Minneapolis Gluten-Free Restaurants I Trust (Where I Eat Safely with Celiac Disease)
Minneapolis gluten-free restaurants where I’ve eaten safely with Celiac disease, including what I order and tips for eating out gluten-free.
I’ve eaten at every one of these spots safely.
Why I Trust Minneapolis Gluten-Free Restaurants
Before I moved to Minneapolis for college, I spent my childhood vacations coming to the Twin Cities, and food was always a highlight. Whether it was fajitas at Chi Chi’s or the times we got to visit Minnesota’s famous and historic Chinese restaurant, Nankin, amid what felt like skyscrapers to my 8-year-old self.
At home, we ate a lot of meat-and-potato meals that I did enjoy, but sitting in a restaurant eating Mexican or Chinese food felt like stepping into another world, because it was. Eating out became one of the first ways I learned about people, places, and stories that were different from my own.
I moved to Minneapolis when I was 18 and have never lived anywhere else. This is my home, and I’ve spent decades exploring its food scene from neighborhood spots to special-occasion tables.
That early sense of discovery stuck with me. When I later learned I had Celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that requires strict gluten avoidance, it made me determined to keep finding cuisines that are naturally gluten-free and kitchens willing to adjust. Eating at these restaurants is truly a treat. If you’re traveling or planning a special night out, I hope this list becomes your guide. If you’re navigating this like me, these are all places I’ve eaten and never been sick. Mwah.
My Favorite Minneapolis Gluten-Free Restaurants
Minneapolis has one of the strongest food scenes in the Midwest, and thankfully, that includes these very thoughtful gluten-free options. Most of the restaurants below are sit-down spots where we make reservations ahead of time, especially for special occasions, but you can often snag a seat at the bar, so don’t count them out for a last-minute opportunity.
If you’re looking for more casual gluten-free options like burgers, pizza (me, always!), and bowls, you can jump to my casual Minneapolis gluten-free restaurants section.
Colita
- WHY I LOVE IT: Oaxacan-inspired interior Mexican food that’s special-occasion worthy and completely gluten-free.
- WHAT I ORDER MOST OFTEN: To start, we love the crispy masa chips with guacamole + bean hummus + peanuts. I always have to have the shrimp tacos with fried jalapeños as one of the options on our table. And dessert isn’t a must for me when eating out, but it is here, and it’s always the churros with whipped cinnamon cream and dulce de leche sauce.
- GLUTEN-FREE NOTES: The entire menu is safe, so there’s no need for modifications or food anxiety. What a gift!
- BEST FOR: Celebrations, anniversaries, and relaxed date nights where you want complete freedom.
Colita is a 100% gluten-free Minneapolis favorite for special occasions, and a place where you can order freely with total confidence. If a table isn’t available, takeout is a great option, and the bar or patio (weather permitting) often has walk-in availability. Pssst. I send everyone here, or I take them myself!
Mara
- WHY I LOVE IT: Elevated Mediterranean food that feels familiar and comforting, is done exceptionally well, and from a team that takes gluten-free dining very seriously.
- WHAT I ORDER MOST OFTEN: The freshly whipped hummus topped with crispy chickpeas, any of the seasonal seafood dishes, or the grilled chicken with sweet potatoes. I never order pork chops, but I did here recently, and it was so tender and perfect I’m going to need a repeat. Let the server order their favorite dessert for you, it’s been different and fantastic every time. Also, have them pair a wine for you. Their sommelier and well-versed servers know how to give a first-class food-and-wine experience without pretension or condescension.
- GLUTEN-FREE NOTES: Every time I share that I have Celiac disease, the staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and reassuring. When they actually said to me, “We’ll take really good care of you,” it wasn’t just comforting words. It’s been true every time.
- BEST FOR: Celebrations, special dinners, and nights when you want a full food experience from beginning to end.
Mara is one of the most special dining experiences in Minneapolis. The food is approachable and recognizable, but everything is executed with extra care and intention, from the hummus to the main dishes and desserts. I’ve always felt genuinely looked after here as someone with Celiac disease, and the combination of excellent food, incredible service from host to server, and ease makes this a place I trust completely and think about often.
Spoon & Stable
- WHY I LOVE IT: A classic Minneapolis restaurant that feels refined but welcoming, with thoughtful gluten-free accommodations and food that consistently delivers.
- WHAT I ORDER MOST OFTEN: Fries, oysters, creamed spinach with cheese curds, and always a gluten-free pasta. For brunch, you’ll want a plate from every course listed, and for sure the hash browns. Even if you don’t order dessert, they bring thoughtful treats from beginning to end. Everything here feels purposeful, like Mara, and guess what? Same owner, Gavin Kaysen!
- GLUTEN-FREE NOTES: I always double-check the fryer precautions and any changes (at every place I eat), but the kitchen and staff here are so knowledgeable and careful.
- BEST FOR: Brunch reservations (the gluten-free banana bread for brunch is incredible and made in a compostable loaf pan), special dinners, even if you snag a bar seat, celebrating milestones, or sharing a truly memorable food experience with friends.
Spoon & Stable is one of the most well-known restaurants in the city, and for good reason. Chef-owner Gavin Kaysen has earned multiple honors from the James Beard Foundation, and that consistency shows in every part of the experience. What keeps me coming back is the combination of exceptional food, attentive service at both the table and the bar, and the care they take with gluten-free diners. Chef Kaysen has shared that he lives with Celiac disease, and while it is not something he speaks about often publicly, that awareness shows up quietly in the way the kitchen here and at Mara checks details and takes care behind the scenes.
Oro by Nixta
- WHY I LOVE IT: This is authentic Mexican food rooted in tradition and built around handmade tortillas that are genuinely unlike any others in Minneapolis.
- WHAT I ORDER MOST OFTEN: The squash quesadilla, birria, and anything made from their tortillas or masa. I gravitate toward the verde-style salsas and sauces, too.
- GLUTEN-FREE NOTES: Corn is at the center of everything here and again, 100% gluten-free. The tortillas are made from nixtamalized heirloom corn, and the staff (including the bartender) is knowledgeable about gluten-free options and other dietary needs.
- BEST FOR: Early dinner or bar seating without a reservation, date nights, and anytime you want a margarita or a unique Mexican cocktail. Shout out to the friendly bartender who both teaches us and gives us a taste.
Oro by Nixta has been a favorite since the pandemic, when we first discovered their tortillas through their original takeout-only kitchen. Every Friday night, we would order their weekly family meals religiously and even served their tostadas and salsas at my daughter’s high school graduation party. Currently, they have Taco Tuesday Meal Kits back up and available, so sign up for next week!
The Oro tortillas are made from scratch using nixtamalized heirloom corn. Once you’ve had the real deal, it’s hard to go back to any other tortilla. Eating here feels both familiar and transporting all at once. We love sitting at the bar when we are making last-minute plans. You can often get a seat there and enjoy the food and drinks without a reservation.
Hola Arepa
- WHY I LOVE IT: Casual, creative, and reliably good food meant to be shared, and a space that’s always changing in a way that’s festive and a little over the top in the best way. It’s the place we go most often because it’s easy to find a table or bar spot, no matter the time or what I’m wearing.
- WHAT I ORDER MOST OFTEN: An Embarrassment of Mangoes drink on happy hour and regular menu, a bag of the super-thin crispy chips with their house-made verde and red salsas, and small plates to share. We love the beef plantain appetizer when it’s on the menu, black bean empanadas, crispy sweet potatoes, and whatever they’re experimenting with in the salad section. If we do order an arepa with a side of yuca, it’s the sweet potato and black bean or the Cuban, though they’re definitely a beast to cut in half—pass the napkins. For brunch, we love sharing the fried chicken & cachapa with an extra corn pancake (the jalapeño maple syrup drenching everything), and sometimes the chilaquiles with pork or a side of hash brown coins (better than childhood TJs) with aioli verde or chimichurri.
- GLUTEN-FREE NOTES: Hola Arepa has a gluten-free kitchen, which makes it an easy and comfortable choice. They serve beer, but that is it for gluten in the house. I’ve always felt confident ordering here.
- BEST FOR: Last-minute date nights, bar seating, casual dinners, brunch, and patio meals in warmer months.
Hola Arepa is one of those places that has quietly woven itself into our relationships and family history. We usually sit at the bar because it’s more comfortable than the close-set two-top tables, though we’ll grab a table or the patio when the weather is lovely. They are constantly riffing on décor, holidays, and themes, batch cocktails and drink menus to match, and trying new sides on their menus while keeping what they do well, like arepas and sauces.
During the pandemic, Hola Arepa was a lifeline as well. We’d pick up food on a Saturday, park by a lake, eat it fresh in the car, or bring it home to share with the kids over a movie. There was a brief moment when they experimented with adding a gluten-based sandwich to the menu, which caused me to panic proportionally, but it didn’t stick. Today, it remains a gluten-free space we trust and love to pop into!
Hai Hai
- WHY I LOVE IT: Creative Vietnamese-inspired food, excellent drinks, and a menu that feels fun and adventurous. The chefs and kitchen staff have given great attention to how they create this menu and experience. There is something for everyone, including fantastic kids’ meals.
- WHAT I ORDER MOST OFTEN: The crepe with pork belly and shrimp or the Balinese chicken thigh with coconut rice. Tim usually goes for the crispy red curry rice salad because he loves the heat. (Watch out for those tiny red peppers!) We always start with the spring rolls made GF to order, and we always scan the menu to see what new dish they’re experimenting with.
- GLUTEN-FREE NOTES: While Hai Hai does cook with some gluten, the menu is clearly marked, and the communication is excellent. Dishes arrive labeled “gluten-free” for takeout, or are verbally confirmed as gluten-free at the table. They have a separate fryer, thoughtful substitutions and options, and very few items that feel risky.
- BEST FOR: Takeout nights, a fun bar seat in Northeast Minneapolis, or a relaxed dinner when you want bold flavors and strong confidence that your dietary needs will be handled in real time.
We probably order Hai Hai takeout more than we eat in, mostly because we fell in love with it during the pandemic and still sometimes love a reason to stay home without cooking. Dining in is just as good, but it can be a touch noisy and hard to converse here. (Multiple times I’ve almost lost my voice there when eating out in a group.) Food-wise, this is one of those rare places where the takeout experience feels just as intentional as dining in, like the crisp bundle of basil, mint, and cilantro that comes with my crepes. If you’re gluten-free and want all the flavors, Hai Hai consistently delivers.
If some of this feels familiar in the best way, it’s not a coincidence. Hai Hai shares ownership with Hola Arepa, a favorite already on this list above, and while the cuisine and vibe are different, the care behind the scenes is the same.
Bûcheron: (A French Restaurant I Had to Mention)
This was a new experience for me, but it left such an impression that I couldn’t leave it off the list. I’ve only eaten at Bûcheron once, and I can’t wait to go back. There is gluten in the kitchen, so it’s not without risk, but the way they handled my needs made me feel genuinely cared for.
When I shared that I have Celiac disease, one of the owners came out to speak with me personally. She was honest about the kitchen containing gluten, but also thoughtful about how they would handle my meal, saying, “We will do everything we can, and we take gluten-free very seriously.” That combination of transparency and care gave me enough confidence to try it. We enjoyed everything they made for us, and I went away feeling great.
If you go without a reservation, my tip is to arrive right when they open, as we did. We could have had a good bar seat without too much of a wait, but instead, we caught a cancellation, and they gave us a table. Be upfront about your gluten-free needs, ask questions, and if you’re comfortable with a small amount of risk, the food is outstanding.
Casual Minneapolis Gluten-Free Restaurants We Return to Often
GF Day-to-Day Favorites
- Le Burger – Counter service, great burgers, and delicious gluten-free buns. They have a separate gluten-free fryer for pommes frites (with le sauce of aioli dreams), and the ordering process is smooth even when it’s busy. Get the crudite and house ranch sauce to start and the vegan chocolate ice cream to finish, if you ask me. I always appreciate it when restaurants clearly mark gluten-free orders with stickers or verbally. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
- Pizza Lucé – When I travel and can’t find a safe pizza spot or delivery, I realize how lucky we are in Minnesota. Pizza Lucé has multiple locations with my favorite food on earth, and I eat here without hesitation. Their gluten-free, Celiac-safe kitchen protocol (separate prep area and protocol) is solid, and I’ve eaten here for years without getting sick. And most often we order The Lucé or the Pizza Athena with Chicken.
- Brasa – This American Creole spot is mostly a takeout go-to for us, and one we’ve relied on for years. The menu is largely gluten-free, except for the cornbread, mac-n-cheese, and sandwich bread, so it’s not 100%. I’ve always eaten safely here, or it wouldn’t be on my list. You build your plate from comfort meats and sides like rotisserie chicken, carnitas, fried catfish, rice, beans, yuca, yams, spinach, guacamole, homemade chips, and their signature creamy green sauce (which is basically drinkable). I love their pork and over-easy egg bowl so much that I recreated it at home.
- If you’re looking for a dedicated gluten-free bakery in Minneapolis, we have a bunch. I’ve rounded up all of my favorites in this separate Minneapolis gluten-free bakery guide.
If you’re gluten-free or navigating Celiac disease while eating out or traveling, these are the questions I get asked most often and apply to more than just living in Minnesota.
FAQs: Eating Out Gluten-Free in Minneapolis
If eating gluten-free in Minneapolis (or anywhere) still feels overwhelming, I put together a simple starter checklist I use myself and with clients. It covers pantry basics, common products with hidden gluten, and a steady place to start without trying to do everything at once.
Get My Gluten-Free Starter Checklist
I’ll help you keep eating with confidence.
Have a Minneapolis gluten-free restaurant you trust? Email me through my email list or leave a comment — I update this guide regularly.
And if you want more gluten-free support beyond eating out, grab my starter checklist above.
Last Updated on February 15, 2026 by Heather Bursch
Vinai is amazing in dealing with celiac safe. Eaten there twice and servers are knowledgeable and will triple check, while also noting allergies to the chef. Bar La Grassa feels like it shouldn’t be on the list at all, give it’s known for homemade pasta, but they make a celiac-safe homemade quinoa noodle that’s amazing. Brim for fast-casual is 100% GF. Wok in the Park in SLP is super knowledgeable and all labeled (no GF fryer but they’re aware and will tell you of any risks). Martina in Linden Hills is great about celiac safe, as is Sanjusan in the North Loop (their pizza isn’t safe but they’re aware have great GF pasta!). Big Bowl labeled everything and has a separate GF menu, even on apps like DoorDash, servers are very knowledgeable and they’ll make a lot of accommodations. Book Club and Barbette are both very celiac aware—and usually their fryer is dedicated GF! Centro has some glitches in their ordering system but everything is labeled and you can select if you have an allergy when ordering online (or in person—they still do a QR code menu)—just ask for celiac safe tortilla chips!
Thanks, Nicolle! I love that you added more, especially since a few of your spots I’ve only been to once. We really are lucky to have so many great GF options in our city. Bar La Grassa has been a good one for us too. I always double check their pasta protocol (separate water) since there is plenty of gluten in the kitchen, but we have had great experiences there overall. It is such a fun bar seat night out because you can usually walk in and grab a comfortable spot. Vinai was wonderful on our first visit. The second time felt a little less seamless for us, which is why I didn’t include it yet. That is the tricky thing about celiac dining, right? Even strong restaurants can vary depending on the night and staff. I will definitely go back, and if it feels consistent, I would love to add it down the road. (Note: Vinai is Seafood heavy which I love, but just an fyi for anyone reading!) Martina is beautiful and very thoughtful about allergies. Completely agree. Same ownership as Colita. It is a bit more high end prices for food and drink, similar to Mara and Spoon and Stable, and I’ve only been here once. I want to go back now that you mention it. Putting it on the birthday list now for someone around here! No matter how many times I’ve been somewhere, I ask questions, double check that nothing has changed with what I’m ordering, and go with what feels safe for me with all the interactions. I love hearing where others feel confident dining out too. Thanks for sharing! 😍