In this Gluten-Free Burlington Vermont guide, I'm diving into where you can find the tastiest gluten-free food in one of my favorite places - Vermont!
Guide updated February 2022. Please be aware that dining options are subject to change in accordance with recent COVID safety guidelines and some restaurants/cafes may have closed. 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!
Over the last ten years of traveling to Vermont, I've discovered the best spots and restaurants for gluten-free food. In this gluten-free Vermont guide, you'll find dedicated gluten-free facilities, restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and more - there are lots of options in the Burlington area!
NOTE & DISCLAIMER
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 and restaurants, I only recommend places here that I myself have been to or places with allergen protocols in place. My experiences were positive and protocols were in place for celiac diners.
This gluten-free Burlington Vermont guide is a list of suggestions to point you in the right direction. My experience is not your experience. Restaurants can change. Use your judgment and only eat where you feel safe doing so.
Gluten-Free Travel Guide: Burlington, Vermont
This 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.
- Gluten-Free Travel Guide: Burlington, Vermont
Why We Love Burlington, Vermont
With rolling hills, outdoor enthusiasts, and a 60's vibe, Burlington is one of our go-to weekend destinations. It's home to the University of Vermont and adjacent to Lake Champlain, making it an excellent place to vacation. Burlington has so much to offer visitors of all ages. Burlington’s population is naturally health conscious. They focus on organic farming practices, local foods, and protecting the environment.
We love Vermont and the countless amount of outdoor fun here. We got engaged and married in the Burlington area, and continue to return to this city on the weekends in all seasons. Burlington is so special to us! And since we've been coming to this area for over a decade, we know where the best spots are for gluten-free food.
How To Find Gluten-Free Food in Vermont
Locating gluten-free food can be tough when you're traveling - especially in a state like Vermont. Besides Burlington, there aren't many big cities (Heck, the entire state has one area code). Things are pretty spaced out, and it can be hard to find restaurants sometimes. This guide will give you suggestions and 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 in Vermont 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 the state of Vermont. 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 Vermont less stressful.
Bakeries
West Meadow Farm Bakery: 100% Gluten-Free
West Meadow Farm Bakery is a 100% dedicated gluten-free facility in Essex Junction, Vermont (the same town where Dylan and I got married!) This mother-daughter-owned bakery is serving delicious homemade treats right in their bakery in Essex, or at local stores like City Market - more on that below, and throughout the entire state of Vermont.
My Favorites: Muffins, Cream Puffs, and Bagels
Learn more about West Meadow Farm and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Coffee Shops
Muddy Waters
After our favorite coffee shop, Uncommon Grounds, closed & moved to Essex, we've been gravitating toward Muddy Waters!
Dylan loves coffee shops and I'm slowly adjusting to the taste of coffee. They have great options here for lattes, herbal teas, green tea, and chai. Coffee shops can be tricky, so always double-check your ingredients and let your barista know about measures you need to prevent cross-contact.
Another thing I love about Muddy Waters is that they offer multiple dairy-free milk options, like almond, soy, and oat (if you can tolerate GF oats).
For more information about Muddy Waters, visit their Facebook page.
Ice Cream Shops
Ben & Jerry's
There's a Ben & Jerry's right on Church Street, which is perfect for summer ice cream! Ben & Jerry's has multiple certified gluten-free flavors (like Phish Food, my favorite!), as well as dairy-free flavors, too! Since this is an ice cream shop with other gluten-containing ingredients present, make sure to ask them to wash their hands, use a clean scoop, and open a new container to prevent cross-contact.
More information about Ben & Jerry's flavors can be found on their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Palmer Lane Maple
Maple syrup is very popular in Vermont! We even had glass maple leaf bottles of syrup as our wedding favors, and they were a hit.
Palmer Lane Maple has award-winning maple syrup, maple candies, and everything maple you can possibly think of available for sale - even maple-flavored ice cream! This Vermont specialty of soft-serve ice cream is called a creemee, and you should definitely try a maple creemee from here. Palmer Lane Maple even has gluten-free cones to serve this delicious gluten-free ice cream!
My Favorites: Maple Syrup (Grade A or B), maple creemees!
Buy products online from Palmer Lane Maple or follow them on Facebook. Please be aware they close in the winter and are open limited weekends in the winter months. Spring/summer/fall are the best times to go!
Restaurants
El Cortijo Taqueria & Cantina
For dinner in downtown Burlington, you might be craving Mexican food and El Cortijo has authentic cuisine and fantastic dishes. They let you know which of their foods are gluten-free on the menu, but most of them are gluten-free and safe to eat. El Cortijo has dedicated fryers so their chips and salsa (or guac, yum) appetizer is good to go! Gluten-free items on the menu are marked clearly. They also have gluten-free churros!
My Favorites: Chips & Guacamole, Tacos, Bowls!
There is a second location of El Cortijo in Winooski, Vermont in addition to downtown Burlington. Read their current menu offerings at each location and follow El Cortijo on Facebook & Instagram.
Sweetwater's
Sweetwater’s is a converted bank-turned restaurant right on Church Street. his American bistro has an old vibe with both indoor and outdoor seating. Their cheeseburgers are tasty and they come on a locally made gluten-free bun from Against The Grain with mashed potatoes and salad.
This place gets very busy in the summer, so make sure you call ahead and speak to someone when you arrive about your needs. They have a separate gluten-free menu.
My Favorites: Burgers & Spinach Artichoke Dip (Ask for separate tortilla chips, not the ones they fry)
Read more about Sweetwater's or follow them on Facebook.
Mimmo's
Mimmo’s is my favorite spot for gluten-free pizza and pastas. Their menu also lists the importance of understanding the differences between celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Their staff has always been well-informed and educated every time we visit one of their locations.
My Favorites: Margherita Pizza, Caesar Salad
Mimmo's has locations in Essex Junction, St. Albans, and South Burlington. Mimmo's gluten-free menu can be found here and you can follow Mimmo's three locations on Facebook as well.
The Friendly Toast
The Friendly Toast is a great family-friendly (haha) stop!
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available all day at this diner and family-friendly stop! With locations all over New England, The Friendly Toast has everything from breakfast staples like eggs to sandwiches, burgers, and entrees. They have dedicated kitchen spaces for celiac diners, cognizant staff, and each gluten-free meal comes with an allergy stick. They also serve gluten-free toast that is made separately in the oven to prevent cross-contact.
Discover all of the locations of The Friendly Toast and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
The Tavern: The Essex Resort & Spa
We had our wedding reception with The Essex Resort and Spa and were continuously impressed with their attention to detail regarding my celiac disease.
The Essex Resort and Spa is a culinary institute. In addition to hosting special events like weddings, they also have demonstrations and their own restaurant called The Tavern. The Essex makes large strides to naturally cook their foods gluten-free to make accommodating for those with celiac easy. Their menu options are extensive and everything gluten-free is clearly labeled. They have gluten-free bread for sandwiches and also have a dedicated fryer!
The Tavern is open to all customers, not only Essex guests. The Spa is also a lovely place to relax and indulge in a weekend getaway!
My Favorites: Sandwiches, Burgers, or if you are there for breakfast - French Toast!
Get the latest menu offerings from The Tavern or follow them on Facebook.
East-West Cafe: CLOSED as of July 2021.
Unfortunately, this restaurant has closed down. On our last trip to Burlington, signs in the window said a new Thai restaurant is coming soon. Whether that restaurant will have gluten-free options that are safe for celiacs remains unknown.
Groceries/Shopping in Burlington
City Market
Make a stop at City Market supermarket & co-op. It’s on Winooski Avenue, just one block parallel to Church Street. This is a grocery store but it’s more like a miniature Whole Foods. They have a hot and cold bar, a deli, and a sandwich shop.
If you’re at the hot or cold bar, everything is clearly labeled and you’ll see “contains wheat” or “contains gluten” listed in addition to the ingredients. They have foods available for all types of diets and even offer products in bulk. There’s a gluten-free locally made granola with chocolate chips and cranberries that’s super tasty, and of course - local baked goods from West Meadow Farm & Vermont Gluten-Free, another dedicated facility in Montpelier!
Sandwiches at City Market Currently the sandwich counter at City Market is closed as of February 2022 due to staff shortage. Check with City Market for further updates.
When ordering a sandwich, tell the employee behind the counter if you have celiac. They will change their gloves, and place your items on foil, and make strong efforts to reduce cross-contact. The sandwiches here are served on local bread from West Meadow Farm or Udi's. You can have it toasted (they put the bread on foil and keep it apart from others) or cold.
My Favorites: North Country Melt Sandwich, West Meadow Farm baked goods!
Learn more about City Market's Co-Op program or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Cheese Traders
Cheese and Wine Traders, located in South Burlington, is a Vermont owned independent store featuring specialty products from all over the state of Vermont as well as lots of other tasty brand name itesm! They have wine, beers, ciders, snacks, cheeses (over 300), Vermont products, and lots of gluten-free food. Plus, their prices are really good (Siete Foods chips for $1.99? I'll take it!)
We love coming here to pick up snacks for hiking or travel days throughout the state of Vermont. They also have Cabot cheese and Red Leaf Beer (more about Red Leaf in a little bit!)
For more information about Cheese and Wine Traders, visit their website or Instagram. They are open from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily.
Saratoga Olive Oil Company
Saratoga Olive Oil Company makes olive oils and vinegar with unique flavors combinations! They also sell salts, soaps, and other household products that are all naturally made. The olive oils and vinegar from Saratoga are of excellent quality and you can even sample them right in the store!
This small shop is one of our go-to stops on Church Street. It's a great place to get a small souvenir or even buy gifts for family and friends.
My Favorites: Rosemary Sea Salt (perfect for roasted vegetables), Garlic Flavored Olive Oil, Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar
You can buy their products in-store on Church Street or buy them online, too! Follow Saratoga Olive Oil Company on Facebook and Instagram.
Breweries & Cideries
Citizen Cider
For local gluten-free hard cider and a menu featuring a dedicated fryer, try Citizen Cider. This cider joint and restaurant can be found on Pine Street just a short distance from downtown Church Street. You’ll also find Citizen Ciders sold in the supermarkets as one of Vermont’s other famous local products!
You can sample a flight of Citizen's current ciders or even try some gluten-free poutine to go with it!
My Favorites: Unified Press Cider, GF Poutine!
Find out more about visiting Citizen Cider's Tasting Room and where you can find their products for sale. Follow Citizen Cider on Facebook and Instagram to see their recent flavor releases!
Red Leaf Brewing Company
Did you know just outside of Burlington there's a dedicated gluten-free brewery!?
Red Leaf offers flights, cans to go, and full pours. They are small but such a fun place! Super friendly staff, great beer options, and a nice outdoor & indoor patio.
Founded in 2018 and credited as New England's first gluten-free brewery, Red Leaf has a taproom in Jeffersonville and its brewhouse in Fairfax. Definitely stop by to get a flight or try out their flavors of gluten-free beer.
My Favorites: Black Raz Magic Ale!
For more information about Red Leaf, visit their Facebook or Instagram page.
Shacksbury Cider
One of my all-time favorite ciders which can be found all over liquor stores in New England: Shacksbury!
Their cidery is located in Vergennes just south of Burlington, where you can visit for a tasting of their many delicious ciders. The great part about Shacksbury's ciders is they are very low in sugar, but still taste amazing!
My favorites: ALL OF THEM!
For more information about Shacksbury Cider, visit their website!
More About Vermont
Local produce and farmer’s markets are some of the best reasons to visit Vermont, especially in the summer and fall months. Vermonters know the importance of investing in farmers and their products, and they value them highly. Some great ways to contribute to these businesses include visiting the Burlington Farmer’s Market on the weekends and shopping local when you're here. And of course, there are all the places and restaurants on this gluten-free Burlington Vermont guide you can support too!
Final Thoughts on Gluten-Free Burlington Vermont
If you are planning a visit to Burlington, be sure to read our favorite things to do while you're here. And if you are curious about what planning a wedding in the Burlington area is like, read about our summer wedding experience with The Essex and the amazing vendors we worked with in Vermont!
I love returning to Vermont with Dylan and will continue to update this gluten-free Burlington, Vermont travel guide in the future. Vermont is such a special place!
Looking for more gluten-free travel guides in New England?
Wander up the coast of Maine for gluten-free donuts and another dedicated gluten-free brewery.
Go for a hike in New Hampshire and get the juiciest GF burger and fries with a homemade sauce (dedicated fryer, too!)
Check out the North Shore of Boston for the best breakfast sandwiches on homemade gluten-free herb & cheese bread at Crave.
Head into Boston for gluten-free donuts at Kane's - over 12 different flavors!
Sample all of the gluten-free drink choices in New England with breweries and cideries that are 100% gluten-free.
Have you ever visited Burlington, Vermont?
What are your favorite places for gluten-free food?
Leave me a comment with any other places I should add to this gluten-free Burlington Vermont travel guide!
KATHERINE says
Thank you!!!!!!!
Jennifer Fitzpatrick says
🙂
Carrie says
Thank you!! This is so helpful! 💜
Jennifer Fitzpatrick says
Of course! You're very welcome!