8 gluten-free restaurants Virginia locals love
Gluten-free fare isn’t hard to find in Virginia if you know where to look. Check out these eight restaurants, including a dedicated bakery and cute cafés.
Living in Virginia means we have easy access to fresh, local food that fuels us just as much as it tastes delectable. Some establishments even take it one step further, becoming one of Virginia’s many restaurants with strong themes that match pristine aesthetics with dishes that you truly won’t find anywhere else. But if you have celiac disease—an autoimmune disease that doesn’t allow you to eat gluten due to it not being digested properly—or simply don’t prefer to eat gluten, you may struggle to know where to look if you want to eat out. And this isn’t a small percentage of people; according to the Celiac Disease Foundation, about 1 in 100 individuals has the disease, despite it commonly going undiagnosed.
Luckily, knowledge of celiac disease has become much more widespread over the last decade, and many restaurants across Virginia have taken note, whether they’re completely dedicated to being gluten-free or offering a good number of gluten-free menu items. Here, we’ve gathered eight gluten-free restaurants that locals really seem to love based on their high Google ratings. As always, though, let your server or cashier know if you’re gluten-free so they can avoid cross-contamination when preparing and serving your items. Without further ado, let’s break down your next favorite gluten-free spot.
1. The Secret Garden Cafe
Address: 404 Mill St, Occoquan Historic District, VA 22125
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
The Secret Garden Cafe feels like a hidden treasure thanks to its elegant, elevated countryside decor and surrounding greenery—truly like a fantastical hub out of an old-school novel. After all, it was constructed in 1840! Its stunning appearance makes it one of Virginia’s many restaurants with breathtaking views, but it’s not just surface-level. The Secret Garden Cafe’s attention to detail extends to its menu, which contains dreamy gluten-free options like Shrimp & Grits that come with a silky Cajun cream sauce.
On Google, The Secret Garden Cafe has a 4.6-star rating, and guests appreciate the restaurant’s commitment to serving folks with varying diets, including vegetarian and gluten-free. “Special veggie and gluten free menu was awesome! All homemade and innovative and really special yummy food,” one pleased reviewer wrote, adding, “Loved my veggies and grit cake. … Can’t wait to come here again!!” Who said gluten-free restaurants couldn’t thrive with a wider audience?
2. Tuscarora Mill
Address: 203 Harrison St SE, Leesburg, VA 20175
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Leesburg’s Tuscarora Mill is another restaurant situated in a fabulous, vintage nineteenth-century building. Locals know it as Tuskie’s, and it’s been mixing high-low experiences for a few decades now. Here, you’ll find fresh ingredients turned into sumptuous bites—and some good wine pairings if you’re into a good sip-and-sample sesh.
A lot of the items at Tuskie’s are naturally gluten-free, so no substitutions are needed, while others can be made gluten-free with simple swaps like a gluten-free bun. Among them are the Honey Goat Cheese Dip, Moroccan Chicken, House Made Pastrami Reuben, and Blackened Fish Tacos. “Gluten free menu! … The service and the food was great. Everyone loved their food. I highly [recommend … eating] here, we’ll be back for sure,” one reviewer shared on Google, where Tuscarora Mill has a 4.6-star rating.
3. Burtons Grill & Bar
Address: 3520 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Burtons Grill & Bar has four locations in Virginia, but we’re honing in on the Richmond restaurant because of its sparkling 4.7-star Google rating. Diners really love the down-home vibe you get at Burtons, and the delicious gluten-free options are a perfect cherry on top. In fact, Burtons has a dedicated gluten-free menu that goes beyond a couple of sad swaps from its main menu; no, it’s several pages long and includes gluten-free items like pastas that many restaurants overlook. Fancy a Burtons Lobster Roll? How about its Chicken Milanese Alfredo or California Chicken Sandwich? You can get these and more without dealing with debilitating gastrointestinal upset.
Burtons’ 4.7-star rating comes with many glowing reviews, partially thanks to it sitting among the greats of gluten-free restaurants. “Absolutely fantastic restaurant,” wrote one, who added, “My partner has celiac and they have a full gluten free menu. We go at least once a month. I highly recommend for ANYONE!” We’re thoroughly convinced!
4. Kickshaws Gluten-Free Bakery
Address: 1511 Central Park Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Hours: Monday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
We’ve seen savory dishes galore so far, but if you’re in the Fredericksburg area and looking for a gluten-free sweet treat, we’ve got just the haven for you: Kickshaws Gluten-free Bakery. From brownies to full wedding cakes, Kickshaws has it all, including savory gluten-free bakes like perfectly bouncy bagels. If there weren’t enough, Kickshaws pours up a mean latte thanks to its full-service coffee bar, and everything in the establishment is free of dairy, nuts, soy, sesame, and other common allergens in addition to gluten. It’s undoubtedly one of the state’s best gluten-free restaurants.
Coming in at 4.6, Kickshaws’ Google rating reflects its high quality and earnest mission to serve allergen-friendly foods that taste amazing to its community—and the people love it. “We tried brownies, cup cakes and cinnamon rolls. Everything was amazing and everyone there was so friendly! Prices are great for allergy friendly food,” one reviewer shared. What a testament to the power of feeding everyone regardless of dietary restrictions!
5. A Bowl of Good
Address: 831 Mt Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sometimes, you just need a hug in the form of nourishing, comforting food, and folks in Harrisonburg know they can always count on A Bowl of Good to provide it for them. The bowls here come with pasta, rice, rich proteins, and fresh veggies, but folks following a gluten-free diet have several distinct options (at least seven that we can count on the restaurant’s menu). The Red, White, and Moo Bowl (a two-bean chili dish), the Bangkok Bowl (rice and chicken or tofu with a peanut sauce), and the Bada Bun (rice noodles served with nuoc mam sauce, crunchy veggies, and chicken or tofu) are just a few of the tasty meals you can eat here.
On Google, A Bowl of Good has a sensational 4.7-star rating. Reviewers note that they appreciate the variety of bowls offered, as well as the freshness and deliciousness of each. “Delicious and guiltless! … The staff were capable about accommodating dairy-free needs and the Bangkok Bowl with tofu made me happy about my life choices,” one reviewer wrote. We’ll take extra tofu on ours—yum!
6. The Grapevine
Address: 11055 Three Chopt Rd, Richmond, VA 23233
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Gluten-free restaurants can offer a wider variety than people often think. The Grapevine is Richmond’s resident Greek-Italian restaurant that combines an upscale setting and exquisite food with affordable prices. This is another restaurant where one might assume they wouldn’t be able to find many gluten-free options, but The Grapevine pulls through with many allergen-friendly offerings thanks to using gluten-free pastas. For instance, the Chicken Marsala is served with gluten-free penne. Still, other dishes, like the Grecian Style Tilapia, are naturally gluten-free without big swaps.
Like many other establishments on this list, The Grapevine has a 4.7-star Google rating, putting it in very good company. And it’s earned this reputation earnestly, with chef-owner Mike running the joint and retaining loyal customers since 1993. “Amazing gluten free pasta AND cake! I had the chicken and artichoke dish with white wine sauce after a looong day of travel, and it was beyond anything I’d expected,” one customer wrote of the restaurant. “This local gem will be my first stop if I’m ever driving through again!”
7. Sunnyside Café & Restaurant
Address: 508 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Our journey through some of the state’s best gluten-free options hadn’t yet brought us to Virginia Beach, but that had to change because Sunnyside Cafe & Restaurant brings allergen-friendly fare to the breakfast plate in ways many restaurants hesitate to. Yes, making gluten-free pancakes and waffles, for instance, is more challenging—gluten is a protein that helps hold batters together, so those that don’t use it can struggle with texture and structural support—but it’s certainly not impossible. And that’s where Sunnyside Cafe shines.
Flipping pancakes since 2011, this restaurant has served countless gluten-free meals, and it’s all thanks to its accommodating menu. You’ll find many egg-based and Greek yogurt-based dishes that gluten-sensitive folks can enjoy, as well as gluten-free pancakes, waffles, and bread. “This place has really good gluten free waffles and reubens. Yum,” one reviewer shared on Google, where the restaurant has a 4.4-star rating. Moreover, they warned that this is a touristy spot, so you may want to dine here at non-peak times in the summer.
8. Bottoms Up Pizza
Address: 1700 Dock St, Richmond, VA 23223
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Bottoms Up Pizza serves some of the best pies in Richmond, but for a long time, those with gluten allergies couldn’t indulge in its creations. However, that’s all changed now, thanks to the parlor adopting a gluten-free pizza crust that can rival any traditional pie base. And no, it’s not cauliflower-based, which would likely result in a soggy result. According to the restaurant’s website, the gluten-free crust is formed from a combination of brown rice flour, potato starch, sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and potato flour. This mixture gets you as close as possible to the texture and taste of a traditional crust, and it holds up well to boot. With a base like this being not only possible but also very tasty, more gluten-free restaurants have no excuse for not serving allergen-friendly pizzas!
The gluten-free crust at Bottoms Up Pizza opens up a whole world of possibilities, and folks are loving it. “The pizza was excellent and the server was fantastic! We got the gluten free crust and it was one of the best I’ve had,” one thrilled reviewer wrote in their review. Perhaps this is why the restaurant holds a 4.4-star rating from thousands of reviews!
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