Hungry? These Restaurants Provide the Best Gluten-Free Options in Boston

5 Journeys understands that being gluten-free in Boston isn’t easy. If you’ve ever become sick after a “gluten-free” meal in a traditional restaurant, chances are your food wasn’t handled properly, or the ingredients weren’t certified as gluten-free. It’s always risky to rely on menu choices marked with “gluten-free.”

So we’ve researched the best gluten-free restaurants in Boston so that you can enjoy your meal worry-free. 

Before we reveal our top picks, let’s discuss why it matters to choose a restaurant dedicated to being completely gluten-free in Boston.

Why Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants Matter

Most restaurants offer a few gluten-free options, so why does it matter if your restaurant is dedicated to a gluten-free menu?

For many restaurants, adding a few gluten-free choices is just a way of appealing to those who have restricted diets. A closer look reveals that these options aren’t always as friendly as they seem. Substituting a flour-free bun for your hamburger isn’t the same as cooking your meal with gluten-free ingredients or safely handling your food.

To be genuinely gluten-free requires a deep understanding of places where gluten can hide. It’s not just in pasta and bread. Gluten is everywhere: in gravies, sauces, seasonings, salad dressings, ground meats, meat substitutes, bouillon and stocks, and even chocolate. 

Choosing a restaurant fully committed to gluten-free practices is the only way to be sure your meal’s ingredients have been stored correctly and prepared without cross-contamination. Even your waiter or waitress can accidentally contaminate your food with improper handling. 

The best gluten-free restaurants in Boston will offer

• Safe food storage and handling
• Knowledgeable staff
• A wide variety of meals
• Certified gluten-free ingredients
• Gluten-free meal preparation

Remember, just because it’s marked gluten-free on a menu doesn’t necessarily mean it is.

Cafes, Restaurants, and Bakeries: Best Gluten-Free Options in Boston

Cafes

These cafes are the best gluten-free options in Boston for casual meals and take-out options.

Twist Bakery Cafe

The owner of Twist Bakery Cafe is gluten-intolerant, so she dedicated herself to creating a cafe with delicious gluten-free food for her customers. This cafe features burgers, breakfast bowls, quesadillas, and tasty gluten-free desserts such as brownies, cookies, and cakes.

A New Leaf

A New Leaf is a cafe serving delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, and smoothies. The location also features a gluten-free, all-natural market with flour substitutes, herbs and teas, cleaning products, pet care, and more.

It’s All Good in the Kitchen

This cozy cafe offers delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches, grain bowls, and take-and-bake options such as chicken pot pie, ravioli, and mac and cheese. Complete your meal with guaranteed gluten-free pies, cookies, donuts, and cupcakes.

Get the same cafe taste and convenience at home with 5 Journey’s gluten-free cafe-style meals such as creamy squash soup, harvest salad, or collard green wraps.

Restaurants

Whatever you’re hungry for, these dedicated gluten-free Boston-area restaurants have you covered.

Burton’s Grill and Bar

Burton’s Grill and Bar not only offers an extensive selection of gluten-free options, it comes with the recommendation of 5 Journey’s own Dr. Wendie Trubow, MD, MBA, owner of Five Journeys, as an outstanding choice for those struggling with the challenges of Celiac disease. Whether you’re craving delicious appetizers, fantastic salads, a juicy burger, or a mouthwatering steak or seafood dish, don’t miss the menu at Burton’s Grill and Bar.

Naco Taco

Naco Taco specializes in gluten-free Mexican favorites, including tacos, tostadas, and bowls. It features in-house dining as well as take-out and delivery. People rave about the Naco Taco food trucks available for rent for weddings and other special occasions. 

Grainmaker

Grainmaker features gluten-free meals inspired by Southeast Asian street culture. From curry to street tacos, poke, and rice bowls, this restaurant offers a wide array of options and highly-rated, certified gluten-free dining.

Poke By Love Art

This poke restaurant features Hawaiian-inspired meals made with tuna, salmon, and shrimp. Order a chef’s special or design your poke bowl with your choice of rice, protein, sauce, seasonings, and sides, all delicious and gluten-free.

Don’t feel like going out? Try one of 5 Journey’s featured entree recipes, including gluten-free quiche, instant pot red chicken curry, or shrimp scampi.

Desserts

Are you looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth? These bakeries provide the best gluten-free dessert options in Boston.

Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery

This bakery specializes in cakes, cupcakes, cookies, donuts, and other gluten-free, vegan treats free of the top nine allergens. On weekends, this bakery features cinnamon buns and pretzels. Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery also offers breakfast and lunch sandwiches, calzones, and mac and cheese.

Violette Bakers

Gluten-free items at Violette Bakers include chocolate eclairs, cream puffs, cheesecake, cookies, cupcakes, muffins, and much more. Stop in for freshly baked bread and donuts, or enjoy lunch and dinner items such as quiche, pot pies, and pizza.

Mother Juice

Mother Juice isn’t just juices and smoothies. It’s a wonderfully delicious spot to pick up a wide variety of gluten-free, vegan treats. Featuring locations on Newbury Street, High Street Place, and Boston Public Market, you’re sure to find a Mother Juice near you. Stop in for avocado, nut butter toast, or delicious healthy bowls, or choose from a large selection of salads.

Create a delicious gluten-free dessert at home with 5 Journey’s easy-to-make no-sugar fudge brownies, paleo pumpkin pie bars, or tiger nut chocolate chip cookies.

5 Journeys Recipes

With 5 Journeys Recipes, an extensive collection of easy-to-make, delicious gluten-free recipes is at your fingertips. Check out our huge selection of soups, treats, entrees, side dishes, refreshing drinks, and more.

Whether you’re a Boston local or just visiting, embracing a gluten-free lifestyle doesn’t mean missing out on the city’s vibrant food scene. From delightful gluten-free breakfast spots to convenient to-go options and a wealth of inspiring gluten-free recipes, Boston has something to offer everyone. Explore our guides to find the perfect “gluten-free breakfast Boston” for you, whether it’s a cozy cafe or a grab-and-go meal on your way to explore the city. And for those who prefer to cook at home, we’ve curated a collection of delicious “gluten-free recipe Boston” ideas to make your mornings a breeze.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and let us know what you think of our recipes and our list of best restaurants, bakeries, and cafes dedicated to being gluten-free in Boston. Did we mention your favorite spot? Let us know!