Best Gluten Free Restaurants
I have been gluten free for several years and have found that, for several reasons, being gluten free makes it hard to eat out. A lot of restaurants have no GF options on the menu, or I feel like the annoying person at the table always asking for substations; no croutons, or confusing servers when asking about fries and other items. I am always nervous about cross contamination, or that things like soy sauce are not actually gluten free.
Recently, I have had several great dining experiences that I wanted to share with all my fellow gluten free people and/or friends and family members of gluten free people. I often just find myself going to First and South when eating out (which I love), because I know they have options for everyone. They are my go to for great GF options, but recently tried Little Fish and Minnow and had incredible meals.
I have compiled a list of my favorite GF options on the North Fork and Shelter Island. Hope you enjoy!
First and South
Location: 100 South St (corner of 1st and South), Greenport
About: First and South opened in 2012 and made the kitchen change over for celiacs & other allergies in 2015/16 because they saw dietary restrictions multiply. Instead of ignoring this, they addressed it for both the staff and guests. First and South saw celiacs sufferers and people with anaphylactic allergies coming from a place of anxiousness, frustration, and fear on a larger level, and they want their customers to be able to enjoy fried chicken, French fries, wings, calamari, and even wash it down with a gf beer. They achieve this so well that people without allergies don’t even know a difference in taste or experience. Sarah says that it’s one of the best decisions as a restaurant they have made. I am very thankful for this.
Why: First and South is a classic and for a while they were the only place I felt like I could go. They have lots of GF options and offer all your favorite normally gluten packed items like pasta, wings, including their killer mac and cheese, buns for burgers and sandwiches, and their famous fried chicken sandwich all made GF.
Minnow
Location: 650 1st Street, New Suffolk
About: Cheo Avila, Andrea Tese and Amanda Akran are the team behind the new environmentally conscious restaurant, Minnow, that opened this year in New Suffolk. Minnow uses only use local line caught, organic, and in-season ingredients, so the menu is subject to change depending on availability, which I love! Click here to read the the North Forker article about this first of its kind restaurant.
Why: Overall everything about Minnow is outstanding. Everything is local and sustainably sourced, which means they change their menu with the seasons, so you can always try something new. Everything on the menu either is GF, or can be made GF (like pasta). Truly one of the best meals out in a long time. The staff is incredible too. I got to know and love them at Kontiki (my favorite restaurant), which I was heartbroken when it closed, so if you liked Kontiki as much as I did, definitely try what Chef Cheo is cooking up at Minnow.
Leon
Location: 29 West Neck Road, Shelter Island
About: Valerie Mnuchin and her father Robert Mnuchin opened Léon during the 2022 summer season. The restaurant is named after Valerie’s paternal grandfather, whose affinity for romantic European adventures and seaside destinations influence the restaurant’s setting. Léon is an inviting homage to the past with warm, natural materials and nods to unfussy, countryside French and Italian fare. A wood-burning hearth at the heart of the restaurant serves as its anchor, inspiring a Provençal-style menu showcasing regional ingredients.
Why: The first question they ask when you sit down is do you have any food allergies, being someone who does I find this very reassuring. They made suggestions and told me what they could make GF and are very accommodating about taking things off of a dish to make it GF. I especially love their Caesar salad, which they normally serve with bread crumbs but were able to give them to us as a side, so my partner who loves gluten could still enjoy them.
Little Fish
Location: 50 N Sea Drive, Southold (Kenny’s Beach)
About: Little fish opened in 2022 in the old Elbow East location at Kenny’s Beach and is run by the owners of Montauk’s beloved 668 The Gig Shack. The menu has a coastal theme and has a large variety of offerings including some of the Montauk favorites, lots of seafood, and is very cozy while also having a beachey vibe.
Why: Everything on the menu is clearly marked GF with lots of options to choose from. They also have GF fried options! I love fried calamari, but never have it any more because of a gluten intolerance. However, Little Fish’s fritto misto is GF and is so so so good. I have also had several Thai and Indian inspired dishes (my favorite), that I love and hope to have more of.
Hellenic
Location: 5145 Main Rd, East Marion
About: Chef & Owner George Giannaris started working at Hellenic, full-time, when he was ten years old. His father and family created the Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant in 1976! He is passionate about using fresh, often organic ingredients, locally resourced whenever possible. Each week, he loves to teach people how to cook healthy, efficient, and easy recipes on his YouTube channel AwareHouseChef.
Why: I'm not a huge bread person, but I love pita and Greek food, and Hellenic has the best GF pita. They have so many great GF apps, and all of their platers (minus the gyro,) can be made GF. Everything is clearly marked, making it super easy to find what you can order.
Grace and Grit (winter pop up)
Location: 55750 Main Road, Southold
About: Since 2012, Grace & Grit has grown to be a leading caterer on the east end of Long Island. They have a unique ability to personalize and customize each event, which has made them stand out in an industry full of no's and "standard" menus. The are committed to using the best locally sourced ingredients and fostering a culture of diversity and genuine hospitality. Additionally, during the winter months they have a special weekend pop up menu!
Why: It is so fun to have the culinary variety that Grace and Grit provides the North Fork in the off season, and they are very GF friendly. In my experience with them if it can be made GF, it is. They are also able to modify and make things GF if requested. They are very accommodating, knowledgeable, and offer a variety of things on their menu to accommodate everyone. I know I look forward to winter when they are serving up delicious GF Thai, Korean ,and Indian food!
Gluten Free Grove
Location: Southold
About: We can’t talk about GF restaurants with out mentioning Gluten Free-Grove! The mother-daughter duo opened in June 2022. Tess, the daughter, was diagnosed with celiac disease six years ago and she found it very difficult to find food that tasted good. Tess noticed that the GF community was struggling to find things that were delicious, because most GF things can be very dry. Her mom, an amazing baker and cook, began baking for her and before long, they decided to start selling their baked goods.
Why: I honestly don't miss much being GF. I’m not a big sandwich, pasta, or dessert person. I do have a weakness for pie though, so when I found out GF Grove has GF pies I had to try them! You would have no idea they were GF and they are insanely good! I am now also hooked on their coffee cakes. Every time someone has a birthday, I order a cake from them, so I can selfishly have some. Everyone always thinks they are so beautiful and delicious and asks where I got it. The non-GF people are always shocked thats it’s GF.
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Check back soon as I will be adding to this list when ever I find new GF spots