Top 33 Gluten-Free Brunch Spots to Delight in Waterloo

Trevor Richardson

seems like this place would suck during the school year, but was quite pleasant. had a fancy deglutenized beer which was fantastic

Sheila Taylor

We booked this location for a large group. They were able to accommodate our request for a specific seating time. The table and seating area were comfortable and the noise level was reasonable. We had two servers assigned for 14 people. They were very busy so service was somewhat uneven. We were very happy with the selection of food from meat to vegetarian to gluten-free and vegan options. Unfortunately, some of the food delivered to our table was lukewarm because they left it under the heaters too long. I don’t fault the kitchen. I believe the service staff were very busy. They forgot our meals until we asked for the status of our entrees. Overall, a great place to meet with a large group. But be prepared for some service gaps on a busy night. The table next to us with six people had the manager and a server doting on them all night, even though our table spent more money!!

Jenna

Always our go-to restaurant in KW for bringing friends/family visiting the area. Consistent, well-priced, and something on the menu for everyone. Also very gluten friendly with a large plant-based menu as well.

Alex Kinsella

Always an absolute delight having breakfast here. Food is amazing and they have gluten free bread for toast. 10/10

Alex Brubacher

Amazing food and wonderful staff. Their gluten free crepe was big, and the best I have had in a very long time. The staff was friendly and our server Hannah was amazing, getting our food to us so we could all eat together even though some of our items were delayed. It was busy there, and thus load due to many conversations. So if you are looking for a quiet place for breakfast/brunch look at how busy it is first.

Ben Tavenor

Stopped in Saturday for lunch on my way home from Brady’s meats in Waterloo . I opted for the Turkey , fig and brie panini and a cappuccino. I also purchased some baked goodies to take home . They have a nice selection of baked goods including some gluten free/dairy free options . The panini and side salad were very tasty and the cappuccino delicious ! I also purchased some coffee beans to go , which they ground for me while I waited . A very nice spot with tasty goods and great service .

Jack Griffiths

My family and I have been going to Proof for many years. Always exceptional food, great gluten free options and good atmosphere. What really makes Proof stand out is their staff. We have gone multiple times and had great conversation and service. Recently we went for dinner and had an amazing waitress Sophie, one of the best we’ve ever had at any restaurant. Checked in many times without it becoming over kill, always ready with the refills on water and stayed for conversation, even with my mother who is known to drag on. Will hopefully see her again on our next visit!

Tamara Harbar

My friends and I had a simple but excellent lunch at Copper Branch. The food was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented and reasonably priced, too. Everything was delicious. The service was kind, helpful and personable. A really good vibe here! Definitely planning on coming back and sampling more items on the menu -- lots of menu items to choose from, and gluten-free is an option, too. Nicely thought out. Thank you!

Katelynn H.

Good breakfast. I always get the gluten friendly pancakes, and they sit well ( celiac ). I would strongly recommend joining the waitlist before going. It's a great option !

Kelly McLean

We went on market day, Thursday. I had the Caesar salad with chicken, mom had one of the specials on gluten free bread, sister had the southern chicken sandwich, and nephew had the kids chicken tenders. The Caesar salad was good, with a more vinaigrette type dressing than creamy. My mom's sandwich was tiny, likely because the gluten free bread was about half the size of a normal piece of bread. The southern chicken sandwich was good but nothing special, and the fries were nice and crispy. The kids chicken tenders were homemade, delicious, and a large portion. It was very busy, which we expected for 12:30 on market day, so we can understand the 10+ minute wait for drinks. Food came out fairly quickly despite how busy it was, probably 25 minutes. The waters came in tiny, kid-sized cups. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for servers to have to frequently refill these waters on busy days. The service was acceptable, and checked all of the boxes for things that needed to be done like drink refills and quality checks, but our server was not outgoing and friendly by any means. I would probably come back, but maybe not on a busy market day.

Ray Hopkins

We had a great time at Sunset Grill, outstanding service and the food was very good. This time we ordered a gluten free version of the avocado toast... delicious! I ate my regular 3 eggs overmedium with home fries and whole wheat toasts, no butter! Coffee was great!

EatIn Ontario

Beyond the steaming cups of lattes and heavenly pastries lies a profound sense of purpose at Covenant Cafe (355 Erb St. W, Waterloo, ON N2L 1W4). This vibrant space isn't just a pitstop for delicious treats; it's a center for community support. With a commitment towards fostering hope among the youth, 'Hope in a Cup' isn't merely a catchy slogan here but a lived reality, making each visit a delightful act of kindness. The last time I went there, I was greeted by a wonderful staff who served me a delicious sample of their menu. I started the meal with an espresso shaker, one of their signature drinks - a delightful fusion of chilled perfection, the trifecta blend of milks created a creamy, yet invigorating base for the bold, energizing shots of espresso! The yoghurt parfait only added refreshing combination - layering a velvety vanilla yoghurt with crunchy granola and fresh fruit, the parfait created a delightful, healthy indulgence with every mouthful! Paired with a dairy-free and gluten-free almond butter caramel bar that had just the right amount of sweetness, the meal was utterly wholesome and filling, greatly uplifting my mood. Covenant Cafe is more than a place to have a great coffee; it's a heartwarming, fulfilling experience that combines culinary excellence with a purpose-driven mission, making it a true gem in the community. Should you find yourself in Waterloo craving a good coffee or pastry, a visit here is highly recommend to fulfil both, your hunger and altruistic spirit! To hear more about this review, follow us @eatinontario on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook. ✨🤩🙏

Lena Kahn

Stellar gluten free eats, so inclusive for celiac disease. #skillet and dedicated toaster

Bess Lillico

This little cafe is a hidden gem. The staff is friendly and helpful, the atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, and the food is comforting and tasty. They have many vegan and gluten-free options and everything is delicious. Their gluten-free muffins are incredible. Prices are reasonable. I highly recommend The Healthy Owl.

KFP

We have eaten here a few times, nice little place in downtown Waterloo. The cafe is connected to a small independent theatre. Coffee and lattes are excellent. Tried most of the sandwiches, all are very good. The Godfather is my favourite. Delicious gluten free options are available. There is a huge selection of locally sourced beers, perfect with a sandwich. Convenient place to have a quick dinner before a movie.

Nancy brar

Very nice place. I can go here every day. Most of the times I go with belgian waffles or dessert waffles. A whole gluten-free menu is available here, which is impressive.

carl fournier

Had gluten free pasta with shrimp. Fast service and delicious food.

jacquie brouwer

Ordered “gluten Free” meal for Celiac. They state they can accommodate this dietary need but my meal arrived with a piece of pita in it. I called and they did nothing to rectify the mistake. Said they would email me a voucher for a free meal. Head office emailed me but is now ghosting me. Clearly not safe for people requiring a gluten free diet. People with Celiac disease should definitely avoid. I get that mistakes can happen but not doing anything to rectify the situation is not cool. So as you can see they posted a couple emails and ask that I contact them. So I did. They told me it was too late for a refund. I literally reached out the day of the incident and also a half dozen other times. Clearly they are not willing to resolve the mistake they made. Our family use to be regular customer but I definitely will not return.

Em Ponders

Too good. Very friendly staff. Healthy. Comfortable atmosphere. Lots of great vegan and gluten free options.

Christian & Vanessa Polack

AMAZING! I went out for a girls night and we had Jordan as a server, she was AWESOME! Very friendly and personable! Food was delicious as usual! Always accommodating, they have gluten friendly options which is nice! Very happy with the service we received!

Kathy

We enjoyed our evening at Kelsey’s. Our waiter, Tim, was very entertaining and assisted us with our food and drink selections. We ordered the Steak Fajita (big winner), a retro menu item, the Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Blue Cheese Pasta (which I requested with gluten-free pasta; it was a bit heavy on the salt, but I still enjoyed it), the Chicken Thai Curry Bowl (disappeared fast), and the Chicken Fried Chicken (the presentation was lacking on that one, but it still disappeared).

Paige Gascho

My favourite cafe in the area! I’m always impressed by their menu, especially by how many vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options they have. The atmosphere is great and service is always so friendly. Highly recommend checking it out!!

Alisha kaushal

I enjoyed the vibe at that cafe. The cappuccino there was top-notch, and the granola parfait was fantastic. Tranquil atmosphere, complemented by soothing music, makes it the perfect spot to settle in and focus while relishing delightful cappuccinos, healthy loaves, and gluten-free desserts.

Daniela Vanderzand

We dined here on a Sunday night with a party of 10 and we had a very wonderful experience. The servers Heidi and Emily (I think these were their names) were lovely from the start, and were very attentive to details. We had lots of different dietary restrictions that they had no problem accommodating and even had a whole gluten free menu. Everyone was very happy with their food and the patio was very pretty and great for a warm summer night. We will definitely be back!

Ashley Eden

I had multiple miscommunications over my meal which created frustration. I ordered the seafood sirloin but without shrimp (allergy) abd mashed potatoes instead of croquettes (gluten-free). The waitress asked if I wanted more of another seafood instead of shrimp so I requested scallops. The meal initially arrived with shrimp so it had to be taken back. When I got it replaced, there were only scallops and cold chunks of butter in the sauce. I was told the lobster wasn't served due to contamination with the shrimp, which is fine had I been told. If I knew the plate would be so limited I'd have ordered something else. And where the restaurant saved money but not serving shrimp OR lobster, I am really unimpressed with the value. I was offered a dessert in compensation (only one gluten free option) which we took to go. I'd have preferred a discount on my meal as the issues with my dish really took away from the experience. While the food was otherwise ok, I'm not thrilled with my expensive dining experience this evening.

Jess Kolmel

The BEST meal and experience I’ve ever had. We were served by Benoit and his lovely team, who provided prompt, friendly, and informed service experience. A question we had that a staff member couldn’t answer prompted her to ask one of the chefs to come to our table. The food was incredible, we each had the tasting menu. As someone who has 2 allergies (dairy and gluten) they did not disappoint with their accommodations. It wasn’t skimpy or lame substitutions, it was delicious. We will 100% be coming back!

Angel Milton

I ordered the roasted red pepper soup, which I usually love. I asked them not to put the croutons in as I am gluten-free. However, they put in the croutons.ruined the soup for me

Enjulie Bedi

Oh my gosh I haven't had such a good dosa in SO long!!! If you haven't had them before, I recommend getting the egg dosa. It's approachable and the chutneys/dips are DELICIOUS. They were accommodating to my gluten-free/celiac needs as well :) Get the mango Lassi too!

Grant Beeler

My wife has celiac disease and the gentleman working had a thorough understanding of exactly what she could and could not eat. He changed his gloves and gave us comfort that she was in good hands. It's always nice when a fast food joint can give you peace of mind and a great lunch! I would highly recommend for everyone!

Juan D’Amico

I had a terrible experience at this restaurant, and unfortunately, it's not the first time. I ordered a gluten-free pizza, but they gave me a regular pizza instead, which made me very sick. A few years ago, I had a similar experience when they gave me a regular burger bun instead of a gluten-free one. On top of that, my girlfriend's chicken buffalo wrap had a bone in it that almost broke her tooth. It's clear that the restaurant is not taking proper precautions when it comes to food safety and quality. The restaurant might have been good 30 years ago, but that's no excuse for the poor service and lack of attention to detail now. The place is run down, and it wouldn't be a surprise if they go out of business. I'm never going back, and I'm disappointed that I had to write a bad review, but it really upset me that they made me sick twice.

Crystal Lajeunesse

I had a great tume at pickle barrel Gabby was awesome suggested the good gluten free desert

Adaboa Biney-Assan

Had an excellent crepe here! The service was excellent and the person serving took their time to recommend the right crepes for our dietary needs (gluten free and vegan). Highly recommended!

jess

Literally such good food omg. Nice break from university, and the gluten free options were AMAZING!!