Living without gluten can sometimes be a challenging task — at least when dining out. At Do512 Family, we empathize with your hunt for the best local GF goodies, and below we’re sharing some of our favorite places to find delicious gluten-free menu options…
— Picnik
This health-conscious restaurant’s original location is housed in a storage container off South Lamar, where the outdoor seating and grassy lot make dining there feel a bit like an upscale paleo picnic. The food at the Burnet brick & mortar and the East Side trailer is just as good, though. Known for their grass-fed butter coffee, Picnik also does a stellar job at catering to various diets, from vegan to Whole 30. What really matters for this article, though, is that their entire menu – from fish tacos to blondie ice cream sandwiches – is gluten, corn, peanut, and soy free.
— Tacodeli
Every taco at Tacodeli is GF if ordered on a corn tortilla, so knock yourself out and try a couple! Inform the cashier of your allergy and they will take extra care to avoid contamination – this taco joint has separate prep and storage areas for gluten-free orders.
— Kerbey Lane
This diner is a favorite for brunch and very kid-approved. Plenty of Kerbey Lane Cafe’s menu is available for GF diners (ask your server for a copy of the Vegan & Gluten Free Guide for suggestions). Well-loved menu items like the Kerbey Queso and breakfast tacos are safe, as are GF french toast and pancakes, including a weekly rotating special pancake. Don’t forget that kids eat free on Tuesdays!
— Clay Pit
Items that contain gluten at this beloved Austin Indian restaurant are clearly marked. Items that don’t contain gluten are numerous, and include such delights as curried hummus and the majority of curry, rice, and tandoor entrees. Come for the lunch buffet and enjoy actually getting your money’s worth – or just order the tikka masala, because it’s everyone’s favorite for a reason.
— Steeping Room
You’ll never place a food order at the Steeping Room without being asked if you have any dietary restrictions the kitchen should know about. Most of the fresh, veggie-laden options at this cozy teahouse can easily be made gluten-free. For the best bang for your buck, order one of the tea services, which comes with several different tasty snacks and a pot of tea of your choice.
— Zucchini Kill Bakery
We’re not sure it gets much more Austin than Zucchini Kill: a bakery that serves only vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free goodies, run by some badass punk rock women. Sample delicious sweets like Strawberry Lemonade Swiss Rolls, moist Zucchini Carrot Cake Cupcakes, and tons of other rotating flavors of cookies, cupcakes, and desserts.
— Second Bar & Kitchen
Great for a date night, this trendy spot for cocktails and eats offers a separate gluten-free menu upon request. The kitchen is meticulous in avoiding cross-contamination. Good to know: they don’t have a dedicated fryer or GF bread here, but they do offer substitutes for sides.
— Wilder Wood Restaurant & Bar
Though their Guadalupe location has recently shuttered, the East Side iteration of this entirely gluten-free restaurant is still around. The historic building’s rooftop patio offer great views of the city.
— Odd Duck
Odd Duck’s seasonally rotating, farm-to-table menu also comes in gluten-free and vegetarian varieties. Dishes at this airy restaurant are best enjoyed on the patio, shared with friends so you can sample a bite of every bold, unique combination.
Pitchfork Pretty
Pitchfork Pretty’s fabulous fried chicken is made with chickpea flour and is an absolute must-try even if you do partake in gluten. Plenty of other menu items are GF-friendly, too, and the kitchen of this rustic-chic East Side space is notably accommodating to dietary restrictions.
— D’Lites of Austin
Many brands of ice cream contain gluten ingredients, which are often used as thickeners. Fortunately, you’re safe to choose any of the 100+ flavors of fluffy soft serve ice cream at D’Lites. All of the goodies you find in this healthy sweet shop are cholesterol and gluten free, contain no artificial sweeteners, and are low in fat, carbs, calories, and sodium. Talk about guilt-free!
We also love the super-tasty GF-friendly offerings at local dairy-free ice cream vendors Sweet Ritual and NadaMoo Scoop Shop. Both shops carry amazing GF and vegan waffle cones by All Tomorrows Waffle Cones, so you can have the whole ice cream experience as it was meant to be enjoyed.
FOR MORE GLUTEN FREE SPOTS:
For great GF burger buns, swing by Hopdoddy Burger Bar. The gluten-free crust at Via 313 is celebrated for lacking that cardboardy texture some GF pizzas suffer from. Olive & June’s Italian dishes can be made with gluten-free pasta, a rarity in Austin. You’ll also be happy at any of these restaurants and bakeries:
