100% Gluten-Free Bed and Breakfast: The Inn Berlin

Have you ever wondered what it's like staying at a gluten-free bed and breakfast? Look no further than the Inn Berlin in coastal Maryland!

In this blog post, I'm diving into why this beautiful accommodation should be on your gluten-free bucket list!

This post is sponsored by the Inn Berlin. My stays at the inn are hosted in exchange for the content you see here and my social media. Please see my disclosure page for more information about sponsored posts. My opinions are my own. This post was recently updated in June of 2023 with new information, photos, and details about the Inn Berlin.

About This Blog Post

In the spring of 2021, I was contacted about a new boutique bed and breakfast opening up just outside of Ocean City, Maryland. Normally, this wouldn't have me too excited, but then the owner/innkeeper told me something crazy unique about the place.

The inn was to be 100% gluten-free, as she has celiac disease.

Shut. The. Front. DOOR!

Since that first email, I've become closer with the owner/innkeeper, Maya Tomasello, who is a culinary genius and absolute sweetheart. I've visited the Inn Berlin on 3 different hosted summer weekends: 2 with my husband (2021, 2023) and one with my best friend Kristen in 2022. The Inn Berlin just gets better every time I visit. The inn is truly a remarkable celiac oasis - a paradise where you can relax, be pampered, and be completely full of the most delicious gluten-free food, all made right there at the Inn, in a beautiful setting right by the beach.

In this post, I'm diving into all the details about the Inn Berlin, how to get there, why it's worth going, what to expect of the food, the amenities, and how to make the most of your stay at this gluten-free gem!

The Inn Berlin: 100% Gluten-Free Bed and Breakfast

About The Inn Berlin: Gluten-Free Bed & Breakfast

Owned and run by the Tomasello family, The Inn Berlin is a recently renovated property in historic Berlin, Maryland. The innkeeper, Maya, has celiac disease and has been working in the restaurant business for most of her life.

The Inn has five rooms, located on the second and third floors. They also have beautiful common areas on the first floor: a parlor, dining room, front porch, back veranda with a pergola, plus a newly paved patio. Please be aware there are no elevators on-site due to the historic nature of the Inn, so it is not ADA accessible. Additionally, please be advised that the Inn is largely for adults, not children, but does permit well-behaved children over the age of 10.

The property itself is set back from the road so it's very peaceful. They also host private events and weddings (a great spot if you are a gluten-free bride or groom!) As of May of 2023, they recently opened a bakery at the Inn called Boulangerie Berlin, which offers pre-ordered sweets and treats for pickup on the weekends. So even if you aren't staying at the Inn, you can still enjoy their delicious foods.

For more general questions about the Inn Berlin, check out their FAQ page here.

Getting To Berlin, Maryland

Berlin, Maryland is roughly 15 minutes by car to Ocean City, Maryland. The closest regional airports are the Salisbury Regional Airport or Ocean City Airport. These are both rather small, so for larger airport hubs, you would be looking at Baltimore or Washington, D.C (2-3 hours away, by car).

Of the three hosted visits we have done to the Inn Berlin, two have been via plane, and we flew into Baltimore. Southwest has a hub in Baltimore and direct flights from Boston made it an easy and rather cheap choice. I've also driven down from Long Island, which took between 4-5 hours with my best friend Kristen.

If you fly into Baltimore or Washington D.C., you'll want to rent a car to get down to Berlin. The drive will be between 2- 2.5 hours, but with traffic on a weekend, it can take longer. It's a pleasant drive with a lot of farms, open spaces, and bridges you'll go over along the way. It's very scenic!

Traffic Warning: The Bay Bridge in Maryland will be the biggest source of traffic, especially on the way back on a Sunday afternoon or weekend. Give yourself extra time so you don't miss your flight!

The Rooms At The Inn Berlin

The rooms to the Inn are all named after flowers. There are 5 rooms in total, and I have stayed in the Peony Room and the Poppy Room. The other rooms are the Honeysuckle, Aster, and Magnolia Rooms. 3 rooms are located on the 2nd floor, the other 2 are on the third floor.

The rooms here feel luxurious but with all the comforts you hope for in an accommodation. The beds always feel like sleeping on a cloud. The bathrooms provide shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, and terrycloth robes. There is air conditioning, plenty of natural light, a television, and some bathrooms include special features like a clawfoot bathtub!

Each room room has gorgeous touches throughout, including water and drinking glasses, a wine/beer list, 100% gluten-free snacks, as well as small symbols of the town of Berlin - the honeybee. This is a motif that Maya has incorporated beautifully in the decor of the bed and breakfast. You can find it on throw pillows, drinking glasses, or even some cutlery at meals!

To view all of the rooms at the Inn, please click here.

The Property Of The Inn Berlin

The Tomasello family did a complete remodel of the Inn in 2020, which you can read about on the inn's website. This historic property dates back a few hundred years. The renovation was extensive and since the Inn opened in 2021, more updates have taken place, including a brick-paved front walkway and landscaping, firepit, and new furnishings indoors as well, including a new wall color in the living room, and custom wine shelf in the dining room.

The outside spaces, including the veranda, front porch, patio, and gardens make for beautiful, relaxing areas that beg you to sit down with a glass of wine. In the mornings the patio is the perfect place for breakfast, especially in the summertime, but the evenings are equally peaceful and pretty as the sun goes down and the fireflies come out to play!

100% Gluten-Free Bed and Breakfast

Where do I even begin to describe how delicious, scrumptious, and out of this world every single food item was during our stay? Don't bring food to the inn because trust me, you won't need it.

Everything at the Inn is 100% gluten-free but don't fear: Maya can accommodate other dietary restrictions too. Before your stay, you will receive an email with a survey asking you to clarify any dietary preferences, food allergies, whether you prefer tea/coffee with your breakfast, etc. so that the Inn can make sure your stay is perfect!

But here's a deeper dive into the unreal food available to you at the Inn. (Fair warning, there are generous portion sizes here, and you won't go hungry!)

Gluten-Free Breakfast At the Inn

Breakfasts at the inn always start with water, a juice of your choice, and coffee or tea, along with a sweet (whatever Maya is baking up that weekend!) and Greek yogurt with fresh berries. On the table you'll also find fresh honey, butter, and additional seasonings as needed.

The sweets have been different every time we visit the Inn. I've had donuts, pound cake, lemon blueberry buns, orange cake, even tiramisu!

After that, you have a choice of a continental style breakfast with eggs, bacon, and 1-2 sides, or you can have the breakfast special. Twice now we've had eggs benedict and it is truly unfreaking believeable! I would drink Maya's hollandaise sauce from a cup, it is that good! Combined with the homemade bread and biscuits that Maya bakes fresh, it's a breakfast that is out of this world amazing.

Gluten-Free Picnic Lunches & Charcuterie

If you are spending the day at Assateague, or even heading out on a Friday night downtown (just a 5 minute walk from the Inn), a picnic lunch or charcuterie is definitely a fantastic idea. We've done this on all 3 visits to the Inn Berlin and they are filling and full of yummy snacks.

If you opt to do a picnic lunch at Assateague, this includes a cooler with sandwiches, finger foods, beers, water, cutlery, napkins, plates, and chips. If you opt to do a charcuterie board, these can be customized to the size you like and include fresh meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, pickles, cookies, and even olives!

In our 2023 visit, we took a charcuterie box to go on the Friday night downtown to the Berlin Bathtub races, a yearly local tradition by the businsesses in Berlin, MD. We were also able to borrow camp chairs so we could sit comfortably downtown. At least 3 people commented in passing how incredible the board looked! And I bet they had no clue it was gluten-free too.

Gluten-Free Private Dining At The Inn

Without a doubt, my #1 recommendation when staying at the Inn Berlin is to book a gluten-free dining experience. These are typically served on the patio or in the dining room. I'm going to highlight the I've done so you can get an idea for the fantastic meal that awaits you:

Summer 2021: Barbecue & Tapas

When Dylan and I visited in the summer of 2021, we did 2 hosted dinners on the Friday and Saturday night of our weekend stay. Friday night was a BBQ-style meal: St. Louis ribs, coleslaw, crabcakes (when in Maryland!), grilled zucchini from the garden, and cornbread. The Saturday evening, and also our 5 year anniversary, we had a Spanish-inspired tapas board with jamón, manchego, tortilla de patatas, melon, pan con ajo, pulpo, devils on horseback, and chorizo.

Both nights we also had dessert, too: a berry crumble with fresh whipped cream, and an almond flour cake with chocolate-covered strawberries (a gift from my in-laws!)

Summer 2022: Mediterranean Girl's Night

In the summer of 2022, I brought my best friend Kristen to the Inn for a girl's getaway weekend. The meal this time was Mediterranean inspired with a twist. We had crab cakes and focaccia for an appetizer, fresh salads with strawberries and a homemade vinaigrette, plus steak with roasted potatoes and carrots. And we each had a glass of red wine, followed by dessert - Beatty's chocolate cake!

Summer 2023: Asian-inspired dinner

On my most recent trip to the Inn Berlin with my husband Dylan, we were treated to an Asian-inspired dinner! First, we had Korean-fried chicken with a spicy aioli, followed by veggie tempura (onions, zucchini, and broccoli) served with different dipping sauces, then we had spring rolls with tofu and vegetables with a peanut sauce, followed by Korean steak and fried rice. It was all, unreal and I was so full, I couldn't even take a bite of my dessert, which was tiramisu!

An update on private dining at the Inn for 2023:

Please be aware that private dining starting Summer of 2023 will be limited to 1 night per week. Additional tables will be able to be booked for dinner for guests not staying on site. This information along with the menu will be shared in a calendar on the Inn Berlin website. Priority will be given to guests staying at the Inn and then opened up to the public. If you have questions about private dining, please contact Maya at the Inn directly ([email protected]. Thank you!

Gluten-Free Snacks & Drinks on the 2nd Floor Landing

One of the perks of staying as a guest at the Inn Berlin is the 2nd floor landing. It's the perfect place to grab a little snack, beverage, or sweet throughout the day, especially if you're hungry! There's also this cute bench with pillows across from a bookshelf if you're looking for something to read.

There's a large armoire with drawers that open up to reveal tea, coffee, granola bars, and salty snacks. A mini fridge and water cooler offers fresh drinks, plus a coffee maker for hot beverages. A bowl of fruit usually has oranges or plums. And of course, there's the honey bee cookie jar that is stocked with fresh sweets!

Here you can see Kristen checking out the 2nd floor landing & grabbing some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies during our stay in the summer of 2022:

Like I said, you will not go hungry at the inn. There's always food available!

Gluten-Free Bakery at The Inn

NEW for 2023: The Inn Berlin now has an on-site bakery available for pick-up orders! So even if you are not a guest at this gluten-free bed and breakfast, you can still enjoy the amazing breads and sweet treats that Maya bakes, like these yeast-based fried donuts (I haven't had anything like this in over 20 years!):

The bakery is located on site at the Inn Berlin, just on the lefthand side of the property. You drive around back and come to the side door on the lefthand side of the building. The door is light blue. Please note that the menu changes weekly in accordance to what Maya is cooking and baking that week! Here is an example of a recent (as of this blog post update) menu. Every week a new PDF is available to view on their website here.

Orders must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Thursdays. You can pick up on the weekends, Saturday or Sunday, between 11- 2 PM. The bakery is a recent new addition to the Inn Berlin, so keep checking back on their pages for updates!

Gluten-Free Drinks at The Inn

The Inn Berlin also prides itself on having an extensive wine and beer list (of course, 100% gluten-free). There's a menu in every room with a QR code you can scan to view what is available during your stay.

One of the best discoveries I've had thanks to this gluten-free bed and breakfast was the gluten-free beer from BC Brewery, from Hunt Valley, Maryland. They are not a gluten-free brewery, but have dedicated tap lines, equipment, and use certified gluten-free ingredients for making gluten-free beer. It was here trying one of the BC Brewery GF sours that I realized the beer I really enjoyed was a SOUR! Since then, we've actually visited the brewery in person during a road trip south, and I've made a point to try as many of their sours as possible, including the cantaloupe and watermelon sours. They are so dang good!

You can read more about BC Brewery and their gluten-free beer process here.

The Benefits of a Gluten-Free Bed and Breakfast

The best part of staying at a 100% gluten-free bed and breakfast is that it is so RELAXING. The freedom of not having to worry about your food is truly the best perk of staying at a place like this.

And at meal times, it was so special to be able to share meals and try bites of food of another person's plate! For people who don't have any dietary restrictions, it's second nature to just share food or pass between plates. But if you're reading this, you know exactly how complicated it is when you have celiac disease.

So to have the ability to NOT have to be on guard and alert for your meals is truly such a gift. And staying at a gluten-free bed and breakfast like the Inn Berlin gives you that freedom and flexibility. You can order anything on the menu, and you know no matter what is placed down in front of you, it's going to be absolutely mouthwateringly good.

Other Add-Ons At The Inn Berlin

In addition to the gorgeous grounds, stunning and comfortable rooms, and breakfasts, snacks, and drinks included with your stay, there are many other amenities and add-ons available at the Inn Berlin, including massages, yoga classes, tours of downtown Berlin and Assateague, as well as transportation to and from Salisbury Airport. I've linked the full list for you here, but some of the items we have tried out are below:

Picnic Lunch: During our anniversary visit in 2021, Dylan and I opted for a picnic lunch for our day trip to Assateague. It includes a huge picnic lunch along with local beers because you can actually drink on the beach on the National Seashore (not the state park next door though). You'll also have beach chairs and towels for 2.

Private Dining: We usually book at least 1 private dinner during our stay, which made the trip feel even more like pampering. All you have to do is walk downstairs for a 100% gluten-free meal. The menus can be customized to the cuisines/foods you enjoy and of course, any other dietary restrictions you have. Please be aware that private dining starting the summer of 2023 will be limited to one night per week. Please contact Maya with questions or to book this! [email protected] (Innkeeper AT theinnberlin DOT com).

Things to Do

Wondering what else there is to do when visiting a gluten-free bed and breakfast where you don't have to worry about the food? Take a look at these 3 spots, which is where we've spent most of our time during a weekend stay!

Explore Downtown Berlin

There's a lot to be said about Berlin, Maryland. It's probably one of the cutest downtowns I've ever been to and is nicknamed "America's Coolest Small Town." Antique stores line Main Street, along with coffee shops, art galleries, florists, boutiques, and even a meadery! And on weekends, they have live music at a local theatre. Don't miss the Farmer's Market on Sunday mornings in the summertime. We've been each time and it's always a lovely way to spend a morning!

If you're curious about where to eat when it comes to having celiac or eating gluten-free in the area, please contact the Inn directly as they have a list of places they can share with you. As I've mentioned before, we are usually so full we don't normally eat anywhere else during our stay!

Visit Assateague National Seashore

Assateague National Seashore is on Assateague Island, a 37-mile long island that takes up parts of Maryland and Virginia. The seashore is part of the National Park Service and takes up the northern part of the island. It's home to wild horses, gorgeous beaches, and lots of wildlife. Plus, the entrance is just a 15-minute drive from the Inn Berlin.

Here are some tips if you plan on going to Assateague!

Go early. The lines get long on the weekends, especially on nice days. It's common at many parks within the National Park Service.

Keep your eyes peeled for horses, but stay back! These horses are wild and not to be pet, fed, or ridden.

Hike the trails. In Assateague, there are a few hikes/trails and they are short. Some of them are just boardwalks. They are easy and perfect for spotting wildlife or hidden beaches.

Take a kayaking tour. Dylan and I booked with Assateague Outfitters during our anniversary weekend in 2021 and had a private kayak tour on the marsh side of the island. Our guide helped us find clams, a horseshoe crab, and lots of birds during our 2.5-hour kayak trip.

Visit the Beach. Of course, you've gotta hit the beach! Bring a can of gluten-free beer (ask Maya for what BC Brewery beers she has available!). It's legal to drink on the beach in Assateague National Seashore. We always go to South Ocean beach, bring beach chairs and snacks from the inn, and relax for a few hours.

Check Out The Ocean City Boardwalk

The beauty of staying at the Inn means you are just 15 minutes from Ocean City as well. This place was a crazy town on a Friday night!

Much like the boardwalk on the Jersey Shore, the Ocean City Boardwalk was packed with people, carnival rides, beach shops, bars, lots of fried foods, & alcohol. The location right alongside the beach was nice, but this is the type of place Dylan and I typically shy away from.

Don't get me wrong, this looked like a lot of fun, especially for kids and families. So we explored it for a little while, dipped our toes in the ocean, and did a lot of people watching. After an hour or so, we both said "Yeah, I'm good" and headed back to the peace and quiet of the Inn Berlin.

Besides, when you are in gluten-free heaven, you kind of want to stay there as much as possible!

The Inn Berlin: Final Thoughts

Staying at a 100% gluten-free bed and breakfast like The Inn Berlin is an absolute dream. This gorgeous and meticulously maintained property offers the perfect getaway for anyone with celiac disease or who follows a strict gluten-free diet. The sheer feeling of peace that comes from staying somewhere you know is completely safe is so comforting. And at The Inn Berlin, not only are you staying somewhere safe, but somewhere you'll be taken care of and stuffed full of scrumptious gluten-free food!

If you'd like to stay at the Inn Berlin, visit the Inn website to check their availability. You can also follow the Inn on Instagram here and check out the bakery page here!

Looking for more gluten-free travel posts?

The 5 strategies you NEED for traveling with celiac disease.

These 10 items are always in my backpack or suitcase when traveling.

What to do if you're traveling with IBS - and how to reduce travel anxiety.

Get my gluten-free travel guides to Boston, New York, Madrid, Buenos Aires (plus many more) here!

Have you ever visited The Inn Berlin?

Would you stay at a 100% gluten-free bed and breakfast?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!