Guest post contributed by @lizeatsglutenfree
Whether you’re gluten-free for health reasons, trying out a new diet, or being a supportive family member/significant other, you can attest that finding quality gluten-free restaurants can be a struggle.
I’ve always been a foodie, but have not always been gluten-free. In March of 2022, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. At first, it was difficult for me to dine out, but I refused to let my diagnosis stop me from exploring the city I was still new to. After nearly a year of living with celiac, my pallet has since expanded.
If you’re looking for a selection of restaurants that can accommodate your gluten-free lifestyle, enjoy this list that breaks it down by any type of outing. For more gluten-free recommendations and homemade recipes, follow me at @LizEatsGluteenFree on Instagram!
Charlotte’s best restaurants for the gluten-free eater:
For Date Night…
Ever Andalo (3116 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205)
Why: With its intimate setting located in NoDa, this quaint Italian restaurant with bold flavors is a must for your next date night. When I first ate here, I didn’t think I was in Charlotte, but a historic spot in New York City. Ever Andalo, along with their sister restaurant Supperland, have designated allergen menus. Most of everything on the menu is gluten-free or can be substituted for something gluten-free.
What to order: Get the Burrata and substitute for the gluten-free bread…you’ll thank me.
When to go: Get dressed up and go on the weekend. (Make a reservation far in advance)
O-Ku (2000 South Blvd Suite 510, Charlotte, NC 28203)
Why: This is an awesome date spot for sushi lovers. For anyone who’s gluten-free, you know Asian food is one of the hardest to eat. O-Ku makes it easy with a gluten-free menu.
What to order: My favorites are the potato roll, mermaid roll, and fried rice
When to go: Monday and Wednesday (5-7 p.m.) for half-off sushi
The Crunkleton (1957 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204)
Why: From the incredible menu, to the artistic selection of crafted cocktails, to their exclusive global liquor collection, The Crunkleton is the place to go if you want to impress your date or secure a business deal. Go back in time and enjoy the intimacy and character that will have you coming back soon. Also, don’t forget to tip the kitchen $15 and have the cowbell rung, a Crunkleton tradition.
What to order: Start with some oysters, a wedge salad and charcuterie. For the main, I recommend the pork osso bucco and the lamb stroganoff. If you still have room, try the beignets and envision yourself sitting on the patio at Café Du Monde in New Orleans.
When to go: If you’re going for a date night, try it on a Friday or Saturday night. But don’t forget about their spectacular brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
The Waterman Fish Bar (2729 South Blvd suite d, Charlotte,
NC 28209)
Why: If you are looking for a chill date spot with a rooftop and good food, then The Waterman Fish Bar is your spot. Especially in the warmer months, the rooftop is one of my favorite places to go to get a couple of drinks and have some delicious seafood.
What to order: Their menu has gluten-free options labeled which is very helpful. My favorites are the oysters, ceviche, and the fish tacos with corn tortilla.
When to go: Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. they offer $1.50 oysters! They also have a super yummy brunch that is definitely worth checking out! And FYI…keep in mind that oysters are an aphrodisiac, making this the perfect spot for a date night.
For Families…
Burtons Grill (2000 South Blvd Suite 510, Charlotte, NC 28203)
Why: Burtons is heaven for the gluten free eater. They take great pride in safely serving their guests with celiac disease. If you don’t believe me, read this excerpt from their website: “Each staff member goes through extensive allergy and safety training, and a manager personally inspects all incoming orders to ensure special requests are carefully prepared. In addition, your food will be delivered by an allergy specialist as a final safety check.”
What to order: General Tso Cauliflower (app), the Risotto Fritters (app), and the Harvest Vegetable Bowl (entrée), (and quite honestly, anything you want!)
When to go: Definitely check it out on Wednesday for half off bottles of wine
Let’s Meat KBBQ (1400 S Church St B, Charlotte, NC 28203)
Why: When my family comes to visit, this is their absolute favorite. Korean bbq is always a fun experience with the family or a group of friends. They have allergen menus available and make it easy to order gluten free meats and sides.
What to order: Try everything, but my favorites are the brisket and the different types of pork bellies.
When to go: Whenever! Just make sure you go hungry and wear sweatpants. They don’t take reservations.
Vicious Biscuit (8200 Providence Rd Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28277)
Why: I had to include Vicious Biscuit on this list somewhere. When this place opened in the Arboretum Shopping Center, I rushed down to Providence Road to check it out. Vicious Biscuit offers an assortment of adventurous biscuits, and the best part is that they also offer gluten-free biscuits.
What to order: Take a look through their menu and get any of the biscuits! Just be sure to double-check that what you’re adding to the biscuit is gluten-free.
When to go: Since they close at 3 p.m., it’s not an option for dinner. But this is the ideal place to go if you live in the area and are looking for somewhere to get a quick bite on the weekends or after your kid’s soccer match.
Village Tavern (4201 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC
28209)
Why: Village Tavern is an awesome place to go because of their huge gluten-free menu and vast array of options. There is truly something for everyone, even those picky eater kids 🙂
What to order: I have had almost all of the salads and they are always delicious and filling. I also love their pizzas because they offer gluten-free crust. One of my personal favorites is the spaghetti squash and zucchini which is also vegan.
When to go: Village Tavern is suitable for really every occasion. Whether you are with your family or heading to a business lunch, Village Tavern is always a good choice. They also have an entire gluten-free brunch menu.
ACE No. 3 (829 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207)
Why: Sometimes you just crave a big, juicy burger, but being gluten-free limits you from going through a drive-thru. ACE always fulfills my cravings and I know it is safe for the gluten-free eater.
What to order: I love ACE because they offer a gluten-free bun and a lettuce wrap that can be paired with any sandwich. Additionally, their fan-favorite, the house-made veggie patty, is not only GF but nut-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. For sides, try the sweet potato tots – they are insanely good and addictive.
When to go: ACE is an awesome spot if you need a quick and delicious meal to feed the whole family. They have options for everyone and also make a great take-out spot.
For Celebrations…
Steak 48 (4425 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211)
Why: Whatever the special occasion may be, it needs to be done at Steak 48. There’s a reason this has been named a top-100 restaurant in America by numerous outlets and as Charlotte’s No. 1 spot to eat. When I tell you the steak was the best I’ve ever had, I’m not kidding. Everything was fantastic, from the service, to the appetizer, to the ribeye.
What to order: We got the braised pork belly (app) and shared the 22 oz. bone-in ribeye (entrée) to be cost-effective. But I’d imagine any steak you get, you will leave very happy…and full!
When to go: Obviously if you’re going for a special occasion, go that night. But just be sure to book far in advance.
Supperland (1212 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205)
Why: Supperland is a reconstructed old church, now home to elevated southern-style food and a fantastic cocktail menu. Like their sister restaurant, Ever Andalo, they have an allergen menu and are very accommodating to people with dietary restrictions. If you are feeling frisky, make a reservation far in advance for the speakeasy, which is an experience itself.
What to order: You MUST start with the sweet potato dip and the seven-layer salad (best salad I’ve ever had), and order the wagyu pot roast as your entrée .
When to go: Same as with Steak 48, go when you’re celebrating. But if possible, make a reservation far in advance.
Fern, Flavors From The Garden ( 1419 East Blvd. Suite A,
Charlotte, NC 28203)
Why: If you are celebrating a vegan or just want to switch it up, Fern is the ultimate dream for someone who is plant-based. The venue is beautiful and decorated with tons of greenery and would make for awesome Instagram pictures. Indulge not only in your health, but in an entire menu made in a 100% vegan kitchen. In addition to food, they also have a ton of unique cocktails such as the Chai Tini, which is like an espresso martini but with chai tea.
What to order: Start off with the nachos and the cauliflower wings (trust me). For the main, I highly recommend the eggplant parm, which is one of my favorite dishes in general. End with a gluten-free dessert like the chocolate hazelnut torte or a seasonal cheesecake.
When to go: This makes an awesome birthday spot. From the picturesque venue to the
beautiful food,Fern definitely needs to be on your list regardless of how you eat because the food is just that good.
For a Girls Night Out…
Barcelona Wine Bar (101 W Worthington Ave Ste 110, Charlotte, NC 28203)
Why: All girls love wine and cheese, right? This is the spot for the ultimate girls night filled with charcuterie and wine. When you tell your server you are gluten free, they will circle everything on the menu that you can eat and let you know what you can substitute for if it’s not.
What to order: I definitely recommend getting the large charcuterie board and adding on some of the tapas plates such as the patatas bravas and the cheese with caramel sauce. If you are feeling like you still have room, try the gluten free chocolate flourless cake for dessert.
When to go: Whenever you and the girls can sync up your busy schedules! I’ve gone every day, and we like to dine here for some light eats before heading uptown to catch a show.
Southbound (2433 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203)
Why: What girls night doesn’t involve tequila? All mine do, at least. Get a few pitchers of skinny margs for the girls and call it a day. I love Southbound because the chips are gluten-free, they have live music, and it’s walking distance to other bars in Southend. If enough tequila was consumed, check out BackStage Lounge behind Southbound, which is a fun speakeasy with small plates and cocktails.
What to order: I always get the kale taco salad without the crispy tortilla and add brisket barbacoa. I also love the birria brisket.
When to go: Taco and Tequila Tuesday, which features discounted margarita pitchers and tequila shots – say less. They also have live music from 6-9PM.
Mariposa (500 South Tryon Street, Charlotte NC 28202)
Why: If you are looking to get dressed up and have a night out with the girls, Mariposa is perfect as it is the definition of elegance and chic. Mariposa has flavors from many different cuisines and showcases them in a beautiful venue located at the Mint Museum in Uptown, Charlotte.
What to order: Their menu depicts a world-to-table concept so everything has its own unique flavor profile. My personal favorites are the tuna crudo, piri piri chicken, and the chipotle crusted short ribs.
When to go: Whether you are planning a girls night or a date night, Mariposa will make either special. It is also a great spot if you are just looking for drinks and small plates. Their cocktail listis amazing and each one is almost a work of art – fitting for being inside of a museum.
For Carry Out…
Curry Gate (630 W 24th St, Charlotte, NC 28206)
Why: I’m eating this as I type, actually! This is a family-run hidden gem that we recently found and are obsessed with. Definitely a spot primed for takeout due to limited seating inside. They don’t have a designated gluten-free menu, but mostly everything on their menu is gluten-free.
What to order: I love the tikka masala and the korma. I always get it with chicken, but you can choose between veggies, paneer, goat, fish, shrimp and lamb. Also a fan of the aloo gobi (cauliflower and potatoes). They let you pick your spice level on a scale of 1-10, which can be very beneficial if you can’t handle the heat.
When to go: Whenever! Just place your order 15 minutes in advance.
Thai Orchid Restaurant (4223 Providence Rd Unit 7, Charlotte, NC 28211)
Why: Thai Orchard is a Charlotte classic. Hidden in Strawberry Hill, this is the best Thai food in Charlotte. They mark gluten-free on the menu which makes it so easy to order. If you are like me and always ask for extra peanut sauce, they have the best.
What to order: Start out with the fresh rolls and the Thai Orchard salad. Then get the Pad Thai and the Kaeng Mussamun, which is mussamun sauce in coconut cream with whole roasted peanuts, potatoes, and carrots.
When to go: Whenever you’re in the mood for some casual Thai food.
For Pizza…
Emmy Squared Pizza (Southend: 1932 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203, Plaza Midwood: 1508 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205)
Why: Emmy is my favorite pizza in Charlotte and they offer gluten-free Chicago deep-dish. If you’re gluten-free, you know our pizza typically comes as thin-crust, but Emmy Squared changes the game with their thick crust gluten-free options.
What to order: Try the baked ziti appetizer, which is made with gluten-free chickpea pasta. My favorite pizzas are the Angel, Good Paulie, and the MVP.
When to go: Whenever you are in the mood to dine-in or carry out, Emmy Squared is a great option. They also have an awesome brunch with breakfast style pizzas and coffee cocktails.
More GF pizza options in Charlotte…
- Pizzeria Omaggio (1055 Metropolitan Ave #130, Charlotte, NC 28204)
- Osteria LuCa (4127 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209)
- 800° Woodfired Kitchen (6815 Phillips Pl Ct, Charlotte, NC 28210)
- DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana (#F1, 7315 Waverly Walk Ave #7, Charlotte, NC 28277)
- Due Amici Pizza (5346 Docia Crossing Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269)
