Gluten-Free Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Eat Safely and Well

Navigating gluten-free restaurants in Atlanta is much easier than it used to be. Whether you live in the city, are planning a trip, or are helping a gluten-free friend find a safe spot to eat, Atlanta offers a strong mix of dedicated gluten-free kitchens, highly accommodating restaurants, and flexible fast-casual options.

Below is a practical guide to understanding the local gluten-free scene, plus specific types of places and neighborhoods to focus on.

How Gluten-Free Friendly Is Atlanta?

Atlanta is generally very friendly to gluten-free diners, especially in intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, and Decatur. In the suburbs, areas such as Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Roswell, and Dunwoody also have a growing number of options.

You’ll find:

• Dedicated gluten-free kitchens (safer for people avoiding cross-contact)
• Regular restaurants with separate gluten-free menus
• Bakeries and coffee shops with clearly labeled gluten-free items
• Chain and local fast-casual spots that can customize meals to be gluten free

Because menus and practices can change, it’s always wise to confirm with the restaurant about ingredients and cross-contact if you’re sensitive or have celiac disease.

Types of Gluten-Free Restaurants You’ll Find in Atlanta

1. Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants and Bakeries

These are often the safest bet for those who need to avoid gluten strictly, since they usually keep gluten-containing ingredients out of the kitchen.

Common features:

• 100% gluten-free menus
• Staff trained to understand cross-contact risks
• Baked goods like breads, cupcakes, and pastries made with alternative flours
• Often located in intown neighborhoods or established suburbs

If you rely on this level of safety, look for phrases like “gluten-free kitchen”, “dedicated GF facility”, or ask directly when you call ahead.

2. Gluten-Free Friendly Breakfast and Brunch Spots

Atlanta takes brunch seriously, and many brunch-centric restaurants have clear gluten-free options. Typical gluten-free brunch choices include:

• Omelets, scrambles, and breakfast bowls (verify any seasoning mixes or sauces)
• Fresh fruit, yogurt, and smoothie bowls
• Gluten-free toast, pancakes, or waffles at some spots (often cooked on separate equipment, but confirm)
• Shrimp and grits or other Southern-style dishes made without flour-based roux

Brunch-heavy neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Midtown, and Decatur are good places to start if you want varied gluten-free brunch menus within a short drive of each other.

3. Gluten-Free Friendly Lunch and Dinner Restaurants

Across the city, many full-service restaurants have embraced clearly labeled menus or offer customizable plates. You’ll commonly see:

• Grill-focused menus (steak, chicken, seafood, and veggies) where sides and sauces can be adjusted
• Tex-Mex and Latin concepts with naturally gluten-free elements like corn tortillas, rice bowls, and grilled meats
• Asian-inspired spots that can use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy or teriyaki (ask specifically)
• Salad-focused restaurants that make gluten-free bowls and grain salads on request

Ask servers if they:

• Use separate fryers for gluten-free items
• Can substitute gluten-free buns or tortillas
• Have gluten-free versions of sauces or marinades

4. Gluten-Free Pizza, Burgers, and Comfort Food

If you’re craving comfort food, many Atlanta restaurants and chains offer gluten-free versions of classics:

• Gluten-free pizza crusts at both local pizzerias and national chains
• Burgers with gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps
• Gluten-free mac and cheese, fried chicken, or wings at some specialty spots (cross-contact varies, so ask)

Areas with lots of family-friendly and casual restaurants, like Buckhead, Perimeter, and the Cumberland/Vinings area, often have several different gluten-free-friendly options in one commercial corridor or shopping center.

5. Fast-Casual and On-the-Go Gluten-Free Options

For quick meals between meetings, sightseeing, or errands, Atlanta’s fast-casual scene is useful for gluten-free eaters.

Common go-to styles:

• Build-your-own bowl concepts (Mexican, Mediterranean, poke, salad)
• Rotisserie chicken and veggie plates
• Smoothie and juice bars with add-ons like gluten-free granola
• Grab-and-go markets in office-heavy areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Perimeter Center

When you order:

• Emphasize that you’re avoiding gluten, not just “cutting carbs”
• Request clean gloves and utensils
• Ask if grains like farro, barley, or couscous share prep surfaces with gluten-free ingredients

Neighborhood Snapshot: Where to Look for Gluten-Free in Atlanta

Here’s a quick overview of how different parts of the metro area typically stack up for gluten-free dining.

This isn’t exhaustive, but it gives you a sense of where to start if you’re planning a gluten-free night out.

Ordering Gluten Free in Atlanta: Practical Tips

Atlanta restaurants are generally open to modifications, but it helps to be specific and clear. These steps can make your meal safer and smoother.

Before You Go

• Call ahead if you are highly sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease
• Ask whether they:
  • Have a dedicated gluten-free menu or guide
  • Use separate fryers or cookware for gluten-free items
  • Have gluten-free bread, buns, or pasta
• If you’re visiting popular areas (like Ponce City Market or The Battery Atlanta), check a few options in advance since they’re often busy.

At the Restaurant

When you arrive, tell your server:

• That you need your food prepared without gluten
• Whether you’re medically required to avoid gluten, if you’re comfortable sharing that (many kitchens take extra care in that case)
• That you’d like them to check with the kitchen on any uncertain ingredients like marinades, soups, or sauces

Key questions that are often relevant:

• “Is this item breaded, floured, or dusted with anything?”
• “Are the fries or chips cooked in the same fryer as breaded items?”
• “Is your soy sauce, teriyaki, or gravy gluten free?”
• “Is there any flour used to thicken this sauce, soup, or dressing?”

Types of Cuisines That Often Work Well Gluten Free in Atlanta

Certain cuisines are often easier to navigate when you’re avoiding gluten, especially in a diverse food city like Atlanta.

Southern and New American

Many Southern-inspired restaurants offer:

• Shrimp and grits
• Braised meats, roasted chicken, and grilled fish
• Collard greens, green beans, roasted veggies, and stone-ground grits

Watch out for:

• Items dredged in flour before frying
• Biscuits, cornbread, and gravies that may contain wheat
• Mac and cheese made with flour-based roux

Always check how fried or crispy items are prepared.

Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Latin American

These are often good choices for gluten-free diners because:

• Corn tortillas can be naturally gluten free
• Rice, beans, salsas, and grilled meats are often safe choices

Ask about:

• Whether tortilla chips share a fryer with flour tortilla chips or breaded items
• Marinades or sauces that use flour or soy sauce
• Any wheat-based thickeners used in queso or enchilada sauces

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern

At many Mediterranean or Middle Eastern spots in Atlanta, you can often build a gluten-free plate from:

• Grilled meats (chicken, lamb, beef)
• Rice, lentils, chickpeas, hummus
• Salads like fattoush (without the bread) or others that avoid croutons

Confirm:

• That pita bread is handled separately
• Whether falafel or fries are fried in a shared fryer
• If any bulgur, couscous, or wheat-based salads come into contact with your order

Asian Cuisines

Atlanta has a wide range of Asian cuisines: Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, and more.

Possible gluten-free options:

• Rice-based dishes without soy or oyster sauce containing wheat
• Sushi rolls with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
• Rice noodles in some Thai and Vietnamese dishes

Important to ask about:

• Soy sauce (traditional versions contain wheat)
• Teriyaki or hoisin sauces, which often include gluten
• Breaded or battered items such as tempura or crispy chicken

Some places keep gluten-free soy sauce on hand, but you may want to verify or bring your own if you are highly sensitive.

Gluten-Free Bakeries, Coffee Shops, and Dessert Spots

Beyond restaurants, Atlanta has bakeries and cafés where you can find:

• Gluten-free cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and breads
• Flourless chocolate cakes and naturally gluten-free desserts
• Gluten-free bagels or pastries at some shops
• Clearly labeled gluten-free items in the pastry case

Tips when visiting:

• Ask whether gluten-free pastries are baked and stored separately
• Check how they handle cakes and breads sliced on shared surfaces
• If cross-contact is a concern, lean toward sealed or individually packaged items when available

Many neighborhoods with strong café culture, such as Inman Park, Decatur, and Virginia-Highland, are good places to look.

Grocery and Prepared Gluten-Free Food in Atlanta

If you prefer to cook at home or need reliable gluten-free snacks while visiting, the Atlanta area has:

• Large supermarkets that carry:
  • Gluten-free bread, pasta, crackers, and baking mixes
  • Clearly labeled frozen gluten-free meals and pizzas
• Natural and organic groceries with:
  • Alternative flours (almond, coconut, rice, etc.)
  • Gluten-free granolas, cereals, and snacks

Many stores also have hot bars or grab-and-go sections. If you’re very sensitive:

• Focus on prepackaged items with gluten-free labels
• Be cautious about buffet-style hot bars, which can have utensil mixing and shared serving areas

Communicating Gluten-Free Needs in Busy Atlanta Restaurants

Atlanta’s restaurant scene can be hectic, especially:

• Weekends in Midtown, Buckhead, and The Battery
• Game days near Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena
• Peak dinner times in Decatur Square and Ponce City Market

To help staff get your gluten-free order right:

• Go earlier or later than peak hours when possible
• Politely mention your gluten-free need when:
  • Making the reservation
  • Checking in with the host
  • Ordering with the server
• If the restaurant uses tablets or ordering systems, ask the server to select a note such as “allergy – gluten” or similar, if available

Being consistent at each step can reduce misunderstandings in a busy kitchen.

Helpful Local Contacts and Resources (Non-Commercial)

While most gluten-free information is online, a few Atlanta-based resources can complement your search:

• Georgia Department of Public Health – Environmental Health
  Public office that oversees restaurant inspections statewide. While they don’t certify restaurants as gluten free, you can check general inspection scores.

  • Main office (Atlanta): typically located near downtown government centers; phone numbers and addresses are available via the State of Georgia’s general information line at 1-800-GEORGIA (1-800-436-7442).

• Local support or meetup groups
  Atlanta-area celiac and gluten-free support groups occasionally organize restaurant meetups or share practical tips about where locals feel comfortable eating gluten free. Many of these are informal and are often found through community boards or social platforms.

These resources won’t tell you exactly what to order, but they can help you better understand local practices and safety expectations.

Key Takeaways for Eating Gluten Free in Atlanta

• Atlanta offers many gluten-free restaurant options, from dedicated kitchens to flexible mainstream spots.
• Intown neighborhoods and major suburbs are particularly rich in gluten-free-friendly restaurants, bakeries, and cafés.
• Always clarify cross-contact, sauces, and fryers, especially if you have celiac disease or are highly sensitive.
• Consider calling ahead for detailed questions and visiting slightly off-peak hours for more attentive service.
• Use a mix of local knowledge, clear communication, and careful menu choices to enjoy Atlanta’s food scene safely and comfortably while staying gluten free.