Los Angeles Guide: Gluten Free Dining in LA

My sister lives in Los Angeles, so I visit as often as I can and never run out of new things to do or see!

• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA): World class art collections including the infamous outdoor installation called “Urban Lights."

• The Magic Castle: A mansion in the Hollywood Hills that serves as an exclusive club for magicians. You have to be invited to come to a show, but hot tip if you look up what magicians are performing while you’re in town you can DM them and try to score an invite.

• Hike to the Hollywood Sign & Griffith Observatory: The Observatory in Griffith Park is great to visit on its own, especially if you’re hoping to live out a La La Land fantasy. My favorite way to get there is through one of the many Griffith Park hiking trails that also give you an amazing view of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

• Runyon Canyon: Runyon Canyon is the most popular outdoor area in LA, and a place to see and be seen. It’s not the prettiest nature trail but does offer great views of Downtown LA and if you’re there in the morning at 10:30 am you can join a yoga class at the south entrance to the park.

• The Grove and The Original Farmers Market: The Grove is a popular high-end shopping mall with a mixed indoor and outdoor vibe. Right next door is The Original Farmers Market which is really fun to explore and has lots of dining options.

• Warner Brothers Studio Tour: This studio tour is top notch and absolutely worth your time for any movie or television fan.

• Universal Studios Hollywood: Great news, the park says that the Butterbeer is gluten free!

• Santa Monica Pier: A hundred year old wooden pier that offers great bay views as well as an amusement park, arcade and lots of food vendors.

Los Angeles is home to some exceptional eats. I'm going to highlight a selection that, in my experience, caters very well to gluten free travelers.

Breakfast

• Alfalfa: Located in Santa Monica, Alfalfa offers gluten free breakfast burritos and homemade gluten free donuts. Bonus, we went for Sunday brunch and there was no line! We were seated on their adorable outdoor patio out back.

• Sinners & Saints: A bakery in Venice with a large selection of “saints” aka gluten free sweet treats.

Lunch

• Hugos Tacos: Two locations, one in Atwater Village and another in Studio City, great Mexican takeout with excellent gluten free and vegan options.

• Mendocino Farms: This is a chain that I find myself craving when not in California. A large menu of sandwiches, salads, sides and soups, their menu is well labeled and their staff is well equipped to handle gluten free dining.

• Pikunico: Japanese fried chicken in Downtown Los Angeles. Gluten free fried chicken, need I say more?

• Asian Box: Located near Beverly Hills, Asian Box is 100% gluten free Asian takeout. Note this location is closed on the weekends.

Dinner

• 401k Food & Wine: Located in Venice, a completely gluten free wine bar and restaurant. I recommend the gluten free buttermilk biscuits and the mini corn dogs!

• Tom Tom: If you’re like me, celebrity sightings are a key reason to pick a restaurant in Los Angeles, and my brand of Bravolebrity can occasionally be seen at Tom Tom in West Hollywood. They do not offer a dedicated gluten free menu however our server was very accommodating and went to the kitchen to clarify dishes and sauces to make sure my order was safe. When you’re done bop around the corner to SUR for an espresso martini.

• Teleferic Barcelona: Located in Brentwood, an authentic spanish restaurant featuring tapas and paella. Their menu is clearly labeled for food allergies and the server was very helpful with my gluten free needs. My tip: try the sangria flight!

• Rosti Tuscan Kitchen: There are three locations across LA, I tried the one in Santa Monica and was floored by their large dedicated gluten free menu. Gluten free pasta and sandwiches.