Where to Find Gluten-Free Dining in Boston

For gluten-free folks, finding a place to eat out with a group can be a slog, since the old standbys of pasta and pizza seem off the table. But these Greater Boston restaurants and bakeries dish out mindful meals that skip the gluten, and not the taste, with either separate gluten-free menus or servers on standby to help pick your plates. As always, check in with the restaurant about your allergies and cross-contamination. Then get ready to savor house-made gluten-free pastas (yes, really) and crisp-edged arepas, not to mention some peace of mind.

This guide was last updated in August 2024; stay tuned for periodic updates.

Bar Volpe

Yes, celebrated chef Karen Akunowicz serves pristine Best of Boston-worthy pasta at her southern Italian spot. But there are other highlights, and they happen to be gluten-free, such as grilled octopus with a Sicilian chickpea stew and rose harissa, with slightly charred tentacles that pop from the spicy stew, and roast chicken boosted by black truffle and served with Tuscan kale and fingerling potatoes. Even better: Make a reservation and mention a gluten allergy, and the servers will have a separate gluten-free menu already waiting at the table.

170 W. Broadway, South Boston, 617-865-7100, barvolpe.com.

See also: Top Chef All Stars’ Karen Akunowicz Opens Bar Volpe in South Boston

Burtons Grill & Bar

If your culinary travels take you outside of the city, hit up one of Burtons’ locations and dig into the special separate gluten-free menu. In fact, the bread service—gluten-free focaccia with pesto, herbed garlic butter, and olive tapenade—might be worth a trip to the suburbs alone. The classics-focused menu showcases favorites like burgers, fresh salads loaded with goodies, and huge steaks. The General Tso bowl—which skips the allergen-unfriendly batter usually found in this beloved Chinese-American dish—is a real treat, along with the gnocchi studded with succulent shrimp and lobster.

43 Middlesex Tpke., Burlington, 781-221-2281; 30 Worcester Rd., Framingham, 774-540-6005; Derby Street Shops, 94 Derby St., Hingham, 781-749-1007; burtonsgrill.com.

Capo Restaurant and Supper Club

Leave it to delightfully raucous Capo to roll out the welcome mat in a big way. Along with allergy-sensitive options available every day, the entire menu is gluten-free on Tuesday nights. Come ready to bite into the behemoth selection, with everything from scores of antipasti—tuna crudo with crispy shallots, prosciutto-wrapped figs with goat cheese—to pizzas and rigatoni alla vodka among the seven-plate pasta menu. Another reason to celebrate: gluten-free garlic bread, hallelujah! A special treat is the gluten-free risotto menu, too, where a lobster version is an especially decadent delight.

443 W. Broadway, South Boston, 617-993-8080, caposouthboston.com.

Carolicious

“Everything is gluten-free,” declares the menu at Carolicious inside Somerville’s Aeronaut Brewing Co.—but in truth, anyone will enjoy sampling the arepas, or cornmeal cakes stuffed with a wealth of ingredients. The fillings both stay true to the founders’ Venezuelan roots—meats, cheese, beans, and avocado—and get a little more global, like the Capresa, filled with mozzarella and fresh tomato. No matter what you choose, you’ll want to get extra of the signature basil sauce. A couple of bowls and gluten-free desserts like vegan brownies are on offer, too.

Within Aeronaut Brewing Co. Food Hub, 14 Tyler St., Somerville, 857-316-7842, carolicious.net.  

Comfort Kitchen

This Best of Boston Dorchester spot has snagged accolades and recognition from near and far since its 2023 opening in Upham’s Corner. It might as well take home another trophy solely for how detailed the menu is, labeling menu items as gluten-free so you won’t feel like you’re pestering the servers. Most of the menu is gluten-free or can be made that way with a few quick adjustments. Blue-ribbon bites include the beef kafta with yogurt tahini and roasted duck with bold jerk spices that’s served with rice and peas, plus a zippy pickled relish condiment called pikliz. End things on a sweet note with a slice of Basque cheesecake.

611 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, Boston, 617-329-6910, comfortkitchenbos.com.

Review: Comfort Kitchen Beautifully Executes a Soulful, Global Menu

Ernesto’s

30-year-old North End institution Ernesto’s—known for its enormous slices (one-quarter of a pizza)—has too small a kitchen to be able to accommodate making gluten-free pizza safely. But a decade ago, owner Anthony Radzikowski opened a new location at Somerville’s Assembly Row, and as he has celiac disease himself, he was excited to offer a gluten-free option at the roomier second spot. (“We have a vested interest in making sure it’s really good because I’m the one that’s going to be eating it more than anybody,” he said at the time.) A cheese gluten-free pizza remains on the menu to this day, with a concise selection of available toppings (to reduce cross-contamination risks): pepperoni, mushroom, and extra cheese.

641 Assembly Row, Somerville, 617-764-4194, ernestosnorthend.com/somerville.

Faccia a Faccia

Let’s face it, when thinking of gluten-free options, pasta does not immediately spring to mind. But at Ken Oringer’s coastal Italian restaurant on Newbury, nearly all the pastas can come with a celiac-safe pasta instead—and not a random boxed pasta, but one lovingly made in-house. Stuff your face with cacio e pepe with chive crème fraiche or a sea-celebrating dish with uni, squid ink, and melted leeks bolstered by Calabrian chili. Il pisello, meanwhile, pairs the classic flavors of English peas with a basil-mint pesto. Celiac-friendly non-pasta plates include mozzarella sticks and fried artichoke if you’re feeling like making a meal out of allergy-friendly appetizers.

278 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston, 857-991-1080, facciabruttaboston.com.

Review: A Sprawling Italian-ish Menu at Faccia [a Faccia]

Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery

At this bakery inside the Boston Public Market, chef-owner Jennifer LaSala casts a spell with cinnamon buns, cookies, cakes, and more, all magically made sans gluten. Everything is not only gluten-free but also free of top allergens such as dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and sesame. The daily-rotating roster includes both sweet and savory delights, from strawberry shortcake blondies to calzones. Breakfast sandwiches on bagels or white bread that’s made in-house include vegan cheesesteaks and spins on classic sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches, too. Plus, Lee ships nationwide: Send coffee cake care packages to friends not lucky enough to live nearby.

Inside the Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Downtown Boston, 978-414-5180; 127 Cambridge St., Worcester, jenniferleesshoppe.com.

Kane’s Donuts

It’s a heck of a lot easier to roll out of bed in the morning knowing that there’s a doughnut waiting for you once you swat the alarm. Kane’s Donuts, with a Downtown Boston spot as well as two Saugus locations, perks things up with especially robust gluten-free offerings: doughnuts made in a different facility with completely different utensils and oil as the other items on the menu. The flavors are no afterthought, either. Find a dozen varieties, from plain glazed and cinnamon sugar to maple bacon and butter crunch.

90 Oliver St., Downtown Boston, 857-317-2654; 120 Lincoln Ave, Saugus, 781-233-8499; 1575 Broadway, Saugus, 781-558-5179; kanesdonuts.com.

Krasi

Come to this wine-forward Back Bay Greek spot with a deity-sized appetite. As an added boon, many of the meze and larger meals are gluten-free, with a separate menu available upon request. Dive into the dips—you’ll have to skip the pillowy pita, but sliced veggies are an equally divine delivery method—like the htipiti (spicy whipped feta with roasted red peppers) and the tzatziki Greek yogurt dip with cucumber and dill. The tsipoura (a grilled whole sea bream with shaved fennel) and a sea bass carpaccio with mustard seeds and plums swim among the seafood offerings, while pork belly with aggourosalta (cucumber-yogurt salad) and a daily rotating selection of skewers tempt landlubbers. For dessert, the
amygdalata, almond flour cookies, are downright heavenly.

48 Gloucester St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-536-0230, krasiboston.com.

See also: Look Inside the Greek Wine Bar That’s Transformed an Iconic Back Bay Café

Legal Sea Foods

When a restaurant includes a “gluten-free promise” at the end of its menu, you know it means business. Among the pledges Legal makes to its customers with gluten sensitivities? The seafood restaurant’s legendary fry mix is gluten-free, so you can enjoy your favorite fried dishes, from fish and chips to whole-belly clams to jumbo shrimp, without worry. There are plenty of other items that can be prepared gluten-free as well, all clearly marked on the menu—including all of the tempting sushi options.

Multiple locations, legalseafoods.com.

The Lexington

Lest you worry about being cooped up inside, look to the Lexington in Cambridge Crossing for a roof deck restaurant and bar, plus a dedicated gluten-free menu. The Lexington has a separate gluten-free fryer; the french fries with parmesan and black garlic aioli and crispy maple-tossed Brussels sprouts absolutely need to be in everyone’s life. Another allergy-safe option is the silky burrata with seasonal toppings. And the French onion grilled cheese on gluten-free toast? It’s a masterful mouthful of Gruyère, caramelized onion, and mushroom jus that’s basically the lovechild of French onion soup and a classic grilled cheese.

100 N First St., East Cambridge, 617-945-1349, thelexingtoncx.com.

See also: Will Gilson Is Opening an All-Day Café and Rooftop Bar in East Cambridge

Myers + Chang

This beloved South End neighborhood spot is a hit every time. Pop in for dinners of tofu fresh rolls packed with herbs, served alongside kicking chili-peanut sauce; spicy barbecue roast pork with rice noodles; and Indonesian fried rice studded with pork and shrimp that’s so addictive no one will bat an eye if you lick your plate. Gluten-free options are all labeled clearly on the menu, which makes the dim sum brunches, served Thursdays to Sundays, even more of a home run. Where else can you scarf down plate after plate of ginger-scallion bok choy, lemongrass mussels that are still screaming-hot from the wok, and spicy-yet-cooling green papaya salad before noon? Look to the house-made gluten-free ginger fortune cookie for some life advice, too.

1145 Washington St., South End, Boston, 617-542-5200, myersandchang.com.

Nebo

No surprise that Nebo landed on this list, as it nabbed our trophy for best gluten-free menu a few years back. Even diners who swear by their Nonna’s lasagna recipe are bound to be swayed by the zucchini lasagna at this elegant Atlantic Wharf eatery. After all, it kicked Bobby Flay’s keister on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. The separate gluten-free menu sees a wealth of antipasti—grilled sweet and spicy Italian sausage, calamari with Mediterranean aioli, cured meats with cheeses and jams—plus plenty of pastas and pizzas. Take a walk on the dark side with the fra diavolo, which sees Maine lobster and shrimp swimming in a spicy sauce, or lighten up with the bianco white pizza. All in, Nebo dishes out comforting flavors, buoyed by the fact that these plates are allergy-safe.

520 Atlantic Ave., Downtown Boston, 617-723-6326, neborestaurant.com.

Petula’s

Sunny and soothing Petula’s is a little slice of heaven on L Street in Southie. And then there are the actual slices—the gluten-free pies, that is. We’d call the 12-inch beauties “personal pizzas,” but more than likely you should bring a few friends, all share a bunch, and call ‘em “social slices.” Take the ridiculously good prosciutto and delicate squash pizza, bearing dollops of ricotta and drizzles of pesto, plus the pristine margherita. Save room, too, for the veggie, as hot honey plays well off the confit green garlic and bounty of garden delights. Other plates, plus a lavish shellfish tower, are clearly marked as gluten-free, too.

81 L St., South Boston, petulasboston.com.

See also: Petula’s, a Charming All-Day Restaurant, Is Opening in South Boston

Post 1917

This 2024 newcomer, a bustling suburban steakhouse, has a menu almost entirely free of gluten—chef-owner Jason Carron’s son has celiac disease, so Carron is quite familiar with the diet. The lobster tacos, for example, fit the bill, made with corn tortillas and celery seed mayo. Or try the cacio e pepe with gluten-free pasta. Dessert lovers should note that Post 1917’s pastry chef is Kate Holowchik, beloved for her doughnut pop-up Lionheart Confections—and those seeking a bit of gluten-free decadence to end the meal can turn to her chocolate meringue cake with whipped coconut ganache, coconut crumble, honeycomb crunch, and burnt honeycomb crunch ice cream.

136 Haven St., Reading, 781-942-0001, post1917.com.

Prima

Get gussied up and start your week with some decadence at this swanky Italian steakhouse in Charlestown. You can find allergen-free options other days of the week, but Mondays are totally gluten-free with a special menu—and everyone needs a reason to celebrate a Monday, anyway. Sure, you can stick to lighter offerings. Take the Caesar salad with baby lettuces and pecorino cheese, or the tuna crudo with earthy pine nuts balanced by briny capers. But who are you kidding—come here for all the meats. Rack of lamb. Ribeye. Aged striploin and dry-aged porterhouse steaks the size of your face. Top it all with butter-poached lobster because while life is short, Mondays always feel too long.

10 City Sq., Charlestown, Boston, 617-804-7400, primaboston.com.

See also: The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Greater Boston

Shy Bird

While plenty of the restaurants on this list call for dressed-up date nights, sometimes you just need a chill hangout with some grub. Shy Bird, an all-day rotisserie spot that started in Cambridge, expanded not long ago to the industrial-chic Iron Works development on Old Colony Ave. in Southie. That nesting spot means you and your pals can go rock climbing at Rock Spot, hit the pickleball courts at PKL Boston, then flock to Shy Bird for rotisserie chicken, snacks, and other entrees. The rotisserie chickens are the main event, of course, and besides the piri piri bird, the other options are gluten-free and served with sauces and a house salad. Other clearly marked gluten-free items take flight, like the blackened shrimp tostada that gets a lift from a chipotle lime crema, and the steak a la plancha with smashed potatoes that sing with pecorino cheese.

12 Old Colony Ave., South Boston, 617-766-8309; 390 Third St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-714-4200; Fenway location coming 2025; shybird.com.

See also: Shy Bird Has Landed in Kendall with Wine, Coffee, and Rotisserie Fare

Silver Dove Afternoon Tea

From the savory canapés to the delicate dessert bites, everything at this Best of Boston afternoon tea venue is entirely gluten-free (and oat-free—and there are vegetarian and vegan options, too). Gluten aside, the savory course goes light on the carbs so that you won’t feel overstuffed by the time you reach sweet treats such as raspberry lime macarons or upside-down peach cake. A globetrotting tea menu elevates the experience from afternoon snack to afternoon tea, and a lovely cocktail selection rounds things out. (Owners Patrick Brewster and Lee Morgan are alums of the late, great Fort Point cocktail bar Drink, after all.) While it may seem blasphemous to add coffee to your tea experience, we’re particularly fond of Silver Dove’s espresso martini.

24 Tremont St., Downtown Boston, 781-203-1223, silverdovetea.com.

See also: Silver Dove Afternoon Tea Is a Cozy-Meets-Classy Downtown Hideaway

Something Sweet Without Wheat

This aptly named bakery offers desserts devoid of gluten, and often nuts and dairy, too, if you prefer. Visit the Woburn storefront for chocolate croissants, mozzarella cheese baguettes, classic chocolate chip cookies, and more—or order online and get anything from the menu shipped to your front door.

19 Sixth Rd., Woburn, 781-281-2003, somethingsweetwithoutwheat.net.

Treat Cupcake Bar

While Treat isn’t a gluten-free bakery, the team sets aside dedicated times when the entire kitchen and all equipment is sanitized for baking and decorating gluten-free cupcakes, greatly reducing the risk of cross-contamination. With an extensive list of flavor options—including mochaccino, French toast, pumpkin pie, and more—every customer is guaranteed to find something they like. But for those who can’t decide, the cupcakerie also offers sampler packs.

1450 Highland Avenue, Needham, 781-444-4995, treatcupcakebar.com.

Tres Gatos

Come to pick up some records and books, stay for the gluten-free tortilla Española, with Yukon gold potatoes, eggs, and pimentón aioli. The Spanish menu at this favorite neighborhood go-to changes based on the season, but that hit-single of a dish is pretty much always in residence. Let the servers know about an allergy and they’ll bring you a marked menu with gluten-safe items. Most things that don’t hit the fryer can be adjusted for a gluten allergy, too. Of note, the paella—a vegetarian version with eggplant and mushroom sofrito, especially—should be in your rotation. Get a small for $35 for yourself, or a large for $56 for yourself (plus leftovers!).

470 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, 617-477-4851, tresgatosjp.com.

Twist Bakery Café

Open since 2011, Twist was inspired by founder Kathryn Ernst’s own disappointment with the quality of gluten-free foods available on the market. Her solution? A family-run operation that boasts baked goods (and paninis, soups, and brunch items) made with high-quality ingredients and zero gluten. Stop by one of Twist’s two locations to be met with bakery cases full of cookies, cakes, bars and breads—many free of other major allergens as well.

62 Second Ave., Burlington, 781-825-8416; 30 Milliston Rd., Millis, 508-376-1163; twist-bakery.com.

Verveine Café & Bakery

Black-sesame cream puffs. Strawberry galettes. Purple-ube brownies. It’s all gluten-free at this 2024 debut from chef Ken Oringer and pastry chef Monica Glass, who was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 24 and has since spent her time developing her own gluten-free pastry flour, Wldflr. The bakery also offers a variety of lunch sandwiches made with house-made gluten-free breads, including honey-chili tuna melts on sourdough and chicken shawarma on pita.

298 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge, 617-395-3125, verveinecafe.com.

Violette Bakers

Since opening in 2013, Violette Bakers has been a beloved Cambridge spot for those seeking gluten-free treats. Violette is committed not only to completely gluten-free facilities but also to organic and locally sourced ingredients. The results are delicious and always fresh. A new menu is introduced every week, with everything from cakes (a standout) to cookies, plus pies, pizza, calzones, sourdough, and more—all made from scratch.

1782 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 857-500-2748, violettegf.com.

White Lion Baking Company

No nuts, no gluten, and no grain, but White Lion still produces deliciously sweet goodies that can be sent right to your home or picked up at two bakeries. From a completely gluten-free factory in Mashpee, founder Elizabeth Miles and her team are committed to filling that sweet-tooth craving with specialty cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and more. Custom ordering is available, and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. White Lion’s products can also be found in bakeries all over Massachusetts.

439 Nathan Ellis Hwy., Mashpee, 774-228-2946; 95 Wyman St., Newton, 857-404-0155, whitelionbaking.com.

A version of this guide was published in the print edition of the August 2024 issue with the headline, “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Gluten.”

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