In the nine years I’ve lived in San Francisco, the number of friends who have adopted gluten-free diets has gone way up. Additionally, I’ve come to have a number of friends who have celiac disease and cannot consume gluten without experiencing severe discomfort (or a trip to the doctor). According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, only 1% of the US population has celiac disease, but up to 10% of the US population is “gluten sensitive” — a condition that is difficult to detect in blood tests and that can manifest itself in the form of fatigue, headaches and gastrointestinal problems.
Though I do not have celiac disease, I have noticed that I feel better when I don’t eat wheat-based products. A slice of pizza or a glass of beer leaves me feeling bloated and uncomfortable. These days, I’ve been mostly gluten-free by default. Plus, I’m in a high-risk group for developing type 2 diabetes, so I try to eat a lower-carbohydrate diet anyway — though I do cheat sometimes.
But for people with celiac disease, cheating is not an option, and eating out can be fraught with the risk of cross-contamination. Luckily, the Bay Area is ground zero for establishments that are sensitive to patrons’ dietary needs. I explored a multitude of restaurants that offer delicious meals for gluten-free patrons and winnowed them down to seven places you should check out.
Little Gem400 Grove Street, San Francisco
Little Gem’s owner, Eric Lilavois, realized he was allergic to dairy and gluten later in life and was inspired to open Little Gem after attending a fancy event in Napa where he was unable to eat anything due to his allergies. Originally, he wanted to open a restaurant that would prohibit all the “Big 8” allergens — dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat — but decided it would be too restrictive. Little Gem is 100% gluten- and dairy-free and focuses on organic, sustainable food. Try the bibimbap ($12.50) with an additional pork shoulder ($5). At $17.50, the dish might seem a bit steep, but the portion size is generous; the kimchi and the pork literally melt in your mouth; and it feels good to eat a healthier, organic version of the famed Korean specialty.
Seed + Salt2240 Chestnut Street, San Francisco
Situated in the Marina, Seed + Salt offers fare that is free of gluten, dairy, meats, refined sugar, trans fats and GMOs. Maybe you’re thinking, “What’s left to eat?” Yet I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and diversity of the menu at Seed + Salt, and my carnivorous dining companion agreed. I especially enjoyed the spaghetti squash with buckeye “meatballs” and tomato sauce ($8). The spaghetti squash was perfectly cooked; the veggie meatballs were flavorful and tender to the bite; and the tomato sauce added a delicious tang.
Sixth Course1544 15th Street, San Francisco
Craving some delicious, handcrafted gluten-free desserts? Head over to Sixth Course ASAP. This boutique dessert shop features a wide assortment of beautifully crafted chocolate truffles, popsicles and baked goods, many of which are gluten-free. Owner Bridget Labus said this was intentional: “There is a dearth of gluten-free options for pastries in SF, and there’s no reason for that.” The triple-chocolate brownie ($6) is delectable, and you would never know it was baked without flour. It features layers of white chocolate and milk chocolate, with a brownie crust. My companion and I devoured every bite, including the crumbs!
Pica Pica401 Valencia Street, San Francisco
This 100% gluten-free Venezuelan restaurant in the Mission is known for its delicious arepas — flat, dough-like patties made from ground maize. The arepas can be stuffed with fillings of your choice. Popular choices include pulled pork ($10) and shredded beef ($10). One of the most interesting menu items is the Nachos Pica Pica ($15) — taro chips topped with pulled pork, black beans, cheese and sauce. Interestingly, these nachos left me feeling much lighter and healthier than I would had I eaten regular tortilla-chip nachos. Yes, they were still loaded with cheese and meat, but the taro itself has more nutritional value than tortilla chips on their own, so I felt less guilty too.
Radish3465 19th Street, San Francisco
Radish is not entirely gluten-free but has a number of menu items that are (or can be prepared) sans gluten. Come here for a boozy, mimosa-filled brunch, and try the gluten-free cornmeal pancakes drenched in maple syrup and butter ($11). These pancakes were light, fluffy and flavorful, and did not leave me wanting for typical white-flour pancakes. Note: the wait for brunch can be long, so come on the early side of 10:00 a.m. if you want to get seated without a crazy-long wait.
Grease Box942 Stanford Avenue, Oakland, CA
The fare at this restaurant in the Santa Fe neighborhood in Oakland is 100% gluten-free, and the cuisine is heavily influenced by owner Lizzy Boelter’s Louisiana roots. Don’t leave without trying the fried chicken ($9) and waffles ($9) with a generous side of homemade hot sauce. My waffle was fluffy and crispy, while the chicken was moist, tender and finger-licking good — I didn’t even realize that the crust was gluten-free. The breakfast sandwich was less impressive (the gluten-free bread was too dense and slightly gummy), and the service was a bit wanting for a Sunday morning.
Honorable Mention: Mua2442 A Webster Street, Oakland
Though not technically a gluten-free restaurant, the fun, slightly swanky Mua gets a special shout-out for being a restaurant that will please both gluten-loving and gluten-free friends. Mua has an extensive list of gluten-free menu items that doesn’t feel limiting. I enjoyed the padron peppers ($8), grilled artichokes ($10) and lamb cheeks ($13). Moreover, Mua makes a mean cocktail (and they have fantastic barrel-aged Negronis). What better way to round out gluten-free goodness than with a stiff drink?
