Gone are the days when going out to eat with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance means paltry offers of bun-less burgers, gluey gluten-free pasta, and boring salads. These days, plenty of places go out of their way to accommodate dietary restrictions, and some have gone so far as to work with gluten-free flours to create tasty takes on beloved dishes.
Lucky for us, Denver happens to be a haven for gluten-free diners. Throughout the city you can find everything from housemade gluten-free pizza dough to gluten-free cannolis, donuts, sandwich bread, and more. From restaurants with 100% gluten-free menus to those with dedicated allergen menus, here are some of the best restaurants and bakeries in the city to indulge in.
Ginger Pig
With its heavy reliance on soy sauce, many Asian cuisines are not usually celiac or gluten intolerance friendly, which is just one reason why Ginger Pig is such a special place. This Michelin-recognized restaurant offers gluten-free options including Korean fried chicken, Japanese karaage, char siu barbecue pork shoulder, and naturally gluten-free mochi cake. Visit either the Denver or Boulder location and find out why chef Natascha Hess has continued to wow diners. 4262 Lowell Blvd., Denver; 1203 13th St., Boulder, gingerpig.com
Blue Hummingbird Gluten-Free Foods
Deby’s Gluten Free Inc. is now known as Blue Hummingbird Gluten-Free Foods, a one-stop shop for gluten-free products of all varieties. That includes homemade hamburger buns, pretzel bites, pot pies, quiches, cakes, and more. The store remains a treasure trove for anyone on a gluten-free diet who has been craving baked goods. Not only that, but Blue Hummingbird also caters to those with additional dietary restrictions, such as dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and vegan. 2369 S. Trenton Way, Denver, bluehummingbirdfoods.com
Bowls by KO
Owner and chef Katelin Overton perfected her nutrient-dense, fast-casual bowls, and now customers can get the gluten-free bowls in Sloan Lake. Think hearty options such as the Buffalo Chicken Bowl with white rice, pulled buffalo chicken, garlic kale salad, roasted sweet potatoes, dairy-free ranch, and pickled onions. Or the Deconstructed Shrimp Spring Roll Bowl, which comes with brown rice, jumbo shrimp, shredded carrots, cucumbers, avocado, Thai basil, scallions, sesame seeds, and cashew butter sauce. 1611 N. Raleigh St., Denver, bowlsbyko.com
Moore Bread
When Christopher Moore, owner of Moore Bread in RiNo, found out he had celiac disease, gluten became the biggest no-no. Instead of mourning the loss of bread, he decided to open a bakery instead. That way, not only could he make his own gluten-free items, but also provide tasty baked goods to those with the same dietary restrictions.
Turns out he was right in accessing the desire for the product. There was a line out the door when his Moore Bread shop opened in June, 2025, with donuts, cannolis, bagels, a wide variety of breads, and more flying out the door. 3331 N. Downing St., Denver, moorebreadbakery.com
Rivers and Roads Coffee
At first glance the friendly neighborhood cafe Rivers and Roads Coffee appears to be any regular spot. But it turns out it’s a completely gluten-free facility. In addition to drinks from a full espresso bar, you can also find great baked goods such as biscuits, scones, and focaccia. Plus the website features a few gluten-free recipes to help you recreate these items at home. 2539 Bruce Randolph Ave., Denver, riversandroadscoffee.com
Just BE Kitchen
Just BE Kitchen is 100% gluten-free, but that’s not all. The restaurant is also completely free of peanuts, refined sugar, soy, and corn, meaning it’s a great option for those with overlapping dietary restrictions. The menu offers a selection of healthy options, from burritos tucked inside soft housemade wraps to a bone broth bar, cauliflower wings, sloppy joes, and more. 2364 15th St., Denver; and 2500 30th St. STE 101, Boulder, justbekitchen.com
Quiero Arepas
Basically, an arepas is a corn cake sandwich, which means it’s naturally gluten free. Even so, knowing the kitchens at Quiero Arepas have become completely free of gluten puts those with celiac disease or more serious gluten allergies at ease. With three locations in and near the Mile High, it’s easy to find this Venezuelan comfort food at any given time. Multiple locations, quieroarepas.com
Acova
Acova’s co-owner and her son both have celiac disease, and their shared experiences of accidentally ingesting gluten from cross-contamination inspired the ample gluten-free options on the restaurant’s menu. That includes rich sausage gravy, fish and chips, and a gluten-free fried chicken so crispy, you could feed it to a gluten eater without them ever suspecting something was different. 3651 Navajo St., Denver, acovarestaurant.com
Teocalli Cocina
Mexican food is generally safe for those with gluten-free diets thanks to the dedication to corn-based products. But some classic items remain off-limits, like quesadillas in flour tortillas or mole sauce thickened with bread. At its various locations along the Front Range, Teocalli Cocina offers a completely gluten-free menu, including quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, and even churros, so all diners can explore these flavors without fear. Multiple locations, teocallicocina.com
Marco’s Coal Fired
Marco’s Coal Fired isn’t completely gluten-free, but it has one of the best housemade gluten-free pizza crusts in the city. The restaurant cuts out the risk of cross-contamination with a dedicated chef each night who works out of a gluten-free pizza oven. It’s good too, after all, the chefs have been trained by real Neapolitan pizzaiolos, and the restaurant is the first in the entire state to be certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. That means that whether you’re gluten-free or not, everyone gets to enjoy legit Neapolitan pizza. 2129 Larimer St., Denver; 10111 Inverness Main St., Centennial, marcoscfp.com
Vital Root
Vital Root on Tennyson Street (and its sister spot, Root Down) can make almost every dish on the menu gluten free including ramen, wraps, french toast, cookies, and tiramisu. This fast-casual eatery features sustainably-sourced ingredients and offers solid plant-based options as well. As with all the other restaurants under the Edible Beats umbrella, Vital Root is employee-owned. 3915 Tennyson St., Denver, ediblebeats.com
Federal Bar and Grill
Federal Bar and Grill may not be a dedicated gluten-free restaurant, but is one of the best casual pubs for those on a gluten-free diet. The menu gets clearly marked with safe options, including wings, fries, and even breaded artichoke hearts, each fried in a dedicated fryer. The bar also has an extensive selection of gluten-free and gluten-reduced beers on tap. 2544 Federal Blvd., Denver, thefedbar.com
Bamboo Sushi
Anyone who eats a gluten-free diet understands the complicated dance of ordering sushi. You have to check for breaded tempura items in rolls and look out for sneaky gluten in the form of soy sauce in others. But celiac sufferers rest assured, Bamboo Sushi has an almost entirely gluten-free menu, with stand-out items such as gluten-free tempura, spicy rolls made with tamari soy sauce, and crispy fried chicken. 2715 17th St., Denver; 1160 Madison St., Denver, bamboosushi.com
Thai Pot Cafe
Thai is another cuisine that can be tricky for those who are gluten free, as soy sauce is a hidden component of a lot of dishes. Luckily, the staff at Thai Pot Cafe, tucked away inside an unassuming stripmall, are knowledgeable about gluten allergies. They can make all dishes gluten-free by request. That means even classics like pad see ew and fried rice aren’t off limits. 1350 S. Colorado Blvd #191, Denver, thaipotcafe.com
Watercourse Foods
Diners with gluten allergies often have other dietary restrictions as well, and luckily Watercourse Foods remains equipped to handle all of them. The 28-year-old vegan restaurant offers numerous gluten-free dishes or substitutions on the menu of comfort food items such as the Loaded Grilled Cheese, Meatball Sub, and cauliflower Buffalo wings. 837 E. 17th Ave., Denver, watercoursefoods.com
DiFranco’s
DiFranco’s began as a beloved farmers’ market stand in 2011, and now is a full-service restaurant on Lincoln Street. Over the years it has kept up the dedication to local ingredients, and while not billed as a gluten-free restaurant, there’s plenty of options. For example, gluten-free pasta, garlic bread, and even cannolis. 955 Lincoln St. D, Denver, difrancos.com
Jelly Cafe
Head to Jelly Cafe for brunch with a side of serious retro diner nostalgia complete with colorful booths and bar stools. The cafe may not be completely gluten-free, but it serves plenty of options including the signature donut bites, pancakes, and other classic brunch bites. Also take a look at more adventurous offerings such as fried rice hash, bacon corn pancakes, and Thai Peanut donut bites. Both locations open at 7 a.m. most days of the week. 600 E. 13th Ave., Pearl St; and 1700 E. Evans Ave., Denver, eatmorejelly.com
Dew Drop Inn
Cozy Dew Drop Inn has a dedicated gluten-free fryer, making all the gluten-free fried foods celiac-safe. Sit outside on the patio when the weather is nice and order the restaurant’s fried chicken, sandwiches on gluten-free bread, and the signature mussels, complete with gluten-free bread to mop up the sauce. 1033 E. 17th Ave., Denver, dewdropinndenver.com
Catira
This colorful Venezuelan restaurant has a menu clearly marked with potential allergens. For those who don’t eat gluten, almost the entire menu is accessible, with corn-based dishes like arepas, empanadas, and sandwiches made with fried plantains instead of bread. It’s also worth a visit for the cocktails, many of which are made with Venezuelan rum, which, since made with sugar cane, remains free of gluten too. 5370 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. #107, Greenwood Village, holacatira.com
