Boston is one of my favorite cities…that’s largely why I chose to go to school there! One of my favorite things about the city is the wide variety of options they have in terms of the food scene. From seafood to good donuts to delicious tacos, you can truly find whatever you are looking for in Boston! Below you will find all of the restaurants/spots that I trust to provide me with delicious and Celiac-safe gluten-free food!
Click on the name of each restaurant to visit their website.
Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar
Loco is my favorite restaurant to eat at when I’m in the city…even if it is about a 20 minute ride from Downtown Boston to South Boston. When you walk into this modern Mexican spot, you can see the large bar that takes up the center of the restaurant and serves a variety of margaritas for those of you that are of age! The rest of the restaurant is filled with booths and tables where you can enjoy a variety of GF appetizers (my favorite being the nachos and the pineapple salsa) and as many tacos as you can eat! The menu denotes what CONTAINS gluten rather than what is gluten-free because almost the whole menu is GF…a Celiac’s dream! You can order a few different types of tacos, mixing and matching in order to try them all. If you like Mexican food, or just good tacos, this place is a MUST stop.
The Friendly Toast
The Friendly Toast is THE place in Boston for breakfast, lunch, or my personal favorite, brunch. The inside of the Back Bay location is filled with eclectic decorations, retro-style diner booths, and customers filling up on amazing food. Although they do not have a designated gluten-free menu, our server was incredibly knowledgeable about what on the menu could be made gluten-free. She explained that they have a separate GF grill, but not a separate fryer, so pancakes and omelette would be fine, but not fries. The omelette, toast and potatoes was the perfect classic breakfast, and the pancakes that my dad and I split were fluffy and delicious. If you are craving pancakes or eggs, The Friendly Toast is your place. Just make sure you check their website for their live wait time and use their online program to jump on the wait list before you even arrive!
Kane’s Donuts
Kane’s Donuts was the place that showed me that delicious, dense, perfectly glazed fresh GF donuts did exist, and my life was forever changed. This doughnut shop is located right in downtown Boston, and sells a classic glazed GF doughnut, a chocolate glazed GF doughnut, and then another flavor that rotates monthly. They cook their gluten-free doughnuts separately from the rest of the doughnuts, and store them on a three tiered tray above the regular doughnuts. The first time I bit into one of their doughnuts I was immediately transported back to my childhood, eating Dunkin Donuts on a Saturday morning with friends. They truly have achieved a delicious GF cake doughnut that makes all Celiacs’ dreams come true. They are so good that usually when we go, we take a few extra home to put in the freezer and devour until the next time we are in the city.
Wicked Good Cupcakes
Wicked Good Cupcakes is a brand that was actually featured on Shark Tank, and I can totally see why they were offered a deal…their products are genius and delicious! They bake the equivalent of about 2 cupcakes into a jar that you can easily take home, devour or freeze if you want! While the majority of their products contain gluten, they feature a few GF flavors, including a Cookies and Cream and a Salted Caramel. They do not have a separate baking area, but they bake all of the GF products first thing in the morning before using any gluten, while all of the equipment is clean. If you are looking for a delicious dessert on the go, Wicked Good Cupcakes is for you! You can find their stand in famous and popular Quincy Market in Faneuil Hall.
Fomu Ice Cream
Fomu Ice Cream serves up delicious vegan ice cream (coconut based) that does not at all taste vegan. They have a variety of interesting flavors, and label which ones contain gluten on their menu. I tried the Cold Brew and Chocolate flavors, and both were creamy and delicious. They also bake GF cookies, including a soft and perfectly cooked salted chocolate chip cookie. In their freezer, you can pick up a gluten-free ice cream sandwich, something that can be pretty hard to find GF! You can also have your ice cream serves on a GF sugar cone. If you tell the worker that you have an allergy, they will open a new container and use a clean scooper to ensure there is no cross-contamination. The inside of this ice-cream shop is modern and bright and is the perfect place to devour your ice cream cone or cookie sandwich.
Joe’s American Bar and Grille
Joe’s American Bar and Grille is a chain that is local to Boston with one of their most popular locations sitting right on Newbury Street. Joe’s has GF items marked on their menu, including nachos, a burger with a GF bun, and fries in a separate fryer. They truly understand Celiac disease and take all of the correct precautions to prevent cross-contamination. Our server even brought us a gluten-free bun with butter before our meal to replace the bread basket that is usually given to tables…I love it when restaurants make this extra effort to make Celiacs more comfortable! Joe’s is the perfect spot if you are looking for classic American food in a welcoming environment in downtown Boston.
J.P. Licks
Ice cream is one of my favorite foods, and J.P. Licks makes it easy for gluten-free folks to enjoy this cold treat on a cone like everyone else. While GF cones can be hard to find, J.P. Licks has different types of GF cones at all of their locations throughout Boston, as well as labels GF flavors on their menu. If you tell them you have an allergy, they will use a clean scooper and get your ice cream from a new carton. If you need more information about allergens, their employees are happy to provide you with their very thorough nutrition and allergen binder as well. J.P. Licks understands allergies and provides amazing options for the GF customers. They also have tons of locations throughout Boston, so you will almost always be within walking distance of one!
Chicken and Rice Guys
When I first came to campus, I walked past the Chicken and Rice Guys’ bright yellow food truck and I was immediately intrigued. I later saw their name again on a gluten-free food guide to Boston, and I learned that most of their food is gluten-free! The Chicken and Rice Guys serve, shockingly, chicken and rice, with variations and delicious sauces. Both the chicken and the rice are gluten-free, and the main thing to ask for is no pita. The only things on the menu that contain gluten are the pita, the Lamb Gyro (crumbs), the Baklava (Phyllo & crumbs), and the Cous Cous Salad. My favorite thing to get is the large salad plate – its seriously delicious. Check out their website to see their storefront locations or find out where their trucks are headed!
Southern Proper
If you like fried chicken, I have found the place for you! Southern Proper is the cutest little southern stop in the middle of New England and serves delicious fried chicken that is gluten-free!! Their entire menu is not gluten-free, but the majority of it is, including cornbread and the delicious chicken. This is a great spot to come when you are ready to share some home-cooked, family style comfort food.
El Pelon Taqueria
Anyone who knows me knows that Mexican food is the way to my heart. I could eat salsa, tacos, rice, beans, and chips for the rest of my life. And now, I believe I have found the best fast and authentic Mexican food in all of Boston – and its a convenient 15 minute walk from my building. El Pelon Taqueria is an adorable (and small) authentic Mexican restaurant on a small row of shops in the Fenway neighborhood. The majority of their menu can be made gluten-free, including their delicious homemade chips and amazing fried plantains. El Pelon is perfect for a fast-casual meal…every single person I have brought here has loved it! (And for bonus points, they have picnic tables that are perfect for a spring or summer meal.)
Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery (100% GF)
Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery is a dream come true for anyone with Celiac Disease or food allergies. The entire bakery is vegan and free of gluten, eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame! It was started by the wonderful Jennifer Lee when she was only 17 years old, and offers both baked goods and savory meals. I personally love their doughnuts and brownies, and I am eager to try some of their vegan breakfast sandwiches and mac and cheese! Jennifer Lee’s is also conveniently located within the Boston Public Market, so if you are browsing the market with friends it is the perfect allergy-friendly option.
Ginger Exchange
Ginger Exchange is a delicious Boston-based Asian restaurant serving sushi, rice, bento boxes and noodles, and they are very accommodating to gluten-free customers. They have a separate gluten-free menu with delicious options such as summer rolls, pad thai, and sushi. My personal favorite and go-to order is the Thai Red Curry with shrimp – it is delicious! I love having this option so close to campus, especially because it is a place that my friends love and that I can eat safely!
Thinking Cup
If you are looking for the best coffeeshop and bakery in Boston with gluten-free options, here it is! Thinking Cup has three locations in Boston and is one of the most accommodating cafes I have ever been to since being diagnosed with Celiac Disease. They have breakfast sandwiches, grilled cheese and lunch sandwiches that are all offered on gluten-free bread and prepared separately! They also have a variety of gluten-free baked goods that are made separately…their cookies are truly divine. I love stopping in Thinking Cup to get a quick and safe bite to eat, or to bring friends for a fun coffee or lunch date.
The Paris Creperie
If you head to the outer parts of the city in Brookline, you must stop by the Paris Creperie! This (extremely) small shop offers sweet and savory crepes, all of which can be made as a gluten-free buckwheat crepe. They take special precautions if you indicate that you have an allergy to ensure that your crepe will not be contaminated. I have had both the sweet and savory crepes, and all are delicious. Pro tip: This is a great stop to grab a quick bite, but the inside of the shop is very small and tables are limited, so it might be better to get your crepes to-go!
Tatte Bakery and Cafe
Tatte Bakery and Cafe is a chain of Boston coffeeshops offering specialty drinks and gourmet breakfast and lunch options, including fresh baked goods and their infamous shakshuka! The menu at Tatte has items labeled “gluten-friendly”, which I usually read as a red flag. However, I spoke to the manager at the Northeastern location, who assured me that in the kitchen precautions are taken to ensure that cross contamination is avoided. After talking to her, I felt comfortable ordering a breakfast sandwich on gluten-free bread, and it was delicious! They do have “gluten-friendly” baked goods in their cases, however they are alongside the gluten-filled goods and personally I would not eat them.
Mother Juice (100% GF)
Mother Juice is a 100% gluten-free and vegan smoothie and juice bar with multiple locations throughout the city. They also offer plant-based salads, smoothie bowls and toasts, all of which are filled with veggies and look delicious. If you are looking for a healthy or plant based option, Mother Juice is the place for you! The smoothie I tried was delicious and refreshing, and the inside of the shop is adorable and filled with bright colors and plants. Definitely check it out if you are looking for plant-based and gluten-free options.
110 Grill
So 110 Grill has basically the best allergy protocol of any restaurant I have EVER been to, and their gluten-free menu is probably the largest I have ever seen. They make everything from nachos to flatbreads to mac and cheese, and if you tell your server that you have Celiac, then your food will only be brought to you by a manager and will have an allergy stick. I have never felt as safe eating at a restaurant as I do at 110 Grill, which is amazing because they have locations all over New England! My two favorite things to get there are the BBQ chicken nachos and the firecracker shrimp…but the entire menu is delicious!!
Let me know if you try any of these spots or if you have any recommendations for other place for me to try in Boston! Comment here, message me on Instagram, or email me at celiactivist@gmail.com!
