The Best Meal I Had in Paris

Surprise: it wasn't at a dedicated gluten-free spot

Paris isn’t the easiest town to visit if you have celiac disease, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t terrific options. On my recent trip there, I discovered that there are some wonderful Italian, Thai, Cambodian, and Venezuelan restaurants that are 100% gluten-free. There are also some lovely vegan and health-oriented spots — often with Bio in the name — that offer many gluten-free options. What was tougher for me to find was traditional French cuisine.

To be fair, Paris boasts several dedicated gluten-free pâtisseries offering classic French pastries, so it wasn’t hard to scratch my itch for a sweet treat like a chocolate croissant or an entremet. There are also traditional Breton creperies where the crepes are made with buckwheat flour, plus cafés catering to gluten-free diners. But many of these GF spots close up shop by 6pm, which left me searching for a dinner option.