Top 14 Gluten-Free Lunch Spots to Enjoy in Irvine

Maryam K

Pastries, food except croissants are gluten free

Aaron Stanek

Gluten free pita!

Isabelle Grace

Today was my first time eating at Urban Plates and it certainly won’t be my last! I ordered the chili glazed grilled tofu with a side of roasted brussels sprouts and sesame broccolini - all of these items were 10/10! Very tasty a good healthy meal! As a vegan, I appreciate the many options that cater to different preferences and allergies. There were many options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free diets with everything marked on the menu which is always a plus! Also, a special shout out to Fatima who was very helpful and gave me excellent customer service. Thank you Urban Plates!

krystal g

They have a gluten free menu! My boyfriend with celiac disease has tried the chicken pad Thai and the chicken fried rice with no reaction!

Eric Morgan

I came here for the gluten free options (NCGS) I had the "Best Quesonario W/O crispy onion strings", W/ gluten free bun. It was great. One of the best GF buns I have had. The fries are good. Made fresh I think. They had too much salt, but I assume that was an end of day thing. The water from the machine was good The bathroom was clean We went at a non busy time. I imagine if this place was busy seating could be difficult to find.

Dom R

Customer service is amazing. They go above and beyond. They are knowledgeable on celiac disease and care for customers.

Nikki Lee

I appreciate how thorough our server was with checking on ingredients for the gluten-free pasta. The dish was truly delicious

Sunny A

It is so amazing to hqve a grass fed , gluten free bread, that fries rice oil. I haven't eaten junk food for years due to UC condition so it is great to have a little option for people like me. Great burgers , onion rings, and just over all very helpful to make it your way as best they can. Please keep making it healthy.

Bill Thoma

Wife enjoyed the gluten free flautas very tasty. Tacos always a solid choices. Chips and salsa with guacamole Goes great with a cold beer and margaritas.

Mark Jackson

Second time in a row they messed up our order. My son has a severe dairy allergy and my daughter has celiacs disease. We were so happy to find a place that could cater to their needs. Unfortunately the staff at thus location does not take that responsibility very highly. The last time we went they put regular cheese on our dairy free pizza. It was obvious so we were able to replace it before any thing bad happened. This time they must not have been being careful and flour must have gotten on the pizza somehow. I'm typing this as I listen to my 9 year old vomiting and in pain in the bathroom. I doubt she will choose fresh brothers again.

T1 triRents

To Whom It May Concern, I'm writing to express deep frustration and disappointment following a visit to your Irvine BJ's Restaurant on May 22nd, 2025, for my wife Roz’s birthday celebration. We had a party of 13 and called ahead, only to be told the wait would be 30–45 minutes. Instead, we waited over 2 hours while being repeatedly given conflicting and inaccurate wait times (20 mins, then 5 mins, then 15 mins, etc.). It was only after escalating the issue to a manager that we were finally seated — a full 45 minutes after being told our table was "being cleaned." The service did not improve once seated. Staff were rude and dismissive — not just to my wife, but to multiple members of our party who politely asked for status updates. At one point, BJ's attempted to offer "lobby pizza" to the waiting group, which would have been appreciated if they had respected dietary restrictions. My wife has celiac disease, and we explained she could not eat gluten. Despite this, we were told there would be no accommodations — even if we were willing to pay. To make matters worse, Roz also suffers from hypoglycemia, and being forced to wait that long without food triggered a medical episode. This was not just inconvenient — it was dangerous and negligent. When we were finally seated, the experience did not improve: only one overwhelmed waitress was assigned to our large group, service remained slow and unfriendly, and to add insult to injury, an 18% gratuity was automatically added — despite the substandard and outright harmful service. Our total came to nearly $800, and every single member of the group was charged that gratuity — regardless of their experience. This was meant to be a celebratory evening for my wife’s birthday. Instead, it was a source of anxiety, frustration, and actual physical harm. We expect a full apology and request appropriate compensation for the unacceptable experience we were put through. Sincerely, Mario A.

Christine Farag

First time here. Food and service was great. One gluten free patron in our party (celiac) and staff was very understanding. Carlos made the experience wonderful with checking in frequently!

Simon Liu

Great price and great good. Ask for low salt and its better. Wish they had choose of gluten free buns.

Chelsea Morales

Belem Ramos

I visited this establishment for the first time recently and had an overall decent experience, though there were a few areas for improvement. When I arrived, I wasn’t greeted or acknowledged, which felt a bit impersonal. You basically wait in line until they call you up with a quick “next,” which was a bit underwhelming in terms of customer service. The cleanliness could also use some attention. There was a lot of water or soda on the floor near the machine, and the tables and surrounding area had visible trash and crumbs. It didn’t seem like much effort was made to keep the space tidy. When it came to the pizza, I ordered the combo with sausage, pepperoni, bell peppers, and olives. The toppings were a little light—especially the bell peppers, which were chopped very small—and I found the pizza to be lacking in both sauce and cheese. However, the meats were tasty, and overall, the pizza had good flavor. One positive note is that they offer a gluten-free crust, which is a great option for people with dietary restrictions, though it does come with a $4+ upcharge. The crust was crunchy and flavorful, though I’m not sure if it’s fully celiac-safe. While the price didn’t seem to fully match the quality of the food, it’s still a good option for a quick, no-frills pizza, especially if you’re looking for something fast and solo. I would definitely consider coming back for the gluten-free crust, but I hope they can improve the overall experience in terms of service and cleanliness.

Maddiy Cook

separate prep kitchen for gluten allergy!

Silvia

Build your own pizza with a lot of fresh ingredients, you can choose gluten free or cauliflower crust for some extra bucks And pair your pizza with draft beer Soo delicious My new fever place

Benedict

Lots of gluten free items available on the menu. Great staff and great service.

Suzette Vergnetti

I love the Shorebird on a gluten-free bun and sharing a cob salad.

Cilla Cyphers

Yummy and gluten-free

Brittney Crenshaw

We dine here all of the time, the food is delicious and our celiac family is always safe! Giovanni is amazing who helps us every time!

911feedmee

I recently visited Cucina at Spectrum Irvine for a girls’ hangout, and it was a delightful experience! The vibe is fantastic, and I’d rate the ambiance a solid 5/5. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly welcoming. 💌They quickly seated us, and our server was friendly, polite, and provided excellent explanations about the dishes, especially considering my garlic allergy. He ensured I was aware of which items contained garlic, which was very thoughtful. 🍕We ordered a Margarita pizza, shrimp pasta, a berry dip, Brussels sprouts, and a sparkling rosé. 🧑‍🍳The food arrived promptly, and the service was impeccable. Our server checked in multiple times to ensure we had everything we needed and kept our water glasses full. 🚻The restroom was spotless, which added to the positive experience. ⚠️One area for improvement would be offering a simplified menu for those with dietary restrictions like garlic or gluten allergies. Despite this, the overall experience was outstanding, and I’d highly recommend Cucina. Don’t miss their beautiful wine rack, I’ll share a photo! If you’re in Irvine or Orange County, definitely give Cucina a visit! Location: Spectrum Center, 670 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618, near the intersection of Spectrum Center Dr and Enterprise D

Sam Hosein

Yummy Indian restaurant with nice ambience. The menu has lots of yummy options including vegan and gluten free. Service is limited. The staff is friendly and will allow you to sit wherever you like. Only indoor seating is available. At every table there's a QR code that's used to see the menu as well as pay. Food is freshly prepared and came out quick. Lots of free self parking.

J C

Definitely worth it. Haven't been in years and was glad to see they've finally added some gluten free options

Trixie O

They are the worst customer service and knowledge bout gluten free allergies and definitely have No business getting advertise as such. I called and once I arrived I asked again. I ordered and paid and then she told me she was out of gluten free buns so I am getting toast gluten free burger ITS DISGISTING. Not what I asked for, I DO NOT WANT FING TOAST FOR A BURGER. I could have gotten somewhere else. I’m traveling and Not alone. I truly hate this people. LIARS. SO GROSS!! I was asked how my food was and I told this lady gross and unsatisfactory She acted like I didn’t say ANYTHING so I repeated to her and again just ignored. DO NOT ASK HOW MY FOOD WAS IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR THE CUSTOMER S ANSWER. 🤮

Sean Moraffah

This is a gluten free review. The food here is packed with flavor. Here are some of my favorite gluten free options: Cha Cha fries Hand made Guacamole with chips and salsa Empanadas Chicken breast tacos I also love the ambiance. Very open, breezy, and comfortable. Would give 5 stars if it wasn't so expensive. $18 for three tacos and $20 for enchiladas? Woah.

Dax Stiles

Love this Cava. I always bring my friends who visit from Florida here and they always want to come back! Love that they label all their vegan and gluten free options and keep veggies away from meat.

Vishal Chakraborty

We coke here to celebrate birthdays with other Phd students - definitely wallet friendly! A little slow service. They accommodate a variety of dietary requests - garlic free bread sticks, vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. Great staff!

Jenny Coyne

David Barry

Nice people at the bar Food was inedible. Pasta was a ball of gluten. Roasted chicken was dry and flavorless. Toast for the burrata was stale.

Dee Dee

Came here for a bd celebration. 6 out of 5 stars for presentation, food, service, and atmosphere. Brian did an exceptional job making sure our meat was well done and to our liking. All of the meat was delicious, and the sides during brunch were perfect. You may also go to the buffet bar where rhere is an assortment of fruit, potatoes, waffles, sausage, fritata, mixed greens, etcetera.They offered a $53 pp special for Father's Day, so it was very crowded. The sides came with polenta, gluten-free bread, mashed potatoes, and fried bananas. Bathrooms are on premises. Valet parking or park for free near the restaurant.

Brenda Snider

Our server was a joy! I love the environment. They have many gluten free choices.

Alex S

My favorite burger place. They have gluten free buns and their salads are tasty too! Great service!

UUtopia

Phenomenal food, I’ve never had a better gluten free sandwich! Their meals are able to be enjoyed by myself and friends with a gluten allergy alike!

Katherine Trivanovich

The service was great and the food was delicious! I online ordered their five cheese & tomato pizza with a gluten free crust. They were able to accommodate my gluten allergy by making my pizza on a separate tin & changing their gloves. I have Celiac so I need to be careful with shared cooking surfaces & I fully trusted this location to honor that. I was able to make the pizza last a few days because there were 6 slices. I really enjoyed it!

Kate

Hey! It's 2025!!!!! 25!!! Gluten free pasta??? No? You've never heard of it?? Even Barilla has good GF pasta just with 1 ingredient(cheackpea flour or red lentils flour) Your new salmon in the oven was good, though, so was the cauliflower "wings". 2 stars just because you HAVE to have GF pasta in 2025!

Jeff

First timer...not bad👌🏽. Had the gluten free crust white pizza and it was 💣💣. She had 2 pepperoni slices and didn't think much of the sauce, since it had a lot of basil or something in it. I thought the sauce was good. Will definitely be coming back.

Andre Mc

Magda Kopciuch

Definitely not good service. Once tried to order one drink at 7/40 pm (place is open until 8 pm on Sundays, unkind bartender said its too late… bar was still full of people, he was just too lazy to serve me a drink during normal open hours. Today I’ve ordered gluten free turkey burger to go- to eat on the plane- with NO AVOCADO bc have a very strong allergy (that I informed of) and can’t have avocado even touching my food. Burger was with avocado, wasted 18$ and now Im starving on my flight cause can’t eat this… Please hire better staff

Maddiy Cook

i have celiac and was fine eating here! amazing!

Jennifer Mc

Bobbi Blair-Thompson

Tricky to find the first time, but the food was very good, wait staff on point. I'm celiac and the brought their A game. Thanks!

Kay Arkell

I've been to this location 3 times, and each time I/we were greeted with friendly staff and great pizza! THIS IS BY FAR THE ABSOLUTE BEST GLUTEN FREE PIZZA CRUST I HAVE EVER EVER HAD! Turns out, they make the dough in-house and their ovens cook the pizza at 900 degrees. Wow! The taste reminds me of the pizza in Italy and it doesn't get better than that.

Belem Ramos

This spot is a bit of a hidden gem, tucked away in an apartment complex, but it’s definitely worth seeking out. It has a cozy, intimate vibe, almost like a little community restaurant. Despite its smaller size, there’s plenty of seating both inside and outside, making it a great place to grab a quick sandwich, relax, and catch up with friends or just get something to go. They offer daily specials, with a separate menu for those, which I think is a nice touch. I was impressed by their gluten-free bread option, which held up well and didn’t get dry or fall apart—always a concern with gluten-free options. The bread still had great flavor, and the sandwich was packed with all the right ingredients: plenty of meat, fresh lettuce, tomato, and just the right amount of mayo and mustard, so the bread stayed intact and didn’t get soggy. The customer service was outstanding as well. I was warmly greeted when I walked in, and the staff gave me great recommendations for what to try. As for gluten-free options, I’m not sure if the facility is entirely Celiac-safe due to potential cross-contamination, but it’s definitely a good choice for those following a gluten-free diet. They also offer some solid vegetarian options, which is a nice bonus. While the sandwiches are on the pricier side, the portion sizes are generous, and the quality is there. My sandwich was big, and it came with a side of chips. Everything was delicious and flavorful, and I can see myself coming back to try other sandwiches from their menu. The smoothies were also fantastic, adding another reason to return. Overall, it was a great experience, and I’d definitely come back to explore more of what they have to offer.

Bill Strohler

One of our go to places. The chicken tacos are safe for Gluten free. The fish is always fresh and delicious.

Inga

Love this place. Have been coming here every time I am in Irvine. The salads are delicious and so are the sandwiches. They have gluten free bread.

Alison Culp

B

Great brunch! They had no problem providing Gluten Free.

Dylan Borton

Amazing selection of Gluten Free/Dairy Free options as well as vegetarian options. Always a great time visiting Little Sister at the Spectrum. Great service, always very knowledgeable servers who are very cautious and thorough when it comes to dietary requirements. Very cool vibes for a date night or groups of friends with cool lighting, music and decor. 10/10.

Barbara Catalano