seattle
★ = favorites
100% GF = nothing in the kitchen contains gluten
Allergen friendly = excellent at managing cross-contamination and allergies in general
Ballard, Fremont, green lake, greenwood, u district
araya’s place
thai • $$ • website • bellevue • u district • madison
Opening in 1987 as the first vegan Thai restaurant in the Pacific Northwest, Araya’s knows their way around some tofu. They also know their way around gluten-free options and have their menu clearly marked.
bar charlie
cocktails & hot dogs • $$ • website • fremont
While Bar Charlie is worth a visit just for the cocktails, it’s nice to be able to enjoy a fun meal as well. The beef weiners are gluten free, the relishes made in house, and if you ask nicely, they try to keep a pack of GF hot dog buns on hand (no guarantees though). If you’re not feeling a hot dog, the charcuterie and cheese plate (sans crackers) is an excellent backup plan.
cafe turko
turkish • $$ • website • fremont
Tucked away in Fremont, Café Turko offers an authentic Turkish breakfast and can happily accommodate gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and Halal needs (items marked on the menu). The decor is exquisite and the cooking is excellent. I went to dinner here while trying to make a decision about grad school and I’m not saying that the meal was the reason that I came to UW, but it was certainly a bonus. Their hot teas are a delightful and cozy way to wrap up a cold January night.
el moose ★
allergen friendly • mexican • $$ • website • ballard
El Moose crafts comida típica, or authentic Mexican food, under bright coral walls and papel picados. El Moose confirms that “99% of our options are naturally gluten free” - your biggest struggle will be deciding what to order off of the fun, authentic, and delicious menu. That said, the enchiladas are very hard to beat, and that’s coming from someone who grew up on the other end of the I-5.
esters entoca
Allergen Friendly • italian fusion & wine shop • $$ • website • fremont
A Celiacs dream, the entire menu at Esters Entoca is or can be made gluten free. Their menu is seasonal but past delights have included jerked fried chicken paninis, carbonara pasta, and oxtail poutine. Anything gluten free comes with a dedicated surface, utensils, and fryers so you can fully relax and enjoy the alcoholic or non-alcoholic homemade phosphates…saffron-cardamon or spiced pear and amaro, anyone?? Rotating local artist displays are the cherry on top the eclectic space.
frankie & Jo’s
100% GF • ice cream • $ • website • cap hill • ballard • u village
Entirely plant-based and gluten-free, Frankie and Jo’s is the place to go if you’re craving a freshly baked maple-vanilla waffle cone. To be frank(ie), no description of mine can do their creative flavors justice. You ought to just hop right on over to their scoop shop menu to check out both the flavors and the full ingredients lists. Personally? I’m a Brown Sugar Vanilla with a cone shatter and salted caramel kinda girl.
freelard tamales
100% GF • tamales • $ • website • greenlake
The handmade tamales at Freelard are 100% GF and feature meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. They’re also 1/2 pounds of greatness. You can buy them cooked or uncooked (they’re easy to cook at home and a great backup option to keep in the freezer). The tamales are excellent but more importantly, Freelard cares deeply about being a part of the community. A gay, family-owned business of immigrants, they pay a starting wage of $18.50+hazard pay during the pandemic, give their employees paid holiday and vacation day, along with health benefits, donate 10-20% of their profits, and have been serving free meals for folks affected by Covid-19.
taste of india
indian • $ • website • u district
Delicious traditional Indian food, a menu that marks both gluten free and vegan selections, and a large covered patio with lovely heaters for the cold and rainy Seattle months.
razzí’s pizzería ★
allergen friendly • pizza & italian • $$ • website • greenwood • downtown
Razzi’s was my unquestionable savior during my first year of grad school. A classic pizza and pasta joint that somehow also serves gyros, you can order their full menu as traditional, gluten-free, vegan, or gluten-free and vegan. While this means the are not technically 100% GF, they have a certified GF kitchen to handle all of their GF orders - let them know you have an allergy, and they’ll take the necessary steps to keep you safe from cross-contamination. Really though, at some points I was grabbing comfort food from Razzi’s at least once a week and never had any problems. Razzi’s is not catering to the health-conscious GF crowd but they very successfully cater to everyone who just wants a really good pizza that tastes like a really good, normal pizza. Their Greenwood location has a great dining room, but if you’re doing takeout, hop over to Champion Wine Cellars (literally next door) and grab a bottle to enjoy with your pizza on the couch.
wildflour ballard ★
100% GF • cafe & bakery • $$ • website • ballard
The headquarters over in Bellevue should be your go-to spot to grab sandwich loaves and pizza crusts, but the newly opened cafe in Ballard allows you to stay for a while and enjoy delightful sandwiches, soups, and pastries. They’re usually only open Wednesday-Sunday so make sure to double check before heading over.
Capitol Hill, Madison, Madrona
2 doors down
allergen friendly • Burgers • $$ • website • Madison
A traditional burger joint with an extremely supportive gluten free lineup straight out of my dreams. On top of some great GF buns, their fryers are always GF and their onion rings are beer-battered with GF beer from Ghostfish (see the SODO section). It’s hard to beat their wildly fantastic burgers (house made whisky BBQ sauce and hop-garlic mayo..) but the GF corn dog (!!) puts up a fight. Take a seat at the bright blue counter and treat yourself.
bottlehouse ★
wine bar • $$ • website • madrona
Because sometimes you just want a nice glass of wine alongside a well-curated charcuterie & cheese plate, while sitting in a lovely garden outside of an early 1900’s craftsman. The casual elegance of Bottlehouse is truly a joy to experience, and they (of course) have an excellent selection of bubbles should you happen to be celebrating something.
bounty kitchen
breakfast & lunch • $$ • website • cap hill • queen anne
Their GF griddle cakes are fluffy and the Havana Libre Bowl is unbelievably tasty. Their menu does change with the market but is always fresh, nutritious, and delicious. Their Cap Hill location has a ton of natural light and plenty of tables if you’re showing up with a group. While you’re there, check out the market next door for some sweet local foodstuffs!
café flora
PNW vegetarian • $$ • website • cap hill
True to the name, stepping in to Café Flora is like stepping into an urban plant paradise. An abundance of greenery, floral wallpaper, and natural light set the stage for locally sourced vegetarian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Gluten-free items are clearly marked - go for the French dip, stay for the rhubarb crisp.
capitol cider ★
100% GF • cidery & dinner • $$ • website • cap hill
A 100% GF kitchen, Capitol Cider serves up the pub food of your dreams. We’re talking chicken wings, fish n’ chips, fried cheese curds with apple butter, and buttermilk cheesecake, just to name some highlights. All dishes, including sauces and desserts, are made from scratch and are also peanut and tree nut free. On top of this, Capitol Cider is the largest independent cider bar in the country, carrying a fantastic selection sourced from both home and abroad. For anyone not feeling cider, there are also plenty of cocktails, wines, meads, and beers available. If you’re also looking for the pub vibes of your dreams, head downstairs for shuffleboard and tables full of board games.
frankie & Jo’s
100% GF • ice cream • $ • website • cap hill • ballard • u village
Entirely plant-based and gluten-free, Frankie and Jo’s is the place to go if you’re craving a freshly baked maple-vanilla waffle cone. To be frank(ie), no description of mine can do their creative flavors justice. You ought to just hop right on over to their scoop shop menu to check out both the flavors and the full ingredients lists. Personally? I’m a Brown Sugar Vanilla with a cone shatter and salted caramel kinda girl.
Momiji ★
sushi • $$ • website • south lake union • cap hill
One of my favorite sushi spots I’ve found in the post-Celiacs era, Momiji clearly marks GF options and there is no shortage of them. Everything is beautifully hand-crafted and their Capitol Hill location has an oasis of a courtyard. The biggest revelation for me was the fact that many of the usual off-limits rolls, including crab rolls, are safe here! For any vegetarians along for the ride, they also have extensive vegetarian options.
belltown, south lake union, queen anne
côba seattle
vietnamese • $$ • website • queen anne •
GF Banh Mi and vermicelli noodles can be found within an expansive, authentic menu filled with an abundance of gluten free options. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to support any allergen concerns and BOY is the food fresh and delicious. Truly, the Saigon street food vibes crossed with local PNW ingredients is a joy to consume.
heartbeet organic superfoods cafe
100% GF • $ • website • queen anne • west seattle
100% GF and plant-based, HeartBeet offers the healthiest quick service food I’ve ever met. Their smoothies are delightful and their warm grain bowls are basically a warm hug for your stomach. As a bonus, they offer raw pies that are dairy-free, gluten-free, mostly organic, paleo-friendly, and made from scratch (think peanut butter mudslide and strawberry cream). The Queen Anne space is small but light and airy, while the West Seattle spot has a larger indoor dining area.
Kitchen & Market
grocery store • $$ • website • pike place
A specialty grocery story spun out from thought meal-kits, Kitchen & Market is simply a lovely place to shop for unique, well-curated fresh foods and pantry goods. It’s highly worth a wander, and their GF cream scone mix is excellent.
limoncello
italian • $$$ • website • belltown
Known for their fresh and handmade pizzas and pastas, Limoncello has a separate and fairly extensive GF menu, including some absolutely lovely risotto.
Momiji
sushi • $$ • website • south lake union • cap hill
One of my favorite sushi spots I’ve found in the post-Celiacs era, Momiji clearly marks GF options and there is no shortage of them. Their SLU location is in an elegant corner spot filled with light and cheery yellows. The biggest revelation for me was the fact that many of the usual off-limits rolls, including crab rolls, are safe here! For any vegetarians along for the ride, they also have extensive vegetarian options.
umi sake house
sushi • $$ • website • belltown
The easily accessible sister restaurant of Momiji, Umi Sake House is just as good at labeling GF rolls and just as safe to enjoy. They have an excellent sake list with over 60 bottles and their happy hour runs 4-6pm daily…but then picks back up at 10pm-close.
downtown, sodo
ghostfish ★
100% GF • brewery & pub • $$ • website • sodo
Yes, Ghostfish is also found down in the brewery section but their 100% GF beers (entirely made from gluten-free grains) are served alongside the gluten-free bar food of your dreams. It deserves two spots, okay? Fried onion rings, fish and chips, and churros are some of the highlights of this completely safe and completely delicious menu. On the beer side, they have an excellent year-round lineup of IPAs, Pale Ales, Blonde Ales, Belgian Ales, and a Stout, alongside rotating special releases.
razzí’s pizzería ★
allergen friendly • pizza & italian • $$ • website • downtown • greenwood
Razzi’s was my unquestionable savior during my first year of grad school. A classic pizza and pasta joint that somehow also serves gyros, you can order their full menu as traditional, gluten-free, vegan, or gluten-free and vegan. Let them know you have an allergy, and they’ll take the necessary steps to keep you safe from cross-contamination. Really though, at some points I was grabbing comfort food from Razzi’s at least once a week and never had any problems. Razzi’s is not catering to the health-conscious GF crowd but they very successfully cater to everyone who just wants a really good pizza that tastes like a really good, normal pizza. Their Downtown location doesn’t have as much seating as their Greenwood one (they do a brisk takeout business), but it does have a low key patio in the back, featuring some string lights.
west seattle
flying apron
100% GF • bakery • $ • website • west seattle
Entirely gluten-free and plant-based, the Flying Apron has managed to create sweet and savory goodies that are both wholesome and delicious. Among the wide selection you can acquire a lasagna featuring from-scratch cashew ricotta, a brioche, or a great array of cookies.
heartbeet organic superfoods cafe
100% GF • $ • website • queen anne • west seattle
Also entirely GF and plant-based, HeartBeet offers the healthiest quick service food I’ve ever met. Their smoothies are delightful and their warm grain bowls are basically a warm hug for your stomach. As a bonus, they offer raw pies that are dairy-free, gluten-free, mostly organic, paleo-friendly, and made from scratch on location (think peanut butter mudslide and strawberry cream). They have a beautiful indoor dining area and have partnered with the excellent coffee shop next door, Youngstown, which doubles as an awesome social justice-focused community space.
itto’s tapas
morrocan & spanish • $$ • website • west seattle
A softly lit, intimate room filled with deep blues and candlelight, Itto’s is nothing but lovely. GF and GF optional dishes are well marked and abundant. There for a date night or out for a drink with friends? Their wine menu is small but well-curated and their specialty cocktails are, indeed, special.
bellevue, redmond
araya’s place
thai • $$ • website • bellevue • u district • madison
Opening in 1987 as the first vegan Thai restaurant in the Pacific Northwest, Araya’s knows their way around some tofu. They also know their way around gluten-free options and have their menu clearly marked.
mayuri indian cuisine ★
indian • $$ • website • redmond • bothell
Even if you live in Seattle proper, Mayuri is absolutely worth the drive to Redmond (though maybe not during peak traffic hours…). They create traditional North and South Indian dishes, including dosas, biryanis, tandoor, and some of the best curries I’ve ever had. Their menu is well-marked with GF items and probably 80% of the menu is on-limits. For folks with a nut allergy, nut-containing items are also marked!
wildflour ★
100% GF bakery • $ • website • bellevue
Tucked into an unassuming strip mall next to a Papa Johns, Wildflour is a heroic 100% gluten free bakery and my hands-down favorite for breads. The sandwhich loafs are soft, the irish soda bread made fresh, and the pre-baked pizza crusts perfectly fluffy and crispy. I always buy two sandwich loaves at once, so I can keep one in the freezer and never risk running out. As long as you don’t have a nut allergy you should also consider grabbing a bag of their absolutely delicious grain-free granola. Finally, if you’re around during the holidays they offer pre-orders of pies and other delicacies and almost always sell out.
beyond the city
j-Bros gluten free market ★
100% gf grocery story • $$ • woodinville
What looks like a non-descript corner market is actually an entirely gluten free grocery store that is extremely well versed on any additional allergies or food sensitives. GF pringles? Be still, my heart. For at-home bakers they have a full wall of GF flours and mixes, including many brands that are very hard to find outside of the internet. Their freezer section is full of gold, although highlights include Garlic Jim’s pizza, ice cream sandwhiches, tiramisu, and small-batch chicken pot pies. I didn’t expect the degree of joy that would come from walking around aisles knowing that everything around me was on-limits.
grain artisan bakery ★
100% gf • bakery • $$ • website • snohomish
On a scale of one to ten, Grain is genuinely an eleven. The items in their glass case rotate around, but every single thing is beyond excellent. Their scones - be it cinnamon raisin or pear asiago - are crunchy on the outside and soft as a squishy couch pillow on the inside. Their cookie sandwiches - lavender and lemon or salted caramel brownie - are simply layers of delight. And the cakes - German chocolate or heirloom carrot - are fitting for a baker opening a bakery after she’s already built a successful wedding cake business. If you’re having any type of event and you’d like to order a special request, take a look at their full menu of flavors and prepare to be blown away. If there were an apartment above this bakery I would rent it in a heartbeat. If you’re not feeling quite that committed, Grain is often at the Capital Hill Farmer’s Market on Sundays.
shambala
100% gf • bakery • $$ • website • Mt vernon • farmers markets
Shambala is an allergen friendly bakery that focuses on ancient grains, nutritious ingredients, and surprisingly excellent textures. If you don’t feel like heading to Mt. Vernon, their goods can be found at all sorts of farmers markets and specialty grocers, from Bellingham to Seattle. Check out their website for an updated outlet list.
beers, ciders, and seltzers
ghostfish ★
100% GF • brewery & pub • $$ • website • sodo
Yes, Ghostfish is also found up in the SODO section due to their supply of excellent onion rings and churros. But if you’re a beer lover, Ghostfish is awesome because their beer isn’t gluten-reduced, it’s simply made with no gluten-containing grains. Think rice, millet, buckwheat, etc, aka fully and completely safe for Celiacs. They have an excellent year-round lineup of IPAs, Pale Ales, Blonde Ales, Belgian Ales, and a Stout, alongside rotating special releases.
capitol cider
100% GF • cidery & dinner • $$ • website • cap hill
A 100% GF kitchen, Capitol Cider is the largest independent cider bar in the country and they carry a fantastic selection sourced from both home and abroad. For anyone not feeling cider, they also have a solid selection of GF beers, wines, and cocktails. There are a few non-GF beers, but these are the only danger spots on the menu. Otherwise, think of Capitol Cider as the cozy restaurant and pub that makes Celiacs and other gluten averse folks feel right at home.
wine shops
bottlehouse
wine shop • $$ • website • madrona
In addition to their delightful restaurant (see above), Bottlehouse hosts a lovely selection of bottles available for purchase. If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s worth stepping inside to take a look around.
Champion Wine Cellars
wine shop • $$ • website • greenwood
A traditional wine shop with none of the traditional wine snobbery, simply all of the love for all of the wine. These folks can give valuable recommendations and guidance no matter what stage you’re at in your wine journey. They have a full range of price points - while there are plenty of bottles perfect for special occasions, there are many more that are extremely affordable. This is a fantastic shop to become comfortable with if you’re looking to explore…with over 1500 bottles available online they have about every region and varietal you can dream of.
molly’s bottle shop
wine shop • $$ • website • ballard • west seattle
If you’re a fan of natural wine, Molly’s is THE wine shop for you. Her collection is beautifully curated, often quirky, and incredibly interesting, as natural wines are ought to be. Just as important, Molly is part of the Wine Industry Equity and Justice Pledge and is an open and enthusiastic proponent of civil rights, LGBTQ issues, racial equity, and just about any other cause focused on making the world a better place.
coffee
olympia coffee roasters ★
coffee roaster • $ • website • west seattle • Columbia city • proctor Tacoma • olympia
Founded in 2005, Olympia Coffee’s website says it best: “high-quality coffee is our passion, but seeking a higher quality of life for our farmers, staff, and customers is our mission.” Their lineup of roasts, both blends and single-origins, is absolutely fantastic, but their commitment to a Fair-for-All sourcing standard makes it that much better. If you care about impeccable pour over, it’s worth a visit. But if you care about sustainable, equitable, and fair supply chains, it’s worth a deep dive into their Transparency Reports. And also a visit.