Our Top Picks in Each NOBREAD City
In my early years as a gluten-free person, it was SO difficult to find GF options at restaurants. Thankfully, times have changed and restaurants are more in tune with the need for gluten-free options. If anything, my problem today is the abundance of delicious gluten-free options offered, and the ever-increasing options at restaurants can be a little overwhelming as I have too many favorite spots and entrees! I decided to compile a list of some of my favorite, and most NOBREAD-friendly, restaurants in each NOBREAD city to hopefully make it a little easier the next time you are deciding where to have your next meal!
NYC
by Chloe
by Chloe opened earlier this year and quickly became the place to eat. It’s 100% vegan and super gluten-friendly. They have managed to make healthy and minimally processed vegan food feel like indulgent comfort food (think sweet potato mac n’ cheese and avocado kale gluten-free pasta). bBy Chloe indicates gluten-free items on the menu so there is no need to play the guessing game!
Chalk Point Kitchen
Chalk Point Kitchen is a jack-of-all-trades. Anyone, from vegetarians to carnivores to gluten-free eaters, can find something here that suits their tastes. Whether you go for brunch, lunch, or dinner, the dishes are either gluten-free naturally or can be made so upon request. The Roasted Carrots with feta and black truffle is a must-order at lunch, and the acai bowls are my favorite for breakfast or brunch!
The Butcher’s Daughter
Brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter, which is 100% vegetarian and non-dairy, normally means a long wait but it is definitely worth it! Most of the dishes are gluten-free or can be made gluten-free and the staff is super accommodating. Our NOBREAD–friendly favorites include the Tacos Verdes, GF Avocado Toast and the Adzuki Bean Bacon, which is tasty enough to make you forget about the real thing!
L.A.
Backyard Bowls
Backyard Bowls is a great casual, healthy option for breakfast, lunch, or a post-gym snack. They are best known for their acai/smoothie bowls, all of which can be made with gluten-free granola upon request. You can’t go wrong with any of the superfood-filled smoothie bowls, but we recommend the Green Bowl, which includes kale and spinach for an extra nutritional punch!
Gracias Madre
While Mexican food normally isn’t normally considered the most healthiesty cuisine, Gracias Madre’s food proves that Mexican dishes can be made with wholesome, vegan ingredients and still be just as delicious as before. The restaurant is vegan and very NOBREAD-friendly. Some of our favorite gluten-free options include the chips and guacamole, veggie tacos, butternut squash quesadilla, and signature flash-fried cauliflower.
Café Gratitude
Café Gratitude, the sister to our other favorite, Gracias Madre, is also vegan and mostly gluten-free but its menu is more varied in its influences, serving everything from an Indian curry bowl to Pad Thai (both NOBREAD favorites!) to Italian bruschetta. Café Gratitude is also unique in that servers ask diners a different, meaningful question everyday and positive mantras cover the walls, inspiring conversation and reminding diners that there is more to good health than just eating nutritious food.
D.C.
Buredo
Trendy sushirittos, or sushi burritos, are hopefully here to stay because we would gladly eat one from Buredo everyday! There are only 8 varieties to choose from, all of which can be made gluten-free upon request, but and they have perfected each of them. Their interesting ingredient combos, like garlic crunch and passionfruit miso sauce, which is found in the Elle sushiritto, seem a little unusual at first but actually complement each other perfectly.
Cava Grill
Finding a chain restaurant that offers gluten-free options made with consistently fresh, healthy ingredients can be hard. Thankfully Cava Grill covers all those bases with its make-your-own bowl option, to which you can add several types of hummus, toppings, a protein option, and any of their 5 dressings! You will definitely leave feeling satisfied thanks to the unique flavors and generous servings!
Baked & Wired
Baked & Wired serves some of Georgetown’s best coffee according to Thrillist, and they also offer some of the best NOBREAD-friendly pastries in the area! Their gluten-free “cakecups” are definitely top-notch, but nothing can beat the Caramel Blondie.
San Francisco
Tacolicious
Tacolicious offers just the kind of light and fresh Mexican food we love, not to mention margaritas by the pitcher! You can’t go wrong with the Guacamole, Pozole Rojo (pork broth with hominy), or Pacific (Grilled) Cod Taco. Due to its wide selection of mouth-watering NOBREAD-friendly dishes we recommend going with a group in order to taste some of each!
Craftsman & Wolves
Craftsman & Wolves might not have tons of NOBREAD-friendly meal options, but it’s hip atmosphere, small bites, and coffee & tea options make it a great place for a mid- morning or afternoon meeting. In addition to the handful of in-house gluten-free options, they also sell several unique sweets and candies to take home! Several types of caramels, fudge, and marshmallows mean there are enough indulgent gluten-free options to make you forget about the off-limit items!
Smitten Ice Cream
Smitten takes ice cream to the next level by offering made-to-order, minimally processed ice cream with unique sauces and toppings, like the Spicy Caramel Sauce! Most of their classic flavors and toppings are NOBREAD-friendly but make sure to ask an employee about the variable seasonal !
If after reading this review, you’re ready to travel to one of our NOBREAD cities and devour everything you’ve just read, then I’ve done a job well done! As you can see here, whether you are in New York, Los Angeles, DC, or San Francisco, or anywhere else for that matter, restaurants have made strides in catering to the gluten-free community. Gluten-free is here to stay, and I await what innovative recipes these restaurants come up with next!
