A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Gluten Free NYC Eats:
If you are coming to New York City for the day and are looking for some cool restaurant options that also have gluten free food, I’ve got you covered. After having lived in NYC for the past couple of years, I have built out a repertoire of what I consider to be the best gluten free options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
In creating this list, I kept the following three criteria in mind for the best gluten free NYC restaurants:
Variety: You know the feeling when you have been looking forward to a substantial meal after a long day out but when you arrive to the restaurant the only gluten free option is a veggie salad? But you don’t want the other people you are dining with to feel bad so suddenly you put on your Oscar-deserving performance about how you are actually “not that hungry” and you could use some extra veggies anyways. All of us gluten free diners have experienced this at one point or another, and it sucks!
Safety: If you have Celiac like me, you probably understand the struggle of finding kitchens that understand the importance of cross contamination prevention. In the list below, you will only find restaurants that are either 100% gluten free or I have vetted to take extensive cross contamination precautions.
However, just because I have deemed these restaurants safe for me to eat at, doesn’t mean they work for you necessarily! I highly recommended using Find Me GF to verify these restaurants and read more reviews if you are concerned about food preparation!
Taste. Not only do the following restaurants have a variety of safe options, but they also make food that tastes good! It is important to me to find places that don’t sacrifice texture and flavor for the sake of having gluten free food on the menu. The restaurants in this list have crafted gluten free menus that even my non-gluten free friends agree are delicious.
Gluten Free NYC: Breakfast
Friedman’s
Friedman’s is my absolute favorite brunch spot in New York City. They have a wide selection of breakfast options from pancakes to omelettes and they can make almost their entire menu gluten free!
I appreciate that they put an allergen label on the dish when the waiter brings it out to reassure me that my meal is gluten free (otherwise it looks and tastes so delicious I might second guess it!). Also, they have a bar so if you are looking to start your day off with a mimosa or margarita to go with your breakfast, Friedman’s has your back.
If you are looking to dine on a weekend, my recommendation would be to arrive earlier than you want to eat because they will likely have a waitlist (no reservations). This is a testament to how good their food is though! There are nine locations throughout the city so no matter where you are, there probably is one not too far from you!
Modern Bread and Bagel
What is a trip to New York City without an authentic New York City bagel? Modern Bread and Bagel is 100% gluten free and- as you may have guessed it- they primarily sell bagels!
If you are looking for the absolute best bagel in not just NYC, but perhaps the entire country, you will find it here. They have perfected (and I don’t use that word lightly) the gluten free NYC bagel. Both taste and texture are a 10/10; you wouldn’t even know these bagels are gluten free.
They offer the typical array of bagel combos and sandwiches in addition to a variety of other bowls, salads, and bakery treats (though I highly encourage you to try a bagel).
Modern Bread and Bagel has two locations in the city: one in the Upper West Side and the other in Chelsea. Both locations are always hopping on the weekends, but don’t let that intimidate you because they do an excellent job of keeping the line moving fast!
Thyme and Tonic
Thyme and Tonic is a plant-based restaurant right next door to Modern Bread and Bagel in the Upper West Side (same owners) but offers a completely different dining experience. Unlike Modern Bread and Bagel, this is a more formal, sit down dining experience but like their bagel counterpart, they are 100% gluten free!
While I have this situated in the breakfast section, they only offer brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. However, if you are visiting on a weekday they are open for lunch and dinner every day!
So why is this in the breakfast section? Because I love their weekend brunch! Contrary to popular belief, there aren’t many safe restaurants that offer the gluten free brunch experience in NYC so I wanted to highlight Thyme and Tonic here. The coconut pancakes are out of this world delicious. I have struggled to find anywhere else that serves gluten free pancakes as delicious as this dish.
Gluten Free NYC: Lunch
Little Beet
Little Beet is my absolute go-to spot for a quick and easy lunch. This is a “bowl style” restaurant similar to Chipotle but get this, its 100% gluten free!
You pick from a selection of grains, vegetables, and protein to create your perfect bowl. The selection to choose from is much larger than most other fast casual restaurants I have been to, meaning there are literally hundreds (thousands?) of different bowl combinations you could put together. My greatest recommendation would be to get the Chipotle Aioli sauce on top of whatever you get.
There are a handful of locations throughout the city, so no matter where you are there probably is one nearby.
Twenty One Grains
Twenty One Grains is another 100% gluten free NYC quick service restaurant! Like Little Beet, they have bowls comprised of a mix of grains, vegetables, and proteins but they also have wraps, sandwiches, soups, and salads to choose from as well. They have a number of bowls and wraps to choose from off their menu or you can build your own. My personal favorite is the Hungry Bowl because the spicy mango is addicting.
All three of the Twenty One Grains locations are located in Urban Spaces. If you are unfamiliar with Urban Space, it is a food hall with a variety of different vendors and cuisines. If you are traveling with a group of people who can’t decide on one place for lunch, this is perfect. Plus you know you can have a safe meal too!
Inday
If you are looking to spice up your day, Inday’s 100% gluten free NYC Indian cuisine may be for you. This order-at-the-counter casual chain has a selection of traditional Indian dishes including curries, chaats, and kebabs in addition to a few salads and bowls to choose from. My personal favorite dish is the Golden Chicken Curry, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
There are several locations sprinkled throughout Midtown as well as a location in FiDi and another in Brooklyn. Note that some locations are “express” locations, meaning that there is an abbreviated menu and no seating available.
Springbone Kitchen
Springbone Kitchen is the perfect place to re-fuel your body during a long day in the city. The 100% gluten free menu is focused on nourishing bone broths and bowls that taste healthy and homey. If you are visiting on a cold winter day, you have to try one of their bone broths or Grandma’s Chicken and Rice bowl (or both!). Anything on the menu will make you feel right at home (or at your grandma’s home) and you will be geared up for the rest of your NYC day afterwards.
There are a handful of locations throughout Manhattan (downtown) and Brooklyn (Williamsburg). This is another order-at-the-counter style restaurant with limited indoor and outdoor seating available.
Gluten Free NYC: Dinner
Kesté
Where do I even begin with Kesté? For lack of better words, Kesté is everything you can hope and dream of in an authentic Italian restaurant. I have taken every single one of my friends and family that have visited me in the city here and will never be tired of it.
With that introduction out of the way, what makes Kesté so special you ask? I can confidently say they make the best gluten free pizza you will find not only in NYC, but probably the entire Western Hemisphere. This is not a dedicated gluten free NYC restaurant, but they have a whole separate kitchen for gluten free orders. That’s right, not a separate area in the kitchen, a whole second kitchen. If safety is one of your concerns, rest assured they will take great care of you here.
If you still have room after enjoying one of their gourmet pizzas, you have to get Angioletti for dessert (and don’t skimp- get the gelato on top!). Kesté is located in the Seaport area and just a short walk of great views of Brooklyn over the East River.
Wild
I would consider Wild to be one of the most chic, contemporary 100% gluten free restaurants in my gluten free NYC repertoire.
During the summertime, they have tons of outdoor seating, cute lighting and decor, and the atmosphere is just very fun and lively. During the winter, the small, indoor eating space creates a more cozy, intimate vibe.
The food is a bit of an Italian and American food crossover meaning there is something for everyone. If you have been craving some delicious mozzarella sticks, this is your opportunity to get your hands on some. Personally, I always order a pizza because I am a pizza lover through and through, but every dish that my friends have ordered has received rave reviews.
Wild is located in the dining hub of West Village. It is on a bar/restaurant-lined street that is always hopping. Bonus points for all the cute dogs you will see walking by while dining here!
Dulce Vida Latin Bistro
Dulce Vida Latin Bistro is one of my hidden gems from living in the Upper East Side that I am afraid to share with others because I love keeping it all to myself. However, it is time to stop gatekeeping this adorable, mostly gluten free NYC hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
If you want a unique experience at an amazing price, this is it. I highly recommend getting some guacamole and empanadas to start. And at only $3-$4 an empanada, you can’t go wrong! Just note that while they are 95% gluten free, not all of their desserts are gluten free so make sure you check with your waiter when ordering.
They are located in the Upper East Side (not too far from By the Way Bakery). The restaurant only has a few tables so I would definitely call ahead to make sure you will have a seat.
Rosa Mexicano
Hands down, the best gluten free NYC Mexican food is here. Rosa Mexicano is not 100% gluten free, but a lot of their menu is. I have eaten here several times with no issues and my last waiter shared with me that he has Celiac Disease and assured me that the kitchen is properly trained in cross-contamination prevention measures.
One of my favorite features of this restaurant is the freshly prepared guacamole that they make at your table! As for the rest of the menu, if you like Mexican you can’t go wrong.
They have a few locations throughout the city, though my personal favorite is downtown in Union Square. Make sure you call ahead for seating on the weekends because they typically are fairly busy!
Lilli and Loo
Lilli and Loo is a fantastic option if you are looking for Asian food. Admittedly, I have never been inside the restaurant, but I have ordered takeout too many times to count that I can confidently speak to the food.
They have everything Asian from pad-thai to sushi and everything in between. The restaurant is not completely gluten free, but in my experience they have been very cognizant of cross contamination prevention and in my dozens of dinners I have never gotten sick. While I haven’t been inside the restaurant, my gluten free friends who have dined there speak highly of the dining experience!
They are located on the east side of Midtown.
Bonus: Check out these Gluten Free Bakeries if you get a chance
By the Way Bakery
Not only is By the Way Bakery a quintessential New York City experience, but it is also 100% gluten free! When I lived near the Upper East Side location, you could find me here almost every weekend. Don’t get me wrong, even though I live further away now, I still make the trip often. T
he bakery sells almost every bakery item under the sun including whoopie pies, mini cakes, muffins, scones, and brownies among many more.
There are three locations in the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Brooklyn. There isn’t much seating so I would consider this a grab and go spot. If you have a sweet tooth like me, this is definitely worth the trip!
Posh Pop Bakeshop
The only thing cuter than the name of this bakery is the decked out pink interior with some of the most delicious baked goods in NYC. I can’t choose a favorite between Posh Pop Bakeshop and By the Way Bakery so I won’t, because they are both equally delicious. Like By the Way Bakery, they are also a 100% gluten free NYC bakery and offer a wide selection of cakes, cookies, bars, pies, brownies- you name it!
If you are downtown doing shopping in Soho or wandering around Washington Square Park this is the place for you. Plus if you go to Springbone Kitchen for lunch, this is a short walk away for an after-lunch dessert!
Get Ready…Eat!
Hopefully these recommendations help inform you in choosing the best places for to have a lovely gluten free NYC meal!
Still worried about finding food in NYC? I always travel with snacks just in case my food plan doesn’t work out. Check out my post on the best gluten free travel snacks.
Gluten Free like Me?
It’s uber important to always travel prepared! No matter where you are going, its important to always travel with some gluten free snacks on hand!
Click here to learn more about my favorite gluten free travel snacks!
Looking for more gluten free travel inspiration? Check out my other posts!
- Gluten Free Venice: 8 BEST Restaurants and Stores to Visit
- Gluten Free in Florence: 7 MUST Visit Restaurants and Eateries for a Delicious Trip
- Gluten Free in Disneyland
Looking for More Trip Inspiration?
If you are visiting New York City, the planning doesn’t have to stop here! Check out my other guides to NYC:
- Ultimate NYC 4 Day Itinerary
- How Many Days in Venice is Enough? Itinerary + Recommendations for a 1, 2, or 3 Day Stay
- How Many Days in Florence is Enough? Hand-Crafted Itinerary for 2+ Days in the City
- How Many Days in Rome is Enough? The Perfect Itinerary for 2, 3, or 4 Days
- Ultimate Florence to Venice Day Trip: 5 Major Sites + Food Recommendations for the Perfect Day
- 10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in NYC
