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Lorena Masso

The 14 Restaurants in San Francisco Changing the Narrative for Gluten-Free Diners

A guide to eating without the wheat-ing

by Paolo Bicchieri and Eater Staff Updated
1 comment / new
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by Paolo Bicchieri and Eater Staff Updated
1 comment / new
Lorena Masso

People love a trend, and who can blame them? It’s fun to be in style, and that goes for leaving the gluten off the menu. Gluten-free offerings are much further than a fad at this point, and gluten free is the largest and most popular ever “free from” category, blowing fat free out of the water — and that was before everyone turned to sourdough bread, a la health libertarian Michael Pollan, and became all the more health conscious nationwide.

Never mind that most people couldn’t tell you what gluten exactly is. And who cares? What’s important is that for the literal one percent of people who have celiac disease, and the roughly 10 percent with similar wheat-sensitivities, it’s never been a better time to grab a bite to eat. These 14 restaurants show that beyond all the hype, there are simple and affordable — or exciting and upscale — ways to get a meal that can make you feel safe. Note: You may still want to alert the staff of your allergy/sensitivity as many kitchens are not entirely gluten-free and there’s still a chance of cross-contamination.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Asian Box

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California chain Asian Box has been honored as one of the city’s worst-named restaurants, but it’s a go-to for those who eschew gluten, as it’s completely free of the ingredient. It's also good for the picky, as each box can be customized to order. With proteins like pork, chicken, and shrimp as well as a panoply of greens, the potential combinations are endless.

2031 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 288-3688
(415) 288-3688

Also featured in:

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

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While pizza probably isn't the first thing you think of when you're looking for a gluten-free meal, the good news is that tons of San Francisco pizza places have figured out it's something customers really want. That being said, of all the restaurants doing it, there's no doubt that Tony's does it the best. In addition, Tony's takes the preparation of its gluten-free pies very seriously, though it does caution there may be a chance of cross contamination.

1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 835-9888
(415) 835-9888

Also featured in:

Roam Artisan Burgers

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Even the gluten challenged deserve a soft, pillowy bun. Lots of burger spots around town offer to swap in lettuce leaves, but Roam respects the craving: Every burger on the menu is available on a gluten-free bun, and the veggie burgers are gluten-free, too.

1923 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 800-7801
(415) 800-7801

Also featured in:

As Quoted

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Presidio Heights' all-day cafe As Quoted is all about gluten-free everything, including the toast, topped with banana or avocado, which is made daily with sorghum and multigrain flours, honey, eggs, and avocado oil. For bigger portions, get the chicken bone broth.

3613 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 914-0689
(415) 914-0689

Bella Trattoria Italiana

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It's pretty much impossible to find an Italian restaurant that serves amazing gluten-free pasta, but Bella Trattoria, a charming and authentic restaurant in the Inner Richmond, is doing just that. Though Bella makes its pasta in house, it does buy its gluten-free quinoa alternative. However, it's the sauces, like arrabbiata, puttanesca, and salsiccia, that are the real hero of the dishes, so one truly doesn't mind. If you really need an Italian dish that's made in house though, there are also a couple of gluten-free gnocchi dishes that also knock it out of the park.

3854 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-0305
(415) 221-0305

Nopalito

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Chef Gonzalo Guzman’s beloved Mexican restaurant features corn masa and tortillas, soaked, shaped, and slapped by hand. That makes it easier to dodge wheat, from the butter bean tamales to blue corn quesadillas to tangy-sweet carnitas. 

306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 437-0303
(415) 437-0303

Also featured in:

Wholesome Bakery

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A dedicated gluten-free, vegan, low glycemic index, and generally delicious bakery, Wholesome is the passion project of Mandy Harper. Creating recipes to serve her own dietary needs, she founded her operation in 2009, opening a brick-and-mortar location of her own in January 2018 to keep up with demand. Harper just opened for dinner, too, so expect even more sensitivity-centered deliciousness.

299 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Dancing Yak

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This favorite Nepalese restaurant relies on lots of rice and lentils, and much of the menu is naturally gluten free — as well as clearly marked as such. Crispy pakora and kale chaat, plated dishes of thali and tandoori, and all of the house specials and curries are fair game.

280 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 525-4857
(415) 525-4857

Kitava

Copy Link

A former McDonald's space transformed into a gluten-free, paleo-friendly, healthy dining establishment? That's inspirational enough to attract plenty of better-eating converts, who come in for Kitava's Cuban bowl with heritage pork shoulder, zoodles (zucchini noodles) with red sauce, and even General Tso's chicken, which is fried with healthier-than-usual oils at lower temperatures.

2011 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

The Game Parlour

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This Sunset District spot opened as a great place to play games that also has food, but its burgeoning menu (and the pandemic) have turned it into a true dining destination. Nearly everything on its menu of sweet and savory waffles (including some major waffle sandwiches), salads, and sides can be made without gluten.

1342 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 571-8569
(415) 571-8569

Also featured in:

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine

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Thai cuisine is often a safe space for gluten sensitivities, featuring rice noodles instead of wheat noodles, fish sauce instead of soy sauce. Farmhouse is a West Coast powerhouse, with restaurants in Portland, Oakland, and SF, and many menu items forgo gluten, without compromising on spicy street food flavors.  

710 Florida St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 814-2920
(415) 814-2920

Also featured in:

The Pizza Place on Noriega

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Every pie from this Outer Sunset standby can be made with a gluten-free crust — a house-made dough that is also vegan, they say. Since the Pizza Place on Noriega uses a brick oven, every pie takes 25–30 minutes to bake, so pre-planning (or patience) pays off.

3901 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 759-5752
(415) 759-5752

Also featured in:

Firefly Restaurant

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Brad Levy opened his Noe Valley restaurant in 1993, but it wasn't until his daughters were diagnosed with celiac disease that the restaurant started serving their popular fried chicken gluten free. By now, nearly the whole menu at Firefly is gluten free or available that way, including desserts. "Our pastry chef works some witchy magic," they write on the menu.

4288 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 821-7652
(415) 821-7652

Also featured in:

Rinconcito Salvadoreño

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This Mission Street shop offers an ultra affordable gluten-free meal for all those out there who pretend eating a meal without wheat costs a million dollars. Beyond the burritos and breaded options, most everything on the menu is made naturally without wheat flour. That’s in part due to the star of the show: the pupusa, in its myriad forms, is made with corn flour or masa and is gluten free.

3829 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 282-9114
(415) 282-9114

Also featured in:

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Asian Box

2031 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123

California chain Asian Box has been honored as one of the city’s worst-named restaurants, but it’s a go-to for those who eschew gluten, as it’s completely free of the ingredient. It's also good for the picky, as each box can be customized to order. With proteins like pork, chicken, and shrimp as well as a panoply of greens, the potential combinations are endless.

2031 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 288-3688
(415) 288-3688

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133

While pizza probably isn't the first thing you think of when you're looking for a gluten-free meal, the good news is that tons of San Francisco pizza places have figured out it's something customers really want. That being said, of all the restaurants doing it, there's no doubt that Tony's does it the best. In addition, Tony's takes the preparation of its gluten-free pies very seriously, though it does caution there may be a chance of cross contamination.

1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 835-9888
(415) 835-9888

Roam Artisan Burgers

1923 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Even the gluten challenged deserve a soft, pillowy bun. Lots of burger spots around town offer to swap in lettuce leaves, but Roam respects the craving: Every burger on the menu is available on a gluten-free bun, and the veggie burgers are gluten-free, too.

1923 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 800-7801
(415) 800-7801

As Quoted

3613 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Presidio Heights' all-day cafe As Quoted is all about gluten-free everything, including the toast, topped with banana or avocado, which is made daily with sorghum and multigrain flours, honey, eggs, and avocado oil. For bigger portions, get the chicken bone broth.

3613 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 914-0689
(415) 914-0689

Bella Trattoria Italiana

3854 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118

It's pretty much impossible to find an Italian restaurant that serves amazing gluten-free pasta, but Bella Trattoria, a charming and authentic restaurant in the Inner Richmond, is doing just that. Though Bella makes its pasta in house, it does buy its gluten-free quinoa alternative. However, it's the sauces, like arrabbiata, puttanesca, and salsiccia, that are the real hero of the dishes, so one truly doesn't mind. If you really need an Italian dish that's made in house though, there are also a couple of gluten-free gnocchi dishes that also knock it out of the park.

3854 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-0305
(415) 221-0305

Nopalito

306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Chef Gonzalo Guzman’s beloved Mexican restaurant features corn masa and tortillas, soaked, shaped, and slapped by hand. That makes it easier to dodge wheat, from the butter bean tamales to blue corn quesadillas to tangy-sweet carnitas. 

306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 437-0303
(415) 437-0303

Wholesome Bakery

299 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

A dedicated gluten-free, vegan, low glycemic index, and generally delicious bakery, Wholesome is the passion project of Mandy Harper. Creating recipes to serve her own dietary needs, she founded her operation in 2009, opening a brick-and-mortar location of her own in January 2018 to keep up with demand. Harper just opened for dinner, too, so expect even more sensitivity-centered deliciousness.

299 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Dancing Yak

280 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

This favorite Nepalese restaurant relies on lots of rice and lentils, and much of the menu is naturally gluten free — as well as clearly marked as such. Crispy pakora and kale chaat, plated dishes of thali and tandoori, and all of the house specials and curries are fair game.

280 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 525-4857
(415) 525-4857

Kitava

2011 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

A former McDonald's space transformed into a gluten-free, paleo-friendly, healthy dining establishment? That's inspirational enough to attract plenty of better-eating converts, who come in for Kitava's Cuban bowl with heritage pork shoulder, zoodles (zucchini noodles) with red sauce, and even General Tso's chicken, which is fried with healthier-than-usual oils at lower temperatures.

2011 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

The Game Parlour

1342 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

This Sunset District spot opened as a great place to play games that also has food, but its burgeoning menu (and the pandemic) have turned it into a true dining destination. Nearly everything on its menu of sweet and savory waffles (including some major waffle sandwiches), salads, and sides can be made without gluten.

1342 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 571-8569
(415) 571-8569

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine

710 Florida St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Thai cuisine is often a safe space for gluten sensitivities, featuring rice noodles instead of wheat noodles, fish sauce instead of soy sauce. Farmhouse is a West Coast powerhouse, with restaurants in Portland, Oakland, and SF, and many menu items forgo gluten, without compromising on spicy street food flavors.  

710 Florida St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 814-2920
(415) 814-2920

The Pizza Place on Noriega

3901 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Every pie from this Outer Sunset standby can be made with a gluten-free crust — a house-made dough that is also vegan, they say. Since the Pizza Place on Noriega uses a brick oven, every pie takes 25–30 minutes to bake, so pre-planning (or patience) pays off.

3901 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 759-5752
(415) 759-5752

Firefly Restaurant

4288 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Brad Levy opened his Noe Valley restaurant in 1993, but it wasn't until his daughters were diagnosed with celiac disease that the restaurant started serving their popular fried chicken gluten free. By now, nearly the whole menu at Firefly is gluten free or available that way, including desserts. "Our pastry chef works some witchy magic," they write on the menu.

4288 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 821-7652
(415) 821-7652

Rinconcito Salvadoreño

3829 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

This Mission Street shop offers an ultra affordable gluten-free meal for all those out there who pretend eating a meal without wheat costs a million dollars. Beyond the burritos and breaded options, most everything on the menu is made naturally without wheat flour. That’s in part due to the star of the show: the pupusa, in its myriad forms, is made with corn flour or masa and is gluten free.

3829 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 282-9114
(415) 282-9114

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