Gluten Free Boston MA Guide 2025 (with Map!)

I love Boston and exploring gluten free Boston was an especially tasty experience. I found Boston has loads of coeliac (celiac) friendly eateries, as well as one of the best gluten free bakeries I have ever been to. Safe to say, my coeliac tummy was very happy during my stay.

In this guide I cover not only gluten free Boston but also gluten free Cambridge, the area surrounding MIT and Harvard universities. Both host an impressive array of options for gluten free visitors, from gorgeous fully gluten free bakeries with fresh baked goods, to gourmet restaurants and grab n go eateries with coeliac friendly processes.

I visited Boston for business, then had a weekend of exploring as a solo tourist. This meant I really got to explore huge swathes of Boston and Cambridge and I simply had the best time discovering quirky neighbourhoods and seeing historic sights.

I plan to go back to Boston sometime for a visit with my family, as I noticed loads of wonderful parks for children, plus the children’s museum and science museum looked awesome for kids (oh and let’s not forget the museum of ice cream!).

If you are visiting Boston as part of a big East Coast trip, do check out my Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia guides too. I found it to be relatively smooth sailing finding gluten free food in these cities (although in smaller towns it can be more challenging).

However, Boston’s gluten free food scene includes a number of dedicated bakeries and eateries, which mean even nervous coeliac travellers can have a worry-free visit to the city. And in this guide I have also outlined a number of mixed facility restaurants that (at the time of writing) have good processes in place to minimise the risk of cross contact.

My main advice for coeliacs is to always ask questions about processes and safe preparation of gluten free food if, like me, cross contact is an issue for you. Never assume that “gf” marked on a menu equates to something being coeliac safe.

Where to Stay

I stayed in the Seaport district as I had a conference here, but I actually found it really convenient as it’s only 10 minutes from the airport, has excellent transport links and I could walk into central Boston easily.

There were also some great gluten free options in this area, plus a Trader Joes for stocking up on gluten free snacks. It was also very calming staying next to the sea.

I stayed at the Seaport Hotel Boston, which I really liked. The room was comfortable and clean, with a nice view over the harbour. The hotel has a lovely big swimming pool, so I was able to get some morning exercise in, plus a substantial fitness centre. The restaurant here can cater for coeliacs, they told me, but I didn’t try it myself.

Another option in that area is the Renaissance Boston Seaport District. I can’t comment on the rooms, as I simply attended a conference here for a few days, but they were excellent at catering coeliac safe meals for me. When I thanked their chef, Amy, for the special care they had taken she told me “we like looking after our special guests” – what a nice thing to hear, to not feel like an inconvenience!

If you prefer to stay in the centre of Boston or on the Cambridge side (to be close to the amazing Verveine Bakery), there are plenty of other hotels to choose from.

Gluten Free Boston Map

Here’s a handy gluten free Boston map to help you find those coeliac/celiac friendly spots. I’ve written full information about these locations below, in my guide:

Gluten Free Boston Guide

There are lots of gluten free goodies to discover in Boston, so below I’ve divided the list into gluten free bakeries, dedicated gluten free spots and coeliac friendly eateries. If you’ve any additions or changes, please do pop me an email laura@mygfguide.com.

I have tried to ensure the information in this guide is as accurate as possible, but it is your responsibility to check with the eatery/bakery before you order to ensure the food is safely gluten free. Menus and processes do change and I am only one woman trying to keep up! Remember to ask questions about food preparation and to always tell your server if you are coeliac.

Gluten Free Boston Highlights

I’ve got details on all these eateries below (and please scroll down and read the details to ensure you get the coeliac info), but here’s where to head for some Boston classics made gluten free:

• Lobster Roll – Legal Sea Foods or Luke’s Lobster
• Clam Chowder – Luke’s Lobster or 4th Wall Restaurant
• Cannoli – Jennifer Lee’s Bakery
• Donuts – Kane’s Donuts or Verveine (at the weekends)
• Ball game hotdog – Fenway Park gluten free stand
• Italian American food – La Famiglia Giorgio
• Boston Cream Pie – Jennifer Lee’s Bakery do cupcakes, or try my recipe to make your own at home!

Gluten Free Bakeries in Boston

Verveine Cafe & Bakery

A gluten free dreamland located in Cambridge, a short walk from central Boston, you MUST VISIT. This bustling bakery and cafe is constantly making new baked goods, so everything is wonderfully fresh and top quality. I visited a couple of times during my stay and was near defeated by a gigantic reuben sandwich stuffed to bursting with pastrami (incredible). They do wonderful pitta bread too.

They have various lovely baked goods, pastries, cakes, goods, fresh breads, plus at the time of writing they offer pizzas on Fridays and donuts on Saturday and Sunday. You can dine in or takeaway, but prepare to queue at the weekends (it’s worth it).

Jennifer Lee’s Bakery

A bakery counter located inside the Boston Public Market, which is allergen free and vegan. They confirmed to me that everything was suitable for coeliacs. I visited late in the day but they still had a nice array of cupcakes, cookie slices and cannoli. Obviously I had to get a cannoli to check that item off my Boston food list!

The lady serving was so kind, giving me a fresh cannoli when mine dropped on the floor, even though I said I was happy to pay for a new one. It was a very nice, crispy shell with dark-chocolate dipped ends and a chocolate chip and buttercream style filling.

They also have some savoury options, such as sandwiches, if you go earlier in the day. They usually restock (from their main bakery) at around 11am each day. A great gluten free, vegan option in central Boston.

Violette Gluten Free Bakery

A cute little gluten free bakery with plenty of dairy free options too, located in Cambridge. I popped in at the weekend and they had freshly baked, topped gluten free brioche, and a wonderful selection of baked goods. Plus in their chiller they have gluten free pizzas to bake at home and I also spotted full bake-at-home brie in pastry. And for you trend lovers, they have dubai chocolate bars as well.

My favourite was the turkey cookie (a turkey design, not turkey flavour!), it has a lovely spiced flavour and chewy texture with crispy icing. Very enjoyable to eat.

They also have brunch and lunch menus and some dine in tables – options included sandwiches, quiche, avocado toast, grilled cheese, empanadas and mini pizzas.

Fully Gluten Free Eateries in Boston

Poke by Love Art

This location of Love Art is fully gluten free and I enjoyed some wonderful, fresh sushi hand rolls from here. I opted for one shrimp and one avocado, with spicy mayo and a garlic ponzu dipping sauce that the team recommended – all was great and the sushi rolls were made while I waited, properly fresh.

They also have poke bowls at this location. Note the other locations are not fully gluten free, more on those below.

Mother Juice

There are a few of these across Boston and they all have a fully gluten free menu, offering smoothies, acai bowls and energy balls. I popped to the one inside High Street Place Food Hall – note the Google location is slightly off, it’s just inside the market, the first stand you come to.

Naco Taco Hub Hall

A fully gluten free and nut free location (note the other locations are not) inside Hub Hall, next to North Station. It’s a grab and go spot, but they do have a few bench tables if you want to sit and eat, or you could wander down to the river bank on a nice day. Choices include fried shrimp tacos, flautas, other tacos and taco bowls. The menu here looked so good I simply wasn’t hungry when I passed by!

Silver Dove Afternoon Tea Room

What a sweet, elegant little tearoom! It was full when I visited so I would recommend you book in advance, but I spoke with staff who confirmed to me it is entirely gluten free. Both owners are celiac, she said, and they wanted to create a place that everyone could enjoy.

The menu included delights such as scones and pumpkin spiced eclairs when I visited, and it’s really centrally located just off the Freedom Trail. Perfect for combining with a historic walk through Boston.

Palmita

Located in South Boston, this take out spot offers a Cal-Mex menu that is fully gluten free. The bowls look delicious, sadly I didn’t get to try it myself. Their whole menu is also dairy free and soy free.

Fenway Park Gluten Free Stand

Located behind the home plate, this gluten free stand is a brilliant option if you are watching a Red Sox game. They offer gluten free beer, hotdogs, subs and more. It’s billed as gluten friendly so do double check processes when you visit. I didn’t visit as I was there out of season – reviewers say the buns are pretty rubbish, but that it’s really exciting to be able to get gf food in a ball park and that it is suitable for coeliacs.

That Fat Duck at the Seaport Christmas Market

One for winter 2025, this food stand sells poutine and duck fat fries and is fully gluten free and coeliac friendly. I chatted with the owner who told me they use sweet potato starch to thicken the gravy, to keep it gluten free friendly.

Other Coeliac Friendly Eateries in Boston

Some other gluten free Boston options – eateries that can reportedly cater well for coeliacs, but that I have not tried them all personally as there were too many to choose from! But where I did get to try I’ve made a note, as I know lots of you trust my personal experiences:

• Legal Sea Foods – with a couple of locations in Boston, I had a really positive experience at the Seaport location. A large swathe of the menu is or can be made gluten free, they have a dedicated fryer, gluten free soy sauce as standard and celiac friendly processes. My server was very knowledgeable and helpful and I felt like I could relax. I had a wonderful sushi roll, as well as fried shrimp and fries (I was very hungry that day!) – all was delicious. It’s a lovely location overlooking the water too. Other options include pad thai, fish and chips, lobster roll, cioppino, bowls and salads. Note avoid the airport location – I read some reviews saying it was not safe there, despite assurances.

• Bar Taco – I had dinner here one evening and really enjoyed the food, the cute decor and bustling atmosphere. Staff were really attentive and helpful, the menu is marked to show GF and you can add details to your order of any allergy or intolerance. The vast majority of the menu is gluten free (no gf desserts though) and I would highly recommend the baja fish taco and the pork belly taco, both were wonderful. It was quite reasonably priced too and they had a good menu for kids with gf options. I ate at the Seaport location.

• Kane’s Donuts – what a great experience for gluten free baked donuts (the softest I’ve ever tried)! I visited the financial district location (90 Oliver Street) and staff were wonderful. I spoke with a lady who I think was either the owner or a manager and she told me in detail about their gluten free processes. They have a huge array of gluten free donuts (also dairy free and nut free), made in a dedicated kitchen at their Saugus location and kept seperate throughout the serving process. I mentioned I was coeliac and they took extra care when boxing up my donuts. I chose apple cider and pumpkin spice and both were delicious, very soft and I was quite surprised to enjoy a baked donut so much, as they aren’t usually my thing.

• Tavern in the Square – I popped in to chat to staff at the Beverley Street location and they were so reassuring about celiac, saying they can cater no problem and have loads of gluten free choices across their main menus and brunch menu. Options include mac n cheese, cookie skillet and buffalo chicken. Note skip the South Station location, as it’s only a mini one with limited menu.

• Bom Dough Coffee – over in Cambridge, staff at the Inman Square were so helpful when I visited! Definitely let them know you have coeliac and mark wheat allergy on your order when it goes through, to ensure they are mindful of cross contamination. They have plenty of gluten free options, all marked on the menu, including waffles and various brunch options. I chose a couple of pao de queijo to take away and they were utterly delicious, I would definitely recommend trying those (I had a classic and a dulche de leche – yum!).

• Caroliscious Venezuelan – for arepas this is a great casual grab n go spot. I visited the branch inside the Aeronaut Brewing Company in Somerville, which is really cool and a nice place to hang with friends. No gf beers, but they do have a hard selzer and said there was no cross contact issue. As for the arepas, very yummy and good value, plus the lady serving reassured me that they were safe for coeliacs and there was no cross contact with the gluten tamales on the menu.

• Faccia a Faccia – this “coastal Italian” restaurant gets rave reviews from coeliacs and chef owner Ken Oringer’s daughter is coeliac. He told me they can cater well for coeliac diners and have processes in place and plenty of menu options, including homemade pasta, mozzarella sticks and fried olives. Looks like a lovely spot for a date night and it’s located on bustling Newbury Street.

• Luke’s Lobster – offering lobster rolls and clam chowder (gf!), this is a mixed facility but they were really reassuring when I popped in to speak with them. They told me they grill the gluten free buns in a seperate area and will take the lobster and fillings from fresh contains. Their clam chowder and lobster bisque are gluten free as standard. A nice casual spot, plus there’s one on the Freedom Trail for you to grab a handy bite!
• Loco Taqueria – with two locations, one in South Boston and one in Fenway, this restaurant has a largely gluten free menu with a dedicated fryer and coeliac friendly processes. A great spot for brunch or dinner.
• Love Art Sushi – unlike their fully gluten free poke bowl spot (see above), these are mixed facility restaurants and I had mixed experiences. Although, after messaging them directly, they told me all spots should be able to cater for coeliacs. I would avoid the Seaport location, as staff weren’t able to help me there, however at the Downtown location (corner of Water and Devonshire) the lady serving me was awesome. She said they could get bowl ingredients from fresh containers in the back to make a coeliac friendly poke bowl or sushi roll.
• La Famiglia Giorgio’s – for coeliac friendly Italian American food in the North End, this is a great option (recommended to me by a gluten free local). I popped by and they even have housemade gluten free fresh pasta! Over 100 gluten free dishes, including dessert options and gluten free beer.

• Libertine – another North End location, their menu states that 98% of the menu is gluten free, they have allergy friendly processes and that all their fried items are gf so they guarantee no cross contamination.
• Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse – two locations, diners say they have really good coeliac processes here and lots of nice gluten free menu options. They have dedicated gluten free lunch and dinner menus on their website, if you’d like to look at the options in advance.
• Barcelona Wine Bar – for coeliac friendly tapas, this one has lots of positive coeliac reviews.
• 4th Wall Restaurant – a nice array of gluten free options, including burgers, chicken bites and clam chowder, with the kitchen using rice flour for frying as standard. Their menu states they are certified gluten free and staff are trained to deal with food allergies. Located in the theatre district so could be a good spot for a pre-show bite to eat.
• Rosa Mexicano – this was right next to my hotel so I am still kicking myself for not managing to squeeze a visit in (too many good options in Boston!). I want to go for a portion of their lobster taquitos!

• The Smoke Shop BBQ – I passed this BBQ spot a few times (sadly never when I had an appetite!) and the menu states they have a dedicated fryer, processes to avoid cross contamination, as well as them offering a helpful menu showing allergens. A great spot for a BBQ feast! I was drooling at the prospect of burnt ends.
• Capo Restaurant – they do a fully gluten free night on Tuesdays and the menu for that sounds amazing. Including arancini, garlic bread, fried calamari, zucchini fries, croquettes and pastas. Worth checking out.
• Gustazo Cuban Bar & Kitchen – Cuban food with plenty of gluten free options, located in Cambridge. They have safe preparation methods and a dedicated fryer. A fun place to enjoy small plates and cocktails with friends.

For more delicious gluten free guides to the US, you might like to have a read of one of these from my US travels:

• New York Gluten Free Guide
• Washington Gluten Free Guide
• Los Angeles Gluten Free Guide

Have a great visit to Boston! Laura xxx