Austin Gluten-Free Restaurants | Central, East & South
Welcome to my 2021 updated round-up of gluten-free restaurants in Central, South and East Austin! Whether it is Tex-Mex, BBQ, worldly cuisines, fun fusion, healthy eats, comfort food, casual, grab ’n go, or finer dining food – here’s your guide to some of the best gluten-free restaurants near Downtown ATX.
One of the things that has really improved in the last few years is that restaurant staff are really knowledgable about celiac disease, dietary restrictions, food allergies, and sources of gluten cross contamination. Make sure to talk with your server or a manager about what is safe, especially if the gluten-free options aren’t marked clearly on the menu.
It is so exciting to have so many gluten-free restaurants with incredible dining out options in this awesome town. Hope this guide helps you find new favorites or some hidden gems for the best gluten-free eats in Austin.
Also check out my 2021 guide for the best gluten-free take out and to-go options in Austin (this guide may become somewhat outdated as restaurants re-open in 2021).
Austin Gluten-Free Eats
ABA
ABA is a new Mediterranean restaurant with a beautiful lounge and patio located on South Congress. They have a gluten-free dinner, brunch, and lunch menu. I absolutely loved the artichoke hummus and spicy garlic hummus with homemade gluten-free herbed crackers.
ATX Cocina
ATX Cocina is one of my absolute favorite gluten-free restaurants in Austin. Located Downtown overlooking the lake, this venue is beautiful and the service is wonderful. Plus valet parking is available.
The kitchen is entirely gluten-free! They take traditional Mexican dishes and elevate them with modern chef techniques while also focusing on natural and clean ingredients. The delicious corn tortillas are made from non-GMO heirloom corn sourced from Mexico. Pictured above is the decadent barbacoa beef short-rib served with corn tortillas.
I also highly recommend the salsa sampler, guacamole, verduras (brussels sprouts, verde chorizo, green mole), and smashed papas bravas (smoked chili aioli, fried herbs, lime). The tamales, tacos and empanadas served during happy hour are a must try as well. Actually everything is amazing.
Asiana Indian Cuisine
If you are in the mood for Indian cuisine Asiana is absolutely delicious. Located just off of William Cannon Dr. in the plaza by Gold’s Gym and Academy. Although not marked, most of the menu is gluten-free except for the naan (of course).
You can order the dosa, which are thin rice flour crepes filled with various things like onions and potatoes (masala dosa). These are great for dipping in all the sauces. Some personal favorites are the reshmi kabob, chicken tikka, lamb korma, and chicken briyani.
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Bar Peached
This is the newest concept from The Peached Tortilla, with a focus on the bar and cocktails while serving up snack plates and tacos. It’s located on W. 6th street and offers complimentary valet on Friday and Saturday.
There are several clearly marked gluten-free options on the menu like kale tempura (fried in a dedicated fryer), charred Brussels with a Sichuan peppercorn peach glaze, Wafu salad, and maple roasted carrots. Also available are BBQ brisket, spiced cauliflower (pictured), and pork shoulder “steak” tacos. The signature margarita with habanero salt is pretty awesome!
Bento Picnic
Located on the East side, this lunch shop serves healthy apps, bowls, bento boxes, and gluten-free pastries from 10:30 am-3 pm (M – Sat) at the counter service then grab ’n go is available from 3 pm-8:30 pm (M-Thur). There are a bunch of gluten-free options and even a Whole30 approved menu. The concept is inspired by the tradition of Japanese homemakers using the elements of color, taste, and technique to create nourishing and balanced bento meals.
Black’s Barbecue
The original Black’s BBQ from Lockhart now has a location on Guadalupe Street near the UT campus. The brisket, pork spare ribs, chopped beef brisket, giant beef ribs, and turkey breast are all gluten-free. But the sausage and sandwiches are not. They also offer several sides that are gluten-free like beans, potato salad, cole slaw, and Mexican street corn.
De Nada Cantina
Opening in summer of 2021, De Nada Cantina is a fun and laid back taqueria on the East Side. They serve awesome drinks, have a fabulous bar, and a ton of wonderful tacos. The kitchen is gluten-free and there are no flour tortillas. But the manager said that some of the proteins are prepared off-site is a shared space with a bakery about 75 feet away so there is a slight potential for CC from that. I’ve had the barbacoa tacos several times and didn’t get sick. They are delicious.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
This is an elegant and upscale steak and seafood house Downtown on 5th street. They have an extensive gluten-friendly menu in-house and are very knowledgeable about gluten free options. From the perfectly cooked steak with choices for enhancements like a Parmesan and horseradish crust, to a beautiful South African Lobster tail, to even a crab cake (minus the breadcrumbs). They play live music in the V Lounge and it is a really wonderful experience. I highly recommend it for a special occasion or fine-dining because they treat you very well.
Flower Child
There are two locations in Austin, one of which is Downtown on 2nd street. They offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free salads, a variety of healthy plates and bowls with your choice of all-natural chicken, grass-fed steak, or non-GMO tofu and a ton of veggies.
Fogo de Chao
This is a Brazilian steakhouse that serves all kinds of rotisserie meats cooked with an open flame. It is located just across the street from the Austin Convention Center Downtown. It is a fun experience because the servers will bring various meats to your table and ask if you’d like to try them. They also have an extensive market table with all kinds of fresh goodies.
Most of the food is gluten-free including the bread. But the chicken, pasta salad, grilled zucchini and a few other things from the market table are not safe. Tell them that you need to avoid gluten and they will bring out an allergen sheet to walk you through what to avoid.
Franklin Barbecue
Probably the most famous BBQ around, Franklin BBQ is located in East Austin. The doors open at 11 am until they sell out. You need to get there early and wait in that infamous line. Almost everything is gluten-free except the bread and dark BBQ sauce.
Fresa’s Chicken
Fresa’s chicken has two locations in Austin. The 9th & Lamar location is to-go only either by drive-through or walk-up window. The South 1st location has a beautiful dining patio, indoor bar and take out window as well. The wood grilled meats, grilled vegetables and many items on the menu are gluten-free. Of course, order the corn tortillas instead of flour. So many delicious options here as well! It’s a highly recommended foodie favorite. But stay away from anything fried as they do not have a dedicated fryer and there is high potential for cross-contamination on anything fried.
Grizzeldas
On the East side, this popular upscale Tex-Mex restaurant is wildly decorative and colorful. They serve corn tortillas and several gluten-free dishes (ask the server for help because they aren’t marked on the menu). Pictured here is the picadillo taco made with the fantastic Jacoby dry aged ground beef.
They do not have an entirely dedicated fryer so the chips or anything fried would not be safe for someone with celiac disease. Also, make sure they bring the corn tortillas wrapped in foil instead of in the tortillas warmers shared with flour tortillas. Beware the frozen margaritas are really, really strong.
Hopdoddy
Hopdoddy has three locations in Austin, including one on S. Congress and one at the Triangle. They serve all kinds of different burgers with gluten-free ingredients. They have gluten-free buns or lettuce for wraps available, too. And they know to use a clean area to grill the buns as not to cross-contaminate. What is really exciting is that the only thing that goes in the fryer are the fries. And so they are all safe, too. I especially love the parmesan truffle fries with truffle aioli.
La Barbecue
Serving more delicious BBQ on the East side, most of the meat is gluten-free but not the sandwiches. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am until 6 pm (or until sold out). Currently, there are lots of options for curbside pick up and it is delicious!
La Condesa
As more restaurants are offering curbside pick up, we have had a chance to try some new things and I am loving the taco kits. La Condesa is downtown and they have so many gluten-free Modern Mexican options (look at the original menu before the online order menu).
We went with barbacoa cooked in a banana leaf and grilled mushrooms with mint chimichurri (amazing) and heirloom corn tortillas. Plus a few other add-ons. It was all so good, can’t wait to go back.
Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue
Located Downtown, Lambert’s has many items on the menu besides barbecue that are gluten- free. Although not marked on the menu, the staff is very knowledgeable as to what is safe for the celiac. Don’t miss out on the spicy deviled eggs with smoked trout roe, olives and pickles. You can also catch live music upstairs on the weekends.
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue
I was so excited to try LeRoy and Lewis BBQ. Evan LeRoy used to be the Pitmaster and Executive Chef at Freedmen’s, which was one of my favorite BBQs in town before it shut down. Now he has a food truck on South Congress just North of Ben White.
I went to an event where they were serving brisket, smoked chicken, kale Caesar slaw, potato salad, kimchi, dill pickles and beet BBQ sauce. And I got to ask him myself if it was gluten-free. And it was! So yay. Another awesome gluten-free BBQ option in Austin. BTW the brisket was amazing.
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Loro
Loro is an Asian smokehouse and bar collaboration between the James Beard Award winners, Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue. It has a friendly atmosphere and huge patio located on South Lamar. Plus it was named one of Texas Monthly’s top new BBQ Joints!
You order food and drinks from the bar. The mango sake slushee is pretty delicious! And they will ask you if you have any dietary restrictions or Celiac disease when you order. Then bring your food out for you.
They have great happy hour specials, too (but the only thing gluten-free is the burger with onion brisket jam without the bun – it is worth it).
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
Manuel’s has a location Downtown and serves delicious Mexican food with many gluten-free options. The servers are very knowledgeable. The fryers are not dedicated to only gluten-free cooking so pass on anything fried. But the tortilla chips come from El Milagro so they are safe and non-GMO, too.
Maudie’s Tex Mex
Maudie’s also has many locations around town, some more casual than others. Plus they have an extensive menu marked with items that are or can be made gluten-free. They bring chips and salsa to the table as soon as you sit down, but the chips do not come from a dedicated fryer. Ask the server to bring out the gluten-free chips in a bag for you.
MezzeMe Turkish Kitchen
MezzeMe hosted our 2019 Austin Food Blogger Alliance Holiday Party with an absolute feast of Turkish food, wine, beer, coffee and dessert. They are located at the Triangle. Mezze Me also caters between 20-250 people and have so many gluten-free and dairy-free options. Check out their catering menu for specifics.
Here we have the hand-stacked on a vertical rotisserie beef and lamb doner, chicken shish kebab, falafel and roasted red bell pepper hummus. They also have a seasonal winter menu, but you need to ask what is gluten-free.
Odd Duck
Also on S. Lamar, the menu is seasonally-inspired using local ingredients available during each Texas season. They are very knowledgeable about dietary restrictions, especially celiac disease. And the food is fun, unique and elevated.
Old Thousand
Old Thousand serves up dope Chinese food on the East Side. The menu is clearly marked with gluten-free and vegan dishes. Don’t pass up the brisket fried rice!
Oseyo
A great place to find Korean food on the East Side of Austin. All of the gluten-free options are clearly marked on the menu and they only use gluten-free Korean soy sauce in their dishes. Pictured here is the wood grilled beef bulgogi served with banchan and lettuce for making wraps and it is delicious.
The Peached Tortilla
The super popular Peached Tortilla food truck now also has a brick and mortar location on Burnet. This original concept combines Southern comfort food with an Asian flair. The gluten-free offerings are clearly marked on the menu. On Taco Tuesday, the tacos are $4 and margs are $5.
Some of the GF dishes are Asian pear miso salad, charred brussels with bacon jam, BBQ brisket tacos served with creamy apple slaw and smoky roasted peach BBQ sauce, the crispy umami chicken wings, and cauliflower three ways with nori butter.
Picnik Austin
Picnik takes all the stress out of special diets. This gluten-free restaurant is 100% gluten, corn, peanut and soy free with lots of vegan and vegetarian options. They cook almost everything in avocado oil.
The original trailer on South Lamar and the new trailer on South Congress serve grab ’n go breakfast, lunch items, butter coffee, bone broth, and gluten-free pastries. The brick and mortar on Burnet also serves dinner, wine, cocktails, wine, and cider.
The Soup Peddler
Here you will find lots of options for gluten-free and dairy-free soups, as well as grab ‘n go salads. And they often have seasonal soups specials as well. There are several locations around Austin to choose from, too.
Suerte
Located on E. 6th street, Suerte is a new upscale restaurant serving the flavors of Mexico using local ingredients. Although the dinner menu isn’t marked as gluten-free, most of the options are safe and the staff is knowledgeable.
They make homemade masa tortillas from corn, which are divine. Pictured here are the Suadero tacos with confit brisket, black magic oil and avocado salsa crude. Some other gluten-free options are the goat barbacoa, grilled sweet papas, and roasted broccoli. All of it is so good. Steer clear of the ceviche (contains soy sauce) and dessert.
Terry Black’s BBQ
The Austin located is on Barton Springs Road. Terry Black and sons are serving up some more delicious smoked Texas BBQ and sides. All things that are gluten-free and dairy-free are marked on the menu.
Thai Fresh
Thai Fresh serves authentic Thai food made with fresh local ingredients. Plus next door there is an entirely gluten-free bakery and coffee shop. Both are nestled next to each other on West Mary street just west of S. Lamar Blvd. You can order takeout online or download an app for your phone.
Many of the items on the menu are gluten-free except for the fried items which have an “*” next to them. Other dishes are marked “not gluten free” but the noodles can be substituted. The Pad Thai is definitely a huge favorite with Austin foodies! They also serve homemade vegan ice cream with super creative flavors in the gluten-free bakery.
Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s sells some “damn good” tacos and breakfast tacos and are located everywhere around town, including South and Central spots. They have a gluten-free menu to help you figure out what will work for you depending on your taco mood.
True Food Kitchen
TFK is very much about clean eating and wellness without sacrificing taste. Located Downtown they offer a variety of seasonal dishes that are clearly marked as gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan. Because they offer pizza, they have a disclaimer that there are allergens in the kitchen that may lead to cross contamination, so make sure your server knows your level of sensitivity.
24 Diner
As the name suggests this diner is open 24 hours and they have a gluten-free menu. It is located in central Austin at 6th and Lamar. They have a gluten-free menu and serve breakfasts, salads, bunless burgers, roasted chicken, pork chops, and a ribeye. My personal favorite is the 24 hash with nitrate free bacon and housemade sausage. It’s got a little heat in there from the jalapeño, too.
Vinaigrette
This is a bright and cheery salad bistro located on College Ave., just east of S. Congress. There are so many healthy salad options, soups, and seasonal specials. Although not marked on the menu, most of it is gluten-free and the staff is knowledgeable about dietary restrictions.
Wilder Wood Restaurant & Bar
Located on E. 7th street, this 100% gluten-free restaurant serves a combo of Mexican and American dishes. They serve lots of fried goodies, too!
Starters like hand-cut onion rings, calamari and super nachos or entrees like chicken fried steak and country fried chicken. They have street tacos, fajitas and enchiladas. Salads. Black Angus burgers and delicious hand-cut fries. The gluten-free buns are really good, too (not too much bread, not dry and they don’t fall apart).
Wu Chow
Wu Chow is located in downtown Austin on West 5th street. The food is fresh and delicious. They serve farm to table Chinese food and most of the menu is gluten-free. The fryer was safe the last time we dined in, since the dumplings (do contain gluten) are steamed not fried. But after the restaurant closing and re-opening, there may be new items on the menu that may contaminate the fryer. To be safe, I would look at the online ordering menu to see what is marked GF or ask your server.
Looking for More Gluten-Free Eats in Austin?
More Austin Gluten-Free Restaurants Around Town
Austin Trail of Lights Food Trucks 2018
8 Great Tips for Ordering Gluten-Free at the Office
This post is part of the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance 2020 City Guide. Click here to see more guides to the best food in Austin!
Also, try Chago’s Caribbean Cuisine at Austin, TX.
Will do! Thanks for the suggestion. The food looks fantastic.