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The Infatuation
13 Great Restaurants Where You Can Also Eat Gluten-Free
By Julia Chen, Ricky RodriguezPatrick Wong,
2024-07-11
Eating gluten-free can be a challenge. How many salads can you really eat in a week? And going out with a big group? Forget about it. But gluten-free-ers deserve better. That’s why we put together a list of places that will make you forget that wheat ever existed. Keep in mind, some of these places aren’t completely gluten-free—so make sure to confirm before ordering.
The entire food menu at this Lower Haight cocktail bar and restaurant is gluten- and dairy-free, so anything is fair game. Take your pick of one of the many bar stools and booths and settle in over chewy grilled mochi, fish sauce-kissed chicken wings, and porridge that’s heavy on the ginger (that’s a good thing). The drinks here are categorized as “Lean & Mean” and “Stern, But Firm.” No matter how you decide to interpret that, they’re still worth your time.
Dancing Yak is a colorful Nepali restaurant in the Mission that serves excellent vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free dishes. Go for any of the curries, like the chicken cashew curry or spicy baigun tarkari, and get a side of buckwheat roti to sop everything up. Dancing Yak is also a great option when your group of four spontaneously doubles—the dining room is big enough to host a middle school dance, and it’s easy to get a last-minute table.
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Wildseed is completely plant-based and mostly gluten-free. This Cow Hollow all-day restaurant offers slight variations of their menu for brunch, lunch, dinner, and that weird time of day when you’re not sure if you’re eating “linner” or “dunch.” No matter when you’re eating the menu has a lot of tasty and filling gluten-free options like a grain bowl with lentil and walnut meatballs, and the huge Ensalada Andalucia salad with cashew cheese and coconut bacon. And feel free to dress casually—you’ll likely be dining alongside people wearing their finest athleisure, refueling after hot yoga.
You will indeed find silky, slippery, springy made-to-order (and yes, gluten-free) rice noodles at Steam Rice Roll King. Known as cheung fun, pork and shrimp are the typical accompaniments, and that’s what’s at this tiny Sunset spot, too. You’ll also get your choice of two additional toppings like bean sprouts, green onions, and corn. While cheung fun is usually drenched in seasoned soy sauce, Steam Rice Roll King serves it in a separate container so that your noodles remain untouched. Because the noodles are made fresh, the wait can be frustratingly long, so order ahead online. If you order in person, bring cash (they don’t take cards there) and plan to take your food to go as Steam Rice Roll King only has a few (backless) stools.
At Breakfast Little, they’ll roll anything into a potato and quinoa flour tortilla—including their massive breakfast burrito. These big boys come in five variations, but they’re all loaded with tater tots (which are also gluten-free), eggs, and a side of red or green salsa. Go for The OG with a choice of bacon or sausage, or try the Tia Maria with fried plantains and queso fresco. Be prepared for a long wait, because this counter-service spot in the Mission is always mobbed by loyal fans who bow down to this breakfast burrito king.
The oldest Burmese restaurant in San Francisco is a tea-leaf-filled party in the Richmond. Get any dish with rice noodles. The menu isn’t labeled, but the staff are more than happy to discuss which dishes are gluten-free, or can be adapted. And because this place is a neighborhood go-to for casual celebrations with spicy sake margaritas and good music, it’s the perfect spot to have your next big group dinner when you’ve got a lot of dietary restrictions to keep in mind.
You won't find a speck of gluten at this sunny North Beach Mexican restaurant. Order their fantastic chilaquiles and sit on the patio with a big glass of iced cold horchata next time you need a quick break during your workday—or anytime it’s above 70 degrees.
This Indian restaurant on the border of Japantown and the Fillmore is where to go when you need to ditch the t-shirt vibe for something a little more upscale. So whether it’s for a birthday, an anniversary, or just anytime you want to dress up and not feel stupid, head here for tongue-numbing chutneys and spicy seafood curries that change with the seasons, but always deliver a kick.
The people at Black Hammer Brewing Co. have made an entire menu of gluten-less beers that you can enjoy at their Duboce Triangle spot alongside weekly drag trivia, board games, and occasional puzzle nights. They also have a long list of bites safe to pair with your beers like sausages and pommes frites.
If you’re looking for a meal that screams quiet luxury, head to Prik Hom in the Richmond. The menu at this fancy Thai spot is so gluten-free-friendly that the few dishes that have the stuff are labeled. All of the dishes, from the scallops and lemongrass “shot” to the beef cheek curry with Japanese sweet potato, are delicious. Order (almost) the entire menu.
This sleek Vietnamese restaurant in the Richmond goes the extra mile and offers the option to make most dishes without gluten. We go to Lily anytime when we’re looking to celebrate a momentous occasion over a whole fried bass with black bean tamarind fish sauce and juicy bo tai chan. The cocktails, like the café sua da espresso martini and the Saigon Sunrise with pomegranate mezcal and passionfruit, are also worth ordering.
This small Ferry Building outpost (with a bigger location in Oakland) is the place for gluten-free breads, pastries, and desserts that don’t taste like they’ve had their entire life sucked out of them. Choose from a daily mix of croissants, cupcakes, and take-and-bake pizza crust (and much, much more). For something savory, grab one of their 11 (also gluten-free) sandwiches to eat as you watch the ferries go by.
Pica Pica in the Mission is where you go for arepas that hit the spot every time. While the interior might remind you of a fast-casual chain you'd find in an airport, the food here is better than anything you’ll find at SFO. There’s 10 different filling options to stuff your flatbreads with like savory shredded beef pabellón and crispy chicken and tofu. Get the sampler of mini arepas to try a few different options, or go for one full-size—just make sure to add the hot sauce and aioli. The entire kitchen is gluten-free, so order some crispy yuca fries and caramelized plantains while you’re at it.
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