Below is a list of my favorite restaurants in Boulder, Colorado. Everyday, readers ask me to tip them off about the best restaurants in Boulder. More often than not, y’all are interested in gluten-free restaurants, and a few of the below are just that. Every restaurant that I have listed will cater to special dietary needs and work with those that follow a gluten-free diet.
Gluten-Free Restaurants in Boulder
Keep in mind, the majority of these restaurants do not have dedicated gluten-free kitchens, or even gluten-free menus. I like them because they have great, fresh, wholesome food. Well, at least those listed in the first section do. Nevertheless, all of the eateries below will take the time and make the effort to provide a gluten-free meal when it is requested.
Arcana
Arcana serves locally sourced Colorado ingredients prepared using traditional techniques of American cuisine. Celiacs can eat safely here, I often order a bunless burger sans fries with extra greens. Restaurant is expensive.
909 Walnut Street
(303) 444-3885
Blooming Beets
Blooming Beets is Boulder’s first paleo restaurant. Everything on the menu is gluten-free and those with celiac disease can eat there very safely.
3303 30th Street
303-443-3479
Frasca
Frasca serves extremely expensive fine Italian food. Winner of James Beard award, this is one of the top restaurants in the country, if not the world.
1738 Pearl Street
303-442-6966
Fresh Thymes Eatery
Fresh Thymes Eatery is a 100% gluten-free restaurant owned by a friend of mine who also has celiac disease and MS. If you are gluten-free you can safely eat at this incredible dining spot with true peace of mind and total enjoyment. Incredibly reasonably priced, with food that is ethically sourced with the utmost care.
2500 30th Street #101
303-955-7988
The Kitchen
The Kitchen has expensive seasonal food, that is primarily local, and is a nationally renowned restaurant.
1039 Pearl Street
303-544-5973
The Kitchen Next Door
The Kitchen Next Door has quick healthy food at a reasonable price and is incredibly family friendly.
1035 Pearl Street
303-542-8159
Oak
One of our favorite places to dine, Oak, has fantastic food, interesting drinks, and is expensive. The creative and exciting menu reminds me of dining at hot spots in the Napa Valley.
1400 Pearl Street
303-444-3622
Salt
Salt is Bradford Heap’s classic and pricey restaurant in downtown Boulder.
1047 Pearl Street
303-444-7258
Wonder Press
Wonder Press is an absolute must visit if you are in Boulder! It’s brimming with cold-pressed juice made fresh daily, in the best flavors you can think of. My boys go gaga for the fruit juices as well as the nut milks. I’m a fan of the Spicy Greens Juice and the Dandelion Coffee.
946 Pearl Street
970-618-7632
Zeal
If you didn’t think you could get cauliflower rice in a restaurant, you’re wrong. At Zeal you can.
1710 Pearl Street
720-708-6309
Zolo Grill
Super tasty Southwestern food with fresh local ingredients. Zolo Grill has a secret paleo menu, provided upon request.
2525 Arapahoe Avenue
303-449-0444
Child-Friendly and Gluten-Free
Noodles and Company
Noodles and Company offers some gluten-free dishes using rice noodles, be careful and make sure to ask what is currently GF as dishes can change.
1245 Alpine Ave
303-440-4340
I hope this list provides you with a general guide to gluten-free restaurants whether you live in Boulder or are just passing through town.
Please note, this list does not guarantee gluten-free service in any restaurant. Dishes can change and so can restaurants. Be kind to your servers and ask them what is easiest for the kitchen to make gluten-free. If you treat them well, they’ll partner with you in getting you the best food possible. Love your waiter staff and the hands that feed you!
Cook 4 Seasons says
Perfect timing – we head to Boulder this Saturday and will be dining at Frasca. It will be our splurge for the entire trip!
Heather @CeliacFamily says
Oh, I wish I’d had this list when I was there last month. Next time. Thanks for posting!
Linda says
ZOLO GRILL on Arapahoe has a great gluten free menu!
Amy says
I also really enjoy Pasta Jays in Boulder, they have several gluten free pastas and sauces.
gfe-gluten free easily says
This list will be very helpful to folks in your area, Elana. It’s wonderful that there are restaurants with gluten-free menus who belong to programs, but others should be considered, too. The reality is that those restaurants can sometimes give us a false sense of security (e.g., it only takes one employee who hasn’t been trained properly or a chef who assumes he knows everything about gluten and doesn’t). More than anything it’s attitude and willingness to serve a gluten-free customer safely I think. Talking to the staff and asking questions, getting recommendations from friends and gf bloggers like yourself, etc. can also serve us well.
Shirley
John says
Have a list for Austin, Texas?
Anne says
For restaurants in Austin, go to http://www.alamoceliac.org and click on Defensive Dining. The Austin area restaurant suggestions are waiting for you there.
VeggieGirl says
Awesome list!! My mom will be heading out to Boulder in October.
Katrina (gluten free gidget) says
I traveled constantly for a year and a half maintaining a gluten free diet the entire time. No matter where you go, there is always a chance of cross contamination. W just need to remain vigilant and enter every situation with our eyes open. Thanks for the info on these restaurants. If I am ever in the Boulder area I will be sure to check them out.
Heather says
I’m so much enjoying looking through your food blog – when I have a chance I am going to park by my printer and print off several recipes! Thanks for making them available.
I have a nutrition question relating to almond flour, if you have a chance to respond.
Normally I soak my nuts to release enzyme inhibitors and increase digestibility (prepared as outlined in Nourishing Traditions). Obviously your almond flour recipes are not soaked. This must not be a concern?
(If you’re ever able to do a print feature which includes a photo, like 101cookbooks does, that would be so great!)
Kristin says
I normally soak my nuts too, but I was told that most of the phytates in almonds are in the skins. Since the almonds are blanched and skinned before they are made into flour, my thinking is that the phytates might not be as big a deal in the almond flour as they are in eating plain nuts. That’s what I have told myself anyway, and I hope it’s true. I’d love to hear Elana’s take on this too.
Stephanie says
We just ate at Tamayo in Larimer Square in Denver this past weekend. Their gluten free menu was (what I would consider) extensive. Sadly, they do not post it online but it is available at the restaurant. We had a wonderful gluten and dairy free meal. The server was very knowledgeable and the kitchen was really accommodating. Food was fresh, simply prepared and quite tasty. It also passed the test of my 2 young children :)
Lisa says
Thanks for the above – it is great to know these options are so bountiful.