Gluten / dairy free restaurant options?
My sister is coming to visit from out of state along with her 3 kids, all of whom are severely allergic to gluten and dairy. They love all Asian foods and will try anything, but I’m wondering if anyone has recommendations for restaurants that can definitely do gluten-free & dairy-free food. The soy sauce (which contains wheat) is generally the big trigger at Asian places. We’ll be mostly in north Oakland (where I live) and San Francisco (for tourist stuff) so would love recommendations for either side of the bay. Thank you!
Oct 14, 2018
Parent Replies
Sanctuary Bistro, 1019 Camellia St, off of Gilman in Berkeley, is completely dairy free and gluten-free (it is also vegan). One of my favorite restaurants. If you’re willing to go vegan you can also look for restaurant listings using the app HappyCow. It lists vegetarian and vegan restaurants and I find it very helpful and reliable. It’s not unusual for vegan restaurants to be a little more thoughtful about gluten free Items. Good luck!
Here are some recs!
Cholita Linda (just get stuff without cheese and crema)
The Star has a great gf pizza and they have df cheese. You can customize your own pizza and make it df/gf.
Burma Superstar (just choose what they can eat from the menu)
Pretty much any Vietnamese restaurant and just be careful about dishes w soy sauce.
Homeroom has gf pasta and df cheese
Mariposa, Timeless Coffee and James and the Giant Cupcake for sweets. There’s also Wholesome Bakery in SF.
Sanctuary Bistro in Berkeley near the REI is 100% gluten-free and vegan. Delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, brunch and dinner that even those without dietary restrictions like. Lots of the food is nut-based, so if nut allergies are an issue, it's not a good choice. Mariposa Bakery on Telegraph in Oakland is 100% gluten-free and also has some dairy free items -- it is both a bakery and cafe, and everything is labeled for allergens so you can figure out what is safe to eat. Royal Rangoon Burmese restaurant on Telegraph in Oakland has some gluten-free items. The last time I was at Renee's Place on Solano Ave (Berkeley/Albany) (Chinese food), they were able to make some dishes gluten-free. Delhi Diner is an Indian place on Solano Ave that has some gluten free and vegan dishes. And if you're looking for sweet treats, James and the Giant Cupcake on San Pablo near Alcatraz in Oakland has one or two gluten-free/vegan cupcakes and mini cupcakes every day. Mr. Dewey's on Solano in Albany is a cashew-based dairy -free ice-cream shop. They have a few flavors that have gluten, but most are gluten-free. If your touristy stuff takes you to Napa, Oxbow Market has a number of gluten-free options, though I'm not sure how many are also dairy free. Hope you all have a great time together!
Sanctuary Bistro in Berkeley is delicious! All vegan and gluten free. Millenium may also have good options.
Gluten-free, dairy-free is available in our area.
(1) Kitava at 16th & Mission in SF is a casual Paleo restaurant and very good. They have a General Tso's chicken that is excellent.
(2) Asian Box has a few locations: 1 in SF (Marina area) and the rest in the Peninsula/South Bay. It is the cuisine they love and entirely GF.
(3) Picante in Berkeley has a clearly labeled menu. I've eaten safely there many times.
(4) Pica Pica is in the Mission and is Venezuelan cuisine, entirely GF
(5) There is a take-out place in Elmwood area of Berkeley (right next to Summer Kitchen) but the name is escaping me at the moment. Great salads, grab and go.
(6) Most sushi restaurants have Tamari (soy sauce minus the wheat) if you ask for it. Tastes exactly the same as regular soy sauce.
That's all I can think of right now. If you or your sister want to email me, you are welcome to.
--Sharon, Gluten-free for 5 years, dairy-free for 3
I believe Burma Superstar could accommodate. Two Mammas Vegan for brunch/lunch Thurs-Sun.
Try Mission Heirloom in the Gourmet Ghetto.
http://www.missionheirloom.com/
Potala Restaurant on San Pablo in Albany across from the "new" Sprouts is macrobiotic so not only gluten/dairy free but also vegan. I always go there when I'm in need of a nourishing and healthy meal.
Also, try Three-Stone Hearth on University near Sacramento in Berkeley. It's basically high quality take-out and they carry gluten/dairy-free food as well as organic dairy and meat options I use their stews and soups as a base for multiple meals. Their personal body-care products are wonderful as well.