We’ve never talked about it here before, but we have a bit of a confession: we are food people. We love good food – interesting, well thought out, beautifully delicious food. We love to cook, but we also enjoy fine dining and a good “hole in the wall” local hangout.
As someone with celiac disease, eating out isn’t always easy, so when we do hit up the restaurant scene we want it to be a wonderful experience that leaves me happy and not unwell. You’ll see in our list below that we have commented that these restaurants have handled the need for gluten-free items well — honestly if a restaurant doesn’t there’s no way they will make the list!
If we are really “food people,” we decided that it was only right that we shared our top 10 restaurants. You will see that there are locations in five countries. These are largely fine dining, with a shortlist at the bottom of our favourite go-to places.
These are all places we have enjoyed dinner or lunch! These are also places worth travelling to visit! (by the way, in order to achieve 3 Michelin hats a restaurant must be a destination)!
Note: We paid our own way for each and every meal below, no sponsorship here just in case you were wondering. We save our pennies and don’t eat out much when we are not travelling! We have linked to the websites for those restaurants that remain open – we highly recommend checking the restaurant’s prices before booking. Sticker shock is real, friends.
Our Top 10 Restaurants
10. Hisa Franko (Kobarid, Slovenia)
This was an experience and a half (in the best way). A true family restaurant, we enjoyed the accommodation on-site meaning both dinner and breakfast. Such a wonderful introduction to Slovenian cuisine with local cheese, meat, and vegetable preparations being the stars. After visiting a number of local wineries, it was great to enjoy some local food too.
9. Paper Dosa (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Regional South Indian cuisine centered around dosa, a buckwheat crepe. These naturally gluten-free crepes are a delicious accompaniment to their curries, fillings, and sambal. A good selection of Indian drinks including lassi.
8. Ochre (Cairns, Australia)
Innovative Australian cuisine. This was a memorable meal with locally sourced ingredients.
7. Kuneho (Austin, Texas)
Paul Qui’s menu is about maximising the flavor in each bite. They have an excellent sake selection.
6. Azuma (Sydney, Australia)
Tucked away in a high-rise in the centre of Sydney, this Japanese restaurant features the freshest fish and a wonderful degustation menu. They even had a gluten-free version of the 9-course menu including dessert.
5. Del Posto (New York City, New York)
Incredible Italian – including the best gluten-free pasta. Amazing wine menu featuring Italian wines. If you are having trouble getting dinner reservations (they are hard to get), try a lunch reservation.
4. Walrus & the Carpenter (Seattle, Washington)
Oysters, Oysters, cocktails, and more oysters. We recommend visiting toward the end of happy hour! Get the timing of your visit wrong and you might be in for a long wait!
3. Husk (Charleston, South Carolina)
American Southern Cuisine. Classic and innovative by Sean Brock. Amazing whiskey and bourbon menu.
2. Geronimo (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Contemporary southwestern cuisine. They offered incredible service, split every plate gratis, and were impeccable in remembering Anna’s inability to eat gluten making the changes needed in a seamless manner. We’ve enjoyed a meal there four times and enjoyed it every time.
1. Eleven Madison Park (New York City, New York)
Contemporary American cuisine. Impeccable service. We’ve been twice and it was exceptional both times.
1. Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand).
Gaggan was a restaurant run by chef Gaggan Anand in Bangkok, Thailand. We visited in January 2019. It was an exceptional experience. On August 25, 2019, Gaggan closed so Chef Anand could pursue other endeavours.
Other Favorites
We have some other favourites that are not on this top 10 list, but are nonetheless go-to places when we are in the city concerned!
- Edible Canada (Vancouver, Canada)
- Max’s Wine and Dive Bar (Austin, Texas) – incredible gluten-free fried chicken and waffles, with bottomless mimosas.
- Tune Up Cafe (Santa Fe, New Mexico) – Fabulous South American breakfast food!
- La Espiga D’oro (Clovis, New Mexico) – a family-owned Mexican restaurant, Mexican grocery and tortilla factory.
- Lotus of Siam (Las Vegas, Nevada) – Michelin Starred Thai restaurant
- Mad Jack’s Barbecue (Cloudcroft, New Mexico
Restaurants that were once on our top 10 that have dropped off!
Le Cirque (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Set by the fountains at the Bellagio, this is a classic French restaurant that imbues fun into each dish – they play with texture. The wine pairings with the 5-course selection is a decent deal.
Notes about this Food People List
Originally published in 2017, updated in 2022.
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We are a recently married thirty-something couple who explore, adventure, and live Not a Pedestrian Life. We are Anna & Dwight Rabe. We are Team Rabe.
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