Food allergies and sensitivities can create a challenge when you're considering where to eat and drink in new cities. The good news is that Asheville is a very allergy-sensitive city, especially for those who are gluten-free. Many restaurants will boldly label their gluten-free menu options, and we even have an entirely gluten-free restaurant. This page can serve as a guide to your gluten-conscious explorations of Asheville's food and drink scene.
Posana Cafe
Posana Cafe naturally gets the first placement here because its entire menu is gluten-free, and its farm-to-table food is not lacking in creativity or flavor. They also serve gluten-free beer, ciders, and a wide variety of signature cocktails and wine. Posana is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Asheville across from Pack Square Park and serves brunch (beginning at 10 a.m.) and dinner.
Laughing Seed Cafe
This vegetarian restaurant is located in the romantic area of Wall Street in downtown Asheville and offers a variety of organic, local, and farm-to-table food. They describe themselves as "Vegetarian with an International Flair." The majority of the Laughing Seed menu has gluten-free options for every menu item, including fresh live juices, smoothies, mocktails, and specialty cocktails. They are open for lunch and dinner.
Chestnut Asheville
Also featured on our Asheville restaurants page, Chesnut Asheville is a fine dining restaurant with lunch and dinner options. Typically half of their dinner entrees include gluten-free options as well as gluten-free medium plates and "starts"/salads. Their cocktails are also very good. Chesnut has a nice ambiance and is ideally located in downtown Asheville on Broadway Street.
Rosetta's Kitchen
Open since 2002, Rosetta's is one of (if not the best) restaurants in downtown Asheville for healthy vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food. They serve lunch, dinner, and late night and focus on local and organic dishes. They have been serving their creative vegetarian and vegan soul food out of the same colorful space for years and are a favorite of both locals and tourists alike.
Other Gluten-Conscious restaurants, bakeries, and cafes to consider on your Asheville vacation.
Pizza:
Fresh Wood Fired Pizza and Pasta has locations in Black Mountain and West Asheville and offers gluten-free crust on all of their pizza selections. For some other pizza eateries, consider Mellow Mushroom on Broadway Street or Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company—both also offer a gluten-free crust.
Bakeries:
Well-Bred Bakery and Cafe has locations in Weaverville (north of Asheville), in historic Biltmore Village, and the Grove Arcade downtown, and offers a few gluten-free pastries and cookies. There is also Green Sage Coffeehouse Cafe, located on Broadway Street. They have gluten-sensitive biscuits, wraps, and bread to go along with their breakfast sandwiches, omelets, and brunch plates as well as fresh smoothies and coffee.
Breakfast:
We mention Sunny Point Cafe on our dining page, and we might as well mention it again. They have a variety gluten-free meal options including their award-winning Huevos Rancheros. In Black Mountain, the Blue Ridge Biscuit Company offers a gluten-free biscuit option.
Thirsty? Check out our cider page that features Sake and alcoholic ginger beer options!