Gluten-Free Dining in Downtown Denver

Dining Out, Gluten-Free Style

There are a plethora of lovely restaurants here in Denver, especially downtown where we live, but I’ve found that few have decent gluten-free menus.  By “decent” I’m referring to a dedicated gluten-free menu with options other than steak or salad (both of which I like, but I prefer to have more options when dining out).  It’s also been a challenge to find restaurant staff that is knowledgeable when discussing gluten-free options.  Most of the time it’s somewhat exhausting explaining what I can/can’t eat and constantly following up to ensure my items are, indeed, safe to eat.  As annoying as I feel at times, I’ve found it necessary to verify that certain dishes are gluten-free once brought out.  There have been plenty of times when the server has forgotten to request the dish be modified or the kitchen staff has neglected to read the special instructions and then I wind up with a big plate of gluten!  So, it definitely pays to be a little persistent, especially when health is involved.  That being said, here are a few of my favorite restaurants in the downtown Denver area with decent (or, in some cases, great) gluten-free menus*:

*Click on the restaurant name to view the menu.

Maggiano’s (16^th Street Mall) – Italian.  They don’t have a gluten-free menu per say, but they can alter just about anything on the regular menu to make it safe for someone with a gluten allergy to eat.  The gluten-free pasta is corn based and takes some getting used to, but bottom line – they will work with you regarding food allergies.

Zengo (Riverfront Park) – Asian Fusion. Fabulous gluten-free menu which includes soups, salads, sushi rolls, rice and noodle stir fries, and a great selection of unique small plates and entrees.   

Root Down (LoHi)  – Trendy, comfort food. Very unique gluten-free offerings and arguably one of the best restaurants in the Denver area.  Both the brunch and dinner menus are phenomenal.  Everything I’ve had is flavorful and perfectly executed.  Just remember to make a reservation!

Vesta Dipping Grill (LoDo) – Spanish, tapas-style. Another real winner.  The staff takes food allergies very seriously and will work with you to create the perfect gluten-free dinner.  They will also bring out a gluten-free bread basket which is actually very good!  Gotta make a reservation with this place too, they are usually packed.

Jonesey’s (Uptown)  – Neighborhood bar/grill. I’m on the fence with Jonesey’s right now.  Due to a recent menu revamp, they don’t yet have a menu explicitely for us gluten-free folks.  Their saving grace? Gluten-free house-made fries, delicious when you want a serious indulgence!  They also have awesome burgers which easily become gluten-free by eliminating the bun.

Little India (Champa Street) – Indian. Most of the dishes here are inherently gluten-free, aside from a few of the breaded appetizers.  Typical menu, but very delicious, and they deliver to the downtown area (hey, some days you just need your dinner delivered to the front door!).

Sonoda’s Sushi (LoDo) – Asian/sushi. I adore Sonoda’s.  The staff is excellent and always friendly.  It’s usually pretty easy to eat gluten-free when going out for sushi, just ask for Tamari and make sure the fish isn’t pre-marinated in soy sauce.  Try the Rainbow Roll, it’s probably the best value on the menu and never disappoints.

Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza (Larimer Street) – Italian/pizza.  The best gluten-free pizza ever.  Period.  Really, the pizza is just to die for and it’s impossible to tell it’s gluten-free.  I know this because Dave eats it too!  They have awesome toppings, services is great, and it’s just a fun place.  Casual, but nice enough for a special date.  It’s a  little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

And, just when I had given up on the thought of a Paleo restaurant concept…

Caveman Cafeteria Food Truck (and Catering)!  - Clearly this is a food truck so the offerings are limited and the schedule unpredictable, but if you see this truck around I seriously recommend checking it out.  I see it a lot in our neighborhood (RiNo/NoDo), probably due to the millions of Cross-Fit gyms taking over our streets.  They serve the kind of food I make for myself at home (e.g. sautéed veggies, sweet potato fries, short ribs, etc.) and if they had a brick and mortar location, I would be there A LOT.  I did notice they are starting to expand their menu and now have things like cheese and buns on the menu (NOT Paleo), so it may not hurt to make sure your order is gluten-free.

Places to stay away from?  I’d avoid most of the pizza places, sports bars, and chains like Cheesecake Factory and Chili’s.  These places simply do not have options for gluten-free diners.  Other options? Mexican restaurants are hit or miss, but The Rio on Blake Street at least offers a few options, sans gluten.  If your friends really want to go to a sports bar you may want to try Wynkoop Brewery in LoDo as they have some “ok” gluten-free options on the menu.  Of course, don’t expect to partake of the chicken wings or nachos with everyone else.  But at least you’ll leave feeling good about what you ate J

Any recommendations from my fellow Denverites?