This article is brought to you by the upcoming GLUTEN-FREE CELEBRATION coming to Charlotte September 7 & 8
If you are gluten-free for health reasons or are being a supportive family member or friend, you know first-hand that finding quality gluten-free restaurants can be a struggle.
We reached out to several local food-fluencers who specialize in Eating Gluten-Free in Charlotte for their recommendations on restaurants to trust for delicious and gluten-free meals.
National 2-Day Gluten-Free Event & Celebration is Coming to the QC and scoopcharlotte Has a Ticket Discount for You! Read all about it HERE.
Amber | @glutenfree_clt_and_beyond | Celiac & Gluten-Free Recommendations
Amber has celiac disease and is very thorough in her restaurant and kitchen reviews.
Sixty Vines – A majority of items are already gluten free or can be made gluten free. The fryers are 100% gluten free along with the spare pizza oven. All pizzas can be made gluten free prepared on cauliflower crust. All pastas can be made gluten free and are prepared in a separate boiler to maintain no cross-contamination. I absolutely love the blistered shishito peppers, crispy zucchini (I never get fried zucchini), burrata (without the bread), fig and prosciutto pizza and pan roasted chicken.
Puerta – Almost everything on the menu is already GF. The empanadas can be made to be GF. Love the Sopa de Lima, Chicken Tinga Empanadas and the Al Pastor tacos. And the churros! NOTE: You need a reservation or you won’t get in. It’s so nice to eat at a place where there is very low risk of cross contamination.
Rai Lay – They have 3 locations in Charlotte. They offer a gluten free menu if you ask. They have to use ground meat for the gluten free dishes because their regular sliced meat has already been marinated in a sauce containing gluten. It is still so delicious! My favorites are the Basil Chicken fried rice, Pineapple Chicken fried rice and the Chicken Pad Thai. It’s hard to find good GF Asian food because a lot is cooked with regular soy sauce.
Osteria Luca – The owner has the celiac gene and is very aware of precautions that need to be made for those with celiac. They can modify a lot of their pastas using gluten free pasta always cooked in separate water. They offer gluten free bread (supplied by a local GF bakery) for the table as well as for substituting it out for dishes containing bread. They offer cauliflower and rice crust pizza cooked on new pans and use clean utensils to cut with. My favorites are the Chicken Parmesan (grilled instead of breaded) with gluten free pasta, the burrata appetizer with GF bread and the Prosciutto di Parma pizza.
Kiran D Smith | @kirandsmith | Healthy Living in Your 40’s & 50’s
Sunflour Bakery – I frequent the Ballantyne location, but with 5 locations, there’s likely one near you! Sunflour has a mix of non-gluten free items, but a great, daily-changing variety of gluten-free (and some vegan) items also. Think GF scones, muffins, macaroons, cupcakes, and daily specials like GF cheesecakes, key lime pies, raspberry (or other fruit) crumble bars, and more. You can order gluten free cakes in advance, and I’m here to tell you that the non-GF peeps will never know the difference.
Via Roma (Waverly) – While they don’t have a separate GF menu, Via Roma has a number of items on their menu that are naturally gluten free. Some of my faves are the Mista, Caprese, or the Tuna appetizers. What we like the best is that any of their pasta dishes can be served with gluten-free pasta. It’s so good that my kids (who are all teens) like to go just for their butter pasta!
Flower Child – New to the Ballantyne area is Flower Child, a restaurant that caters to vegetarian, gluten-free and paleo with ingredients that are (claimed to be) fresh. Aside from a number of salads, try the Glow Bowl, Chicken Enchiladas, or the gluten free pasta.
The Lights Cafe (Ballantyne) – This breakfast and lunch spot serves everything from fresh pressed juices to salads, bowls, and baked goods. Gluten free items are all denoted, and to add a little spice to things, some options have a Cuban twist.
Emmets Social House – Located in Downtown Waxhaw, Emmets has a separate gluten free menu with everything from wings to salads, GF flatbreads and ribs. Try the tomato soup shooter made with mini pimento cheese sandwiches made with gluten-free bread.
Elizabeth | @lizeatsglutenfree | gluten-free foodie with celiac
While Liz now covers GF in NYC (excellent resource) she provided scoop with a great feature last year on GF in CLT. Here are some of her picks:
Ever Andalo – With its intimate setting located in NoDa, this quaint Italian restaurant with bold flavors is a must for your next date night. 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. Get the Burrata and substitute for the gluten-free bread.
O-Ku – 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. My favorites are the potato roll, mermaid roll, and fried rice, and Monday and Wednesday (5-7 p.m.) for half-off sushi.
Burtons Grill – 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!)
Emmy Squared Pizza (Southend and Plaza Midwood) – 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. Try the baked ziti appetizer, which is made with gluten-free chickpea pasta. My favorite pizzas are the Angel, Good Paulie, and the MVP.
Epic Chophouse (Fort Mill and Mooresville) – EP/C’s ‘SMOKIN’ HOT COUPLE’ is the hottest GF meal in town. 3 Medallions of Aged Filet Mignon & 8 Gulf Shrimp seasoned with a Smokey-Cajun Spice, Pan Blackened with Herbed Butter Sauce & Creole Remoulade. Other dishes on the EP/C GF Hot List include THE ICEBERG EPIC WEDGE, STEAK FRITES, and SESAME CRUSTED TUNA. So good!
And Our Instagram Followers Recommend:
“Ted’s Montana Grill at the Waverly (South Charlotte) has an entire gluten-free menu. A few of my faves- bison nachos, French fries (sliced fresh from the potato with each order!), the burgers on a gf bun, among many more!“
“We love @mahana.fresh in Ballantyne! The entire menu is gf!“
“@sanctuarybistro is completely gluten free and absolutely delicious.“
