Gluten-Free Burlington Vermont Guide

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 last updated April 2024. Please remember to check the websites of these restaurants or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information!

Over the last 10+ years of traveling with celiac disease to Vermont, I've discovered the best spots and restaurants for gluten-free food. In this gluten-free Burlington guide, you'll find dedicated gluten-free facilities, restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and more - there are lots of options for celiacs in the Burlington area!

What To Expect in This Gluten-Free Burlington Guide

Full disclosure: I truly LOVE Vermont and it's my happy place. My husband Dylan grew up in the Burlington area, we got engaged in Vermont at Mount Philo, and then a year later, had an almost entirely 100% gluten-free wedding in Essex (You can read about it here!).

So I will say, we are a teensy bit biased about Vermont because it holds special memories. But also, it's also a really fun place to plan a weekend if you have celiac disease.

With rolling hills, outdoor enthusiasts, and a 60's vibe, Burlington is home to the University of Vermont and adjacent to Lake Champlain. Since it's a college town, you're going to find lots of coffee shops and cafes. And since Vermont is big on supporting local agriculture, there are also plenty of farmer's markets and restaurants with good food.

In this gluten-free Burlington guide you're going to see the restaurants not just in Burlington proper, but the surrounding area, in case you want to venture out (like heading over to Red Leaf for a beer, or West Meadow for some baked goods - both 100% gluten-free!) And I'm also including the places where we find gluten-free products so you can stock up on snacks while you're here!

Remember, I don't live in Burlington - I just visit it often, and love doing so! This gluten-free Burlington guide doesn't have every restaurant in Burlington but should give you a starting point to help you decide where to eat and visit with celiac disease.

I'm always updating this gluten-free Burlington Vermont guide as I try out new restaurants, so check back for updates!

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.

This gluten-free Burlington Vermont guide is a list of suggestions to point you in the right direction. Restaurants can change. For non-dedicated facilities, always exercise caution. Use your own judgment and only eat where you feel safe doing so.

Gluten-Free Guide to Burlington, Vermont

This gluten-free guide to Burlington, Vermont 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.

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 of 802!).

Things are pretty spaced out, and it can be hard to find restaurants sometimes in rural areas. This guide will give you suggestions and my personal recommendations to point you in the right direction for eating gluten-free in Burlington and the surrounding area, 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.

Dining Out In Burlington With Celiac Disease

As I recommend to all of my clients for dining out with celiac, you want to make sure to clarify what gluten-free means when you order food at a restaurant. There are no guarantees for dining out with celiac.

Unfortunately, due to the presence of fad dieters, gluten-friendly and gluten-sensitive menus, people with celiac disease struggle to be taken seriously when dining in restaurants.

Based on my 14+ years with celiac disease and my multiple restaurant allergen trainings, I suggest using the words severe gluten allergy when dining out and then clarifying celiac disease. Also, be sure to tell your server about how you need your food prepared to prevent cross-contact.

Hotel Recommendation for Burlington

Not sure where to stay when visiting Burlington? I get it. Let me help you by recommending the hotel we always visit: The Best Western!

The Best Western located next to the Windjammer Restaurant is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Burlington, meaning you'll have cheaper prices than by the Lake. Additionally, this location has a list of gluten-free options available for breakfast in their dining area. Plus they offer Udi's bagels sealed in their own bags so no cross-contact. Huzzah! A great option if you want to be close to downtown Burlington without the crazy prices, and where you can safely have breakfast in the morning.

Other breakfast options I've had at this hotel along with the bagels are fresh yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, juice, tea, and coffee.

100% Gluten-Free in the Burlington Area

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.

West Meadow has everything from freshly baked breads to made to order cakes, cookies, cream puffs, cinnamon rolls, pies, pastries, bagels, and more. They even have used other dedicated gluten-free products from Vermont (Like Red Leaf's beers - more on that later) in their baked goods. Gotta love one gluten-free small biz supporting another one!

While I feel like it's easy to find cookies and desserts at gluten-free bakeries, I don't often find cream puffs. Definitely recommend getting these, or their donut bites. But really, you can't go wrong here - everything is scrumptious.

Pro Tip: If you go to West Meadow on a Saturday, that's when they make fresh bagels. You can ask for them to toast one for you and top it with butter or cream cheese. Seen above is one of their GF everything bagels with cream cheese. It wasn't a Modern NY bagel, but had great texture, crunch, and taste.

Learn more about West Meadow Farm and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

EcoBean & Greens: 100% Gluten, Soy, & GMO Free

A 100% Gluten-free restaurant in South Burlington, yippee! We recently checked out EcoBean when visiting in October of 2022. I'm not sure how we hadn't heard of this place in the last few years, but it's now on the map and I'm definitely going back!

EcoBean is a 100% Gluten, Soy, and GMO free restaurant. They are an organic cafe that uses mostly local ingredients to create their bowls, wraps, salads, stews, and smoothies. From soups to rice bowls to wraps made with Quinoa tortillas (yes, quinoa!), everything here is gluten-free and focused on high-quality, fresh ingredients.

At the time of our visit, there was no option to sit down inside, but there were high-top tables outside so we ordered our food to go. Dylan had a barbacoa rice bowl, and I got the chicken Caesar wrap. Both were very good! I'd say the bacon was a little too crispy for my liking, but the wrap had great texture and didn't fall apart. Dylan's rice bowl was really good and if we go back, I'll probably get it or one of their warm bowls.

EcoBean also has smoothies and acai bowls to go in their cooler inside the restaurant. It was a popular spot as many people were stopping in for their orders when we were there, which tells me it's a place that has good food!

While not a sit-down place where you could have someone wait on you, this is an excellent option for anyone in the Burlington area. They are in South Burlington, so you'd need a car (or the bus) to get here from the downtown Burlington area.

For more information about EcoBean, check out their website, Facebook, or 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 becoming a coffee addict and latte snob. 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). The inside of the coffee shop is covered in plants, and people leave little handwritten quotes inside the brick walls for others to find. They also have fresh whipped cream on a regular basis to add to your hot chocolate!

For more information about Muddy Waters, visit their Facebook page.

Smoothies & Juices

Thorn & Roots

Located right on Church Street, Thorn and Roots is an avocado toast juice bar with bowls and healthy eats. Like most smoothie or juice places, they have clear ingredients listed and labeled and can tell you what allergens to be mindful of. You can also ask them to wash a blender with soap and water if cross-contact is a concern.

Since I only drink smoothies in the warmer months, I've only been here once or twice in the summer, but the acai bowl was a great breakfast snack. Fresh fruit, nut butter, sliced coconut, and acai made for a yummy and filling meal. The staff was very attentive to my needs when I asked questions and respectful of my gluten-free diet, which I appreciated!

To learn more about Thorn & Roots, visit their website or follow them on social media. They actually have 3 locations - one in Burlington, VT, one in Saratoga Springs, NY, and one in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Restaurants

Bliss Bee

A recent discovery while visiting Burlington and a place I'll definitely go back to. Bliss Bee is located in South Burlington but is worth the drive. Bliss Bee's menu is 99% gluten-free, and their fryers are all gluten-free. Their specialty is fried chicken and it's super tasty. They have fried chicken sandwiches, grain bowls, salads, shakes, and more. You can read their allergen statement here.

This is a place you can get to go or sit down and order. If you order from your table, please be advised there is nowhere to indicate allergens or celiac on their online order form. We did this and then I went up to the counter and let them know of my order and which items I needed prepared celiac safe. They took care of it and I heard the server explaining to the kitchen staff "This salad needs to be prepared for a celiac". Good sign!

I got the Crispy Chicken bowl with grains & greens and it had sliced apple, sunflower seeds, and a side of ranch dressing. I opted to leave the cheese out. I ordered this with a side of fries, because why not!? Everything was delicious and I took some back to our hotel for leftovers.

For more information about Bliss Bee, visit their website or follow them on social media. This is a relatively new restaurant, but it's already got tons of positive reviews on Find Me Gluten Free! They also have a location in Williston.

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. Almost the entire menu is gluten-free anyway!

El Cortijo has dedicated fryers so their chips and salsa (or guac, yum) appetizer is good to go! Nothing containing gluten goes in their fryers. Gluten-free items on the menu are marked clearly. I usually get some of their tacos, and by the time I'm done eating them the rice, and the chips & guacamole, I have no room for dessert. And it's a bummer because they actually have gluten-free churros!

My favorite items to order here are the carnitas tacos, but sometimes I'll do a carnitas rice bowl instead. Everything is tasty, and these are unique tacos that come on soft corn tortillas. The only gluten you need to really worry about are the flour tortillas for burritos. The staff is always willing to answer questions and explain their processes.

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.

The Friendly Toast

The Friendly Toast is a great family-friendly stop for breakfast or lunch. They have funky decor, GF items marked on their extensive menu, and strong allergen protocols in place.

With locations all over New England, The Friendly Toast has everything from breakfast staples like eggs to sandwiches, burgers, and entrees. Their staff takes note of allergies 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.

I like their omelets and bowls, like their Medley Crue bowl, which is a mixture of veggies and potatoes topped with 2 poached eggs. And with the allergy stick on top, it makes it a great brunch!

Discover all of the locations of The Friendly Toast and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Folino's

This is the pizza I've recreated on my website in my own recipe because it's so good. But please be aware that this is not a dedicated gluten-free facility, and my last experience here required a lot of questions & protocol clarification via phone. Other reviewers have shared on Find Me Gluten Free that they have also had more negative experiences as of late. My experience was good, but just be mindful. Or maybe check out Pizzeria Verita, which is known for great protocols!

Folino's has gluten-free pizza crusts, which they prepare separately, with separate toppings (almost all of their toppings are gluten-free, just ask) and they cook their pizzas on foil. They also use a clean/separate pizza cutter. Pizza places can be tough when you have celiac disease, (So please make the best decision for your celiac needs!) but they are extremely good about knowing their ingredients (all but 2 toppings are gluten-free), and sharing their steps and protocols for cooking gluten-free pizzas.

If you do visit Folino's, get the leeky chicken pizza. Trust me. It has buffalo chicken, bacon, ranch, cheese, and some leeks on top. I'm usually a classic Margherita pizza gal, but this one knocks it out of the park. Unfortunately, this pizza shop is known for being pricey, and toppings/gluten-free crusts cost extra.

Folino's has more than one location, and one is conveniently located next to City Market downtown. The others are in Williston and Shelburne. Find Folino's on Instagram or Facebook, or visit their website for more information.

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. Again, just outside of Burlington (20 minute drive) in the town of Essex, but worth the drive for a great meal.

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!

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!

If you're here for breakfast, I recommend the French toast!

Get the latest menu offerings from The Tavern or follow them on Facebook.

Other Places in Burlington With Gluten-Free Options

Vermont Pub & Brewery: I've only eaten here once. While they had GF burger buns, I had to be diligent in explaining my cross-contact measures and what I needed to ensure no gluten got into my food. The burger was good and prepared separately and came out with an allergy stick.

Zero Gravity Brewery: While the beer is definitely not gluten-free, they have clear GF items marked on their menu and a dedicated fryer for gluten-free fries. Always confirm and double-check in case that has changed! I had their signature salad and a basket of fries with aioli, but had to remind them twice about changing gloves and that my order was for an allergy (The bartender couldn't really be bothered.)

Ri Ra: An Irish pub chain with a location on Church Street. Limited gluten-free options on the menu, but the server was knowledgeable and able to prepare something for me. I ordered a cobb salad and asked for fresh ingredients, changing of gloves, and confirmed the chicken was gluten-free. Didn't have any issues, but probably wouldn't go back as they didn't have much.

Ice Cream Shops

Ben & Jerry's

You've gotta get Ben & Jerry's ice cream if you're eating gluten-free in Burlington, Vermont!

There's a Ben & Jerry's right on Church Street, making it the perfect spot to grab a cup of ice cream and walk down the brick-lined pathway. 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. You won't be able to get any of the cones here, but you can still have the ice cream. And that's a win!

More information about Ben & Jerry's flavors can be found on their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

Palmer Lane Maple

A little outside of downtown Burlington, but worth the drive! Maple syrup is very popular in Vermont. So popular, in fact, that Dylan and I even had glass maple leaf bottles of syrup as our wedding favors, and they were a hit. You'll find maple syrup is used a lot in Vermont, but especially for their desserts like creemees or as a sweetener in coffee drinks and lattes.

Palmer Lane Maple located in Jericho (about 25 minutes outside downtown Burlington) 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. Just make sure to tell them you have an allergy so they can follow gluten-free protocols.

Buy products online from Palmer Lane Maple or follow them on Facebook. Please be aware they close in the winter and are open for limited weekends in the winter months. Spring/summer/fall are the best times to go!

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 too. They used to have a sandwich shop, but it has since closed due to staff shortages from the pandemic.

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. But the best part is the gluten-free section over on the left hand side of the store. Here you'll find shelves labeled GF that offer local baked goods from West Meadow Farm & Vermont Gluten-Free, another dedicated facility in Montpelier, and now as of 2024, FRESH GLUTEN-FREE SOURDOUGH BREAD FROM BONTE BAKERY!

Yes, this bread is really gluten-free! Bonté Bakery is a 100% gluten-free facility making artisan breads and pizza crusts and their sourdough is UNREAL. I discovered them at a gluten-free expo last fall and safe to say, my life has never been the same. Artisan breads just don't exist with celiac disease in my experience, and this is next level! The taste, texture, crunch, and overall look remind me of real bread from my pre-celiac days. You can find their loaves at City Market in Burlington, and at other markets throughout Vermont, but they also ship! A must-buy when you are visiting the Green Mountain State!

Learn more about City Market's Co-Op program or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Cheese Traders - CLOSED PERMANENTLY

Unfortunately, Cheese Traders has suddenly closed its doors. It's sad because they did so suddenly after more than 30 years in business, with no warning to their employees. We will miss stopping here for gluten-free snacks & drinks. More information can be found in this article.

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. And if you're visiting Burlington on a gluten-free diet, it's always a good idea to have some snacks!

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 flavor 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.

We always buy a container of the Rosemary Sea Salt (perfect for roasted vegetables), and love their garlic or chipotle flavored oils.

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

Nothing says gluten-free Burlington Vermont like Citizen Cider! Citizen Cider is a cider joint and restaurant that 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 favorite cider from Citizen is their classic - Unified Press. Not overly sweet, but just right, in my opinion.

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 45 minutes outside of Burlington there's a dedicated gluten-free brewery!? And it's the FIRST 100% gluten-free brewery in all of New England?

It's true!

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.

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. They recently moved to a new location just up the road from their original place so now there's even more room!

I really liked the Black Raz Magic Ale, which is a raspberry beer (I'm definitely a fruity beer person), or even their pumpkin ale in the fall. I mean, pumpkin beer, in a glass with cinnamon sugar, in the fall? In Vermont, with the beautiful leaves changing?

Sounds like an inclusive celiac experience to me.

For more information about Red Leaf, visit their Facebook or Instagram page.

Other Gluten-Free Spots in Vermont To Check Out

These places are not in the Burlington area, but I just had to share them because I really enjoyed them. Vermont isn't the biggest state, and maybe you're going to be passing through these places on your drive to Burlington, and you're looking for somewhere to stop for a bite to eat!

Brattleboro: Dosa Kitchen (100% Gluten-Free Food Truck)

Have you ever had a dosa? Dosas are a common street food in South India. This 100% gluten-free food truck uses traditional Indian cooking techniques to share their rice & lentil based crepes with all sorts of fillings and toppings. Having never had one before, I was shocked by how delicious these are and Dylan was too.

This food truck is open seasonally (May - October) only on weekends outside the Grafton Village Cheese Company in Brattleboro, Vermont. Their entire menu is gluten-free and they also offer dairy-free and vegan options. Their Dosa batter can even be purchased inside the Cheese Company's shop right behind the food truck. They have tents and outdoor seating available.

I got the Masala Dosa, which was filled with potatoes, sambar (Lentil-based veggie stew), and coconut chutney. Dylan had the Grafton Cheddar Dosa which was filled with fresh cheese from the cheese shop next door. We also got Mango Lassi to drink, something we enjoyed during our time in Asia but haven't had in years! It's a yogurt-based drink, kind of like a thick smoothie.

For more information about Dosa Kitchen, visit their website or follow them on social media. We will definitely be back when driving through Brattleboro!

Stowe: Ranch Camp

If you're heading to Stowe (I know, a bit farther south than Burlington, but I had to include it in this guide!) to check out the leaves, definitely make a stop at Ranch Camp! Ranch Camp does beer, burritos, and bikes, but they are also a full sit-down restaurant with gluten-free options. Gluten-free meals come out with allergen toothpicks and they have protocols in place.

I really enjoyed their salads. This one with goat cheese, avocado, apples, and brussel sprouts hit the spot when Dylan and I were leaf-peeping with his grandparents one October.

For more information about Ranch Camp, visit their website or follow them on Instagram. They are closed on Thursdays.

Looking for places to do some leaf peeping in New England, like the beautiful Stowe, Vermont? Check out our favorite fall foliage spots having lived here for 10+ years.

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 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.

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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!