Top 50 Gluten-Free Cafes to Discover in Iowa

Jennifer VanSickle

I come here for the gluten-free cakes and treats. Only once did I have an old slice, I won't pick the last one next time. Can't wait to see what's on the counter next time I pop in

Syrena Hjelmgren

Café d'Marie is a destination restaurant for us. On any roadtrip, we intentionally time our trip so that we can stop at this wonderful establishment. The food is incredible, with their paninis, soups, drinks, and desserts always tasting amazing and bringing something unique. They are incredibly accommodating to dietary restrictions with both vegetarian and gluten free options. The ownership and waitstaff are incredibly kind and ensure that you have a positive and comfortable experience. The space itself is gorgeous and offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Davenport.

Amelia W

I was really excited to go here and get gf crepes. The reviews made it seem super safe. We walked in a the staff was not friendly whatsoever, the girl practically threw the cups and water at our table. I was watching them cook the crepes and they cleaned everything with what looked like chemical cleaning spray. I was also nervous because I could only see the one container of nutella that they were using for all of the non-gf crepes and was questioning if they would open a new container. They didn’t, I watched them use the exact same knife and container for my crepe. Overall disappointed.

Adriana Della Pietra

They have GF cupcakes. They are good! They store them separately and top them with separate saccapoche to avoid cross-contamination. I am celiac and this is a wonderful place to enjoy something sweet!

Adriana Della Pietra

Kindred is a casual café with delicious breakfast, brunch or lunch 100% gluten free. As celiac, it is rare to have the possibility to choose anything from the menu without cross-contamination. This is the only place in Iowa city with a 100% GF kitchen. Additionally, I loved the vibe of the place: young and casual.

Tanya Schmidt

I love Trumpet Blossom. I come here every time I come to Iowa city. The food is delicious and plant based. I am a meat eater, and yet I love all the dishes here. I feel like I miss nothing. As a gluten-free, dairy-free individual, I love knowing there's a restaurant I can come to, and I can nearly pick anything on the menu and know that it is safe for me to eat. They're also very conscious of gluten allergies and can accommodate with delicious options. This waste not, want not vibe make me feel at home and inclusive. I highly recommend the turmeric latte tastes wonderful, and it's full of antioxidants. You just can't beat going to a restaurant that gives you the vibe, the great food experience, and a feeling that you've enhanced your health when your done.

ND Yutzy

The food was great and they have good gluten free options. The waiter was just ok but the hostess (I believe her name was Rachel) was great. The kind of person that keeps you going back. Not a huge fan of the all open floor plan restaurants but the food was good enough it's not a deal breaker. Would definitely go back when we're in the area again.

Diane Schoneman

Best breakfast we've ever had!!! The Gluten-free pancake was awesome, service awesome!!! Would highly recommend!!!!

Melanie Roepke

Looked cute. Drove here based on reviews, arrived at opening on a Saturday and there were ZERO gluten free treats available. Left sad and empty-handed.

Sabrina

ziggis is hands down the best place for coffee, a snack, meeting with friends, and great customer service. my drink is always delicious and never too bitter or too sweet, this place has never done me wrong. the place is always clean, the staff is always ready to go. i love coming here & even the smoothies are a banger. the gluten free options are so good too. i recommend this place for everyone! i am upset that there has been construction blocking off partial access to ziggis, but its worth the detour every time. go to ZIGGIS!

Ed LeQuire

Amazing atmosphere and even better food. Staff is pretty chill. Great gluten free options. The whole family is happy.

Tirzah Gaul

The iced chai tea latte is always wonderful! I also love that they bake delicious gluten free muffins!

Patrick Bird

Amazing place where we celebrated our 14th Anniversary! Appreciated their delicious gluten free banana bread, veggies quiche and latte!

Brooke Weber

I have been here several times recently for brunch. This place knows what they are doing and they are really good at it: the atmosphere, the decor, the food, the service. The lattes here are the best in the area, hands down. Even the cups and saucers are beautiful and add to my enjoyment of the coffee drinks. I want the exact cups for my own home. The seasonal latte flavors are creative and never overly sweet. I do love a pumpkin spice latte, and St. Kilda has the best. I was interested in a seasonal mocha and was hesitant to order it for fear it would be too sweet, but the server told me more about it so I decided to try it. It was the best mocha I’ve ever had with the perfect balance of flavors and just the right amount of sweetness. Everything that’s a part of the Big Aussie Breakfast is prepared to perfection: thick cut bacon, delicious blistered roasted tomatoes, perfectly crispy house-made bread. Even the gluten-free bread is excellent. Last week my boyfriend got a hashbrown on the side and it was the best hashbrown I’ve ever had - a lovely soft texture on the inside and perfectly crispy all the way around on the outside. The last 3 times I’ve eaten there, we’ve had the same server. I love her! Very friendly, relatable, and a bit quirky in the best possible way. After our last visit, I decided St. Kilda in Valley Junction is my favorite place for brunch.

Andrew Shepherd

Stopped in for a Lox Bagel and Iced Coffee. I was served promptly but after ordering I noticed the fellow making my bagel doing so without gloves. Thought that was strange and I was tripping for a moment but then saw him start the next order also without gloves, then put a pair on midway through making that bagel. Its 2024, anything to do with food service especially in an open kitchen where customers can see you should be wearing gloves. Took my order to go, when I got around to eating it the bagel was tough and dry, certainly not fresh. The taste was good but also pretty skimpy on the Salmon compared to others given this is also a $10Menu item. I eat Bagels 3-4 times a week and this one was Defiantly not up to par. I’d keep looking somewhere else for your gluten fix.

Jerald Rhodes

Stopped in while traveling through Iowa City. Very spacious and modern. They have 2 different order points- 1 for coffee and 1 for food. This was nice as the lunch line was long and we just got drinks. The Gluten-free Blueberry Muffin was good, although a little on the dry side.

Stephen C

This was a fantastic little cafe, the food was terrific, decor was fun, and the staff was very friendly and personable! My wife had grilled cheese with tomato soup. She said you could tell the tomato soup was homemade and tasted delicious. The grilled cheese was done perfectly. I had the Ruben Panini, and it was fabulous. They had a great selection of items, even gluten-free and vegetarian items. The pies that we had were homemade, flavors were perfect, and the pie crust was flakey and to die for. If you are ever in the area or passing close by, this would be a great place to stop and enjoy a bite to eat and relax.

Melissa Dimmick-Walden

Excellent coffee. Excellent staff. They have incredible build your own breakfast sandwiches. I can't eat grains so, while they offer a gluten free option, I still can't eat it. The sandwiches are made to order with fresh eggs, sausage and bacon. So they made an omelette for me instead! Very awesome and delicious.

Lauren

As a celiac coming into town for a few days, it was a little bit stressful to try to find gluten-free options here. However, the staff quickly oriented me to their options, and most of the menu can be made safe for us. The meals I had there were delicious and filling and healthy. Highly recommend.

F C

This is hands down the best coffee shop in town! Renn's syrups are **phenomenal**! Every coffee concoction she has come up with tastes delicious! And the regular/normal coffee options are spectacular too. The shop itself is the kind of beautiful, restful, lovely space that makes you want to spend hours there. And my favorite part is the food. So good. But since I have recently had to give up gluten I am even more grateful for Renn's and all of the delicious gluten free baked goods she offers. You would never know they were gluten-less! Everything she does is done with excellence and the staff are also very friendly. Also, if you go make sure to check her social media or get on the email list because her menu is constantly changing and you don't want to miss out on the seasonal goodness!

Shawna Schmidt

Can not say enough good things about our experience at Kava DSM!!! From the AMAZING gluten free/dairy free waffle to the dairy free gelato, to the decor and super kind owner! It was our first time visiting and he went above and beyond to help us understand everything he offered and how it can help me with inflammation! I will definitely be reaching out to his wife also who is a natural health practitioner! I would give them 100 stars if I could! We will definitely be back very soon ❤️

Marcie Tobin

Excellent buffet and if you are gluten free there are several things yo choose from.

Duree Thatcher

I was excited to find so many delicious gluten free choices here. My sandwich and chai were delicious, the service was very friendly and it is such a cute place overall. I will definitely be back!

Kaytlin Bush

Amazing service, a great spacious area, awesome food and coffee. Gluten free bread available. So glad I found this place!!

K Campo

Great coffee and food! The best gluten free BLT sandwich ever! The Reuben is amazing! Brad is great. And the chai is waaayyyy better than Starbucks’s. Friendly and welcoming atmosphere 🥰

Susan Krueger

Husband went on a business trip and brought me home a gluten-free molasses/gingerbread muffin, which is the BEST muffin I’ve ever eaten - being gluten-free for over 20 years! Husband said the place is really cool and staff was MORE than helpful!

D Nice

Amazing gluten free pasta-- the best I've had in a restaurant! Such a great atmosphere with a cool Italian vibe & decor & lively atmosphere. The service is always friendly, attentive (but not overly annoying!) & knowledgeable.

Carole Kern

Update: Mike Larsen contacted me several times to apologize, get feedback, and to locate the record of the sale. The meal bill was fully refunded. He said he spoke with his people to improve the experience. Everyplace can have an off night. I would give them another chance. Original review: Poor service, got the order wrong, sandwich was sparsely covered with contents making it mostly stale bread, salad dressing wasn't mixed, salad had wonton stips which are not Gluten-free even though the order was for Gluten-free. Expensive meal we threw away and went elsewhere to eat.

Sue Taylor

Food was terrific. Gluten free and vegan options available

Angie Freese

Love to stop here when I’m back in town. Love the breakfast panini and gluten free options. The soup was amazing. Great service.

Georgia Weaver

Just last week I spied a sign that said Lentil and Chicken Soup. I went over to Coffee Tree at lunch and ordered a bowl. OH MY IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!!! I went the next day, too (so Sad). They were out. But I was told next week is Butternut Squash soup, so I may try that too. They are also one of very few place to find some gluten-free food. The Storm Lake Bakery also has some things. Highly Recommend Both!

Rebecca Houg

Fantastic coffee shop in the tiny town of Fertile. The owner is so sweet and friendly and really cares about offering gluten free food options. I tried her amazing focaccia bread, she bakes it fresh each morning!!! And of course the coffee is always perfect. I love that it’s easy to walk around the side of the building down to the bridge over the river and view the dam

Tara Allen 51

Local roasters with housemade syrups, gluten-free bakery options, healthy bowls, and breakfast foods. The vibe is chill to hang out, work, or read. 📚

Nichole Johnson

The coffe is very good. Lots of menu options including gluten free and dairy alternatives.

Adam Ridgeway

Christopher Pruitt

Monica Kirwan

Food was delicious! It was also wonderful to hear they had gluten free options for my friend who has celiac and even carry gluten free bread!

K C

This was technically my third Barrett's experience, but the first time dining in. I SO wanted everything to be amazing... but it just wasn't. The restaurant itself looks so cute and upscale! The patio is great! Their assortment of canned goods and other items you can buy is really impressive. Their coffee was good. I had one of their "seasonal" gluten-free pastry items to go that was delicious. Here's where it goes downhill. When I walked in, I was expecting to wait at a hostess stand to be seated... I believed this place to be upscale, based on the menu and decor, right? It was Sunday around 10AM, and there were about 6-7 people milling around the bakery/coffee/entry. I thought they were waiting for coffee or carry-out orders. So, after there's obviously no one at a hostess stand, I asked the guy behind me if I had to order at the counter? He said, "Yes, there's the line." Ah! Ok, so I grab a menu and head to the cashier counter. I order very quickly, smoked salmon eggs benedict, which I get at every opportunity when I eat breakfast out. And a black coffee. I asked if I should just seat myself or wait to be seated... again, wondering why so many people are waiting in the vicinity. She said I could just sit where I wanted, outside or inside? I said outside. I paid $26.00 for my black coffee, in a to go cup, and my salmon benny. I went outside, found a seat, and was told I could grab my own water, silverware, and napkins from the table outside. Ok, no problem. Literally 3 minutes later my benny arrives. It looks OK...I'm thinking, that was super fast. Is everything cooked enough? Sadly, I forgot to take a photo! It's covered in a generous amount of hollandaise sauce....in fact, drowning in hollandaise. Ok, so some people like that! I don't. When I dug in, I noticed that the poached eggs were so lightly cooked that the white was still, well, wet, too wet. To me, that's an under cooked poached egg. I'm still super excited about the in-house smoked salmon, so I get a generous pile of smoked salmon, dipped in the goopy yolk (love that!), a little bun, and sauce, all in one forkful. I carefully take a bite. Um. Is this supposed to be cold? I tasted each item individually to test them. Egg & hollandaise were lukewarm, almost cool. The smoked salmon was cold, like out of the fridge cold. Not gonna lie, I scraped off half the sauce and ate the yolk and salmon anyway. It was good! My take: Eggs Benedict is by definition a hot dish. All of it. I get the hollandaise is probably not super hot, but should be warm and pleasant to taste. If this was actually meant to be a cold dish, that's fine, but don't call it eggs benedict. It was, for me, an unpleasant experience. One more thing...it was served on the same hot plate as a really delicious, simple, perfectly pre-dressed mixed greens salad. It tasted great and looked beautiful! The greens were also lukewarm. In summary, I felt uncomfortable and lost on my first visit and would have preferred a sit-down waiter/waitress experience for the price of my dish. The salmon benny and this restaurant probably need to decide what they're going to be, and go with it. The benny, commit to hot or cold. The restaurant, commit to upscale with servers or lower priced fancy fast-food.

Bijan Kholghi

Best cold brew in town. Also the matcha is really good. Highly recommend!!! Great gluten free pastries options (lemon cake, banana muffins)

Marie Thomas

Often go for coffee. Has good bakery choices, lunch specials, also vegetarian choice and gluten free choices.

Jerri McWilliams

Love the offering of vegan and gluten free items.

D Hansen

Great friendly service, recommend the huli huli chicken or garlic chili shrimp with mac salad. Overlooked downtown gem with tons of food for the price. Celiac and vegan friendly

Sharon Falduto

I love that Dunn Bros has gluten free breakfast sandwich options that aren't pre-made, so I can customize them!

Ruth Peterson

As a Celiac, I felt incredibly safe eating here and had plenty to choose from. The food was fresh and was incredibly full of flavor. The atmosphere is warm but eclectic and the staff were friendly. We will be back.

wendie cadwell

Very good food, made by local farmers. I was also excited tonsee some gluten free options for my daughter. We will definitely be back!

J Kane

Awesome soup and salad bar, gluten free items.

Trent “LudoTheGreat” Johnson

Really cool vibe. Dubuque needs more places with this kind of atmosphere. The quinoa pulled pork bowl was amazing as are the chips. Some nice gluten free and vegetarian options as well. We'll be back!

Joe Kopacz

I needed a quiet hour or two to sit down and complete a bit of remote work before returning to my place of employment the next day. Milltown is close to my apartment, plus I've enjoyed visiting their cafe in the past. I'm pleased that this last visit was much the same. The best single word to describe the interior of Milltown is eclectic. There are some industrial/harsher architectural elements to the space, including the solid, unadorned concrete floor, the plain black ceiling area accented only by the minimally present HVAC equipment, and the mix of lighting, which includes incandescent bulbs hanging in the middle of the space from what appears to be a reclaimed wood beam of sorts, simple accent lights above the counter and shelving, but also warmer fixtures angled against the opposite wall from some wood trellising dropped from the ceiling. I include all of this for general descriptive purposes, but also to highlight that I like the general vibe overall. Upon approaching the counter, I was greeted by one of the baristas and was able to place my order quickly. On this trip I opted for a raspberry green tea and a chocolate chip cookie. I've enjoyed both in the past, and today was no different. The tea is from Adagio Teas, my favorite tea company. The cookie, though gluten free, was very soft and had some rich chocolate within. I can definitely see coming back for both in the future. I'm definitely coming back here in the future. My mechanic is right across the street, such that I can envision dropping my car off and waiting at Milltown for any needed work to be completed. Thanks for being a great part of Bettendorf, Millstone!

Jessie Blake

Very fun coffee shop! They offer oat milk (my favorite) and almond milk as dairy free alternatives. I tried the gluten free scone and that too was great! Will definitely be back on our next visit

Kate Leo

The Market Cafe has been one of my favorite places for quite some time. I am a teacher and a colleague and I have a standing date for dinner every year before we chaperone the homecoming dance. I also love their breakfast menu and bring my out of town guests here. The Santa Fe salad is my favorite if I am trying to be a bit healthy, but today I went for the chicken bacon panini and fries and it was delicious!! I walked around the grocery store too and they have a great wine section, as well as a variety of gluten-free options for pasta and snacks. Highly recommend!