Whatever your reason for eating gluten-free might be, if you’ve ever tried to find a restaurant that accommodates the dietary restriction, you know first-hand it isn’t always easy.
But as the Charlotte food landscape expands, more and more restaurants are beginning to offer delicious gluten-free dishes in the city. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites here, to take the legwork out of finding a place to eat next time.
Myer’s Park
Napa Restaurants [scoop sponsor]
110 Perrin Pl (Myer’s Park)
1310 Broadcloth St (Fort Mill)
7708 Rea Rd (Stonecrest)
At all three Napa Restaurant locations, gluten-free options are plentiful. Some of our favorite gluten-free menu items include the pan roasted salmon, served with lentil & wilted kale cassoulet and a dill & lemon scented crème fraîche, as well as the beef bourguignon with braised beef, bacon lardons, pearl onions, petite vegetables, whipped potatoes and a red wine reduction. Clearly, at Napa Restaurants, you’re not sacrificing creativity or flavor for being gluten-free.
Burton’s Grill & Bar
1601 E Woodlawn Rd A
Burton’s Grill & Bar has a dedicated gluten-free menu, and is also able to replicate any item from the standard menu to be gluten-free upon a customer’s request. The allergy commitment that these restaurants were founded on ensures any dish on the menu from burgers and steaks to chicken, pastas and seafoods is available for a gluten-free diner. You can even finish your meal with GF cheesecake or seven-layer chocolate cake.
Elizabeth & Plaza Midwood
Puerta
1961 E 7th St
Puerta is a gluten-free eater’s dream, as the entire menu is already made to be gluten-free! The only menu item that contains gluten is the empanadas, which the chefs can make without gluten upon request. That means, everything from the delicious tacos to dips and more are all fair game for the gluten-free eater.
Catalina Kitchen & Bar
1942 E 7th St #106
The menu at this Elizabeth eatery is clearly marked with “GF” for menu items that do not contain gluten. Gluten-free options include the harvest salmon salad, wild mahi mahi tacos, pistachio-crusted wild salmon, filet mignon, and more, so there’s sure to be something everyone will enjoy on the menu.
El Malo Tacos
1705 Central Ave
At this recently opened taco spot in Plaza Midwood, everything served on a corn tortilla is gluten-free. The carne asada and al pastor tacos are fan-favorites if you’re looking for a specific recommendation, plus the California fries are also gluten-free if you’re craving a side to go with your tacos.
Uptown
Coquette
400 S Tryon St #101
Coquette is the perfect uptown date night spot to dress up and indulge in a gluten-free meal. To start, try their charcuterie and fromage with no bread, the salade du jardin, or oysters. For your main course, you can’t go wrong with the halibut a la sauce provencale, coq a vin blanc, or duck a la orange. Plus sides, like the pomme frites and haricots verts, are gluten-free, too.
La Belle Helene
300 S Tryon St Suite 100
This gorgeous French restaurant in Uptown Charlotte has a menu that is marked with items that are gluten-free, or that can be made gluten-free, and the servers and chefs are more than accommodating to dietary restrictions. Start your meal with the ratatouille, then enjoy the grand plateau seafood platter, crispy duck confit, or sea bass as your main course.
South End
Salted Melon Market & Eatery [scoop sponsor]
100 W. Worthington Ave, Suite 107 (South End)
815 Providence Rd (Eastover)
At the Salted Melon, gluten-free options are clearly marked on the menu making for a stress-free dining experience. Try the market chop salad, braised short rib, grilled shrimp skewers, poke me bowl and more for a gluten-free entree that is sure to be satisfying and delicious.
Sixty Vines
1415 Vantage Pk Dr #100
Sixty Vines is a wine bar with a full food menu that includes gluten-free offerings. Start your meal with shared plates such as bacon-wrapped dates, crispy zucchini, or fried chicken and caviar. For your main course, entrees such as the broccolini and potato pizza, primavera pasta, rainbow trout and more are all gluten-free.
Flower Child
1537 Camden Rd
This healthy-eating hot spot in South End has a variety of gluten-free menu options. From the Italian turkey salami salad to the chicken enchiladas to the salmon, steak, whipped potatoes and even mac and cheese, the gluten-free eater definitely will not go hungry when visiting Flower Child!
O-Ku Charlotte
2000 South Blvd
Asian cuisine can be one of the hardest to find gluten-free options within, but O-Ku Charlotte makes it easy. The gluten-free sushi menu nigiri, sashimi, and sushi rolls in addition to chef’s speciality dishes such as cauliflower, lobster and more. With a gluten-free menu this extensive, you won’t have any problems finding something delicious.
Barcelona Wine Bar
101 W Worthington Ave Ste 110
At Barcelona Wine Bar, the staff is incredibly accommodating to gluten-free customers — when you tell them you’re gluten-free, they’ll circle everything on the menu that doesn’t have gluten. Order some wine and gluten-free small plates, like the charcuterie board (without bread), patatas bravas, and cheese dip. If you have room after dinner, the flourless chocolate cake is a must try gluten-free dessert.
South Charlotte
EPIC Chophouse
1365 Broadcloth St, #101 (Fort Mill)
104 South Main St (Mooresville)
Enjoy a classy steakhouse dinner with gluten-free menu options at EPIC Chophouse. Start with the shrimp cocktail or BLT salad before jumping in to the “Smoking Hot Couple” entree which features three medallions of filet mignon, eight gulf-seasoned shrimp, and a potato your way. Plus, all of the steak options available are gluten-free, too!
Mahana Fresh
14815 Ballantyne Village Way Suite 140
The entire menu at this Ballantyne restaurant is gluten-free and you can customize your meal any way you like it. To build your own bowl, choose a base from rice, noodle and salad options, then add veggies, protein and add-ons such as avocado, almonds, or feta cheese. Finish your meal with a gluten-free sauce such as citrus ginger. Find a bowl combination you love, or get something different every time you visit.
Author’s Note: This article was written by Alex Maloney. You can find more of her Charlotte related content on Instagram, @slicesandsushi.
