As the number of dedicated gluten-free bakeries, cafes and restaurants continues to grow, so do the number of food trucks, cideries and breweries. By our count, there are 16 dedicated gluten-free food trucks and 17 breweries and cideries in the United States, for a total of 33 establishments serving up inspired cuisine and tasty beverages worthy of a leisurely visit. 

Schedule time to go on a tour of a gluten-free brewery or cidery to learn all about the production process, how cider gets its flavor (it isn’t from the fruit), where they source raw ingredients, how they come up with their flavors, and more. Take a seat in their tasting rooms to enjoy a flight of core and seasonal offerings. And some places offer a menu of lite bites or gourmet cuisine and desserts designed to pair with the cidery or brewery creations. Keep in mind that not all the menus feature dedicated gluten-free cuisine, but they have plenty of gluten-free options.

It takes a special breed of individual to run a food truck. Seriously! These culinary rock stars must like working in confined spaces and sweating their butts off to deliver gluten-free cuisine and a big ole’ smile with every order. They create an experience where it is normal to drool over the aromas wafting from within while standing in line with complete and oddly festive strangers. Struggling to eat and keep your clothing clean is par for the course. And there are never enough napkins.

If your travels take you to any of these 19 states, consider checking out their dedicated cideries, breweries and food trucks.

Happy and safe travels!

When it’s time to board a flight to a much-needed vacation destination, a gluten-free packing strategy for packing the right foods and tools goes a long way to relieving anxiety.

A trip to the store solely for snack foods and ready-to-eat meals that will keep hunger away during the flight and once you arrive is paramount. No need to be caught off guard and unnecessarily hungry if your flight gets delayed or for a layover.

Here are our best tips for enjoying a safe and tasty flight full of gluten-free food and relaxation. 

Pre-boarding

If possible, ask to pre-board the flight and use antibacterial wipes to clean the seat, seatbelt, armrests and tray table. Germs are everywhere, but so are crumbs from whatever the person before you consumed, which may have contained gluten. Start the flight free from the anxiety of transferring gluten to your hands and the gluten-free food you have packed.

Research it: Airport restaurants, grab-and-go food and snacks

A quick search for gluten-free options at the airport is a must. You might be surprised what you find and can nosh on before your flight. Depending on the length of the flight, it may be a good idea to eat a full meal, and it can’t hurt to grab an extra snack or two before boarding.

Pack it: Foods and tools to pack in your carry-on

I pack a full meal in my carry-on complete with dessert to keep me full during the flight. I keep it fresh by packing a sandwich, hard boiled eggs, fruit, pretzels and a homemade muffin. Delta Airlines offers gluten-free snack mix from Pretzel Perfection and Kind Bars, but not all airlines are as accommodating. Make sure to also pack reusable utensils, napkins, condiments and a reusable water bottle that gets filled before boarding, because it can take a while before beverage service begins. 

Pack it: Foods to pack in your suitcase

Packing isn’t just about what foods to pack and eat during the flight; it also is about what you are going to eat once you land. Pack foods that travel well and can tide you over until you get to the hotel. Start with shelf-stable options like cereal, nuts (I put these in my suitcase because the chances of a passenger being allergic to nuts is high), protein bars, jerky and dried fruit. Packing instant soup cups, ready-to-eat-meals, snack packs, instant oatmeal and a loaf of your favorite bread along with nut butter and jelly packs equals perfection when you must eat in the hotel room because jet lag has taken you down and you aren’t up to going out to eat. Also remember to pack resealable bags and bag clips to keep food from going stale or spilling.

Pack it: Over-the-counter medicine

It is easy to get caught up with food packing and forget to pack those needed over-the-counter medicines. Make sure your carry-on includes pain relievers, eye drops, inhalers, sinus pills, anti-nausea medicine, motion sickness medicine, cough drops, etc. Traveling to another time zone and climate can trigger an allergy or asthma attack with coughing or itchy eyes. And, if the flight has been turbulent, motion sickness medicine can save the day. Wearing a pair of acupressure wrist bands can also alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness. Those resealable bags also come in handy to create an ice pack if motion sickness medicine fails. Put an ice pack on the back of your neck, recline, turn up the air and relax as the nausea fades away.

My carry-on also includes a sleep mask, soft jacket, ear buds, phone charger and a book in case I can’t find a movie to watch or, gasp, the flight doesn’t have movies. Coming prepared to the airport starts the trip out on the right foot and ensures you arrive relaxed and ready to create memories.

Since we started building our lists of gluten-free bakeries, cafés and restaurants in 2017, we have been astounded watching the number grow. We wondered, though—which states have the most dedicated establishments?

By our count, there are 234 dedicated gluten-free restaurants and 215 bakeries in the United States for a total of 449. Only five states—Alaska, Mississippi, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wyoming—have no dedicated offerings.

It was surprising to find that almost three-quarters of these restaurants and bakeries are in just 15 states. Adding to the gluten-free fun, out of the eight dedicated food trucks found, all except one reside in these same states.

Which state do you think has the most gluten-free bakeries? Or restaurants? My first guess was totally wrong—I thought it was New York, only to see that California has it beat with five more restaurants and a whopping 19 more bakeries.

Are you surprised by the totals?

Did we miss any? If we’ve missed a dedicated eatery in our searches, please let us know. Find us on Facebook at @gflivingmag or Twitter @gfliving.

Please note: Only bakeries with brick and mortar locations are included. Bakeries and restaurants with more than one location are counted individually. Grabbagreen restaurants have been removed due to the use of a wheat tortilla at some of the independently owned franchise locations. 

We originally published a map of dedicated gluten-free bakeries across the country in a print issue of Gluten-Free Living. But we couldn’t fit all of them—and wanted to keep the list as updated as possible—so below please find even more places for you to visit when you’re craving something sweet. And check out our map of dedicated gluten-free restaurants for the next time you want to try a new gluten-free option!

Want more ideas, tips and destinations for gluten-free travel? Check out our Travel section!

Looking for more gluten-free information?

Sign up for our free e-newsletter to receive gluten-free recipes, news, articles and more delivered to your inbox each week.

Traveling away from home can be stressful for those on the gluten-free diet. To help ease your mind, we’ve compiled a list of dedicated gluten-free restaurants across the country. And if you’re craving a sweet treat, check out our map of dedicated gluten-free bakeries!

Want more information, tips and destinations for gluten-free travel? Check out our Travel section!

Gearing up for a gluten-free vacation?

Use the practical tips, helpful advice and on-the-go snack recipes in this download to make traveling gluten free this summer easy, fun and delicious!

Click here to receive our FREE 14-page guide to getting away gluten free.

Want more gluten-free news?

Sign up for our free e-newsletter to receive gluten-free recipes, news, articles and more delivered to your inbox each week.

When you are gluten free, researching vacation destinations takes on a whole new level of importance and precision. Whether you are traveling in the United States or abroad, a little planning and research goes a long way toward ensuring the entire family has a great time.

Here are our best tips for enjoying a safe and tasty vacation free of gluten and full of memories.

1. Book it: Find a room with a kitchen

If possible, look for a hotel room with a kitchenette, or stay at a bed and breakfast. A kitchenette allows you the flexibility to prepare meals in your room. I like to find a grocery store and pick up eggs, breakfast meat, cereal and milk, and frozen gluten-free meals just for that comfort of being able to prepare a safe meal if needed. A room with a refrigerator and microwave also equals leftovers when dining out. Bed and breakfasts can adhere to your dietary needs and prepare a filling breakfast that sets you up for a productive day of fun.

2. Research it: Look to local resources

A quick search for local bloggers and support groups will save you hours of research. These are the best-tapped resource when it comes to dining out and shopping. And their websites usually offer lists of their favorite restaurants and dishes. Many are more than happy to put together a list of recommendations based on the type of cuisine you want to eat. And they can point you in the direction of dedicated bakeries, food tours, cidery tours and the best places to dabble in dessert.

3. Pack it: Foods and tools to tote

Packing isn’t just about what foods to pack. Remember to bring reusable utensils, condiments, salt and pepper, wet wipes, bag clips and resealable bags for leftovers. Refrain from packing your whole kitchen, but do pack foods that travel well and will fill you up when hunger hits. Start with shelf-stable options like cereal, nuts, protein bars, nut butter, jerky, dried fruit, pretzels and crackers. If space allows, include instant soup cups, ready-to-eat meals, snack packs, instant oatmeal and a loaf of your favorite bread.

4. Apps: Let your fingers do the walking

There are several apps designed to assist travelers looking for places to eat and places to shop when they are home or away. Free apps from Find Me Gluten Free, AllergyEats Mobile and Dine Gluten Free include user reviews, consumer ratings, links to menus and customizable search features. The Gluten-Free Scanner and ShopWell apps scan barcodes, read the ingredients for you, and let you know immediately if an item is gluten free. The Is That Gluten Free? app offers a searchable database full of manufacturer-verified gluten-free products from more than 500 brands.

5. Test it: Nima Sensor’s mobile testing

A mobile testing device from Nima Sensor allows users to test their food while dining out. Nima uses antibody-based chemistry to test samples of food for gluten. Place a small amount of food in one of the disposable test capsules, insert the capsule into the sensor, push a button and wait three minutes for the results to appear on the screen. If Nima detects gluten at any level, even below 20 parts per million, the screen will read “Gluten Found.” If it is gluten free, a smiley face will light up the screen.

News Editor Jennifer Harris is a gluten-free consultant and blogs at gfgotoguide.com.

Want more information, tips and destinations for gluten-free travel? Check out our Travel section!

My family and I planned to visit Italy ever since we hosted a celiac exchange student from Rome, Giorgia (Jojo for short), for a school year. You wouldn’t think a country known for staples like fresh pasta, pizza and bread would be knowledgeable and accommodating when it comes to gluten-free cuisine. But you would be mistaken. Italy is a gluten-free haven, rich in phenomenal cuisine with a side of culture and history.

Celiac disease has been diagnosed far longer in Europe than in the United States. Associazione Italiana Celiachia, Italy’s celiac support group, was founded in 1979. Dr. Alessio Fasano, responsible for increasing the diagnosis rate in the United States, is Italian and one of the world’s leading experts on celiac disease. Jojo was diagnosed with celiac disease as a child and grew up with her father and grandmother preparing fresh gluten-free pasta, bread, pizza and cookies.

After hearing just how easy it is to find gluten-free cuisine in Italy, we crossed the ocean with visions of large plates of pasta layered with fresh basil, tomatoes and olive oil so flavorful you want to drink it from the bottle. Knowing that language wouldn’t be a barrier because Jojo speaks English, her lovely family welcomed us into their home and treated us to home-cooked meals I still dream about. They proved to be the perfect guides as we ventured in and around the gorgeous country with its long, rich history.

speak the language

Learning how to ask if something is gluten free in Italian is necessary and will make you feel more comfortable during the trip. Asking if something is “senza glutine” is met with not just understanding but concern. They will usually follow up by asking if you have celiac disease—something I wish happened more in the U.S.—instead of asking “allergy” or “by choice.” Being intolerant to gluten is not an inconvenience or a diet fad to Italians; it is a medical condition that gets their full attention.

It is no surprise that the quality of gluten-free food in Italy is exceptional because Italians are very particular about ingredients. They also are very well informed on the ingredients in prepared dishes when dining out. Servers really know what they are talking about and will make recommendations based upon your preferences.

Just as it does in the United States, food brings friends and family together, especially in a country where the family unit is close knit and children often live at home after finishing school.

when in rome

Visiting Rome isn’t all about the food—well, not completely. Taking a walk through the cobblestone streets is like stepping back in time. Everywhere you look there is a piece of history waiting to be discovered. Notable sights include the Pantheon, a former Roman temple that is now a church, and Trevi Fountain. The Trevi is one of the most famous fountains in the world, serving as a gorgeous display of Baroque art celebrating the sheer force of water—I can still hear the roar. Make time to experience the Colosseum, Rome’s largest amphitheater and most popular attraction; Circus Maximum, where the Roman chariot races took place; and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museum—a long wait to get in if you don’t take advantage of any skipping-the-line opportunity by planning ahead, but totally worth it.

Because I wanted to eat a gluten-free cheeseburger at McDonald’s (not available in the U.S.), we skipped Mama Frites and its gluten-free sandwiches, lasagna and tiramisu. I sprinted—OK, walked really fast—to McDonald’s to enjoy one of my favorite foods and places to indulge as a child. Orders are placed on touchscreens and picked up at the counter. The cheeseburger is premade, stored frozen, and heated and served in a sealed wrapper. It sits in a Schär gluten-free bun and, if heated properly, is beyond delicious—nostalgia at its finest.

After lunch, head over to Pandali, Rome’s gluten-free bakery offering a selection of sweet and savory freshly baked goods. We opted for doughnuts filled with Nutella and fruit, but there were also hand pies, cookies, biscotti, brownies and an Italian version of a pop tart called rombo frutti. The baked goods are light and flaky like puff pastry and taste sinfully buttery. A selection of premade pizzas, sandwiches and flatbreads awaited those wanting to dine al fresco.

Dinner that night was at Terra, a pizzeria with a separate room for preparing not one or two, but three types of gluten-free pizza crust from a combination of corn, rice, buckwheat and hemp flours. We ordered two different types of crust—bruschetta for an antipasto platter piled high with buffalo mozzarella, fresh meats and olive oil, and another for a pizza topped with thinly sliced potatoes, zucchini and fontina cheese. Salmon, pumpkin flowers, mushrooms, olives and prosciutto are among the popular pizza toppings available. Light and pliable, the crust can fold in half without cracking or crumbling. I was moved to happy tears, but somehow managed to save room for dessert—gelato at a local gelateria on a gluten-free cone.

all gelato is not created equal

I am going to digress for just a minute to talk about gelato. It is not just a combination of milk and eggs; no, Italians have elevated gelato to an art form that should be enjoyed at least twice a day. Sample the flavors until you find one that intrigues you: Nutella (hazelnuts), pistachio, cream, coffee, dark chocolate, an array of fruity varieties and even vegan. Gelato should be made fresh daily and stored in metal tins, not white plastic ones, so don’t be fooled.

If you happen upon a Grom, you have hit the gelato jackpot. Grom is an entirely gluten-free gelateria serving cones, plain and with chocolate, nuts and sprinkles, cookies made from corn flour, popsicles and a rainbow of gelato goodness, all free from contamination.

However, the best gelato we had during our time in Italy was at Vivoli, one of the oldest gelaterias in Florence. To find this little gem tucked away off the beaten path where the locals indulge, we had to ask for directions. Vivoli makes the most amazing decadently creamy gelato—and believe it or not, the very same treat also is available stateside at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida. Finding real gelato in the States is more difficult than you think, so take advantage of this rare find next time you are in Orlando.

do some shopping. Food shopping.

Pop into a local pharmacy or grocery and marvel at entire walls full of gluten-free goods. In Italy, those diagnosed with celiac disease receive a monthly allotment to purchase food. Italy’s national health system recognizes that gluten-free food is incrementally more expensive and supplements the income of families with diagnosed celiac disease. Jojo’s family receives 90 Euros a month (roughly $95), and she says the money doesn’t stretch as far as you might think. Prices for gluten-free goods are surprisingly similar to those in the U.S.

L’Is La Celiaca, outside of Rome, is a gluten-free store where Jojo and her family shop. The rows upon rows of pasta left me feeling overwhelmed and annoyed by all of the pasta shapes—like bowtie, cappelletti and tortellini—that aren’t available in the U.S. And the freezers were overflowing with puff pastry sheets, tortellini and ravioli, breaded chicken, chicken pockets with prosciutto and cheese, pizza rolls, fruit tarts and so many types of bread. They even have a bakery where they make pizza and an array of traditional pastries.

You may have heard of or even been to the store Eataly in the U.S., which has locations in Boston, Chicago and New York as well as one soon to open in Los Angeles. We visited one while in Italy, which offered everything needed to transform a run-of-the-mill kitchen to a typical Italian one—olive oil, pasta, pasta sauce, tomatoes and anything else you might think of. Get a scoop of gelato or a house-made coffee while waiting for an order of freshly sliced salami or prosciutto; sadly, there is no fresh gluten-free bread.

hop a train

To get a firsthand look at all Italy has to offer, hop a train and visit one of the many cities just hours outside of Rome. We scheduled time to visit Florence and Venice.

Our favorite destination was Florence, where we saw the statue of David by Michelangelo at Accademia di Belle Arti. Purchase tickets in advance, unless you want to wait an hour or more in line. The Duomo, the main church of Florence, occupies the heart of the city and is breathtaking from any angle. If you are game, climb the Duomo’s more than 500 stairs to the top of its famous dome. Across from the Duomo you’ll find the Baptistery of St. John, where Dante and others were baptized.

A trip to Florence’s dedicated gluten-free bakery Starbene is a must. It is a small family-owned shop with a display case lined with the most gorgeous pastries I have ever tasted. After gobbling down the black and white cookies and some pizza rolls, I really wished we had bought more to snack on the next day. The croissants filled with Nutella or fruit and topped with powdered sugar are sheer perfection. They also sell savory breads, calzones, sandwiches, whole cakes and some shelf-stable products such as cereal, pasta and crackers—and their prices are very reasonable.

We grabbed a quick lunch at Mister Pizza in the Piazza del Duomo, where special attention is paid to preparing gluten-free pizzas. Choose your favorite toppings and in less than 15 minutes a freshly baked pie will arrive with a crust so light and pliable that you will be tempted to double-check its gluten-free status. Florence has a dedicated gluten-free restaurant, Quinoa, but we dined on pasta with lamb Bolognese, dinner rolls and tuna tartare on a bed of avocado with citrus glaze at the Golden View Open Bar just across the Ponte Vecchio bridge that spans the Arno River. Be sure to stroll along this historic bridge noted for the shops built right along it, where merchants display their wares, street musicians perform and time seems to stand still.

For all of its scenery, Venice was less about food and more about the art. Upon arrival, splurge on a private water taxi; it is the best way to experience the Grand Canal for the first time. We first stopped in Saint Mark’s Square, where a trip to the top of its bell tower offers a spectacular view of the city. Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is located in the square and serves as the church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. When it came to choosing a museum, we opted for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which is displayed in the art patron and gallery owner’s former home. It features varied pieces, including handmade jewelry, wooden and metal sculptures, and paintings by Salvador Dali and Jackson Pollock.

We headed to Antico Martini, one of the oldest restaurants in Venice, for dinner. I chose the duck ragu with citrus served with Schär’s rosette dinner rolls. Although the food was excellent and the restaurant creates the perfect romantic setting, we had the worst service and at one point almost left. This is the only hiccup we had the entire trip, so I am chalking it up to not having a reservation.

Italy is a fantastic destination for those dining gluten free. Whether or not you speak the language, there are many English-speaking Italians happy to ensure your gluten-free needs are met and exceeded. So what are you waiting for? Book the trip you have been dying to take and mangia, mangia!

News Editor Jennifer Harris is a gluten-free consultant and blogs at gfgotoguide.com.

Looking for a new gluten-free travel destination? Asheville, N.C., nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a picturesque small town that puts a capital ‘S’ in Support. Visionaries and artists are drawn to this environment—not just the town, where community is king and small businesses rule the roost. This robust town of entrepreneurs is dedicated to supporting one another and giving back to the community as well as the region. The eateries incorporate sustainability practices, forge lasting relationships with patrons and farmers, and work to become certified green. They love what they do and it shows at every restaurant, shop and café.

Where to stay in Asheville

I highly recommend staying at a bread and breakfast (B&B) when visiting Asheville. Yes, there are many hotels from which to choose, but you don’t get the hands-on service or Southern hospitality offered at a B&B. I stayed at the Sweet Biscuit Inn, owned and operated by Claudia and Christian Hickl, which is known for its three-course French breakfasts (including dessert) prepared by Claudia. At just over a mile out of downtown Asheville, it has seven spacious rooms, an ample front porch and a separate Carriage House.

To say the cuisine is delicious severely understates it. Each breakfast started promptly at 8:30 and took a full hour to enjoy. My meals were modified to gluten-free versions of what everyone else was eating, so no missing out for me! Highlights included the egg basket with ham, wine and grain mustard sauce, raspberries topped with whipped white chocolate, and a smoked salmon, asparagus and goat cheese frittata with a side of puréed asparagus, lime and Parmesan. The cherry clafoutis—fruit covered with a thick flan-like batter and topped with powdered sugar—and the crêpes prepared tableside were simply fantastic.

Do some shopping

If you like honey, make sure to visit to the Asheville Bee Charmer and allow yourself time to peruse all the offerings. The owners, Jillian and Kim, truly love bees, honey and the natural benefits they yield simply by doing what comes naturally. The store pays homage to local and regional honey and also imports from all around the world. You’ll find a variety of products made from honey, including health and beauty products and candles, and honey-themed T-shirts. Don’t leave without saddling up to the honey-tasting bar to let the staff introduce you to a new blend.

Take a tour

Get a firsthand look at one of Asheville’s craft cideries by scheduling a tasting at Urban Orchard Cider Co. and Bar in West Asheville. This family-owned and operated business gets its apples from Hendersville, N.C., and makes its cider onsite using a variety of yeasts to give each one a unique flavor profile. The cider ages for eight months to one year, which allows the flavors just enough time to combine and renders filtration unnecessary. After touring the cider production area, I bellied up to the bar to try a “flight” of dry to semi-sweet ciders. The semi-sweet were my favorite, but the real fun part was mixing them together. The menu features a creative take on bar food with meat and cheese plates, salads and sandwiches on gluten-free bread.

Breakfast all day

Hit up Tupelo Honey Café or King Daddy’s Chicken & Waffle for breakfast any time. Tupelo offers Udi’s Gluten Free bread for its fried egg sandwiches topped with smoky apple cider bacon. Or perhaps the Southern Belle grilled cheese with brie, gorgonzola and house-made pear and onion marmalade is more your speed. The corn soufflé, cider pork black-eyed peas and goat cheese grits should also be on your hit list.

King Daddy’s is the place to go for a plate of gluten-free and vegan fried chicken and waffles. The restaurant is a local favorite where the eclectic staff works nonstop to serve a crowd of hungry diners. The menu is full of gluten-free options, including two types of waffles (regular and cornmeal) cooked in a separate, dedicated waffle iron until golden brown. You also can’t go wrong with the tender and juicy fried chicken highlighted by a crisp peppery skin that is raised humanely and cooked separately.

Grab a snack or sweet treat

A trip to Asheville isn’t complete without standing in line to snag a seat and chocolate treat at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge owned by Dan and Jael Rattigan. French Board prides itself on being a bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer. The lounge offers a little something for everyone, with an array of artisan truffles, dairy-free drinking chocolate, pot de crème, crème brûlée and a peanut butter cookie that was designed specifically for Jael when she was avoiding gluten. The chocolate is rich, creamy and slightly sweet with coconut milk serving as the dairy-free alternative. The drinking chocolate is intense, so don’t forget to order a glass of water.

A quick lunch at Cúrate, known for its Spanish tapas, should be on your agenda. The menu indicates all of the gluten-free options, which include salads, cheeses, meats, small plates and entrées. I noshed on the sautéed spinach, apples, pine nuts, and raisins and a light and flavorful sashimi trout atop tomato fresco, olives, sliced onion and lemon.

The Rhu, owned by chef John Fleer, is a café, bakery and pantry serving breakfast and lunch. It is an ideal place to enjoy a meal or cup of coffee, or pick up local pantry staples, artisanal products and housewares. The Rhu makes its own gluten-free bread using mainly sunflower seed flour that can be bought by the loaf or serve as the vehicle for a sandwich. I found the best way to enjoy it is on the Ploughman’s Platter, topped with Hickory Nut Gap salami, Benton’s prosciutto, Spinning Spider Creamery gabriel, Looking Glass Creamery chèvre, Lusty Monk mustard and house-pickled vegetables.

Dinner is served

For dinner, I visited Buffalo Nickel in West Asheville. Diners can choose between the formal dining area downstairs  or the laidback atmosphere of the second-level tavern, which features pool tables as well as a separate bar and menu. Opting to dine downstairs, my meal of comfort food with flair consisted of Brussels sprouts with maple, nuts and cranberries, a duck confit with white bean and carrot ragout, and a flourless chocolate cake with chocolate peanut butter sauce. The food isn’t fussy, but is prepared with a distinct finesse.

A trip to Posana Restaurant is mandatory if you have celiac. This restaurant boasts a dedicated gluten-free kitchen and is accredited through the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America. Everything from bread through dessert is made from scratch with fresh ingredients, including some from their own urban garden in West Asheville. I started with the homemade fettuccini topped with squash purée, spicy Italian meatballs and goat cheese. Bread service featured toasted rosemary sesame breadsticks with olive oil and butter. And the stars of the night were the perfectly seared scallops with roasted cauliflower over a hearty but light purée. I couldn’t pass up the carrot cake topped with a full inch of cream cheese frosting and cake crumbs. This decadent dessert was completely unrecognizable as gluten free—as was all the Posana cuisine.

Always more to do…and eat

Asheville offers a fantastic destination for those dining gluten free. The restaurants and cafés work to incorporate local and regional ingredients whenever possible to create cuisine that is fresh and made from scratch—a perfect environment for modifying dishes due to food allergies or intolerance.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit Asheville’s ever-growing art scene, the iconic Biltmore Estate or the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway on this trip. Whether you are there for a short visit or an extended stay (totally recommended!), the town has its arms open wide to ensure your gluten-free needs are not only met but exceeded.

Gluten-Free Living News Editor Jennifer Harris is a gluten-free consultant and blogs at gfgotoguide.com.

Clafoutis photo courtesy of Sweet Biscuit Inn. All other photos by Jennifer Harris.

Nantucket is my favorite place to vacation. The cobblestone streets, spring-like weather in summer, sandy beaches, fresh seafood, homage to history and the laid back vibe make this an idyllic vacation spot.

You won’t find Starbucks or McDonalds on the island, which is how it sets itself apart from other tourist destinations. And the fact that it so accommodating to people on a gluten-free diet makes it jump right to the top of my list.

Dining gluten free in Nantucket is a breeze and offers many opportunities to eat fresh seafood (lobster all day), vegetables and produce. Local restaurants offer casual, family and fine dining, grab and go and catering, too. Gluten-free diners can find bread and buns, burritos, baked goods, pizza, pasta and macaroni & cheese on restaurant menus. A number of restaurants on Nantucket understand the importance of preventing cross contact and observe strict protocols.
Grocery shopping is easy because of the abundance of gluten-free products offered at local stores. The two Stop and Shops on the island have stepped up their game by offering entire sections of gluten-free products, both shelf stable and frozen.

Shopping

Annye’s Whole Foods has a great selection of gluten-free products. If you give them a call before you arrive they will customize an order.

Bartlett’s Farm, a small store on the south wharf, offers farm-fresh produce and many gluten-free products.

Stop and Shop has a smaller store in town and a larger one a mile outside of town. The in-town location has a decent selection, but you’ll find more than twice the choices if you make the trip to the bigger store. Breads from Udi’s Gluten Free, Schar and Glutino and pretzels, pasta, cereal, cookies, cones, crackers, breadcrumbs, baking mixes, tortillas, pita bread and more line the shelves.

Where to go for breakfast

Black-Eyed Susan’s is an institution on Nantucket, which makes it one of the hardest places to get a table. This historic spot is quite small and features first-come-first-served counter and table seating. The menu offers traditional breakfast items such as cheese grits, sausage and eggs. Try the homemade corned beef hash topped with eggs-over-easy for a real treat.

The Green is hands down my favorite place to go for breakfast. Breakfast burritos are made with brown rice wraps and can be stuffed with eggs, zucchini, goat cheese, salsa and the list goes on. The restaurant offers a selection of sweet and savory baked goods that change daily. While I was there, gluten-free peanut

butter chocolate chip cookies, chocolate dipped scones, herbed scones, coffee cake and sweet breads filled the display case. All the baked goods were exceptional.

Where to go for lunch

NIXS Brewpub has a selection of hot and cold sandwiches and burgers that can be served on gluten-free buns. Order a NIXS pork belly burger topped with Swiss cheese and a sunny side up egg or a lobster roll with citrus-chive mayo. The fries are made in a dedicated fryer, too.

Sea Grille’s lunch menu includes lobster rolls and lobster salad. Bring in your own bun (hot dog buns work the best) and assemble a lobster roll at the table. Since hot dog and hamburger rolls aren’t available in the grocery stores, this is one item you’ll want to bring from home.

Something Natural is ‘the’ place to go on the island for sandwiches. While the restaurant doesn’t offer gluten-free bread, customers are encouraged to bring their own and prepare sandwiches on a separate tray with dedicated utensils and ingredients. Get there before the lunch rush to dine outside at picnic tables among the trees and flowers.

Where to go for dinner

American Seasons offers a fine dining experience with imaginative dishes. We started with the Terrine of rabbit and foie gras with yellow tomato jam and radish salad. It is important to me to eat as much lobster as possible when on the island,

so the salad of lobster, poached asparagus, herbs, avocado and lobster vinaigrette served as dinner. The salad was surprisingly light and rich with the avocado adding an unexpected creamy texture to contrast the crunch of the veggies.

B-ack Yard BBQ is a top notch barbeque restaurant offering a full menu of smoked meats, sides and sandwiches. All but a few items on the menu are gluten free with highlights including gluten-free buns for sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and fries. Wash it all down with a cold glass of cider.

Millie’s is one of the newer restaurants on the west side of the island offering a menu full of Mexican cuisine with seafood influences. Tacos are served on corn tortillas and quesadillas can be, too. The salads are layered with fresh seafood, bright vegetables and other flavorful ingredients. The Gibbs Pond salad has mixed greens, roasted tomato and corn salad, fingerling potatoes and a ton of lobster all dressed with white balsamic vinaigrette. The mix of textures and flavors combine for the perfect bite. Time it just right and you have the perfect view to watch the sun set.

Slip 14, located right on the wharf, offers diners a mix of seafood and meat. One of the hostesses follows a gluten-free diet and she readily pointed out safe dishes. The night we were there the restaurant featured a generous portion of local fluke over greens and sweet corn puree. The fluke was cooked two ways, crunchy and traditional, adding an unexpected texture to the dish.
The Nantucket Lobster Trap is a great casual place to get reasonably priced and delicious boiled lobster, clams, oysters and sides. Sit down, strap on a bib, decide how many pounds of lobster to order and indulge. All the sides are all gluten free except the fries, and cider is available.

Where to go for dessert

Restaurants offer a selection of gluten-free desserts, but the best and most popular place to get dessert is at The Juice Bar in town.

The Juice Bar is a funny name for this must-visit spot known for its homemade ice cream.
Yes, juices and smoothies are available, but it is the ice cream that has customers lined down the block and around the corner. Visit The Juice Bar during the day and there is no wait, but come after dinner and you could be standing in line anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. You’ll have to bring your own gluten-free cone if you don’t want the ice cream in a cup, but you can buy a box of cones at Stop and Shop. Ask your server to change gloves prior to making your order. The ice cream is rich, flavorful, and definitely worth the wait and the calories.

Jennifer Harris is a gluten-free consultant and blogs at gfgotoguide.com.