Top 37 Gluten-Free Dessert Havens Across San Diego

Nicole Jackson

I would drive many hours to go here again. Went 4 times in 4 days. So happy I got to finally experience good pastries since being celiac. These weren’t amazing for gluten free, they were amazing period. Obsessed.

M. M.

Unbelievably tasty crispy pillowy chewy gluten-free pizza crust I’ve ever tried. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My go-to so far is the ‘Sofia’ with mushrooms, artichoke & Italian ham. Superb service. Take your date, your mum, or heck yourself, here for a treat!

H A

Amazing! Great quality gluten free vegan desserts!

Nasser Salomon

Evolution is a true gem for anyone seeking exceptional plant-based cuisine. As someone who values both vegan and gluten-free options, I was glad to discover this restaurant that offers both. The kitchen clearly takes pride in making everything fresh from scratch, and you can absolutely taste the difference in every bite. While the interior seating is limited, the atmosphere actually adds to the charm of the dining experience. The staff are knowledgeable about the ingredients and care about ensuring every guest has a great meal. Don’t skip dessert! Their gluten-free vegan desserts are absolutely divine and prove that dietary restrictions don’t mean sacrificing your indulgences. Evolution has mastered the art of creating delicious, wholesome food that happens to be vegan. Highly recommend for vegans, those with gluten sensitivities, and really anyone who appreciates freshly prepared food. I plan to be returning soon!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Enjoy eating more plant based foods.

Wayne West

Get ready, food lovers! Phatties Bakeshop is not just a bakery; it's a culinary powerhouse that also brings you Phattie Cakes, Crumbinal Cookies, and Phatties Roasters. For over five years, their original concept location has been delighting customers, and now they're set to explode onto the Southern California scene with multiple locations opening in and around San Diego But don't just take our word for it. Phatties has racked up an astonishing 20+ local awards, from best bagels to best donuts, proving they've mastered the art of baking. And their fame isn't limited to local accolades – they've also earned 10 national awards, signaling their undeniable quality and innovation. Why Phatties is the Next Big Thing In a world where dietary needs are constantly evolving, Phatties is ahead of the curve. With gluten intolerance on the rise, this is truly a spot to watch. Phatties isn't just serving up delicious treats; they're setting the stage to become a national sensation. Keep your eyes peeled, because Phatties Bakeshop is about to become your new favorite destination for award-winning, crave-worthy baked goods and more!

Jade Doucet

Gluten free AND vegan?! Sign me up! This place is awesome! The donuts are delicious, they offer a huge variety of flavors, and the staff are all so nice, welcoming, and helpful.

Robin K.

Gluten free items on menu. Staff great. Service on the slow side. Staff very good regarding Celiac diet for gluten free items. Presentation nice. Prices are decent. Food was good but ordinary. Casual decor. We enjoyed it. Would go back.

Taryn Solis

The food here was amazing! From the fruit water they spend hours making to the in house gluten free bread (you'd never know) and the in house made fermented mock meats this was such a good meal. We had the fish balls and two classic banh mi sandwiches.

Lori Cross Schotten

Being gluten free, desserts are always a challenge. This was the best GF chocolate chip cookie and GF ice cream I've ever had. They had so many choices too!

Nisreen Tayebjee

If you're gluten-free and searching for a treat that doesn't taste like a compromise Coco & Jules in San Diego is a dream come true! Their cookies and cupcakes are absolutely phenomenal -- soft, flavorful, and beautifully made. You'd never guess they're gluten-free. The variety is impressive, from classic chocolate chip to more creative seasonal flavors, and each one is baked to perfection. The cupcakes are moist and divine, with frosting that's smooth and balanced and no weird textures or aftertastes that gluten-free treats sometimes have. Beyond the incredible quality of their baked goods, the owner Jules is kind, thoughtful, and truly cares about making people feel welcome and safe with dietary needs. Whether you're celiac, gluten-sensitive, or just appreciate a good dessert, this place is a gem. Highly recommend stopping in but be warned: you'll probably want to come back the next day!

Erin F

First time here after seeing many positive reviews for celiac diners who have to eat gluten free. I also need to be dairy free and egg free and that had a generous selection of vegan items so I had high hopes for a good experience. They met my expectations! The sever made me feel comfortable right away when I let him know my needs. He directed me to the 2 gf pasta choices and the vegan sauces. They even had bread I could eat with their amazing tomato sauce. It’s been years since I’ve been able to have bread in a restaurant with my family. The pasta even held up to being reheated for leftovers without falling apart- bravo!!!

Nicole

Very busy place! The ice cream was so good, and they have gluten free waffles cones. I got the mango peach and coconut one. I can’t remember the names but they were funny! I know my husband got Leather and broken heart. We loved it! Will have to come back when we visit again. Also we got to try all the flavors, the olive rosemary one was better than I expected with the salt! Great ice cream place will come again.

Alex Nongard

Excellent vegan fast food, many gluten-free options and a knowledgeable staff. Dedicated fryer for gluten-free food items for my celiac baddies. Gluten-free bun tastes gluten free, but that's what you get.

Gregory Jenkins

Wow. Just wow. We just had an absolutely elite meal here. It's an unassuming spot, with a casual but cozy ambiance. Great for a date, celebration, or really any time you want a delicious plate of pasta. If they have the mushroom flan, start with that. It was savory, and flavorful. We had the gluten free version, but I'm sure the normal is excellent as well. I was impressed with the range of gluten free options, which is always appreciated for me (celiac). My partner had the crab and shrimp cream sauce with lemon linguini pasta, and she raved about it. I had the same linguini, but with the sausage saffron sauce, and loved it. The dessert menu had a number of decadent sounding options, we settled for thr ugly chocolate cake and the GF tiaramisu. The tiaramisu was so creamy it was almost a pudding - tasty, and melt in your mouth smooth. The ugly chocolate cake (that's what they call it) was lighter than I expected, rich, but kinda airy like a soufflé. Anyway, I can't say enough about this spot. It's a gem. If you want good pasta, this place delivers in spades.

Meghan Varner

Enjoyed their gluten and dairy free pistachio ice cream

Jolene Theresa

TLDR: celiac friendly My celiac friend and I stopped by to try out their gluten free flatbread and she took half of hers to go which is highly uncommon. Most gf breads are like cardboard or rubbery but this flatbread tasted just like gluten bread! She didn't get sick so there was definitely no gluten in it but whatever it was, it was amazing! I ordered gluten full tortellini which looked and tasted like it was made in house and I was completely satisfied with my meal. We stopped by just as happy hour was ending and our waiter was quick to help us get some happy hour wine orders in before it was too late. The bathroom... it an experience. Like many cities, some locations work within their confines and RoVino got very clever. The restroom is a short walk outside the restaurant which at first seems so strange because they have someone walk you down to it. At the end of the block, tucked away you'll find a very clean little walk to a door with their logo. Type in the code and you enter a 1 stall restroom. It was so random but well done, I'll be talking about that little experience for a while.

Emma Lucas

I sought this place out during a short trip to San Diego because it’s seed-oil free, is committed to using organic and whole ingredients, and has lots of gluten-free options. Parakeet Café did not disappoint. I ordered their eggs and salmon w/ gluten free toast, and the acai bowl….they were both so good that I went I ordered the exact same thing at the Coronado location later that day. The staff were also nice.

Audrey Holas

I think it's very nice that they have gluten free options here, and all of the workers seemed very polite except one. The worker checking me out had such an attitude. He had short brown hair and when i politely asked for the gluten free creme brulee he gave me such a rude look and said "your confusing me, look in the case that's all we have right now" in a very rude tone. While i'm not upset that they were limited on the gluten free options that day, i am upset that the worker had to be disrespectful to a customer trying to find a gluten free option. It was confusing as online they had a long list of gluten free options but only 2 available things in store.

Hazel Cabrales

Matthew Hooper

Several items in the bakery display were labelled gluten free, but when went to eat them, we discovered they weren't actually gluten free. The panna cotta was atop a wheat cake, for example. The lack of care for these details means I'd recommend anyone with dietary restrictions to avoid this establishment

Frances Wang

A Valentine’s Day miracle! My husband and I were searching for desserts near our house and found this amazing gem! The owners are so fun and welcoming and the chocolates are delicious! I would not believe it was gluten free and dairy free! We got an assortment of artisan chocolates, including the hot chocolate, and every is so delicious. Our kids also LOVED the chocolates, and said “it was the best candy I’ve ever had!” 🤣

Katie Hall

Wonderful flavors. So many vegan options. They took the time to explain what gluten free options were. Parking is a challenge but worth it

Lucy Peritz

So good! Incredibly delicious Thai food. Consistently good, and service is fast and friendly. Their panang curry is the absolute best one I’ve ever had. Their spice scale is legit too. If you want spicy, you can get spicy. Lots of gluten free and veggie options, too.

Mike Gross

Food was excellent! My daughter has celiac and they had a ton of awesome options! Charlie provided excellent service!

Monet D

I have Celiac (avoid gluten like my life depends on it). Tons of options. Super safe/ knowledgeable about cross contamination. EXCELLENT service (shoutout Catalina). Steak, broccolini and mashed was amazing w the peppercorn sauce. 100% recommend

Danielle

I visited this cafe while on vacation with my girlfriend & I wish I could take it home with me! The menu was creative. The london fog is finished with charcoal. They offered a lot of gluten free items. I had the most delicious gluten free pastries here. The coffee was great & the cafe itself is very chic. The patrons were fun to listen to & mesh with. There were a lot of regulars. We ordered the flower child & the encinitas on gluten free bread. The bread was dense & dry, but overall okay for gf bread. I would like to try more of their menu next time. We will definitely visit when we come back to San Diego!

Dale Huntington

We enjoyed the food. I have celiac and I’m trying have less sugar. The prices are high but I should expect that for such a specific type of food. I felt like the baller bread was my favorite. We had a few donuts and the peanut butter cup. I’d love for them to work more with monk fruit or stevia rather than erythritol but I enjoyed it. The guy working there was also very nice and helpful. I’d love if the prices were a bit more visible and easy to find. But we were very happy and the bread was wonderful.

Ivy O'Neill

So delicious, great service, great food! A ton of gluten free options as well. Came here during a trip with my family and we were all very impressed with our meals.

Jen Johnson

The food was wonderful. It's hard to find a restaurant that has good gluten free options that the kids and adults will all like. Our waiter wasn't the friendliest, but when there was an issue with some chicken that had been ordered, handled it quickly and notified the manager who was very quick to resolve this issue. Would definitely recommend.

Talitha Miller

The environment and atmosphere of this location were absolutely beautiful. I met a friend for dinner, I got the vegan fondue and the gluten free breads&veggies to dip. We both loved everything, especially the mocktails! Shout out to Shauna who made our visit that much more enjoyable, we will definitely be back!

Jose P.

Went here for lunch today. I usually avoid popular restaurants like this because of the long wait times. But, today a Thursday around 3PM wasn't bad--there was no wait. I usually try to avoid pastas but decided to give one a try today. I usually go for Alfredo because they are safe. I ordered the Da Vinci which is a creamy mushroom pasta with chicken. It was very savory and good I would recommend it. Got dessert had to get a cheesecake. You can't go wrong with any of the flavors today I had a chocolate one but I want to go back for a lime coconut one. They did have 2 no sugar added lower calorie options for the cheesecake which is great for people who are trying to eat less sugar. "Low-Licious Cheesecake. Low Carb, No Sugar Added and Gluten Free Cheesecake."

Elyz P

Cute. Cozy. Local cafe serving Cuban coffee and pastries like guava cheese danishes, Cuban pie and even gluten free. They have Cafe con leche that tastes just like they do it in Miami (I’ve never been to Cuba). Great location in old Ocean Beach. I walked over after shopping at Target. Desserts are so yummy and look pretty too.

Aprell Delo

The gluten free options were delicious! Great service as well.

Scott Anthony

Great crepes great coffee great service. They have gluten free crepes and they are delicious.

Herbert Sanchez

Lust TheWander

Our waiter Luca, didn't give us the full experience. Sadly I heard another waitress doing her job with such class and enthusiasm. No specials were said, the other waitress greeted her table with the specials. Apparently we weren't special. My husband's meal was lacking flavor and chicken. 3 small bits of chicken with his penne pasta. My daughters Alfredo, sauce was bland and this Mama never adds salt to ANYTHING, but this NEEDED it. It was great after I added some flavor. My tortellini fungi was amazing. My son's pizza and my mother gluten free pizza(yes they have gluten free pasta and pizza)was tasty. Never did we just get drink refills, we had to ask. Sadly I wished our waiter made our first experience here a nicer one. Don't think hubby will want to come back. 😢

Justin Bell

Great dessert and treat spot right in the San Diego international airport. Very cute stand and the service was on point. They have a bunch of gluten free options which was an unexpected surprise. They had a cheesecake, lemon bar, coconut Macaroon, a couple of different cookies that were all gluten free. Great treats at the end of our vacation. Wish I took photos.

E. T.

So you want/need a place with spacious, calming ambiance inside seating, as well as outside seating? You need to bring 15 friends?, well, they got you with plenty of room! ~Or maybe you meet one friend but have three hour’s worth of catching up to do? ~This is The Place! ~Where they have amazing vegan, gluten free donuts with chocolate frosting that tastes like a 5 star Michelin Bakery, haha!! Or maybe a beyond perfect raspberry square with a light buttery shortbread dough and perfection on the crumble topping which is not overly sweet that would please your Scottish Grandmom? How about awesome sandwiches, great toasted and cream cheese bagels, or Topo Chico if you don’t want coffee or tea?? AND Kind and cheerful waitstaff~Yes! We have been to many, many coffee shops/cafes around SD! So many seem to get their baked goods from Bread and Cie, which is ok, but super repetitive! I cannot say enough about this place. It is That Great! You will not be disappointed! Lastly there is a super cool little plant nursery that has wonderful succulent plants among others! There are also nice art cards and a small selection of gifts offered there! Enjoy!!

Luann Haggard

Dhea Powers

Gluten free waffle cone and ice cream.... felt like I was I Heaven!!! Such a special treat.... YUMMY!!! Thank you for having gluten-free options... especially the gluten-free waffle cones!!!

Dale Huntington

It was our 21st anniversary so the wife and I decided to go someplace with a nice view that was a bit more expensive FOR US, than normal. I was a bit annoyed to start when all the parking was taken while the valet spots had many many spots available. I realize it’s only $10 plus tip but when you save for a fancy meal, you should anticipate that. The staff let me know that rarely happens. But it did happen to me. Once we got to our seats it was worth it. The view is gorgeous. The food was pretty good in that our carne asada was extremely tender. Must’ve been a great cut of meat. Upscale Mexican is not quite the same for me when we live by so many good Mexican places. But for a tourist, I’m sure it’s perfect. Beyond the view I felt our waiter was the best part of the meal. His name was Matthew. He was patient with us and very helpful with the gluten free items since I have celiac disease. (I didn’t get sick btw) He was nice and as talkative as we wanted. We never felt rushed and we actually appreciated how he went out of his way to assure us to tarry. Our dessert was nice and the cafe moto coffees were excellent. If I were a bit more wealthy and not a pastor, we would probably visit even more.

Arthur Thomas

Sarah D

This is a great spot for fast, tasty food—whether you’re craving a burger, chicken sandwich, or even a veggie option. They’ve also got gluten-free buns and lettuce wraps, which is always a plus. Since it’s Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈, they’re offering colorful rainbow sprinkles on your shake to support GLAAD, which we love! I tried the Banana Pudding shake, and it was pretty good—loaded with crumbled vanilla wafers and fresh bananas. Other limited-time shakes include the Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake and Campfire S’mores—definitely worth stopping in while they’re still available! Ordering is quick and easy—they have kiosks inside, or you can order ahead online or through the app. There’s plenty of seating both indoors and out, and they even have a parking lot (a rare find in Little Italy!) It’s a solid stop for a quick, satisfying meal—and now’s a great time to go grab a shake and show some Pride! 🌈🥤💛

Margaret Flores

Lior Seidel

Dave Washington

ems dont

most pastries are gluten free! and all excellent choices, plus the most amazing staff

Joel N

I took my girlfriend here for her birthday. She has very particular dietary restrictions currently due to a health challenge. Each person we interacted with wished her a happy birthday. They even left a card wishing her a happy birthday as well. The waiter could have been a bit more attentive with getting drinks ordered and apps started, but when he was there, he was great. Very knowledgeable about the menu. And nearly every dish was accommodated to be dairy free with sauces on the side. We are also both gluten free, so this was a dream for us. The entire menu is essentially gf. The highlight was the lamb. It was out of this world. Best we've both ever had. Way better than Kokkari Estiatorio in SF. We definitely over-ordered food, so I couldn't try the pavlova, but there was just so many good options we wanted to try. We took a box home and I'll be having that for lunch today. We'll be back for sure. The venue is also gorgeous and the head chef is a true professional. This is his craft and he's now playing in the big leagues and crushing it.

Julia Summers

Charles Lane