Best Gluten-Free Cities in the US: A Celiac’s Top 5

If you’re gluten-free in the United States you’ve probably heard about how gluten-free-friendly travel in Italy and Europe can be. And it is! But, If you’re in the US and don’t want to fly across the Atlantic there are some incredible options for gluten-free vacations in the US too! This is my top list of gluten-free cities in the US!

There are more options; I haven’t been everywhere! But, I don’t want to recommend somewhere I haven’t experienced for myself. So, these are top 5 US cities for gluten-free from my experience as a celiac.

Just remember, my celiac isn’t your celiac or gluten-free journey (or anyone else’s). Some of the things I’m comfortable with, you may not be, and you may have a different experience with the restaurants than I did. I hope you do because I had a great experience! But, you do you, no judgment and no pressure. I hope to shed some insight to make your planning easier.

Some of the links on the page are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase from one of the links, I earn money at no extra cost to you. I’ll only recommend brands I’ve used and love (or an alternative I would book myself). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I always pay for my own travel. I’ll be sure to let you know if that ever changes. If you choose to click through and purchase – thanks so much for the support!

5- San Francisco

San Francisco comes in at number 5 on my list. It was one of my first gluten-free vacations in the US after I was diagnosed with Celiac and it felt like heaven!

ince it was my first gluten-free friendly city I’ve been back several times and continue to love it.

There are tons of things to do in San Francisco when you aren’t enjoying gluten-free food.

I had fun going to Alcatraz Island and seeing the seals by the water. The trams and hills make San Franciso an iconic place to visit. The Golden Gate Bridge is absolutely breathtaking; walking halfway across and back again you can feel the bridge sway a bit from the wind.

If you get a chance to go across the river and see Muir Woods and Sausalito you should!

My Favorite Restaurants in San Francisco

There are several dedicated gluten-free and celiac-friendly restaurants in San Francisco. Since I tend to visit for short trips, I have two staples to visit every time I go!

Mariposa Baking Co.

Mariposa Baking Co. has a few locations throughout the city with the flagship being down in a ferry building down the water from Fisherman’s Wharf. I’ve loved everything I’ve ever gotten at Mariposa and I typically buy some extra cookies to pack on the flight home!

Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen

Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen was where I first tried arepas. It, quite literally, changed my life. I have a new favorite food and I go out of my way to find arepas in other cities because of Pica Pica. It’s my number one food recommendation to anyone going to the Bay Area. You can find Pica Pica in the mission district.

I’ve tried most of the arepas on the menu and I’ve loved them all. The pabellón is my favorite but the vegan and crispy chicken options are delicious. Be sure to try the guasacaca. And the plantain chips.

Where to Stay

There are great options throughout San Francisco. Be sure you have a public transit option near where you’ll be sleeping. The hills in the bay area are no joke and you don’t want to be stuck walking up and down them every day!

I’ve stayed in several different places in the city. I found that it was easy to get around from the Hilton San Francisco Financial District as long as you feel confident eating out while you’re traveling.

I’m comfortable with this in San Francisco but you’d have to decide for yourself.

4- Seattle

Seattle is one of my favorite destinations. It’s so close to both Mt. Rainer and Olympic National Parks. This makes it easy to explore the outdoors after you’ve seen the city.

See the space needle and walk through Pike Place Market. Plus, the coffee scene in the city is amazing!

Add that it is home to some amazing dedicated restaurants and it’s a great gluten-free vacation in the US!

My Favorite Restaurants in Seattle

Ghostfish Brewing Company

When I went to Ghostfish I didn’t realize that it was a dedicated gluten-free restaurant. I couldn’t believe I could eat everything on their menu! Tacos, pretzels, and onion rings were the highlights for me. My husband had a burger that looked so good! This is my restaurant of choice in Seattle and we went more than once during our short stay. I can’t wait to go back.

Capitol Cider

Capitol Cider is a next-level dedicated gluten-free restaurant. This one is a little bit pricier than the restaurants I usually frequent. Brunch felt more affordable. The menu gives plenty of options and it’s worth checking out on your visit.

Frankie & Jo’s Ice Cream

Frankie & Jo’s is vegan and gluten-free ice cream. This was my first experience with a gluten-free cone after my diagnosis. I still remember eating the ice cream on the sidewalk and I distinctly remember an internal debate about eating one more. I couldn’t. We came back on a different day and this ice cream shop became the standard by which I measure all other ice cream shops. It’s still the best.

Where to Stay

There are several affordable and well-reviewed hotel options in downtown Seattle.

This option in the Financial District is good if you don’t want a kitchen.

Or, there are apartment options throughout Seattle.

3- Denver

Denver, and the surrounding areas, have some delicious restaurant options.

It’s one of my favorite gluten-free cities in the US for restaurants and because I can spend so much time hiking and adventuring!

Head up to Rocky Mountain National Park to take in some of the outdoors. Hiking, or rock climbing, in the flat irons, is a great way to spend a day.

I’ve been to Denver on holiday and for a work conference. I had a great experience both times but the holiday trip was way more fun!

My Favorite Restaurants in/around Denver

River and Roads Coffee

River and Roads Coffee is a coffee shop but it’s also a spot for dedicated gluten-free brunch and breakfast. I ordered sandwiches, chai teas, and muffins galore from River and Roads. It’s my one mandatory stop in Denver.

Quiero Arepas

Quiero Arepas is a unique restaurant in a food court-like location built out of shipping containers. The place gets a 10/10 for vibes for sure. I told you Pica Pica started an obsession and I visited this place because arepas are the best. Pabellón is still my favorite! They had some excellent juices to go with the arepas!

Holidaily Brewing Company

Holidaily Brewing Company is the perfect spot to hang out with a large group of people. The place is an experience with beers and cider and dedicated gluten-free food trucks. If there aren’t food trucks you can order gluten-free pizza.

Rheinlander Bakery

Rheinlander Bakery is one of a few places on my list that isn’t dedicated gluten-free. I questioned their practices and have been here multiple times. Each time I bring a box of treats home with me! This is a German bakery in Arvada, a suburb of Denver. The gluten-free options are in a case away from the rest of the products. There are several gluten-free and dairy-free choices too! I think the biscotti from here has been my favorite thing.

Where to Stay

I stayed in Boulder for one visit and on the outskirts of Denver for the work conference. I’ll be going back in June and I’ll update how that newest stay goes!

I prefer staying in Boulder because most of what I’m interested in doing is outside the city.

I also enjoy that Boulder is my personality in city form (according to my husband). It’s a hipster, adventuring, gluten-free-friendly city.

I love rock climbing and hiking so Boulder was the pick for me. Spending time outside means having a kitchen is a nice perk. The flexibility is worth it when I’m leaving early for hikes and getting back late.

2- New York City

New York City is an incredibly gluten-free-friendly city in the US.

There are great restaurants but there’s also so much to do! Walk the Highline, see a show on Broadway, stroll Brooklyn, relax in Central Park, visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum or MOMA.

This list could go on; you won’t be bored!

My Favorite Restaurants in NYC

Modern Bread and Bagel

Modern Bread and Bagel is a dedicated gluten-free bakery serving the best gluten-free bagels! If I could pick one place to eat for the rest of my life it would be Modern Bread and Bagel. I brought a bag of 6 home with me. And, my husband surprised me with bagels shipped to our house.

Eating them in person is my favorite but they’re delicious shipped ooo.

The donuts and cookies were also amazing. They have a vegan cream cheese option too so everyone is covered!

You’d never know it was gluten-free and if you can only try one place in NYC this should be it.

Posh Pop Bakeshop

Posh Pop Bakeshop is like stepping into a bakery on a movie set. Honestly, by the time I visited last, I wasn’t even hungry. But, everything was too perfect! I ended up with some cake balls to go and a slice of cake to eat there. No regrets but I’d hate to see what it would’ve been like if I’d actually been hungry when I was visiting!

Kesté Pizza and Vino

Kesté Pizza & Vino isn’t dedicated gluten-free but they are quite well trained in how to cook for celiacs. I’ve had pizza here multiple times and never had an issue. It’s delicious! One of the best pizzas I’ve had outside of Italy!

Lilli and Loo

Lilli and Loo is a Chinese restaurant that was one of my first gluten-free restaurants way back when I hadn’t been diagnosed for long. They aren’t dedicated gluten-free but they know what they’re doing. You’ll be able to enjoy all of the typical Chinese food that you’ve missed out on since you’re diagnosis.

Bonus- Food Festival!

If you happen to be visiting in spring through fall if check out Smorgasburg. It’s a weekly food truck party and there are loads of gluten-free options! There are different locations and days. The flagship location is in Brooklyn but I had great luck at the event near The Oculus as well.

Where to Stay

Where to stay in New York City is a tough question. It depends on where you want to be!

I have never felt like I needed a kitchen in NYC. There are great food options all over the city. I still have to plan more than I would if I wasn’t Celiac but it’s nowhere near as hard as other cities.

Since then I’ve stayed in Times Square. I like being in the middle of the action on a visit. I’d never want to live near Times Square but it’s a fun vacation spot!

1- Portland, Oregon

Portland was on my list for a long time. I got to go for my 35th birthday and I can’t wait to go back.

Portland is a Celiac dream. There are so many great options. I’ll stick with my dedicated gluten-free favorites.

I didn’t get to try all of the dedicated gluten-free options. There just wasn’t time. I’ll have go back!

I attempted to try 35 baked goods for my 35th birthday. I got really close.

Portland is my favorite city in the US for gluten-free for a reason!

My Favorite Restaurants in Portland

Petunia’s Pies and Pastries

Petunia’s is a gluten-free and vegan bakery in the heart of downtown Portland. It’s home to some of my favorite treats. The ice cream sandwiches are next level, the circus cookie was amazing, and every other baked good I tried was incredible.

I even grabbed a veggie pot pie for lunch one day. It was convenient to where I was staying and, even though it’s not something I’d normally go for, I tried it. Delicioius.

New Cascadia

New Cascadia is home to excellent pizza and my favorite donut of all time.

The pizza crust is fluffy and crispy in the best way. It’s the best kind of pizza crust that’s so hard to find when you’re gluten-free.

New Cascadia is also known for a maple donut that will blow your mind. It takes like how I remember donuts. It was a dream. I can’t wait to get another one.

Gluten-Free Gem

Gluten-free Gem is yet another dedicated gluten-free bakery in Portland.

I tried several things here. The lemonade donut was my favorite! They also had salads and quick items to pick up for lunch.

Mokiko’s Mochi Donuts

Mokiko’s donuts are on a monthly rotation. You can get a sample box of them or try the ones you think you’ll like. They do a good job of having flavors you won’t find in other donuts.

I think I ate a dozen of these little donuts in the week I was there.

Schilling Hard Cider

Schilling Hard Cider serves really good cider. There are sooo many. But, the best part is that they have a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. So, you can grab some bar food while you’re there.

The corn dog and french fries were so crispy. Not my healthiest meal but it was one of my favorites!

Where to Stay in Portland

These restaurants are spread all over Portland. Along with some of my other favorites.

You don’t have to have a rental car here but it did make it much easier to visit the coast and see different restuarants.

I stayed at The Benson. But, staying in the downtown area, specifically the Pearl District, was a good location. Since it was centrally located getting to the restaurants outside of the downtown area wasn’t difficult.

Honorable Mentions

Boston wasn’t as good as NYC but that’s a high bar. I ate well when I visited; including eating a cannoli and some truly amazing donuts! You have to plan more than in some of the other cities but there are certainly good options. You can even find arepas!

Chicago almost made my top 5 list but not quite. Do-Rite donuts will always be high on my list and the Asian food options in Chicago are exceptional!

There are so many great gluten-free vacations in the US. The cities listed above have fun things to do and delicious gluten-free food you can feel safe eating.

Enjoy these Gluten-Free Cities in the USA