This gluten-free guide to the North Shore of Boston will show you all of my favorite local spots!
Guide last 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 on the North Shore of Boston since 2012, so I've got over a decade of experience that went into creating this list of gluten-free establishments and celiac safe spots on the North Shore of Boston. The North Shore has been a wonderful place to live - and I love it here!
This gluten-free guide to the North Shore of Boston is a bit different than the others I have created. It is organized by town, in alphabetical order, rather than by type of restaurant. Obviously, I don't have every town or every restaurant listed here, but this should be a good list to get you started. And I continue to update and add to this list as I explore new places!
For information on where to eat in Boston proper, check out my celiac safe guide to the city of Boston!
Here's where to find some of the best celiac safe spots on the North Shore of Boston!
Disclaimer: The recommendations listed here include dedicated gluten-free facilities (usually the safest spots) and also non-dedicated restaurants. I only recommend non-GF restaurants where I myself have personally visited or places that have protocols in place for celiac diners. Make sure to do your own research and use the information here as a guide to begin your journey on Boston's North Shore. This is a guide - an introduction, to point you in the right direction. Restaurants can change. Use your judgment and only eat where you feel safe doing so.
Gluten-Free North Shore of Boston
How To Find Gluten-Free Food in Massachusetts
Locating gluten-free food can be tough when you're traveling - and even when you're close to home! And while it's critical to speak to the restaurant directly to make sure their protocols work for you, sometimes you just want to get an idea of what's available. One of the best ways to do that 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 on the North Shore of Boston. Yes - you can use this app right in your own backyard! 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 the North Shore less stressful.
Here are some of my favorite places listed by town in the North of Boston area!
Beverly
Crave Cafe & Bakery
Crave is my absolute favorite celiac safe spot on the North Shore of Boston. Dylan and I visit almost every weekend for a delicious egg sandwich, coffee, scones, or cupcakes. I love Crave so much I wrote an entire post about them and their amazing dedication to providing safe gluten-free food. The owner's mother had celiac disease so they take things seriously and have celiac protocols in place. Read more about Crave!
UPDATE December 2021: Crave is opening a SECOND location in Salem! Stay tuned for the details!
My Favorites: North Shore Sandwich, Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes
Follow Crave on Instagram, Facebook, and learn about their current menu offerings.
Burlington
Twist Bakery & Cafe
100% Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility
Burlington is just outside of Boston. When Twist opened their second location here last summer, everyone went crazy!
Twist Bakery & Cafe creates absolutely scrumptious dishes, as well as cakes, cookies, baked goods, and more! This dedicated gluten-free facility is such a joy to visit and I always leave completely stuffed and wishing I bought more food!
Twist is the perfect spot for breakfast or lunch, to pick up some sweet treats, or to grab a bite before a big shopping trip at Wegman's right next door.
My Favorites: Anything on their homemade bread, pop tarts, cinnamon rolls, and grilled cheese!
Follow Twist on Instagram, Facebook, and check their current menu. Twist has a second location in Millis, Massachusetts.
Tavern in the Square
Tavern in the Square is a chain restaurant located throughout the Boston area and the North Shore. You can find this restaurant in my Boston gluten-free travel guide for good reason. They have excellent allergen protocols, dedicated fryers, prep spaces, and labeling for gluten-free dishes. It's a bar/grill with burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads, great appetizers, drinks and more.
My favorites: Parmesan Truffle Tots!
Tavern in the Square also has locations in Lowell and Wrentham, and locations in Rhode Island as well. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and check their current menus.
Danvers
Danvers Pizza & Subs
This husband and wife-owned restaurant is an absolute gem. They go above and beyond for their gluten-free guests by treating every gluten-free order as if it were for celiac disease. They have dedicated prep areas, allergen protocols, and as of January 2022, now have dedicated their fryers as well to be gluten-free. They are WONDERFUL! I interviewed them on the blog here - make sure you read all about their dedication to serving gluten-free food the right way!
My Favorites: Steak & Cheese Calzones, Margarita Pizza! Update: they are no longer offering GF calzones (bummer!) due to a lack of supply of the GF dough. But they have delicious pizzas, wings, and chicken tenders!
Follow Danvers Pizza & Subs on Instagram and check out their current menu offerings.
Cherry Farm Ice Cream
Cherry Farm has an extensive list of its gluten-free ice cream flavors. Though there are no gluten-free cones, it's still my favorite ice cream spot! They will wash their hands, use a freshly cleaned scoop, and a new tub of ice cream from their back freezer for you. And the best part?
Sprinkles! Cherry Farm has gluten-free sprinkles that are kept separate, too!
My Favorites: Chocolate Peanut Butter with chocolate sprinkles!
Follow Cherry Farm on Instagram, Facebook, and check out their current menu offerings (and seasonal flavors).
Essex
Woodman's
Woodman's is a famous seafood establishment on the North Shore of Boston that has been in business since 1914. Everything at Woodman's is gluten-free except their clam cakes, onion rings, and sandwiches. They have an enormous gluten-free menu and their fried fish, chicken fingers and French fries are crispy and delicious!
Woodman's also has gluten-free lobster rolls - a New England classic!
My Favorites: Combo Platter or Fish & Chips!
Follow Woodman's on Facebook and check out their current menu offerings.
Lynnfield
Burton's Grill
Burton's Grill is an American bar and grill serving salads, burgers, sandwiches, vegetables, and more. I had the opportunity to meet with some of Burton's staff during the Gluten-Free New England Expo and learned first-hand about their kitchen procedures, protocols, and practices.
My Favorites: Truffles Fries, Flourless Chocolate cake!
Follow Burton's Grill on Facebook, or check out their current menu.
Middleton
Sol Bean Cafe
For the best smoothies, wraps, and acai bowls around, head to Sol Bean Cafe!
Sol Bean is across the street from my former school. It was my go-to place for an afternoon smoothie, gluten-free panini, and gluten-free snack!
Sol Bean has specific protocols for gluten-free orders, and they will ask you if it is a preference or allergy, and then follow up if it is an allergy or celiac. They recently opened a new location down the street from their previous cafe, and the new space is gorgeous! It's bigger, brighter, and with plenty of spots to relax or get some work done.
My Favorites: Berry Bliss Smoothie, Veggie Wrap, Acai Bowl
Follow Sol Bean on Instagram, Facebook, and check their current menu offerings.
North Andover
It's All Good In The Kitchen
This 100% gluten-free bakery and cafe used to be located in Southern New Hampshire, but has now moved to Mass! Since this is a bit of a hike for me to get up to North Andover, it's still on my list to visit, but I love seeing the sandwiches, treats, and sweets they create. AND I love supporting local places that are 100% gluten-free!
For more information about It's All Good, check out their website, Facebook, or Instagram. I'll be posting updated photos once I've visited sometime soon!
Saugus
Kane's Donuts
Kane's is a local favorite in the Boston area, and their gluten-free donuts (with 12 different flavors!) are sinfully good! In 2020, they made big changes to include a dedicated gluten-free kitchen as part of my gluten-free consulting services. Bravo, Kane's!
Kane's donuts are gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. You can find them at Kane's in Saugus, Revere, and Boston, as they have 3 locations. Their Lincoln Avenue is the dedicated GF kitchen, but their GF donuts are available at all locations.
My Favorites: Old Fashioned, Chocolate Glazed, Maple Bacon
For more information about Kane's and their gluten-free menu, check out their website, Facebook page, or Instagram.
110 Grill
110 Grill has multiple locations in Boston proper and the Boston area. 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 on gluten-free and allergen protocols.
My Favorites: Pulled pork mac and cheese, flourless chocolate cake!
For more information about 110 Grill, visit their website, Facebook page, or Instagram.
Salem
Far From The Tree
My all-time favorite cidery is Far From The Tree in Salem!
My first experience trying hard cider was here at Far From The Tree back when they opened in 2015. When they first opened, Far From The Tree only had a few flavors and they weren't even offering full pours - only flights! Since then, Far From The Tree has exploded as one of the best places in Salem, and you can now find their cans of cider all over the Boston area.
You can find Dylan and me at Far From The Tree on the weekends, especially during the summer. Our favorite spot is the outdoor patio, where the fresh herbs they use in the ciders are grown, and where locals bring their friends and dogs to relax and have a drink.
They are an awesome place and worth the visit! All of the ciders are 100% gluten-free (unless noted otherwise), and their flavors are always full of surprises!
My Favorites: Apple of My Chai, Chord, Lei, and their summer slushie drinks.
Read more about Far From The Tree and what's on tap on their website, or visit their tasting room in person. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to see their recent brews!
Melt
Melt is a seasonal ice cream parlor in Salem, open during the spring, summer, and fall months. They make crazy combinations and ice cream flavors and are one of the best places for allergen protocols in Salem - they even have a certificate hanging inside of their allergen training on display!
Melt's staff will explain to you which flavors are gluten-free (there are plenty), and will offer you gluten-free cones. They will also wash their hands, use a fresh scoop, and follow proper protocols for celiac customers.
My Favorites: Banana Nutella, Raspberry Sorbet
Follow Melt on Instagram and Facebook, and check back later in the spring to see when they open for the season!
Wilmington
Red Heat Tavern
Red Heat Tavern is a sister restaurant to Burton's Grill with additionally amazing gluten-free menus, protocols, and dedication to serving gluten-free customers safely. They have great appetizers, mains, and sides. I honestly, like Red Heat even better than Burton's! Make sure you read this interview with their VP of Culinary to learn about their commitment to serving gluten-free food the right way.
My Favorites: Tater Tots Appetizer, Burgers & Fries!
Learn more about Red Heat on their website (they have 5 locations) or social media.
Woburn
Something Sweet Without Wheat
100% Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility
This gluten-free bakery has everything you need for weekly dinners, holidays, events, and parties! You can visit their store in Woburn, or place orders online for all of your favorite treats. Their products are gluten-free and nut-free. They have bread, cookies, cakes, pastries, and more! I've also found their products at local farm stands on the North Shore, including Russell Orchards in Ipswich and Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury.
Learn more about Something Sweet Without Wheat by following them on Instagram, Facebook, or place an order online.
Looking for more gluten-free travel guides in New England?
Head into Boston proper for some tasty Italian fare at La Famiglia Giorgio's.
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.
Those are my favorite places that are gluten-free on the North Shore of Boston! What are yours?
Have you ever visited gluten-free places on the North Shore of Boston?
Leave a comment below with your favorite celiac safe spot!
Linda says
What restaurant is that pizza from?
Jennifer Fitzpatrick says
Hi Linda, it's actually from Keste Pizza in New York City! You can read more about it on my NYC guide here: https://www.thenomadicfitzpatricks.com/gluten-free-new-york-city/