I made a guide for Albuquerque, so I decided it was only fair I create one for Los Angeles given I lived there for 11 years. This is based off my own experience but errors happen when working with humans and menus change so ask your own questions when visiting any of these establishments. Most of these places aren’t strictly gluten free kitchens so there usually is a risk for cross contamination. I chose to be ok with this given precautions are taken. You may choose not to. I have either personally been to these places or personally spoken to the restaurant about gluten free options.
Everything is listed in alphabetical order.
For pictures of food, most of these can be found on my SoCal Instagram story highlights!
AJ’s Tex Mex & BBQ: Located in Valley Village on the cusp of North Hollywood, they reported a number of gluten free BBQ options.
Black Market Liquor Bar: Located in Studio City. The shared fryers cut out many options for celiacs but they do have GF bread, ponzu and pasta options.
BIBIBOP: 100% gluten free Asian grill!
Blue Jam Cafe: A local chain for breakfast and lunch spot with several gluten free options. Located in Hollywood, Downtown, Brentwood, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Atwater Village.
Break Blok: This is an entirely gluten free bakery with stores in Santa Monica and Silver Lake. Their website has farmer’s market and retailer location. They have dairy free, egg free, vegan, nut free and grain free options!
Ca de Sol: Located between Hollywood Hills and North Hollywood, this is a great date night spot with significant others or friends. They have a few good gluten free options, including pasta.
Cafe Gratitude: Located all around Los Angeles (Venice, Arts District, Newport Beach, Hollywood) and San Diego, this cafe prides themselves on their plant based cuisine. They have several allergen free options with a vey thorough allergy ingredient list on their website. Like many places, they say they cannot guarantee guests with allergies may not be exposed through cross-contamination.
The Cheesecake Factory: Located all around the country, there are a few gluten free options. I’ve only ever gotten the gluten free Shepherd’s pie because it’s amazing.
Chin Chin: This is a Chinese chain restaurant all around Los Angeles and Las Vegas. They have “gluten conscious” items labeled on the menu. Also on their menu is a disclaimer that these items are prepared int he same kitchen with risk of cross contamination so they do not recommend for celiacs.
Chulita Venice: A Mexican restaurant with gluten free blue corn and cassava flour tacos located in Venice.
The Counter Burger: They have a gluten free menu to check out with decent burgers or burger salad bowls. Not sure about the fryer situation for fried. If you know, reach out to let me know!
Crave cafe: I used to study here back when it was open 24 hours. I pretty much just get salads but they have a few gluten free options, not sure about CC.
Earthbar Brentwood: This health store in Brentwood has supplements, smoothy bowls, juices, and other vegan/gf options like waffles.
F#CK GLUTEN: You gotta love the name! I reached out for more information, but from what I gathered there is a location in NorCal and in a cafeteria or food hall like spot in Los Angeles called The Colony around the Santa Monica area. It appears to be 100% gluten free, if the name is anything to go by, and has a variety of menu items from salads, to bowls, cauliflower pizza and wings and plenty of vegan options.
Honey Hi: Located on Sunset blvd, EVERYTHING here is gluten free! From gluten free buckwheat sourdough sandwiches to bowls, this place has break breakfast and lunch options! They buy their produce from local farmer’s markets!
Hugo’s Restaurant: This is another favorite for those with food allergies, they are located around Los Angeles. They pride themselves on consciously sourced whole & plant based foods, they have gluten free, dairy free and vegan options. From fried pickles, gluten free biscuits and gravy to pastas. You can get just about anything here.
Hugo’s Tacos: In Atwater and Studio City, Hugo’s Restaurant has a little taco stop. They have a gluten free fryer! From taquitos to bowls and plenty of vegan options.
In-N-Out Burger: My do I miss this place in ABQ! From what I’ve seen, buns are toasted in their own area separate from the burgers so it’s fairly safe to order lettuce wrap. The fries are naturally gluten free and the only thing going in the fryer. I love the animal style fries with chopped peppers.
Jakkapat Thai: Located in North Hollywood, there are some gluten free options such as gluten free pad thai. The Menu isn’t labeled so I would call and ask if ordering in.
Maggiano’s: A local favorite in Woodland hills, I believe they make their own pasta. This may or may not include the gluten free pasta. With certain pasta dishes you buy 1 and get 1 to take home, including the gluten free pastas!
Malibu Farm: Located in the Malibu pier, this spot has some great naturally gluten free options to go with a great view. They also have gluten free bread options.
Mendocino Farms: A sandwich chain in California, they have gluten free bread and take precautions for celiacs. They have some great side salads, including one I liked so much I recreated.
The Misfits: Located in Santa Monica, this place has dedicated gluten free fryers and some great naturally gluten free options like the Green Chile Mac & Cheese! I loved this place and hope to return. Cool vibes as well!
Monty’s Good Burger: I went here pre pandemic with my vegan sister. Their entire menu was reported to be gluten free except the buns and the prepackages cookies. I got an excellent lettuce wrap burger and loaded fries. Don’t forget to check out their secret menu. They have locations all around Los Angeles.
Lakeside Restaurant & Lounge: Located in Encino, this is a cute spot with a nice pond. They have a few gluten free options. Ask about CC.
Paty’s Toluca Lake: Located in Toluca Lake, they have a few gluten free options including excellent fluffy gluten free pancakes.
Pizza Cookery: A local family owned chain, they have some great salads and gluten free pizza and care about protecting against CC the best they can.
P.F. Chang’s: A bigger chain restaurant in the United States, they have a separate kitchen for gluten free items and a decent menu.
Real Food Daily: Located in between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, this restaurant has several gluten free options. They are not a gluten free kitchen, however the person I spoke to was a celiac herself and reports they do their best to minimize any cross contamination by following appropriate cleaning protocols. They have gluten free pizza, mac & cheese, nachos, tacos, Alfredo, pancakes and more. They do used shared fryers to be sure to check on that!
Sloan’s Restaurant: Located in Valley Village and across from the Hollywood Bowl, this is a local favorite of mine. All fried food is gluten free and the vibe is great! There are gluten free onion rings, Tyra Banks wings, fish and chips and fantastic salads. Sloan’s never disappoints.
Sweet Fin: 100% gluten free and vegan friendly with locations all around Los Angeles and San Diego. Tasty and customizable poke bowls.
Tacos 1986: Some great tacos, double check about shared fryers/cross contamination.
Teddy’s Red Tacos: With locations all over Los Angeles, these tacos are apparently the bomb. I was going to eat here with friends and even called ahead to ask about gluten and cross contamination. According to the person who answered and then checked, only the quesadillas use flour tortillas and they are cooked on a separate grill. Definitely want to try in the future!
Tipsy Cow: This burger spot has a gluten free bun, but not all burger patties are gluten free so be sure to ask. They have great salads and I believe their wings are baked not fried. Unfortunately they do have shared fryers so fries are out and double check about those wings!
The Village: Located in Valley Village, they use almond flour for all fried food. Excellent fried calamari and a few other items we can’t get just anywhere.
Vino Wine & Tapas: One of my favorite date night spots in Encino, the vibe is great and the food tasty. They have plenty of gluten free options but I remember some items being mislabeled so double check with the staff. It’s a good idea to verbally check gluten free labeled items regardless. Remember, mistakes happen when working with humans!
Wi Spa: This is an amazing Korean style spa experience with a restaurant inside. I went with a group of girls and tried to call ahead of time to see about gluten free/allergen friendly items. They suggested I look up the menu items to see how dishes are traditionally prepared. Obviously this isn’t a safe option for food allergies or celiacs. While I was there I asked the restaurant cashier about the Pho on the menu, which typically can be gluten free. He did go ask the kitchen for me and confirmed it was. Careful with the side add-ins though! The Pho was very good after a nice day or self care.
1212 Santa Monica: Located on the Santa Monica promenade, this is a fun place with loud music. They have a vegan/gluten free menu that was pretty small and surprisingly did not include any of the salads. Not sure if that was an error on their part. I had the roasted portobello mushrooms over polenta, which was way to salty.
401K Food and Wine: Thank you to a follower who told me about this entirely gluten free wine bar an eatery located in Venice, CA. the menu has great variety and some vegan and vegetarian options!
