Top 45 Gluten-Free Spots with Outdoor Seating to Enjoy in Kitchener

Joel Desjardins

Mel’s Diner offers a classic diner experience with friendly staff, good food, and a retro vibe. We came at 9:30 on a Sunday and had a 20-minute wait for a table to open for 5 people, which felt like a reasonable wait time. There was counter seating available for smaller groups. We ordered quite a lot of food, and all of it was pretty good— nothing life-changing but a good, solid diner breakfast, with surprisingly good coffee. I typically find diner coffee to be pretty underwhelming. Mel’s menu also caters well for vegan and gluten-free people, which is something a lot of diners and breakfast places are missing. Mel’s has been around for a long time, and it makes sense why good food at reasonable prices with something for everyone on their menu.

Amanda Hammond

The tea flavours are delicious and there are lots of gluten free options. Also genuinely the most comfortable couches I’ve ever sat in in my life.

Sheryl Mumby

Best fries and burgers. Celiac friendly fries!!!!! 🍟🍔

Claire Filion

Fantastic gluten free pizza! Best I've had yet. Can't wait to go back to try their gluten free pasta...if I don't have pizza again. Tough decision.

Bill Lakie

Yum!! This place was terrific. I went there with a couple of friends that were gluten intolerant and we were wondering how many options they would have. There were plenty of options for them. I enjoyed my pear pizza. It was one of the best I have had in awhile. Surprisingly the bread cooked and served in the terracotta pot was fantastic. It was warm and what a neat presentation. If I am back in the area I will definitely be going back.

Lisa Yeo

I finally had the pleasure of trying this place on Taco Tuesday! We had such a great experience. The jalapeno margarita was delicious, the variety of tacos was great, although they could use a bit more bite! I loved that it's such a gluten free friendly environment, and the service was too notch!

LF Reviews

Delicious food and stellar service! We visited Borealis Grille & Bar in Kitchener today for a belated birthday celebration for our son. The restaurant had a great vibe and atmosphere. We sat inside, but the patio looked nice from the large wall of windows. All of the staff were warm and welcoming, and our server, Luigi, was exceptional! He was very friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable about the menu. He had a good sense of humour and seemed to enjoy interacting with guests, even as the restaurant became busier. The menu offered locally sourced options and a variety of selections, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan choices. We ordered Barrie’s Farm Nachos, Blackened Chicken Taco Salads, and Cheddar Burgers. The prices were reasonable with good portion sizes. The food was delicious, timely, and well-presented and the homemade iced tea was refreshing. Overall, we had a great experience and will visit again when in the area. Thanks again for birthday wishes Luigi! Cheers! Luana :)

Liam MacDonald

At the Kitchener location, Karolina took great care of us! Always a good time. Dedicated fryer for celiacs!!

Catherine Colley

This was my first time in this location and I really enjoyed it. We took my mom for mother's Day. I was a little disappointed that they didn't have specials for mother's Day, but that's not a necessity. The food was quite good. 2 of us has the bison burger and the last had a French dip. I would recommend them both. The gluten free options were pretty good, but I think they could be better. A separate fryer or buying gluten free bacon bits would be easy. The sides were lacking for gluten free and the overlap of vegetarian and gluten free is surprisingly low. The hot chocolates we had were quite bad. Not sure what they're using, but I would honestly just not serve it rather than serving that.

Laurie Starra

We explicitly asked if the tuna bowl was gluten free and our server told us it was. We took our order to go. After eating it we saw a small note on the box that said sauces are not GF. My daughter has been throwing up since she ate. Very very disappointed.

Louise Earl

Polly Dull

Alannah Mattice

We absolutely loved our meal and drinks! Amazing gluten free menu!!

Jeremy Hutchings

My wife, son and I really enjoy eating here. The food is always excellent and the staff is friendly. I appreciate that they take great care in preparing gluten free food for my celiac wife. It makes for a great start to a night out.

Adam Brenner

George Lewis

Richard Loeffler

Have to say the food and service are +10….. Great menu selection, and also a good bar menu if interested. They also have gluten free and a kids menu also. They make sure you have a great portion of food, and you can see how the staff and even the managers are working. D making your experience a good one.

David Rust

Jeff Bickle

I attended Moxies for my first time ever this May 2025. I was very pleasantly greeted by Ruby the hostess who handled my food allergy to gluten extremely well. Also, upon meeting my waitress Mac, she did a tremendous job of handling my allergy and speaking to the back chef ensuring no cross-contamination occurred. She was very attentive and knowledgeable. And then was greeted by Jack, who also was very professional courteous and gave me a free appetizer for the next time I come in. When you have an allergy, it is greatly appreciated. The lengths that the staff went this evening. Also, the food was tremendously good with great variety. I will definitely be returning and bringing my family members as well. Thank you to Moxie‘s in Kitchener

Tammy Joudrey

Great little spot, l even bought a yeti sticker for my kayak.. They even have gluten options...

amy mckerron

Delicious food and so unique. I only wish they had more gluten free options and allergy practices, before my celiac diagnosis I loved going here. I still dream about their onion rings

Tracy Knueven

Our new favorite spot when visiting Kitchener! Our daughter and son-in-law just moved from the states and we were here visiting them. We came here two nights in a row because it was so so good! The first night we had the tapas small plates…olives, chicken nuggets, pork belly, scallops ….all were excellent! Service from Jack was top notch as well. Second night we went back for the burgers and more chicken nuggets, and it was one of the best bacon cheeseburgers I have ever eaten! So full of flavor, it melted in your mouth, ah so good. My wife loved the lavender drink as well. They were very accommodating with gluten-free options… Their attention to detail was fantastic. The ambience and the staff are all very welcoming. Just what you want in a local restaurant. I’m a huge fan.

Bradley Lacey

Edit: I spoke with Brandon the owner and agreed to come back. As previous the pizza and drinks were great. Both Brandon and his brother were apologetic and made sure we had a great time. While they could have just ignored it, they owned the issue which says a lot. We will be back. I recently dined in at The Civil with some friends. I had heard great things about it and was eager to try it. On arrival our waiter, did seem relatively new to the role, to give this context, I have worked in Food and Beverage in 6 countries for large luxury hotels. He was pleasant and made every effort to accommodate. Received our initial drinks and they were well presented and tasty (Flights). We ordered pizzas and my girlfriend made sure to advise the waiter she does have a gluten intolerance and ordered the gluten friendly specific pizza crust. When her pizza was brought out, I clarified with the waiter it was gluten friendly and he said yes. Immediately following ran back to the table to let her know he made a mistake and forgot to make that note for the kitchen and he would get it fired immediately. To this point no issues and it was handled well. I understand mistakes sometimes happen and appreciated his sense of urgency in resolving it. They also waived the charge for her pizza which I thought was a kind gesture. The new pizza took approximately 18 minutes to come out of the kitchen. At this point everyone else is done eating. What really left a negative taste in my mouth was the conversation I overheard between our new server and who I believed to be the manager. His words were "you need to go talk to that table, there time is up and we need the table, They need to settle the bill." I can appreciate that they have policies in place and agree with the application of it, but at this point, my girlfriend has just gotten her pizza, is a slice in and we now have a waiter telling us its time to go. We were not here this long because we wanted to be, but rather as a result of you and your staff's actions, or lack there of. I am disappointed that we were made to feel like we were an inconvenience in a situation that we had little control over. The pizza was great, and overall the service was okay, but in light of the way in which we were treated, I will not be returning and could not wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone else.

Louis Cervantes

Benjamin Stubbs

food ie

Excellent gluten free pizza. I'm celiac and had no issues. Thanks to king St South location for making it safe for me!

Sebastian Carvallo

⭐ Abe Erb Brewery – A Solid Spot for Craft Beer & Elevated Pub Eats ⭐ 📍 Location: Patio dining, rustic-chic vibes 🍺 Highlight: Unique beer flights, creative comfort food Abe Erb delivers an excellent craft beer experience paired with an inventive and diverse menu that hits well above standard pub fare. Whether you’re a beer aficionado or just there for the food, there’s something for everyone. 🍽️ Food Experience The menu offers an eclectic mix of elevated snacks, mains, and handhelds. Standouts include: Halloumi Fries – A favorite for vegetarians and cheese lovers, crispy and well-seasoned. The Bell Buster Burger – Loaded with cheese, bacon, and caramelized onions, this one’s a hearty, satisfying option. Grilled Cauliflower – A plant-based dish that doesn’t feel like a compromise—topped with chimichurri, it’s bright and flavorful. Steak Frites – For those craving classic bistro fare, this comes with perfectly cooked steak and house fries. The menu marks gluten-free and vegetarian options clearly, showing a thoughtful approach to dietary needs. 🍻 Beer Flights The beer flights are a definite highlight—served on sleek wooden paddles with chalkboard labels. The variety is impressive, including: NEIPA (New England IPA) – Juicy, hazy, and full of tropical hop flavor. Amber & Maltier Ales – Rich, toasty options perfect for cooler evenings. Buggy, Kolsch, and Light – Crisp and refreshing for lighter palates or summer sipping. Stout (O’Tool) – A dark, creamy brew with roasted notes that balances the flight well. The range from light to dark, hoppy to malty, makes this ideal for sharing or sampling before picking a pint. 🌞 Atmosphere The outdoor seating offers a relaxed vibe with sturdy wood tables and a rustic finish—great for groups or casual hangouts. The presentation (like the beer paddles and glassware) adds a stylish touch without being overdone. 🔚 Final Thoughts: Abe Erb is a must-visit for anyone in the area looking for quality local beer and creative, satisfying food. The casual setting with gourmet touches makes it perfect for everything from date night to group outings. Try a beer flight, grab some shareables, and enjoy one of the region’s best brewpub experiences. ⭐ Rating: 5/5 🗣️ Try if you like: Craft beer, gastropubs, comfort food with a twist

John Cox

Jackie Held

Shelley Irvine

I went into Eggsmart for the first time last Friday. I had a conversation with the woman that greeted me about gluten free options. I told her I was celiac and needed to ask her a few questions about their gf options. She reassured me the Meat Lovers Scramble was gluten free and i5 included gluten free toast, home fries and a small fruit cup. She told me 3 times the home fries were gluten free. I ordered my meal, took it home and began to eat. First off I must say it was absolutely delicious. However it wasn't long afterwards that I began to feel the tell tale signs of being glutened. I am on day 5 of suffering with the symptoms of getting glutened. I contacted head office to ask about their gf options. They were great and got back to me within an hour. They told me their sausage has gluten and the staff should be aware of it. Also the home fries are NOT gf as the seasoning I was told is not gf. So if you are celiac please be careful if you decide to eat there. Head office did tell me they will be in contact with the restaurant to ensure proper training is done. Another hard lesson learned unfortunately for me.

Carol Schmidt

Randy Carr

Leonard Collins

Carla Gunter

Talullah Ellis

I really like coming here.. I know based off the two stars you'll think why two stars. Let me explain. I am gluten free and I always order a gluten free bagel with cream cheese. I've gone 6 times now. 6 times... 6 TIMES. ordered that. They always bring me out it on gluten free bread???? Stating they don't have bagels.. then they check with the kitchen and bring back a gluten free bagel that's half done and sloppy and in horrible condition because they had to remake it. Every single time I've went in this has happened. WHY

Dora Nelson

Tiara Brown

Brian Phelps

Connie Alexander

Anthony Herrington

Dennis Esparza

Herbert Glover

Jessica Mayville

Inez Thomas

Anthony Johnson