Opened earlier in 2018, Encinitas spot Nectarine Grove sports an organic, paleo, 100% gluten-free and highly vegan menu. Brunch items, pizzas, salads, sandwiches, entrees and more make up the restaurant’s varied menu. Also on-site is a gluten-free bakery. As an added bonus, a portion of all proceeds go towards providing school lunches to children in San Diego County.

With one location in Encinitas and another in Rancho Bernardo, 2Good2B Bakery and Cafe concocts treats that are—wait for it—too good to be actually gluten-free. Here’s the kicker: they are and they’ve developed a loyal following for being so while keeping the quality of food high. The owner, Diana, is allergic to wheat, corn and soy, so diners can ensure they’re getting safe foods at both locations.

Los Angeles’ popular salad and sandwich mini-chain, Mendocino Farms, arrived to La Jolla and Del Mar last year. Many of their lunch-sized salads are gluten-free and all of their sandwiches have the option of being served on gluten-free bread.

One of San Diego’s brunch mainstays, the Fig Tree franchise with locations in Liberty Station, Hillcrest and Pacific Beach is also one of its most gluten-free friendly. They have a versatile all-day brunch and lunch menu with its staff making sure that those with an allergy will be well taken care of with extra precautions in the kitchen.

During brunch hours, lines are at the door at all of The Mission’s locations in Mission Beach, North Park and the East Village. All locations have a full and separate gluten-free menu, which includes french toast, hashes, dishes with breakfast potatoes, Mexican breakfast plates, salads, tamales, sandwiches and more.

University Heights’ Cueva Bar, which buzzes during happy hour, is also a good spot for diners looking for tapas that are also gluten-free. With plenty of suitable options, including empanadas, flatbreads, beer, desserts and, according to chef Oz, most of the menu, diners are free to snack and enjoy wine and beer without worry.

Coral Fodor Strong’s Rolando outpost, Garden Kitchen, has an ever-changing menu of farm-fresh goods, which are made daily from-scratch and according to whatever she can get from the farms she sources. While not an exclusively gluten-free restaurants, a quick scan of the menu reveals that most items are so or can be made to exclude it, like the 8 ounce paprika rubbed flat iron steak with red wine & italian herb sauteed Japanese eggplant, carrot, cherry tomato, zucchini, roasted garlic, green & yellow beans and horseradish cream.

With an impressive line up of 100% gluten-free goods, Starry Lane Bakery has long been a favorite for Hillcrest customers needing an alternative to regular bakeries, especially for custom cakes and other orders. Starry Lane is also nut-free (including peanuts and tree nuts), soy-free, dairy-free and egg-free. It opened in 2011 under the leadership of two sisters who wanted to give those with dietary restrictions the same baked goods that diners without limitations regularly enjoy.

To the delight of many gluten-free pizza lovers, Officine Buona Forchetta in Liberty Station serves gluten-free pizza that some swear are just as good as the original. All 45 of the restaurant’s pizzas can be ordered gluten-free for a $2 surcharge and are cooked in “Sergio,” a proprietary 900-degree wood-fired oven just for gluten-free items.

Also in Liberty Station, Italian restaurant Solare also boasts an impressive gluten-free menu. Executive Chef Accursio Lota bakes gluten-free bread daily, has a long list of gluten-free pastas and makes pizza from his own gluten-free dough.

Opening in early 2016, Donna Jean has made waves for being a vegan restaurant serving familiar comfort foods without animal products. A closer inspection of Donna Jean’s menu reveals its gluten-free chops: all sections of the menu have at least a few gluten-free items—like seared dashi polenta, confit tomatoes, greens, fingerlings, and white beans—and all of its pizzas can be made so with a $3 upgrade.

Despite being known for its separate vegan menu, Little Italy Italian restaurant Civico 1845 also boasts an impressive amount of gluten-free items on both its regular and vegan menus. Selections—like escarole with black olives and capers, salmon with pesto and the fish of the day—are clearly marked with a small (gf) next to the items.

Brand new to the East Village, Duck Foot’s latest outpost boasts a full gluten-free food menu from chef Stevan Novoa. Snacks, salads, small plates and desserts offer some surprising options, like Brazilian pāo de quejio and sticky short ribs.