Top 26 Gluten-Free Places with Outdoor Seating to Enjoy in Alexandria

Delfi Bourse Martinez

Amazing restaurant with a different menu for gluten free, they are super careful with any type of allergies. the food is delicious I 100% recommend it

Nadila Yusuf

It was my first time visiting cheesetique. I just moved to the neighborhood so I wanted to check it out. For reference this Restaurant has gluten free options but they forgot and served me gluten free bread! I have an autoimmune disease that is sensitive to gluten so hence why I am gluten free. My husband and I ordered gluten free appetizers and he got the pasta. Then my sandwich came and I didnt know if it was GF. The bread looked gf but it tasted different than gf. I began to eat it when the waitress came by 10 mins later to check on us I asked her to confirm if it was GF and she looked at me saying whoops, "no, so sorry." I trusted her given our long convo about gluten free about all our other items. I don't know if she forgot or the chef and kitchen didnt read the notes but we were clear I was GF. The manager came by apologized told us he took off my sandwich but we shared with him if it was more severe someone could have died or gotten more sick... which can be a lawsuit. I told him he should have comped us for the entire meal. It was unacceptable. He then promptly said dont worry about paying. We left a tip for our waitress still but we are very disappointed about our experience and the mistake. This experience occurred on Aug 2nd and 7pm. We left the restaurant with our food items to go at around 8:30pm.

Taylor

Good pasta and gluten free options… the fact that I couldn’t get a Mocktail or alcohol free wine here in 2025 sucked…. Add mocktails asap please!

Ariane Volk

Delicious Thai street food & all the classics. Also high end cocktails. Highly recommend! Excellent gluten free options, as well as vegetarian options, and clearly marked.

Jena Van

The tacos were delicious and the service was good. The menu had clear gluten free options and a lot of them too. The tacos are more expensive than average, around $5 each, but worth it because of how tasty they are. I would recommend this place.

Dan Dollar

this place is a hidden gem, have no idea why it's not more popular. very affordable, great food (vegan and gluten free options too), and excellent service.

Kate Alvarez Anderson

My friend with celiac was absolutely giddy over the wide range of options for her and the care taken to ensure she did not accidentally ingest any gluten. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Everything was delish. It'll be our go-to when she's in town.

Rey Alexander

I had not been here in about 8 years but my brain remembered that the food was amazing. I'm now gluten free and I was impressed by the options. The food was phenomenal just like I remembered. The prices weren't as high as I remembered which was a nice treat!

Tim Williams

Only had takeout from here so far, but it was noteworthy. The gluten free pizza is some of the best we've had. The glutenous is of course amazing as well. The burger and chicken sandwich are expensive but also exemplary. (They are huge!) In our opinion you can share a small pizza with two people and a sandwich with two people.

Chris B

I really like this place. I am gluten intolerant so this place really hits home with all of the gluten free options. I have had various gluten free (GF) pizzas here, the GF fries mozzarella, their GF cheesesteak is really good too! Additionally the people that work in the restaurant, as well as the folks who drink and dine here are very nice and open to conversation. This place feels like (and is) a neighborhood bar and restaurant which is becoming rarer in this area. Check it out!

Katherine Johnson

I've been going here for several years now, and the food never disappoints. This locally-owned restaurant serves healthy, delicious and carefully prepared food -- from delicious gluten-free crêpes to fresh fish. For those looking to binge eat and complain about the portion size, this is not the place to go. For those interested in a healthy, fresh, and delicious French meal however, this place is highly-recommended. It is without doubt one of the best restaurants in Old Town Alexandria.

Rebecca C

Love Holy Cow because the food is good and they have lots of gluten free options. However, on two recent occasions I’ve found things in my food that should not be there… today I ordered takeout and my husband and I both found hair in our food. On another occasion I found dragonfly wings under my burger. Would have asked for a new meal, but we ordered takeout and were already home when we noticed. Love this place but makes me a little concerned to order again!

Arianna J. Rosario Jovet

I was really anxious about eating here but I have to say the servers were VERY attentive and they made me feel so safe. Everything was perfect and safe for celiacs!!!

Helena Ruby

Love this place, even though they don't take reservations. We waited at the bar and had a drink before a table was available. It wasn't a long wait, about 15 minutes, and it was a Saturday night. Food was good, as always. Lots of gluten free options too!

Susan Cline

Recently diagnosed with Celiacs Disease. This wonderful restaurant offers many GF options. I absolutely loved the Nopales tacos! Well done Chef's. I'll be back soon.

Caroline Easton

Love their espresso beans for home! They have a nice selection of pastries, both gluten free and regular.

Zoé Tkaczyk

Great gluten free options and so delicious. Tee was our waiter and absolutely killed it!!

Hamit Kazanci

Chicken Calabrese Ranch Pizza 😍😍 They have gluten-free options too. Definitely recommended

Joseph Dondlinger

Great place to grab a burger and drink. Super friendly staff were great with accommodating gluten free dining.

Courtney Cox

I really can’t enough good things about this restaurant! The staff was unbelievable, and addressed my options with me as soon as I mentioned I had celiac disease. Our server Gara was great!!! Once our order was in, the manager Diego came over to introduce himself, and he reassured me the kitchen was taking care with my order! The scallops and risotto were incredible, and melted in your mouth! I’m so happy having a place I can count on for dining out!!!!

Ivy Felicia

I visited with family and we had a wonderful time! Ada's is the perfect combination of atmosphere, food and service. The location on the Potomac River is ideal too, making it an exquisite experience anytime of the day. Our waiter, Theo was friendly, efficient and attentive. Based on my reservations, he knew that I had gluten intolerance and made sure to suggest the foods that were within my restrictions. He did so without me having to ask and even communicated with the chef to ensure I had the perfect meal. When you go to Ada's be prepared to be well cared for and fully satisfied. That's why we love it there 💜

Michael Pellegrini

Several co-workers and I recently had lunch here and the consensus was that it was fine, but not something we would likely return to. I had their signature calzone and thought the flavors were good, but it was very difficult to eat with the provided plastic utensils. I chose this calzone because it included steak, but I found the steak portion to be quite light. The fact that they offer gluten free crust might be a positive for some diners. Service was okay, ambiance was nearly non-existent, and the lack of air conditioning combined with hot pizza ovens had all of us feeling uncomfortably hot and ready to leave as soon as our lunch was finished.

Anthony Rufka

One of the best hidden gems in the area. Everything about this place is amazing, service is impeccable, staff is friendly, and their cook on their steaks is always spot on. They’ve got a separate menu for gluten free options as well.

Matt Catalano

Great local place with good beer rotating beer selections. Personal pizzas including gluten free with many speciality options. Main sandwich options seem to now not come with sides but servings are generous.

Tonya Ellis

UNO’s has a great menu, but the service needs improvement. When we arrived, the host asked how many were in our party and then walked off to grab menus. Another guest was waiting in front of us, and when he returned, he didn’t communicate for us to follow him. Instead, he walked off, leaving us standing there confused. A simple follow me would have been sufficient. Once he reached the table, he turned and waved us over as if we should have known to follow him. We assumed the lady in front of us was suppose to follow him to the table. After being seated, we waited 15 minutes before a waitress came over to ask if we had been served. Then a huge group of children came in which caused us to ask to be seated outside. That wasn’t a huge issue, but it did get quite loud in there. While the initial experience was frustrating, service improved from that point on. The waitress was attentive, and the food was enjoyable. I ordered the gluten-free pizza, which was flavorful with a good crust texture, often a challenge with gluten-free options. My husband ordered a burger with sweet potato fries, which he enjoyed. Overall, the food was good, but the lack of communication from the host and the delay in service at the start left a negative first impression. A little more attention to detail in customer service would make the dining experience much smoother.

Dan Berry

Huge fan of MBBQ and the food is great. I'm on a gluten free diet and had no issues (obviously couldn't have the cornbread).

KC Ellson

Really good tacos and very accommodating for gluten allergies.

Allison G.

I'm rarely able to get a seat here (do people camp out or do I have comically poor timing?), but I love their espresso drinks and the fact they carry gluten-free goodies from the Happy Tart. Their Nutella latte is a special treat on a cold day for sure.

Krista Radford

Great experience! I went for lunch and had the fish tacos, which were delicious. Unlike other restaurants, they had a good-sized filet of cod instead of just a few small pieces. My daughter had the steak salad and loved it. The staff was knowledgeable about gluten issues, which was a plus. Overall, a very good meal.

Dave Spraker

Shrimp and grits were fantastic - and gluten-free.

Natz 97

Authentic Turkish & Greek Cuisine in Alexandria, VA – A Hidden Gem! If you’re looking for the best Turkish and Greek restaurant in Alexandria, VA, Smyrna Restaurant should be at the top of your list! Located at 7588 Telegraph Road, Smyrna offers a culinary journey through the Aegean region with dishes that are both authentic and mouth-watering. The Aegean Odyssey menu is perfect for anyone with dietary preferences, offering a variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. For just $36 you get four courses, including a spread or soup, appetizer, entrée, and dessert. I went with the vegan options, and each course was bursting with fresh flavors. The quality is top-notch, and you can tell that the ingredients are carefully selected. The ambiance is cozy and welcoming, with decor that transports you straight to the Mediterranean. The service is friendly and efficient – our server was attentive and knew the menu well, guiding us to the best choices. If you’re in Alexandria and searching for an incredible Turkish and Greek dining experience, Smyrna is a must-visit. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, I highly recommend stopping by this hidden gem for a meal you won’t forget! Visit on a rainy day – the warm, cozy atmosphere paired with comforting flavors is the perfect remedy.

Kerry Corley

We were going to go to a different restaurant but they didnt have any gluten free options for my friend. We tried Vermillion and it is my new favorite restaurant. The food was so wonderful and my gluten free friend was well accommodated. Staff was so welcoming. I will definitely be coming back.

Dave Buddendeck

The baked cod was very good -- light, flaky, moist, and delicious. The sides of roasted potatoes and green beans were quite good as well. As a gluten-free option, the shrimp and grits were very, very good.

Maddy Easley

Phenomenal service, amazing views and vibes, and overall great time eating here. Ate with a larger group but had a great view overlooking the Potomac for brunch. They have great gluten free and vegetarian menu so making a decision was difficult with all of the options. Can’t wait to come back. Mojitos were amazing too!

Stephanie Griffin

Very good pizza with plenty of vegan options to enjoy. The fountain drinks are good as well. The garlic butter just so happens to be dairy free which is nice. I had it drizzeled on after my pizza cooked. They also offer a gluten free crust as well. They will clean the surface when you request gluten free crust. They have many options to finish your pizza with such as hot honey, arugula, Parmesean, red pepper flakes etc.

Emily Palmer

We had an absolutely wonderful meal. The brussels sprouts were fantastic, the seasonal mocktail was light and refreshing. I've not had a better gluten free pasta in years, and the rice pudding was phenomenal. Can't wait to come back! *Editing to add that we had another great meal in June of 2023* the gluten free pasta is still amazing and the summer menu was amazing. Only one miss with the "Between the Sheets" cocktail, but otherwise a fantastic meal.

Emily E Gallup

I'm giving this spot solid 4* for the staff; the food was good, just outsized portions imo. I was really struggling this trip and failed to research the GF options, was dragging @$$ from the worst hotel stay and slowed by the incessant, freezing cold rain, so walking any distance or wandering about was out of the question. Thanks GOOG/Yelp for GF reviews, lifesaving, really. The lovely young lady up front found me a little table for 1 during a fairly busy lunch as sitting up high at a bar can be pretty uncomfortable for me these days. Evidently restaurants find it upsetting when guests fall out of chairs perfectly sober, thanks dysautonomia! She was very kind and accommodating. My server Kaya was great, fun, attentive, honest and helpful. She pointed out the gluten-free options, helped me with ingredient & portion info and was super friendly to this sola traveler. My salmon dish was a bit lackluster; there was a smear of sauce painted on the plate but seemed a bit divorced from the other elements and the entire dish was under-seasoned, just this side of bland. Honestly, that 8-9 oz piece of fish was really just too much. I know, so unAmerican, but I hate wasting food and was grabbing a train so couldn't take leftovers to sit for 4-6 hours. Otherwise, the fish and asparagus were perfectly cooked while the potatoes could've benefited from a bit more time on heat. Takeaway: I'd eat here again for dinner as it was a quality meal and experience especially for the cost but as a lunch it was more food and money than I usually go for. This is merely personal preference. But in the end the deciding factor is: Celiac don't play & eating somewhere safe is totally worth spending a bit more. Being on a train after being poisoned with gluten, well, I'll leave that to your imagination but it's the stuff of nightmares.

Serena W.

The food here is absolutely amazing! I'm both gluten and dairy free and they are very cognizant of allergens and dietary restrictions. We went on Valentine's Day and the manager made sure that every woman received a rose. I had the Mahi Mahi Tacos and blueberry lemonade! The service was great, wonderful atmosphere and it was a perfect evening! We'll be back!!!

Charis Edwards

Cannot say enough good things about this place. How is it so good? We had another lovely experience here with a group for 6 here recently. Staff were super accommodating when we called ahead asking for a table and the service from Deborah was outstanding and fun. The chili is so tasty - they've really perfected these four! And my vegan friends and gluten free friends are able to get something as easily as the rest of us with a feel little modifications. Prices are very reasonable and you may well have leftovers from these portions! I got the Texas chili 4-ways with the spaghetti underneath. They also have Cincinnati chili, Terilingua red, and a vegan chili with alternative protein, all delicious. They bring you a sample plate at the beginning so you can taste all of the chilis. If you're not really a chili person there's also a good selection of bar-style appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches. They hav cheap drinks and really nice little ice cubes, just saying. Can't wait to go back!

Ashley Steimel

We ate here several times during a weeklong stay in Old Town - so delicious! A lot of gluten-free options, which was awesome. We had the Shakshuka, flatbread, chocolate mousse cake, cheesecake. Everything we had was super yummy. Highly recommend.

Alexandria Heller

So many people recommend this place because of its extensive gluten-free menu. But upon arrival, I was told by our server that nothing fried would be gluten-free, ok, I understand that. But the majority of the vegetables were also not gluten-free for one reason or another, which was baffling! Not a single appetizer was gluten free, the waitress suggested the steak or a fish. Unfortunately, I'm vegan as well. So we had to leave. I'm not sure who went to this place and found it to be gluten-free, friendly, but it is absolutely NOT a place to go if you have celiac disease! Exceptionally disappointing as we drive and hunted for parking for quite a while all to turn around and leave.

Jeremy Hutchins

Food was good. I enjoyed both the taste and delivery of the "gasolina" margarita. Staff was very friendly. The one thing that could have been improved was that there seemed to be some kind of communication breakdown - we have a few food allergies (gluten/dairy) between some of the members of our party and asked for a few things on the side. Only one of them actually ended up on the side and one of the orders strangely came out with a wheat tortilla instead of the corn it was supposed to. They replaced the problem items for us, but there were lots of issues, so folks with allergies should be very careful.

Allison G.

I love shrimp and grits. Since moving to the DC area from the Gulf of Mexico coast 15+ years ago, I've had it many times. However, it's only been good twice. Jula's/Cafe 44 is the second time in 15 years I've had good shrimp and grits in this area. Great service, great views, great food. Gluten-free items are marked on the menu.

Nora

My friends and I went here 2 weeks ago for restaurant week. We decided on Rustico because one of my friends has celiacs disease and is gluten free, but Rusticos menu had an incredibly wide selection of gluten free options so it sounded very promising. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we all chose the restaurant week menu and ordered our meals. My friend mentioned with her dessert order that she had a gluten allergy and thus just wanted the brownie sunday without the brownie. The waitress refused to give her the entire sunday without the brownie and insisted she just get plain vanilla ice cream, which is disappointing, but by far not the worst part of dinner. After ordering, the waitress came back and told us that although most of the menu was labeled gluten free, it was actually mostly not gluten free as everything is cooked in the same oil with gluten. Very scary that this place would label everything gluten free when that is not the case. We were lucky we mentioned the fact that my friend had an actual allergy, otherwise we would have never known. This fact then eliminated most of the menu. We asked what other options my friend had for an appetizer and a side for her steak (she ordered steak frites and the fries were not gluten free) and we were told she could have salad. When we asked if there were any other sides as the steak frites already came with salad, we were told she could have Caesar salad….so my friend’s meal consisted of salad as an appetizer, a small steak with a side of salad, and plain vanilla ice cream for dessert, which was very disappointing as the menu looked so promising before we got there. On top of this, the service was incredibly slow. It felt like it took years for the waitress to bring the bill and then run our card. Additionally, we were still charged the restaurant week price for my friends meal which consisted of mostly salad. Definitely not worth it. They should not make false gluten free claims on their menu as it is very misleading and dangerous for people with allergies. Overall, very disappointing experience.

Donna Jarvis

Best pizza 🍕 😋 always enjoy the options including cauliflower and gluten free crusts.

Tracy Nursey

They have a great sloppy “cheeseburger” with a decent GF bun and good fries w aioli, all gluten free! The “chicken” and “fish” have gluten breading, but go for the burger.

Victoria Smith

Delicious food with many options. Whether you're looking for a quick bite, a fun chat, or something to save dinner when you've gone and burned it yourself (as we have several times!), this is the place to go! It's hard to stand out in a block with so many good places to eat, but this is a definite must! We cannot praise this establishment enough! Gluten free friendly as well!

Geneva Parsons

Sierra Watkins

Great Gluten Free Options! They have gluten free pasta, pizza, and burgers. The Seafood Asparagi made with gluten free penne pasta was delicious.

Sylvia Tan

Great burgers and sweet potato fries! The gluten free bun doesn't immediately fall apart. My favorite is the Philly burger.