If you’ve gotta eat GF, Portland is the place to do it
One of my favorite things about traveling used to be trying new foods in new places. Used to be. Past-tense. That all changed about ten years ago when I was diagnosed with celiac disease.
The diagnosis came by phone as I drove to work. The nurse tersely told me to stop eating gluten and when I asked what that meant, she recommended that I “Google gluten-free diet.” The call left me devastated. After months of not feeling well, and battling an unexplained iron deficiency, this was the last thing I’d expected. Celiac disease had never come up and I didn’t know anything about it. The call came on a Thursday. The next day, my husband and I had tickets to attend the Holiday Ale Festival, one of Portland’s biggest annual beer festivals. Sadly, most beer is not gluten-free.
Since then, I’ve figured out how to live gluten-free. Although it didn’t feel particularly helpful at the time, I do, in fact, use Google to do my research. Especially when I’m on the road. Having celiac disease has dramatically impacted how I travel. It meant no croissants in Paris and no dim sum in Singapore. Professional conferences are a nightmare. At a recent event they lumped all allergies into one, which meant I was served gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan meals. I ate a lot of tomatoes that week. When I travel with my family, it impacts them, too, as we try to find restaurants that have something on the menu that I can eat, and that the rest of the family will also enjoy. I’ve found that some places have been way more progressive than I might expect – like Juneau, Alaska where I ate like a queen. Conversely, there was that month in Asia where I consumed mostly plain white rice and rice cakes.
My diagnosis came at a time when the gluten-free market was booming. I had choices that I wouldn’t have had just a few years prior. I was also fortunate to be living in Portland, Oregon, a progressive food city.
The Portland GF Food Scene
If you’re gluten-free, my city is the place to be. Yes, you might still get the question, “is it an allergy or a preference?” at Portland restaurants, but the servers are generally asking to be helpful, not to judge you. Tourists visiting Portland can walk out of their hotel lobby into a GF mecca.
There are lots of dedicated gluten-free bakeries, breweries and restaurants here in PDX. Just know that new places are opening all the time.
*We update this article frequently! Last update 9/15/23.*
Gluten-Free Bakeries in Portland
Here’s a list of dedicated gluten-free bakeries in the Portland area:
Gluten Free Gem
140 NE Broadway Street
Each GF bakery in Portland has slightly different specialties. Gluten Free Gem offers a variety of cakes, donuts, cookies, pretzels, quiche, and more.
The bakery is on a busy stretch of road near Portland’s Rose Quarter (where the Trail Blazers play). In spite of the hustle and bustle outside, inside you’ll find a tranquil space to enjoy your GF treats. We recommend the tiramisu cake. It pairs well with coffee for breakfast (or wine for dessert).
A selection of Gluten Free Gem items can be found at Portland-area cafes and grocers like New Seasons.
Kyra’s Bake Shop
599 A Avenue in Lake Oswego
Kyra’s Bakeshop serves an array of sweet and savory choices. As for sweets, you’ll find cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls and donuts. When it comes to savory options, the menu includes quiches, galettes and sandwiches.
Mikiko Mochi Donuts
300 NE 28th
Mikiko Mochi Donuts serves cute, colorful donuts. You’ll want to order them all! Seriously. The flavors change monthly. Some of the donuts are filled with things like boba, horchata pudding, and curd. All donuts are gluten-free and dairy-free.
New Cascadia Traditional
2502 SE Division Street
Founded in 2007, New Cascadia Traditional started out as a booth at farmers markets, followed by a cafe. The bakery is a Portland favorite and it recently upgraded to a new location on trendy SE Division Street.
New Cascadia Traditional is modern, bright and inviting. Customers are welcomed by cases of sweet and savory gluten-free items including bagels, cookies, cupcakes, and donuts on the weekends. The cafe serves bagel sandwiches for breakfast. Individual pizzas are available at lunch. (To my knowledge, this is the only dedicated GF pizza in Portland.) Many items are also vegan.
If you fall in love with New Cascadia’s products, you’ll find its breads and bagels for sale at many Portland-area retailers. New Cascadia also does mail order.
Petunia’s Pies & Pastries
610 SW 12th
Located in Downtown Portland, Petunia’s Pies & Pastries is a gluten-free and vegan bakery. On any given day, the shop serves cakes, bars, cookies, and pies. Donuts are served on weekends. Petunia’s treats are also sold in local grocery stores like New Seasons.
Looking for a place to stay when visiting Portland? Check out our suggested Top 10 Stays in PDX.
Gluten-Free Restaurants in Portland
Here’s a list of dedicated gluten-free restaurants in the Portland-area:
Berlu
605 SE Belmont
Berlu is a dedicated gluten-free and dairy-free establishment. It offers a multi-course Vietnamese tasting menu on Friday and Saturday evening by reservation only. The menu showcases local organic produce, a variety of local seafood and sustainably raised meats, and dessert. Bookings are made available one month in advance.
The Berlu Bakery is temporarily on-hold, but has interesting, and pretty!, items, many of them made with pandan (as pictured above).
Butterfly Belly
323 NW Park Avenue
This Asian restaurant is located in Downtown Portland. From the outside, Butterfly Belly is a bit of a hole in the wall. We walked right past it the first time we visited. Whereas the restaurant is small, the menu is large. This place is well-known for its warm hospitality and extensive GF menu featuring a variety of foods from all over Asia including 48-hour bone broth beef pho. The staff is friendly and helpful.
kann
548 SE Ash
kann opened in 2022 and it’s in the buzz around town, earning awards like Esquire’s #1 Best New Restaurant in America and Portland restaurant of the year by the Oregonian and Portland Monthly Magazine.
kann is the handiwork of James Beard Award winning chef Gregory Gourdet. Kann is gluten-free and dairy-free, but the people dining here don’t just have food allergies. The live fire restaurant serves Haitian food using Pacific Northwest ingredients. All meals are served family style. You’ll want to try an assortment of starters, sides and entrees. Save room for dessert, because it’s amazing, too. Our adventurous eater wanted to order the octopus. Surprisingly, our pickier eater tried the octopus and everything else we ordered, too. The dishes were flavorful and filling.
Reservations are required!
Mestizo
2910 SE Division Street
Located on SE Division, Mestizo is a gluten- and soy-free establishment. Many entrees are also vegan. The menu offers Latin American food and drinks. We recommend that you start with some chips & guacamole and an order of empanadas. We love the fried fish taco entree. The cocktails are creative and crafted with housemade syrups and juices.
KidTripster Tip: Looking for something sweet? Also on this stretch of street, you’ll find a Salt & Straw location. This is arguably Portland’s most famous ice cream spot, serving up unique flavors. Don’t be deterred if you see a line out the door. It moves pretty quickly. All ice creams here are gluten-free unless otherwise noted.
Pollo Norte Rotisserie
2935 NE Glisan Street
Pollo Norte Rotisserie has a simple, but satisfying menu. It serves slow-cooked Mexican rotisserie chicken. Order it with a side of rice, beans, potatoes, or slaw. Everything on the menu (except the beer!) is gluten-free. The indoor dining area is small, but there’s lots of outdoor seating available.
Tacovore
3707 NE Fremont Street
Many Portland-area taco places have a wealth of GF options. But at Tacovore, the whole food menu is gluten-free. As the menu might imply, tacos are the main attraction, but bowls and salads are available, too. We like to wash our tacos down with a margarita. Just pay attention to what beer your order, as that’s the only thing here that might not be gluten-free.
Verde Cocina
Verde Cocina has three locations in the Portland-area and serves food at local farmers markets. Menu items are a fusion of Pacific Northwest foods and Mexican flavors. The menu items are naturally gluten-free and cater to omnivores, vegans and those on Paleo-diets. Familiar sounding dishes, like queso, are served with a twist. The food is fresh and unique.
Gluten-Free Food Carts in Portland
The food cart culture is big in Portland. Several of them serve only gluten-free foods:
Honey Butter Country Fare
6719 NE 18th Avenue
Food carts are quintessential Portland. If you have a hankering for fried foods, Honey Butter Country Fare is where it’s at. We’re talking about corn dogs, fried chicken, funnel cakes, fried Oreo-style cookies, and more!
The entire menu is gluten-free and egg-free. Most batters, sauces and condiments are also vegan. There are even two dedicated vegan fryers. This place understands allergies and is helpful at accommodating special requests. Menus are well marked with allergens. Honey Butter Country Fare it typically open on weekends only. It’s located immediately next to Mutantis, a 100% GF brewery.
Portland Fish Market
4404 SE Woodstock Boulevard
Technically not a food cart, this is actually a Fish & Chips Window. The menu includes fried halibut, salmon, cod, shrimp and oyster. The seafood is fried in gluten-free batter. The tartar and cocktail sauces are housemade. Portions are large. Everything here is gluten-free except for the beer.
Orders are placed at the window or online. Strangely, the online menu does not indicate that the items are gluten-free. Although GF signs are posted on the takeout window.
The fish and chips are so good, people come from all over the city to eat here! This is one of those places that your non-GF friends will love, too.
There are outdoor picnic tables for dining. Or order to-go.
KidTripster Tip: While you’re in the Woodstock neighborhood, be sure to visit one of the best ice cream shops in Portland. Cloud City Ice Cream is located just a few short blocks away. When you finish licking the grease off your fingers, head to Cloud City for dessert. Most scoops are gluten-free. Alert the staff about your allergy and they’ll help you out.
Beyond eating, you’ll find plenty of other fun stuff to do when visiting Portland. Read our Top 10 Plays in PDX.
Gluten-Free Breweries & Cider Houses in Portland
Oregon has five dedicated gluten-free breweries! Many cider houses specialize in GF food and drink. Most allow kids, and some allow dogs, too.
Bierly Brewing
623 NE 3rd Street in McMinnville
This is definitely not in Portland, but I feel compelled to include Bierly Brewing because many make the trip to McMinnville to dine here. Bierly is a dedicated gluten-free brewery. Open Friday-Sunday, this place is 100% gluten-free. On the menu: soft pretzels, onion rings, corn dogs, fried pickles, grilled sandwiches, and more. The donuts and beignets are popular.
McMinnville is located about an hour from Portland. If you’re headed to the Oregon Coast, it’s on the way.
Bierly is located in the heart of Oregon’s Wine Country. It’s a fun place for an overnight stay. Here are some unique places to stay.
Ground Breaker Gastropub
2030 SE 7th Avenue
Ground Breaker Brewing is an entirely gluten-free craft brewery. It uses a variety of gluten-free ingredients, but never barley, wheat or rye (staples of beer). All beers are naturally gluten-free as opposed to removing gluten chemically or otherwise.
Salvi PDX is located at the brewery and serves gluten-free foods like pupusas and nachos and even fried chicken! Savli has food carts in other locations around Portland. All menu items at all Savli PDX carts are gluten-free.
Minors are welcome in the pub.
If you like the beer, you can take cans or growlers to go. Ground Breaker beers are also sold at Portland-area markets.
Mutantis
6719 NE 18th Street
We love that our home state has five dedicated gluten-free breweries. And how’s this for cool? You can find all of Oregon’s GF beers under one roof at Mutantis. If you like what you try, you can take beverages to go.
While Mutantis doesn’t serve food, it does allow you to bring outside food, provided that its gluten-free. Conveniently, Mutantis is located next door to Honey Butter Country Fare (mentioned above) and Tamale Boy, which has almost an entirely gluten-free menu.
Schilling Cider House
930 SE 10th Avenue
Admittedly, I’m a big fan of hard cider. The Pacific Northwest produces a stellar variety of ciders and it’s easy to order NW cider on draft at PDX restaurants. You’re not just stuck with Angry Orchard (sorry, I’m not a fan).
Schilling Cider House has dozens of ciders on tap. The bar food is also 100% gluten-free. This is a casual eatery. You order your drinks and food at the bar. We like the hand-dipped corn dogs and cajun tots. There’s a nice outdoor seating area.
Don’t bring the kids, because this is an ADULTS ONLY location. Or order your food and drink for takeout.
Schilling also has a cider house in Seattle. You’ll find colorful cans of Schilling cider and hard seltzer in stores around the Pacific Northwest.
Gluten-friendly restaurants in Portland
There are lots of restaurants in Portland that are gluten-friendly. The ones listed below have large selections of gluten-free foods, but the restaurants do not have dedicated gluten-free kitchens. This list is not comprehensive, just a few that I know and like. You’ll find many other restaurants in Portland that welcome people with food allergies.
Burgerville
If you need to hit a drive-thru during your visit, make it Burgerville. This is a local fast food chain that sources much of its menu from local producers. I grew up eating Burgerville and I’m grateful that I can still eat my favorite burger – the Northwest cheeseburger – albeit on a gluten-free bun. You can ask for an “untoasted gluten-free bun” to avoid cross contamination. Load it up with Burgerville Spread. You can request an order of french fries made in a fryer separate from the fried foods containing gluten. The restaurant may or may not be able to accommodate. Be sure to treat yourself to one of the seasonal milkshakes. Burgerville has a helpful nutrition and allergen list on its website.
Dick’s Primal Burger
4905 SE Woodstock Boulevard & 4120 N Williams Avenue
This burger restaurant caters to the paleo crowd, but also offers lots of choices for vegans and celiacs. Most items are gluten-free at Dick’s Primal Burger. Gluten-free items include fries, sweet potato fries and even the fried chicken sandwich and chicken nuggets. The menu is clearly labeled. If you’re not sure, the staff has a nutrition binder and can help answer your questions. You’ll find lots of draft ciders and kombuchas on tap here.
Laughing Planet
There are several Laughing Planet locations around Portland, as well as around the state of Oregon. The restaurant specializes in gluten-free, paleo and vegetarian foods. The menu includes bowl, burritos, soups, salads and smoothies. The menu clearly indicates GF options. The staff is helpful about offering substitutes to make entrees gluten-free.
Nudi Noodle Place
4310 SE Woodstock Boulevard
About 90% of the menu at Nudi Noodle Place is gluten-free. That includes many of the fried appetizers and noodle dishes. The restaurant is Asian fusion, serving dishes inspired from Thailand, Japan, Malaysia and Korea.
The Sudra
28 NE 28th & 906 N Fremont
The Sudra is a plant-based Indian restaurant with two locations in Portland (and one in Beaverton). The food is fresh and flavorful. Nearly all of the menu items are gluten-free, with the exception of two of the three house-made breads.
This is not an exhaustive list of gluten-free or gluten friendly restaurants in Portland, Oregon. Whether you’re a celiac, or just prefer to eat gluten-free, you’ll enjoy a great dining experience when you visit.
Looking for gluten-free recommendations for New York City? Check out these 8 great GF restaurants in NYC.
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