Top 18 Gluten-Free American Spots to Dine in Charleston

Kristine O'Brien

What a delicious meal!

Amber Easterling

This is always one of my favorite places to visit in Charleston! They have a large gluten-free menu and take any allergies very seriously! The food is always amazing! Lunch or dinner, it’s always so good!

Peyton Marge

These guys are great! They get all new knives, cutting boards, and gloves to accommodate celiac and are very knowledgeable. Can’t recommend enough!

Philip Mager

Great sandwiches. Great atmosphere. Gluten free options are fantastic. Super friendly and helpful staff.

Amber Easterling

A lovely restaurant with a lovely atmosphere. We went for brunch and there were a few GF options on the menu. I was a little taken back that the chef was unwilling to modify a dish by substituting chicken for shrimp. I ended up with a salad and added chicken to it. My husband’s food came out cold with a film over it. I’ve heard such great things about this restaurant, so was a little disappointed. Maybe it was just an off day.

Crystal Coney

Amazing Gluten Free pancakes! Always pop in when I'm in town! 🫶🏽

Amber Easterling

I was there for brunch, which is a little more difficult for GF options than dinner. No pancakes, no biscuits, no gravy, no fried chicken. They can modify some of the menu items to be GF. I got the short rib dirty rice with fried egg bc it didn’t need to be modified. The deviled eggs were amazing. I will say that they do want to accommodate wherever they can, but it is difficult with the breaded and fried items. I will go back for dinner some time though.

Danielle Dyer

This was our 2nd time here... We went for my birthday and truly enjoyed it again!! Our sever Molly was beyond fantastic!! She truly made my birthday so special!! The food was delicious! We had the she crab soup, calamari, loaded mash potatoes and the Ribeye!! All gluten free!!!!! And when we told Molly we just couldn't eat anymore she was so sweet and brought me some strawberries and whipped cream with a candle so I could make my birthday wish ❤️❤️❤️ which is so important to me ☺️☺️☺️ We truly recommend everything about high cotton!!

Amber Easterling

A must for breakfast or brunch! They have a gluten friendly menu if you ask. They have a dedicated cooking space and fryer for GF food and they offer GF bread for burgers/sandwiches. The French toast is amazing!!

Isabella Perez (Bella)

I ordered the fried bologna sandwich on gluten free bread. The gf bread was good. The quality of the food was delicious, although everything is overpriced given sides are à la carte. I got the home fries as a side, and the portion size is very small for what you get. With the price, lack of quantity, and lack of gluten free options, I wouldn’t recommend. Menu items say cornmeal, but they also use flour, so not gluten free…disappointing.

Julie Slack

Dietary accommodations

M.R. Munoz

Great wine list and variety of craft beers. A wide variety of dishes available with creative flavor combinations. Local seafood and fish. Gluten free options clearly labeled on the menu. Highly recommend if you visit the Charleston area. Note— beer and wine only. No liquor due to proximity to high school.

Katie Marino

We went for our anniversary. Our server Lexi was great & all of the staff were very friendly & attentive! Ordered the Pirlou & so glad we did. They were great with my gluten allergy & even had chocolate flourless cake.

Heather Brown

Always a fabulous meal. Lots of gluten free options, and they’re clearly marked on the menu. The dishes are continually changing, and I love that they update the menu for the day on their website by noon. It’s a very homey and relaxed atmosphere. It’s small enough that you don’t feel crowded and you don’t have to yell to the others at the table to converse. We’ve been several times, and will definitely continue to go.

Meg Manley

Fabulous meal, with lots of choices for everyone in the family - this included a very picky eater and someone with celiac (great burgers on GF buns!)

Shawna Brown

I was in town with a dear friend for a conference, and got to celebrate her birthday with dinner. I called the day of to see if they could make her feel special. The hostess offered a slice of cake while being sung happy birthday. I told her my friend is gluten-free and wouldn't love being sung to. Sylvie got on the phone and told me they have a gluten-free dessert, agreed to put flowers on her table, and told me the manager (Brian) would make her feel special. Boy, did they exceed my expectations! When we checked in, they immediately catered to us. Brian was waiting at the hostess stand and introduced us to our server (Andrew). We had a lovely table by the window facing the park' including a small but classy vase of flowers. The water in the vase had a tinge of green, making me think they were originally used elsewhere in the hotel. LO V E multi-purpose ingenuity! Avoided extra cost to me (and them) while meaning so much to us! The ambiance is elegant yet simple. The piano player was great! Live piano was a plus! The room wasn't too loud, could still enjoy him. Noise level wasn't distracting. Andrew was knowledgeable about the menu, covertly attentive, and very courteous. The restaurant offers a good variety of gluten-free options (clearly marked on the menu). We finished dinner, I caught Andrew's attention, and he surprised my friend with a candle in a piece of gluten-free chocolate cake. Delightful. The experience was one of the best I've had (and I am no stranger to fine dining). Oh yea, and the food was to die for 😅 ( we shared a pear salad, she got the salmon, and I enjoyed the braised short rib pasta). To the staff: You all were phenomenal. I'm sure many deserve thanks, but specifically Sylvie, Brian, and Andrew. You all helped my friend feel very special. I can easily say that was the best dining experience I've had. Sure, I enjoyed the food, but I've never had anyone coordinate with such care and attentiveness. Thank you.

Andy Tam

We came for breakfast and tried a bit of everything. Honestly, we were not impressed with the food or the coffee. It was really good that gluten free bread was availble as one of us was gluten intorleant, so that's super. However the watermelon salad lacked any flavor and the chicken waffles were OK (waffles were a tad soggy). Overall, there are some improvement areas in the food department.

Matthew Madore

Brandon B. gave us outstanding service. My wife has multiple food allergies (Gluten and Dairy) and they were extremely accommodating! There were 5 of us and we ALL thoroughly enjoyed our experience. She crab soup was voted best in the city by everyone in our group (and we had a lot while in Charleston) and the up charge for the smoke experience in a cocktail is so worth it! If you’re vacillating between what restaurant to eat at…GO HERE!!!!!!

Thomas Izzo

Great brunch spot. Been here a few times now enjoyed it ever time. Great menu, great food, great service. Highly recommend. Oh and great gluten free menu available.

Jewel Mims

Everything was very good . Do need more gluten free

Alison Jackson

This is a small food stall at the Charleston City Market. We were looking for a place with gluten-free breakfast options, and we're so glad we stopped! The gluten-free biscuits are delicious. My non gf husband enjoyed his sausage, egg & pimento cheese as well. There is very little outdoor seating, so be prepared for the possibility of taking an order to go or eating standing up.

Ribbon Chasing

All the things you expect in southern hospitality and food. We had a big group and we all fit comfortably in our seating. Food came quickly and drinks were good. As expected most food was fried and few pork free, vegan or gluten free options.

Elizabeth Wood

I loved it we would def go back! There are a lot of new restaurants here and I’m not always a fan but Lenoir is great, I highly recommend! They have a gluten free menu which is always a plus! We were there at 8 pm and it took a while for drinks and food because they were pretty busy, but that just tells you that it’s good 😎. The drinks were awesome and pretty strong. The apps were amazing and large (enough for 2-3 ppl). I loved the tomato pie, fries, and fried collards. I liked my entree but I would def go back and just order a bunch of apps. My recommendation: Go with a few friends and just drink, eat and have a good time, it’s a great atmosphere!

Larisa Sondenaa

We were in town for our 10th Wedding Anniversary and this was the place I was most excited to visit. Our waiter , James, was amazing. I appreciated the attention to my husband's gluten allergy throughout the meal. The meal was paced perfectly and the food was very good. I also highly recommend the coconut cake! The only negative that we don't have one of these back home!

Janessa Toro

I would skip this one if you are looking for THE BEST in Charleston. The food is not worth the cost or the hype. Under-seasoned and everything seemed to be missing something. I'm gluten-free, so my options were limited. My husband ordered a red snapper and did enjoy it. I appreciated that our server and the manager offered to re-make my steak and tried to make it right. I just wasn't impressed overall.

Jen Balt

I love Boxcar Betty's. I get grilled chicken on lettuce with bacon jam and the regular fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer!

Lexi Adamczyk

So many gluten free options and the best tacos in the Charleston area!

Hailey

Really fun experience! The food was hot and delicious. Definitely don't come if you are a picky eater. I recommend requesting to sit by the kitchen so you are close to the action. I am gluten free and they accommodate to it! The GF pasta was cooked perfectly! Only thing I thought was the lamb was a little bland, they had a tomatoe puree to go with it, but if you don't like tomatoes then it was just a chunk of meat. Other than that if you are looking for a different experience check this place out!

Anita Knicely

My hubby and I recently returned to Charleston SC for a vacation. Charleston has sooo many wonderful restaurants and Anson’s is at the top of that list. We had reservations but were pleasantly surprised when we received a call from the Manager confirming our reservation and our seating request. Impressive. Upon our arrival at the restaurant, we were greeted by several employees. Our table was in a beautifully decorated room wherein the tables were dressed well but spaced apart to ensure our safety and privacy. Very nice. I’m gluten sensitive so I have to be careful. Their menu was marked clearly. I ordered the she crab soup and the shrimp and grits. Hubby ordered the beet salad and the grouper Everything was delicious and perfectly prepared. Eventhough the she crab soup was not marked gluten free I ordered it and was fine. They either use small amounts of flour or cornstarch to thicken; whichever the case, I experienced no discomfort and would order it again. The grits are the best I’ve ever tasted. I could eat them everyday. My hubby was equally impressed with the grouper and beet salad. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert. Our server, Peter, was wonderful! Very attentive without that annoying hovering. A+++

Susan Scott

Limited selection, but very varied menu. Works with gluten sensitive diet.

Starke Farley

Had to wait a while for brunch on Saturday, but it was worth the wait. The service was excellent, and the food was even better. Great selection of beer and booze, and even had some Gluten Free options that were necessary. Highly recommend.

Shanya Matthews

Stopped to grab take out for Gluten Free options. Loved the shop, the people and the food. Gluten free never tasted so good!!

Garett Lubecki

Great food and service. I have also ordered take out and had a great experience. If you need gluten free for celiacs the burger is a great option with their gluten free bun. Overall amazing place and good food.

Amber Easterling

They mark GF items on their menu, but not all are celiac safe. Their chips and fries are cooked in the same fryer as the breaded onion rings, so are not safe if you have celiac, but may be ok if you’re gluten intolerant. Most tacos can be made GF by substituting corn tortillas. And their birria tacos can be made without being fried or they can pan fry them if you ask. Burritos can be made into bowls. I honestly had an amazing lunch here and would come back. Just sad I couldn’t have their chips and salsa.

Marcia Leonard

Six of us had dinner before a show. Corey was fantastic, super knowledgeable about the menu and really helped with gluten free recommendations.

Paige Jackett

The service was absolutely amazing! The hostess, Tatum at the door was so welcoming. My server, Hallie was so helpful with navigating gluten free options. My best friend is vegetarian so we are hard to accomadate but Hallie was bubbly and happy to help! She helped us find the perfect dish for both of us to enjoy. The live music was astounding! Nothing compares to the craving I get for port of call!

Christina Sarris

TL;DR: We ate half chicken and BBQ sandwich at a little two seater facing the school across the street. As always, everything is divine at Rodney Scott BBQ. Details: He has made sure that every detail is thought of, every recipe followed exactly, and all staff are well suited to their roles. We came on a Sunday for lunch and ordering and eating was quick and easy, but the real star of the show is the food. I grew up in Western North carolina, and had a family reunion last week. This food reminds me so much of my family's cooking. It is wholesome and delicious and filling in a way that is hard to describe. You can taste the love of the chef, and there are no extra frills or unnecessary additions. The food speaks for itself and they know it. I in particular love this offering because my favorite seasoning is vinegar. The potato salad is heavy on the mustard, the collard greens are better with barbecue sauce, and most of the sauce itself is quite vinegar-based. This reminds me of North Carolina but it's definitely its own distinct style with a lot of black pepper as well. My biggest compliment would be that I could eat this food every single day and it is wholesome, nutritious, nourishing in a way that Charleston seems to not offer very often, at the expense of the diner. Most excellent Charleston restaurants rely on excess, luxury, and extravagance to wow you with food that can only be savored and enjoyed once or twice and then you go back to your regular diet. This food is a departure, because everything on the menu is cooked in such a way that I would never get tired of it, and it is well balanced such that there everything you need and nothing you don't. As a gluten free eater, I have so many choices and none of them are compromises. Thank you for the way you are in the world, Rodney Scott. I see you and I love you!

Alexander Webbers

The staff was very attentive when I had questions about seafood quality and gluten free menu items. Everyone was kind and the building was easy to navigate. My chicken sandwich was delicious, and my wife enjoyed her chicken and waffles.

Connie Ellis

I wish I had discovered this place earlier. The views are incredible and the food is delicious. I tried the Ribs and they were the best I've ever had. They have a great selection of gluten-free options as well. Thank you to the chefs for an outstanding experience!

Kelsey M

The food was fresh, delicious, and there were great healthy options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten sensitivities. The prices were great as well. The only complaints to be had were that it seemed a little small and cramped (though really not that bad) and that the frozen margaritas weren't really frozen margaritas...more like a margarita on the rocks with some ice slush swirled in. Still good, just not your typical frozen marg!

e. t.

This was a gem of a find in Charleston! It's a wonderful brunch cafe with a lovely staff. They had several vegetarian options and my gluten-free friend also had food to choose from. Loved it!

Gabi Murray

I had an incredibly disappointing experience at El Jefe in Charleston. I ordered a grilled shrimp corn tortilla due to my gluten-free dietary restriction, but the kitchen mistakenly brought out a flour tortilla. After taking a bite, I immediately noticed and informed the server, who was very kind and understanding. When my order was remade, it came with chicken instead of shrimp, which I couldn’t eat as I am pescatarian. Things escalated when what seemed to be either the manager or owner approached our table, asking to know why I didn’t eat the tacos. When I explained that I had originally ordered shrimp, he snapped at me, saying, “Take it up with your server.” His tone was hostile and unprofessional, which took me by surprise. Later, when we had some leftover food and drinks, we invited a friend of ours to help us finish them. Before he could enter, the manager insisted that one of us personally vouch for him. When I went to the front to do so, the manager immediately started yelling at me, somehow calling me by my first name, and aggressively demanding, “Either get out of my restaurant or get inside.” He got uncomfortably close to my face, which made me feel genuinely unsafe. When I returned to tell my friends what had happened, one of them went to the front to speak with him. At that point, the manager physically grabbed her and told her to leave. She was visibly distressed and crying, yet he showed no remorse whatsoever. The only positive aspect of our experience was our server, who truly tried her best despite the hostile and unprofessional behavior from what seemed to be management. However, the way we were treated by the manager or owner was absolutely unacceptable. I would strongly caution anyone considering dining here—especially if you have dietary restrictions or expect even a basic level of respect from management. We left shaken and appalled by how we were treated.

Felicia Pritchett

If you want an amazing experience, go to R Kitchen. I am vegan gluten-free and my friend eats a main stream American diet and we both had the best meal either of us have had in years. As a professional chef, I can say it was a beautifully balanced meal full of surprises! Bravo! My new favorite restaurant in Charleston SC. Check it out!!

Tyler Perry

I live in Summerville but make the drive out to JI to come support this excellent establishment at least once a month. The food is fantastic, service is great, and plenty of entertainment. Would highly recommend to those looking to take their family out for fun, or just a simple date night. My fiancé absolutely loves this place because of their gluten free flat bread pizza.

Ashly Dennis

I am so impressed with this restaurant. I am dairy free and gluten free and they were so great at accommodating that for me. The gentleman changed gloves and all! The food is incredibly fresh tasting. Their salsa tastes homemade and the vegetables are super crunchy. The atmosphere is inviting and comfortable. The staff is super friendly and efficient. I will definitely continue to eat here! I'm so glad I found this place.

Annie Domville

This place is the bomb. Great local spot that serves good food in a causal atmosphere. The team treats you like family. The ajillo shrimp and blackened tuna taco are my go to order and never disappoint. Don’t skip on the rice and beans, great flavor. Thanks for being a great local seafood joint! Also great spot for people with gluten free and dairy free options.

HD “Ardenise”

I've raised my own beef so I'm very particular about the quality of meat that I eat. I've also lived all over the country and honestly, my husband and I feel like this was one of the best burgers and fries we've ever had. The gluten free bun, and brownie were on added surprises and also fsbtastic! The food was so good, we ate here both nights that we were in town. Highly recommend them to everyone and we'll absolutely be back whenever we are in town.

Cyndi Lynn

We weren't sure what to expect, but the space was big enough to not feel crowded and we were seated right away despite being pretty full. The menu is huge and has gluten-friendly (for obvious reasons, they can't ensure gluten-free, but my dietary restrictions aren't that strict) items clearly marked, plus a separate section for vegetarian options. Lindsey did a great job taking care of us and everyone was friendly. We will definitely be repeat customers.