Gluten Free Berkeley and Oakland Guide
As I go to UC Berkeley, it’s only fitting that I make a gluten-free guide to Berkeley and the East Bay. San Fran, you’re coming next! I don’t eat out as much anymore, mostly because I don’t really know if restaurants have gluten-free options if it’s not clearly labeled on their menu. A tip is to try searching “gluten” or “gluten-free” on restaurants’ Yelp pages to see if people have written reviews about gluten-free options there.
Sometimes it’s hard socially if I can’t eat any food where my friends want to go or if it’s a large social gathering–pizza, kbbq. I always make sure to have a protein bar on me if worse comes to worst. I let other people choose where to go because it’s easier for me to bring my own food than make everyone eat somewhere that I can actually eat. At times, I’ll take a risk, but I know which dishes are my go-to’s that normally don’t contain gluten. Hopefully it’s not just a salad.
Here is my gluten-free Berkeley and Oakland guide to restaurants hat have gluten-free options that I find delicious because no one wants a dense, bland muffin or boring salad!
Although a tad pricey, Lucia’s menu is clearly labeled with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. I know substitutions like these cost more, but here I’m willing to splurge a little more. Plus, Italian cuisine has so much gluten that I rarely go out to eat it, knowing that there will probably only be one gluten-free pasta option. Lucia’s has gluten-free pizza crust, vegan cheese, gluten-free pasta, salads, vegetable side dishes, and even gluten-free calamari!
For brunch, you can get their egg dishes with gluten-free toast. I highly recommend the Italian baked eggs with vegan cheese and gluten-free bread. They were so delicious, you would never know the dish was gluten-free and vegan. Their herb home fries are tasty, too! I came here for my birthday brunch and was so happy to eat something other than my normal yogurt or avocado toast.
Venus
2327 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Unless I make my own gluten-free pancakes, I haven’t been able to find a place that serves them! When I found out Venus had gluten-free pancakes, I was pretty excited! They were so fluffy and delicious–I know I’ll order it every time I go for brunch! My friends and I went here for brunch, and their menu is clearly labeled with dietary information.
Cafe M
1799 Fourth St #F, Berkeley, CA 94710
Berkeley’s 4th Street is a great place to walk around, shop, and, of course, eat! There’s everything from Soul Cycle to Anthropologie to ice cream, to Benefit. My favorite place for brunch on 4th Street is Cafe M because they have gluten-free pancakes! The pancakes are made from blue corn and are a little less sweet than your typical pancake. But there’s nothing a little syrup can’t do to make it sweeter. You can even get bottomless mimosas!
Keto Bake and Bowl
Oakland Food Hall: 2353 E 12th St, Oakland, CA 94601
Oakland Food Hall is a cloud kitchen in Oakland where you can order food for takeout or via delivery apps. It has so many great options to choose from, including Keto Bake and Bowl. First, I just want to say that, as a nutrition science dietetics student, I don’t support the keto diet unless it is used for medical purposes (epilepsy), nor have I been on the keto diet. I buy some products that happen to be labeled keto, but I don’t specifically seek out keto foods. However, this breakfast sandwich on a gluten-free bun was delicious! The bun is house-made and it was so soft and moist. There’s multiple options to choose from, but I chose the egg, cheese, and bacon.
Smoothie Bowls
Project Juice
1933 1911, Fourth St ste 101, Berkeley, CA 94710
4th Street Berkeley has many cute shops and tasty eateries. Whether you just finished a Soul Cycle class or need a shopping or study break, Project Juice will satisfy your smoothie bowl cravings! They also serve breakfast bowls, paleo waffles, toast, lattes, and cold-pressed juices! Their menu is 100% gluten/dairy/soy/peanut free!
Palm Acai
2979 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
So there aren’t really any smoothie bowl places within reasonable walking distance from campus, but they are so worth it–just take the bus! I love Palm Acai because they have unique bowls, like matcha, and tropical toppings, like kiwis and mangos! Be sure to ask for gluten-free granola!
Rush Bowls
1935 Addison St. Suite B, Berkeley, CA 94704
Not at the top of my list, but Rush Bowls is the most convenient place to get a smoothie bowl around UC Berkeley campus. They are on Snackpass an order-ahead app that allows you to pick up your food with a pass on your phone and about a 17-minute walk from my apartment, located downtown. Their bowls are refreshing, but toppings cost extra and many of their bowls have fruit juices or frozen-yogurt in them which decreases their nutritional value and adds additional sugar. They do have gluten-free granola and milk substitutes.
Gluten Free Restaurants
*These are restaurants with gluten free options; they are not 100% gluten-free facilities.
Korean Food
Spoon Korean Bistro
933 Ashby Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
I’ve recently been obsessed with bibimbap and kimbap at Korean restaurants. They’re full of veggies and have protein, too! Back home, there’s not any Korean restaurants close to me, so I’d never really gone out to eat Korean food before, except when I went to LA. Berkeley has so many ethnic cuisines, and I love it for that!
Spoon’s menu is clearly labeled with what options are gluten-free. I had the mung bean pancake and dolsat bibimbap (served in a stone pot). I enjoyed the mung bean pancake because I’d never had anything like it before. The only protein option for the bibimbap that was gluten-free was the tofu, but it was still good–a perfect, plant-based meal with spinach, carrots, mushrooms, bean sprouts, other assorted vegetables, and a fried egg. The stone pot keeps it piping hot and makes gives the rice at the bottom a nice, crisp crunch! Bibimbap is my go-to dish at Korean restaurants because it is just vegetables, protein, and rice, making it a safe choice to avoid gluten. Another gluten-free option is the jhap chae (sweet potato glass noodles). I love the banchan here (side dishes). A large assortment is included with your meal!
Daol Tofu
4301 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
Another great Korean restaurant down Telegraph Ave. Daol Tofu is located in Oakland’s Koreatown, and it is just a 15 minute bus ride away from where I live in Berkeley. I want to go back to Koreatown to check out the other restaurants–there’s so many! I tried their kimchi bokkeumbap (kimchi fried rice) and ja-chae along with their delicious banchan–they had lotus root here! I checked with the server before trying the two dishes, and he said they were gluten-free. But always make sure to ask, just in case. Sometimes the servers are misinformed, or do not know what gluten is!
If you’ve never had kimchi fried rice, you’re missing out! It’s super flavorful and has the perfect amount of spice. I used to not like kimchi, but it’s grown on me! Ja-chae is another safe choice that doesn’t contain gluten. Most noodles contain gluten, but ja-chae is made from sweet potato starch, so it is usually gluten-free! I love the crunch of the vegetables that come with it. The prices here are moderate, and the portions are huge!
Mad Seoul
1801 Shattuck Ave Ste #C, Berkeley, CA 94709
Mad Seoul is like the Korean version of Chipotle–the bowls resemble that of a bibimbap. What I love about Mad Seoul is how fresh their ingredients are, all the way down to the sauces! Sadly, none of the meats are gluten-free because they contain soy sauce in the marinades, but you can get tofu! I always add as many veggie toppings as I can (kimchi, mung bean sprouts, zucchini, mushrooms) and finish it off with their sesame ginger sauce.
Burmese Food
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
I’d never had Burmese food before coming to Berkeley, and I had only heard of Burma Superstar in San Francisco, so I was surprised to find out they had a location in Oakland! Burmese food is a type of Southeast Asian cuisine, and the dishes here are served family-style. The menu is clearly labeled with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan symbols.
I’ve been here twice, and both times, I tried a salad. These are not your typical salads with carrots, tomatoes, and beans…nope! They are very unique and the flavor profile is stellar! The laphet thoke (tea leaf salad) is what Burma Superstar is known for, so I had to try it. My favorite part is when they mix the salad at the tableside for you! It comes with tea leaf, cabbage, jalapeno, peanuts, seeds, ground sun-dried shrimp, lemon juice, and fish suace. This salad is gluten-free, and you can even request it vegan!
I also loved the mango salad: tart, pickled, mangos, shredded cabbage, fried onions, roasted chickpea flour, and cucumbers. These ingredients are different, yet they make for such a light, refreshing salad. I highly recommend it! There’s so many other dishes I want to try here, too! Like their curry dishes and noodle dishes.
It gets very crowded here, so I recommend joining the Yelp waitlist!
Thai Food
There are so many Thai restaurants in Berkeley, and it has quickly become one of my favorite cuisines because it is easy to find items that are gluten-free! My go-to’s are fresh rolls (be sure to check if the peanut sauce is gluten-free), pad thai (because it’s made with rice noodles), yellow curry, pumpkin curry, and mango sticky rice!
Imm Thai
2068 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Imm Thai is my favorite Thai restaurant in Berkeley. It’s always popping, but trust me, it’s worth the wait! If I’m not too hungry, I’ll get the tofu fresh rolls appetizer. I also get the red pumpkin curry with brown rice, but I ask for it mild since I have very low spice tolerance. Moist, fruity, and sweet, their mango sticky rice is delicious!
Berkeley Thai House
2511 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
Berkeley Thai House was the first place I ate when I moved in to my dorm freshman year. I had dinner here with my roommate, and she loves Thai food! Honestly, once you go to all the Thai restaurants, their menus start to look the same, and I’m just a creature of habit, so I like ordering their pumpkin curry with purple rice!
Thai Table
913 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
If you’re a Berkeley student, you’ve likely been to both Imm Thai and Berkeley Thai House countless times, but if you go a little further down University Ave. you’ll find Thai Table. Their menu is clearly labeled with gluten-free and vegan options, making it easy to order. My favorite items are the pumpkin curry and pad thai. The food is very flavorful and the interior is cute and aesthetic; you can even see them cooking. It’s right next door to Boochman Kombucha which I’ve included later down this blog post.
Little Plearn Thai Kitchen
2283 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Whenever I walked downtown, I’d pass by Little Plearn. I don’t know why it took me so long to actually visit, but I finally did, and now it’s one of my go-to Thai restaurants. They have an awesome lunch special where you get an entree, salad, spring roll, and rice (white or brown) for $13.50! My favorite is their pumpkin curry with chicken. I like how the chicken is not dry and flat like most places; it’s juicy and moist! You can also get a free Thai Tea with Yelp check-in.
Chai Thai Noodles
3015 San Pablo Ave Suite B, Berkeley, CA 94702
Another of my new favorite Thai spots in Berkeley. Their menu is clearly labeled with gluten-free options–my favorites are the pad thai, chai thai noodles, and pumpkin curry! Sometimes pad thai isn’t gluten-free and I take my chances, but it’s nice knowing that this one is 100% gluten-free! The interior at Chai Thai gives me garden vibes.
Thai Temple (Wat Mongkolratanaram)
1911 Russell St Berkeley, CA 94703
Every Sunday from 10AM-1PM, the Thai Temple in Berkeley cooks up delicious Thai food; it’s a hidden gem and popular amongst UC Berkeley students. The food is authentic, flavorful, and you can find dishes here that you won’t normally find at a Thai restaurant; they have many gluten-free options! When you arrive, you trade your cash for tokens to purchase food. There’s plenty of outdoor patio seating.
I had the yellow pumpkin curry, pad thai, kanam krok (coconut rice cakes), kanom babin (taro, rice flour, brown sugar, coconut flakes) and mango sticky rice. Everything was so yummy! Be sure to get the kanam krok!
Chinese Food
One Plus
2161 Allston Way ste C, Berkeley, CA 94704
This is my FAVORITE boba tea shop and study spot in Berkeley! I came here at least 8 times last semester. I haven’t had one bad drink; everything is organic, made with real ingredients, and super high quality–you can definitely taste it. Although it’s pricey, you are paying for the quality. Not only do they have amazing drinks, they also serve Chinese crepes (jianbing)–there is one option that is gluten-free! Some of my favorite drinks are the raspberry matcha latte, dandelion chocolate mocha, strawberry fruit tea, and pineapple fruit tea.
Vietnamese Food
Fresh Roll
2334 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Another Chipotle-style quick-service restaurant, but this time it’s Vietnamese food! I love the build-your-own bowl concept because I can choose my base, protein, toppings, and sauce. Most of the menu is gluten-free, and it is clearly labeled. To be honest, both times I’ve come here, I wasn’t the happiest with my bowl–the shrimp was cold and the lemongrass pork was extremely crunchy. Next time, I’m going to try the chicken or tofu, and hopefully it’ll win me over. Regardless, it’s a convenient place to grab a quick and healthy meal that you know is gluten-free! Be sure to try their taro chips and ginger basil lemonade!
Filipino Food
FOB Kitchen
5179 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
FOB Kitchen is one of the few Filipino restaurants near Berkeley and Oakland and the only Filipino restaurant I’ve been to. The service here is super friendly! They don’t have many gluten-free options, but they were able to make the pancit gluten-free for me. You have have to get the frozen guava cocktail! It is fruity and super refreshing.
Mexican
Taco and Co.
2521 Durant Ave Suite B, Berkeley, CA 94704
I frequent Taco and Co. for taco Tuesdays many times; it’s a quick and tasty meal. They’re also on an app called Snackpass where you can order ahead and then show your pass to pick up your food which makes it so convenient. The birria tacos are outstanding, but I normally get one chicken, one carne asada, and one carnitas taco.
El Patio
2056 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702
I recently discovered El Patio in West Berkeley, and I tried an arepa for the first time! I recommend the arepa reina pepiada (shredded chicken and avocado). They’re handmade and gluten-free. They also have tacos, yuca fries, and plantains (some of my other fav foods)!
La Guerrera’s Kitchen
468 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607
Wow these tacos were stuffed! I recommend the barbacoa. It’s hard to find gluten-free empanadas, so make sure to try their empanadas, made from corn masa. The food here is delicious, you can’t go wrong with anything!
American (New)
Gather
2200 Oxford St, Berkeley, CA 94704
Gather’s menu changes with the seasons and focuses on farm to table food. It is a bit expensive, but if you are in Berkeley, you have to go at least once! I’ve tried their brunch, dinner, and desserts, and everything is always so flavorful and tasty. Their menu is labeled with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options–there is something for everyone!
Did I mention how pretty the interior is? There’s wicker basket lamps, hanging plants, and it has a slightly rustic feel. In addition, their service is always stellar!
Low Bar
2300 Webster St, Oakland, CA 94612
Oakland has so many gems that I have yet to discover, and Low Bar was one of them! This bar has a tasty menu with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. I tried the smoked kampachi tostada, corn & sweet potato fritters, and grilled octopus (all gluten-free). The fritters melted in my mouth, and the octopus was succulent.
Ethiopian Food
Cafe Colucci
6427 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
Cafe Colucci is a great option for Ethiopian food in Oakland! From Berkeley, it’s just down Telegraph, so I take the bus to get there. I’d never had Ethiopian food before coming to Berkeley, but it is so flavorful and fun to eat with your hands. Unlike a traditional restaurant, there’s no silverware set on the table. Basically, you order a meat, seafood, or vegetarian dish, and it is served with injera, a sour-dough flatbread made of teff flour. It has a spongey texture, and you wrap it around the toppings. Even though eating this dish can be messy, it is interesting to experience how another culture enjoys their food!
I highly recommend the vegetarian combo dish! They have gluten-free injera.
Indian Food
Namaste Pizza
5942 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608
Head over to Namaste Pizza for Indian-style pizza! If you like spicy, this is the place for you. Of course, they have mild pizzas, too, and they’re all very aromatic and flavorful. I love how they have the option for vegan cheese and gluten-free crust. I recommend the chicken pizza masala and aloo gobi.
American Food
American food is not normally my first choice when it comes to going out to eat. Many of these classic foods are fried or contain bread, however, these restaurants are gluten-free friendly. I’m happy that I can still enjoy a cheeseburger, sandwich, and chicken fingers without the gluten.
Stand-up Burgers
2000 Kala Bagai Way Berkeley, CA 94704
The same group that brought you Veggie Grill now has a new burger concept–Stand-Up Burgers. Everything is vegan and plant-based! They use Impossible Burgers for the patty; I don’t remember the last time I had a beef burger, Impossible Burger is so good that I don’t even miss the meat. I was happy to indulge in a burger with vegan cheese on a gluten-free bun. You can also order a variety of vegan milkshakes (made with coconut milk) and fries (get the animal fries)!
Starbird Chicken
Oakland food hall: 2353 East 12th St Oakland, CA 94601
When I found out Starbird Chicken had gluten-free fried chicken tenders, I was so ecstatic! I’d always see so many posts on Instagram of fried chicken sandwiches and Nashville hot chicken, and I never thought I’d be able to have fried chicken again. So, thank you Starbird for catering to people with dietary restrictions. They even have Gardenbird which has plant-based, gluten-free fried chicken. Back to the chicken; it’s never frozen nor treated with antibiotics. You can even get Nashville Hot or Korean-Glazed tenders. They also have wings and so many delicious house-made dipping sauces; my favorites are the greek yogurt ranch, honey mustard, and chipotle aioli.
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
Multiple locations
Ike’s has many locations, but what’s special is that each location has unique sandwiches that you can’t get at other Ike’s. I normally go to the one on Shattuck or College Ave. They have a huge menu with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, too, as well as gluten-free bread. I can’t say my favorite sandwich because each location is different, but you really can’t go wrong; or just make your own. Don’t forget the voodoo chips!
Umami Burger
2100 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94612
I specifically remember the truffle fries from the first time I had Umami Burger, and they are still amazing! At Umami Burger you can get a gluten-free bun, and they also have Impossible Burgers in addition to the classic burger and chicken sandwiches. There is a vegan/dairy-free option for the shakes which was amazing; I ordered the rocky road shake but without the toppings that contained gluten. It’s rare that I come across an American restaurant with vegan milkshakes.
Dessert
U: Dessert Story
1849 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
No longer do I have to BART all the way to San Francisco’s Mission District for U: Dessert Story. Now that they opened a location in Downtown Berkeley, I find myself there every other week…it’s dangerous for my wallet, but oh-so worth it every time. I’ve tried almost every bingsoo on the menu! The interior is so aesthetic, and it is a fun place to go with friends!
Before I was gluten-intolerant, I tried the crepe cakes and matcha lava cake which are great, but, sadly, not gluten-free. Enter, BINGSOO! Bingsoo is best described as a shaved snow (the texture is super fine, like snow). It’s, cool, refreshing, creamy, and each flavor has a distinct taste. Like, it doesn’t start to taste the same as you continue eating it. Ok, I know I’m lactose-intolerant, and it’s not dairy-free, butttt my stomach can handle it, thankfully. Their bingsoos are gluten-free, just make sure to omit the brownies, cheesecake, or bread toppings that come on some of them. You can order a large or small size–the small is perfect for one person, maybe two.
The mango bingsoo ranks superior and comes with sticky rice! I also recommend the chocolate pistachio bingsoo (without the brownie bites) and the thai tea bingsoo!
Third Culture Bakery
2701 Eighth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
Third Culture is my absolute favorite bakery! Not only are all of their products are gluten-free, but everything is such high quality. Starting with ingredients, they use koda farms rice flour, organic French-style butter, and local dairy milk. They are known for their signature mochi muffin made from rice flour to give it a softly chewy texture, just like the mochi you get from the Japanese supermarket. You can find ube, thai tea, and matcha mochi muffins, along with an array of mochi donut flavors, specialty drinks, like hojicha lattes and plovers (sparkling water drinks), and mochi waffles!
I’ve been here so many times, I’ve practically tried everything on the menu. My favorites are the mochi brownies, black sesame mochi waffle, and hojicha latte.
The name, Third Culture, means people who grew up in a different culture than that of their parents. Everyone I’ve met at Third Culture is kind and passionate! There’s nowhere else I’d rather get my gluten-free desserts at than Third Culture!
Curbside Creamery
482 49th St, Oakland, CA 94609
Tucked around the corner off of Telegraph Ave. in Temescal Alley, Curbside Creamery can be found, along with a few other shops (winery, home + decor, clothing). I liked how they clearly had the vegan (cashew-based) and regular flavors labeled–they also have soft serve! I ended up tasting both, but I went for pistachio. Classic me, I love pistachios and pistachio-flavored anything! The flavors here are unique, too–I love artisan ice cream shops! They also have gluten-free cones; I opted for one because cones always make the picture look better and it’s zero-waste! In all honesty, gluten-free cones taste like cardboard, but at least you get the satisfying crunch.
Babette
2155 Center St, Berkeley, CA 94704
Babette is a cafe located inside of BAMPFA in Downtown Berkeley. In addition to their breakfast/lunch/dinner/drinks, they have a delicious pistachio lemon almond cake that is gluten-free! There’s plenty of seating here, and this cake is the perfect study snack–treat yo’self!
Tara’s Organic Ice Cream
3173 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
There’s so many unique flavors here, like butternut squash, white pepper chocolate chip, and garam masala. I really like how the spices bring out the flavors and how each flavor has its distinct taste. In addition to ice cream, they have sorbets and gluten-free ice cream brownie sandwiches, not to mention their gluten-free brownie topping! Each flavor is hand-crafted which ensures the highest quality ice cream! They use organic cane sugar, local dairy, seasonal fruits, and no emulsifiers or stabilizers.
Pressed Juicery
6300 College Ave Suite 150, Oakland, CA 94618
I was so excited when Pressed Juicery opened on College Ave. I can easily take the 6 bus there and get a freeze when I want a special treat. I love how their frozen desserts are made with minimal ingredients, yet taste delicious. They have so many gluten-free toppings like granola butter and gluten-free cookie crumbles!
Boochman Kombucha
915 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
The second thing I drink the most, after water, is kombucha. I used to hate fizzy drinks, but kombucha grew on me! It is gluten-free, unlike beer, and has probiotics which help feed the bacteria in your gut which, in turn, helps strengthen your immune system!
I was on the 51B bus one day when I looked out the window and saw Boochman Kombucha. I’d never heard of a kombucha tap room before, so I had to check it out. The owner was so friendly and let me sample almost all of the flavors! I seriously could not decide, but I went with the persimmon rose. This is unlike any kombucha you buy in a bottle–it’s real high quality. You can even buy a refillable keg and get a discount–I think I might have to invest in that on my next visit, so I don’t keep wasting singular glass bottles.
They also serve Mediterranean-influenced fermented food–I’m eyeing their oat milk custard w/ persimmon kombucha jam.
Ono Bakehouse
1922 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
Ono Bakehouse brings a taste of Hawaii to Berkeley. They only have a couple gluten-free items, but you have to try the butter mochi (there are regular and vegan ones). It’s so moist, slightly chewy, and sweet.
Naber Eatery
Online and at Magnolia Mini Mart: 2311 Magnolia St Unit M, Oakland, CA 94607
As you can see, I love mochi-based desserts. Naber Eatery is a Bay Area small business making delicious mochi bites. They’re always coming out with new seasonal flavors, and most of them are gluten-free. I’ve tried the flan, pandan, and ube! My friends all love them too!
Order from their website or for pickup at Magnolia Mini Mart in Oakland.
