• nyc •
Whether it's your first time in NYC or you’re a native, let this article serve as a reminder of all things good and gluten free.
Picture this: it's August 2022, and I've just just moved to the concrete jungle of dreams post-grad, ready to take on the world one slice of pizza at a time. Little did I know, my world was about to get a whole lot smaller—thanks to a diagnosis of celiac disease in January 2023. Cue the dramatic music!!!
Now, I won't sugarcoat it. Going from a carefree foodie to someone who had to scrutinize every ingredient label felt like a plot twist in my own personal drama. Suddenly, my beloved pizza slices and bagels became forbidden fruits - what a nightmare for a born and bred Long Islander! But fear not, dear reader, for this tale has a silver (gluten-free) lining.
After my hours and hours of crying and mourning, I quickly realized that I am placed in one of the best places to enjoy a full gluten free life. While I can’t say NYC is the easiest for going door to door and finding options that are celiac safe (with no cc!), I will say they have some of the best gf places I’ve ever been to in my year plus post diagnosis. So, whether you’re visiting or planning a visit, here is my list of favorites! Since I still am living in NYC and actively trying new places, I will do my best to update this list as I check off gluten free recommendations off my list!
The Gluten Free Highlights:
Let's start with the holy grail of gluten-free bagels: Modern Bread and Bagel. These babies are not your average gluten-free imposters; they're the real deal. Sure, they might cost a pretty penny, but trust me when I say they're worth every cent. Pro tip: snag a bagel to-go and customize it with your favorite fixings for a breakfast that dreams are made of. With the same owners of Modern Bread and Bagel, they bring us Thyme and Tonic right next door. A kosher, gluten free fun and trendy sit down place, Thyme and Tonic was my first go-to spot (I lived right near there at the time!).
Now bagels were half of my concerns when going gluten free, with pizza being the other. Don Antonio is hands down the BEST gluten free pizza in the city. It is located in a busy spot near the theaters, so be prepared for a bit of a wait, but I assure you it is well worth it. This place makes me feel like I have been transplanted over to Italy- quite honestly, this pizza matched the best I had in Italy 😱. The best part? Don Antonio has two separate kitchens, one for gluten pizza and the other is solely dedicated for gluten free pizza. They are very serious about ensuring safety for us celiac folk, and this is one of the only places in the city I trust that can do both. They also have dairy free options too!
Next up, we have TAP NYC, a fast-casual Brazilian joint that's dedicated to all things gluten-free. Their tapioca wraps, açaí bowls, and cheese bread are pure bliss for the gluten-free crowd and is a personal go-to for me! I quite literally haven’t found a single thing on their menu I don’t love. Another fast-casual spot I frequent is Kimbap Lab in Chelsea Market. As much as I personally dislike Chelsea Market, Kimbap Lab is worth diving through the crowds of tourists. Upon diagnosis I was very concerned how I would get to eat Korean food again as most options in the city are not safe (due to soy sauce and wheat based gochujang sauces), so this has become a treasured spot. Candidly, I still avoid the gochujang sauce provided (I usually only use the one I trust from home) as I learned in South Korea pretty quickly that gochujang is not typically safe. That being said, I love all the other sauces there and add that to the triangle kimbaps and bowls – chef’s kiss!
Craving something on the healthier side? Look no further than Springbone, where nutritious bowls reign supreme. My personal favorite? Mama's gluten-free chicken bowl—a hearty concoction that's equal parts comforting and guilt-free. This place is excellent and has multiple locations throughout the city (and one in Milburn, NJ too). One thing I will note is that all the NYC locations do not have a bathroom… I personally feel that’s very important to clarify for a celiac crowd ;).
But what about those special occasions, you ask? Fear not, because Senza Gluten has got you covered. This upscale Italian eatery may be on the pricier side, but the impeccable cuisine more than justifies the splurge. And for a more casual affair, their café serves up delectable paninis that hit the spot every time. This place is cash or amex only, so be prepared before planning your trip there.
Candidly, there’s a big debate on Wild vs Senza Gluten in my humble opinion. I personally think there’s no comparison but Senza Gluten is definitely on the pricier side but you can tell it is truly as close to a high end Italian restaurant as it gets. Wild is almost just as delicious (I personally thought the pizza flatbread was salty and meh but the chicken parm and desserts were delicious!) and at a way more reasonable price. Wild is also located in Park Slope in Brooklyn in addition to a location in Manhattan. I tend to oscillate between these two spots for special occasions.
Now, onto my favorite food category: dessert! Postcard is a newcomer to the scene, but boy, does it pack a punch. This Japanese-inspired gluten-free bakery is a sweet tooth's dream come true, with every treat more irresistible than the last. During just their opening week, I may have gone 3 times… oops! It’s important to note that they are the same owners of Nami Nori (I have yet to try, but it’s on my list!) and are committed to the dedicated gluten free lifestyle in both establishments. Nami Nori is right next door from Postcard, and they have another location in NJ.
Another incredible dessert spot is Posh Pop Bake Shop. From gluten free funnel cake and fried oreos to flaky pastries, this place has mastered the art of gluten-free baking.. Posh Pop Bake Shop will mke you feel "normal" again and is my personal dreamland.
Last but certainly not least, we have Friedman's—the brunch spot to end all brunch spots. This is my favorite place to take my non-gf friends for a few reasons: they can handle gluten and gluten free options safely and it’s so good my gluten-eating friends wouldn’t even know! I am known to take any out-of-towner to Friedman’s for their delicious fried chicken (DEDICATED GF FRYER I MEAN COME ON!!) and waffles. One of the best parts about Friedman’s is that they have many locations in the city - very easy to cater to meet any friend in their neighborhood of choice.
So there you have it, folks. From the lows of diagnosis to the highs of discovery, navigating NYC as a celiac has never been more delicious. So grab a gluten-free bagel, a slice of pizza, or whatever tickles your fancy, and join me in savoring the gluten-free wonders of the Big Apple!
While the spots listed above are some of my “tried and true”s, here is my full list I send out to anyone hoping to dine with me. All of these places I have vetted as celiac-safe according to my personal research on Find Me Gluten Free, and are separated out based on cuisine to help make decision making simpler! BUT, as always, protocols and restaurants could have changed since this list was created, so please be sure to continue to advocate for yourself and proceed with caution wherever you go.
I hope this helps you throughout your journey in the Big Apple! XOXO!
NYC Bites Lookbook
My Personal GF List - (including spots I have on my list to try next)
Mexican
Rosa Mexicano (haven’t tried yet)
Tacovision (haven’t tried yet)
Cosme (haven’t tried yet)
Eterea (haven’t tried yet)
Italian
Wild - dedicated GF Italian
Agata & Valentina Gluten Free - dedicated GF gluten free grocery store with deli case
Don Antonio - not dedicated but careful with contamination. Has the best pizza for us GFers and our gluten-eating friends.
Senza Gluten - a great, fine dining experience
PizzArte (haven’t tried yet)
Nizza (haven’t tried yet)
Bistango (haven’t tried yet)
Risotteria Melotti - dedicated GF with the only other locations being in Italy
La Picora Bianca - not dedicated GF, but I have had positive experiences at 2 locations.
Health-Style Fast Casual
Springbone - delicious fast causal with several locations in the city and one in Milburn, NJ too!
Thai
Kati Shop - I personally am not as into Thai (I wish I was!) but this place was safe when I went
Brazilian
TAP NYC - the best dedicated GF Brazilian with 2 locations in the city
Bagels
Modern Bread and Bagel - dedicated GF - the BEST bagels I’ve had to date with delicious desserts and other goodies (Kosher also)
American
Thyme & Tonic (UWS) - dedicated GF American style food (Kosher also)
Friedman’s (UWS, several locations) - not dedicated GF but they have safe, GF options (most of the menu is gluten free besides a select few items)
African
Dundu (never tried as it is only open during working hours 9-5 M-F)
Empandas
Nadas (haven’t tried yet)
Korean
Kimbap Lab - the only dedicated and safe GF Korean food (btw it is amazing and located downstairs in Chelsea Market)
Japanese
Nami Nori (haven’t tried yet)
Sushi Counter (haven’t tried yet)
Hong Kong-Inspired
TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen (haven’t tried yet)
Mediterranean
Modern at Night - dedicated GF delicious and perfect late night treat (Kosher also)
Chinese
Han Dynasty (UWS) - not dedicated GF, but have had a good experience there and they have a separate GF menu visible online
Friedman's East Meets West - not dedicated GF but they have safe, GF options (most of the menu is gluten free besides a select few items). There are two locations currently that have Chinese style options (which are amazing) and they are at Battery Park and on the UWS on West End)
Dessert/Bakery
Pinkberry - not dedicated GF, but a chain with an allergen menu online. I go there weekly, and would recommend being cautious with toppings (I personally never get toppings just to be safe).
By The Way Bakery (UWS/UES) - dedicated GF bakery
Postcard - dedicated Japanese GF bakery (located right next to and same owners as Nami Nori)
No Glu - dedicated GF bakery with the only other locations being in France
Glace - dedicated GF ice cream and hot chocolate shop that has become very trendy
Posh Pop Bakeshop - dedicated GF bakery with 2 locations in the city
Annie & Em’s Bakeshop (NJ) (haven’t tried yet)