Gluten-Free Dining Around Boston

Celiac-safe spots in Beantown & its suburbs

Check out those adorable furry faces above. I visit the Boston area on a regular basis to see family, and those two adorable pups are part of the package. (Honestly, they’re the best welcome crew.)

Unlike most of the trips I take, I don’t do much research before I head to the Boston area. That’s because several of my relatives there have celiac disease, and they are wonderful at sussing out local spots for me. It makes for an incredibly relaxing time whenever I visit, and I wanted to pass along a few reliable spots in case you find yourself in Boston or its historic surrounding towns.

Elephant Walk: This Cambodian-French restaurant — located in Boston’s South End neighborhood — is a local institution founded in 1991. While not dedicated gluten-free, the menu is full of GF options, plus many that are dairy-free and vegetarian (there are also vegan options). Many of the traditional Khmer dishes are naturally gluten-free and require no modification at all. (Try the Amok Royale, a curried coconut ‘custard’ with shrimp, catfish, scallop and minced crab steamed in a banana leaf cup.)

Burton’s Grill & Bar: This is a family favorite for ordering in and eating out. Burton’s is a chain with multiple outposts in Massachusetts as well as locations in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Most of the menu is available gluten-free, and my celiac family members agree that Burton’s is incredibly careful with their food, taking all the necessary steps to avoid cross-contamination. My go-to order is the Southwest Chicken Bowl.

Jennifer Lee’s: This 100% dedicated gluten-free bakery has two locations: one in Boston proper (inside Boston Public Market) and the other in the town of Worcester. In addition to being GF, it’s also free of the top nine allergens — that means no eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, or sesame. Everything is vegan as well. The menu at both locations includes a variety of sweet treats — cakes, cupcakes, donuts, brownies, and more — as well as hot savory offerings like the “Philly Cheezesteak” (made with portobello mushroom, because this is a vegan joint) and a spicy avocado sandwich with a chickpea patty atop panini.

Something Sweet Without Wheat: Located in Woburn, this is another 100% dedicated gluten-free bakery. It’s also a nut-free facility, that’s famous for its cakes (which must be custom-ordered). They also produce a variety of breads and rolls, bagels, sweet treats, and even pizza dough.

Life Alive: It’s not 100% gluten free, but the vast majority of the offerings at this chain of healthy cafés are celiac-safe. Located all over Boston, and in a few other Massachusetts towns (Lowell, Salem), Life Alive makes everything from scratch on their premises, using organic sources as much as possible. I know it sounds incredibly virtuous, but both the Taco Verde bowl and the Avocado Greens salad are really good.

Not Your Average Joe’s: This is another chain, with locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. For celiacs, it offers a “gluten sensitive” menu that features soups, salads, fish and seafood dishes, meat and poultry dishes, and a a few vegetarian options. While I’m skeptical about gluten-sensitive menus, I know that the staff at the Acton and Westwood locations take food allergies seriously.

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