A Weekend in NYC - Top Gluten Free Picks
NYC is an amazing place to live or visit if you are gluten free as there are so many incredible options. Here's an attempt to list out my favorite must try's!!
Brunch
1. Friedman's Lunch - the Chelsea market location is great because you can walk around while waiting for your table (unfortunately they don't take reservations). They put all gluten free meals on separately shaped plates so you feel confident they got it right and they even have gluten free fried chicken and waffles so it's basically the best :)
Travel Tip: Be sure to check out the rest of Chelsea Market (the artist and flee section is my favorite) as well as The Highline right next door along 10th Avenue!
2. Big Daddy's diner - a much more basic place but awesome gluten free pancakes and such reasonable prices for NYC! If you are Celiac (like me) always inform them. This is NOT a 100% gluten free restaurant so cross-contamination can occur if you don’t ask them to clean the griddle at the time of your order. However, the chocolate chip pancakes are AMAZING. I mean literally mouthwatering material!
Travel Tip: Go to the Park Ave South & 19th St. location and stop by nearby Union Square. There is a local farmers market on the weekends and a holiday market that pops up between Thanksgiving and The New Year.
Lunch
3. Telegraph cafe - great for grabbing a quick sandwich when you're on the move! They only charge $0.60 for the gluten free bread substitute – a serious deal! My top picks are the Avocado and Egg sandwich or the Caprese sandwich. YUMMM.
4. Grey dog cafe - delicious gluten free sandwiches salads and more, but the line is usually pretty long so be prepared...Pro Tip: the line usually moves faster at their Chelsea location vs. their Union Square location.
Dinner
5. Nizza - amazing selection of gluten free pizzas and pastas! Make sure to ask for the gluten free menu. The pizzas are called “socca” and are made from chickpea. The Truffle Mushroom Pizza and Gnocchi are my two favorite items on the menu.
Travel Tip: This restaurant is in Hell’s Kitchen very close to the Theater District. Highly recommend for before or after a Broadway show!
6. Rubirosa - also best known for their gluten free pizzas and pastas, but they also have some special gluten free appetizers, like mozzarella sticks, that are hard to find anywhere else. If you are looking for a unique and delicious gluten free pizza experience, try the Tye Dye Pizza (Tomato sauce, Vodka sauce, and Pesto sauce).
Travel Tip: Check out the shops in Soho before or after eating here - It is a great way to work up your appetite or walk off your meal!
7. Crave fish bar – the menu is marked for gluten free items and almost everything is (including the fried calamari!) It is a bit pricier than the other two places but worth it!
Travel Tip: Check out the Upper West Side location after a visit to Central Park.
Bakeries - you can't go wrong with either one!
8. Noglu NYC - a French bakery (I went to this bakery in Paris also) and it’s all gluten free! The cakes here are also delicious!
9. Erin McKenna’s bakery – ok, I know they have tons of options, but you HAVE to get a DONUT. Flavors rotate daily and they are always delicious. I love the cookies & cream one when it’s there!
Travel Tip: There are tons of bars nearby this bakery in the Lower East Side, walk around and explore!
Drinks
10. Brooklyn Cider House - if you’re up for going across the water to Brooklyn, check out this cider house! With SO many ciders, why not try a few? They are delicious! CHEERS!
Be sure to tag us in your instagram pictures (@theglutenfreetravelers) on your gluten free travels and let us know what you think! We always love connecting with other gluten free travelers.