
I’m jealous. So many great adventures! The one I may get to try is the arepa at Quiero Arepas in Denver. I look forward to it.
Nice! I first went to Quiero Arepas when they were just a food truck. I had to look up the location online each time I went! Now, they have a more permanent home in Avanti Food & Beverage. Let me know if you make it there! 🙂
Wow! The Wanderlust Celiac is a very apt name for your blog! I would love to go to Denmark. What a great adventure…and you found a good gluten free restaurant option!
Thanks, Leslie! I had a blast in Denmark. My sister was actually studying abroad there at the time, so she was able to show me around AND I was able to use her host family’s kitchen for some meals. 🙂
So much great food. It is mind blowing! I’d love to eat my way around the world.
Yes, I can’t wait to see what other dedicated gluten free spots I find in the future!
we LOVE Verde Cocina! and being so close to Seattle, I’ll keep Capitol Cider in mind…
Ah! I wish I lived closer to Verde Cocina! Let me know if you check out Capitol Cider! 😀
I’ve been to quiero arepas in Denver. SOOOO good. They are the best and love that they have so many options when it comes to the filling. If I am ever in any of the other places, def check out these restaurants.
Thanks! I used to go looking for their food truck! I was so happy when they finally found a home at Avanti Food & Beverage. 🙂
I wish I could travel around like you! All of these restaurants looks amazing, now it just takes getting there!
Awh, thanks Maddi! We don’t have any good dedicated gluten free restaurants in my hometown, so it’s one of my favorite parts about visiting other cities!
I love this list! It looks like there are some great dairy-free options, too.
Yes! I was actually dairy free when I visited all of these spots I believe.
Farmer’s Keep is truly an allergy friendly gem!
Oh, and I’m so excited that Pica Pica is still around! I tried it probably 10 years ago – was fabulous!
Yes, I loved it there! 😀
Thankfully I can eat gluten, but I do try to avoid carbs so I often eat what a person who can’t eat gluten eats. Thanks for the list and all the talk about cider has made me want one. 🙂
Thanks! There’s a pretty nice pub atmosphere at Capitol Cider too. I definitely recommend it. 😀
All the food looks fantastic — you wouldn’t know you were having to make choices, would you? I’m glad there are so many restaurants that are catering to the needs of those with gluten intolerance. I’m wondering if you’ve been to San Diego? Are there any good gluten-free restaurants here?
Thanks! Unfortunately, I haven’t been to San Diego yet, nor do I follow any gluten free bloggers from San Diego. Although, I hope you find some good options. I always have an easier time out west than back here!
I just surfed the symptoms of celiac disease. I think I should have a check. There seems to be no problem of availability of gluten-free restaurants so I should not postpone it anymore!
I just surfed the symptoms of celiac disease. I think I should have a check. There seems to be no problem of availability of gluten-free restaurants so I should not postpone it anymore!
Celiac has so many symptoms and presents differently in everyone, but if you’re diagnosed, it’s so much easier to manage the disease now than a decade ago. If you’re interested in learning more about the diagnosis process, you can read: https://www.cureceliacdisease.org/diagnosis/. The key takeaways are that you must be eating gluten to be diagnosed with celiac disease. You are diagnosed via a blood test followed by an endoscopy. Hope that helps a bit! 🙂
I’ll have to keep Capitol Cider in mind since I’m headed to Seattle soon. While I don’t have to eat gluten free, I know some of my foodie readers do. With those readers in mind, I like to find spots where they can enjoy good food and drink, too. Since cider is a gluten-free beverage many choose as a beer substitute, it’s nice to see a cider bar serving traditional pub food that is all gluten free, too!
Yes, I also love how they don’t advertise that they’re gluten free, so it remains a pretty popular spot. But, if you have celiac then you know and can eat there safely!
I don’t know much about a gluten-free diet, but I have learned a lot from your post. I love that you mention it doesn’t have to be healthy, probably a common misnomer. Do you think it helps anyone to choose gluten-free eating when it is available? I’ve heard mixed reviews.