To round out an amazing 2019, full of delicious gluten-free meals and global adventures, we celebrated in my old stomping ground, San Francisco. I lived there for seven years and I’ve always loved its food scene. Like many big cities in the U.S., you can find anything your heart desires in San Francisco. For me, the city marks my transition from pre-celiac to post and a large part of my health journey. I spent four of my years living there as a celiac and went from a vegetarian to celiac to paleo all within a seven-year timeline as well as falling ill to Lyme Disease. I had eaten at restaurants throughout the city, yet after I became celiac I definitely had to shift my approach to gluten-free dining in San Francisco. Long story short: I’m here to share my favorite spots to dine for everyone—gluten-free or not.

Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants in San Francisco

It was great to go back to San Francisco and try some new gluten-free eateries and of course revisit some of my favorites! I love seeing the growing trend of more and more gluten-free restaurants opening in cities and existing restaurants shifting their menus to accommodate all dietary needs. Here’s a list of trusted, safe and dedicated gluten-free restaurants in San Francisco.

Urban Remedy

Urban Remedy is a treasure born in the Bay Area. Their entire mission and mantra of the restaurant is that food is healing, which, after embarking on my trail to health, I 100% agree with.

All of the food at Urban Remedy is organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free and mostly plant-based. The entire shop is grab and go with healthy clean food. Usually, quick meals fall in the category of fast food which is a no-go for me and most celiacs. Fortunately, spots like Urban Remedy are providing healthy food on the go to keep you fueled on beautiful, healthy, whole foods. However, there is a caveat! How can I choose just one item from this gorgeous menu? Ok, not a caveat at all, because everything looks and sounds so amazing. Ultimately, we settled on the Tahini Bown with raw falafel seeds and the Vegan BLT.

As expected, both items were so fresh, healthy and delicious! ⁣We also had some fresh juices including the Cold Buster and Sweetie Greens which were refreshing and vibrant. I had been fighting a lingering cold and was hoping to shake it before our trip but it was just holding on. I tried one of their Wellness Booster Shots which had an assortment of healing ingredients like Oregano, Silver, Tumeric, Astralagus, Grapefruit Seed in Orange, Carrot, and Lemon. I was amazed at how much this booster shot helped my cold! After our visit to the cafe that afternoon I ordered two more to my room to drink: one before our New Year’s Celebration and one more in the morning and wow! It made such a difference!

The good news is that Urban Remedy has expanded from the Bay Area and many of their items are on shelves in Whole Foods grocery stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. If you live in one of these places, you absolutely have to check it out! I’m so grateful for Urban Remedy, it truly is the solution for those moments when you need a healthy, clean, and quick gluten-free meal on the go. I especially love those booster shots, which will be my go-to next time I feel a cold coming on!

Little Gem

Little Gem was one of my fave restaurants when I lived in SF and I am so happy to see they still offer their delicious and celiac safe food. ⁣The entire restaurant is 100% gluten-free so you don’t have to worry about getting glutened when you eat here. This place takes great care into the sourcing of their ingredients and only work with local farmers that take care of the land and environment in which the food is produced. It shines through in the food, because it’s all delicious, healthy and clean.

On this trip, we had the beets with cashew cream, salmon with baby bok choy and the Bibimap bowl with salmon tartare. We washed it down with a Breakaway Matcha Coldbrew (which I am obsessed with) and hibiscus kombucha. So good!!

Mariposa Baking

Dreams do come true when you finally get to try Mariposa Baking. Although I lived in San Francisco when I first went gluten-free, this is the first time I got to try Mariposa Baking. I was on a very strict AIP diet the entire time I lived there due to being so sick with Lyme disease and I was not eating any grains for quite a while. Though grains still are not a regular part of my diet, I do partake in gluten-free baked goods when I am traveling and on occasion. So naturally, I couldn’t resist the baked goods at Mariposa Baking, which were a dream come true!

They have things that I rarely ever get to enjoy anymore including a Cherry Turnover, Croissant and Pain Au Chocolat! We also had the tuna melt sandwich which was on their gluten-free bread and melted to perfection.

100% Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants To Try On My Next Trip…

So many gluten-free restaurants, so little time! I couldn’t try all of the spots on my wishlist, but I can’t stay away from San Francisco for long. On my next trip I plan to visit Kitava, As Quoted, Pica Pica, The Game Parlour and Wholesome Bakery which are all dedicated gluten-free restaurants as well!

100% Dedicated Gluten-Free Delivery

If you are feeling too lazy to go out and need some safe and healthy food delivered to your hotel room I recommend ordering from Fcuk Gluten or Cauliflower Pizza which are both 100% gluten-free. I have ordered from both of these in LA and they are each an excellent choice when you want to order in.

Safe Restaurant Options That Are Not Dedicated Gluten-Free

While I got my fix of amazing dedicated gluten-free restaurants in San Francisco, I also had some tasty and safe meals at restaurants that aren’t 100% gluten-free, but offer options for those with celiac or gluten sensitivity. Some of these are restaurants I regularly ate at when I lived in SF, and some are new ones that are now a part of my favorite restaurants in the city.

Bask

Bask is a lovely restaurant and wine bar where we savored our last dinner of 2019, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! The menu is mostly tapas and a perfect way to sample a variety of tasty dishes. We had the Prawns a la Plancha, Roasted Mushrooms, Salmon and Ahi Tartare, and the Grilled Ribeye. Of course, it was all scrumptious and I savored every bite.

The restaurant is an adorable space run by a husband and wife— I love supporting restaurants like this that are doing amazing things for the gluten-free community. 75% of the menu is marked gluten-free and they were very well versed on what dishes were safe and unsafe for celiacs. Unfortunately, the fryer is shared with items that contain gluten, so if you are Celiac or very sensitive— those items are off-limits. Don’t worry, you have so many options to choose from that you won’t even miss anything from that list.

If you are in SF, definitely take some time to stop in either for some tapas and a glass of wine or stay for a delicious dinner including paella and gluten-free flourless chocolate cake! Either way, you will want to come back for more and try all the gluten-free items on their menu. I know I will!

Tacolicious

Our very first meal of 2020 was heavenly at Tacolicious. This is another one of my favorite restaurants from my San Francisco days and we literally probably ate here at least 3-4 times a month. Who can say no to delicious tacos?

Though the items are not marked gluten-free on the menu, Tacolicious is cautious to ensure you have a gluten-free meal. They will prepare your food in a separate area of the kitchen and grill and they have a dedicated fryer for their chips only. I brought my Nima Sensor in to test the chips and they were, in fact, gluten-free.

This time around, we had guacamole and chips and a variety of tacos including my absolute favorite, carnitas, as well as carne asada, grilled fish and Oaxacan cheese and mushrooms. Every single bite of these tacos were amazing! ⁣I used to live off the carnitas tacos so it was great to get my fix again. The best news yet is that they are opening a location in Manhattan Beach soon, which is so close to me! I can’t wait to throw them back into my regular restaurant rotation soon!

In addition to tacos, they make great cocktails and agua frescas including orange tarragon, which I enjoyed. Browse the menu for a variety of tasty appetizers, salads, sides, and desserts like gluten-free coconut flan— the perfect light yet creamy dessert after our taco feast! If you want delicious and super safe gluten-free tacos, Tacolicious should be at the top of your list. ⁣

Lolinda

Lolinda is another one of my solid go-to’s from my San Francisco days. If you want to have the best steak you have ever eaten, go to Lolinda. The restaurant is an Argentine Steakhouse and they have delicious steak options but plenty of healthy veggie sides as well to keep everyone happy. My favorite items are the Grilled Artichoke, Pulpo, Provoleta, and the Skirt Steak. Make sure to let them know you have a gluten allergy and they will take care of you and make sure no bread comes out with your steak. Through my years living in San Francisco, I have probably eaten here over 100x and never gotten glutened and just wanted to come back for more and more. Lolinda is one of the main reasons I miss San Francisco. Secretly hoping they will someday open in LA!

Other Favorites

So much to eat, and so little time. Alas I was only back in San Francisco for a few days this trip, but that doesn’t mean I can’t give a shout out to some of my other safe and favorite restaurants that know how to serve a proper gluten free meal like Bar Crudo, 25 Lusk, Skool and Firefly. I will definitely be making sure to fit these in next time I head up to the city and they should be in your list too.

Where Can I Find Truly Gluten-Free Dim Sum In San Francisco?

Dim Sum is one of those amazing foods that I miss the most as a Celiac. I used to get some of the best Dim Sum when I lived in San Francisco (pre-celiac diagnosis) and I wonder if there are any safe Dim Sum places out there? In general, Dim Sum and Chinese food are usually off the table for me because even a crumb of cross-contamination makes me sick for a week. Between the sauces and fried foods, there are no safe options for me... Well, none that I’ve discovered yet! Is all hope lost? Or do you have a suggestion? If you know where I can find safe gluten-free dim sum on my next visit to San Francisco, give me a shout!

I know where you can find gluten free dim sum

Aside from craving that delicious dim sum, I definitely filled my plate and appetite with delicious gluten-free food in San Francisco! It brings me so much joy to see more and more restaurants accommodating those with celiac and gluten sensitivity. Even better—gluten-free restaurants are sprouting up across the city, which means I’ll just have to keep coming back for more!

Are You A San Francisco Gluten-Free Restaurant And Want To Be Featured Next Time I Am In Town?

I am always on the hunt for amazing gluten-free food when I’m traveling. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and tell me a little about your restaurant and I will let you know when I am back in the city!

I want to be featured!

Need The Ultimate Guide For What to Do In San Francisco?

Your gluten-free food needs should be covered by now, so what about all the other things you should see and do while you are in San Francisco? I’ve got you covered there, too! Make sure to check out my San Francisco City Guide, where I cover all the best things to do and see in San Francisco!

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About Me:
I am an IIN Certified Health Coach helping people heal from Lyme, Mold and Autoimmune Disease. Learn more about my journey and how we can work together.

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