Destination Guide: Gluten-Free San Francisco Bay Area
- Alina
- Aug 8, 2024
- 16 min read
Updated: Mar 13
In case there was any ambiguity about where Celiac by the Bay is based, it's the San Francisco Bay Area in California!
We love it here, but don’t let the movies fool you — the San Francisco Bay Area isn’t just sunshine and beaches 24/7 (chilly tourists desperately buying overpriced hoodies may be our biggest commodity outside of tech!). Northern California is quite large, with so many breathtaking views and dramatically diverse climates and topography to explore in every direction. One bragging point you’ll often hear is that you can both ski and surf on the same day — and it’s true (Charles’ cousin can attest to it)! But to savor and soak in the full beauty of the area, we highly recommend separating the two over multiple days. ;)
Below, we’ve started this guide with an area that hasn’t been covered as much by other celiac bloggers — the East Bay — and we’ll be continuing to add on additional regions of the Bay Area in the coming weeks. Even more so than our other guides, this one will be a living document that continues to expand as additional celiac-safe restaurants open up near us! So keep reading for our tips, tricks, and recommendations for a celiac-safe, gluten-free vacation to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Note: Our posts may contain affiliate links. For example, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through those links, you won't be charged extra, but we'll receive a small commission. All opinions expressed herein are our own, and we will only recommend products, services, and restaurants that we have personally tested and found to meet our quality standards.
Table of Contents
Restaurants
East Bay
City: Danville
Safety: ★★★★★
Dedicated, 100% gluten-free cafe and bakery + a Validated Gluten-Free Safe Spot by the Gluten Intolerance Group’s (GIG) Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) program.
Note: If you order a hot drink, double check which oat milk they’re using. They recently switched to Califia’s Oat Barista Blend, but had previously used another brand that wasn’t celiac-safe.
Taste: ★★★★★
If we had to pick just one, we’d definitely say Life is Sweet has the best gluten-free desserts in the Bay. And it doesn’t stop there — they also have a solid brunch menu, muffins, breakfast loafs, scones, cinnamon rolls, a fun bubbly + gluten-free beer selection, and custom-order cakes and cookies perfect for any celebration. They also have a number of dairy-free and vegan options!
Must tries: Cookie Dough Cupcake (the “frosting” is a full cookie’s worth of cookie dough!), Banana Cream Pudding, Vegan Chocolate Dream Pudding (don’t sleep on the puddings — I’m not normally a fan of pudding, but theirs is irresistible!), Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie, Caprese Avocado Toast
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
We’re here WAY too often for our waistlines, and we’re not even mad about it! We love the outdoor seating on a balmy day, and the inside is very cute and tastefully decorated as well (pro tip: snag the spot in front of the screen in the back corner to watch a fun slideshow of their best cake and cookie decorations). Try to visit on a weekend for their brunch specials, and if you’re here near a holiday, you can have the added fun of seeing their impressive themed desserts! Another huge plus is their prominent signage educating patrons on celiac disease and the importance of not bringing in any outside food or drinks, for safety reasons.
C Casa (Closed)
Cities: San Ramon & Emeryville
Safety: ★★★★★
Dedicated, 100% gluten-free restaurant.
Taste: ★★★★★
Handmade corn tortillas, non-GMO and sustainably sourced ingredients, pasture-raised beef — gotta love delicious food you can feel good about too! All of their non-alcoholic drinks are safe, and they also have a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian options.
Must tries: Taquitos, Heirloom Fingerling & New Potato Taco (July 2024 UPDATE: devastatingly, this is no longer on the menu), Quesadillas, Strawberry Agua Fresca
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
While I deeply miss the tacos from their old menu, this is still a very solid choice and a great way to safely eat the California-style Mexican food for which the state is known. Their San Ramon location is one of our regulars, and it’s particularly fun to eat at their fire-top tables. It’s located at a cute outdoor shopping center as well, so save some time to shop, visit the movie theater or escape rooms, cool down in the splash zone, or simply enjoy the fantastic chalk artwork throughout the venue.
City: Oakland
Safety: ★★★★★
Dedicated, 100% gluten-free bakery.
Taste: ★★★★☆
Mariposa is a treasure trove for celiacs, carrying a rich variety of desserts (with differing sugar levels for any palate), breads, pastries, sandwiches, and more that help you forget you’re eating gluten-free. They also clearly label, and offer some items free from, other common allergens like tree nuts, dairy, eggs, sesame and soy, as well as wash and sanitize between batches to reduce the chance of allergen contamination.
Must tries: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Viennese Tea Cookies, Breads (bagels, sandwiches, baguettes, and more), and take-and-bake savories and sweets (relive your pre-gluten-free glory days with easy-prep meals!)
Overall Experience: ★★★★☆
We love driving up here every so often on the weekends to pick up treats or enjoy a quick bagel or sandwich in their little seating area, and they’ve become a staple in our home with their special holiday offerings throughout the year. They also have a small mini grocery section stocked with additional cookies, graham crackers, dried pasta, and more. While we prefer the ambiance of their second location in the San Francisco Ferry Building, this location is larger and carries a much fuller assortment of products at a convenient East Bay location just off the highway exit. Bonus: Many of their baked goods are available for shipping nationwide, so you can bring a (delicious) piece of vacation into the comfort of your own home! Check it out.
Cities: Walnut Creek & Berkeley
Safety: ★★★★☆
Dedicated, 100% gluten-free cafe and bakery.
Note: Before you order a drink, double check which oat milk they’re using and consider cross-contact mitigation if warranted. They're back to using Califia oat milk (which uses gluten-free oats), but had previously switched to a different oat milk brand that wasn't celiac-safe. We did reach out to educate them on the difference, and they've since switched back to Califia, so hopefully that won't happen again!
Taste: ★★★★★
This is THE place for gluten-free donuts. These mochi donuts have the most delightful texture, and there’s also mochi muffins, bread pudding, and sweet and savory waffles. Don’t sleep on their fun assortment of drinks either — they’re particularly well known for their matcha and oolong drinks.
Must tries:
Donuts: Mango Passion Fruit, Thai Tea, Raspberry Lychee, Vietnamese Coffee
Drinks: Anything with their homemade caramel or fruit purees — I always go for one of their steamers, and Charles loves their roasted matchas
Waffles: Savory Kimchi or de Guayaba (if it’s in season)
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
Another one of our go-to’s, we can’t recommend Third Culture enough! Each location has its own unique vibe, so you can’t go wrong, and the Berkeley location often hosts fun events and pop-ups. Bonus: their mochi muffins, matcha, oolong, and a selection of cute merch now ship nationwide!
Note: They recently started selling their food items inside of other non-dedicated restaurants as well, such as Edmond Cafe, but we’d recommend celiacs stick to Third Culture’s two main, full-service locations.
City: San Ramon
Safety: ★★★★☆
The vast majority of their menu is gluten-free, and staff are very knowledgeable about cross contact to safely accommodate patrons with celiac disease.
Pros
Gluten-free is the default on their menu, so any items with gluten are labeled with a “G”
Servers typically ask if the table has any allergies they should be aware of, and will mark your order accordingly
Cons
N/A
Taste: ★★★★★
Our fav gluten-free sushi spot! If anyone in your party isn’t a big fan of raw fish, they also have a number of yummy veggie rolls and other cooked options. Their mocktails are fun, too!
Must tries:
Appetizers/Small Plates: Chicken Karaage, Brussel Sprouts, Tempura
Sushi: Chef’s Snack, Green Machine Signature Roll, Veggie Roll
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
One of our go-to’s, and the perfect spot if you have a hankering for sushi. They’re strongly committed to sustainability (they were the world’s first sushi restaurant to be certified for it!), so you can feel good about the impact of your dining choices. Bonus: They have a number of locations in the U.S., and we’ve had good experiences at their San Jose and Seattle locations as well!
Note: We’ve found weekend walk-in availability varies greatly week to week, so we’d recommend making a reservation on weekend evenings to avoid a long wait.
City: Walnut Creek (+ Fremont for sister restaurant Burma Bay Cafe, but we haven't visited that location yet)
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but chefs are knowledgeable about cross contact to safely accommodate patrons with celiac disease.
Pros:
A large variety of dishes are either gluten-free or can be modified to be gluten-free (personally, I stick to the naturally gluten-free curry dishes to minimize risk)
Menu is clearly marked (gf for naturally gluten-free, gfs for gluten-free substitutions available)
We recently learned they have a dedicated gluten-free fryer!
Online ordering is a safe option thanks to the option to select a "gluten allergy"
Cons:
Their burmese tea isn’t gluten-free, which is a bummer
Sodas all come out of the same soda gun, so there’s a potential for cross-contact depending on what is being served from there at the time
Some waiters are more knowledgeable than others (but I’ve found they’re still willing to mark the allergy/alert the chef, and I’ve never gotten sick)
Taste: ★★★★★
For those unfamiliar with Burmese cuisine, it pulls in Thai, Chinese and Indian influences and combines them into one delicious meal. Dishes range from curries and noodle-based dishes to traditional favorites like the Tea Leaf Salad.
Must tries: Dry Curry Beef (we’re particularly obsessed with this one!) and Pumpkin Curry
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
This is another favorite spot for us, great for both takeout and eating in. It can get a bit loud inside, so we prefer to sit outside on their patio (they have heaters when it gets chillier) and people watch in Walnut Creek’s cute downtown.
Note: We recommend making a reservation for weekend evenings.
City: Pleasanton
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but staff is knowledgeable about cross contact to safely accommodate patrons with celiac disease.
Pros:
Gluten-free and gluten-free modifiable options are marked on the menu
Cons:
Some waiters are less informed than others, but as long as you let them know to alert the chefs to your gluten allergy, they’ve always passed it along and never gotten me sick
Taste: ★★★★★
In addition to the phenomenal food, they also have gluten-free mocktails you can enjoy!
Must tries: Tropical Salad, Rundown Fish (make sure to add a coconut rice to the side to soak up the delicious sauce), Sweet Plantains, P.O.G. (drink)
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
With influences from Jamaica, West Africa and South America, there are so many unique dishes to fall for here. We especially love the outdoor dining, as you get to enjoy Pleasanton’s cute, old-timey downtown as well. For even more fun, a sign outside their restaurant said they’re going to have music and dancing soon with their new expansion — we can’t wait to check it out!
Note: We recommend making a reservation for evenings.
Cities: Livermore & San Leandro
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but staff is knowledgeable about cross contact to safely accommodate patrons with celiac disease.
Pros:
Gluten-free items are labeled on the menu
Waiters know what celiac means (I’ve heard the owner has celiac as well)
Excellent cross-contact prevention protocol that includes dedicated gluten-free fryers, fresh gloves, careful cleaning of all cooking materials, and wiping down of all shared surfaces before preparing celiac orders
Cons:
No gluten-free beers, but there are plenty of wines and non-alcoholic drink options (they said the bar is celiac-safe other than the beer, but I recommend double checking before ordering cocktails and such)
Taste: ★★★★★
Great for brunch, lunch and dinner!
Must tries: Millionaires Bacon, Crispy Brussel Sprouts
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
We’ve been here multiple times and have always felt very safe and well-taken care of. The gastropub ambiance is a lot of fun as well. If you’re at the Livermore location, leave room for a stroll around downtown afterwards — there are lots of cute shops, as well as a water feature for kids to play in during the warmer months.
Note: We recommend making a reservation, as they’re almost always packed.
City: Pleasanton
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but staff is knowledgeable about cross contact to safely accommodate patrons with celiac disease.
Pros:
Gluten-free options are labeled on the menu, and even more can be modified to be gluten-free (we’ve found the online menu often is missing the gluten-free label on some items, so you’ll likely find even more options when you go in person)
Cons:
Variety is a bit limited for gluten-free diners, but the options they do have are all delicious
According to their website, their tasting menus can no longer accommodate gluten-free diners (nor egg, dairy, allium, or shellfish allergies or vegan diners), which is a huge bummer since they were great about that when we had it a few months back. Our hope is that this is the case only for some tasting menus and not all of them, so give them a call to confirm before you make a reservation.
Taste: ★★★★★
Perfect to celebrate a special occasion or impress a guest, Sabio on Main never disappoints.
Must tries: California Artisan Cheese Plate (minus the granola and bread), Deviled Eggs
Overall Experience: ★★★★☆
If it weren’t for the recent change to tasting menus around accommodating gluten-free diners, we would’ve given them all five stars. The winner of multiple awards, including being named to the Michelin Guide and Mercury News’ 50 Best Restaurants in the Bay Area, Sabio on Main is known not just for its excellent food, wine and cocktails, but also its sustainability practices. In addition to celiac-safe dining, you also get the added bonus of locally-sourced produce and responsibly caught seafood. The ambiance is great, with romantic outdoor dining and a classy meets casual interior designed by San Francisco architect Jim Maxwell. The waiters we’ve had have been great as well, and take extra care once you let them know you have celiac.
Note: We recommend making a reservation for weekend evenings.
City: Pleasanton & Livermore
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but staff is knowledgeable about cross contact to safely accommodate patrons with celiac disease.
Pros:
A large variety of dishes are either naturally gluten-free or can be modified to be gluten-free
Staff are knowledgeable about cross-contact precautions to take once you mention you have a gluten allergy (e.g. separate ingredients for sandwiches, wrap in foil before putting them in the panini press, etc.)
Drinks are gluten-free as well (but double check when ordering, as the menu changes seasonally)
Cons:
The baked goods are not safe for celiac; regular and gluten-free goods are stored alongside each other in the same case, with the same tongs used
Taste: ★★★★☆
If they were to change back to the delicious gluten-free bread they used to use when we first discovered The Press, we’d add another star back, but it’s still a very solid menu.
Must tries: Avocado + Citrus Toastini, Paninis (sub gluten-free bread for all toastini and sandwich options)
Overall Experience: ★★★★☆
Go get your celiac-safe brunch on at The Press! It can get a bit noisy inside, so if the weather’s cooperating, we recommend trying to claim a table in their outdoor seating sections (if you’re in Pleasanton, there’s a section hidden in the back of the restaurant; Livermore's is more obvious). They don’t take reservations, and tables fill up quickly on the weekends, so we like to come a bit later to skip some of the rush when possible.
City: Concord (Chain)
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but staff is knowledgeable about cross contact to safely accommodate patrons with celiac disease.
Pros:
Food is delivered with a wooden allergy flag
Separate gluten-free menu
Separate area of the kitchen for gluten-free items
Cons:
Past reviewers on FMGF have mentioned finding stray croutons or crunchy bits in their salads a couple times, so consider avoiding salad to be on the safe side (we've had no issues with other items we've ordered, but haven't ordered a salad ourselves)
No dedicated fryer
Taste: ★★★★☆
While it’s not my favorite sushi in the East Bay, it’s still a great option to get your sushi fix. Plus, you can also get a whole bento box and teriyaki here, which is a very rare treat for gluten-free diners!
Overall Experience: ★★★★☆
We had a good experience here, and wouldn’t hesitate to go back if we were looking for a safe place to eat in Concord. They also have several locations further inland and in the Sacramento area. If you visit the Concord location, be sure to enjoy the plaza too, which features several stores, a movie theater, escape rooms, a great play area for kids, and ice skating in the winter.
Cities: Milpitas, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Alameda (Chain)
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but cross-contact risk is minimal.
Pros:
Fresh ingredients and no artificial syrups mean gluten is much easier to spot
As of our last visit, no gluten in the frozen/blended drinks means you can safely order those as well
Safe drinks (not comprehensive*): Yifang Signature Fruit Tea, Cherry Fruit Tea, Strawberry Fruit Tea, Mango Pomelo Sago, Strawberry Sago, all tea bases (black, green, oolong, matcha, mountain, etc.), all fresh fruits
Safe toppings (not comprehensive*): Sago
Alternative milks*: Oat, Almond, Soy (we recommend confirming brands used at individual locations to validate celiac-level safety)
Cons:
Some locations serve gluten-full snacks/meals, but despite that, cross-contamination risk is pretty low at the locations we’ve visited
*Their menu isn’t labeled for gluten, so we have an email out to them to get confirmation on additional safe toppings, alternative milk brands, drinks to avoid, etc. and will update as soon as we learn more
Taste: ★★★★★
We love Yifang’s commitment to quality ingredients, from premium Taiwanese tea to fresh fruits and zero concentrated juices or powders, and it definitely pays off — they have the best fruit teas in the area, by a long shot.
Must tries: Yifang Signature Fruit Tea (a recipe the family has passed down for multiple generations), Cherry Fruit Tea, Mango Pomelo Sago
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
Our favorite location in the East Bay is the Milpitas location, as we’ve found them to have the broadest menu and be the most consistent in terms of quality and taste, but you can’t go wrong at a Yifang! They’re expanding to additional cities as well, which we’re very excited about.
City: Dublin & Castro Valley
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but cross-contact risk is minimal for non-blended drinks.
Pros:
Safe drinks (not comprehensive*): Mango Milk Bar, Strawberry Milk Bar, Organic Loose Leaf Teas (any), Tropical Passion Fruit Tea, Lemon Green Tea, Citrus Lemon Tea, Summer Mango Green Tea, Matcha Latte (Regular, Strawberry, & Mango), Stumptown Cold Brew Milk Tea
Safe toppings (not comprehensive*): Agar boba, mango puree, strawberry puree
Alternative milks: Oat (Califia)
Cons:
I avoid blended drinks here due to cross-contact risk
*Their menu isn’t labeled for gluten, so we have an email out to them to get confirmation on additional safe toppings, drinks to avoid, etc. and will update as soon as we learn more
Taste: ★★★★★
Our favorite matcha spot! Their fresh fruit purees are delicious and bring their matchas to the top of our list. They also have good milk teas as well.
Must tries: Mango Matcha, Strawberry Matcha
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
We’re here quite often, and their drinks always satisfy!
Cities: Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Pleasant Hill, Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro, Union City, Newark, Fremont, Milpitas (Chain)
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but cross-contact risk is minimal for non-blended drinks.
Pros:
Safe drinks (not comprehensive*): Classic Milk Tea, Mango Milk Tea, Mango Orange Milk Tea with Crystal Boba
Frozen/blended drink options if location doesn’t have off-menu oreo smoothies or other cross-contact risk ingredients used in the blender: Mango Yakult Smoothie, Mango Matcha Smoothie, Guava Smoothie
Safe toppings (not comprehensive*): Agar boba, mango, candied orange, strawberry puree, guava puree
Cons:
Some locations serve gluten-full snacks, but despite that, cross-contamination risk is still pretty low at the locations we’ve visited
No alternative milks available (at least at the locations we’ve visited)
*Their menu isn’t labeled for gluten, so we have an email out to them to get confirmation on additional safe toppings, drinks to avoid, etc. and will update as soon as we learn more
Taste: ★★★★★
With so much variety, they’ve got a new favorite drink for everyone in your group!
Must tries: Orange Mango Milk Tea
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
We’ve had positive experiences at numerous California locations of Happy Lemon, but each location has slightly different drinks, so be sure to review the menu carefully (especially in terms of potential cross contact with blended drinks).
Cities: Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Martinez, San Ramon, Alameda (Chain)
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but cross-contact risk is minimal.
Pros:
Safe drinks (not comprehensive*): Classic Milk Tea, Honey Milk Tea
Safe toppings (not comprehensive*): Agar boba, passion fruit popping boba
Alternative milks: Non-dairy creamer
Cons:
Some locations serve gluten-full donuts (don’t be fooled by mochi in the name — they also have wheat flour mixed with the rice flour), but despite that, cross-contamination risk is pretty low at the locations we’ve visited
*Their menu isn’t labeled for gluten, so we have an email out to them to get confirmation on additional safe toppings, drinks to avoid, etc. and will update as soon as we learn more
Taste: ★★★★★
We love the creaminess of their drinks! This is our favorite spot for classic, black milk tea. Pro tip: their creamy milk means you can get away with less sugar in your drinks than you would at other shops.
Must tries: Classic Milk Tea
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
In addition to the yummalicious tea, we totally adore the pink decor of this chain. Each location has a unique take on its design (swings!!, flower walls, hanging loungers, telephone booths, and more), but the one thing every single one has in common (besides the color) is a perfect backdrop for a cute selfie. It's almost worth a tour of every location!
Popbar (Closed)
City: Concord (Chain)
Safety: ★★★★☆
Not dedicated gluten-free, but all popsicles are gluten-free, and staff is willing to change gloves.
Pros:
All of their popsicles are gluten-free
Staff is happy to change to a fresh pair of gloves to grab your popsicle, and items are displayed in a way that there’s little risk of cross-contact to the popsicles themselves
Cons:
Toppings are not all gluten-free and do have cross-contact with gluten, so we recommend skipping any add-ons
Premium options like their popwiches are not gluten-free
Taste: ★★★★★
We loved our gelato popsicles! They also have frozen yogurt popsicles, and all of their popsicles are free of artificial coloring, preservatives and corn syrup.
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
The perfect stop on a summer day. We love its location in The Veranda, as it includes several fun shops, a movie theater, escape rooms, a great play area for the kids, and ice skating in the winter. They also have locations in other areas of California, multiple U.S. states, Canada, and Portugal.
Cornology (UPDATE: Location permanently closed as of Feb. 2025)
City: Walnut Creek
Safety: ★★★★★
Dedicated, 100% gluten-free popcorn.
If you have other food allergies or intolerances, ask to see their allergen menu for the full ingredient list for each flavor.
Taste: ★★★★☆
So many fun popcorn flavors to choose from, with options ranging from traditional movie theater butter to unique tastes of the Bay like ube!
Overall Experience: ★★★★★
Cornology is a great alternative to grocery store popcorn with the dreaded "natural flavors" in the ingredients list or to avoid cross-contact risk at the movies. The perfect stop on a summer day. We also love that its non-GMO and organic. And when you're done, take a stroll around Walnut Creek's cute downtown or the outdoor mall at Broadway Plaza.
Additional Researched Options
In a pinch, most grocery stores in the area are well stocked with gluten-free snacks and microwavable frozen meals. In particular, we’ve found Sprouts, Whole Foods, and Safeway to have the most celiac-safe grocery options. And for our readers that don’t have access to Asian supermarkets like H-Mart and Ranch 99 at home, we’ve found they're stocking an increasing number of gluten-free sauces, snacks, drinks, and ice cream, so you can try some fun, imported goodies!
You can find our full list of researched restaurants, including some we didn’t get a chance to visit ourselves, on Find Me Gluten Free here (get $5 off FMGF Premium here). **Please note, all places on this list were well-reviewed for celiac safety at the time of their addition. We were only able to visit the above guide restaurants ourselves, though, so if venturing to any places on the larger app list, be sure to read the reviews and do your own due diligence before visiting.
Food Safety Tips
***Dates of travel: Ongoing — Celiac by the Bay’s home base
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