Top 16 Gluten-Free Cafes to Delight in Santa Barbara

Jeremy Mozlin

Lovely little place in downtown SB that you'd never know was gluten-free if you didn't ask! Food was delicious, and they clearly put great care into their decor, tableware, and other accents. Save room for dessert, if you can!

Marley Jay

I love this place so greatly, when I lived downtown I would eat here on the regular. The best thing is it is very inclusive of most diets and has a pretty nice selection of vegan and gluten free items, including at some times of year seasonal cakes and pies.. yumm.. However, today in summertime, their were more choices in the salad and entree bar; including some delicious looking pasta salads, and did I mention how high quality all the ingredients are? Today I kept it simple, and got the gluten free vegan snickerdoodle cookies. They are like puffs of sweet satisfying heaven. I can have few with a small latte and just allow my mind to travel and vacation for a moment. The latte which I had for their, in a cup, making it all the more cozy was divine. Steamed well as for the almond mylk, and had a lovely sweet nutty flavor to the espresso. Very quick service btw. Thats the beauty of this place is you can go and get a latte and nosh, or an entire meal and perhaps some wine.. I will keep coming back and have heard the best things about the owner, thanks for such a delectable space🙏🏽

John Ward

So it's a pretty touristy experience. Brunch in the sun under an umbrella just off the beach? Check. Great food with little appetizer bonus? Check. (Blueberry muffin basket) People jogging by and a blonde waitress named Brooke with slight vocal fry? Check. But after driving up from LA all morning, that was what we wanted. In all seriousness, it was a great experience with unobtrusive gluten-free options. Will stop here again next time we are traveling through. Ymmv for locals, but the parking lot is almost empty and it's full, so people are walking here.

Nancy Myers

I had something labeled gluten free, but was I'll for 3 days with gluten related allergy.

Sophie GILIBERT

Excellent pastries and sandwiches Very warm welcome Special mention for the perfect gluten-free breads

C C

My first, but not last, time at Handlebar Coffee. Great location, seating options, customer service and, hooray: gluten free options!!

Emily

Lovely little brunch cafe! Full coffee and alcohol bar. They also have a few menu items for gluten free and vegan. Top notch food.

coop

Bree’osh is a delightful French bakery and breakfast spot in the heart of Montecito. It’s extremely efficient and the amount of pastries coming out of this place seems endless. That being said, they will run out of the best stuff if you don’t get there on time. Their breakfast sandwiches are a highlight and it’s a shame they do not have more gluten free options on the menu because I’m sure they would be incredible. They obviously have a ton of skill when it comes to pastries, their coffee and teas leave a little bit to be desired, but still are an excellent treat to go with your croissant.

Mellisa Limas

A friend and I went for a morning hike and stopped here for a little snack. She got the gluten free blueberry muffin and I got the toast with butter and jam . The sourdough toast is impeccable. The raspberry jam was delicious.

Kage Gill

Classy Popular Fresh Healthy Gluten / dairy free options

Renee Glosecki

Enjoyed a quick dinner with the family after a long day sightseeing. Great options for dinner. I was happy to see some gluten free options and vegan options as well. Kids enjoyed the house fish and chips and Bacon Bbq Burger. Hubby had halibut tacos and I had the smoked turkey sandwich on gf bread. Bread was very reminiscent of bread I had at Breeosh nearby and was good quality. All were pleased. Relaxed environment, great service.

Caroline Kuras

Delicious oat milk matcha latter with honey. They have a few gluten-free options for pastries! Very charming and pleasant location and staff.

Goodle Personnen

My fav place for breakfast/brunch in Santa Barbara! Destination spot on every trip here... that's how good it is! And what makes it so amazing is not only creative and healthy organic, gluten free food but the service!! Incredibly caring, very personal, and so genuine! In 5 years of eating here, always consistent!!

Althea F.

Coffee so so. Lots of options for sandwiches, all of which can be made gluten free and are pretty good. Smoothies so so but somehow just the thing sometimes. Tons of baked goods options, all of which have been pretty good. They sell out most days Ambiance cheerful and busy. Lot of space inside and out. Big windows. Parking on site

Amanda Katherine Zavala

Since visiting Oaxaca many years ago, I have yet to experience such incredible moles and foods. Truly one of the best meala I've had in Santa Barbara. The drinks, entrees, and dishes are rich, complex, bright, acidic and perfectly spiced. The moles are gluten free and there were many vegetarian options as well. Took my partner there for his birthday and were blown away by the incredible service and taste.

Amy Kimes

Last Summer while embarking on a road trip through the picturesque Santa Barbara area, my friends and I decided to make a pit stop along the beach for lunch, and Shoreline Cafe proved to be an excellent choice. Parking was conveniently located in a beachside lot adjacent to the restaurant, albeit requiring a modest fee, as is common at most beaches. The walk to the restaurant took merely a minute, making it incredibly accessible. Eager for a unique dining experience, we requested a table right on the sand. Though there was a short wait, the presence of Adirondack chairs in the sandy waiting area allowed us to enjoy the beach atmosphere while anticipating our meal. Within a brief 10 minutes, we were ushered to our table nestled in the sand. Our chosen spot offered an unparalleled view of the ocean, along with the perfect vantage point for people-watching and observing seagulls attempting to snatch unsuspecting diners' meals. The menu boasted several gluten-free options, and the server was attentive and knowledgeable in addressing our inquiries about food allergies and restrictions, instilling confidence in our dining choices. Opting for a safe and delicious option, I enjoyed a lettuce-wrapped burger patty with white rice and fresh fruit. Meanwhile, my friends indulged in the delectable fish and chips, attesting to its tastiness. The service was characterized by enthusiasm, patience, and a deep understanding of the menu. The staff even made efforts to deter seagulls, although, regrettably, a neighboring table fell victim to a seagull pilfering a sandwich. Nevertheless, the antics of the seagulls added a touch of amusement and lively conversation to our dining experience. Eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to share a meal with my friends, toes buried in the warm sand, at Shoreline Cafe.