Whether you live in Chicago, or are planning a trip, this Gluten Free Chicago Food Guide can help you find a new gluten free spot. All places on this list offer gluten free options, along with dairy free options. Some take more precautions than others for cross contamination. Some offer vegan options as well. You can find details on the map and in the descriptions below.
I hope this helps you find a new place to love.
Most spots on this Gluten Free Chicago Food Guide are in the city, but some are in the suburbs as well. You can zoom out on the map below to see more outside of the city limits. Some places have multiple locations as well, so there may be an even better location for you than the one I have on my map.
The map below is interactive and color coded (see key below). I encourage you to bookmark this map to help you as you explore the different neighborhoods in Chicago. Below the map, I provide more details on many of the spots.
Let me know if you try any of these places, I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you post on Instagram, tag me @livwelleatwell . You can also check out my feed and “Chicago” highlight for pics of some of my fave dishes.
**disclaimer: I am gluten intolerant. I note celiac safe spots on the map based on whether they are fully gluten free, and reviews from celiac friends. If I wasn’t sure, I did not mark it safe even though it may be. Also, as many of us know, safe spots can change over time. I ALWAYS recommend checking reviews on apps like FindMeGlutenFree, asking the restaurant questions, and ultimately making your own decision based on your needs and level of comfort.
Gluten Free Chicago Food Guide
Color Key
Purple: entirely gluten free establishment
Brown: health food/grocery store
Orange: gluten free menu
Blue: has gluten free options but not an entire menu
Table of Contents
Top Ten
*in no particular order
- Aba: they offer a gluten free menu for brunch and dinner. While it is a bit pricier, the experience is well worth it. They are able to accommodate dairy free, and offer mocktails too. The shakshuka is my favorite. Their sister restaurant Ema offers a gluten free menu as well.
- Bibibop: 100% gluten free fast-casual chain. They create Korean bowls and offer a build your own option which is always my go-to. They have one location downtown and a bunch in the suburbs.
- Bites Asian Kitchen + Bar: they have sushi and other Asian dishes that are gluten free. The menu is clearly marked and staff is well trained. Beautiful cocktails/mocktails as well. It’s a fun environment for date night.
- Defloured: such a wonderful gluten free bakery. They have many dairy free and vegan options too. My favorite item: glazed oatmeal cookie.
- Egg Harbor Cafe: a cute breakfast chain with a gluten free menu. I love their skillets and avocado toasts. They have locations in the suburbs and a spot in Streeterville (downtown Chicago).
- Kala Modern Greek: a lovely Greek restaurant with delicious, yet simple dishes. Their menu is not marked, but they are very knowledgeable on how to make their food gluten free. They have many dairy free options as well (highly recommend the garlic sauce).
- Kale My Name: this is a vegan restaurant with a TON of gluten free options. Their food is absolutely delicious and they are always adding fun items to the menu. I highly recommend the mac balls and the fried cauliflower. While they are not 100% gluten free, they take a lot of precautions including a separate fryer!
- Spirit Elephant: this is another vegan restaurant with many gluten free options. You honestly can’t even tell their items are vegan. They offer mocktails, teas, coffee, brunch, dinner and insane desserts. Their cheesecakes are my personal fave. This is in Winnetka, IL and is well worth the trip. They also have a casual restaurant, Elephant + Vine, which has locations in Evanston and Lakeview (North Side of Chicago).
- Vaca’s Creamery: three words – VEGAN ICE CREAM. Vaca’s is entirely vegan, their main flavors are made with oat milk and the rotating flavors have different bases. They also make homemade gluten free waffle cones that are incredible. They have baked goods that contain gluten but all ice cream is gluten free.
- XOchimilco: this is a Mexican restaurant in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. Almost everything here can be made gluten free, and they take a lot of extra precautions to make sure the food is safe. They are able to accommodate dairy free, peanut free, and vegan as well. Highly recommend the lamb and the ceviche.
100% Gluten Free Spots
- Bibibop (see “top ten” above)
- Bloom Plant Based Kitchen: gluten free and vegan spot. Their food is beautiful and super creative.
- Brightwok: all of their sauces are vegan, and their entire menu is gluten, dairy, fish, shellfish, and peanut-free. Their antibiotic-free chicken is certified Halal as well! A must try item: magic cake.
- CheSa’s Bistro: upscale Creole restaurant with a drool-worthy menu.
- Fork N Fry Mobile Poutinerie: you won’t find this on the map because it’s a FOOD TRUCK (yes a 100% gf food truck) so the location is always different. They mainly operate in the Northern suburbs. Their poutine is delicious, plus they offer dairy free/vegan cheese options!
- Kite String Cantina: the food is 100% gluten free, but some drinks in the bar contain gluten. Basic menu of taquitos, chips and salsa. They even offer vegan cheese to make nachos! Defloured desserts are sold here.
- Mindful Baking Cafe: entirely gluten free and vegan cafe. They offer baked goods, brunch and more.
- Pretty Cool Ice Cream: I have never been, but this is at the top of my to do list. They have multiple dairy free options and I have heard nothing but great things.
- Wheat’s End Cafe: amazing gluten free brunch, but it is takeout only. Many dairy free/vegan options as well.
- XO Marshmallow: entirely gluten free with many dairy free options. They make marshmallows, hot cocoa, s’mores and other sweet treats! Highly recommend.
- 1776: 100% gluten free food in Crystal Lake, IL. Upscale dining environment. The bar does have drinks that contain gluten.
Gluten Free Bakeries
- Baby Doll Bakery: their gluten free shop also specializes in paleo, keto, sugar free, low carb, vegan and dairy free options. I have never been but they seem to have great options! Located in Wheaton, IL.
- Betty Bot Bakery: gluten free and vegan bakery, items are sold at various events and locations around Chicago
- beLIGHTful Bakery: gluten free and vegan bakery. They don’t have a storefront, but you can order in advance and pickup at Khepri Cafe. The pop tarts are my favorite!
- Dalton’s Cakes: This is a bakery in the Grayslake, IL. Their cakes are quite tasty. Many dairy free/vegan options as well.
- Defloured (see “top ton” above)
- Eye Candy Bake Shop: this is a gluten free bakery in Geneva, IL. I’ve never been, but it’s on my wish list to visit. They have great reviews and everything looks amazing.
- Ingrained: plant-based, gluten free and refined sugar free spot. They make super yummy treats.
- Lia P Gluten Free: this gluten free bakery is located in Lemont, IL. They have some dairy free options, but if you call in advance they are willing to work around any dietary restrictions. Their bread is used at Rustic Knead which is a yummy sandwich shop next door.
- Mindful Baking: along with a cafe, they have a bakery you can pre-order cakes and other treats from. 100% gluten free & vegan.
- Rosie’s Gluten Free Sweets: this is a bakery in Crystal Lake, IL. Most options are also dairy free. Their desserts are delicious and you really cannot tell that they’re gluten free! Great prices too.
- Swedish Girl Bakery: located in Willowbrook, IL. They are 100% gluten free and nut free, and also have dairy free and vegan options. The desserts look beautiful and I can’t wait to visit.
- Sweet Ali’s Gluten Free Bakery: they are located in Hinsdale, IL. Their baked goods are very good, I definitely need to try more.
- Sweet Calibri: raw, vegan, gluten free, and refined sugar free bakery. Their cakes are almost too pretty to eat. Located in Fox Lake, IL.
Vegan Restaurants
- Alice & Friends’ Vegan Kitchen: yummy vegan food with a variety of offerings. They have gluten free options marked on the menu.
- Bloom Plant Based Kitchen (see “100% gluten free spots” above)
- Kale My Name (see “top ten” above)
- Mindful Baking Cafe (see “100% gluten free spots” above)
- Sprit Elephant & Elephant + Vine (see “top ten” above)
- Vaca’s Creamery (see “top ten” above)
Cafes
- Mindful Baking Cafe (see “100% gluten free spots” above)
- Moonwalker Cafe: they can make almost every sandwich gluten free and dairy free. Uses brand “OMG It’s Gluten Free”. They really care about the quality of offerings, absolutely delish!
- October Cafe: themed cafe offering a bunch of gluten free options, including baked goods from Defloured. They offer dairy free/vegan options too. Drinks are creative and yummy.
- Oromo Cafe: multiple locations offering gluten free baked goods and drinks. Lots of dairy free/vegan options as well.
- Smack Dab: this is a restaurant, but they offer great coffee drinks, baked goods and breakfast sandwiches that can be made gluten free, vegan, etc.
There are even more options on the map so be sure to really explore it. If you want more lists on here to help break down the map, let me know! Any places I should check out? Comment below. Thanks for using my Gluten Free Chicago Food Guide.
Follow and Tag me on Social Media @LivWellEatWell
Deb
This is beyond amazing. What else can we do during these crazy times but eat. I say road trip. Bringing a cooler. Thank you for putting this together.
livwelleatwell
love it! hope you enjoy!
Patty
I love this. We won’t be to Chicago anytime soon….But the share and the food…..Awwww, beautiful 😍
livwelleatwell
thanks so much! There are some suggestions in the suburbs too!
Charlene
This is perfect! I’m in Chicago too so I’m always looking for food suggestions. I’ve transitioned to the vegan lifestyle so I am on the search for restaurants where I’m not left eating frencg fries lol. Love your blog template!
livwelleatwell
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy some of the vegan options I provided 🙂 Kale My Name is my personal fave!
Debra Guzzardo
This is great. I love the new adds. Thank you