New York City is one of the best cities in the world for gluten-free restaurants. New York City is the only place that I have yet to find gluten-free bagels and gluten-free pizza that actually taste like the real thing.

New York City has so many gluten-free restaurants that you’ll actually have too many to hit in one trip—a nice (but rare) problem for most gluten-free eaters to have!

After extensive (and tasty) research, I’ve found the very best gluten-free restaurants in New York City, all of which are safe for people with Celiac Disease.

Read my recommended hotels to stay at

Best Gluten-Free Pizza NYC

I’ve tried a lot of terrible gluten-free pizza. Pizza and bread seem to be the hardest things to recreate without gluten. Fortunately, a select few chefs in New York City have figured it out, and have created gluten-free pizza that not only tastes like the real thing, but is better than most regular pizza you’ll find anywhere else. These are the best gluten-free pizza places in NYC:

Kesté Pizza and Vino

Chef Roberto Caporuscio grew up on a dairy farm in Italy, where he learned the art of cheese making. He trained with the masters of pizza-making in Napoli, Italy, before bringing his craft to New York City, where he makes authentic Neapolitan pizza. The gluten-free pizzas are incredible, and taste just like the real thing. The gluten-free pizzas are made in a dedicated gluten-free pizza, with a separate gluten-free pizza ovens, and the entire menu (including fried pizzas, arancinis, and calzones) can be made safely gluten-free. The restaurant has two kitchens, one for gluten-free food and one for gluten-food. (The gluten-free kitchen has its own wood-burning oven!)

The pizzas here are some of the best in the city, so this is a great restaurant to go to if you have non gluten-free eaters in your party. There’s a great outdoor dining area that’s heated in the winter and the whole place feels like an escape to Italy.

This gluten-free pizza is so amazing, that now when I have a pizza craving, I order it from Goldbelly to be shipped (frozen) to my home, where I can enjoy it anytime I want.

In fact, I’m so obsessed with this gluten-free pizza that I found out the unique gluten-free flour blend they use (FioreGlut) and bought it to make my own pizzas. (I’ve found it at Wegmans, and I think other grocery stores carry it as well.) It makes gluten-free breads and pizza dough that’s a million times better than most other gluten-free flour blends.

Don Antonio’s

Staying closer to midtown? Caporuscio’s daughter has launched her own pizza shop, Don Antonio’s, in New York City, which has the exact same menu and mouthwatering gluten-free pizza as Kesté Pizza and Vino. All of the menu here can be safely made gluten-free as well, as they have a separate oven and prep area for gluten-free pizzas.

Wild

Looking for more of a thin-crust gluten-free pizza? Check out Wild’s West Village or Park Slope locations. This is a completely gluten-free restaurant, so you can eat here without fear.

Want gluten-free pizza at-home? Check out my round-up of the best gluten-free pizzas and pizza dough here.

Best Gluten-Free Restaurants NYC

Many restaurants in New York City don’t explicitly advertise that they are gluten-free, but have an entirely gluten-free menu. These are the best gluten-free restaurants in NYC.

Friedman’s

Friedman’s menu doesn’t look super gluten-free online, until you realize that 100% of the menu can be made gluten-free, and that things like waffles and fried chicken are automatically gluten-free (so no worries about cross-contact on the waffle iron or in the fryer.) One of the owners of Friedman’s has Celiac Disease, so you know this restaurant is careful about cross-contact and gluten allergies. There are a number of Friedman’s locations throughout Manhattan, so it’s easy to find one when you’re in New York City. Be warned that they don’t take reservations, and the wait can be on the long side for brunch.

Los Tacos No.1

Los Tacos No. 1 is your go-to spot for an authentic taco experience. With a vibe reminiscent of a bustling roadside stand, “you’re in for a treat here.” They offer a range of fillings, from marinated pork to cactus, and they have gluten-free corn tacos and chips!

Lukes Lobster Shack

Right under the Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll find this cozy lobster shack. It’s a lovely spot to drop by after wandering around Brooklyn Bridge Park. And guess what? They’ve got some pretty decent gluten-free rolls and they don’t skimp on the lobster either!

Jongro BBQ

Well worth the wait for this Korean BBQ, I can say it was totally worth it! The place has an authentic Korean interior, and the food? Just amazing. They’ve got a menu clearly marked for gluten-free options and the who experience was great!

Bistango NYC

Bistango at the Kimberly Hotel is a special-occasion type restaurant, with a cozy and heated outdoor space and a menu that can be made 100 percent gluten-free. As the waitress told me: “you’re safe here.” They have a dedicated gluten-free fryer and separate prep space for all gluten-free items. There’s a long list of gluten-free pastas, sandwiches, and other delights to choose from, but my favorite was the gluten-free truffle fries. The complimentary gluten-free bread and dipping sauce dropped off at the start of the meal was also a highlight.

Tap NYC

Tap NYC is a 100% gluten-free (dedicated gluten-free) fast casual restaurant with locations on the Upper West Side and Lower East Side. Tap serves up naturally gluten-free Brazilian favorites like acai bowls, smoothies, cheese bread sandwiches, tapioca crepes, and tapioca wraps.

The Little Beet Table

The Little Beet Table used to be 100% gluten-free but recently expanded their options to include gluten items. However, every dish on the menu can be made gluten-free and the restaurant takes cross-contamination seriously. They take reservations and have a great outdoor seating area – do yourself a favor and get the sunflower seed hummus with gluten-free pita! The Little Beet Table is the sit-down restaurant version of The Little Beet chain – all of The Little Beets (which are more fast-casual, Sweetgreen-style places) are still gluten free and amazing.

La Esquina

Although they don’t advertise it, 100% of La Esquina’s menu is gluten-free, so you don’t have to worry about cross-contact here. It also makes it a great place to go if you’re dining with someone who “doesn’t like gluten-free food.” Visit one of their locations on the UES, SoHo, or in Midtown for a safe and fun Mexican meal.

Thai Direct Bowls

Gluten-free Thai food can be hard to find (lots of sneaky soy sauce additions). Fortunately, Thai Direct Bowls is a completely gluten-free and dairy-free operation. Build your own bowl for a tasty, satisfying, and healthy custom meal.

NoGlu

As you may have guessed from the name, NoGlu is a totally gluten-free restaurant/bakery. Founded in Paris, they’ve since expanded their famous eatery to NYC. Be warned that NoGlu is just baked goods and prepackaged sandwiches and salads (their website makes it look like you can order fresh sandwiches).

Claro

For a truly special occasion, book a table at Claro, a 100% gluten-free, Michelin-starred restaurant in Brooklyn. It’s open for brunch, snacks, and dinner. All cheeses and sausages are made in-house, and there is an extensive tequila menu available for pairing. The food and cocktails here were incredible – I went with two gluten-eaters who didn’t even notice the restaurant was gluten-free. Get the churros for dessert! Claro has a very cute outdoor space – be sure to make a reservation. If you’re on a budget, Claro’s brunch menu is pretty much the same as the dinner menu, for about half the price.

Agata & Valentina

The owners of this specialty Italian store have a daughter with Celiac Disease, and so they opened up a new entirely gluten-free grocery store, stocking hard-to-find international gluten-free products. The store also has a gluten-free kitchen, so you can get pizza, sandwiches, bagels, salads, and more to-go.

Senza Gluten

One of the most famous gluten-free restaurants in New York City, Senza Gluten has a sit-down restaurant and a bakery, both of which are entirely gluten-free. This Celiac-safe restaurant serves up gluten-free versions of authentic Italian food, and ships their delicious breads, cookies, and other baked goods all across the country.

Thyme & Tonic

Owned by the same amazing chef as Modern Bread & Bagel, this UWS restaurant is entirely gluten-free. Thyme & Tonic’s menu focuses on fresh fare and leans vegan, but there are vegetarian and seafood dishes available as well. Come here for brunch and you can get a Modern bagel as part of your meal!

Lilli and Loo

Craving Chinese food? Look no further than Lilli and Loo, an Upper East Side favorite that offers gluten-free versions of classic dishes like General Tso’s, Crispy Sesame Tofu, and Kung Pao. They have a huge gluten-free menu with gluten-free starters (even spring rolls!), entrees, and desserts. They take allergies very seriously and have good cross-contact protocols.

Risottoeria Melotti NYC

A cozy and adorable small Italian restaurant specializing in Risotto, where everything is rice-based and gluten free – including the bread! The risotto here is rich, decadent, and delicious, and the staff is so friendly. They have a nice outdoor dining area on the street as well.

Bar Verde

Bar Verde is 100% gluten-free and vegan (good news if you’re dairy-free). It’s a lively Mexican place that draws in a vibrant crowd, and most people can’t tell the food is gluten-free or vegan. Definitely get the street corn here! Bar Verde even has gluten-free burritos and churros.

Best Gluten Free Bakeries NYC

Gluten-free bakeries are super popular in New York City, so you won’t have to go far to find amazing gluten-free breads and other treats. These are the best gluten-free bakeries in New York City.

Modern Bread & Bagel

Although Modern Bread & Bagel makes it on this list for the best gluten-free bagels in New York City, I had to include it under the bakery section as well, because this gluten-free bakery is home to the best chocolate chip cookie that I’ve ever had. It’s incredibly moist and not at all crumbly like other gluten-free cookies, and I’ll be ordering a dozen every time I order bagels from here. The breads, cupcakes, and other baked goods are all amazing here.

Modern Bread & Bagel’s chef Orly, trained at a Parisian pastry shop before graduating from Le Cordon Blue, but was inspired to open up a gluten-free bakery after her foodie husband was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Orly developed her own flour blend in order to accurately recreate the best breads and baked goods in bagel form, and you can buy it on Amazon to up your at-home gluten-free baking.

In the evenings, Modern Bread & Bagel turns into the Modern at Night restaurant, where you can stop by and get a 100% gluten-free dinner as well!

By the Way Bakery

Everything at By the Way Bakery is handmade, gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher (yet still tastes delicious.) A coffee and biscotti from here is the perfect way to start the day.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery

Erin McKenna’s gluten-free and vegan bakery was founded so that people with gluten, dairy, egg, and soy sensitivities could enjoy special treats. Order her famous gluten-free cookies, brownies, cakes, and more for delivery anywhere in the U.S. on Goldbelly, or visit the charming shop in New York City’s Lower East Side, California, or Florida.

Posh Pop Bakeshop

At first glance, Posh Pop’s adorable pink shop just looks like a regular craft bakery. Those in the know realize that this bakery is entirely gluten-free. A slice of the Funfetti cake is a must, as are the s’mores bars and Nutella cookies.

Best Gluten-Free Bagels NYC

Is it something in the water that makes New York City bagels so much better than anywhere else in the world? Fortunately, the bagel talent extends to gluten-free bagels, and here’s where you’ll find the best gluten-free bagels in New York City.

Modern Bread & Bagel

The bagels at Modern Bread & Bagel are hands-down the best gluten-free bagels in New York City (they’re actually the best gluten-free bagels I’ve ever had). Handmade, kettle-boiled, and made from a proprietary flour blend, these bagels have a crispy exterior and perfectly chewy inside. The multiseed is my favorite, but there are the standard flavors available. The entire bakery is gluten-free, so no toaster worries here!

Black Seed Bagels

Not a dedicated gluten-free bakery, but Black Seed Bagels uses separate utensils and trays to prep the gluten-free bagels. Check with the location you want to visit before going and ask lots of questions – I went to the Hudson Eats location and they had a separate toaster but did not use separate cream cheese, which seemed like a weird oversight. However, they were nice enough to use a new container for me and I didn’t get sick.

Baz Bagels

Think of Baz Bagels as a safe vessel for authentic New York City cream cheese. They prepare their gluten-free bagels in a Celiac-safe manner, with a separate toaster, cream cheese, and prep area, but the gluten-free bagels themselves aren’t great (they taste kind of like a Trader Joe’s gluten-free bagel).

Tompkins Square Bagels

Tompkins Square Bagels offers a variety of gluten-free bagels, but Celiacs be warned that they do not have a separate toaster or prep area, so these gluten-free bagels might not be safe.

Best Gluten-Free Ice Cream in NYC

These are the best gluten-free ice cream shops in New York City.

Big Gay Ice Cream

Almost all of Big Gay Ice Cream’s flavors are gluten-free (but they do occasionally have special flavors containing gluten, so be sure to double-check when ordering). It’s all soft serve, so you don’t have to worry about cross-contact via the scoop. Their website is reassuring: “For those with gluten allergies, please note that we run two containers of chocolate dip kept on opposite sides of the toppings counter at all times, one for dipping cones treats without gluten (i.e. Salty Pimp) and one with gluten (i.e. American Globs).” Highly recommend the salty pimp! Big Gay Ice Cream also has gluten-free cones to top off your creation with.

The Best Hotels in New York City

Here’s where you should stay on your trip to New York City!

The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at! Ensure to get a room with a view – it’s so breathtaking that I ended up just staying in my room and ordering pizza that night. Best decision ever! The hotel is beautiful and the bar has amazing views of the Hudson, statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.

The Gardens Suite Hotel by Affinia: This is one of the best budget hotels in New York City. It has a prime Upper East Side location (I love this neighborhood) that’s not far from Central Park, plus an in-room kitchen so you don’t have to eat every single meal out. These rooms are super spacious for New York.

The Hotel Beacon: This hotel is an amazing value for the money. It has private outdoor space, in-room kitchens, and a location within walking distance to Modern Bread & Bagels – what more could you want?

The Holiday Inn Manhattan Financial District: New York City’s Financial District is a great neighborhood for cheap hotels. Plus, this area offers easy access to Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty, and of course – Keste! The Holiday Inn Manhattan is a clean and cheap place to sleep in a solid location.

More Gluten-Free Reading:

The Best Gluten-Free Pizzas and Gluten-Free Pizza Dough
The 10 Best Gluten-Free Cookbooks
The Best Gluten-Free Pastas, Ranked
Talia di Napoli Gluten-Free Pizza Review