The Ultimate Gluten Free Restaurants List - Did Your Favorites make the List? Well, there is still time!

Michele
Jul 24
7 min read

Having to be Gluten-Free has it's challenges, like restaurants that have no idea what gluten is. But, some restaurants not only know how to do GF but they excel at it. Here is my list of favorites! Send me your favorites and I will drive, fly or run over and take a bite.

The Ultimate Gluten Free Restaurant List

Friedmans at the Edison Hotel - NYC

Best pancakes I have ever had. I tried to look up the recipe and it is nowhere. They have countless GF options and the servers know what they are doing. A concierge at our hotel recommended friedman's and had no idea that I had to be GF. Best recommendation in history!

Pro Tip: Get a reservation. Yes, it is that serious!

Germain's - Gainesville, FL
OMG! What a wonderful surprise! After visiting Ichetucknee Springs State Park we drove to Gainesville, the next town over to eat at Germains. Germain's has a full menu of the BEST FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICHES and they can make all of them GF. They also have the BEST FRENCH FRIES I have ever had. We ordered an extra meal just to take with us. And, they have a separate fryer for us GFs!

Pro Tip: Call ahead so they can warm up the GF Fryer.

Dinosaur BBQ - Syracuse, NY

I found out on my last visit to Dinosaur that our server has celiac and was the reason their GF Menu was so good. She helped them create one of the BEST GF Menus I've seen in my travels. Not only is the GF Menu exceptional, they bring allergies out on a RED PLATE delivered by it's own server. I love ordering the West Texas Ribeye (OMG Good!), homemade applesauce, and the wings. But, you can't go wrong. It's Dinosaur!

Blaze Pizza - Everywhere

I always order the cauliflower crust. Actually we went there for my one of my anniversary dinners. Sometimes you just want to go out and get a great pizza! Blaze has a allergy process. You get a special pizza crust plate, they have allergy sauce, and the pizza is SO good. I was so nervous going into a pizza place but I have had no issues. I get the cauliflower crust. Eat 1/2 there and save the rest for later. The best part is that these are all over the country now.

Linda's La Cantina Steakhouse - Orlando, FL

May be one of the best steak I have ever had. It is extremely difficult to get into this nondescript, old school restaurant, but it is SO worth making a reservation. Order the steak and get the house dressing. The dressing is made it the back and not pre-bottled, so they could say it is GF but it is made with all GF ingredients. I am extremely sensitive and had no reaction. It was absolutely delicious!

Eggs Up Grill - Spartanburg, SC and many other locations

Such a great option for GF breakfast. They have an excellent variety to choose from and every server I've had has been really knowledgeable. I always have had great service and nothing less than fantastic food.

Another Broken Egg Cafe - Orlando, FL / Many locations

This is one of our favorite local spots. We have gone there for regular weekend brunches and celebrated some very important moments, like graduations, and birthdays. Their GF menu is nice with many options for breakfast and lunch. Sometimes the wait is crazy on the weekend s but there is always self seating at the bar if you are traveling light.

Las Carreta's - Orlando, FL

The tortilla chips are made by hand on site with corn and the guac is made table side. I love the birria tacos, the shrimp fajitas, and the carne asada (steak).

4 Rivers Smokehouse - Orlando, FL

Their brisket (moist) is GF and addictive. It is what i use for family dinners and catering all the time. 4 Rivers is an Orlando staple and I'm just happy they have many GF options.

Outback Steakhouse - Everywhere

My son works at Outback Steakhouse and they have great food when you are GF. They have a GF menu (I know it inside and out) with tons of options and the kitchen has never failed me. I go to OB multiple times a month. I usually order the shrimp or the ribeye and I often take the Chocolate Thunder home with me and cut the brownie into 3 pieces and keep it in the freezer. It is a wonderful goto dessert.

Bolay - Florida

They are a 100% gluten free restaurant and now they've added the best chicken thighs to the menu. Sometimes I will go in and order just 6 chicken thighs and have them for family dinner and lunch the next day. I always feel like I can make a healthier choice eating at Bolay.

Jimmy Hulas

I eat at Hula's about once a week. Usually getting the Kingston Taco on Corn "its and allergy". The Baja and Chimichurri bowls are both GF and great. I also love the burger with egg, avocado, bacon and cheese. Of course, it is all totally customizable. My daughter can eat the fries and chips but I can't do cross contamination. But, what I can eat is so good!

Cookes of Dublin & Disney Springs, Orlando, FL

If you grew up with fried fish on Fridays like I did, you probably didn't know how much you would miss the tradition of it until it was gone. Well, fried fish is back (well occasionally) and it is delicious at Cookes of Dublin. Not a fan of the fries or the chicken tenders, but the fish is exceptional.

Savannah Seafood Shack - Savannah, FL

This is my favorite pit stop in Savannah, GA. I discovered this spot while visiting SCAD and now it is a regular favorite. The folks were not super familiar with GF but once we had a conversation we were good and the food was great! If it is an option to have the shrimp peeled for you, take it.

Summer House on the Lake - Disney Springs, Orlando, FL

Disney always does it right. They have an extensive menu of GF options and you can eat the fried chicken tenders and the fries! I know, we never get that! This restaurant is also on the Magical Dining list for Orlando. #MagicalDining happens at the end of summer/ beginning of fall when they have a special menu that showcases the restaurant and part of the sales go to charity.

Tako Cheena - Orlando, FL

Tako Cheena is a Very Special Place. It is outdoor seating with a sink for washing your hands. It is specialty tacos and open until the wee hours of the night, I'm talking 4 am most nights.

They are very knowledge about about GF and have only a few items that would work for us, but those items, like the Thai Peanut Chicken are life changing. They have a few more taco options, yuca fries and plantains. The place is cool because the fusion of flavor is a rare find.

Sixty Vines - Orlando, FL

There are a couple of my favorite things at Sixty Vines.

1. The cheesecake. It is naturally GF just the way they make it. It is pricey but sometimes I will call up and just order it as a special treat. It is so popular, there have been multiple times it's been sold out for the day.

2. The fried potatoes are a better version of the ones my grandmother used to make when I was a kid. They are so good!

DeepWoods by Mary Bell - Hayneville, AL

The DeepWoods is a very cool place. It is an old school soul food restaurant out in the country. Everything is made the old fashioned way. When I asked if I could have the gravy, Mary told me that it was made with cornstarch and I was so excited! Of course, Mary is on the left cooking and she knows everything about everything that goes into her food. I ordered the chicken, veggies, and potatoes with gravy (yay). It was all so good and I'll go back every time I am in the Hayneville area.

She also makes a lot of great desserts but we can't have those.

At least not yet.

5 Guys - Everywhere

When I took the kids on a summer long, cross country road trip, 5 Guys was our safe go to restaurant. I am always ordering the lettuce wrap, single cheese burger, all the way and a small fry. What I love about 5 Guys is that they pay great attention to allergies AND the fries are GF. 1 order of fries feeds a family.

Umi Sushi & Hibatchi - Syracuse, NY

This little place is a real find. The owners of the restaurant make everything from scratch and understand what gluten is. Everytime I go to Syracuse, NY I stop in for a meal. The portions are big enough fro leftovers and the Yum Yum Sauce is very yummy! I always order the Steak or Steak and Shrimp Hibachi.

Moondog Cafe - Key West, FL

This place is crazy good! They have a massive amount of GF food and desserts. I went there for my birthday breakfast when I hopped off the cruise ship and ended up only having drinks and desserts. It was the absolute BEST. I frequently consider hopping on a plane go back to taste those sweet treats again. And, they do not ship. That means when you are in Key West Moondog is a MUST!

BONUS: Favorite Donut in the Country! (So far)

Glazed and Confused - Syracuse, NY

When you go to Syracuse and your first stop is putting in your order for a dozen Cinnamon Sugar donuts. They only make them on Saturdays. Get your order in, you will not be disappointed. I love them because they taste like real, normal donuts. Even my family who doesn't have to be GF prefer these cinnamon sugar donuts. The owner told me they are his favorite too and a top seller. He imports the flour from Maine. I have to track that supplier down!

Yes, I order and fly some back with me every time. Yes, that is how I have a poolside donut!

BONUS: Favorite Bagel in the Country! (So far)

Dewitt Bagels

I was traveling and this little place made me a REAL, fresh everything bagel on the spot. Like, actually cooked it right there. It was crazy good! I would have picked up more but they were closed that day I was travel home.