Portland, Oregon is an incredible destination for the gluten-free traveler. There are so many fantastic options and the community as a whole is very understanding of celiac disease. I spent an entire week and was able to eat very safely without repeating the same few places – although, many of them were worth repeating and I did because they were so good!
As always, you should still check with your server and ask all the questions you normally would to ensure your safety. But in general I found that servers were very knowledgeable already and I felt like I could turn my brain off a bit and just feel normal again.
Planning Your Trip To Portland
An important note about Portland – it’s very much a weekend city. Many shops and restaurants close for a couple days between Monday and Wednesday, so when planning your trip, be sure to double-check which days your must-visit spots are open.
While reservations aren’t always necessary, I like to make them anyway to ensure I have a safe place to eat.
Gluten-Free Groceries in Portland
Portland has a very average grocery selection with the main grocery stores for gluten free items being Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Fred Meyer (Kroger), and Safeway. Market of Choice is a local Oregon grocery store but I’m uncertain of their gluten-free selection.
Gluten-Free Bakeries in Portland
New Cascadia Traditional: Best Overall
This dedicated gluten free bakery is a must visit – even multiple times – on your trip. They have a plethora of baked goods, bagels (with cream cheese!), breakfast sandwiches, and they even do personal pizzas on the weekend. They also list other allergens like dairy, corn, potato and they have full ingredient lists on their website. Stop by early in your trip to stock up on bread and snacks, or better yet, stay nearby for easy mornings.
Petunia’s Pies & Pastries: Best for Dairy Free
This dedicated gluten-free and vegan bakery is the perfect way to start your morning in downtown Portland. They offer a great selection of both savory and sweet items, including breakfast sandwiches, burgers, mac and cheese, cinnamon rolls, cakes, cupcakes, pies, gelato, and plenty of other treats. You’ll also find coffee, wine, and beer on the menu. On weekends, they serve donuts, and from Thursday through Monday, you can grab their delicious pizza. It’s a small spot and tends to get busy on weekends, so I’d recommend visiting on a weekday if you can.
Kirari West Portland: Best for Lunch
This dedicated gluten-free café is the perfect lunch spot, offering sandwiches on house-made bread, paninis, soups, kombucha, and more. They also note other allergens, like corn, right on the menu. The location itself is super cute and vibey, surrounded by plenty of fun little shops to explore. The food is incredible, and it’s a great place to grab some bread or treats to take with you for later.
Gluten Free Gem: Best for Sweet Treats
This smaller dedicated gluten-free bakery near the convention center is a great spot for coffee and breakfast, though it leans more toward sweet treats and has a smaller selection than some of Portland’s other bakeries. They offer a few savory lunch items, bagels, and some vegan options. It’s definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.
Gluten-Free Breakfast Spots in Portland
The Slide Inn
This quirky little German spot is run by the friendliest guy! You literally have to ring the doorbell before being greeted by (what I believe is) the owner himself. He’s super friendly and amazing at accommodating allergens. The whole experience feels like you’re hanging out at his house while he cooks you a homemade meal. His house-made syrups and gluten-free bread are absolutely delicious.
The Hazel Room
This popular brunch spot is fantastic with allergies and has a menu full of classic comfort foods. You can order eggs Benedict, gluten-free biscuits, biscuits and gravy, French toast, and more – plus they offer dairy-free options too. If you’re visiting in the summer, try to grab a reservation for the patio. Just note that they’re closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and I believe reservations are only available for larger groups. It’s a busy spot, so if you can’t snag a reservation, I recommend going on a weekday to avoid the rush.
Fried Egg I’m in Love
This place was my absolute favorite breakfast spot in Portland! Their breakfast sandwiches are incredible, with tons of options – and the gluten-free bread doesn’t fall apart! They have multiple locations, each one has such a unique, vibey atmosphere, and the staff is super knowledgeable about allergies and cross-contamination. While the kitchen isn’t dedicated gluten-free, they can safely toast gluten-free bread, and their hash browns are already celiac-safe! They even have a detailed allergen menu that lists things like onion, garlic, and nightshades. It can get pretty busy on weekends, so I recommend going during the week.
Bastion PDX
Located in South Portland, this dedicated gluten-free spot is absolutely worth the drive. Enjoy smoothies, toasts, sandwiches, bowls, salads, chicken and waffles, and more — all made without dairy, soy, or refined sugar. It’s a popular weekend destination and they don’t take reservations, so items often sell out throughout the day. For the best experience, go early on a weekday when it’s a bit quieter and the full menu is still available.
Gluten-Free Lunch & Dinner Spots in Portland
Harlow
This health-focused chain is perfect for grabbing a quick smoothie or light lunch. They’re dedicated gluten-free and vegan, with multiple locations around Portland. Order at the counter to go, or grab a table and stay awhile – it’s a great spot to recharge while exploring.
Bamboo Sushi
This is some of the best sushi I’ve had in a long time! The entire menu is gluten free – with the exception of a burger bun – which makes the risk of cross-contamination very minimal. You can enjoy crunchy, crispy items like tempura completely celiac-safe. With multiple locations around Portland, it’s easy to fit into your visit.
Pastini
This Italian restaurant is not dedicated, but handles food allergies well. They have two types of gluten free noodles and a good amount of options that can be made celiac safe, they also have vegetarian options. All allergen meals come out clearly marked with an allergy flag.
Mama Mia Trattoria
The owner of this Italian restaurant has celiac themselves, so they are incredible with preventing cross contamination. They have a separate prep space for gluten free items, but you do have to communicate that need. Enjoy fried mozzarella sticks, lobster mac and cheese, pizza, pasta and more. Gluten free items are marked on the menu and additional items can be modified to be gluten free.
Kann
Kann is what inspired my entire trip to Portland. This fine dining experience celebrates Haitian cuisine through naturally gluten free, family-style small plates bursting with flavor. It was easily the best meal I’ve ever had. Some dishes can be a bit spicy for sensitive stomachs, but the staff is wonderful and even offered coconut milk drinks to help cool things down. Reservations are required and open one month at a time – so plan ahead. While tables can be hard to snag, the cozy basement bar offers a limited menu and creative cocktails that are just as impressive. Expect to spend around $100–$150 per person for this unforgettable experience.
Malek Egyptian Cuisine
This dedicated gluten free Mediterranean takeout spot is a hidden gem for late-night eats. It can be a little tricky to find since it’s such a small location and takeout only, but it’s absolutely worth it. They serve incredible gluten free mac and cheese with a variety of flavor options. Open from around 2 p.m. until 4 a.m. most days, it’s the perfect stop after a night out or when those midnight cravings hit.
Mestizo
This Latin restaurant is dedicated gluten free a serves a variety of tapas, empanadas, tostadas, rice bowls and more. In addition to everything being gluten free, they also offer vegan options. The location is very vibey and near lots of fun shops to explore. While I found it a bit overpriced, I was happy to find a completely safe option.
Boxcar Pizza
Enjoy a fluffy, Detroit style pizza you’ve been missing! These vegan pizzas can also be made gluten free. They offer takeout options, however some people have struggled with cross contamination issues with delivery. If you’re worried about cc I’d recommend visiting in person.
Tacovore
This vibey taco joint is dedicated gluten free and serves a variety of tacos and nachos. They also offer lettuce-wrapped tacos if you can’t tolerate the corn tortillas. They are open for lunch and dinner, and while it’s often busy the service is quick
Verde Cocina En La Perla
This naturally gluten free Mexican restaurant in downtown Portland offers a modern twist on traditional Mexican cuisine, pairing classic flavors with the local Pacific Northwest harvest. They have plenty of vegan options and are open daily for lunch and dinner, with takeout available.
Gluten-Free Sweet Treats in Portland
Cosmic Bliss
This ice cream shop is located in Downtown Portland and is completely gluten free – including the waffle cones! They also have dairy free ice cream options, milkshakes, and even root beer floats with Olipop Sodas. It was one of my favorite spots of the trip and we went back multiple times.
Mikiko Mochi Donuts
This shop is small and had limited options, but a fun sweet treat if you’re in the area. They have a rotating menu and serve a variety of fun donut flavors, donut holes and even breakfast sandwiches. Mochi Donuts are typically made with tapioca or rice flour, making them a chewy, gummy type donut. It wouldn’t be worth the drive for me, but I’d stop in again after exploring the shops nearby.
Kate’s Ice Cream
This dedicated gluten free ice cream shop is also plant based and the perfect sweet treat when shopping around Nob Hill or the Richmond area. They have a great selection of option, but be aware, they do use oats if you’re sensitive to those.
Gluten-Free Bars in Portland
Schilling Cider House & Gluten Free Kitchen
This is a fantastic place to hang out with friends, or work remotely while sipping on an entire menu of gluten free ciders. Also enjoy 100% gluten free foods like fries, corn dogs, burgers and more. Order a flight to taste as many ciders as you like and hang around for one of the many community events hosted throughout the week.
Ground Breaker Brewing
This dedicated gluten free brewery is the coziest way to enjoy a rainy afternoon. They are one of two certified gluten free breweries in the US, so their beer is not gluten removed or reduced, but actually gluten free. Order a tasting flight and some pub food from a separate but connected gluten free kitchen. Great local pub vibes, perfect for working remotely or hanging out with friends. I was able to try beer for the first time, and learned that I’m not a beer person lol. But my husband was surprised as how close they all tasted to the real thing.
Sousòl
This dedicated gluten free bar is located in the basement of Kann and shares the kitchen with the main restaurant. They offer dairy-free and vegetarian options alongside delicious cocktails. Open late night (closed Sunday–Tuesday), it’s a bit pricey, but the small plates are packed with flavor and absolutely worth trying.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy your trip to Portland and can enjoy all the best gluten free foods! Let me know if you find more safe spots so we can continue to help other gluten free travelers out.