Justin has family in St. Louis, so we usually spend a week or two there every year. Although many of our meals are of the home-cooked or cookout variety, we also have days where we need to grab a meal out. Luckily, St. Louis has a plethora of gluten free options these days. From chain restaurants to former food trucks, you’re sure to find places to eat in St. Louis that will satisfy both the gluten-eaters and the gluten-abstainers in your family or friend group. Most of these are not certified gluten free restaurants so the rest of the family can indulge as they like.
Best Restaurants in St. Louis with Gluten Free Options
1. Lulu’s Local Eatery
Originally a food truck, Lulu’s Local Eatery now has an actual restaurant near Tower Grove Park, on South Grand. Lulu’s is vegetarian/vegan, and during the summer, they have a pet friendly patio. They are not a dedicated gluten free facility, so their gluten free options are marked as “glutenless” on the menu. However, the staff are incredibly accommodating and knowledgable, and will point out what has the risk of being cross-contaminated thanks to shared fryers or things of that nature. Their menu changes by the season, so check their website before heading in to see what your options are. During the winter, I love the quinoa bowl!
2. Mai Lee in Brentwood
A great option if you’re craving Asian food. This Vietnamese restaurant is not dedicated gluten free, but their staff is very knowledgable and friendly. Their food is delicious, but they can be a bit crowded in the evening and on weekends. I prefer to go during a less busy time of day to make sure that my server isn’t overwhelmed. I’ve never had a bad experience with them, but it’s been my experience that the busier a restaurant is, the more likely they are to accidentally cross-contaminate me!
3. Pappy’s Smokehouse
A quintessential stop for anyone visiting St. Louis. Not only do they have some of the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten, many of their sides are gluten free as well! The one downside? Their “original” flavor of barbecue sauce isn’t gluten free. Luckily for us celiacs, the other sauces are, and they’re pretty darn tasty. The wait line for Pappy’s has been known to reach around the building in the height of summer, so if you’re craving barbecue and Pappy’s seems packed, you can check out their sister restaurant, Bogart’s, as well. (Remember to ask them to change their gloves when you order, just in case.)
4. Revel Kitchen
Formerly known as Athlete Eats, is a popular spot with celiacs and the health conscious in St. Louis. Why? They’re 100% gluten free! They have paleo and vegetarian options, and much of their food is sourced locally. There two locations: Cherokee Street and Brentwood. Choose either location to enjoy the freedom of being able to order anything you want off the menu without worrying about glove changes, substitutions, or being contaminated!
5. Pi Pizzeria
One of the saddest things about having celiac disease is not being able to eat Imo’s Pizza, that St. Louis junk food that you either absolutely love or you absolutely hate. It’s fortunate, then, that Pi Pizzeria offers gluten free options. They are open about how they prevent cross-contamination, and more often than not, you’ll get a visit from the chef to talk about your gluten free meal! Pi has locations across St. Louis, including one in the Delmar Loop area, so you’ll be able to get your gluten free pizza fix without too much hassle.
6. Frida’s in University City
A restaurant I have been eyeing for a while, but have never actually made it to. It comes highly recommended by the vegetarian crowd and the celiac crowd I’ve talked to in St. Louis, and their Instagram posts always make me drool. Again, they aren’t a dedicated gluten free facility, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about their accommodating and friendly staff.
What are your favorite St. Louis restaurants?
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Thanks!! There are some on here I did not know about 🙂 Our Celiac family loves Pi and Pappy’s! We also frequent Hot Pot in Kirkwood (never had a reaction from there) and New Day (dedicated gluten free) in Ballwin for a delicious simple meal, but I wouldn’t take visitors to STL to the latter. We have found Fitz’s on the Loop VERY accommodating and their GF hamburger buns are out-of-this-world delicious. Plus, the amazing root beer is GF! I’ve heard the Shack in Ladue is another wonderfully accommodating place. For treats we head to Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate in Kirkwood or Kakao in Maplewood.
I’m so thankful that I found this, my wife always wanting a good restaurant that has gluten free.
I will find this restaurant if I’m in St. Louis, and I’ll bring my family in this place soon.
Thanks for posting!! I will be traveling to St. Louis to visit family!!!
You’re making me want to go to Fridda’s. I’m ready to try some place new.
Oops too many ‘r’s.’I meant ‘Frida’s.’ I love that there are so many places now that cater to veggie or GF eaters!
Pi is the best. I had a chance to visit when I came to St. Louis. I’ll have to come back soon. Thank you for sharing. – Yolo
I’ve always wanted to visit St Louis and I have heard the food is great! Can’t wait to visit some day
I have a friend in St. Louis who eats gluten free. Will share your recommendations with her.
My daughter started eating gluten free and it was a real challenge to find places to eat out. Thank you for sharing the information.
Anywhere with smokehouse or pizzeria in the name is a must visit for me! I love good meat and good pizza. There is pretty much nothing better!
These all sound amazing! I would love to visit St Louis and would love to try the restaurants here!
These sound like great places to eat. I am always looking for gluten free options.
My dad has been on a gluten-free diet for four or five months now.
I will share this article with me.
This is a great list of gluten free restaurants in St. Louis. My son is gluten free and now I favor the gluten free foods. I will have to share this with him. Thanks for sharing.
Mai Lee’s in Brentwood would be my first choice, although the entire list sounds delicious. Hints like this help consumers from cross-contamination – especially the tip about dining when the restaurant is less busy.
Pappy’s smokehouse looks really great with their barbecue, The others also have a unique offering too.
I have never visited St. Louis but have heard plenty about their yummy food. I really appreciate you sharing gluten free options because there is nothing worse than drooling over food I can’t eat!
These sound like great restaurants to go to if you have to pay attention to not eating gluten. thanks for sharing!
It’s so great to hear that there are more and more establishments opening up with gluten-free options. I am gluten-free and appreciate it so much…it’s hard to go out with the family for dinner and find something that I can eat.
So nice to know there are places, and ones that seem really great that have this option for those who are gluten free. I think it’s great!
There definitely seems to be a wide variety of gluten free cuisine available in the St. Louis area. I especially love that there’s a pizzeria on the list.
Wow, there is a really nice variety. I think I’d have to go to the Pi Pizzeria and Pappy’s Smokehouse for sure!
All of those dishes look absolutely delish. My father in law seems to think that he is now allergic to gluten so he will now only go to restaurants that serve gluten free dishes. Thankfully there are now a lot of them.
It seems more and more restaurants are jumping into the Gluten free bandwagon. I am so happy about this, it makes life such more easier when you are out and about.
Sometimes it can be hard to find good gluten-free restaurants. These are some great restaurant options in St. Louis. I have family members who are gluten free.
Oh wow these sound like some amazing places to stop and eat – if I am ever in St Louis I will definitely have to check some out! x
I live in St. Louis, and yes, all of these places have gluten free options that are yummy.
Love this of gluten free restaurants! I am gluten free for health reasons and it’ so hard to find restaurants sometimes.
What a great list of restaurants that would be great for people who are gluten sensitive! Thanks for the list!
I will definitely take note of that Asian restaurant. My hubby and I will be taking a trip down south this summer.
Thank you for making this list! It’s so hard finding good gluten-free options when we’re traveling…especially if we don’t want to eat at the tried-and-true chain restaurants that we know have gluten-free options!
This is perfect for those who need gluten free options when searching for restaurants. I’ve been through St. Louis, but have never stopped and eaten there. I’ll have to check out some of these places next time I’m traveling in the area.
It is nice that they have so many options. I will keep these restaurants in mind if I am ever in the area.
I love that you did a post on restaurants with gluten-free options. It can be so hard for those who eat gluten-free to find restaurants.
It’s definitely not always easy! This is going to help a lot of people who live in or are traveling to the area!
How cool! My friend lives near St. Louis, and is allergic to gluten, so I’m definitely sharing this with her! She’ll be so excited! Thank you!
My husband and I were just talking about possibly going to St. Louis this summer. I will keep these places in mind if we end up going there 🙂