Whether you avoid gluten due to health conditions like Celiac or your body is just gluten-sensitive, finding safe gluten-free options can be a challenge. As someone with a major gluten allergy, I have spent countless hours scouring menus, google reviews, and websites looking for food that’s safe to eat.
I hope this guide makes it easier to dine out in the Burg so you can enjoy a meal without having to do as many hours of research ahead of time. As always, be sure to let your server know of any allergies and food sensitivities you might have. Cross-contamination in restaurants that aren’t dedicated to gluten-free kitchens is always a possibility. Locations that are 100% gluten-free will be noted below!
What’s your favorite gluten-free meal in the Burg? Did I miss a spot? Let me know in the comments below! These are a few of our favorite spots in St. Pete with gluten-free options:
11 Chicks
📍 199 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N
The Venezuelan hidden gem that is 11 Chicks is home to my favorite arepas in the city. The owner is super helpful to make sure your meal is safe. Go big or go home with the massive Chick #8 arepa stuffed with carne asada, bacon, a fried egg, sweet plantain, chorizo, black beans, avocado, cilantro aioli, and Venezuelan cheese.
Adieu Glu
📍 1942 1st Ave S
✅ Dedicated Gluten-free
Even if this wasn’t alphabetical, I’d list Deb Cooper’s gluten-free bagel bites up top. The Rye-Not bread, Sourdough Boule, and chocolate chip cookies are also big faves in this house. These fresh baked goods fly off the shelves! We recommend calling ahead to double-check if she still has what you want in stock that day.
Bolay
📍 1330 4th Street North
✅ Dedicated Gluten-free
The 100% gluten-free bowl concept has some sun menu items including forbidden black rice, asian sweet potato noodles, miso glazed tofu, spicy Thai shrimp, mojo pulled pork, cauliflower rice, power beans, sweet chili Brussels sprouts, and chimichurri tomatoes. The pineapple habanero hot sauce is so dang good.
Cali
📍 190 37th Ave N
Cali St. Pete is serving up gluten-free California-inspired bowls. I rotate between the Hot & Crunchy, the Spicy Brazilian, and the Soo… Buff Bowls. The crispy chicken and lentil bites are my fave proteins on the menu and the coconut avocado rice is delish. Get the Honey Habanero hot sauce and thank us later.
Casita Taqueria
📍 2663 Central Ave
📍 2701 4th St N
📍 2991 66th St N
A staple in the Burg community, almost all of their meats are gluten-free. The Casita Bowls are also a great go-to and the tortilla chips are gluten-free safe as well. Heads up, unfortunately, their corn tortillas are no longer gluten-free.
Cassis
📍170 Beach Dr
The American Brasserie, located on Beach Drive, offers a wide selection of GF options on each of its menus. Dropping in for Brunch? We love to order the Portobello Mushroom & Brie Cheese Omelet. If you’re feeling fancy, their dinner menu has a Miso Glazed Atlantic Salmon dish that is truly divine
Cava
📍 1320 4th St N
A mediterranean bowl concept, CAVA serves up some TASTY food. Their harissa honey chicken haunts my dreams. My go-to order is a custom Grains Bowl with saffron basmati rice, crazy feta, red pepper hummus, roasted eggplant dip, harissa honey chicken, fire roasted corn, avocado, tomato + cucumber, and skhug.
Ceviche
📍 190 37th Ave N
This tapas bar is a place my family and I love to go to celebrate. Most of their menu is gluten-free! Order up some ceviche (of course), patatas bravas, espinacas (spinach, figs, honey, garlic), picanha, albondigas, and so much more.
Craft Kafe
📍 6653 Central Ave
📍 200 Central Ave
✅ Dedicated Gluten-free
This 100% gluten-free bakery and cafe is my second home. They create the ultimate bakery experience 100% safe for gluten-free diners. Massive cinnamon rolls, breakfast sandwiches, hand pies, cakes, pies, muffins, bear claws, pizzas and more await you.
Doc Ford's
📍 612 2nd Ave NE (St. Pete Pier)
📍 8790 Bay Pines Blvd
The rum bar & grille has a surprisingly massive gluten-free menu! You can get their Maine Lobster Roll, grouper sandwich, and other sandwiches on a gluten-free bun. Seafood tacos, flatbreads, baked oysters, paella, banana leaf snapper, shrimp and grits, and more await you.
The Floribbean
📍 2410 Central Ave
✅ Dedicated Gluten-free
This Caribbean fusion bowl concept in the Grand Central District serves up some TASTY food. Bowl fixings include garlic lime braised beef, Cuban-style pork, curtido slaw, coconut rice, mango quinoa salad, soffits, plantains, and more. Make sure to get the jerk aioli as your sauce and a glass of coconut lime ginger juice!
Fresh Kitchen
📍 4447 4th St N #2
✅ Dedicated Gluten-free
With an efficient assembly line style set-up, serve healthy food at the speed of a fast-food restaurant. Must-try bowl fillings include the sweet potato noodles, almond baked chicken, and the holy kale sauce. While you are in line, be sure to pick up a pack of their chocolate zucchini brownies and a juice to go with your meal.
Good Intentions
📍 1900 1st Ave S
Grand Central’s vegan hot spot also has a wonderful number of gluten-free dishes on its menu. Nosh on dishes like big can nachos, tofu fires, chimichurri tempeh, grits & greens, and more. They also have a fantastic cocktail menu!
HaleLife Bistro
📍 2462 5th Ave S
📍11270 4th St N
✅ Dedicated Gluten-free
This gluten-free and vegan bistro is a DELIGHT. They serve up the cutest cake donuts, soft-baked cookies, and cupcakes around. Their freezer grab-and-go is stocked with soft pretzel bites, ice cream sandwiches, and more. Their bistro menu features breakfast sandwiches, pizzas, fried and filled donuts, quiches, and so much more.
House of Vegano
📍 655 31st South
All of their sushi rolls are gluten-free and vegan! You have to try their Volcano Roll made with avocado, cucumber, and topped with spicy vegan dynamite, vegan caviar, spicy mayo, sriracha, vegan eel sauce, and green onions.
Love Food Central
📍 2057 Central Ave
Love Food is one of my all-time go-to spots in the city for gluten-free food that is also vegan. I’m addicted to the Buffalo Tempeh Sandwich, the Mac ‘n’ Cheeze, and their Carmelita bars. Their housemade black bean and beet burger is a staple, the moon pies divine, and the Laura Palmer is the perfect drink to wash it all down.
Karma Juice Bar & Eatery
📍 1804 4th St N
They’re known for their from scratch smoothies, acai bowls, and juices but their salads are not only delicious and fresh, the portion size on the bowls is more than satisfying! The Asian Chicken Salad (uses Tamari instead of soy sauce in the ginger dressing) is a must-have. They also have GF bread (and wraps) if you have an avocado toast craving you need to fill.
Maxi Artisanal Empanadas
📍Food Truck/Pop-Up
This food truck knows their stuff! Everything bit of their Colombian empanadas menu is made from scratch and it shows. The steak and the pulled pork + plantain empanadas are my favorite. They have a rotating vegan flavor that is always fantastic. Get the aji and the green goddess sauces!
Neighborhood Joe
📍 2609 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N
The cozy vegan and vegetarian café can make most of their sandwiches gluten-free friendly with the option of gluten-free sourdough and gluten-free millet/flax. Enjoy baked goods from Vegan Sunshine and a cup of coffee while you’re there.
Pacific Counter
📍 660 Central Ave
These super fresh poke bowls are a filling but still light option for those on the go. Build a bowl or sushi burrito with spicy tuna, daikon salad, edamame, blistered peppers, kimchi, mango, furikake, and more! Don’t forget a pineapple dole whip + one of their tasty drinks.
Paradeco Coffee Roasters
📍 111 2nd Ave NE
Downtown’s most instagrammable coffee shop serves up a solid rotation of gluten-free dishes alongside their coffee, teas, and smoothies. The kimchi hash is my go-to order. The French Toast (which is also dairy-free) and the gluten-free fast breaker breakfast sandwich are also divine.
Sōl St. Pete
📍 2149 3rd Ave S Unit #6
✅ Dedicated Gluten-free
The 100% gluten-free bistro is a great treat-yourself dinner spot. Their allergen-friendly menu features items like crusty garlic bread, Magical Mushroom Steak, Turkey Bolognese, Lasagna, Tender Local Grass-fed & finished Ribeye, and carrot cake.
Twisted Indian
📍 2639 Central Ave
One of our absolute favorites! Get the Lamb Korma Bollywood Bowl if you want something a little spicy. The sidewinder chat fries are also some of the best in the Burg. The Chicken Tikka Masala tacos pair best with a Mango Lassi smoothie.
Wild Child
📍 2710 Central Ave
Their menu changes seasonally so be sure to check it out before you go. Currently on their menu is a braised short rib birria, a mushroom and kale paella, octopus al pastor, and a 16oz hand-cut creek stone boneless ribeye. The breakfast tacos on their brunch menu are also super tasty.
And because “have gluten allergy. will travel.” for gluten-free food, here are a few great options in the greater St. Pete Clearwater region. Here are a few of our faves. You can check out an even bigger guide from our friends at Visit St. Pete Clearwater here.
Empanada Brothers
📍 9285 Seminole Blvd, Seminole
Colombian corn flour arepas are one of my obsessions. Their roster includes 130+ rotating flavors of empanadas (almost all of which are gluten-free). Some of their flavors include chicharron (w/beans, rice, and mozzarella), beef and potato, guava and mozzarella, pepperoni pizza, and the Cubano.
Middle Grounds Grill
📍 10925 Gulf Blvd
This family-owned Treasure Island gem has a large number of dishes that can be made gluten-free. Menu items include the artichoke smoked gouda fondue, chicken breast Alfredo pasta, fresh gulf grouper, alaskan king crab, and more.
Pia's Trattoria
📍 3054 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport
I was delighted when I found out that Pia’s actually has a lot to offer for the gluten-free crowd. Start your meal with a warm gluten-free loaf and pesto rosso, check out their rotating specials, sub in their gluten-free pasta on most dishes, and even the osso bucco is gluten-free! If you haven’t been, it’s positively dreamy.
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