Being from Albuquerque means I’ve been to Santa Fe plenty of times. It’s only an hour away and great for day trips or weekend getaways. The Ojo Caliente Spa is one of the best and the food and vibe is amazing around Santa Fe. When I moved back to New Mexico after 11 years in Los Angeles, and I didn’t have as much experience eating in Santa Fe as a diagnosed celiac. I hit up Santa Fe Foodies on Facebook and they have a list of about 7 gluten free eats for celiacs. I’ve done my own research and can add my experiences to make a larger and more comprehensive guide to match some of my other ones (Los Angeles and Albuquerque). I will continue to add more! Don’t miss the Guide to Gluten Free Albuquerque and follow my page on Instagram and Facebook.
Keep in mind that, while I have celiac disease, everyone has different comfort levels with eating in kitchens that aren’t strictly gluten free. This will give you insight into my experience. When dealing with humans, errors do happen. Also, menus change so ask your own questions!
I was mentioned in this article by Redfin about Santa Fe. Check it out! Here is an image you can save with some Santa Fe favorites.
Alkeme: I’ve heard good things about this place and I believe they were a semifinalist for a James Beard award. They do have gluten free labels on the menu but you will need to check about cross contact.
Amaya: Located in the Hacienda Hotel, they had several menus including a late night one with gluten free labels. I didn’t eat so I don’t know about fryer and CC situation.
Arroyo Vino: I haven’t been but there are lot’s of gluten free labels on the menu.
Apothecary Restaurant: 100% gluten free! Right on the plaza, this is an entirely gluten free restaurant with vegan/vegetarian and sustainable meat options. There is an earthy, mystic vibe and you can purchase essential oils. Their menu is varied and looks great, we only got an appetizer, the artichoke dip, which was amazing. No alcohol but plenty of teas, juices and “iced milk shakes”.
Boxcar: A bar open until 2am, kitchen open until 1am and they have a dedicated fryer they can use for allergies!
Cafe Pasqual’s: Someone recommended this to be on my gluten free ABQ page and I’m so glad! There was a bit of a wait but we were able to get in faster by sitting at the communal table. They have gluten free bread and are mindful to cook away from toasted if celiac. The red chile is gluten free and it seems there were several good options. Located in the plaza.
Capital Coal Neighborhood Eatery: They report allergen friendly items.
Casa Chimayo: Has lots of great FMGF reviews and you can tell they take pride in their food as noted in the price. Anything with *** on the menu eithe ris gluten free or can be (forget which one). The waiter was knowledgeable about celiac and cross contact. They have chips you can get usually that has no CC but sadly not when I went. It’s so rare to find gluten free mole I had to get it. I got duck tacos and mole wasn’t the best I’ve had but still a treat to be able to eat it.
Catch Santa Fe Poke: 100% gluten free, they have a sister spot in ABQ at Sawmill Market. It’s delicious!
Chomp Food Hall: This is a small food hall with a few options. There is coffee and a wine bar as well as a spot to order picnic charcuterie boards from Picnic Catering & Events.
Nath’s: Located in Chomp Food Hall, the entire menu is 100% gluten free. I got the turmeric noodles, which were $16! Yowza!
Zaika: Located in Chomp food hall, I didn’t ask questions but see that their curry is labeled gluten free.
Desert Dogs: I saw labeling of “brewery”, “taproom”, “cidery” and “bar”. It’s all of them! They are on the 2nd floor and have a small but nice patio overlooking the street leading to the Plaza park. Inside there are bar games with your typical “bar scene”. They have plenty of ciders as well as full bar. Their menu is strictly street tacos, some sauces do have soy sauce. I asked about fryers (none) but forgot to ask about stove top cooking cross contamination. I had 1 taco and did not feel sick, but I could see how it can be a risk.
Hervé Wine Bar: This wine bar is off the Santa Fe Plaza, at first glance with tables lined in a little alley to the entrance it looks cozy, inside is large and open with a great ambiance. There was live music too! We enjoyed some wine and an appetizer, the bacon wrapped dates which they told me was baked. Since returning they said it is fried but upon returning agreed to bake them for me if I didn’t mind the wait. They have a small menu and anything with bread on it they can make gluten free by offering gluten free bread. I asked them to bake the bread to avoid cross contamination. I’ve also enjoyed soup, they try to make them gluten free in general. Same ownership as D.H. Lescombes winery.
Iconic Coffee Roasters: ALL their pastries are gluten free except bagels. Gluten free bread is an option on all sandwiches and burgers.
Jambo Cafe: African and Caribbean cuisine that was recommended to be by another celiac. There are lots of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. Can’t wait to try!
Joseph’s Culinary Pub: I spoke with the DM as well as tested this place out for myself. Options for celiacs start with the unicorn, dedicated gluten free fryers! Due to celiacs in both the chefs family, they are mindful about these options and precautions. When I ate here almost the entire menu was gluten free. My husband got the steak, I got to have a few bites, and he said it’s top 3 steaks ever. The duck fat cooked fries were amazing and the dessert, butterscotch pudding, was delicious. All the desserts are gluten free and they frequently use Tamari and in place of soy sauce and all their desserts are gluten free. It was very busy when we went, we were lucky in getting a table. Make a reservation if you can. They are only open for dinner and they are closed 2 days per week, a sign of a successful restaurant.
La Boca Cafe: Modern Spanish cuisine. The menu doesn’t have gluten free labels but when I reached out they report being 99% gluten free. I finally went and it’s a cute little place right off the Plaza and has great tapas. They use Revolution Bakery gluten free bread.
La Fonda restaurant bar menu: The menu had gluten free labels but I didn’t eat so I didn’t ask about fryers, CC etc.
Mystic Santa Fe: I haven’t been but when I reached out they confirmed gluten free options.
Paper Dosa: Sante Fe’s South Indian spot is a local favorite and I believe has been featured in Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It’s almost entirely gluten free and plenty of vegetarian options. The fryer is gluten free. There was a long wait so I hit up J.Crew Factory across the street.
Plaza Cafe: When I asked the host he was very overwhelming with enthusiasm at the options and safety for gluten free items for celiacs. Once we sat down and I spoke to the waiter he was very underwhelmed with options due to the small kitchen. I did end up ordering the posole which I figured was safest. He also suggested the salads (as always) would be fairly safe. The chips are fried in a shared fryer. There are positive reviews on Find Me Gluten Free.
Radish and Rye: I’ll start with the good. They have 3 items with gluten and anything else is cooked in their own fryer. There are plenty of excellent gluten free options. Unfortunately, the waitress was a bit aggressive and rude. I was trying to get clarification on why the rye syrup was gluten free and more, as we have all been mistakenly told something is gluten free when it’s not and only discover it by asking questions. I worked as a waitress for years and I do believe that when someone has food allergies, it really costs nothing to exercise patience and answer questions. If you don’t want to or aren’t able to, please get a manager. I did end up getting the chicken fried quail and gluten free waffle, it was amazing. For dessert we ordered the ice cream special, one was not gluten free and she pointed it out. Unfortunately it was the wrong one and I did eat it and I did get sick (for days). When I told her, her only response initially was a repeated “that’s what the kitchen told me”. I get it, we are all human, mistakes happen. Let go of defensiveness and apologize. At the very least, remove the item from the bill. I mentioned this to her as an example as to why we ask follow up questions and sometimes even double check. I try not to judge a restaurant by one mistake, I did make a post on it and was slightly the restaurant didn’t respond. Of the 3 reviews I saw on Find Me Gluten Free, 1 other mentioned being glutened.
Revolutionary Bakery: 100% gluten free bakery. Apparently you can get gluten free croissants delivered to you across the country. I got there at around noon on a Saturday and she said that the tourists snatched everything up and to come earlier next time. I did get a cookie and cobbler(amazing!) but definitely want to make it back for some of the other breads like a sourdough.
Root 66 Cafe: A plant based cafe with several gluten free labels on the menu.
Santarepa Cafe: While I haven’t been here yet, it appears that the food is Venezuelan and most their menu is naturally gluten free. Based on reviews, they take great caution in preparing and accommodating items to avoid cross contamination.
Sassella Restaurant: Another one I haven’t been to yet, but I read reviews raving about care and cautions including: separate toaster for gluten free bread, separate prep areas and a chef and GM making appearances to tables to address allergy/celiac concerns.
Second Street Brewery: They really focus on gluten removed beers that is brewed traditionally using wheat, barley or rye then undergoes process to remove gluten. They test it and it comes out less than 10 ppm gluten which is less than the 20 ppm requirements by FDA to be considered safe for celiacs. However, gluten removed is not yet recommended for celiacs at this time (Beyond Celiac). I skipped it to be safe but my husband likes them and said they “tasted like regular beer”. I did have a seltzer on tap that was the best I’ve ever had. You can get the seltzer cans at a few places in ABQ (Total Wine). Food is limited but a few options.
The Shed: This is a very popular place in Santa Fe. It’s been several years since I’ve gone and I see it’s only grown in popularity as we couldn’t get a reservation out first visit and apparently they now book out 3 months in advance! They do have an area reserved for “waitlist”. I was told to call at 4pm and they let you know options however I couldn’t get anyone on the phone. We walked by and the line was huge so we gave up. They have several gluten free options, including mole. They have good ratings on Find Me Gluten Free. I booked 2 months in advance the 2nd time and the food was amazing. The waiter was automatically knowledgeable and said there is celiac in the owners family.
Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen: They are 100% gluten free! I had an amazing paleo burrito made of eggs and some vegetable, it had some sweet potato in it and was covered in red chile. I got a baguette sandwich to go. Everything was excellent! Come to ABQ please! Here is a picture.
Tres Colores: Off the plaza, they have breakfast and lunch with a large majority of items labeled gluten free. I had a breakfast bowl, they said the eggs and everything wasn’t’ propped in the same area as gluten. I’m not sure about tortillas for tacos but would have preferred that. I’m not sure about chips but se they use cornmeal for the breaded items so it’s possible. Someone update me if you find out!
Tune Up Café: They have good reviews on Find Me Gluten Free and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. I went for breakfast and got a goat cheese omelet with red chile and home fries (cooked on the stove). The red chile is gluten free but not the green sauce. They had a gluten free waffle that is the only waffle they serve and I wish I got that instead because it looked amazing.
Yin Yang: A follower told me about this place stating that nothing is marked gluten free on the menu but they will go out of their way to make it gluten free if they can. Many items are made with cornstarch instead of flour. Here is a pic sent to me.
Hotels:
Hacienda Hotel: They had several menus printed out at the lobby including a late night one with gluten free labels. Only one I didn’t see gluten free labels as breakfast but I bet they could do something. I didn’t eat so I don’t know about fryer and CC situation.
Hotel Santa Fe: Slight off the plaza but walkable and with menus with gluten free labels on them, including a late night menu. We didn’t eat here when staying so I didn’t ask about cross contact.
La Fonda: A beautiful Hotel on the plaza. I looked at the menus and there were some gluten free labels. I didn’t ask about cross contact.
The Lodge: 6 minute drive from the Plaza, and therefore more affordable. It’s across from the veterans memorial but has a nice view of the mountains. There is a Sprouts and Jinja very close, but we drove the short distance to Paper Dosa. They have a bar area upstairs with a nice view, pool and hot tub. The room didn’t have a fridge the front desk held on to it in their fridge so we could bring leftovers back to ABQ. I believe they can offer a shuttle to the Plaza but double check,
Sage Hotel: This is a more affordable option and a 20 minutes walk from the Plaza, but they have free shuttles that go to and from the Plaza all day. It was a basic hotel with a bar and restaurant and free breakfast (which we didn’t eat).
Other recommendations? Send me an e-mail at: glutenfreeandglorious@gmail.com
