Gluten-Free Dining in Grand Rapids

Barrio Tacos

Like most restaurants on this list, Barrio Tacos is not a dedicated gluten-free facility – meaning that the same kitchen is used to make all its dishes – but it does offer an extensive menu of gluten-free selections, including hard and soft corn tortillas. You can build your own taco with a wide assortment of gluten-free proteins, toppings, salsas and sauces. Their house-made tortilla chips are gluten free, too, and are fried in a separate fryer. Gluten-free (GF) options are clearly marked on the menu.

Condado Tacos

The vast majority of menu items at Condado Tacos are or can be made gluten free, starting with its corn tortilla chips and corn taco shells. The kitchen staff uses a strict set of protocols to help prevent cross-contact between wheat and gluten-free dishes. All GF items are indicated on the menu and an allergen list identifies items containing the eight most common allergenic foods, including wheat/gluten. A second Condado Tacos in Breton Village, about five miles southeast of downtown GR, offers the same menu.

City Built Brewing Company

A dedicated gluten-free fryer is used at City Built Brewing Co. to prepare tortilla chips, French fries, yuca fries (deep-fried cassava root) and tostones (fried and smashed green plantains). There are gluten-free options for all taco meals, including shrimp, chicken tinga, smoked pork and jackfruit options. The menu calls out GF and GFO (option) dishes.

The Friesian Gastro Pub

Truffle frites, pulled pork nachos, Vietnamese sticky ribs, a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, spaghetti pasta, kimchi fried rice and carrot cake are among the many GF and GFO options on The Friesian’s menus, which include a Saturday and Sunday brunch.  A dedicated gluten-free fryer and a staff well-versed in GF requirements makes diners feel further at ease.

Littlebird

The Littlebird, a “progressive” bistro and bar, serves brunch and dinner six days a week, and both menus include GF options, clearly marked on the menu. Littlebird’s smashburger, which features two wagyu beef patties, is available with a GF bun (that doesn’t fall apart or crumble while you’re eating!). 

MeXo Tequila & Mezcal Bar

Exploring the intersection between classic pre-Hispanic and modern Mexican cuisine, MeXo features mostly GF items on its menu, all marked for easy ID. GF corn chips, mushroom tacos, pork belly tortas, vegan enchiladas and grilled octopus are among the favorites here.

San Chez Bistro

San Chez Bistro offers a variety of allergy menus, including a gluten-free one listing its many GF dishes, which range from tapas (Spanish-inspired small plates meant for sharing) to paellas to and bread and garlic toast. The daily breakfast/brunch menu offers many GF items, as well. The restaurant cautions that fried items may be cross-contaminated.

Two Beards Deli

A sandwich lover’s dream, Two Beards Deli offers GF bread and nearly 90+ GF ingredient combinations. GF and “normal” sandwiches are made with shared ingredients but the staff takes great precautions to prevent cross-contamination.

Maru Sushi

Japanese restaurant Maru Sushi features unique sushi rolls and hibachi eats, many of which can be made GF. Servers are knowledgeable and prepared to advise you on the substitutions the kitchen can make to allow you to dine safely. 

Terra GR

This New American restaurant specializes in locally sourced ingredients and offers GF options for dinner and Saturday/Sunday brunch, all identified on the menu. Terra GR’s gluten-free selections include bread, pizza and dessert.

Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop

Featuring 12 different made-from-scratch soups every day, along with gourmet sandwiches and salads, Uncle Cheetah’s is an excellent choice for gluten-free options. Check their Instagram page for the soups of the day to see which are GF (hint: it’s most of them) as well as vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free creations. There are GF bread options for sandwiches, too.

Archival Brewing

A wide variety of GF and GFO items await you at Archival Brewing, a craft brewery about 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. They have a dedicated GF fryer and even the kids menu calls out GF options.

Bier Distillery & Brewery

Bier Distillery & Brewery, about 13 minutes from downtown GR, offers a range of GF and GFO selections, including some of its Dutch cuisine offerings. To help avoid cross-contamination, tell your server (or indicate in your online order) that you have celiac or gluten sensitivity, and the kitchen staff will use separate equipment and change gloves between GF and non-GF parts of your order.

F'n K Tacos

California street-style tacos on freshly made corn tortillas are the big draw at F'n K Tacos

In Rockford, about 20 minutes from GR. Tell them you can’t have gluten and they’ll be happy to oblige.

Hop Hog Backyard Brewpub

Many items at this BBQ restaurant in Greenville, about 35 minutes from Grand Rapids, are or can be made GF. Hop Hog uses two gluten-free fryers located in their own area of the kitchen to prevent cross-contamination of such foods as waffle fries, sriracha fries, cheesy breadsticks, fried brussels sprouts and cheesy breadsticks. A second Hop Hog in Lowell has three dedicated GF fryers.

O’Briens Deli & Burgers

O’Briens Deli & Burgers offers GF bread for its grilled sandwiches, GF wraps for its grilled wraps and GF buns for its fresh-ground burgers, each available for an upcharge. It’s located on East Paris Ave, easily accessible from the I-196 expressway.

Amore Trattoria Italiana

Situated about 15 minutes from downtown GR, Amore Trattoria Italian offers a separate vegan/gluten-free menu that includes pasta, bread and more. The restaurant uses a dedicated pizza oven and dedicated pizza cutter for GF pizza and other items. All staffers receive allergen training and understand the importance of GF requests.

The Mitten Brewing Company

This vintage baseball-themed microbrewery just a few minutes from downtown GR is known for its delicious specialty pizzas, all of which can be made gluten free. Can’t decide? Build your own GF pizza or get a flight of six GF pizza samples. The Mitten brews up some gluten-reduced beers, too.

Fruition Acai & Juice Bar

With locations in Ada, Grandville and Uptown GR, Fruition is a convenient stop for gluten-free acai bowls (featuring GF granola), avocado bowls, toasts, juices and smoothies. Ask the staff at the counter for GF options.

Hall Street Bakery

A separate gluten-free kitchen ensures that Hall Street Bakery’s GF scones, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls and more are celiac-safe. There are also GF options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including GF pizzas. The bakery is just a 10-minute drive from downtown GR.

Papa Chops Eatery

“Finally, delicious food that’s entirely gluten free,” is the promise at Papa Chops Eatery, a dedicated GF and celiac-safe restaurant. The eatery offers a wide array of classic American fare, including burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. Enjoy your meal on site or to go. Papa Chops is located on 28^th Street, just west of Breton Rd.

The Derby Tavern

Gluten-free nachos, bruschetta, fries, pizza, sandwich buns, desserts and salad croutons are among culinary delights at The Derby Tavern in Hudsonville, about 20 minutes from downtown GR. Look for GF items labeled on the menu.

Noble Restaurant

Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week, Noble Restaurant offers gluten-free waffles, hash browns, omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, chicken strips, hand-cut fries and more. All GF items are marked on the menu. Noble Restaurant is in Wyoming, 10 or so minutes from downtown GR.

Rise Authentic Baking Co.

A five-minute drive or bus ride from downtown GR, located just around the corner from John Ball Zoo, Rise is an entirely gluten-free, vegan and soy-free bakery that is also free from all artificial flavors and colors. Menus change with the seasons but typically include breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, toasts, soups and sandwiches plus ever-changing selection of scrumptious sweets.

Menus are subject to change, so check websites and social media pages or call ahead to ensure items mentioned above are still available.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Experience Grand Rapids (@experiencegrandrapids)