10 Philly Restaurants Great for Gluten-Free Dining

Fantastic Philly restaurants where you can eat pizza, arepas, and vermicelli platters without having to worry about the wheat situation.

best fried chicken philadelphia spring arts

Prohibition Taproom / Photograph courtesy of Bondfire Media

Dining with gluten allergies and sensitivities can be complicated, and even downright depressing. But, if you know where to look, Philly has plenty of spots where people who are celiac or gluten-avoidant can let loose without worrying about the wheat situation. Find the best ones below.

Gabriella’s VietnamEast Passyunk
Gabriella’s is the type of place where your entire crew could have a gluten-free meal without even realizing it. Gluten-free dishes are clearly marked on the menu, with options including Vietnamese street snacks you won’t find at many other spots in the city, including a vermicelli platter with blood sausage and kumquat, shrimp-and-pork rice cakes that come out in small individual bowls, wok-fried lemongrass tofu, and more.

Prohibition TaproomCallowhill
Every Wednesday starting at 4 p.m., Prohibition Taproom dedicates their fryers to gluten-free items, including their signature GF fried chicken, which is a relief for those who can’t tolerate any cross-contamination. In addition to the chicken, they do gluten-free veggie tempura, chicken-fried eggplant, and fries. A bonus: Prohibition Taproom runs a daily happy hour from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. so you can be gluten-free and drunk at the same time.

P.S. & Co., Rittenhouse Square
P.S. & Co. keeps a completely vegan and gluten-free kitchen, which means you can graze without giving dietary restrictions a second thought. They also offer meal prep assistance for folks looking for at-home cooking support, which includes three meals a day for a full week and options like a quinoa oat waffle, basil and tomato quiche, and pumpkin hummus with crudité.

SazónGirard
Sazón’s Venezuelan food isn’t completely gluten-free, but the menu leans heavily on yucca, corn, and plantains. The team also takes care to protect gluten-free diners by dedicating specific fryers to gluten-free cooking – which means their yuca frita, fried plantains and tostones are all safe. Round out an order with a couple of arepas, a bowl of beef stew, and a brownie. Sazón’s food is available for takeout and delivery every day other than Monday.

Good Luck Pizza Co., Midtown Village
Good Luck Pizza is new to the scene, but it’s made a splash with its excellent gluten-free crust, which is just as fluffy inside and crispy-edged as the gluten options. The crust was developed by food consultant George Sabatino, who tinkered with the recipe for months before he found one he deemed worthy. In a city with a whole lot of pizza, this gluten-free version stands out.

Good Luck Pizza Co.

Good Luck Pizza Co. / Photograph courtesy of Bondfire Media

Front Street Cafe, Fishtown
Sometimes a well-marked menu is the difference between a stressful GF meal and a relaxing one, which is why Front Street Cafe should be your go-to for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Look for huevos rancheros and quinoa oat porridge at breakfast (trust me, it’s not your morning instant oats). In the afternoon, try buffalo cauliflower and green fava falafel, and get the parmesan-crusted eggplant, chicken tenders, and spaghetti squash Alfredo for dinner.

Fox & Son, Center City
Fox & Son Fair Foods in Reading Terminal Market offers a completely gluten-free menu inspired by county fairs: Think corn dogs, cheese curds, Frito pie, and funnel cake. The real star, though, is the selection of fancy corn dogs, which includes perfect monstrosities like a sweet potato-battered corn dog topped with pork chorizo and sour cream. There’s no halo of health happening here, just joy-sparking snacks.

Middle ChildFishtown and Washington Square West
This is Philadelphia, which means everyone gets a hoagie – including our gluten-sensitive brethren. For $2 extra (or $2.50 extra at the Fishtown spot), you can get almost any of MC’s sandwiches on gluten-free bread. And while they do have gluten in the building, the team is sensitive about wiping down kitchen surfaces before constructing your sando to make it as safe as possible.

Mission TaqueriaRittenhouse Square
If you’re looking for a place for gluten-free dining without making a big deal about it to everyone in your group, go to Mission Taqueria. The entire menu – including the churros – is completely gluten-free. It’s easy for Mission to pull this off without a lot of fanfare or questions because their tortillas are made with Oaxacan corn, and everything else is just … delicious.

Okie Dokie DonutsSouth Philly
I need to be honest here: I have had Okie Dokie Donuts a handful of times (they are rudely located right between my house and my gym) and had no idea they were gluten-free until I began working on this story. That should be all you need to know, but if you’re looking for more info, consider that Okie Dokie Donuts rotates their menu regularly to include creative, seasonal flavors like ube-coconut, cafe au lait, and pineapple upside-down cake. In case you’re looking for other GF baked goods, check out Flakely or Taffets.