Top 11 Gluten-Free Italian Spots to Delight in Santa Cruz

Your curated guide to gluten-free dining options, with detailed reviews and recommendations for safe celiac-friendly meals.

Pizza My Heart

1116 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Gluten Free IconAccommodating Gluten-Free
LunchDinnerOpen LateItalianPizzaDeliveryTake AwayPet FriendlyOutdoor SeatingKid Friendly
With a laid-back surf vibe, this bustling hotspot offers unique pizza options, spacious seating, and a great atmosphere for groups.

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Koko Paulli
Koko Paulli
Late night pizza experience accomplished! Accommodating the Vegan gluten free request to max a whole pizza myself for a road trip was perfect. Thanks Pizza My Heart!

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Tramonti

528 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
Gluten Free IconAccommodating Gluten-Free
LunchDinnerOpen LateItalianDeliveryTake AwayOutdoor SeatingKid Friendly
Cozy spot with a vibrant atmosphere, offering generous portions and a variety of options that keep everyone happy and coming back for more.

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Crystal Daily
Crystal Daily
Great find. Lots of gluten-free options; pizza and pasta. Even my kids cleared their plates.

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Sugo Italian Pasta Bar

1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
Gluten Free IconAccommodating Gluten-Free
LunchDinnerItalianDeliveryTake AwayOutdoor SeatingKid Friendly
Enjoy a cozy atmosphere with attentive service, and a vibrant menu featuring delightful offerings that leave everyone wanting more.

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Pamela Wagner
Pamela Wagner
Such a great addition to Midtown SantaCruz! Hubby and I went after a friend recommended Sugo. We had such a great dinner! Prompt, attentive service, and incredible menu with vegetarian and gluten free options. Great cozy, clean, bustling atmosphere. After sharing a salad-plenty for two- I enjoyed the Mushroom ravioli. Hubby had a very nicely done margherita pizza. We will definitely be back, and try the order to pickup as well.

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Lillian's Italian Kitchen

1148 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
Gluten-free options
ItalianDinnerDessertsPastaLunchDeliveryTake AwayKid Friendly
A vibrant spot known for consistently excellent dishes and a lively atmosphere, perfect for food lovers seeking a memorable experience.

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donna lohrmann
donna lohrmann
Food is fabulous. There is a gluten free option to substitute polenta for pasta, which I do and it works well. I get the same dish every time because it's consistently excellent - Fettuccine (polenta substitute) with Braised Beef Ragu. Try it! If the noise level didn't get so high, it would be 5 stars.

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Upper Crust Pizza & Pasta

2415 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Gluten-free options
LunchDinnerBrunchOpen LateItalianPizzaDeliveryTake AwayPet FriendlyOutdoor SeatingKid FriendlyRestaurant
A family-run spot with a local vibe, loved by all kinds of people for its excellent options.

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Carrie Aiken
Carrie Aiken
Totally local vibe for people of all kinds. Excellent gluten-free option

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Avanti Restaurant

1917 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Gluten-free options
LunchDinnerItalianCocktailsDeliveryTake AwayOutdoor SeatingKid Friendly

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Samir Jain
Samir Jain
Got the chicken fusili dish with gluten free spaghetti with no cheese - incredible.

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Gabriella Café

910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Gluten-free options
BreakfastLunchDinnerBrunchItalianDeliveryTake AwayOutdoor Seating

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Katy Anderson
Katy Anderson
My favorite place in downtown. Food is excellent. Gluten free options. Reasonable prices. Service is wonderful. Outdoor dining. Parking garage and street parking nearby.

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Pizzeria Avanti

1711 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Gluten-free options
BreakfastLunchDinnerBrunchItalianPizzaTake AwayKid Friendly

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Natalie Ross
Natalie Ross
Best gluten-free, dairy-free pizza I've had! Plus they have an awesome array of toppings. Last time I checked, their pesto is dairy free, too, which is a great plus.

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Zoccoli's Delicatessen

1534 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Gluten Free IconAccommodating Gluten-Free
ItalianTake AwayBread ItemsRestaurant
A must-visit spot with unique custom options, a deli counter, and tasty treats; just be ready for a busy scene and limited seating!

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Samantha N
Samantha N
Hands down my all time favorite deli... Only place that can even remotely compare is garden deli by Dominican hospital but zoccollis is the best, by far... They have an all original menu plus you can custom make your food, they have a wide selection of lunch items and a few possible dinner options like pasta, lasagna, spaghetti and raviolis etc... My fav on a hot day is the castroville Italian (as long as they aren't slim on the insides... Too much bread when they do that, ruins it) but the breaded chicken pesto is my favvvvvvv of all time! The blast is good too. They have a deli counter to get sliced meat for take home, lots of independent options for chips, local favorite "the cookie company" has cookies here, wonderful cakes, pies, cheese cake (so good), wide drink selection and lots of salads & vegetarian options... Even gluten free options too! Try to call in ahead, menu can be found online. Park by the bank and post office and go in through the back... Way easier. No seating inside and very limited seating outside... I just get take out and go to the beach a few minutes away (by car). Makes for a great lunch date! Service is awesome but they are extremely popular so just know they get very busy and try not to take it personally if you end up on hold for a very long time... Lol... It's happened to me a few times over the years... But its just THAT busy!! Worth the wait though!!!

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Rustico Italian Street Food

1003 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Gluten-free options
LunchDinnerItalianTake AwayKid Friendly
Expect a delightful surprise with top-notch Italian street food and an inviting vibe that keeps you coming back for more.

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tom haid
tom haid
I was very, very happily surprised when I went here. Went early evening to have some authentic Italian street food. I must say it’s the best pizza I have ever had. And I’ve had lots of pizza all over the country. I met the owner named Francisco. Very nice guy warm friendly.. They also have gluten-free pizza which I didn’t have, but I’m gonna try it next time I go. I wouldn’t miss this place. It’s the bomb.

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Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar

1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Gluten-free options
LunchDinnerBrunchOpen LateItalianPizzaDeliveryTake AwayOutdoor SeatingKid FriendlyBar

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Chrissy MacLean
Chrissy MacLean
Outdoor with a heater and a delicious vegan gluten free pizza!!! For me, that is a perfect night. (Rad service too)

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