Gluten Free Seattle: A Complete Guide for Celiacs

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Gluten Free Seattle: The Complete Guide to Seattle’s Best Gluten Free Restaurants

I wrote this guide for two reasons. First, to make planning your unforgettable 100% gluten free trip to Seattle a breeze. 

Second, to help you, a gluten free foodie, find the absolute BEST gluten free eats in Seattle and eat your way through the city during your trip – 100% gluten free.

Below, you’ll find the best Celiac-safe gluten free restaurants, the best 100% gluten free bakeries, and all the logistics that come with visiting Seattle.

But first, a Google Map that will help you plan the perfect gluten free Seattle adventure.

Don’t take an internet stranger’s (that’s me!) word for what restaurants in Seattle can accommodate your specific needs.

Use my research as a starting point for your own. Pick the ones you are most interested in and shoot them an email or a social media message to quadruple check that they can handle your needs. Things in the kitchen change all the time, so you need to double check and let them know your needs.

Pssst! Are you a cider fan? Make sure to read our guide to the best cider in Seattle.

Here are my top gluten free Seattle picks:

• Best 100% gluten free bakery in Seattle: Niche RIP – now it’s Nuflours
• Best 100% gluten free restaurant in Seattle: Capitol Cider
• Best 100% gluten free brewery in Seattle: Ghostfish
• Best cider bar in Seattle: Schilling Cider House
• Best Celiac-Friendly (but not 100% gf) restaurant in Seattle: Lola
• Best cocktail bar in Seattle: Bathtub Gin Co.
• Best gluten free pizza in Seattle: Razzi’s
• Best coffee in Seattle: La Marzocco Cafe or Victrola Coffee Roasters

With things constantly changing, we do our best to keep these guides up to date. However, it’s nearly impossible to check on every single restaurant at any given time, which is why we need YOUR help! 

Have feedback – like a place that no longer has a dedicated gluten free fryer, or a new gluten free bakery that popped up? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and we’ll make sure to make updates. 

Wondering what to do with your time in Seattle? I have a detailed guide to the perfect 3 days in Seattle just for you.

The Best Dedicated Gluten Free Restaurants in Seattle

There are a few options if you’re looking for 100% dedicated gluten free restaurants in Seattle.

Both should be at the top of your list if you are a gluten free foodie coming to Seattle.

Ghostfish Brewing Co.: My First 100% Gluten Free Brewery

At this point, it probably looks like I am getting paid by Ghostfish to recommend their gluten free beer (100% gf!), brewery, and restaurant to every Celiac that visits Seattle.

For the record, I am 100% open to a gluten free beer sponsorship.

At the top of the menu, it says “Literally everything is 100% gluten free.” What more can you ask for as a celiac? How about fantastic gluten free beer, great food, and a safe kitchen, so you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination.

Ghostfish Brewing is a dedicated gluten free brewery in Seattle and restaurant in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood near the baseball and football stadiums. It’s a little bit out of the way if you’re staying in Downtown Seattle, but it is well worth the drive or bus ride to get there.

Like Seattle as a whole, Ghostfish is a place that holds a special place in my heart. They brew gluten free beers from gluten free grains, rather than brewing with gluten-containing grains, then removing the gluten later. They are the first truly gluten free beer that I ever tried (besides Redbridge, which doesn’t REALLY count). 

It is between Seattle-Tacoma Airport and Downtown Seattle, so it should ALWAYS be your first stop if you want to kick your Seattle adventure off right.

I’m going to talk about the beer and the food separately here, but the takeaway is that both are amazing. 

They have their flagship gluten free beers, like the Grapefruit IPA and the Meteor Blonde, and then they have seasonal experimental releases, like the Ghost Pepper Saison and the Blood Orange Sour. Whatever your taste in beer, you’ll probably find what you’re looking for.

For what it’s worth, I think that the best flagship beers they make are the Grapefruit IPA and the Shrouded Summit Belgian Ale (so much cardamom and orange peel flavor!). They have a great Hazy IPA series that has been in continuous rotation for years now (I think they’re on the 9th iteration?) and the annual Ghost Pepper Saison release should be a national holiday.

On the food side, I also think they do a great job. In particular, they have a bunch of fried foods that are really, really hard to find elsewhere because of contaminated fryers. 

You can get brunch on the weekends, and dinner every night. When was the last time you had fish & chips that were safe for Celiacs? You can get them (beer battered!) at Ghostfish, along with a burger on a gluten free bun with bone marrow aioli, and plenty of other options. 

They have a great Happy Hour menu if you can make it work. 3-5pm M-Th, $6-10 small plates and $1 off all beers and flights. 

Here are my recommendations for you at Ghostfish, based on the 12+ times I’ve been there recently. 

• The onion rings and churros are the best things they make. The strawberry sauce for the churros is to die for.
  
   
• The soft pretzels are also amazing, especially when you add the beer cheese. 
  
  
• I love their fish and chips, which are beer battered. 
  
  
• The BBQ Pulled Pork and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches are my most recent love, and I go back and forth between them whenever I’ve gone recently. 
  
  
• The cakes for dessert are great – I love a good carrot cake!

PS Ghostfish, if you’re reading this, BRING BACK THE REUBEN!

Capitol Cider: Cozy Dedicated Gluten Free Restaurant and Cider Bar in Seattle

Capitol Cider, along with Ghostfish and Razzi’s, make up the trio of restaurants in Seattle that every celiac should have on their to-do list. More on Razzi’s in a second.

You can visit Capitol Cider for brunch on the weekends, or lunch and dinner every day. I’d recommend brunch if you can swing it.

The food is a little bit like traditional pub food, and it is 100% gluten free. Fried chicken sandwich? Go for it! Cider glazed donuts? Get two orders! Fish and chips? Go crazy!

The best part about eating at a dedicated gluten free restaurant is the fact that you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination.

The real star of the show, however, is their cider selection. They have 30 ciders on tap, and 100+ in bottles. The servers and bartenders will help you find one that suits your tastes, whether you’re into sweet, dry, or funky ciders. Personally, I love Finnriver Ciders (the Black Currant is amazing).

They also do cider cocktails, which are an interesting twist!

Downstairs, you’ll find even more seating, live music on some nights, and a variety of board games to enjoy. They have a really solid events schedule too.

It’s conveniently located in the middle of Capitol Hill, which makes it easily accessible if you’re staying Downtown. While you’re there, check out Elliot Bay Books, Victrola Coffee (for the best coffee in Seattle), and the Starbucks Reserve Roastery (for the experience).

Frelard Tamales

First of all, we can’t get enough of Frelard Tamales. Every time we’re even somewhat close, we do our best to swing by. 

They make (giant) tamales that you can get either hot to eat now, or frozen to steam at home later. If you’re getting them frozen, here are the cooking instructions. They have a genius system for distinguishing between tamale flavors that involves colored strings.

If you’re getting them to eat now, you can get them either as a meal deal at lunchtime (11am to 2pm) that comes with a side of rice and beans. Their horchata is also amazing. Only the savory tamales are available warm – the sweet tamales are only available frozen.

For what it’s worth, the chorizo and cheese and the jalapeno and cheese are our favorites. On the sweet side, you can’t go wrong with the sweet corn, raisin, or pineapple. 

Everything they make is gluten free. And they have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. They go the extra mile on those vegan and vegetarian tamales by using vegetable oil instead of lard, too!

Heads up: they do have one thing that contains gluten – the Tres Leches cake – but it’s made offsite and is packaged so that there’s no risk of cross-contact. 

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the price. If you’ve had tamales before, you’re probably going to see that it’s $5-6+ for a tamale, and you’re going to think that’s pretty expensive. While you’re not wrong, there’s also a reason for that. First, the tamales are GIANT. A single tamale is plenty of food for one person. Second, Frelard is running a business the right way. It’s EXPENSIVE to run a business in Seattle, and they go the extra mile by taking care of their employees (for example, health care, even for part-timers). Here’s a whole post on their website outlining why their tamales cost what they do.

Dedicated Gluten Free Bakeries in Seattle

There are two gluten free bakery options in Seattle that I think are equally good – I can’t just pick one! You should try and visit both if you can to try all of the gluten free treats that Seattle has to offer.

Update for 2021: I wrote a guide to the best gluten free bakeries in Seattle with more information and places to find delectable gluten free baked goods.

Nuflours: The Best Gluten Free Bakery in Seattle (in My Opinion)

When I’m thinking about the best gluten free bakery in Seattle, my mind immediately jumps straight to Nuflours. Nuflours is a certified gluten free bakery in Seattle. They are also peanut free, which is nice for those with other food allergies. 

They have everything from gluten free treats and pastries, to breakfast dishes like toast or quiche, to soups and sandwiches for lunch. 

Really a one-stop-shop for those of us craving gluten free baked goods in Seattle!

But the pastries are the real star of the show. You’ll find brownies, cookies, and muffins of all kinds, but also eclairs and cream puffs! Stop by on a walk around Capitol Hill, Seattle’s most interesting neighborhood, for an afternoon treat. 

Or a mid-morning eclair. No judgment here. 

They also do made-to-order gluten free cakes, which is a great option if you’re looking for a gluten free birthday cake in Seattle. We got my most recent birthday cake from Nuflours – a lavender vanilla seasonal flavor that was really, really lavender-y (in a GREAT way). 

Grain Artisan Bakery

Grain Artisan Bakery is actually up in Snohomish, but if you’re visiting Seattle, you’re probably here on a Saturday, when you can find them at the Capitol Hill Farmers Market on Saturdays between 11am and 3pm (along with a huge line of fellow gluten free foodies). GET THERE EARLY. They do sell out. 

They started off as a mixed bakery, with some items that were gluten free, but made the decision to go fully gluten free. Which we’re excited about, because their food is truly outstanding. They also source all of their ingredients from Washington (where possible). 

The two highlights for us (and it’s hard to choose!) are the scones and the cakes. We absolutely adore their carrot cake, which they usually have at the Farmers Market stand. 

If you’re looking for a gluten free birthday cake or wedding cake, this is another good option. Though be prepared for higher-than-average prices (which we’d happily pay, to be honest, because the cakes are that good). 

If you’re local, it’s worth swinging by their space up in Snohomish, which has EVEN MORE great gluten free options to choose from. 

For answers to most of your questions, you can check out their FAQ’s which cover things like what flours they use and how to order a wedding cake.

Flying Apron: My First Dedicated Gluten Free Bakery

Flying Apron Bakery is located in Fremont West Seattle (they used to have a location in Fremont, but it closed) and it is the first gluten free Seattle bakery that I remember visiting after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

They are certified gluten free, vegan, and make delicious gluten free baked goods, made-to-order cakes, and gluten free donuts!

Note: some of their baked goods use oats, but the ingredients are clearly listed. Ask the staff to help you out.

Gluten Free Restaurants in Seattle That are Celiac-Friendly

Here are the other gluten free restaurants in Seattle to add to your list of spots to stop by.

In my experience, these are places that can safely serve Celiacs. This is the part where you’re going to have to double check with the restaurant directly. Things change in kitchens all the time.

The usual caveat about eating out gluten free applies here – it’s on you to communicate your needs to the server and restaurant, and your experience may be different than mine. 

Let’s be honest, things change all the time in kitchens, and service largely depends on the luck of the draw in terms of which server you end up with, which line cook is working that day, and things like that which are largely out of your control. 

As always, eating out comes with an inherent risk. You need to clearly communicate your needs to staff everywhere, but it’s especially important here. Make sure to: 

• Always let the server know that you have Celiac Disease and need to eat gluten free. Some people use “gluten allergy,” which seems to work too, but I’m skeptical that places who don’t even know what “Celiac” means have any processes to minimize cross contact anyway. 
  
• Ask them (very nicely) to help you figure out what is safe for you.
  
• Confirm with the server when the food arrives that your meal is in fact gluten free. 

Hangry Panda: Celiac-Safe Teriyaki

I never really realized how much I missed teriyaki until my first trip to Hangry Panda a year or so ago. 

Teriyaki was THE food genre my friends and I would choose in high school and college in and around Seattle. I never realized how much good teriyaki Seattle has until I moved away and realized that having 10/10 teriyaki on every other corner is NOT normal. 

Since my diagnosis a decade ago, I can only think of one or two times that I’ve had gluten free teriyaki. 

Enter Hangry Panda. 

I want to make it super duper clear up front here that they are NOT 100% gluten free. However, they do have an entire page on their website dedicated to spelling out their kitchen protocols to minimize cross-contact with gluten. 

Plus, they have a place in their online ordering system where you can put in an allergy – gluten is the right choice here. 

They have two things that contain gluten on the menu – the Sesame Scallion Noodle Nest and the buns for the fried chicken sandwiches. They CAN do the chicken sandwich gluten free, but the risk of cross-contact with gluten would likely be higher for that (shared condiments, grills and toasters, etc) so I personally would avoid it.  

Besides, the star of the show here is the teriyaki (spicy for the win!), and it’s not really that close in our opinions. The pickled cucumbers and cucumber salad are both amazing too, as sides.

It’s up north of Seattle on Aurora Avenue, just a few blocks west of Green Lake. There’s basically no seating to speak of, so it’s mainly a takeout option.

Our recommendation, and this is what we almost always do when we eat here, is to grab it and take it to the Yonder Cider Taproom to eat (they allow outside food).

The Yonder Cider taproom is one of our favorite places in Seattle because of their HUGE outdoor patio, and it’s particularly nice on a warm summer day.

Razzi’s Pizza: Celiac-Safe Gluten Free Pizza in Seattle

I spent my first ~5 years of being diagnosed with celiac disease in Seattle, and Razzi’s Pizza was one of the first times I realized that gluten free food can still be delicious.

I was stuck in the rut of eating a lot of quesadillas with corn tortillas, baked chicken and rice, and Rice Chex because they were easy and safe, but not necessarily delicious. I was scared to eat out for fear of getting sick and ruining all of my hard work to heal my intestines.

Then, I met Razzi’s.

They were one of the first few gluten free restaurants in Seattle that I ventured out to after my diagnosis. I had heard about them through a friend who also had Celiac Disease, and I wanted to check it out for myself to see what all the fuss was about. Turns out, the fuss was about Celiac-safe gluten free pizza restaurant in the heart of Seattle.

Razzi’s Pizza has two locations, one in Downtown Seattle and one in Greenwood, roughly 20 minutes North of Downtown Seattle. They have an extensive gluten free menu complete with gluten free pizza, pasta, and even garlic bread, all prepared in a GFCO-certified gluten free kitchen. What’s not to love?

When you get your menu, it should be blue, and have the certified gluten free logo in the top right. They can also accommodate other allergies and food sensitivities, so talk to your server if that’s you.

They make all of their gluten free breads and pizza crusts in-house, and you can grab some to take home if you have the room in your bag.

I appreciate their tagline on their gluten free page – “Savor without Sacrifice.” All too often, Celiacs like us have to forego delicious food to avoid getting sick. Places like Razzi’s make it easy to have your cake and eat it too.

Lola: Gluten Free Mediterranean Restaurant from Famous Seattle Chef Tom Douglas

Tom Douglas is one of the restaurateurs putting Seattle’s dining scene on the map. He has a pretty wide variety of restaurants around the city, all of which are fairly safe for celiacs, with the exception of his pizza restaurant Serious Pie.

However, Lola stands out as a clear standout for two reasons.

First, the food and drinks are fantastic at both Brunch and Dinner.

For dinner, they have spreads (you can get these with raw veggies instead of pita), kebabs (the haloumi & fig kebabs are to die for), and bigger plates like Lamb and Chicken. The spreads and kebabs are mostly gluten free, and some of the mains either are gluten free or can be modified.

For brunch, they have a variety of gluten free breakfast dishes with a Mediterranean twist – scrambles and omelettes with potatoes (ask about cross-contamination and they will cook them in a separate pan for you!) and the aforementioned kebabs and dips.

Second, the service is equally good. Every time I’ve been there the servers have been super friendly and also knowledgeable about celiac disease.

I highly recommend putting Lola on the list of gluten free restaurants for your next trip to Seattle. Make a reservation ahead of time, because it gets packed. For good reason!

Schilling Cider: Lively and Bright Cider Bar in Seattle

Schilling Cider is one of my favorite gluten free ciders, and their Seattle Cider Bar, located in the Fremont neighborhood, is a great place to hang out.

They have 32 rotating cider taps and a huge variety of cans and bottles, featuring a selection of their own ciders like the Grapefruit and Chill (which is phenomenal), and a wide variety of other local ciders.

You can check out the cider menu ahead of time and purchase the cans and bottles to go to enjoy later on your trip (grab some cider and do a picnic at Gasworks park!).

They have a handy color-coded menu so it makes it easy to figure out what ciders you might like based on your preferences around dry and sweet. You can even order a flight and try a bunch, which is what I recommend.

The best part about the Schilling Cider House in Seattle is the fact that they allow you to bring in your own food!

That means you should go to either PCC, a local natural grocery store down the street, or Hangry Panda and grab snacks/dinner! Maybe a DIY cheese plate with some gluten free bread?

If you happen to be in Portland, they also have a location there that has a 100% gluten free food menu with CORN DOGS and tater tot nachos.

Bamboo Sushi

I’ve known about Bamboo Sushi, which is over in University Village, for years, but only made it out there last winter when Alysha and I were headed up towards UW and were looking for a lunch spot nearby. 

We were pleasantly surprised with how much we enjoyed lunch here. Almost the entire menu is gluten free – they mark the things that DO contain gluten on the menu, which is usually a good sign. And the items that do contain gluten are not sushi or sashimi, which means they’re prepared in separate parts of the kitchen. 

Which means… all of the tempura and soy sauce is gluten free!

They have great happy hour deals, which takes place between 4pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday. 

Menu highlights for us were the fried cauliflower tempura and the Green Machine (one of their signature rolls that the waiter recommended). 

They also are a great company! They have locations all over, including a bunch down in Portland (where we now live) and in the Bay Area and Denver.

They’re members of 1% for the Planet, the Marine Stewardship Council, and other organizations promoting sustainable fishing. You can read more about their commitment to sustainably-sourced sushi here.

Umi Sake House: Gluten Free Sushi Restaurant in Downtown Seattle!

Gluten free sushi can be surprisingly hard to find. There are a couple of things you need to watch out for, and Umi Sake House does just that.

To be honest, I was never a huge Sushi fan even before diagnosis, but I think it was mostly because I had never had good sushi.

Now, I’ve had good sushi, but the limitation is more around finding good gluten free sushi. For that, Umi has you covered.

They have great Happy Hour deals, a wide variety of gluten free sake, and they are friendly and knowledgeable about celiac disease. As always, make sure to talk to your server to find what is safe, and sit at the bar if you can to watch the masters at work.

Umi is in Belltown, which is centrally located and convenient if you’re staying in Downtown Seattle.

Ester’s Enoteca: Celiac-friendly Food in Fremont

Ester’s Enoteca is a new discovery for me, although it was recommended to me literally years ago.

And it might just be my new favorite gluten free Seattle restaurant.

It’s in a fantastic neighborhood – steps away from Schilling Cider and Milstead & Co in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood – and a few blocks away from the Miir flagship store & coffee shop, which is my favorite brand of reusable water bottles and coffee cups (SAVE THE PLANET!).

The food at Ester’s is amazing. They have a dedicated fryer, dedicated panini press, and use dedicated pots, pans, and utensils to make the gluten free pasta. In other words, they get it.

I’d recommend getting basically every single small plate to share – the two crowd favorites (from my non-Celiac family) were the Arancini and the Chickpea Cauliflower Fritters. They also have great paninis – get the jerked jackfruit, even if you’re not vegetarian.

There is an upcharge for gluten free bread, which is a bummer to see, but the pros here FAR outweigh that single con.

Molly Moon’s: Gluten Free Ice Cream with Locations Across Seattle

Molly Moon’s has been expanding their Seattle Ice Cream empire for years now, and have locations across the city and even in the suburbs. It is well worth a stop for some gluten free dessert after a day of exploring Seattle. Or before. Or during. Or all three! No judgement here, we’ve all been there.

They are really good about allergies, and most of their ice cream is gluten free. They rotate through seasonal flavors often, so make sure you ask about their current flavor lineup. The biggest concern is cross-contamination with the cones and flavors that aren’t gluten free.

Update November 2019: I talked to an employee extensively on my latest trip, and she walked me through their production process. The ice cream that is labeled gluten free is made on separate equipment from the ice cream that contains gluten. And if you’re worried about cross-contamination with the cones, they’ll happily grab a scoop from a tub in the back with a new scooper. What a pleasant surprise – the service is just as fantastic as the ice cream.

More Gluten Free (and Dairy Free) Ice Cream in Seattle: Frankie and Jo’s

Frankie and Jo’s Ice Cream makes dairy-free, gluten free ice cream made from a cashew & coconut base and sweetened with dates.

It is a dedicated, 100% gluten free facility, so cross contamination isn’t an issue like it is at a lot of other ice cream shops!

They have locations in both Capitol Hill and Ballard, which also happen to be two of my favorite neighborhoods in Seattle. If you find yourself in either of those areas, which you really should, stop at Frankie and Jo’s and support what they’re doing.

One important note: some of their cookies and brownies and their waffle cones are made using Bob’s Red Mill gluten free oat flour – which is not 100% purity protocol oats. I think Celiacs should avoid (read here for why), but I also realize that you might have different opinions on oats than I do. Either way, the ingredients for all flavors are posted everywhere, so you can make an informed decision.

Other Celiac-Safe Gluten Free Restaurants

La Cocina Oaxaqueña: Oaxacan food, which is one of my favorite food groups, with plenty of options for Celiacs, and a dedicated fryer for chips (at least my last time checking – always double check!). Great happy hour, from 4-6pm everyday, and 10pm-12am M-Sat.

Bok a Bok: Gluten free fried chicken with a dedicated fryer! They don’t fry anything with gluten in the fryer, although a few of the non-fried wings (dry wings) are not gluten free. You can see the allergen menu here. They have locations around the city – in Capitol Hill and the U District.

Bounty Kitchen: The perfect spot for a gluten free breakfast or brunch in Seattle. You can find them either in Belltown or Queen Anne, and the menu is clearly marked, with “GF” for the gluten free options. However, you’ll still need to let your server know about your situation.

Bitterroot BBQ: Great BBQ, and knowledgeable staff who can immediately tell you what is safe and what is not. Even the cornbread is gluten free! Avoid everything fried, as they don’t have a dedicated fryer. All meats except hot links and catfish are gluten free, and all sides except for fries and black eyed peas are also safe.

Morefire: Hot pot, with a clearly marked menu with plenty of gluten free option.

Zouave Restaurant: Celiac-friendly Italian food, including gnocchi? Sounds great. I’ve never been here, unfortunately, but will be checking it out soon.

Tulio Ristorante: Nice Italian place with gluten free pasta and a good cross-contamination protocol to minimize risk.

Juicy Cafe: Build-your-own-bowl or salad, where most of the menu is gluten free.

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You’re going to have an amazing time in Seattle. There are so many good gluten free options, and there are only a handful of other cities that are as good for Celiacs as Seattle is.

Definitely don’t miss Ghostfish and Capitol Cider – when was the last time you had gluten free fish and chips? And a cinnamon roll at Flying Apron is probably a must too, while you’re at it.