Lifestyle
Los Angeles Restaurants for Gluten-free Dining
Mary Courtney & friends
These places have more than one entrée that’s gluten-free, as well as dairy-free options. (Most of them use an oil other than canola oil, because I can’t eat at restaurants that use canola oil.)
Send info about your favorites to mary@courtney.org or sfrieder@earthlink.net
Thank you for your suggestions!
Throughout Los Angeles County
PF Chang’s Restaurant chain
Ask for the Gluten Free menu. Double-check to make sure your order is GF when it arrives at the table. Mix-ups happen!
Outback Restaurant chain
Ask for the Gluten Free menu. Double-check to make sure your order is GF when it arrives at the table. Mix-ups happen!
In ‘n Out Burger
Fresh-made French fries in dedicated (no gluten) oil. Ask for burger wrapped in lettuce (no bun).
Thai Restaurants
Any Thai Restaurant without Chinese or Japanese food on the menu will likely accommodate you easily.
Oaxacan Restaurants
Oaxacan food (Mexican food from the region of Oaxaca) is often made from scratch. As with any restaurant that serves sauces and salsas, ask if flour is used in the sauce/salsa/mole. Also ask if the oil for chips is also used to fry foods that contain flour.
Downtown
(recommended by Fred Fuentes)
Pinot Grill, (at Dorothy Chandler)
For grilled food. Even the steak potatoes are grilled (not fried).
Café Pinot, near Library
Small servings but elegant patio. The chef came out to the table to discuss menu.
Ciao Trattoria, 7th and Flower
Very knowledgeable and accommodating staff. Oven-cooked potatoes without dairy.
Cuidad, Figueroa
Another nice patio. Ask a lot of questions, though.
Los Feliz/Silverlake/Echo Park
Puran, 2064 Hillhurst Ave. 90027, across from Albertson’s.
Organic food. They know what’s in their food and the chef is knowledgeable about food intolerances. 323-667-1357
Cobras & Matadors, 4655 Hollywood Blvd @ Vermont 90027
Opens @ 6pm. A Spanish tapas restaurant. Reservations advised. Sundays recommended. Ask lots of questions about marinades and sauces. 323-669-3922
La Fe, 1525 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026
The fresh-made food, thick tortillas and the fresh fruit drinks combine to make one of the best affordable meals in Los Angeles. If the English-speaking male owner isn’t there, order the chicken soup or the diced beef. Be sure to try the tortillas. The refried beans are GF, too, and great for dipping. If you eat dairy-free, say, “no leche, no queso, no crema” especially if you order a drink. –Mary
Santa Fe, A block or so west of La Fe on Sunset
Drop in for fresh tamales to go. Same tips above apply if you’re sensitive to dairy.
The Farmer’s Market (Fairfax and 3rd) & The Grove
La Loteria
Mexican enchiladas in corn tortillas. Check for dedicated fryer for the chips.
Cobras & Matadors, Beverly Blvd near The Grove
See sister restaurant above.
Hi-End Restaurants Westside:
Santa Monica
(recommended by Mary Courtney)
Drago on Wilshire (great risotto!)
Westwood
(recommended by Larry Cooley)
Gardens on Glendo
One chef has a wheat-free spouse
Tanino’s
Waiters vary greatly in their desire to accommodate
Beverly Hills
(recommended by Ailene Lichter)
Ruth Chris Steakhouse. S. Beverly Drive
Caters to your needs. Great gluten free chocolate cake. Great wine selection.
FOGO DE CHAO Churrascaria, 133 N. La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(recommended by Ailene Lichter)
Everything is gluten-free, even the muffins. Avoid the smoked fish, that’s about it. Complete salad bar and then the Churrascaria part, waiters come around and cut slices of the greatest meat. You can eat too much food. The salad part is $25 and the churrascaria part is additional $25 or so. Very delicious!
www.fogodechao.com TEL 310-289-7755 FAX 310-289-9966. Info@fogodechao.com.
Economical Restaurants Westside
A Votre Sante at 13016 San Vicente Blvd @ 26th
For the tastiest risottos. Free parking in the back. 310-451-1813. Note: The wheat-free desserts can contain oat flour. –Mary
Bombay Bite, 1051 Gayley Ave., Westwood Village across from Whole Foods
The dinner menu indicates which lamb, beef, seafood and vegetarian entrees are GF. For a lunch entrée (even on Sat/Sun!), forget the tandoori and chicken curries. Ask about any salad, starter, tandoori, wrap or special. They are interested in all your food sensitivities. 310-824-1046.
Damon & Pythias on Broxton in Westwood Village
I order the ½ rack of ribs without the (questionable) sauce and the squash (garlic) when with folks I know well. (They are eating large but tidy sandwiches.) --Mary
Guelaguetza, 11127 Palms Blvd (E of Sepulveda)
(It's near the Trader Joe's and Long's.) 310-837-8600.
Habayit 11921 W. Pico Blvd at Westgate
An Israeli restaurant with an almost totally gluten-free menu. (No dairy.) A source of fresh-cut, clean-fried, French fries. (310-479-5444). Expect to park on Gateway or Pico. –Mary
Joe’s Diner at 2917 Main Street
For steak, chicken and fish entrees. 310-392-5804 –Lorraine Petco
Javan, 11500 Santa Monica Blvd at Butler in West LA (west of 405)
Persian menus have many great selections for celiacs—and there’s no spicy heat in Persian fare. Mary recommends trying one of the tasty stews served with rice. –Mary (parking in garage off alley just west of restaurant)
La Serenata Gourmet, 10924 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A.
Mexican and seafood specialties. 310-441-9667
La Serenata de Garibaldi, 1416 4th St., Santa Monica
Mexican and seafood specialties.
Le petit Café
Food cooked to your liking and very delicious 2842 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-829-6792. www.lepetitcafe.info --Marlene Crosby
Monte Alban
For mole, great chicken soup, and other Oaxacan specialties, 11927 Santa Monica Blvd. (North side at Brockton Ave.), West LA, 310-444-7736. Easy parking out front.
PF Chang’s
Several locations, has GF menu.
Tortilla Grill, 1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
Tortilla Grill does not marinate in soy sauce and has plenty of corn-tortilla–wrapped entrees. Sensitive to canola oil? Please avoid the chips and other fried foods. –Mary 310-581-9953
Tamara’s Tamales , Marina Plaza, 133 West Washington Blvd. (east of Lincoln), LA 90066
More than 30 kinds of excellent gluten-free tamales with no tomato paste or canola oil. Half of the flavors are dairy-free. Reed’s Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic and gluten-free) is also served. 310-305-7714
Versailles Restaurant, (Cuban Food!) 10319 Venice Blvd, north side, east of Motor Street
(310) 558-3168. –Mary
Westside Treat:
Sonny McLean’s Pub. 2615 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica
Pear cider and apple cider (hard ciders) on draft. Eat beforehand; the menu is not celiac friendly. –Mary
Restaurants Elsewhere in LA County:
Salt Creek Grill in Valencia
Reservations recommended on weekend nights. –Fred Fuentes
Send info about your favorites to mary@courtney.org or sfrieder@earthlink.net
Thank you for your suggestions!
