Gluten, a natural protein found in many grains, is a key ingredient in bread, pasta, pizza, salad dressings, sauces and lots of other foods – so many that dining out can be a challenge if you’re following a gluten-free diet.
Fortunately, Grand Rapids has plenty of delicious options for anyone avoiding gluten due to celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or just because they feel better when they don’t consume it.
We asked our social media followers and Experience Grand Rapids staffers who avoid gluten to recommend their favorite destinations for gluten-free dining. The restaurants they mentioned most frequently are listed below.
Insider tip: always tell your server if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity/intolerance before you order so they can instruct the kitchen to take proper safety precautions.
Downtown
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Find seasonal breakfast options and changing sweet treats at Barrio Tacos.
Photo by Experience GR
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
Featuring coastal-Mexican flavors and from-scratch dishes from GR’s own Los Mariscos de Pancho, City Built Brewing Company features 25+ gluten-free selections on its regular menu, from chips & salsa and birria cheesy fries to quesabirria and steak fajitas to a kids taco plate and a variety of sides. Chicken wings, shrimp cocktail, a kids burrito and other dishes can be made gluten-free upon request. The menu clearly calls out GF and GFO options, as well as dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan items. Gluten-free drinks – alcoholic and zero-proof – are also available.
The Friesian Gastro Pub
Truffle frites, pork belly bites, blackened red snapper, Vietnamese sticky ribs and carrot cake are among the many GF and GFO options on The Friesian ’s menus. A dedicated gluten-free fryer and a staff well-versed in GF requirements makes diners feel further at ease – be sure to talk to your server about any food sensitivities you have. The Friesian is a peanut-free restaurant.
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
Start your lunch or dinner at MeXo with the restaurant’s delicious gluten-free corn chips and your choice of sauces. Exploring the intersection between classic pre-Hispanic and modern Mexican cuisine, MeXo offers many naturally gluten-free options. They maintain separate food prep stations and utensils in the kitchen to better accommodate food intolerances and allergies.
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.
Uptown
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Savor locally sourced New American dishes with gluten-free choices like bread, pizza and desserts.
Photo by Experience GR
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 a rotating menu of made-from-scratch soups every day, along with gourmet sandwiches and salads – plus a special summer picnic menu – Uncle Cheetah ’s is an excellent choice for gluten-free options. Check their Instagram page for which soups of the day 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.
Northeast
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Archival Brewing’s GF and GFO selections include a dedicated fryer and options on the kids' menu for a family-friendly experience.
Photo by Brian Craig for Experience GR
Archival Brewing
Known for its historic-style microbrews and seasonally crafted eats, Archival Brewing offers a wide variety of GF and GFO items, all clearly marked on the menu. This craft brewery about 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids has a dedicated fryer and even pizzas and select burgers can be made gluten free. There are lots of GF and GFO options on the Sunday brunch menu, too.
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. All food is made from scratch to order – 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. The menu changes frequently.
FIKA GR
With a menu that’s 100% plant-based and 100% gluten free, FIKA GR has built a fervent fan base for its delectable breakfast and lunch dishes. There are grab-and-go selections, too, including packaged sweets from sister company Rise Authentic Baking Co. (which you’ll encounter later in this list) and a small market section stocked with gluten-free cookbooks and more. Located in the city’s Creston neighborhood.
F'n K Tacos
California street-style tacos on freshly made corn tortillas are the big draw at F'n K Tacos . The tortillas and the restaurant’s guac crema are gluten-free, but the kitchen is not. Please ask if you have specific concerns. 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
Hop Hog Greenville, about 35 minutes from Grand Rapids, and Hop Hog Lowell, 20 minutes away, use the term gluten-friendly rather than gluten-free to acknowledge that they’re not 100% gluten-free restaurants. However, they do offer separate gluten-friendly menu and highlight numerous gluten-friendly items on their regular menu – including all of their delicious smoked meats. Both locations have completely gluten-free 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.
Northwest
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Try a variety of gluten-free specialty pizzas or build your own at The Mitten, with gluten-reduced beers available too.
Photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
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.
Southeast
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Papa Chops is dedicated to providing safe meals for those with celiac.
Photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR
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 28th Street, just west of Breton Rd.
Southwest
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Experience Rise’s changing seasonal menu of gluten-free, vegan, and soy-free breakfast and sweet options, all free from artificial flavors.
Photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR
The Derby Tavern
Gluten-free nachos, 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 and GF optional items on the menu, and ask your server if you’re not sure about a specific dish – there’s almost always a GF option.
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 include a rotating selection of fresh-daily pastries – donuts, muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls and more – plus cold case desserts like brownies, cupcakes, cake pops, oatmeal cream pies and quiche slices. Great coffee drinks, too.
Menus are subject to change, so check websites and social media pages or call ahead to ensure items mentioned above are still available.