My Favorite Gluten-Free Friendly Restaurants in North County San Diego
One of the many reasons why I love and appreciate San Diego, other than its constant sunny disposition and slew of things to do, is that it’s a city that really turned the tide and has made tremendous strides in bringing recognition to a growing problem that was going unchecked in the restaurant industry. With healthy, food allergy educated establishments popping up left and right, San Diego has made it incredibly easy for someone living with food allergies to enjoy a meal out free of stress and aggravation. No more negative connotations of that gluten f-word for me!
Below are my top favorite gluten-free friendly dining spots in North County San Diego that offer great food, a great atmosphere, and understand the struggles of a food sensitive individual:
1. Bushfire Kitchen
Bushfire’s Peri Peri Chicken. It is available as a whole chicken (shown) for catering, or as parts for an entrée.
- Location: 3433 Via Montebello Suite 166, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (with additional locations in Del Mar and Temecula)
- Website:https://www.bushfirekitchen.com
Bushfire is my absolute go-to dinner spot when I’m too lazy to cook at home but am craving that comfort and quality of a home-cooked meal. From burgers to bowls, salads and sandwiches, they’ve got it all. Preservatives, artificial colorings and flavors … you won’t find any of that here! What you will find are fresh, quality ingredients combined to make delicious, belly friendly meals. Most of their items are either naturally made gluten free or can be adjusted as such (they do offer gluten free buns!). Paleo and vegetarian diets can be accommodated as well. While not a 100% gluten free facility (they do offer regular burger buns, macaroni, and focaccia bread), I have never had an issue with cross-contamination and their food prep. The rustic restaurant décor embellished by vintage hanging Edison light bulbs also makes for a fun, relaxing atmosphere to further enjoy a meal out.
Favorites: Lettuce wrapped American burger (no cheese) with butternut squash and grilled vegetables for sides (or, sometimes I’ll go for the sweet potato fries). Or, a chicken bowl, or the salmon plate… Really, it’s all delectable. Good luck if you’re more on the indecisive side like myself! Ordering could take a while…
2. Urban Plates (UP)
Photo from https://urbanplates.com
- Location: 1923 Calle Barcelona #148, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (with additional San Diego locations in Del Mar and La Jolla, but can also be found in Orange County, Los Angeles, Northern California)
- Website: https://urbanplates.com/
This cafeteria-style, build-your-own-meal eatery is one of my favorites because the food is always fresh and many of the items are locally sourced and/or organic. It is certainly not that old-school cafeteria mush your childhood memories constantly try to repress. The UP motto is “real meals made-from-scratch”, and I must say, it shows. The kitchen is open for viewing as you slide along in line with your tray in hand, perusing the many options on display. Though generally the same throughout the year, their menu does slightly change with the seasons, offering delicious comfort foods in the fall and winter seasons and lighter, more refreshing options in the spring and summer months. Similar to Bushfire Kitchen, Urban Plates is not a 100% gluten free facility. However, their staff has a strong understanding of food sensitivities and are always happy to answer any questions, not to mention items on the menu are clearly marked “GF”, “DF”, “Veg” or “V” to denote gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, or vegan. This menu feature is greatly appreciated and makes my meal selection far less stressful. They even offer a small assortment of gluten free and vegan desserts (hey there, coconut macaroon!).
Favorites: Grilled chicken plate with rosemary potatoes and roasted beets or one of the “urban greens” salads (those babies are HUGE!)
3. Naked Café
Buckwheat Pancakes (vegan and GF) from Naked Cafe
- Location: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr #107a, Carlsbad, CA 92008(with additional locations in Encinitas, Solana Beach, and San Diego)
- Website: http://www.thenakedcafe.com
Their motto is “Eat Naked”, need I say more? Okay, if I must, Naked Café is one of my favorite breakfast spots for the sheer fact that their food is, as they say, naked. It’s clean, it’s natural, and it always makes me feel good. Items on their menu are labeled if they are gluten free, spicy, vegan, or contain nuts. Their menu also goes a step further than the previously mentioned establishments and offers a “Look Good Naked” section of meals complete with nutrition facts stating the amount of protein, fiber, carbs, fat, and calories in the dish. Again, they make known that cross-contamination in the kitchen is possible, but just like the restaurants mentioned above, that has never been a problem for me. With bamboo walls, eclectic local artwork, and 100% organic, fair trade coffee, how can one not love this place? There surely is a reason why the wait duration can be as long as a Friendsrerun.
Favorites: Artichoke Scramble, Good Karma, Gluten free pancakes
Fun fact: The Carlsbad location is my favorite for several reasons. First, the outdoor seating area is much more enjoyable as it is more spacious than the others and placed within a small, outdoor shopping area in the ever entertaining Carlsbad Village. Second, after my meal, I always make it a point to stop by my favorite North County dessert shop, Gaia Gelato, that is just a few steps away from the restaurant. Their authentic, house made gelato suits both dairy lovers and vegans and is created by a pair of passionate Italians who know a thing or two about real desserts!
Website: http://www.gaiagelato.com
4. Ki’s Restaurant
Photo from Ki’s Restaurant’s Facebook Page
- Location: 2591 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007
- Website: https://kisrestaurant.com
Enjoy a mouthwatering, gluten free meal while relaxing to the peaceful sounds of the ocean, feeling the cool, crisp sea breeze delicately glide across your hair, and smelling the fresh, salty air liven your senses. Forget the food, just sit here and enjoy the view! Just kidding, Ki’s delicious food cannot be denied, especially when paired with the restaurant’s epic view. They have an entirely separate gluten free menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yep. Omelets, acai bowls, tacos, burgers, sandwiches, sushi, entrees of varying protein sources, it’s oddly thrilling and makes this place a true gluten free foodie’s paradise. Ki’s has been a SoCal favorite for over two decades, and for good reason. Not only is it a real culinary delight, but Ki’s also strives to be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. Doing great things for the planet and my digestive system, thanks Ki’s!
Favorites: Butternut squash soft rolled tacos, roasted jidori chicken, Californian omelet (no cheese)
Editor’s Add-ons:
Hey, it’s Christina! I wanted to mention some of my own north county favorites, in addition to the four Chelsea has listed:
5. Healthy Creations, Encinitas
100% Gluten-Free, soy-free, organic delicious. Best cinnamon roll you’ll ever have.
6. Nectarine Grove, Leucadia
Health Creation’s sister restaurant. Only difference? They have a fryer! Paleo chicken and waffles, anyone?
7. Peace Pies, Encinitas
Raw, vegan, soy and gluten-free. Your gut will thank you, and so will the planet, as they are practice zero-waste. Don’t forget to visit their OG location in OB.
8. Urban Remedy, Solana Beach
Gluten-free, soy-free, mostly vegan, organic juice and healthy take-out spot. Everything is super clean and delicious. They are starting to expand all over, and you can find their products at many WholeFoods, as well as other healthy grocery stores. And don’t forget your refillable water bottle, as they have a beautiful water station for you to fill up at.
9. GOODONYA Organic Cafe, Encinitas
Great healthy eatery! Almost everything is GF, except for a couple of breads, and beers. Make sure to inform them if you’re celiac, and or have an allergy.
10. Beaming Cafe, Del Mar
100% gluten-free, vegan, soy-free and peanut-free fresh juices, superfood smoothies and healthy take-out. Their cookies are awesome. Get it. P.S. They also have locations all over.
11. Ranch 45, Del Mar
Delicious and sustainable plates, bowls, as well as a dedicated fryer. Make sure to inform them if you’re celiac, and or have an allergy.
12. Claire’s on Cedros, Solana Beach
Cute lil’ spot, with the best GF pancakes. Make sure to inform them if you’re celiac, and or have an allergy. I have to thank Chelsea for this rec!
13. Flower Child, Del Mar
Lots of GF options, all healthy. Love that there are no so many locations throughout the USA. Make sure to inform them if you’re celiac, and or have an allergy.
14. Parakeet Cafe, Del Mar
Gluten-free matcha waffles… Need I say more? They also have locations in La Jolla and Little Italy. Make sure to inform them if you’re celiac, and or have an allergy.
Bon apetit, et Buen Camino!
Chelsea Roach
Chelsea (@chel.c.adventures) is a 5th grade teacher by day and an avid outdoors-woman and adventure seeker by weekends and school breaks. She started her gluten free dietary transformation 9 years ago and never looked back. Though this new health journey had quite the steep learning curve, with the tremendous support of her family and friends as well as several incredible health practitioners, Chelsea finally found solutions to years of unexplained illnesses.
Exploring the world and experiencing the diverse cultures within it is a true passion of Chelsea’s. She’s been fortunate enough to bask in the beauty of 12 different countries and cannot wait to venture out to more. All of this traveling can, at times, make it rather difficult to maintain a gluten free lifestyle. Thankfully, a monumental shift in societal awareness of food allergies as well as a continued motivation to broaden her own knowledge on the subject has led Chelsea to find ways to navigate around this obstacle and stay on course. After all, nothing can get in the way of her undying love for some authentic European gelato!
As a current resident of San Diego, an incredibly diverse culinary city, Chelsea enjoys testing out new eateries. When not teaching, traveling, camping, or hiking, Chelsea is an enthusiastic writer and loves to document her travels and adventures in her blog (www.chelcadventures.com), aiming to put that bachelor’s degree in literature and writing to good use! She also loves reading books spanning a wide variety of genres and indulging in nice, long helpings of Friends reruns.
