Gluten-free menu options in downtown Rochester
Gluten free or not: that is the question. It can be difficult to know which restaurants offer gluten-free options. Look no further! This blog lists the gluten-free friendly downtown Rochester restaurants and each one's top menu item.
Almadina Restaurant
Feast your eyes on a gluten-free meal at Almadina, which offers many gluten-free items but the one that stands out is the chicken shawarma plate.
Gluten-free choice: Chicken shawarma plate (rice, hummus, baba ganouj, chicken)
Benedict's
Looking for a gluten-free breakfast? Look no further than Benedict's, which has both breakfast and lunch options.
Gluten-free choice: Steel cut oats (oats, fresh berries, whipped cream)
Bleu Duck Kitchen
Though Bleu Duck Kitchen's offerings change weekly, one thing remains certain: about 85 to 90 percent of its menu remains gluten free. And that will make you sure of your visit and subsequent ordering of something tasty from the menu!
Gluten-free choice: Carne asada (duck, black beans, hominy, corn, feta, onion, roasted tomato) or Golden Corvina (sweet potato hash with corn, onion, poblano, prosciutto, green beans & cran hollandaise sauce)
Caribou Coffee
Start the day off right with coffee and a gluten-free breakfast sandwich from Caribou Coffee. Its gluten-free choice below (along with the cup o' joe) will jumpstart you to conquer the day.
Gluten-free choice: Spinach Artichoke and Provolone Sandwich (cage-free fried egg, spinach artichoke spread, and provolone on a gluten-free English muffin)
Chester's Kitchen and Bar
Going gluten free doesn't need to be a hassle. Not with Chester's incredibly delicious turkey avocado melt.
Gluten-free choice: Chester's turkey avocado melt (wood-fired rotisserie turkey, basil mayo, lettuce, tomato, Monterey jack)
Chocolaterie Stam
Satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling restricted by gluten. Chocolaterie Stam offers a couple options in a variety of flavors (think fall with toasted almond, hazelnut, and coffee crisp).
Gluten-free choice: Sorbetto or some gelato (be sure to ask about which flavors are gluten-free)
Mezza9 Cafe & Bakery
After all these delicious main courses, it's time for a decadent dessert. Mezza9 has a flourless chocolate torte that is the ultimate gluten-free person's sweet treat.
Gluten-free choice: Flourless chocolate torte (three kinds of chocolate, ganache topping)
Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria
When it comes to gluten-free pizza crust, it's more often hit or miss. Pasquale's does theirs right and it hits the spot!
Gluten-free choice: Thin crust New York Style personal 10-inch gluten free pizza (topped however you like)
People's Food Co-op
If you thought People's Food Co-op was just a grocery store, there is more in store for your gluten-free needs! With a select menu of freshly made menu items, the Co-op Cafe offers wraps, sandwiches, burritos, and breakfast items that can be made gluten free. (Don't forget their grab-and-go case and sushi selection for on-the-go gluten-free options.)
Gluten-free choice: The Cubano Italiano sandwich (shredded pork, applewood-smoked ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickle chips, seeded mustard)
The Tap House on Historic 3rd
There is more than one way to make a burger, and Tap House can do theirs gluten free! For just $2 more, you can be sure to get the same unique burgers made gluten free.
Gluten-free choice: Garlic & herb cream cheese burger (cream cheese, caramelized red onion)
Terza Ristorante
From appetizers to entrees and pastas to desserts, Terza has a full-fledge gluten-free menu to sample from!
Gluten-free choice: Cioppino (white fish, crab, mussels, shrimp, sundried tomatoes, tomato broth, garlic butter)
Thai Garden
For a different flavor palette, try Thai Garden, which offers a delicious gluten-free pad thai that is to die for.
Gluten-free choice: Chicken, shrimp, or tofu pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles, egg, bean sprouts with homemade Thai Garden pad thai sauce)
ThaiPop
Time for another gluten-free menu option! This time, it's a unique dish from ThaiPop: it's the noodles n' brussels that will be devoured in no Thai-me.
Gluten-free choice: Noodles n' brussels (rice noodles, green apple, purple cabbage, caramelized brussel sprouts, toasted peanuts, herbs, cilantro dressing)
Tilda's Pizzeria
Here's something you don't see often: a cauliflower pizza crust that is gluten free. Pair it with the Bongo pizza from Tilda's Pizzeria and you have a truly distinct gluten-free dining experience!
Gluten-free choice: Bongo pizza with cauliflower crust (olive oil, prosciutto, blackberries, basil, goat cheese, mozzarella, honey, cracked pepper)
Victoria's Ristorante and Wine Bar
Oodles and oodles of noodles go into Victoria's mile-high lasagna, which just so happens to be gluten-free! Just one look and taste will have you saying, "Mama mia!".
Gluten-free choice: Lasagna (layers of lasagna noodles, fluffy ricotta, mounds of beef & mozzarella with homemade meat sauce)
Disclaimer: Although every effort was made to provide accurate information, a restaurant's menu could change without notice. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of a restaurant's gluten-free claims. Please ask your server to ensure the menu item is still available and how its prepared to avoid cross-contamination. This list is additionally not all-encompassing of gluten-free options in downtown Rochester. If yours is a place listed in this blog and anything needs updating or your restaurant offers gluten-free menu options, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@downtownrochestermn.com. Thanks for reading and happy dining!
Mentioned in this Post
Caribou Coffee Downtown
101 1st Ave SW
Chester's Kitchen & Bar
111 S Broadway
Chocolaterie Stam
111 S Broadway
The Tap House
10 3rd St SW
Victoria's Ristorante and Wine Bar
7 1st Ave SW
People's Food Co-Op
519 1st Ave SW
Terza Ristorante
30 3rd St SE
Bleu Duck Kitchen
14 4th St SW
Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria
130 5th St SW
Benedict's Rochester
10 East Center Street
Almadina Restaurant
101 Broadway Avenue North
ThaiPop
4 3rd St SW
Tilda's Pizzeria
300 1st Ave NW
Mezza9 Cafe & Bakery
20 3rd St SW
Thai Garden
100 1st Ave SW