How to Easily Find Gluten-Free Restaurants Near You

The Challenges of Finding Gluten-Free Restaurants

Finding gluten free dining options can be tough. Gluten free diners face a lot of challenges when it comes to eating out that our gluten-eating counterparts don’t always understand. Common challenges include:

Limited menu options is a big challenge, because it automatically limits which restaurants are even an option. You don’t have the luxury of simply pulling into the closest restaurant because they may not even offer any gluten free items. Variety can and quality can also be very limited.

Risk of cross contamination is probably the biggest challenge for dining out gluten free. This is what happens when gluten particles from wheat, barley, or rye come into contact with gluten-free foods during preparation or cooking. It means food that would otherwise be gluten free becomes unsafe for consumption.

Lack of awareness among staff makes the risk of cross contact far worse and unfortunately is something that is quite common in restaurants. Many people don’t know that there can be serious consequences to using contaminated equipment or surfaces to prepare food.

Lack of reviews is another challenge for finding the best gluten free dining. There isn’t always a lot of information available to see what real people’s experiences have been, how the food tasted and if they found the restaurant safe.

Tips for Finding Gluten-Free Restaurants

While there are many challenges to finding the best gluten free dining, we’ve got some helpful tips for easily finding gluten-free restaurants near you. Dining out gluten free doesn’t mean you can’t have tasty, simple and safe options, it simply means you have to know how to find them!

1. Use Dedicated Apps and Websites

Dedicated apps and websites for the best gluten free restaurants are a lifeline for eating out. They’ve already done the research and compiled the relevant information for you, saving you loads of time. 

If you’re looking for an app, you are definitely going to want to download our favorite, which is the Gluten Free Eats Map. It’s a collection of over 500 gluten free restaurants from around the world compiled by gluten free diners, dieticians and celiac experts.

This app allows you to:

• Filter by safety level - Restaurants, bakeries and cafes are organized by their level of celiac awareness and gluten-free options.
• Review vetted information about each restaurant’s celiac accommodations, how they avoid cross-contamination, and their gluten-free menu items.
• Search by location - instantly discover what’s close by or available in an area you plan to visit
• Read reviews written by the celiac community for the celiac community

2. Check Online Reviews

Online reviews can be a hugely helpful source of information when you’re looking for the best gluten free dining options. 

Review sites like Yelp and Tripadvisor can be a great resource for finding gluten free reviews. Using keywords like ‘gluten-free’ or ‘celiac friendly’ can help you find restaurants that can potentially accommodate your needs. 

In addition to reading reviews, you can also find ‘Ask the Community’ or Q&A sections where you can read what other people have asked and answered about specific restaurants or ask your own questions. 

The Gluten Free Eats Map includes reviews right in the app! The unique thing about the app reviews is that they are on a platform specifically for gluten free diners, rather than mixed in amongst all the other reviews. 

3. Join Gluten-Free Communities

Social media isn’t just about being social anymore. Online communities and forums are a wealth of information for niche groups, like gluten free diners. Whether you’re looking for recommendations, have questions, or are wondering what other people thought of a specific restaurant or menu item, you’ll get lots of feedback in online communities.

4. Call Ahead

Calling ahead might seem a little inconvenient, but it is going to save you a lot of headaches! The last thing you want to do is show up at a restaurant only to be disappointed. 

Always call ahead to inquire about your specific requirements to ensure the restaurant is capable and equipped to handle your dietary needs. Menus and protocols are always subject to change and you don’t want to find out after it’s too late. If you have the Gluten Free Eats Map the phone number is available for every restaurant and you can even call the restaurant right through the app. 

Best Practices for Gluten-Free Dining Out

Eating out gluten free is challenging but very possible if you know what to do. With a few best practices, you’ll quickly become a pro at finding gluten free restaurants that you can enjoy.

Communicate Clearly:

When it comes to gluten free eating, advocating for yourself is a big part of staying safe. There’s more to it than ordering an item marked gluten free. Always inform the waitstaff of your specific needs in a kind but clear way and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. 

Stay Informed:

Menus, restaurant protocols, management, training, and staff are all subject to change. It’s critical that you stay updated on new gluten-free dining options and changes in restaurant menus. 

Always confirm that the information you’re looking at isn’t outdated and then call the restaurant directly to confirm that what you’ve read is true. Even when you get to the restaurant, double-check that your meal and its preparation suit your needs. 

Trust Your Instincts:

If something doesn't feel right, it usually isn’t. Don’t hesitate to leave if you feel uncomfortable with the restaurant’s gluten-free practices. If you can’t leave, order a gluten free drink and enjoy the company until you can get something safe to eat elsewhere.

For more tips on eating out gluten free, including sample scripts for communicating your needs, check out my full blog post here.

With these helpful tips you’re armed and ready to take on gluten free dining out. Instead of desperately searching for “gluten free restaurants near me”, now you know that a few simple steps and resources will quickly and easily get you exactly what you need!

Websites, online communities and reviews are packed with relevant and helpful information. Calling ahead to communicate your needs and stay informed will ensure that you choose the best place for you.

Download the Gluten Free Eats Map app now for all of the gluten free information you need in one place so you can start exploring (and even enjoying) gluten free dining near you!

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