Top 50 Gluten-Free Dinner Spots to Delight in Encinitas

Elizabeth Finley

Totally Gluten free heaven

Linda Berger

We had take away. Gluten free pizza crust was good. Sauce was typical So-Cal bland. Spinach salad with balsamic salad dressing had an alarming amount of rosemary. My sautéd spinach had a hard piece of foreign matter in it, which hurt my tooth and ruined my meal. I shared a photo of the object with the manager and he stated that he only needed to reimburse me for the spinach as that was the only part of my food impacted. Clearly he is fine with foreign matter in his pricy food. Not a restaurant that I will return to.

Earth Explorer

East Indian themed healthy restaurant with gluten-free and vegan options. The three egg omelet was pretty good and a frittata was even a little better. The coffee is very standard with no exotic options such as butter coffee or espresso tonic or pour over. The seating is very comfortable and the Wi-Fi was about 100/20. Overall this is the place I would recommend trying when you're in Encinitas.

Mary Carbajal

We had a fabulous dinner. You can’t find a better beach view. The ambiance is warm, comfortable and beautiful. The food was excellent. I’m so tired of having mediocre food and being disappointed. The service was outstanding. Our server was attentive and made good suggestions. I can’t wait to go back. There were so many things I wanted to try. They have a gluten free menu which made ordering food easy. This will be a favorite place !

Bayley Macintosh

We enjoyed our meal here. It was our first time trying it, the smell of the chicken lured us in, lol. The only complaint I have was the sauces. Theyre a little runny, lacked flavor, and therefore took away from the experience, as I love sauce and a good sauce elevates the meal. The best one was the BBQ one but again, runny. It barely stuck to the chicken. Aside from that though, we liked the food and a bonus is, we didnt feel sick or anything like we often do with eating out. The ingredients are clearly superior which I appreciate a lot. We got the gluten free fried whole bird and I think they did a good job with the gluten free recipe.

Amy Kesler Andersen

Great buns!

Thomas Kirby

The server was amazing. Very understanding of celiac and it sounds like they take it very seriously. She explained to me they use separate utensils and very familiar with what is needed to keep celiacs safe. She said she’s worked there 10 years and no one has got sick on her watch. Sushi was very tasty. Didn’t feel sick after eating here. Would throughly recommend to celiacs!

Frank DelSavio

Gluten-free bun on my iconic burger

SanDiego IsParadise

Delicious food with a gorgeous view! Plenty of gluten free options and substitutions!

Shawn Knight

My family had such an awesome time we came two nights in a row! The pizza and beers were delicious. Service was top notch, super friendly staff, Julian crushed it and was very helpful, props to great service! One in our family has a gluten allergy and their gluten free pizza was super tasty, would highly recommend. Great atmosphere with some outdoor seating and family friendly. Will definitely come again and again!

Elizabeth P

Great service and delicious gluten free churros. Just for that it’s an amazing place. Thank you for making gluten-free tacos! They are so rare and we were so happy to have some!

Kerry Fisherkeller

Pizza served hot, cheesy with crispy crust this place has it going on. Small but good selection of beers, wines and cocktails to go with. Several classic Italian items on the menu as well as my favorite tiramisu. View of the ocean so I decided to try the garlic shrimp - delicious! My dining partner ordered the gluten free deluxe perfectly baked with slightly crisped pepperoni rising up like sails on the ocean! Divine.

Emy Moore

100% GF & vegan cafe. Great Lasagna and wrap

Kim Salners

I really wanted to enjoy my solo dinner plans at Herb & Sea, but they failed… badly. My reservations were for 1 person on a Saturday night. I checked in and the place was packed, but I waited in front of the host stand for 30mins before being seated. I was ignored for 20 mins by 3 different hostesses until I asked what was going on. They had ready excuses and that my table was being bused as we spoke… waited another 10mins then asked to speak to the manager whose name was Luke. Amazingly, my table was ready right away and Luke sat me down and asked about diet restrictions. He recommended and ordered the ceviche with plantain chips for me. I told him I wasn’t going to order dinner anymore specifically bc of the wait time and I had to leave at 9pm and I didn’t trust they could cook and serve me in less than an hour. He said he’d send out the ceviche and I ordered a glass of wine. Nick was my waiter who came over with my wine and instead of standing upright like he did for all the other couples and groups, he leaned and crossed his arms over the other chair across from me. He took my menu and notated/wrote with a star what was gluten/dairy free… like I’m a child or a helpless little girl who can’t read or know what was gluten/dairy free. I ordered the tomatoes appetizer and he only filled my water glass after I pushed it toward him. Nick didn’t refill my water or take my ceviche plate away after I know he looked over at me and my table from the next table over. The tomatoes were served by another buser, but she had no silverware. Nick, at the next table over, heard/listening and turned around to give me a knife and fork then finished with the other table and left without checking in. Nick came by later and asked how was I. I said it was good, but I’d like the check. He leaned on my chair again while refilling my water glass. I told him ‘you know, you don’t need to lean on my chair’. Luke came by again asked about the tomatoes… I said they were spicy and he said that if it was being shared it wouldn’t be so ‘much’ and made it seem weird I was alone. He apologized for the wait and that he’d give me his card for the next time. I told him about Nick and his leaning on my chair and it was rude. I also said, “You know I’m going to do a review, right?”. I told him my evening was ruined by Herb & Sea and that I had planned my night with enough time… reservation at 730 to leave at 9pm for a previous engagement. He acknowledged and comped my ‘meal’ (2 appetizers) and glass of wine. All I can say is I won’t be back and they ALL need to do better. Restaurants are a dime a dozen and I would have loved to actually eat an entree there, but why go back??

Brent Warner

Excellent location - food was spot on. Protein style, double double, chopped chilis, whole grilled onions. Light well fries. Order burger protein style for gluten free option. Perfection at its finest.

Jeff Rushton

Here for the first time. Ian serving is. Wine is very well priced for the quality and the food very good especially for us liking Gluten free options which they have many! We have rebooked again later in the week.

Jennifer Joy

This place is gas, I don’t know how it wasn’t busier than it was!! Big portions, quick service, super delicious. They have a gluten free menu too! Get the orange ish chicken for sure.

Annika Soderfelt

A cozy, delicious, fairly priced spot to eat in downtown Encinitas. I love all the vegetarian options, and there is no flavor sacrificed like there sometimes is in gluten-free or meat, free dishes. I’ve been a number of times and the service is always very professional and quick. my most recent time going, I arrived just before the start of halftime of a football game and was able to order, eat, and pay then return to the game just after kickoff. I cannot over hype their service.

Daryl Frazier

This was my first time at Borelli's. When I drove up I thought it was an odd location but inside it looked okay and I would think about coming back to eat inside. I ordered a 12" meat lover's 🍕, a12" Island style (originated in Windsor Canada) and a house salad 🥗. The meat lover's was pretty typical meat covered and good tasting. The Island was a cheese pizza with a few pieces of pineapple a couple of red onion half slices and a sprinkling of what I guess was Canadian bacon. In Palm Desert where I live a local Hawaiian pizza from Mario's Place is covered in pineapple 🍍 chunks, lots of Canadian bacon, smothered with slices of Maui style sweet onions, (I prefer it on the gluten free crust) in one bite you get some of all the ingredients together with sauce and cheese, it's fantastic! For $25.50 I thought their pizza could have been a lot tastier. I would definitely go back but would certainly ask about the food and try to direct the kitchen on how to make better meals without breaking the bank. I noticed their name on the outside directory was spelled incorrectly and mentioned it, they had no clue. Details matter, don't fall asleep at the wheel and get off course or you'll run into trouble 😵‍💫. Their house salad 🥗 was fabulous, with lots of goodies in it with a nice simple 🫒 olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. Hopefully they read these reviews and will start adding some attention to the specialty pizzas.

Julie Bradley

The coffee box has yummy gf pasties. We have 3 with celiac in the family and are very sensitive.

DS Hull

Great gluten-free meals are consistently flavored from dish to dish. Try the Nawaratan Korma, vegetable coconut curry, absolutely incredible. Medium heat rated at 5 is spicier than other local ratings. Our second entree, Lamb Tikka Masala, was equally good and we cut the spice rating to 3 and it was nicer. Again, incredible flavor and a great portion size. Indoor seating is nice when there is a breeze, but sit outside of the weather allows, the sunset views are relaxing.

Katherine Nichoson Love

Very friendly and speedy and knowledgeable about what items contain gluten.

Gluten Free Travel Girl

Excellent sushi - the fish is so fresh and tender. Skip the traditional rolls and try the hand rolls, it’s what they’re known for, hence the name Temaki. We loved the lobster, spicy scallop and the pop and rock hand rolls. The super ninja buddy roll is killer, so many flavors. So grateful for so many gluten free options too!

Debra Fleurbaaij

The location is amazing. Service was so bad though. Didn’t take our order for even appetizers until we went to find the waiter after 45 minutes. Didn’t get our appetizers until again going to find waiter after 45 more minutes. Correct appetizers were not delivered. 1 appetizer-oysters wasn’t ever delivered and when we asked after 15 more minutes we were told they had been out since the morning. Imagine our surprise when the table next to us got an order of oysters 20 minutes later. Main courses were brought incorrectly and 3 people with gluten allergies were served gluten and had to send it back. Some sides were never delivered. The seabass was excellent, but the halibut and mahi mahi were very dry and tasteless. This place is expensive and everything should be excellent for what you’re paying. We’ve gone here many times in the past and will never go back. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

Brent Warner

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Lobster West, and I was absolutely blown away by the experience. The lobster rolls here are simply phenomenal—fresh, delicious, and packed with generous chunks of lobster. Each bite was a delightful blend of perfectly seasoned lobster meat and a buttery, toasted roll that made for an unforgettable meal. The quality and freshness of the lobster were evident in every bite. It's clear that Lobster West takes great care in sourcing and preparing their ingredients to ensure the highest quality. The lobster rolls are not only delicious but also offer great value, given the generous portion sizes. The ambiance is casual and inviting, making it a perfect spot for a quick bite or a relaxed meal. The staff were friendly, efficient, and genuinely passionate about their food, which added to the overall positive experience. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Lobster West is a must-visit for any seafood lover. I can't recommend it highly enough and will definitely be returning soon! Gluten free rolls available, if not, you can order without the roll.

Mohammed Parsley

agnese cimino

We stayed two nights in a row: delicious hamburgers even in the gluten-free version! Small place with very efficient service

Ada Juarez

It is super delicious and they have gluten free, very good services, we must support small business owners.

Dan Garren

Eggs benedicts was over priced $21.00 for (1) plate. Charged $1.50 extra for (1) piece of gluten-free bread as a substitute. Cashier was rude, almost demanding a tip (for what?) me walking up and taking my order? The cashier brought her (2) children to work with her. They were not well behaved making noise inside and outside the bistro.

Nienah

The gluten free blueberry oatcake is my favorite thing to get here! It’s their gf version of a pancake and it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside been coming here for over 10 years with my family since i was a kid!

agnese cimino

Following the advice of a friend, reading the reviews, and above all seeing the long queue... We decided to go in🥰 Open kitchen, very busy evening and yet they served us quickly I had an exceptional fish taco (gluten-free).

Andrea Glass

I appreciated the fact that there were gluten-free and dairy-free options however the menu was a traditional Thai food menu so it really didn't stand out

Irene Bubnack

To say Urbane Cafe is one of my ALL-TIME favorite restaurants is an understatement. I fell in love with the food while working at USD over the last 16 years. I can tell you that when asking our college students what food I should order for events, Urbane Cafe is always the #1 request (especially as they have options for vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free foods! It makes ordering for a crowd SO easy!!! Boxes are labeled with names and orders, and Bea is fantastic at getting everything set with catering delivery)! The food is always so satisfying. Consistently on par with quality, flavor, and value. I was thrilled when the Encinitas Restaurant opened, as I have friends and family in North County. I've ordered for family gatherings and love to meet friends for lunch and dinner (I'd love breakfast too ... I can dream of breakfast sandwhiches on that incredible bread)! It's a great location to grab a quick bite when shopping or to hang out with friends and family. I've had everything on the menu over the years (and the seasonal specials and have several go-to menu items I choose from regularly), and everyone in my family has their favorites. Still, my all-time favorite is the Urbane Cafe Salad. The blend of moist chicken, nuts, pear, and avocado is fantastic! I rarely eat bread anymore... but the one bread that is an exception is the fresh delicious Urbane bread (dipping it into a bit of dressing ... awe, heaven)! We are living in Morgan Hill, CA, right now ... and the very first thing I get when I drive into town is Urbane Cafe in Encinitas. I time my drive to be there when they open, and I usually order at least two salads and keep one for the next day (they refrigerate beautifully). I pray you open an Urbane Cafe in Morgan Hill very soon! Morgan Hill is a Foodie's paradise! I know the health-conscious, food-loving valley residents would be in heaven (and the value would certainly be appreciated)! And as most of San Jose and Gilroy travel to Morgan Hill for good food, this would be an ideal location to start! ... Plus, you have an Urbane Cafe Lover (ME) who would gladly stand on the corner and give sworn testimony! I can't wait to get my next Urbane Cafe fix on 11/7 ... I'll see you then! Best, Irene B.

Michelle Trostler

I’ve been here 20-30 times. This restaurant is being mismanaged. It used to be great. But now, hit or miss. Menu displays GF symbol prominently and I am gluten free. Awesome! But lately the wait staff often says they’re out of GF bread. Kinda puts a damper on the GF mussels when there’s no bread to sop up the sauce. Last night, the waiter said they were out of GF bread, but then he said he looked and they had some. It wasn’t the yummy flat bread from the last time I was there, but it was something. Makes me wonder if they’re actually out when they say they’re out? The waiter was able to find some after he’d been told there was none. My father ordered a glass of Merlot. The waiter came back saying they didn’t have merlot by the glass. I tried to order beef stroganoff with GF pasta. But they were out of GF pasta. GF pasta is shelf stable. This is just mismanagement. Don’t have a menu that offers GF dishes if you’re not prepared to serve them gluten free. It’s also insane to be unable to order a glass of merlot. C’mon…you’re better than this.

Christopher Seneca

The ultimate neighborhood gem. So thankful this friendly and delicious restaurant exists, as well as that they offer gluten free pizza. In the future it would be wonderful to see a few more gluten free items such as buns or beer, as they always seem to be out, but it would really make this place even more special.

Megan Lax

I am gluten and dairy free and it’s usually so hard to find good Italian food but I had the most delicious pizza here! The management is so nice and helpful, too. They make their own gluten free dough that’s super good, and they have gluten free pasta and focaccia, and vegan cheese. My mom also got a normal pizza that was delicious. Definitely recommend!

Jonathan W

Wonderful food Celiac / gluten free friendly

Jennifer Worrall

Awesome sauces -- try the gorgonzola sauce. The gluten free pasta is excellent. Good wine list.

Samantha S.

Our favorite fish taco in the last few years! Corn tortillas are really good and a great size. Great for gluten free!

Polly Creveling

The gluten free pizza here has had me dreaming of going back to Encinitas ever since I took a bite. The owner has created a magical, fluffy, crispy dough that is every celiac pizza lovers dream.

V F

Oggi's is so good, they don't need anymore reviews!! My kids love it, every time. We got the Wimbledon (veggies galore!), regular and gluten free version, and it was delicious 😋 wings and quinoa salad and we were so satisfied. If you are in town, you gotta go!

Hathor Isis Moon

Love the food especially the vegan gluten free raspberry cheesecake cake is heaven on earth. Please make the raspberry sauce less sweet, it needs to be served with an insulin shot last time I went, before when I had it multiple times it wasn't as syrupy sweet like that.

Melissa Delmont

Himalayan Kitchen has become a family favorite. The food is delicious and we always end up with leftovers for the next day. I highly recommend stopping in for authentic food and great prices. As a side note: We also have gluten free and dairy free needs, which are easily accommodated here.

nathalie river

Such a great restaurant! The risotto, brussels sprouts, falafel ball, kale salad, salmon, and margaritas were phenomenal! Gluten free and vegetarian, friendly! Love the ambience of the outdoor seating area.

Mariette

Love that the menu includes gluten-free and vegetarian options.

e turn

You know those ‘let’s get the fam out for unplanned celebratory dinner’ only to have it fail and you’re scrambling for plan B moments? Osteria wasn’t what we thought we’d eat Friday night but it will never be forgotten as the night impeccable service, unforgettably satisfying dishes, and an ambience that felt as relaxed as your backyard but really really special not only salvaged our special occassion but set a bar both in food and service that we keep talking about. Jackson, our server, set the tone and invitation that got our fam out of their funk and smiling with garlic foccacia. My wife has not been able to eat pasta or pizza for years due to gluten sensitivities and had NO issues with any of their bread dishes. She swooned over the scallops. Even my teenager was shocked into sarcasticlessness by what she admitted was the best tiramisu of her life. Osteria Tavi is the quiet masterpiece of a meal and experience we didn’t know was possible.

Meredith White Garner

We love Valentina!!! Every time we go they have a new seasonal dish. This week it was fresh local sea bass with Chino Farm's veggies!!!! Spectacular!!! So good 🙌🏼 I have Celiac, this was all gluten-free, and I never have any gluten issues eating here. We love their wine selection too - and the decor and ambiance. Every bit! You will love this Valentina!!!

Forgotten Toaster Waffle

Excellent wine, fantastic food, and safe gluten free food. They understand cross contamination risks. Used to be too loud, but they put in sound absorbing ceiling panels and it is good now.

Charles Hollingsworth

This is the best chicken ever. If you are looking for great protein, this is where to find it. The service is excellent. The restaurant is clean. I mean spotless. The staff are friendly, prompt and attentive. There are plenty of Gluten Free options.

Kevin Ferguson

I'm new to the area (moved here in Jan of 2023) and feel fortunate to have found this great Pizza place. The pizza is hands down some of the best around. The Margherita pizza is the best I've ever tasted - with real buffalo mozzarella. The only downside of the place is that it gets so busy at times that they don't answer the phone for call-in orders. But if that happens to you, just wander on down, order and grab a beer or glass of wine while you wait for your pizza to go. Of course dining in is a great option too. One other note - one time I went there and they informed me that they had been so busy that they ran out of regular dough and only had gluten free. I gave it a shot. Never again. Those of you trying to avoid gluten, go for it. But the flavor was nowhere near as close to the standard dough. I'll be back...