What restaurants are safe for celiac disease?

Look for dedicated gluten-free kitchens or restaurants trained in celiac protocols. Chains like PF Chang's, Outback, and Maggiano's have GF menus. Always inform your server about celiac disease, not just 'gluten-free preference.'

What cuisines are naturally gluten-free?

Mexican (corn tortillas), Thai (rice noodles), Indian (rice-based), Japanese (rice, sashimi), and Mediterranean (grilled meats, vegetables) often have GF options. Always verify sauces and marinades.

What should I ask about at restaurants?

Ask about shared fryers, flour in sauces, soy sauce (contains wheat), cross-contamination protocols, and whether staff are trained on gluten-free prep. Request clean cooking surfaces and utensils.

Best Gluten-Free Restaurants Near Me 2025

⚠️ For Celiac Disease:

If you have celiac disease (not just preference), always inform your server about your medical condition. Ask about dedicated prep areas, shared fryers, and cross-contamination protocols. Some restaurants marked "gluten-free friendly" may not be safe for celiac.

Best Cuisines for Gluten-Free

🇲🇽 Mexican

Corn tortillas are GF. Tacos, enchiladas, rice, beans, guacamole. Avoid flour tortillas and some moles.

🇹🇭 Thai

Rice noodles, curries, rice dishes. Ask about soy sauce (use tamari) and shared woks.

🇮🇳 Indian

Rice, lentils, many curries. Avoid naan, samosas, and pakoras. Ask about flour in sauces.

🇯🇵 Japanese

Sashimi, rice, edamame. Avoid soy sauce (wheat), tempura, and most ramen. Ask for tamari.

🥩 Steakhouses

Plain grilled meats are safe. Skip sauces, croutons, and breaded items. Good GF options.

🥗 Mediterranean

Grilled meats, salads, vegetables. Avoid pita, couscous, and some dips with breadcrumbs.

Chains with GF Menus

PF Chang's

Dedicated GF menu

Outback

GF menu available

Red Robin

GF buns available

Chipotle

Most items GF

In-N-Out

Protein style

Five Guys

Bunless burgers

Chick-fil-A

Grilled nuggets

Maggiano's

GF pasta

Hidden Gluten Sources

🚫 Sauces & Marinades

Soy sauce, teriyaki, gravy, many salad dressings, and cream sauces often contain flour or wheat.

🚫 Fried Foods

Shared fryers contaminate GF items. Fries may be safe alone but cross-contaminated in fryer.

🚫 Processed Meats

Some sausages, meatballs, and processed meats contain breadcrumbs or wheat fillers.

🚫 Soups & Stocks

Many soups are thickened with flour. Commercial stocks may contain wheat.

Pro Tips for Gluten-Free Dining:

Use "Find Me Gluten Free" app for restaurant reviews from the GF community
Call ahead during off-peak hours to discuss your needs with the kitchen
Ask for food to be prepared on a clean surface with clean utensils
Bring your own tamari or GF soy sauce to Asian restaurants
Request oil/butter instead of flour-based sauces
When in doubt, stick to simply prepared proteins and vegetables

Safe Gluten-Free Orders

Always Safe (Usually)

Plain grilled meat/fish, steamed vegetables, baked potatoes, rice, salads (no croutons), fruit.

Ask Questions

Fries (shared fryer?), sauces, soups, marinades, seasonings, anything "crispy" or "breaded."

Usually Avoid

Bread, pasta (unless GF), pizza (unless dedicated GF), fried foods, beer, soy sauce.