Gluten-Free New York City Dining Guide

New York is one of the best destinations for incredible gluten-free food. And this gluten-free guide to New York City will show you some of the restaurants, bakeries, & cafes in NYC you should definitely try!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more information. This post was last updated in August of 2022.

About This Gluten-Free Guide to NYC

This guide will share the gluten-free restaurants in New York City that should definitely be on your NYC bucket list if you have celiac disease or follow a gluten-free diet. The restaurants here will make you feel normal, have you drooling or crying over how delicious the food tastes! NYC is a dreamy destination for celiacs, and I firmly believe it's one of the absolute best places for gluten-free food.

Am I biased because I'm from New York? Probably. But I think it's justified.

Heads up! This guide is not a complete, comprehensive guide of all the gluten-free restaurants in New York City. I'm sharing the places that I love visiting and that I think you will too. If you're looking to expand beyond what's listed here (and I list quite a few places), at the bottom of this guide you'll find links to other gluten-free & celiac bloggers that live in NYC.

I also come back to the city multiple times a year so I keep adding to this guide and updating it with new restaurants. Be sure to check back for updates, and take a look at the Google map below to see where these places are located in Manhattan!

Also be sure to check out my YouTube Video which highlights some of my favorite 100% gluten-free spots! If you like this video, subscribe for more!

This guide only contains gluten-free places in Manhattan and not the other boroughs.

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 I have visited or where clear protocols are in place for celiac diners.

My experience is not your experience. This is a guide – a list of suggestions to point you in the right direction. Restaurants can change. Use your own judgment and only eat where you feel safe doing so.

Gluten-Free New York City Restaurant Guide

A Little Back Story About My Love For NYC...

As a native New Yorker, the city holds a special place in my heart.

I grew up on Long Island and come from a family of FDNY firefighters. My Dad and uncle were both first responders after 9/11.

A year later, my parents and I moved to Florida, but I never lost my loyalty and love for New York. It reminds me of my childhood, makes me proud to be from New York, and now with celiac disease, I love it even more!

I loved New York so much that after college, I scored a summer internship in the city for two months. I got paid $50 a day to do data entry for a non-profit, but I didn't care. It was NYC, and I was back in the place that felt like home!

The only bummer at the time was that I was still newly diagnosed with celiac disease (less than 2 years) and the gluten-free scene was minimal.

There was an Italian place called Risoterria in the West Village that was 100% gluten-free, and they even brought gluten-free breadsticks to your table. Unfortunately, they closed in 2016, and I didn't really have chance to discover the gluten-free & celiac safe food scene until the last few years.

And I am SO happy that my beloved New York is now even more special to me because it is seriously HEAVEN for celiacs and gluten-free folks! New York City has lots of delicious gluten-free food. You will be so excited to have options because there will be many, and it will be so empowering eating at these restaurants. If you've been feeling down about celiac disease and need a boost - New York City will bring some serotonin for sure.

How To Find Gluten-Free Food in New York City

While this guide will give you my personal recommendations to point you in the right direction for where to eat in Manhattan, you might need to explore other options.

I get it. New York City is MASSIVE. I've noticed a large concentration of gluten-free places are downtown in the West Village near Washington Square Park, but you can definitely find gluten-free food in Midtown, the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and in lower Manhattan too.

But maybe you're planning to visit the other boroughs... or you want to venture out to more than what is listed here in this gluten-free New York City guide. Or maybe, you're looking for a hotel and place to stay that offers a gluten-free breakfast option.

That's why I highly recommend doing your research on an app/website like FindMeGlutenFree.

FindMeGlutenFree can help you get an idea what other fabulous gluten-free restaurants & safe food choices are in New York. 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 trip to NYC a big success!

Dining Out In New York City With Celiac Disease

If you ask anyone with celiac disease, they'll usually agree that New York City is at the top of the list for celiac safe & gluten-free food. And while many of the places listed in this guide are 100% gluten-free, some of them are not.

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.

Based on my 13 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.

Now, let's get to the food and the places you GOTTA check out in NYC!

100% Gluten-Free Bakeries in New York City

Modern Bread & Bagel (Thyme & Tonic too!)

100% Gluten-Free

The best damn bagels of all time. I know a good bagel, and this bakery/deli knocks it out of the park! Crunchy outside, soft inside, perfect texture and so fluffy. They truly are the best gluten-free bagels I've ever had (and I've made them from scratch myself.) They also sell other breads, baked goods, sandwiches, and more, but my priority is their bagels!

Upon visiting in September of 2021, I was so wowed by the first everything bagels with cream cheese I had to go back inside for a second one. But this time I went for sweet over savory, and got a cinnamon raisin bagel to enjoy on my walk through Central Park. Worth it!

Modern has a sister restaurant, Arba, which serves Mediterranean fare and is also 100% gluten-free & located at the same place. You'll find lots of salads, vegetables, and savory foods to enjoy.

Next door, there is Thyme and Tonic, also 100% gluten-free, but I haven't had a chance to visit. They are known for their plant-based foods and tasty cocktails.

The only challenge about Modern is their location wayyyy up on the Upper West Side, so it's not as easy to get to. But as of the summer of 2022 they now also have a midtown location too! Hooray! I visited this new location in August of 2022 and thought it was great! Small, a few tables to sit down, but definitely more convenient than their location way uptown.

And if you don't have any plans to visit New York City but you still are drooling over the thought of a bagel, You can also have them shipped right to your door! Shipping is expensive, but the bagels hold up well, freeze well, and still taste delicious right at home.

For more information about Modern Bread & Bagel, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

Posh Pop Bakeshop

100% Gluten-Free

The most insane dedicated gluten-free bakery ever. And by insane, I mean decadent, rich, blow your mind combinations! You'll walk in and have a lot of decision fatigue because everything will have your jaw on the floor.

I opted for the s'mores brownie (amazing) and the red velvet cheesecake (double amazing). No matter what you get in here, you'll be set up for a sweet treat. The cakes are moist, have a light texture, and again, you'll probably want one of everything.

Posh Pop is located by Greenwich Village in lower Manhattan, not far from Washington Square Park. They also ship across the US so you can try their cakes, cookies, brownies, and more right at home! My friend Taylor of That's So Celiac had their gluten and dairy free brownies shipped my way for my birthday this year (Thanks, Taylor!) and they were outrageous with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream.

For more information about Posh Pop, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

NoGlu

100% Gluten-Free

Another fantastic bakery is NoGlu, a dedicated gluten-free bakery. NoGlu has a sister bakery in Paris as well, which is beloved by many celiacs and gluten-free folks that visit France.

NoGlu is currently remodeling a larger space just down the block from their current location. Right now they are just for takeout/pickup. They have lots of great pastries to choose from. They are located on the upper east side.

Pictured above is the gluten-free lemon tart, which was fantastic! Even my best friend Kristen (who does not eat GF or have celiac) agreed that you couldn't even tell it was gluten-free. She loved it!

For more information about NoGlu, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

There are other gluten-free bakeries in New York City, including Erin McKenna's (gluten-free & vegan) and By The Way Bakery (gluten & dairy free) too! I've tried both of their baked goods and can contest they are tasty! I've just have not been to their storefronts in person in NYC.

100% Gluten-Free Restaurants in New York City

Senza Gluten

100% Gluten-Free

A fantastic 100% dedicated gluten-free facility. Everything they serve is amazing!

And the best part is - there's actually 2 locations and 2 separate restaurants!

There's the Senza Gluten Restaurant, serving up Italian specialties for dinner only. Then there's also their Cafe/Bakery is open for lunch with baked goods, paninis, and more. You can't go wrong with your order here. Both of these are located in lower Manhattan just outside Greenwich Village & Washington Square Park.

Please be aware that the Cafe/Bakery is open for lunch whereas the Restaurant is currently only open for dinner. These two spots are within one block of each other. They also ship their baked goods!

For more information about Senza, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

Tap NYC

100% Gluten-Free

TAP is a Brazilian restaurant/cafe. It's also 100% gluten-free and they have multiple locations around the city!

This restaurant focuses on Brazilian specialties like tapioca, pão de queijo - Brazilian cheese bread (pictured above), and acai. A lot of Brazilian foods rely on naturally gluten-free ingredients, like tapioca/cassava flour, a main component of the cheese bread! They have smoothies, bowls, sandwiches, wraps, and more.

I definitely enjoyed the cheese bread and their acai bowl (PowerBowl) is a good size - not too big, with fresh berries, granola, and peanut butter mixed in. A nice option for breakfast or a snack!

For more information about TAP, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

Little Beet

100% Gluten-Free

Serving up hearty bowls and focusing on plant-based foods, The Little Beet is a great option for a healthy gluten-free meal. I got a rice bowl on one of my rainy days here to balance out all of the sweets and treats I was eating - I was craving vegetables at that point!

IMPORTANT: The Little Beet is a chain restaurant with multiple locations in the city. This chain restaurant/fast casual option is 100% gluten-free. Their sit-down, more formal restaurant, The Little Beet Table is not dedicated GF, but has gluten-free options.

For more information about The Little Beet, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

While still on my list to visit, Risoterria Melotti and Wild are both 100% gluten-free restaurants that come with rave reviews from other celiacs online. Check them out!

Restaurants With Gluten-Free Options in New York City

Keste Pizza

While not a 100% gluten-free facility, Keste is renowned for having incredible pizza recipes and celiac protocols. And their inspiration comes right from Naples, Italy. They also have salads, and even arencini - fried rice balls - something I enjoyed at Mama Eat in Milan, Italy. They have a dedicated oven, fryer, prep space, and ingredients for their gluten-free pizzas, and they use a special flour - Fiorglut, a flour made in Italy that you can buy on Amazon.

Please Note: This gluten-free flour contains gluten-free wheat starch. That means the gluten protein is removed from the wheat, leaving the starch behind. Now I know that sounds confusing, but is safe for celiacs to consume. However, it is not safe for those with a wheat allergy. For more information about this flour with this confusing ingredient, click here.

Keste's pizzas taste like the real deal thanks to not only that ingredient for a fluffy crust, but for their diligence to providing a safe and delicious dining experience. Keste is located on the Lower East Side/Financial District. You can also SHIP their pizzas to you on GoldBelly, but they are expensive.

For more information about Keste Pizza, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

Friedman's

Another chain restaurant with multiple locations around the city and excellent allergen protocols! They have sandwiches, fries (dedicated fryer), and even FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES! The texture of the waffle was perfect - pulling it apart felt like a real, waffle, that I was tempted to double check with the server that it was in fact, gluten-free. They come served with a hot honey sauce to dip them in but honestly? I would've eaten the waffle and the chicken plain.

You're bound to be able to find a Friedman's nearby to wherever you are in NYC. They have 9 different locations so this is a great breakfast/lunch/dinner option with salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more. As always, make sure to speak up about your needs as this is not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant. If you aren't sure if there's a Friedman's close to you, check the Google Map at the top of the guide to look for them.

For more information about Friedman's, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

Lilli & Loo

As someone with celiac disease, safe Chinese food is RARE. But at Lilli and Loo, you have an entire menu of celiac safe options to choose from.

Located on the east side of Midtown, Lilli and Loo is a Chinese restaurant. Immediately upon arrival, you are asked if anyone in your party is gluten-free. They have an entire (two-page!) gluten-free menu as well as dedicated kitchen space, fryer, and GF Labels for their takeout too.

I was so excited to try Lilli and Loo and the food was, seriously, very good. I ordered GF Lo Mein and GF FRIED (what!?) pork dumplings. I only recently started liking Asian-inspired noodle dishes (It took me traveling to Thailand to fall in love with pad thai), but I thought it was well seasoned and tasty. The fried dumplings had a nice outer crunch and a yummy pork filling.

I'd definitely make a point to come back here for dinner or takeout!

For more information about Lilli and Loo, visit their website or Facebook page. They don't really use Instagram.

If you like sushi, check out Nami Nori! I'm not a big sushi person, but Nami Nori is 100% gluten-free and lots of my fellow celiacs rave about their food! They have locations in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) and the West Village.

More NYC Gluten-Free Places

Again, this definitely isn't an entire list of ALL the amazing options in New York City. This is just the start of a guide I will continue to add to. But I hope this has given you inspiration to add to your celiac bucket list for your time in New York City!

For other gluten-free places in New York, check out my NYC-based gluten-free blogger friends who share their gluten-free adventures on Instagram:

Jessica from Tasty Meditation

Christina of Gluten-Free Living BK

And if you want an updated list of all the gluten-free restaurants in NYC, check out this list from Gluten-Free Globetrotter.

Looking for more gluten-free restaurant guides in the Northeast?

Head into Boston for more gluten-free donuts at Kane's Donuts.

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: Red Leaf!

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 Colombian arepas.

Sample all of the gluten-free drink choices in New England with breweries and cideries that are 100% gluten-free.

Have you been to New York City?

What's your favorite gluten-free restaurant in Manhattan?

Let me know in the comments where I should visit next time I'm there!