This gluten-free Boston travel guide will show you all of my favorite spots as a local resident with celiac disease!
Guide updated June 2022. Please be aware that dining options are subject to change in accordance with recent COVID safety guidelines. Some places in this guide may only be offering delivery or takeout. Please check their website or social media for the most up-to-date information. Keep supporting your local places!
I’ve been eating gluten-free in the Boston area for more than ten years.
We move to Boston's North Shore in January of 2012. Boston became our go-to place for hanging out with friends, spending a weekend, nightlife, shows, concerts, activities, and fun.
At the time, the gluten-free scene was minimal and limited. I would find myself cooking my own recipes at home on a regular basis. Eating out was always a challenge. Cross-contact was rampant, and hardly anyone understood the difficulties of living with celiac disease.
Fast forward to 2022 and it’s a much different story!
I've personally seen the changes and improvements to the gluten-free food scene in Boston. While the presence of dedicated gluten-free facilities is smaller (still growing!), there is always room for more places to help make Boston an even safer destination for celiacs.
Here's where to find the best gluten-free food from a local celiac - me!
NOTE & DISCLAIMER
This Gluten-Free Boston guide was originally written and published online for Gluten-Free Living. I have updated and condensed the information here to include the most accurate and up-to-date spots for celiac diners. This guide was last updated in June of 2022 and I continue to update it as I visit new restaurants.
Everyone’s experience with celiac disease is different. Dedicated gluten-free facilities are usually the safest places to go, and you’ll see those listed here. For non-dedicated facilities, always exercise caution. My experience is not your experience. This gluten-free guide to Boston is a list of suggestions to point you in the right direction.
The places listed in this guide are those where I have had a positive dining experience or the establishment has protocols in place for gluten-free diners. This guide was recently updated in order to provide the most up-to-date information for celiac and gluten-free diners. Restaurants can change. Use your own judgment and only eat where you feel safe doing so.
Gluten-Free Guide Boston Travel Guide
- Gluten-Free Guide Boston Travel Guide
How To Find Gluten-Free Food in Massachusetts
Locating gluten-free food can be tough when you're traveling. And there's more to visiting Massachusetts than just the city of Boston!
While this guide will give you my personal recommendations to point you in the right direction, but you might need to explore other options. And that's okay! One of the best ways to do that while traveling to the Boston area is by doing your research first, on an app/website like FindMeGlutenFree.
FindMeGlutenFree can help you get an idea of what gluten-free restaurants, bakeries, and safe menus are available in Massachusetts. And with a Premium Subscription, you can filter by most celiac friendly, see what's open now (so you don't drive all the way to a bakery for breakfast and discover it's closed), and what's gluten-free in the direction you're headed. It's like Google Maps, but a gluten-free version. And no Ads!
I've been a FMGF user for over a decade, but I think their Premium version is much more effective. Take $5 off a Premium Subscription with the code THENOMADICFITZ to make your trip to Boston less stressful.
100% Gluten-Free Facilities in Boston
Jennifer Lee’s Allergen Free Bakery
100% Gluten-Free Facility
Allergen-free & vegan bakery, cafe, and store! Located inside Boston Public Market, Jennifer Lee’s Allergen Free Bakery does an amazing job creating delicious foods that are gluten, dairy, egg, and nut-free. You can order sandwiches, paninis, baked goods, salads, and more right at the counter or even place large orders online for custom-made cakes. You never have to worry about anything prepared here because it's all safe to eat. What a relief, right?
My favorites: I love Jennifer Lee's baked goods, such as her donuts and cupcakes!
More information on Jennifer Lee’s Bakery can be found here on her website, Instagram, or Facebook.
Mother Juice
100% Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility
Mother Juice is a 100% gluten-free and vegan juice bar with multiple locations in Boston and plenty of fresh juices to go around! Cold-pressed juices, smoothies, bowls, oats, and they use Udi's gluten-free bread. You can find them in the Boston Public Market too by the Haymarket T Stop.
Learn more about Mother Juice, their locations, and tasty options on their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
Grainmaker
100% Gluten-Free Facility
With a twist on street food from Southeast Asia and an ethical approach to eating, Grainmaker offers delicious bowls, tacos, and salads filled with wholesome ingredients, locally sourced products, and tasty flavors! They are a gluten-free and dairy-free facility with two locations - Boston and Somerville.
More information about Grainmaker can be found on their website, Instagram, or Facebook page.
Violette Gluten-Free Bakery
100% Gluten-Free Facility
This bakery in Cambridge, Massachusetts is a dedicated gluten-free facility filled with delicious sweets and treats! Everything from custom-made cakes to cupcakes, desserts, bread, and more, the owners behind Violette Bakery were inspired to create gluten-free baked goods after a visit to France. They are one of the only gluten-free bakeries in the area (besides Jennifer Lee!) and their fantastic creations are not to be missed!
More information about Violette Bakery can be found on their website, Facebook, or Instagram page.
Kane's Donuts
100 Gluten-Free Facility
As part of my gluten-free consulting business, I worked with Kane's to develop a dedicated kitchen space for lots of delicious gluten, dairy, and nut-free donuts. Kane's has 3 locations in the Boston area, but their gluten-free donuts are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility in their Lincoln Avenue (Saugus) location. So no matter which Kane's location you visit, you can enjoy these amazing donuts safely. Seriously, they are a Boston icon!
For more information about Kane's donuts, their 14+ flavors, and the inside scoop on their dedicated gluten-free donut line, visit their website, Facebook, or Instagram page.
Other Dedicated Gluten-Free Facilities in Boston:
Since I live on the North Shore of Boston, I'm still exploring Boston proper and places to go with gluten-free food! I update this guide every few months with new places or others that I have visited.
Other dedicated gluten-free facilities to consider:
POKE by Love Art: 100% Gluten-Free
Naco Taco: 100% Gluten-Free. Food truck & restaurant!
If you are still looking for more great Boston restaurant recommendations, check out my friend Brooke on Instagram, who has celiac and lives in the city!
Restaurants in Boston With Gluten-Free Options
Capo: INSANE Italian Food on Tuesday nights!
Capo goes ALL OUT on Tuesday evenings for their Gluten-Free Night, and Dylan and I were completely blown away by the food, their protocols, and commitment to serving gluten-free food safely!
Everything on the menu can be made gluten-free on Tuesdays - they even have homemade GF pasta made in a dedicated space. AND homemade bread! The food was phenomenal, and we barely had room for dessert. Plus, the chef gave us a tour of the kitchen and explained how they go about deep cleaning everything in the kitchen 24 hours in advance. They really get it at Capo and are committed to serving gluten-free safely.
For more information about Capo, check out their website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Note: Capo and Loco, listed below, are owned by the same restaurant group. So I have found both restaurants do a great job for celiacs.
Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar
After hearing so much about Loco, I finally tried this South Boston Taco place for myself and was blown away!
Almost the entire menu is gluten-free. They have gluten-free chips for their chips & guac, gluten-free taco shells, and the meals are out of this world!
They are located in South Boston and open for brunch, lunch, and dinner with drinks, tacos, and other Mexican fares.
My favorites: Chilaquiles Divorciadas, and the Chips & Guac!
For more information about Loco, visit their website, Instagram, or Facebook page.
La Famiglia Giorgio's
La Famiglia Giorgio's is an Italian restaurant in the North End that has over 100 dishes that can be made gluten-free! Insane, right? Gluten-free meals are prepared separately, and they have gluten-free bread as well as allergy toothpicks. Large portions here - and an option for homemade gluten-free pasta.
For more information, visit their website, or check their social media pages- Instagram & Facebook.
110 Grill
Another Americana bar and grill for gluten-free food is 110. Their gluten-free menu options are incredible and include ice cream sundaes, nachos, burgers, pulled pork mac and cheese, sandwiches, salads, and more! They bring gluten-free rolls to your table and all gluten-free meal items come with an allergy stick. The staff is well-trained in gluten-free and allergen protocols.
My Favorites: Pulled pork mac and cheese, Spinach & Artichoke Dip flourless chocolate cake!
For more information about 110 Grill, visit their website, Facebook page, or Instagram.
Tavern In The Square
Tavern in the Square is a chain American bar/grill restaurant. I've been eating here since 2014 and continue to come back again and again. They have dedicated kitchen spaces, fryers, and great protocols for those ordering from the gluten-free menu.
From burgers, wings, nachos, to sandwiches, salads, pasta, pizzas, and more, Tavern in the Square always has a delicious choice for everyone, and almost everything on the menu can be prepared gluten-free. A manager brings your food to confirm you ordered a gluten-free dish, and an allergy stick is in each dish.
My favorites: Burgers, Parmesan truffle tots, or fried pickles! They also have awesome cocktails.
For more information on Tavern in the Square, visit their website, Instagram, or Facebook page.
Inna's Kitchen: CLOSED
Update December 2021: Inna's Kitchen in Boston Public Market is temporarily closed. Visit their Newton location which is a dedicated gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free space. Try their vegetable mixes, omelets, and sandwiches prepared on their own gluten-free bread!
My favorites: Spinach omelet made into a breakfast sandwich on gluten-free bread
For more information about Inna's Kitchen and to special order meals ahead of time, visit their website.
A restaurant I no longer have listed
I used to have Legal Seafood on this list of Boston restaurants, and had visited for years without issue, enjoying their GF Fish and chips from their dedicated gluten-free fryers. But during the pandemic, something changed. After visiting in August of 2021, for a hosted influencer dinner no less, I got glutened. Plus, I also heard from multiple celiac friends having similar issues at various locations. Because of these reasons, Legal is not listed on this guide.
Everyone's experience with celiac disease is different. I know many other celiacs & GF folks that have been to Legal without issue. If you choose to dine there, that is your decision and you do what you are comfortable with. This is not to speak ill of Legal Seafood as a company, as they clearly do have protocols in place for gluten-free guests, but based on my own experience, I do not feel comfortable listing them as a safe place to go.
Groceries & Specialty Stores
If you are staying in Boston proper for a vacation or trip, your best bets for gluten-free groceries are Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Stop & Shop. These three supermarkets are the most common and popular in Boston and have multiple locations. As you go north, Market Basket is the cheapest and most reasonable supermarket in the Boston area.
If you happen to visit the North End - Boston's historically Italian neighborhood, a specialty grocery store carries gluten-free products imported right from Italy!
Salumeria Italiana
Salumeria Italiana is a small Italian grocer in the North End of Boston. Don't be put off by the gluten-filled bread in the windows - they have cheese, olives, tomato sauce, pasta, and packaged foods that are imported right from Italy!
My Favorites: You can find many gluten-free specialty Italian products here to cook for yourself. Many of the brands listed below we actually saw and sampled during our month in Italy in 2019.
More information about Salumeria Italiana can be found on their website.
Cideries in Boston
Downeast Cider House
Rather than go on a brewery tour - how about a cidery tour?
Downeast Cider is one of the best gluten-free hard ciders around and their factory is in East Boston. For $12/person, you can take a tour, sample delicious cider combinations, and get an inside look at what goes into making hard cider. After the tour, enjoy a cider flight, hang with friends, or grab some cider to bring home.
My Favorites: Downeast Cranberry, Downeast Pineapple, and Downeast pumpkin!
For more information about Downeast Cider, visit their website, Facebook page, or Instagram.
Other Restaurants Around Boston
While not in Boston proper, these Boston area restaurants are so drool-worthy, they're worth mentioning!
Tempo Kitchen & Cocktails - Waltham
Tempo is a fabulous dinner spot in Waltham's Moody Street area downtown. They serve awesome combinations of cocktails alongside classic dishes - and almost their entire menu can be made gluten-free. They also have dedicated fryers!
My Favorites: Crispy Brussel Sprouts, or their Truffle Fries!
For more information about Tempo, visit their Instagram, Facebook, or website to see their current menu.
Lola's Italian Kitchen & Market - Natick
Lola's in Natick is an Italian deli serving up classic Italian fares, subs, and cannolis. What's not to like? They use rice flour throughout their kitchen so they have many gluten-free dishes, plus an entirely separate gluten-free preparation area of their kitchen.
My Favorites: Italian sub, and cannoli with chocolate chips!
For more information about Lola's, visit their Instagram, Facebook, or website page for current menus.
Looking for more gluten-free travel guides in New England?
Check out the North Shore of Boston for the best breakfast sandwiches on homemade gluten-free herb & cheese bread at Crave.
Explore the Green Mountain State of Vermont and discover gluten-free beer at the first dedicated GF brewery in New England.
Go for a hike in New Hampshire and get the juiciest GF burger and fries with a homemade sauce (dedicated fryer, too!)
Wander up the coast of Maine for gluten-free donuts and homemade GF sourdough.
Sample all of the gluten-free drink choices in New England with breweries and cideries that are 100% gluten-free.
Have you ever been to Boston?
What are your favorite celiac safe restaurants?
Leave a comment with any of your favorite places I should try!
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