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Where to Eat Gluten-Free in San Diego

Finding quality options is now easier than ever

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Once a relatively unheard of diet restriction, the need to be gluten-free has, in recent years, become considerably more mainstream. This awareness coincided with a period of strong growth for San Diego’s restaurant industry, meaning that there are more quality gluten-free options in San Diego than there ever has been in the past, which includes fully gluten-free bakeries, Italian restaurants, entire brunch menus and much more. Here are 17 gluten-free options across San Diego.

Please note that some of these kitchens aren’t completely gluten-free, so those with severe allergies will want to make sure they double check with management to ensure safety.

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Nectarine Grove

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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.

2Good2B Bakery and Cafe

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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.

Mendocino Farms

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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.

Ambrogio15

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Pacific Beach and Little Italy’s Milan-style pizzeria Ambrogio15’s entire pizza menu, which makes up the bulk of its entire menu, is available gluten-free.

ambrogio

Fig Tree Cafe Pacific Beach

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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.

The Mission

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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.

True Food Kitchen

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Mission Valley’s True Food Kitchen is a safe haven for diners with limitations of all kinds: its menu is specifically marked where friendly for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diners. They’re careful to note that their kitchen isn’t completely gluten-free, but those with a little more leeway can enjoy items like a pan-roasted chicken, seasonally updated with sweet seasonal summer corn, green chickpea, fresno chili, feta and cilantro pumpkin seed pesto.

Courtesy photo

Cueva Bar

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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.

Garden Kitchen

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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.

Starry Lane Bakery

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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.

Cupcakes Squared Inc

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Point Loma’s Cupcakes Squared not only pushes out delicious, bite-sized gluten-free cupcakes, it also has a line of grab-and-go savory items like tamales, quiches, Shepherd’s Pie and more.

Officine Buona Forchetta

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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.

Courtesy photo

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.

Courtesy photo

Donna Jean

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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.

Cafe Gratitude San Diego

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Little Italy’s mantra-filled Cafe Gratitude’s claim to fame is that they’re completely vegan, but the restaurant also has many items that are suitably gluten-free, too, including gluten-free bread. So much so, menu items are marked as having gluten, rather than the other way around. Cafe Gratitude also has a ‘Book of Knowledge’ for people with food allergies or diet sensitivities. The book details what each menu item contains and what substitutions can be made to avoid gluten, specific nuts and other allergens.

Courtesy photo

Civico 1845

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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.

Dining room at Civico 1845

Duck Foot Brewing Co. | East Village

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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.

duck foot

Nectarine Grove

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.

2Good2B Bakery and Cafe

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.

Mendocino Farms

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.

Ambrogio15

Pacific Beach and Little Italy’s Milan-style pizzeria Ambrogio15’s entire pizza menu, which makes up the bulk of its entire menu, is available gluten-free.

ambrogio

Fig Tree Cafe Pacific Beach

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.

The Mission

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.

True Food Kitchen

Mission Valley’s True Food Kitchen is a safe haven for diners with limitations of all kinds: its menu is specifically marked where friendly for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diners. They’re careful to note that their kitchen isn’t completely gluten-free, but those with a little more leeway can enjoy items like a pan-roasted chicken, seasonally updated with sweet seasonal summer corn, green chickpea, fresno chili, feta and cilantro pumpkin seed pesto.

Courtesy photo

Cueva Bar

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.

Garden Kitchen

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.

Starry Lane Bakery

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.

Cupcakes Squared Inc

Point Loma’s Cupcakes Squared not only pushes out delicious, bite-sized gluten-free cupcakes, it also has a line of grab-and-go savory items like tamales, quiches, Shepherd’s Pie and more.

Officine Buona Forchetta

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.

Courtesy photo

Solare

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.

Courtesy photo

Donna Jean

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.

Cafe Gratitude San Diego

Little Italy’s mantra-filled Cafe Gratitude’s claim to fame is that they’re completely vegan, but the restaurant also has many items that are suitably gluten-free, too, including gluten-free bread. So much so, menu items are marked as having gluten, rather than the other way around. Cafe Gratitude also has a ‘Book of Knowledge’ for people with food allergies or diet sensitivities. The book details what each menu item contains and what substitutions can be made to avoid gluten, specific nuts and other allergens.

Courtesy photo

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Civico 1845

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.

Dining room at Civico 1845

Duck Foot Brewing Co. | East Village

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.

duck foot

Related Maps