The original version of this guide was written way back in 2019, at which point we were still living in San Francisco, working full time, and saving for the round-the-world trip that never quite materialized in 2020. But that’s a story for another time.
Since then, we have left our full-time corporate positions to dedicate our time entirely to this website, collectively spending five months in Europe over two years while living permanently in Portland, Oregon, and, most significantly for the intents of this guide, tasting a GREAT DEAL of gluten free food.
When revisiting this guide, it was realized it needed some serious revising to make it reflect the most up-to-date experience.
So, over the winter months of 2022, we undertook a complete overhaul of this guide to deliver our top 10 gluten free travel spots for food enthusiasts with Celiac Disease.
As we discuss in our guide for gluten free travel, we genuinely believe you can travel anywhere while avoiding gluten provided you have access to a kitchen.
We know because we have spent a significant amount of time in both Colombia and Mexico, both of which seem like they would be safe places, but neither of which is particularly easy for people with Celiac disease thanks to many hidden sources of gluten.
This guide ranks 10 gluten free travel destinations (cities specifically) from 10 to 1 for gluten free travelers. For each location, why it is loved is explained along with a few must-visit gluten free places.
By the end of this guide we expect you`ll have gained a couple fresh cities to add to your gluten free bucket list along with some new bookmarked restaurants around the globe.
It’s worth noting here that we haven’t been everywhere in the world. Not even close. If there’s a place that you think belongs on the list, we’d love to hear it! Leave us a comment below and we’ll add it to our own bucket list.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
The 10 Best Gluten Free Travel Destinations for Celiacs
Without much introduction or preface, let’s get into our rankings!
This is all, obviously, really subjective. But that’s sort of what you’re here for, right? Our “professional” opinion on the best Celiac-friendly travel destinations.
Well, here it is. We’re going to go from lowest ranking – which to be clear, is still a relatively high recommendation – and work up to our absolute favorite places to travel with Celiac Disease.
10. Denver, Colorado
The vast majority of Alysha’s more distant relatives inhabit an area near Denver, which means we’ve visited Colorado`s capital city with fair frequency over the past several years.
We once rated Denver quite highly regarding its gluten free choices, but after touring around for several years and experiencing significantly more of the world through a gluten free lens, it`s missing something. And pinpointing what that something is has proven elusive.
Denver somewhat brings to mind a more substantial Portland (where we currently live) with a downtown center loaded with tall constructions and business suits surrounded by more residential areas with business strips with bistros, bars, shops, etc etc.
However, one thing that stands out about Denver is how much it has changed over the past decade or so (and remains changing, evidenced by all the cranes around the city).
And that change has brought a significant increase in the cost of living, which we think contributes to explaining why a city is a good gluten free destination.
It’s the primary factor, we think, why Portland is so great while its larger, more prestigious neighbors in Seattle and San Francisco are generally quite “meh.”
Still, Denver merits inclusion on this list because there are numerous quality dedicated gluten free dining establishments in the Denver region (particularly if including nearby Boulder).
One element that appears to be absent from Denver compared to other metropolitan areas referenced is an establishment specializing in bakery goods that are gluten-free. It seems pursuing the development of such a business could address this matter.
Here are a few of our favorite gluten-free spots in Denver.
- Quiero Arepas: If you`re familiar with us, you know our affection for arepas, especially the stuffed Venezuelan variety cut in half like a sandwich. And Quiero Arepas serves the best arepas we`ve tasted in the United States. They have two locations, one freestanding restaurant south of downtown and one within the diverse food options at Avanti Food & Beverage in the Lower Highlands, a fun atmosphere.
- Rivers and Roads Cafe: Visit for the coffee and also stay to try their excellent baked goods including BREAKFAST FRIES.
- Super Mega Bien: This location serves excellent Latin American-inspired dishes in the center of the lively RiNo area (so many abbreviations! This one stands for River Arts North). Usually just one dessert item containing gluten can be found on the menu, if memory serves correctly.
Read More:A Complete Guide for Celiacs in Gluten Free Denver
9. Montreal, Quebec
Montreal was an extremely pleasant surprise in terms of both the city itself, which quickly climbed our list of Canadian cities (sorry Vancouver), but also in terms of the gluten free scene.
There’s a certain youthful spirit that exists in cities with a big student population (and a relatively low cost of living), and Montreal has it abundantly. It’s trendy. It’s progressive. The nightlife rivals cities like Las Vegas. It’s a good time all around.
And with the relatively lower cost of living compared to other major Canadian cities such as Vancouver or Toronto, innovation is abundant in Montreal`s food and drink scene, which includes gluten free options.
It did not come as a big surprise that the French speaking region of Canada would have their pastry game at a high level, but there are several gluten free bakeries in Montreal that I wish I could bring home in my luggage.
Not surprisingly, there is also a great place for gallettes – essentially a savory crepe – that I went to on three independent occasions on one trip (so much so that they basically knew me by the third time).
The point is that we spent a week in Montreal, and we fell in love with it.
The following are some favored places found in Montreal to consume gluten-containing fare.
- Crêperie du Marché: It would not be an exaggeration to say that I frequented this stall in the Marché Jean-Talon three times over the course of a week, and that they recognized me by the third visit, this time with Alysha accompanying me. Their specialty here is the savory buckwheat pancakes, which are traditionally made with a buckwheat batter (all crepes here are gluten free). They also have a nice selection of cider to go with them.
- The Bakeries: There are two excellent gluten free bakeries in Montreal that deserve a visit, and they’re located a few blocks apart (near Marché Jean-Talon). The first is Boulangerie Le Marquis and the second L’artisan Délices Sans Gluten et Sans Lait. Both bakeries have outstanding pastries, though the selection at the latter was overwhelming (everything from chocolate croissants to eclairs and tarts).
- Krapow: Excellent southeast Asian cuisine served from a compact spot on Ave. Mont-Royal. Their specialty beef krapow is amazing, and we frequented the location several times as well.
Read More:A Complete Guide for Celiacs in Gluten Free Montreal
8. Paris, France
For a variety of rationales, Paris – and France more broadly – is the location where I obtain the most inquiries in real life. Paris is on a lot of desired lists, and people have dreams of gluten free baguettes and crepes at a cafe along the Seine.
It’s also one of the most controversial destinations – gluten free or not – because people hold very high expectations of Paris before visiting.
Here is the thing – France is TERRIBLE for Celiacs… with precisely one (okay, two or three, but that is not nearly as dramatic or impactful) exception.
Paris.
French cuisine presents a nightmare for Celiacs. Between the affection for fresh bread, contaminated fryers, and flour included in basically every sauce, French food isn’t even somewhat Celiac-friendly.
However, Paris actually provides a fairly suitable environment for a gluten free diet. But the one element you’re unlikely to find is gluten free French cuisine (excluding bread and pastries – more details on that shortly). Which, relying on your priorities, may or may not be something you look forward to.
Paris, like many expansive cities all over the world, offers a wealth of gluten free selections. In fact, there are so many that you likely will not have time to experience all of the places you`re excited about during a brief 3-4 day trip.
Below are our favorite gluten free places to eat in Paris.
- Boulangerie Chambelland: “I would return to Paris solely for Chambelland” -Alysha. This location is the real thing. They’re experts at both bread AND pastries, and we would include Chambelland in our top three gluten free bakeries worldwide. It’s near Canal St. Martin, which is a bit of a detour, but it is undoubtedly worth it. Every day, if possible.
- Little Nonna: This Italian eatery near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris served gluten free pizzas that were comparable to the finest we sampled in Italy. Of all the 100% gluten free pizza shops in Paris, this one stood out as our preferred spot for a supper near the Champs-Elysees.
- Cococo: This 100% gluten free Japanese establishment in Le Marais offered the most enjoyable experience I had eating in Paris over two visits in recent years. They provide gluten free bento boxes, which contain small portions of various different foods, including outstanding fried chicken. It`s centrally located, perfect for lunch before or after sights like the Louvre.
Read More:Gluten Free Paris – A Complete Guide for Individuals with Celiac Disease
7. Los Angeles, California
When reducing it, there are two types of people in this world. Those who prefer the ambiance and organization of San Francisco, and those who prefer the ambiance and organization of Los Angeles.
Full disclosure – we`re very much the former. We lived in San Francisco for nearly a decade, and it`s one of our favorite cities on the planet.
And we’ve received comments and emails from people on the other side of this perpetual debate labeling us typical snooty Northern Californians.
Traveling anywhere within the city of Los Angeles typically requires getting in a vehicle and driving for 30 minutes or more, which can be frustrating when wanting to visit multiple locations in one outing.
However, it is undeniably clear that the gluten free scene in L.A. surpasses San Francisco and the wider Bay Area. L.A. has a sizable number of excellent, innovative dedicated gluten free restaurants, along with a couple of the finest gluten free bakeries on the west coast (according to us).
Our feelings on L.A. as a city remain mixed, but we concede that as a gluten free travel destination, it deserves a spot on this list.
Below are a few of our favorite gluten-free eateries in Los Angeles.
- The establishments providing gluten free baked goods! The city of Los Angeles has a few quality places for gluten free baking, though travel time across town in heavy traffic is required to experience them all. Of the choices available, Kirari West was perhaps our top selection due to the textures achieved in their pastries (particularly croissants, which can be challenging to perfect!). Modern Bread and Bagel (which is mentioned again below) also has a location here, with their bagels truly outstanding (especially the sandwiches). Wow Bakes is an unpredictable option – it`s a sole proprietorship, necessitating advance communication to coordinate a visit, though their sourdough bagels and doughnuts are quite good!
Portland offers an advantageous setting for gluten free living because the cost of living is lower than larger cities such as Seattle and San Francisco, allowing individuals to explore new culinary prospects that may not be feasible in areas with higher expenses.
Read More:A Complete Guide to Gluten Free Eateries in Los Angeles for Celiacs
6. Florence, Italy
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, also deserves being on this listing. Matt spent a week in Tuscany with his mom for her 60th birthday recently, and fell in love with the rustic essence of Tuscany’s cuisine.
There’s something unique about a cool evening spent with good conversation, red wine, and pappardelle al cinghale (a thick pasta with a wild boar ragù).
Florence exhibits a different vibe than more rural parts of Tuscany. As a compact city perpetually bustling with visitors, it likely offers the finest gluten free dining possibilities in Italy on a per capita scale.
From bustling pizza spots to traditional Tuscan trattorias illuminated by candlelight, there’s a wide variety of gluten free Italian options to take pleasure in in Florence.
Highly regarded dining establishments in Florence include those listed here.
- Sgrano: A 100% gluten free locale a few blocks from the Uffizi Gallery, there are three points to note here. Firstly, the street it`s on – Via dei Neri – is renowned for schiacciata, a Tuscan flatbread sandwich. People queue for hours to get their hands on one around lunchtime. Sgrano offers that experience, but 100% gluten free! Secondly is the restaurant, which presents a more robust menu including pizza. Thirdly is their recent osteria a few blocks away, which is a good spot to go for a sit down lunch or evening meal.
- Da Garibardi: This intimate trattoria in Florence’s historic center specializes in Tuscan dishes. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here, and would recommend it. Especially for the pappardelle al cinghiale.
The Hostel Il Nosadillo is a small, cozy hostel on the outskirts of the Centro Storico. It provides a great option for budget backpackers seeking an affordable and peaceful place to stay in Bologna. If you’re looking for a lively party hostel, this isn’t it.
We’d recommend investing 3 days in Rome as a minimum. And if you have more time, then even better. You can check out our detailed 4 day Rome schedule here.
5. Barcelona, Spain
Similar to Italy, Spain is a great place for a gluten free trip.
Comparable to Italy, partly because of the immense tourist dollars – the scene is generally better in significant tourist destinations like Madrid and Barcelona – but also since energetic Celiac organizations function in both of those urban communities furnishing assets to both neighbors and guests.
Specifically, we utilized the map of certified establishments produced by the Associació Celíacs de Catalunya (Catalonia’s Celiac Association) to assist us in identifying a few locations in our gluten free Barcelona guide.
We traveled between Barcelona and Madrid, debating which city featured a superior gluten free scene. Ultimately, they offered roughly equal options, as many gluten free eateries and bakeries had expanded their presence to include locations in both cities, an fascinating attribute.
Barcelona slightly edges out Madrid in terms of the number of really good gluten free bakeries, so we’re putting it near the top here.
Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Barcelona.
- Jansana: Our most loved of the numerous gluten free bakeries in Barcelona! The pastries particularly stand out, and we were fortunate to have stayed basically around the corner from them on our first trip, so we frequented early and often.
- The Fish & Chips Shop: An important note regarding locations – ONLY ONE LOCATION IS DEDICATED GLUTEN FREE ( THIS ONE). Something unexpected that can be found in Barcelona (or elsewhere in Spain): gluten free fish and chips. However, this location prepares really good fish and chips along with other deep-fried meals of a similar nature. Be sure to get the coleslaw!
- Manioca: Brazilian tapioca pancakes are another dish we highly recommend, and this establishment was suggested by the map from the Associació Celíacs de Catalunya. Everything is gluten free, with the stars being the tapioca pancakes and noteworthy side dishes including Brazilian cheese bread made from tapioca and fried plantains.
Read More:A Complete Guide for Celiacs in Gluten Free Barcelona
4. Rome, Italy
I know what you’re thinking. Rome? Isn’t that the land of pizza, pasta, and all things gluten?
I know that because that is precisely what I thought before ever visiting Italy.
It turns out, Italy is one of the best countries to visit with Celiac Disease, provided you know where to seek information (which is what we’re here for). They have an active Celiac Disease association (the AIC – Associazione Italiana Celiachia) that assists in educating and training restaurants on how to
provide a safe gluten free meal when there’s all sorts of gluten around.
For more on why we love Italy for gluten free travelers, head over to our guide to .
Fundamentally, we like Italy on the grounds that their gluten free sustenance culture is relatively incorporative. At eateries that oblige gluten free individuals, you get to eat essentially a similar menu including pizza and pasta, arranged independently and securely, versus getting a little choice of mixed greens (which is normal in the US and other spots in Europe).
But now, let`s discuss specifically about Rome, which we think is probably the best gluten free city in Italy (you’ll also find another one on this list).
Rome is undeniably charming and romantic, but it’s also a massive city. Which means it has a nearly unlimited number of restaurants. Including a bunch of restaurants that are set up to serve safe gluten free food.
Roman cuisine balances simplicity with deliciousness, which is somewhat counterintuitive because Rome is seen as this rich, historic place. Which is accurate, for a small subset of Romans.
The vast majority of Romans from around 2000 years ago lived with relatively few possessions and basic, inexpensive ingredients.
The four traditional Roman pastas – carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and pasta alla gricia – are all made with similar components but with minor adjustments that distinguish them from one another.
We like amatriciana (the only tomato-based sauce) and carbonara (which should NOT have cream in it).
- Mama Eat / Mama Eat Lab: While not completely gluten free, Mama Eat is a pioneer in the gluten free dining scene because they serve Celiacs extremely seriously (at least partially because the owner’s daughter is a Celiac). Separate kitchens, separate equipment, separate staff. They do it right. The outcome is safe, delicious Italian cuisine with a focus on Roman cooking. Get the amatriciana (a tomato-based Roman sauce) and the pizza, whose crust is the best we had in Rome. The original location is in Trastevere, and Mama Eat Lab is a few blocks from the Vatican (great option for lunch post-Vatican).
- All the 100% gluten free frozen dessert shops: If you visit Italy and don`t enjoy a frozen dessert each day, it could be argued that your trip is missing out. Thankfully, while typical frozen dessert shops can be risky for cross-contamination, there are at least three excellent 100% gluten free frozen dessert locations in Rome, all situated in the city center. We are fond of Grom, which has places throughout Italy and the rest of Europe (the frozen dessert is quite delicious), but Fatamorgana (near Piazza Navona or in Monti) and Fiocco di Neve (near the Pantheon) are also great options. All three are gluten free, including the cones.
- El Maìz: We truly enjoy arepas, specifically the Venezuelan version which is stuffed like a sandwich. It may come as a surprise to find a completely gluten free arepa location in Rome. It’s situated in Prati, near the Vatican, and merits a visit for something other than traditional Italian cuisine.
The Association of Celiacs in Catalonia works closely with restaurants in Catalonia to ensure they have processes allowing them to safely serve individuals with celiac disease a gluten free meal, and they have an online map of accredited restaurants (and a useful app too!).
Read More:Gluten Free Rome – A Complete Manual for Celiacs
3. London, United Kingdom
Ah, London. Listed as second in our ranking of gluten free friendly cities internationally is one of the best cities globally, gluten alternatives aside.
It’s massive. It’s diverse. There’s a nearly unlimited number of things to do and see. And there’s a great selection of gluten free eateries and bakeries.
A few years ago, we took an impromptu two week trip to London in the springtime with plans to get out of the city into the broader U.K. for a few day trips.
By the two week mark, we realized we still wanted to experience, see, and eat things we hadn`t, and never really left the city.
Disregarding the lack of a language obstacle, the sheer quantity of gluten free restaurants in Londonimplies it has to feature somewhere on this list, and it’s the quality and variety that truly elevates it near the top of the rankings.
Over the course of the two-week trip, meals were consumed nearly every day, ranging from street snacks (arepas!) to sit-down dining establishments (almost all were entirely gluten free), yet barely scratched the surface of all desired eating destinations.
Below are a few of our preferred establishments to dine at in London.
- Pabellón: A highly regarded Venezuelan restaurant where we enjoyed excellent arepas after walking along the Thames River during our last day exploring London in 2022. The food quality made the long walk worthwhile
- Niche: Our most treasured sit down meal at an exclusively gluten free restaurant in London was Niche, which is superb. We appreciated the parmesan cheddar doughnuts and the pot pie (the fillings vary seasonally). I have plans to return here for a Sunday roast on my next trip later in 2024.
- Ceru: Our preferred gluten free meal in London! While not solely dedicated to gluten free options, the vast majority of menu items are gluten free (watch out for the pita bread, which is not gluten free). The side dishes altered our daily routine, introducing us to the delight that is oven roasted parsnips and polenta fries.
Read More:Gluten Free London – A Complete Guide for Celiacs
2. New York City
Through reading our guides, you probably know we prefer cities. But New York City is a lot, even for us.
Coming from cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and now Portland, where we’re used to a small downtown core with substantial buildings, it still amazes us that essentially all of Manhattan is taller than five stories.
However, that “a lot” has various benefits, one being the diversity and abundance of people. And a large, diverse population typically means there is excellent food options!
New York City likely tops the list as the best city in the United States for finding gluten free foods in large quantities. While we still believe – MAJOR SPOILER – Portland has more gluten free options per capita, New York City is challenging to surpass in terms of the total number of safe gluten free locations.
From gluten free bakeries with some of the best gluten free bagels we’ve ever tasted to 100% gluten free sushi spots and, of course, really good Italian cuisine, New York City is a delight for gluten free food enthusiasts.
Here are some of the favorite spots in New York City (there are way too many to list here, so read the full guide for more).
- Modern Bread and Bagel: We already pointed out one of our favorite gluten free bakeries globally ( Chambelland), this locale also is worthy of a place on the top three list for the bagels alone, which are pretty solidly the finest gluten free bagels we’ve ever had, but also the rest of the baked goods.
- Keste Pizza e Vino: In a city renowned for pizza, finding quality gluten free options can actually be rather difficult. One establishment that stands out is Keste, our preferred choice among the limited alternatives in the city. It`s worth noting they use a gluten free wheat starch which we would considerrisk-free for people with celiac disease (provided it`s appropriately labeled as gluten free, which the one they use is) but NOT risk-free for folks with a wheat allergy.
- Nami Nori: This establishment is known for creating fun experiences around eating. Specifically, they focus on temaki, a type of hand roll sushi that is similar to a taco but made with sushi ingredients. Their creations are arranged inside nicely, and patrons could watch the artisans craft their small masterpieces from the bar area if dining again. They now have three locations across two states – the original in West Village, New York plus additional sites in Williamsburg and Montclair, New Jersey.
Read More:Gluten Free New York City – A Complete Guide for Celiacs
1. Portland, Oregon
Listen, we’re almost certainly biased here given the reality that we moved to Portland a few years ago, with the outstanding gluten free food scene (not to mention the great gluten free beer and cider scenes) playing a major role in that decision.
We enjoy eating. More specifically, we enjoy trying a variety of different types of cuisine.
And if you’re a gluten free foodie, we strongly believe that Portland is the best city globally for eating a diverse variety of gluten free foods, from Burmese to Indian to Colombian, and just about everything else you could possibly think of.
We have a few hypotheses for why Portland tops the list in terms of gluten free food (and, we`d argue, food in general).
Our favorite – and the one we spend the most time discussing amongst ourselves and with friends and family – is the journey from food trucks to permanent restaurants.
For some reason, Portland has developed a strong food truck culture that has become well known. This thriving food truck scene has opened a relatively low cost option for vendors looking to try something somewhat novel.
Combine the expanded potential together with lower cost of living than additional western coast cities like Seattle and San Francisco, and you have a fruitful breeding ground for advancement in Portland’s cuisine scene.
There are countless examples of this phenomenon in the Portland food scene. Some of the city’s most well-known restaurants today (Fried Egg I’m in Love, for example) started as food trucks, and have gradually expanded into brick structures.
Portland is a wonderful city for food, gluten free or not, and you can spend an entire lifetime eating and drinking through the city and never run out of new and exciting things to eat.
That’s our plan, anyway.
Here are our favorite spots in the city.
- New Cascadia Traditional: This bakery stands out for excelling in both pastries and baked goods like bread, bagels, and pizza crust – an unusual combination. While most bakeries tend to focus on either one or the other, New Cascadia is renowned for their range of bread options. Their Farmhouse bread is a local favorite gluten free variety, and their bagels and pizza dough are also of high quality. Their pastries like maple bars are also very good. But they have truly mastered bread production. Be sure to visit when their wood-fired pizza oven is operating to enjoy hot pizza straight from the flames!
- Groundbreaker Brewing and Mutantis: Two of the top five gluten free breweries in the nation are in close proximity to each other, and both deserve a visit if you enjoy gluten free beer varieties. And we do mean gluten free – produced using only gluten free ingredients in a dedicated gluten free brewery – none of the gluten-reduced products that have caused Matt sickness many times before. Both offer an good gluten free culinary option on site too (Groundbreaker has Salvi PDX, whose pupusas make a great pairing for one of their beers). Mutantis provides…
- Honey Butter Country Fare: Some years ago, Honey Butter Country Fare was situated near Mississippi Ave, a few blocks from where we lived. We would visit here every other week or so, and it was a magical time to have gluten free options and enjoy life. Their specialty is gluten free fair cuisine, like corn dogs, funnel cakes, and fried Oreos (but not real Oreos, because oats). Now it’s just outside of Mutantis in Northeast Portland, which is perhaps the best one-two gluten free punch currently in the city.
- Kann: Perhaps the most anticipated restaurant in Portland history? Seriously, there was a well-organized public relations effort occurring when Kann opened a few years ago, and we managed to secure a tricky-to-obtain table one night by arriving at opening and waiting approximately an hour or so. The cuisine presents Haitian meals utilizing Pacific Northwest elements, and we’ve dined twice now and would happily go a third time if we had a justification (and fourth, and fifth). This is likely the top spot for a gluten free seated meal in Portland (though it relies on what you’re seeking). Everything is gluten free and dairy free, such as the desserts. Order the cauliflower, if they have it.
- Berlu Bakery: Portland has truly been blessed with quite a few outstanding gluten free bakeries, but this one stands out as the most novel. They craft gluten and dairy free Vietnamese pastries each weekend (pre-order by Wednesday if you want the best selection!). Our favorites are Bánh Khoai Mì Nướng (a cassava root cake topped with seasonal fruit) and the mango or kiwi roll, if available. Their savory noodle soups are also excellent, being a recent find of ours that we eagerly look forward to nearly every time we place an order (about every other week, depending on whether we`re nearby or not).
Read More:A Complete Guide for Celiacs in Gluten Free Portland
