Gluten Free Restaurants Chicago

Chicago is a fantastic food city. After moving to Chi from STL in 2014, I was in heaven. There were so many gluten-free options here! Even today, though, I’m always on the hunt for great gluten free restaurants in Chicago. I LOVE to eat, and firmly believe anyone who has Celiac, is gluten intolerant or just avoiding gluten should feel empowered to eat out. So I’m working my way around the city and letting you know alllll the gluten free Chicago hot spots. 

While certainly not comprehensive, below is a list of restaurants that I’ve personally found good success with in accommodating gluten-free dining in Chicago. Restaurants marked with ** indicate a link to a Gluten-Free Pearls blog post. As I dine at more, I will keep adding to the list.

Please note, this list is not meant to be a list of restaurants that are certified gluten-free or exercise cross-contamination best practices. Restaurant practices may also change (e.g., dedicated fryers). These pearls are only meant to guide you in the right direction depending on your level of gluten intolerance/sensitivity. So, please be cautious and call ahead, and address your dietary needs and concerns with the manager and server.

Enjoy these gluten free restaurants in Chicago, and happy eating! (Updated November 2022)

100% Gluten Free Restaurants Chicago

• Cassava (Irving Park) – GLUTEN-FREE EMPANADAS ALL DAY ERR DAY. Pick-up/catering orders only. They are delicious.
• Wheat’s End Cafe  (Lakeview) – Dedicated wheat-free facility. Cute and casual cafe where you can grab a cup of coffee and a scone. Or cookie. Or muffin. Or other baked good. Or all of the above.
• Two Wild Seeds (St. Charles) – Amazingly delicious gluten-free bakery and desserts in St. Charles, IL.
• Brightwok Kitchen (Loop/River North) – Gluten-free and dairy-free Asian spot. DELISH! Great to order for delivery.
• Sweet Ali’s (Glenview and Hinsdale) – the bestttttt bakery ever. You can find many of their products in Chicago-area grocery store like Mariano’s.
• Defloured (Andersonville) – amazing GF bakery. They offer their products at a ton of coffee shops and restaurants in Chicago and can also be found at many Whole Foods and Plum Market.
• Moonbowls (River North) – Healthy Korean-inspired bowls. 100% gluten-free facility. Vegan options! They have some great cauliflower vegan “wings” that is life-changing. They are only available for pick-up or delivery. 

Chicago Restaurants with Dedicated Gluten Free Menus or Marked GF Options:

• Avondale
  • Parachute (Avondale)- Korean American food, shared plates. Pricey but delicious. Great with food allergies. Small restaurant, 40 seats max. Ask for a real table if you don’t feel like cozying up to strangers and listening to their conversations at the long shared table.
• Gold Coast
  • Le Colonial  (Gold Coast/Viagra Triangle) – LOVE THIS PLACE. Upscale French-Vietnamese restaurant, super gluten-free-friendly. Great for a business meeting or parents in town. One of my fave meals in Chicago. Try the Vietnamese ravioli. *swoon*
  • Sprinkles Cupcakes (Gold Coast) – Amazing gluten-free red velvet cupcakes.
• Lincoln Park
  • Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (Lincoln Park) – Wonderful Spanish tapas and pinxtos restaurant in Lincoln Park offering a gluten-free menu. The paella is to die for, and I’m always a fan of the tortilla española as well. They are able to prepare some other items GF as well that aren’t on the GF menu, such as the bacon-wrapped shrimp or the Brussels sprout salad.
  • Summer House Santa Monica (Lincoln Park) – Fantastic atmosphere – light, open, airy and very Cali. Food’s good, but not exceptional. Baked pastries and cookies are really good. Try the massive gluten-free chocolate chip cookie – you’ll swoon.
• Lakeview
  • Wilde Bar & Restaurant (East Lakeview) – Literary themed Irish pub. GF comfort food, good with gluten!
  • Roti Mediterranean Grill (Multiple locations)- Mediterranean fast casual restaurant where you can get gluten-free PITA. I’m a fan of the chicken roti. Good about cross-contamination if you ask and most of the sides are GF as well.
  • Southport Grocery and Cafe (Southport)- We’re talking gluten-free cupcake pancakes, baby. The chorizo and eggs dish is GF, and awesome.
  • Left Coast Food and Juice – (Lakeview) – Health food, counter-service spot with juices, bowls, wraps and salads. Solid brunch, super casual, good coffee.
  • Chicago Diner  (Boystown/Logan Square) – Vegetarian diner, great with GF and vegan. Their milkshakes are AMAZING. My vegan mother loved the vegan “pastrami” sandwich
• Lincoln Park
  • Boka (Lincoln Park) – Boka is super gluten-free-friendly. They even bring GF bread when the rest of the table gets the bread basket! It’s creative American food with a higher price tag. Highly recommend for a fancy occasion. One of my faves in the city.
  • Jam n’ Honey (Lincoln Park) – It looks so unassuming. But then you order. Then you insert love-eyes emoji here in tribute of their ah-mazing gluten-free buttermilk pancakes topped with melty honey butter. I should be banned from here because I will eat ALL OF THE PANCAKES. They also have a gluten-free waffle, though I have not tried it.
• Logan Square
  • Longman & Eagle (Logan Square) – This cozy upscale/hip restaurant in Logan Square is very farm to table, with a frequently changing menu. Pricey, but very unique dishes. Super gluten-free friendly. Awesome place to eat OR just get drinks.
•  Loop
  • Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique (Loop) – Gluten-free macarons and a couple gluten-free free cupcake flavors.
  • Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe (Loop) – Um, heck yes, gluten-free pancakes.
• Old Irving Park
  • Eris Brewery & Cider House – Update Nov 2022 – have heard there are less ciders these days and more beer. Call before you go! ORIGINAL – This place is pretty neat, especially if you’re a cider fan. They have great cider (try a flight) and a large menu with GF options labeled. Fun fact…they have a dedicated fryer and you can substitute GF bread on sandwiches/burgers. They had a GF carrot cake while I was there that was delish. Note – because they do serve beer, too, I reached out to the restaurant about whether any of their taps switch from cider to beer. See their response here: “Of the 32 draft lines, we do have a couple that may pour a cider or a beer depending on what is available. We NEVER switch liquids in those lines without a thorough cleaning. It is standard operating procedure here. Our Brewmaster Hayley is very mindful of that. Additionally, we have never put beer in our cider tanks or vice versa.”
• Old Town
  • LG’s Bar (Old Town)- This place is a GF heaven. A little on the pricey side (which seems unnecessary since it’s not high end food), but they have everything GF you would want. Bread. Buns. Crackers. Chips. Lobster Mac & Cheese. Breadcrumbs. Fries. Get ye to here. NOTE: This used to be called Lady Gregory’s. Gotta stay hip in Old Town, I guess…the other location that is still Lady Gregory’s is in Andersonville.
• Pilsen
  • HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen (Pilsen) – The food at this place is amazing and 95% of the menu is gluten-free, including fried.chicken.wings. (OMG.) It’s gotten a ton of press but no one is talking about how GF-friendly they are!! Service was incredibly slow when we went but I’m willing to give it another go because of how great the food was.
  • Dusek’s (Pilsen) – Cool vibe, eclectic decor, awesome food, solid cocktails. Kind of Southern style. Maybe one of my favorite meals so far in Chicago? Not even kidding. The menu changes often, but if you ever have the opportunity to get the pumpkin risotto, do it (hold the soy caramel glaze, which is not gluten-free). Then swing downstairs for a drink at Punch House (but beware, many of their signature “punches” also have beer in them).
• River North/Streeterville
  • RPM Italian (River North) – Upscale Italian serving gluten-free fettuccine. Went here for my birthday and got the provolone-stuffed peppers, the shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad and the RPM Caesar Wedge, the Carbonara and the Spicy King Crab pasta. Can’t go wrong with the salads. Carbonara was a little rich but the Spicy King Crab was a win.
  • Wildfire**(River North) – Seriously large GF menu. We’re talking gluten-free apps, pizza, salads, pasta, steaks, seafood, AND desserts. Like a chocolate chip cookie. Oh, and get ready…they bring gluten-free bread to your table!
  • Sunda  (River North) -Upscale “New Asian” restaurant in River North, offering GF sushis and entrees.
  • Ema (River North) – Always an amazing meal here. Of course, it’s Lettuce Entertain You. A little Mediterranean, a little California-inspired, it has a great, airy vibe and even better food. The grub (mainly small plates) is amazing and even better yet, there are housemade gluten-free crackers so you don’t miss out on the tapenades. More veggie-forward than its sister Aba in West Loop
  • Hubbard Inn (River North) – Small plates and strong cocktails. Menu is marked with what contains gluten, but you’ll have plenty of options. Bacon-wrapped dates are a must.
  • Beatrix (River North, Fulton Market, Streeterville) – One of my FAVORITE brunch places. As a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, they are on their game with the GF. The candied bacon and the juices are BOMB. They also have a rotating selection of GF pastries that are *drool*
  • True Food Kitchen (River North) – Health-driven, eco-conscious/sustainable chain with vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options. The menu rotates seasonally so when I went I didn’t think there were a TON of GF dishes but it’s definitely a place that caters to all needs. A little over-priced IMO.
  • Cafe Iberico (River North) (BERICO EXPRESS HAS REPLACED IT – they are closed for COVID) – Tapas restaurant and VERY gluten-friendly and admittedly somewhat average food.
  • LYFE Kitchen (Streeterville) – The concept of this place is really neat. They’re awesome about allergies and dietary needs, even having separate menus for gluten free and vegan/vegetarian. The flatbreads and the brussels sprouts are phenom. They have a killer veggie burger, tooo
• South Loop
  • Shedd Aquarium (Downtown Museum Campus) – All of the cafes/restaurants at Shedd offer some gluten-free options. The Bubble Net offers the greatest number of options, including salads and a gluten-free pizza (veggie, pepperoni, or cheese).
  • Burger Bar Chicago  (South Loop)- Gluten-free buns and gluten-free fries (sweet potato or normal). Get the regular fries with the truffle oil.
• West Loop/West Town
  • Glaze Teriyaki – “Seattle-style teriyaki,” whatever that means…anyways, it’s delicious. They offer GF teriyaki chicken. If you’re ordering delivery make sure that you and your ordering mates have v different dishes or both GF; otherwise, I can imagine it would be hard to tell them apart and they don’t mark them as GF
  • Aba (Fulton Market) – Sister to Ema in River North – this is the more “protein-forward” half of the equation. Lettuce Entertain You, so you KNOW they have a fab GF menu. Mediterranean and California-inspired. If you can get a res… DO IT.
  • Little Goat (West Loop, moving in 2022-23 to Lakeview)- This diner-style restaurant has a pretty solid offering of gluten-free goodies, including homemade gluten-free bread (for burgers and sandwiches), plus GF fries. And sourdough pancakes for breakfast!
  • Duck Duck Goat (Fulton Market) – Stephanie Izard’s Chinese restaurant and it IS SO GOOD. They are also great with gluten-free … more limited options but you 100% will not walk out of there hungry.
  • Monteverde (West Loop) – James Beard Winner Sarah Grueneberg does contemporary, upscale Italian. They have a pretty solid and robust gluten-free menu, “Senza.” In addition to small plates, there are about 4-5 pasta options featuring Caponi rigatoni straight from Italy and some delicious gluten-free desserts as well.
  • Haymarket (West Loop) – Gluten-free salads, appetizers, plus an extensive GF beer and cider list.
  • Saigon Sisters (West Loop) – Super solid Vietnamese & Thai, v GF friendly. 
  • Sushi Dokku (West Loop) – Upscale sushi spot with a GF menu. Great for a date but personally I’ve had better sushi. They have GF tamari.
  • Eden – (West Town) – Upscale American nestled under the Lake Street L, service is great, cocktails are delish, food is good albeit a little pricey. Menu is marked with GF/Vegetarian/Vegan options but changes frequently. They can also modify other options to be GF. Note, Fryer is not dedicated GF. They have their own onsite garden/greenhouse and grow as many of their ingredients as they can!
  • Split Rail (West Town) – THEY HAVE GLUTEN-FREE FRIED CHICKEN ALERT ALERT ALERT. And so many other GF things. American comfort food, totally nut free and very GF friendly. Great food. I went to a GFF Mag event here – so you know they take Celiac seriously!
• Wicker Park
  • Paradise Park (Wicker Park) – Owned by the same folks that run Happy Camper and Homeslice and it’s super fun inside. They offer GF pizza made with MyBread, but it is a shared oven so proceed at your own risk. I’ve Nima tested the pizza and found gluten. ;( The menu has the GF apps marked! Salads can also be modified to be GF – avoid the ranch. 
  • Takito Kitchen (Wicker Park) – Tacos, ceviches, soups, sides and shared plates. And margs. Essentially, everything on this menu is gluten-free except for the masa crackers and one of the desserts. The roasted squash appetizer was phenom – black beans, pork belly, kimchi, queso fresco, cilantro and pepitas. Tacos were really interesting combos but the flavors didn’t quite execute.
  • MAK (Modern Asian Kitchen) (Wicker Park) – Quick serve Asian food with gluten-free and vegetarian options. Kind of like a fresher Pei Wei. The GF options are starred on the menu. And they have chicken wings! Note, the sauces up at the front for you to help yourself are NOT gluten-free, so make sure to order the spice on your food
• Multiple locations
  • sweetgreen  – Awesome lunch spot or on-the-go dinner. They’re all about the bowls and salads, with healthy and seasonal food. You can choose one of their awesome menu items or create your own. Menu is marked with calories and calls out what can be made vegan or gluten-free. Cannot recommend this place highly enough.
  • Roots Handmade Pizza (West Town, Old Town, Lincoln Square, South Loop coming soon) – Solid gluten-free pizza and good vibes.
  • Aloha Poke Co – Original Poke place in Chicago. Good poke bowls, gluten-free options and sauces are clearly marked. Not hard to eat GF here.
  • IDOF (I Dream of Falafel) – (Multiple locations in Chicago and Oakbrook) – Menu is marked with vegan and gluten-free options. Falafel and steak/chicken shawarma plus many of the sides and toppings are GF. I’m a fan of the CYO (create your own) plate.
  • Firecakes Donuts (River North, Lincoln Park) – Gluten-free chocolate donuts, made from polenta.
  • Native Foods Cafe  (Multiple locations)- Vegan restaurant serving up fresh and homemade options, many of which are gluten-free. I was a fan of the Bangkok Curry Bowl. Portions are huge!
  • Chicago’s Pizza  (Lakeview, Ravenswood, Old Irving) – Five words. Gluten-free deep dish pizza. Oh, and gluten-free calzones, gluten-free stuffed pizza, gluten-free focaccia, gluten-free thin crust, gluten-free sandwiches…THE LIST GOES ON. Oh, and they’re open late-night. OK for Celiac. 
  • Lou Malnati’s (Multiple locations)- Gluten-free thin crust pizza, plus salads. 
  • Orange (Lincoln Park and Roscoe Village) – CLOSED MAY 2022 – Brunch/lunch place with extensive GF options, plus…pancakes! And GF breakfast potatoes.
  • Do-Rite Donuts (Multiple locations)- Ohemgee gluten-free donuts!! These bad boys are cake donuts. Eat them while they’re fresh. FTW.
  • The Protein Bar (Multiple locations) – Great gluten-free quinoa bowl options. Quinoa is such a happy little gluten-free grain. I’m a huge fan of the Chicken Pesto quinoa.
  • U.S. Cellular Field (NOW GUARANTEED RATE)– Hot dogs, baby. Hot dogs. and Nachos. And cider. U.S. Cellular has all the gluten-frees.
  • Mia Francesca (Multiple locations) – Housemade gluten-free pasta and pizza, plus a sampling of appetizers and salads.
• Chicago Suburbs
  • Marcello’s Father & Son Restaurant (Northbrook) – Gluten-free pizza and pasta.

Chicago Restaurants Able to Accommodate for Gluten Free:

• Bridgeport
  • The Duck Inn (Bridgeport) – OMG this place is amazing. At the time of writing, none of the “bar snacks” are Celiac-friendly due to a shared fryer, but nearly all of the entrees could be modified to be GF. And you’re in luck — the duck at Duck Inn is indeed gluten-free. The Spanish octopus and the Pork Belly & Scallops were standout.
• Chinatown
  • MingHin – The good news is, eating here gluten-free is not off the table if allll your friends want to go eat here before the Sox game and/or karaoke. (I’ve found it to be very hard eating at Lao Sze Chaun, for example). You just need to eat very simply, and I hope you like seafood. Veggies sans sauce, shrimp or non-marinated seafood, and rice. Drink up! I’ve also eaten at the Loop location and had a positive experience. 
• Gold Coast
  • Velvet Taco (Gold Coast) – Taco joint with a pretty diverse offering of tacos. Flavors range from Indian to American to Cuban to Asian to Mexican. The place moves fast, but staff is knowledgeable about GF. I suggest going in with your eye on a few items to ask about their G-freeness, as this place moves fast.
  • Blue Door Kitchen & Garden (Gold Coast) – Oprah’s former chef is the head honcho here. Patio is ADORABLE. It’s a little on the soul food-y side, but there’s always a few solid brunch options (eggs/hash) and dinner options. If not, go get a glass of rosé and just be fancy on the patio. 🙂
  • Nico Osteria (Gold Coast) – Awesome Italian spot with house-made pasta and seafood. They have GF pasta but it is NOT recommended for Celiac and I can vouch for that. Ooops. Regardless, still an amazing dinner spot.
  • Chicago Q (Gold Coast) – Classy BBQ joint. Adorable inside – feels very southern. It’s easy to eat GF here because you know, it’s meat.
  • Maple & Ash (Gold Coast) – Modern steakhouse, probably one of the fanciest places I’ve eaten in Chicago. White tablecloths, hefty price tag, delicious steaks.
• Lakeview
  • Hatsu Hana (East Lakeview) – Gluten-free soy sauce and decently accommodating for sushi. Not my fave place, but it’s very affordable and you can’t beat that. Beware: the “spicy” rolls are spicy. Or maybe I’m just weak sauce.
  • Sam & George’s Restaurant (Lakeview) – I stumbled across this diner after aborting mission at Batter & Berries for brunch. This is a family-run diner and the service shows it – everyone was super sweet. One of the servers offered my friend her shawl because it was a bit chilly out on the patio and my friend didn’t have a scarf. Good luck with getting the nitty gritty on gluten here – I landed on a skillet because it seemed OK after questioning, but can’t guarantee it was 100% safe. So proceed at your own risk.
  • Dinkel’s Bakery (Lakeview) – offer gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. Call ahead to make sure they’re in stock.
  • Scooter’s Custard** – (Lakeview)  This place has amazing frozen custard. Try a concrete (ask for a clean mixer), or take down a sundae. You can’t go wrong.
  • DMK Burger Bar (Central Lakeview)- Awesome burgers, but no buns. I totally BYOB’d here…aka bring your own bun. Good cider list and I believe they have a GF Beer as well. Fries are GF and fried in their own fryer. The parmesan truffle frites are seriously a-mazing.
  • Kirkwood Bar & Grill (Central Lakeview) – Decent salad options, but in general you won’t be able to most of the bar food. But hey, if you go on Tuesdays they have $5 salads and $5 wine for their special. And, they have a TON of cider options.
  • Waterhouse Tavern & Grill  (West Lakeview/Roscoe Village) – Local bar and grill. Sandwiches or burgers can be ordered without buns and a couple of the salads are gluten-free. Update as of 3/27/2015: Their fries are NOT fried in a dedicated fryer.
  • El Nuevo Mexicano (Lakeview East) – Good Mexican food, but one of the times I’ve been here I felt a little cross-contamination. If you have a vegan friend, bring them here. Lots of veggie/vegan options!
  • Crosby’s Kitchen (Southport)
  • Uncommon Ground (Lakeview / Edgewater)
  • Angelina Ristorante (East Lakeview) – Italian spot that serves bottomless brunch mimosas.
• Lincoln Park
  • Kennison (Lincoln Park/Old Town) – Located in Hotel Lincoln, this replaced Perennial Virant and offers a solid brunch that can be modified to be GF. Breakfast potatoes are GF (yaaas).
  • Sushi Mon (Lincoln Park) – BYOB sushi restaurant. Gluten-free friendly and also very vegetarian friendly, if you’re into that. Pretty decent sushi, too. And GF soy sauce. Thumbs up, I’ll be back.
  • Riccardo Trattoria (Lincoln Park) – Italian restaurant that offers gluten-free pasta (a penne) and a longer pasta. Service was good and servers were knowledgeable about GF, but pasta was VERY undercooked.
  • Sai Cafe (Lincoln Park) – Sushi spot, offers GF tamari.
  • Kameya (Lincoln Park) – Good sushi offering tamari.
• Lincoln Square
  • Pizza Art Cafe (Lincoln Square) – Local pizza cafe with BYOB. No GF pizza or pasta, but they have GF risotto and meat entrees, and salads. Seafood risotto was pretty good.
  • Spacca Napoli – OMG THE PIZZA IS AMAZING AND LIFE CHANGING. Thin, crispy, Neapolitan-style crust. Probably my favorite gluten-free pizza in all of Chicago. As always with pizza places, proceed with caution due to cross-contamination.
  • The Bad Apple – Bar with GF bread/buns and gluten-free beer and cider options.
  • Miku Sushi – Really good sushi, on the pricier side. Offers GF tamari.
• Logan Square
  • Reno (Logan Square) – it’s a pizza spot with no GF pizza, so don’t get your hope up there, but there are some solid gluten-free salad and brunch options.
  • Parson’s Chicken & Fish (Logan Square and Lincoln Park) – First, their boozy slushies. Get one. However – I’ve been glutened multiple times there on the grilled chicken. Do not reco for Celiac. But great vibes and good for drinks. 
  • Buona Terra (Logan Square) – Neighborhood Italian joint serving gluten-free pasta. Very small but cozy! Great for gluten-free. 
  • 90 Miles Cuban Cafe (Logan Square) – Fun casual Cuban joint, very gluten-friendly.
• Loop
  • Fisk & Co. (Loop) – Great seafood spot in the Loop with an awesome $1 Oyster Happy Hour. Oyster accoutrements are all GF. They have GF bread, a dedicated fryer for fries, and overall very accommodating for GF. So eat your GF lobster roll heart out. (Also the salmon is amazing.)
  • Sopraffina Marketcaffe (Loop, Multiple Locations) – Located in the Aon Center and Michigan Plaza and a couple other locations around town, this is a good spot in a pinch. I’ve personally had the gluten-free pizza stuffed pepper, but they also have salads, chicken breast and salmon that are gluten-free. Staff is pretty knowledgeable about GF.
  • Sweetwater Tavern and Grille (Loop) – While this place pops up on the list of Chicago gluten-free restaurants SO often (and even has a gluten-free menu posted on their website), I was not impressed. They do not have a gluten-free menu available in the restaurant, and many of the GF options listed online were actually no longer gluten-free (e.g., fish tacos). However, our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful about gluten-free, even having gluten intolerance himself. The food, however, was not that great – which was the general consensus among my non-gluten-free friends as well. Probably won’t be back. But in a pinch, this is an average but safe option in the Loop.
  • Purple Pig (Loop) — a true unique gem in the Loop. Lots of meat-centric small plates, good wine, long lines but totally worth it.
  • The Northman (Loop/Riverwalk) – This place is a cider lover’s dream, spring-fall. Sadly, the Lincoln Square location closed but this Riverwalk location still exists.
• Old Town
  • Topo Gigio (Old Town) – Topo Gigio offers gluten-free fusilli pasta – and it’s really good pasta. The sauces are fantastic, too. I had one of the best gluten-free pasta dishes thus far in Chicago – GF pasta, cream sauce, pancetta, peas and shrimp. I seriously ate almost the whole thing and that dish was LARGE. Topo Gigio also can modify several of their entrees to be gluten-free, such as the chicken and white fish.
  • Happy Camper (Old Town) – Their pizza is really, really good. However, I have gotten sick from CC and cannot recommend for Celiac. Good salad options – love the Wells Street. Jalapeño homies are gluten-free, too. Ranch is NOT GF. Still a fun vibe overall and good drinks. 
  • Orso’s (Old Town) – Awesome old-school Italian joint with GF pasta. Family owned. Great back patio. Go to here!
  • The VIG Chicago (Old Town)- It’s a classy sportsbar. The food and cocktails here are actually pretty good. They can accommodate GF, just don’t be expecting buns. Their lobster deviled eggs are delicious. 
  • Kanela Breakfast Club (Old Town) – Breakfast join, local chain. Not mindblowing but also a solid choice.
  • Old Jerusalem (Old Town) – Mediterranean, BYOB. Great. 
  • Nookie’s (Old Town) – Diner. Best to stick to Nookies for breakfast, much easier to accommodate.
  • Kamehachi (Old Town) – Sushi spot offering GF tamari.
  • Twin Anchors (Old Town) – Historic BBQ dive, very accommodating for GF. Baked potatoes, meats and salad are GF. Known for their ribs!!
• River North
  • Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (River North) – Steakhouse. Pricey. White tablecloth. Waiters in fancy suits. Def can accommodate GF (they are LEYE).
  • Tanta (River North) – Peruvian cuisine, upscale. Very GF friendly. Great for accommodating vegans and GF alike.
  • Sushi-San (River North) – This is one of my new favorite Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. Their vibe: “hand rolls & hip hop.” The sushi is phenom and in addition to the maki and sashimi/nigiri, many of the entrees/small plates can be prepared gluten-free, including the Sizzling Rice. It’s now one of my most favorite sushi places in the city. Cocktails are great (there’s even a cocktail in a LaCroix can)!
  • Havana Grill (River North) – Cuban-American cuisine, GF friendly. Fried items are off limits, but many of the plates are GF – as is the paella. And get the mojito, obviously.
  • Mercadito (River North) – Servers are super knowledgeable about gluten-free options and can prepare many menu items. Even if you’re doing the sharing menu for 7+, they can modify for the GF diners in a breeze. Chips are not fried in a dedicated fryer and therefore not GF. You can get jicama slices to dip. Overall, though, really awesome GF experience.
  • Quartino (River North) – I’ve been here quite a few times (for both catered events and regular dinners) and always had a great GF experience. Not mind-blowing Italian but I always enjoy! 
  • Xoco (River North) – A Rick Bayless quick service Mexican restaurant, you’ll have to stick with the Xoco Salad without tortilla strips or a limited number of the caldos (soup bowls) here. Margaritas are pretty delicious. Chips are not GF (they are fried with other gluten-containing products). OK in a pinch, but you’ll feel a little left out as everyone chows down on tasty-looking tortas (sandwiches). UPDATE: Xoco Wicker Park reconcepted as Fonda Frontera as of Nov. 2016.
  • Eataly Chicago (River North) – This Italian “marketplace” has it all – meat, fish, pasta, sauces, you name it. Stop in for a quick bite of mozzarella and prosciutto and a glass of wine, or stay for dinner and have a plate of the gluten-free pasta at La Pizza and La Pasta. They also carry several gluten-free pastas from Garofalo that you can take home and cook yourself.
  • Bernie’s Lunch and Supper (River North) – temporarily closed as of Nov 2022
  • Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar (River North) – Good sushi. 
• South Loop
  • Kai Sushi – BYOB Sushi in South Loop, pretty delicious!
  • Mercat a la Planxa (in the Renaissance Blackstone) – Tapas restaurant, relatively gluten-free friendly. Bacon-wrapped dates are not GF. Good, but not a standout in my book for the price.
• West Loop/Fulton Market/West Town
  • Madison Bar & Kitchen (West Loop) CLOSED TEMPORARILY FOR COVID – American food, classier vibe. No bread/no dedicated fryer but they are able to accommodate for GF.
  • Bar Takito (West Loop/Fulton Market) – Dig this place – I’ve been here a few times. Their menu says, “Majority of our menu is gluten-free.” That says, I’ve heard mixed opinions about how GF-friendly it is…some people have gotten sick after eating there. Be sure to ask your server lots of questions. 
  • La Scarola – (West Town) Hands down my fave Italian restaurant in Chicago. Grilled calamari appetizer is GF, as is the house salad. And they gave GF penne. Get the Penne alla Vodka.  You will not be disappointed.
  • City Winery – (West Loop) Urban winery in West Loop offering small plates and house-made wines. Some of the plates can be modified to be gluten-free — scallops, veggies, duck tacos, etc.
  • Au Cheval (West Loop) – Seriously amazing burgers. No GF buns, but even better…they give you a hashbrown bun. HASHBROWN BUN. Next level. The fries are gluten-free and fried in their own fryer. Be prepared for long waits.
  • The Publican  (Fulton Market) – This is a pretty cool place, but there will be few things you can eat. However, they’re still very accommodating. Stay away from the meats, as their meat is processed where they also process their flour. Many of the seafood dishes can be prepared gluten-free – I had some type of fish stew that was really good.
  • Momotaro (West Loop) – Upscale modern Japanese sushi/seafood. One of the top restaurants in Chicago. Expensive, but amazing nigiri/sushi.
  • Fulton Market Kitchen (Fulton Market) – Awesome American spot in an old warehouse, small plates. Relatively easy to accommodate for GF. Good for date night or girls night out.
  • Kaiser Tiger (West Loop) – Gastropub with sausage and beer. Not super GF friendly for dinner, but good egg options for brunch!
  • Green Street Smoked Meats – (West Loop) – Great casual BBQ place. Meats and sauces are GF to my knowledge. Elotes, slaw and baked beans are some of my favorite gluten-free sides. Get the hot link.
  • St. Lou’s Assembly (West Loop)- American food in an old-school diner setting, super fun vibe. Good cocktails, gluten-free friendly especially at brunch, and a great patio
  • Girl & the Goat (West Loop) – Fine dining from Stephanie Izard. Innovative small plates. Much of the menu can be modified to be gluten-free but there is no dedicated gluten-free menu.
  • Opart Thai (West Town) – Casual Thai Food with GF items marked on their menu. I’ve been here nearly a half dozen times and only gotten a little CC once so I feel positively about this spot. Get the Beef Salad, it’s AMAZING. Word to the wise: the State Street location was shut down temporarily for cockroaches BUT I have had no cleanliness issues with the one on Chicago.
  • Ada Street (Noble Square/West Town) – Great spot for a date or girlfriends dinner. Serving mainly American/small plates. DMK restaurant and knowledgeable about gluten-free. Be sure to make a res.
  • Wishbone– (Relocated from Roscoe Village to West Loop, this review is for that location) Known for their brunch. I’ve been here a couple times now. The first time, I got the buckwheat pancakes with honey butter, which were just OK. Though I didn’t get glutened, it wasn’t the easiest dining experience. Our server wasn’t very knowledgeable about gluten and I wasn’t offered a gluten-free menu. But then I came back a second time to give it another try to come back and was offered their GF menu. I ordered the gluten-free eggs benedict with english muffins – and again, it was just OK.
• Wicker Park/Bucktown
  • Milk & Honey Cafe (Wicker Park) – Cute brunch place, always busy. Order at the counter then pick a seat. Not a ton of GF options since it’s carb heavy, but their huevos rancheros are gluten-free and always a delicious choice. You can also get sides of things (e.g., eggs, avocado, meats, etc.).
  • Cumin (Wicker Park) – Indian & Nepalese food. Able to accommodate for GF. I tried lamb saag and the tandoori chicken.
  • Dove’s Luncheonette (Wicker Park) Cute hipster old-school diner serving “southern-inspired Mexican cuisine.” It took me a while to get here because I thought it would be overrated, but no…I’m kind of obsessed with this place. They have a limited menu, but a few solid menu items that can be prepared gluten-free with modifications, including the red chile enchiladas, smoked brisket tacos, and the sweet corn tamale with shrimp. If you go for brunch on the weekend you also have a few more breakfast options…like the brisket hash. OMG GET THAT.
  • Seadog Sushi Bar (Noble Square/Wicker Park) – Great, fresh sushi. They are able to prepare many of their simple rolls gluten-free. They don’t have booze or gluten-free soy sauce, so BYO of either if you’re so inclined. The spicy mayo (featured on many of the spicy rolls) is not gluten-free but can be replaced with their hot sauce instead (which is gluten free).
  • Big Star  (Wicker Park and Wrigleyville)- I heart this place, though the wait is crazy-town on nice days. The chips and many of the tacos are gluten-free. Lots of vegan options, too. Get a margarita.
  • Antique Taco (Wicker Park and Revival Food Hall) – I’m seriously obsessed with this place. Their tacos are so. freakin. good. Many of the tacos are GF, but the chips are not. Sometimes they marinate some of their meats with beer (the menu rotates seasonally), so check before ordering.
  • Irazu (Bucktown) – Costa Rican food, super GF friendly, BYOB and super casual. Good for groups. Chips and plantains are fried in a shared fryer, so beware there. DELICIOUS!
  • Smoke Daddy (Wicker Park) – BBQ spot with a great patio and decent BBQ. Good to watch a game or eat a lot of meat.
  • Mott Street (Wicker Park) – Asian-inspired food, small plates, funky vibe and DELICIOUS.  They were happy to accommodate my dietary needs and I’m not going to lie, this is probably one of my favorite meals in Chicago. The fryer is not GF. 
• West Chicago
  • Bien Trucha (Geneva) – Amazing sophisticated Mexican food. Named to a ton of “best taco” lists in Chicago. Chips are not entirely gluten-free because of cross-contamination in the fryer, but they will bring you tortillas to eat some of the delicious seasonal guacamole. Menu is marked with GF options.
• Suburbs
  • Gia Mia (Geneva and Wheaton) – SUCH good gluten-free pizza, pasta and salads. I could go on and on about this place. I go here every time I’m in Geneva.
  • Livia (Geneva and Elmhurst) – “Elevated Italian,” so they claim. Gluten-free pasta AND a cauliflower crust flatbread that they cook on their own pan!
  • Bien Trucha (Geneva) – Amazing sophisticated Mexican food. Really, really good tacos. Named to a ton of “best taco” lists in Chicago. Chips are not entirely gluten-free because of cross-contamination in the fryer, but they will bring you tortillas to eat some of the delicious seasonal guacamole. Menu is marked with GF options. Modern vibe and good cocktails.
  • Nosh (Geneva) – Solid brunch place. Nothing to write home about, but accommodating enough for GF.
  • 1910 Taco Bar (Geneva) – Taco place, more of a party/bar atmosphere than Bien Trucha. Lots of sports TVs.
  • Sketchbook Brewing (Skokie) – Brewery with cider options (at time of writing, 2 Fools and Eris). 
• Multiple Locations
  • Small Cheval – (Downtown, Old Town, Wicker Park) – The fast casual sister of Au Cheval serving burgers, fries and shakes. They can do allergy prep with a lettuce bun. Fries are GF as that’s the only thing they fry. Go to here. One of my faves.
  • Sweetgreen (Loop, River North, West Loop) – Fast casual, yummy salads, tons of GF options.
  • Cafe Hoang (Uptown, Oak Park, Chinatown) – Vietnamese restaurant; very gluten-friendly!
  • D’Agostino’s Pizza & Pub (Wrigleyville, River Grove, Glenview, Park Ridge, Wheeling, River West) – Gluten-free pizza!
  • Broken English Taco Pub (Old Town, Loop, Lincoln Park) – Really average taco place but they’ve got the GF goods. Atmosphere and margs are solid. Lincoln Park is by far my fave location.
  • Nori Sushi (Lakeview, Wicker Park and Edgewater locations) – BYOB sushi place with a good vibe and GF soy sauce. Able to make accommodations to sushi to make it GF. This place is decent and good for groups. Lakeview location has a corkage fee.
  • Hannah’s Bretzel (Multiple locations) – Raise your hands in the air if you dig gluten-free goodness. As in GF bread that’s not dry and bland. This quick serve restaurant serves sandwiches, soups and salads. I’m a fan of the Thanksgiving 365 – turkey, brie, romaine and cranberry chutney. On the pricey side, but but a good GF option. And if you’re so inclined, they sell Tate’s Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies in the giant bags.
  • BenjYehuda (Multiple locations) – OMG you can get so much gluten-free food here and it’s awesome. No pita like Roti…but you can get the “box” with either romaine or rice. Then add falafel, chicken schwarma, steak schwarma, toppings,, sides, etc). It’s cheap and it’s pretty damn good. Go here.
  • M Burger (Multiple locations) – Burger and fries place. They have lettuce wraps for the burgers, and awesome crispy skinny fries that are gluten-free and fried in their own fryers. Noms all around. Ice cream is gluten-free, but if you’re looking for a milkshake, just be aware that they also make malts (with barley) in the same containers. So you’d need to make sure you got clean equipment.
  • Goddess and Grocer (Multiple location) – Upscale deli offering soups, sides, salads and sandwiches (with gluten-free bread) and other deli items. Eat in or take it to go. I’ve only personally been to the Bucktown location.
  • Black Dog Gelato (Ukrainian Village, Roscoe Village, Logan Square) – As the name implies, they serve gelato. Delicious gelato. Many of their flavors are GF – just ask the staff.
  • Blaze Pizza (Lakeview, River North)  – Fast-fired pizza chain offering gluten-free pizza crust. All of the toppings are gluten-free except the meatballs and white cream sauce; however, cross-contamination is a possibility. Ask for fresh gloves, utensils and sauce. Or, just stick with the pesto or olive oil drizzle, which is added after the pizza cooks, vs. being spread on the crust at the get-go.
  • Yolk (Locations in South Loop, River North, West Loop and Streeterville)- MMM brunch. Decent GF egg options. Breakfast potatoes are gluten-free, too. Try the 5-egg omelets!
  • Wrigley Field** – My dreams have come true. STL’s Busch Stadium doesn’t have gluten-free hotdogs yet, but you betcha, Wrigley Field does. At the Decades Diner (formerly Sheffield Grill), they serve gluten-free hotdogs, burgers (without the sauce) and chicken sandwiches. Fries are not GF, but they give you chips. GF beer and cider is also available. And it’s air conditioned/heated in there!
  • The Bongo Room (Wicker Park, Andersonville)- Popular brunch spot. They were slightly pretentious and not super accommodating about gluten-free, but I was able to eat here without any issue. Breakfast potatoes are not gluten-free.
  • Red Hot Ranch (Bucktown, West Lakeview)- My late night go-to. While the smells of hot dogs and fried shrimp will tantalize you, you will need to stick with the fries. Which are AWESOME, so it’s not a loss. They are fried in a dedicated fryer, so eat your heart out at 3 AM. Cash only.
  • Garrett Popcorn Shops (Multiple locations)
  • Portillo’s Hot Dogs  (River North; other IL locations) – Kind of hard to eat gluten-free here, but you can do a salad and meat. However…you get way up too close and personal with shaved beef  if you don’t eat it with bread, so I’d recommend BYOB…bring your own bun. You’ll need it to sop up the grease.
  • Qdoba (Multiple locations)- Naked Bowls or Salads. #QuesoObsession. Chips are not GF.
  • Chipotle (Multiple locations) – Tacos, burrito bowls, salad. Chips and guac are GF, baby.
  • Jimmy John’s (Multiple locations) – The Unwich (aka your sandwich wrapped in lettuce) is pretty solid. The #9 Italian Nightclub, no mayo, is my absolute fave. The roast beef has gluten in it. Ask them to change their gloves and put down a fresh piece of paper.
  • Chicago Bagel Authority (Lakeview, Lincoln Park) – Bagel sandwiches, offering gluten-free bagels. If you’re Celiac, avoid the spreads or cream cheeses as there will be cross-contamination)
  • Naf Naf Grill  (Multiple locations) Mediterranean fast casual. Falafel, schwarma, rice is gluten-free. No GF pita offering.
  • Culver’s (Multiple locations) – You can now pair that butterburger with a gluten-free bun! Fries are not GF.
  • Cheesie’s Pub and Grub (Lakeview, Wicker Park + Multiple locations) – Cheesie’s officially now sells GF bread so that you can have that late-night Grilled Cheese you’ve always wanted. GAME CHANGER. Unsure about cross-contamination so make sure to ask.

Not My Faves (and Why): 

• Fat Shallot (Loop, in Revival Food Hall + food truck) – Delicious sandwiches offering GF bread but I learned the hard way that surfaces/toasting situation are not Celiac-safe.
• Mercadito Counter (River North) – While the regular Mercadito is great with GF, I didn’t have great success with the counter service version. Perhaps it was an off day, but the day I went the staff did not know much about which menu items were gluten-free, and there wasn’t a chef around to ask. I landed on shrimp, carne asada, pork and mushroom – but really only found the  mushroom and carne asada tacos to be decent. Despite the $2 “Taco Tuesday,” I’ll stick with the regular Mercadito.
• Cozy Noodles & Rice – (Wrigleyville) Thai/Noodle place. Honestly, it was pretty hard to eat here because it was difficult to communicate G-freeness with staff. And that makes me nervous. The atmosphere is super funky and fun, it’s BYOB, and right near Wrigley Field…but if you’re hardcore Celiac, I wouldn’t recommend this place.
• Owen & Engine (Logan Square) – Not so many gluten-free options here. In true British pub style, much is fried. Chips/fries are not GF as they are fried with other gluten-containing products. Oysters and olives would be your GF appetizer options. A couple of the pricier entrees are GF – I got the chicken with mashers and roasted veggies, and it was really good. And I felt totally fine the next day. But the service was bizarre and made me feel uncomfortable about being GF.
• Homeslice (DePaul/Lincoln Park) – Offers gluten-free pizza (and the crust is really good). Several of their salads can be modified to be GF and they also have gluten-free beers. However, would not recommend for Celiacs — they cannot guarantee pizza to be gluten-free due to cross-contamination and I personally got sick here.
• Andy’s Thai Kitchen (Lakeview) – Proceed with caution. Despite assurance food was GF – my body felt otherwise.
• Halal Guys (multiple locations) – I’ve often seen them warm the pita bread under the meat. EEK!!

 

Reader-submitted GF Pearls (note, I have not personally dined at any of these restaurants or verified GF options with the restaurant.)

• Ranalli’s (Andersonville) – Erin says, “They use bread from Rose’s Bakery in Evanston. Ranalli’s has a huge gluten-free menu with pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, and even garlic bread.”
• Bivio (Westchester, IL) – Patrick says, “Bivio is a dedicated gluten free bakery just west of Chicago in Westchester, IL. but they’re not limited to your typical assortment of cupcakes and cookies. While they make a killer lemon cookie and amazing vanilla frosted chocolate donuts they prepare full sized and miniature French Silk pies, chocolate, blueberry, and cherry cheesecakes, Biscotti, Feccocia bread, carrot cake, pasta, pizza by the slice and a 9″ – 4 lb Calzzone pie filled with italian sausage, salami, prosciutto, and ricotta cheese in a buttery, flaky, savory pie crust. Calzzone is made to order but best to order ahead on anything you’d really like available because once out of the oven the shelves empty quickly.”

 

This Chicago gluten-free restaurant guide was last updated March 2020.