The Best Gluten-Free Food Options Around LA
By: Ani Antonyan ‘24
Being gluten-free in LA should be easy. However, gluten-friendly options are still hard to come by—even in health-nut city. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant to dine out with your friends for a special occasion or for when you’re too tired to cook, use this guide instead of aimlessly scrolling through Postmates for hours.
Note: If allergic to gluten or celiac, it’s best to double check with restaurants about their gluten cross-contamination procedures. Only some of the restaurants are fully gluten free.
Bagels
I’ve realized that one of the hardest things to find in LA are gluten free bagels. Bagels have been my recent obsession, so as I search for the perfect store-bought bagel that doesn’t taste like cardboard, I’ve been trying out different bagel spots around LA!
Bagel + Slice in Highland Park has the best gluten free bagel I’ve ever had in LA. They have a great variety of bagel toppings and cream cheese options for their classic gluten free bagel. They also have some incredible vegan options! Pro tip: Their pizza bagel is a must have.
If you’re ever in the Sherman Oaks area, New York Bagel Cafe in Sherman Oaks has some great gluten-free bagels that resemble the iconic, fluffy yet stuffy New York Bagels.
Pastries
Cafe Dulce in the Village has two gluten-free pastry options: the fruit tart and the cinnamon roll. The cinnamon roll feels more akin to the flakey pastry used in a croissant, but it’s a fun pick me up treat.
Cake Girl has a complete egg, soy, dairy, gluten, wheat, and nut-free menu. They are known for their unique pastries like the strawberry churro cupcake and their affordable prices for specialty treats.
Breadblok is a fully gluten free bakery. Their goal is to use the most pure ingredients possible to make delectable gluten free desserts. If you’ve lost hope in finding a genuinely amazing gluten free bread, get a loaf of their sourdough and prepare to be amazed.
Alcove Cafe has delicious and unique cake flavors! Their portions are pretty big, so I’d suggest sharing a slice with a friend. Their coconut cream cake is not to be missed.
Yoga-Urt is a vegan soft serve and smoothie shop. All their ice cream toppings are gluten free, even down to the cone. Chocolate Bliss is their best flavor!
Erin McKenna is an NYC-based bakery that specializes in dairy-free, gluten free cookies, cupcakes, and other baked goods. Find them while strolling by the beach in Santa Monica or on Larchmont here in LA.
Just What I Knead is an all-vegan bakery with gluten free treats made with love and consideration for the environment. Check out this locally owned small business the next time you’re near Frogtown.
Pizza
Pizza Sociale in downtown is a highly rated gluten free Italian pizza shop. Some highlights from their menu are their Carne Asada and Nutella pizza.
Pizanna has the most authentic tasting Neapolitan pizza I’ve had in LA, and they offer gluten free crust options. Though the locations are quite far from USC, I definitely think it’s worth it for a special night. If you’re a fan of spice, I suggest their Diavola pizza!
Dinner Options
F#ck Gluten is a fully gluten free restaurant in Koreatown. I’ve only had their buffalo Cauliflower wings, but that was enough for me to want to go back.
Cafe Gratitude is a plant based organic restaurant with the intention of spreading gratitude. They offer an eclectic mix of American, Mexican, Thai, and Indian fusion cuisines.
De Buena Planta is an amazing Mexican restaurant committed to their fresh, plant based, and gluten free menu.
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