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Where to Eat Gluten-Free in D.C.

Bakeries, pizza shops, and restaurants that look out for diners with celiac disease

by Lenore Adkins Updated
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by Lenore Adkins Updated
Oath Pizza [official]

Eating gluten-free can be a challenge, but finding restaurants to accommodate the diet isn’t that difficult in the D.C. area.

For the uninitiated, gluten is an umbrella term for the proteins typically found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, the substance can damage the small intestine. In the U.S., 2.5 million Americans are undiagnosed and could face long-term health complications from the hereditary disease, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation.

As more and more people go gluten-free, the restaurant industry has adapted with countless options, ranging from pizza and pasta to cookies and cakes. For dishes that are free of gluten, but packed with flavor, head to one of these gluten-free offerings in the D.C. area.

— Updated by Adele Chapin

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Cielo Rojo Restaurant

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Year-old Takoma Park taqueria Cielo Rojo’s menu helpfully points out its plentiful gluten-free options, like potato and corn masa gorditas or chicken tinga tostadas. 

7056 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 755-0833
(301) 755-0833

Also featured in:

Lebanese Taverna (Multiple Locations)

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This local, family-run chain serves up many gluten-free dishes on its meze-rich menu, including assorted styles of hummus, seasonal soups, and salads. Grilled eggplant, roasted chicken, and lamb shanks are all hearty, gluten-free entrees.

2641 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 265-8681
(202) 265-8681

Also featured in:

Rise Bakery

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As the only gluten-free bakery within District lines, Rise Bakery in Adams Morgan is a must-visit for people with celiac disease. Owner Mike Koritko started the bakery years after his celiac diagnosis. From bagels and cheesecake to muffins and pies, this bakery accommodates the gluten-free crowd without sacrificing taste.

2409 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 525-5204
(202) 525-5204

Also featured in:

Lupo Verde Osteria Palisades

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Go for Lupo Verde Osteria’s gluten-free rigatoni, which is made with corn, then add sauces like pomodoro, bolognese, cacio e pepe, or vongole (clams).

4814 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 506-6683
(202) 506-6683

Also featured in:

Jetties

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Craving a sandwich? Favorite local shop Jettie’s offers gluten-free bread options at all locations.

1609 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 891-7690
(202) 891-7690

Also featured in:

O Earth Creamery + Bakehouse

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In October 2019, gluten-free bakery O Earth Creamery + Bakehouse opened an outpost at Union Market in addition to its stalls at farmers markets like the Palisades Farmers Market. Find treats like caramel apple tarts, chocolate ginger scones, loaves of bread like sourdough, and vegan quiche.

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(301) 347-3998
(301) 347-3998

Also featured in:

Buttercream Bakeshop

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This Shaw bakery from chef-owner Tiffany MacIsaac and partner/lead decorator Alexandra Mudry-Till serves up an enormous, alternating roster of gluten-free sweets including cakes, macarons, candy bars and holiday peppermint meringues. Customers especially crave the bakery’s gluten-free Snickers brownies and red velvet cupcakes.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 735-0102
(202) 735-0102

Also featured in:

Busboys and Poets (Multiple Locations)

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From shrimp and grits to sweet potato hash, nearly every section on the menu of this D.C. classic offers a wide range of gluten-free alternatives.

450 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 789-2227
(202) 789-2227

Also featured in:

&pizza (Multiple Locations)

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The fast-casual pizza chain that’s all over Washington offers a gluten-free crust.

1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 839-8576
(202) 839-8576

Also featured in:

Flower Child

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Healthful national chain Flower Child is planting a flag in the DMV, with outposts in D.C., Rockville, Tysons, and Bethesda. The menu puts an emphasis on gluten-free offerings, from turkey bolognese and zucchini lasagna bowls to super grain oatmeal with warm date compote.

2112 Pennsylvania Ave NW #101, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 919-3646
(202) 919-3646

Also featured in:

Karma Modern Indian

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Apart from the breads at this contemporary Indian restaurant, a majority of Karma’s menu is gluten-free.

611 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-0393
(202) 898-0393
Quail mussallam from Karma Modern Indian
Karma Modern Indian

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Sweetgreen (Multiple Locations)

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This homegrown, ever-expanding chain specializes in signature salads, protein-packed bowls, and seasonal specials that are naturally gluten-free. Top things off with more than a dozen gluten-free dressings — like the signature Caesar dressing — or throw in premium ingredients such as roasted vegetables, salami, and goat cheese.

2221 I St NW, Washington, DC 20052
(202) 507-8357
(202) 507-8357
sweetgreen

Modena

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Chef John Melfi at the Northern Italian-influenced Modena downtown is experimenting with whipping up gluten-free, house-milled corn flour pasta. Currently, there’s a corn penne and a chick pea pasta on Modena’s menu, and Melfi is also working on perfecting a local oat pasta as well. These gluten-free pastas can be combined with any sauce on the menu.

1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 216-9550
(202) 216-9550

Also featured in:

eat brgz

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This new fast-casual burger counter near Eastern Market mixes all the toppings into its burger patties. Gluten-free buns made out of cauliflower, eggs, and cheese have become a big seller. — Gabe Hiatt

250 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 450-5074
(202) 450-5074

Also featured in:

The Happy Tart Falls Church

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In Falls Church, ​Happy Tart owner and executive chef Emma Cech set out on a mission to make gluten-free versions of the French pastries she studied at L’Academie de Cuisine. The long-running bakery serves up crepes, bread, cake pops, petit fours, macarons, and all sorts of pies and tarts.

410 S Maple Ave #110, Falls Church, VA 22046
(571) 395-8280
(571) 395-8280

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Oath Pizza - Navy Yard

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Oath Pizza’s multiple locations in D.C. offer a “Mindful Menu” featuring gluten-free crusts. Try the cauliflower crust topped with basil pesto, mozzarella, roasted chicken, grape tomatoes, and feta.

110 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 863-2000
(202) 863-2000
Oath Pizza

Also featured in:

Nazret Ethiopia Resturant

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Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema calls out this Ethiopian eatery for its gluten-free injera, made with teff delivered from Ethiopia.

3821 S George Mason Dr D, Falls Church, VA 22041
(703) 347-9911
(703) 347-9911
Tim’s top 25 - Nazret Ethiopia Washington Post via Getty Images

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Cielo Rojo Restaurant

7056 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Year-old Takoma Park taqueria Cielo Rojo’s menu helpfully points out its plentiful gluten-free options, like potato and corn masa gorditas or chicken tinga tostadas. 

7056 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 755-0833
(301) 755-0833

Lebanese Taverna (Multiple Locations)

2641 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

This local, family-run chain serves up many gluten-free dishes on its meze-rich menu, including assorted styles of hummus, seasonal soups, and salads. Grilled eggplant, roasted chicken, and lamb shanks are all hearty, gluten-free entrees.

2641 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
(202) 265-8681
(202) 265-8681

Rise Bakery

2409 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

As the only gluten-free bakery within District lines, Rise Bakery in Adams Morgan is a must-visit for people with celiac disease. Owner Mike Koritko started the bakery years after his celiac diagnosis. From bagels and cheesecake to muffins and pies, this bakery accommodates the gluten-free crowd without sacrificing taste.

2409 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 525-5204
(202) 525-5204

Lupo Verde Osteria Palisades

4814 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007

Go for Lupo Verde Osteria’s gluten-free rigatoni, which is made with corn, then add sauces like pomodoro, bolognese, cacio e pepe, or vongole (clams).

4814 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 506-6683
(202) 506-6683

Jetties

1609 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007

Craving a sandwich? Favorite local shop Jettie’s offers gluten-free bread options at all locations.

1609 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 891-7690
(202) 891-7690

O Earth Creamery + Bakehouse

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

In October 2019, gluten-free bakery O Earth Creamery + Bakehouse opened an outpost at Union Market in addition to its stalls at farmers markets like the Palisades Farmers Market. Find treats like caramel apple tarts, chocolate ginger scones, loaves of bread like sourdough, and vegan quiche.

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(301) 347-3998
(301) 347-3998

Buttercream Bakeshop

1250 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This Shaw bakery from chef-owner Tiffany MacIsaac and partner/lead decorator Alexandra Mudry-Till serves up an enormous, alternating roster of gluten-free sweets including cakes, macarons, candy bars and holiday peppermint meringues. Customers especially crave the bakery’s gluten-free Snickers brownies and red velvet cupcakes.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 735-0102
(202) 735-0102

Busboys and Poets (Multiple Locations)

450 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

From shrimp and grits to sweet potato hash, nearly every section on the menu of this D.C. classic offers a wide range of gluten-free alternatives.

450 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 789-2227
(202) 789-2227

&pizza (Multiple Locations)

1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

The fast-casual pizza chain that’s all over Washington offers a gluten-free crust.

1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 839-8576
(202) 839-8576

Flower Child

2112 Pennsylvania Ave NW #101, Washington, DC 20037

Healthful national chain Flower Child is planting a flag in the DMV, with outposts in D.C., Rockville, Tysons, and Bethesda. The menu puts an emphasis on gluten-free offerings, from turkey bolognese and zucchini lasagna bowls to super grain oatmeal with warm date compote.

2112 Pennsylvania Ave NW #101, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 919-3646
(202) 919-3646

Karma Modern Indian

611 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Apart from the breads at this contemporary Indian restaurant, a majority of Karma’s menu is gluten-free.

611 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-0393
(202) 898-0393
Quail mussallam from Karma Modern Indian
Karma Modern Indian

Sweetgreen (Multiple Locations)

2221 I St NW, Washington, DC 20052

This homegrown, ever-expanding chain specializes in signature salads, protein-packed bowls, and seasonal specials that are naturally gluten-free. Top things off with more than a dozen gluten-free dressings — like the signature Caesar dressing — or throw in premium ingredients such as roasted vegetables, salami, and goat cheese.

2221 I St NW, Washington, DC 20052
(202) 507-8357
(202) 507-8357
sweetgreen

Modena

1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

Chef John Melfi at the Northern Italian-influenced Modena downtown is experimenting with whipping up gluten-free, house-milled corn flour pasta. Currently, there’s a corn penne and a chick pea pasta on Modena’s menu, and Melfi is also working on perfecting a local oat pasta as well. These gluten-free pastas can be combined with any sauce on the menu.

1100 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 216-9550
(202) 216-9550

eat brgz

250 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

This new fast-casual burger counter near Eastern Market mixes all the toppings into its burger patties. Gluten-free buns made out of cauliflower, eggs, and cheese have become a big seller. — Gabe Hiatt

250 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 450-5074
(202) 450-5074

The Happy Tart Falls Church

410 S Maple Ave #110, Falls Church, VA 22046

In Falls Church, ​Happy Tart owner and executive chef Emma Cech set out on a mission to make gluten-free versions of the French pastries she studied at L’Academie de Cuisine. The long-running bakery serves up crepes, bread, cake pops, petit fours, macarons, and all sorts of pies and tarts.

410 S Maple Ave #110, Falls Church, VA 22046
(571) 395-8280
(571) 395-8280

Related Maps

Oath Pizza - Navy Yard

110 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Oath Pizza’s multiple locations in D.C. offer a “Mindful Menu” featuring gluten-free crusts. Try the cauliflower crust topped with basil pesto, mozzarella, roasted chicken, grape tomatoes, and feta.

110 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 863-2000
(202) 863-2000
Oath Pizza

Nazret Ethiopia Resturant

3821 S George Mason Dr D, Falls Church, VA 22041

Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema calls out this Ethiopian eatery for its gluten-free injera, made with teff delivered from Ethiopia.

3821 S George Mason Dr D, Falls Church, VA 22041
(703) 347-9911
(703) 347-9911
Tim’s top 25 - Nazret Ethiopia Washington Post via Getty Images

Related Maps