Gluten Free Guide to the West Village

Pasta, pasta, pasta, and some more....well actually there are some other great things too. But as always, West Village is known for having a very high density of Italian restaurants...

lucky for us, many have gluten free options!!

Palma

One of my top restaurants of all time, this restaurant has the most cozy Tuscan garden and sits across from Taylor Swift’s old Cornelia Street apartment. People who come here order the gluten free pasta over the regular pasta…no seriously. It’s that good. I cannot choose between the truffle tagliatelle (which you can get with any of their other sauces as well) or the cacio e pepe ravioli. Never thought you could say that as a gluten free person.

Postcard Bakery

Perhaps the most unique 100% gluten free bakery in NYC, Postcard comes from the Nami Nori team and is most famous for their sandos (the fruit ones are fun but the chicken katsu sando is truly a crispy dream). They also have mochi donuts, lemon buns, hojicha chocolate cake, bubble teas, and the famed sesame miso cookie.

Wild

Being so real with you all, 100% gluten free restaurants can be very average. To keep up with its West Village ~regular~ counterparts, Wild cannot be. Serving brunch and dinner, the vibe is intimate and the location is happening. Expect mozzarella sticks, pizza, calamari, burgers, meatballs, pancakes, benedicts, chicken parm, beer, and so. much. pasta (including MULTIPLE types of ravioli). Oh, and they come around with a dessert platter, to choose from, when was the last time you experienced that?

Moody Tongue Sushi

Never did I think a brewery could do sushi well. Unfortunately, the concept includes a suggested beer pairing with each sushi dish, the beer not being gluten free. Fortunately, almsot the whole food menu is gluten free and the cocktails make you feel like beer never even mattered. Sit down in the restaurant or sit at the hand roll bar for martini pairings. Either way, gear up for the most buttery (and affordable) cuts of fish with unique twists (topped with corn or jalapeno). Ownership is very familiar with celiac, so sushi can be less scary for once!

Nadas

100% gluten free rainbow empanadas? This may sound suspicious, but do not fear, the colors come from all natural extracts. Choose from savory and sweet, cheesy, and even vegan options. My personal favorites are the mango pork, cheese & guava, and blueberry goat cheese. If the choices are overwhelming, consider yourself lucky, because they sell frozen bags for home!

Nami Nori

How lucky are we that the best Temaki in NYC happens to also be 100% gluten free?! This is also an IDEAL date spot. You can sit at the bar or at a table, and enjoy a great cocktail and sake selection while you browse the menu. There are 27 options, plus daily specials. They also have amazing snacks like furikake fries, mushroom or tuna dip, and churros for dessert!

San Sabino

From the team behind Don Angie, San Sabino opened its doors last year, but it’s STILL hard to get a reservation. They make their own gluten free pasta in-house, the same pasta that is also served next door at Don Angie. BUT, I truly like it paired with the sauces at San Sabino better, specifically the vongole dish (my personally favorite GF pasta dish in NYC). The dishes here are fun and fresh, with a seafood spin on a classic Italian spread. Oh, and do NOT skip out on the Gelato Viennese.

Sushi Counter

This Aussie style handroll shop is 100% gluten free and serves 10 different hand rolls (even a tempura one) with monthly specials. One roll is $5, or you can get 3 for $12, and this is a PERFECT on the go meal. They have gluten free soy sauce and spicy mayo as well, and you can get miso soup in a cup!

Breakfast By Salts Cure

Unless you’re going right at opening, or on a weekend, be prepared to wait. BUT, the wait is worth it, because these viral griddle cakes can be made gluten free (on their own dedicated gluten free area of the griddle). You can get the original, banana nut (personal favorite), blueberry, pink lady apple, or chocolate chip flavor. I highly recommend trying the soft scramble as well, it is the BEST.

Happiest Hour

You might remember this place from your post-grad nights out, but you SHOULD remember it for an 100% gluten free fryer. Happiest Hour serves amazing wings, fries, tater tots (which can be loaded), bonsai chicken bites, cocktails, salads, and burgers. Sadly still a lettuce bun, but with the other stuff, you might actually be too stuffed to want one anyways.

Other Recommended Italian Spots:

Don Angie, L’Artusi, Bird Dog, Dante, Travelers Poets & Friends, Arthur & Sons, Rosemarys, Numero 28 Pizza, Roeys, Canto, Osteria Nonnino, Olio e Pou, Daddies, Two Boots, Sotto 13

Other Restaurant Recommendations:

Market Table, Fairfax (gf bun), The Grey Dog, Meduza Mediterrania, American Bar, Little Rubys, Sip & Guzzle, Banter, The Grey Dog

Other Fast Casual:

Edith’s, Greenbergs Bagels, Bedford Studios