*The eateries on this list employ excellent food prep protocols to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, but most are not dedicated gluten-free establishments. Always use your own judgement when eating out.
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Bam Bam Bakery
1054 Brighton Ave.,
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 899-4100
BamBam is Portland’s dedicated gluten-free bakery and a must-do. They closed during COVID and recently reopened for pre-order/pick-up only, at the location above. They’re hoping to open a dining room soon. Bam Bam can also take prepare many items free of other allergens. This place is worth the effort to pre-order!
Baristas and Bites
469 Fore St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 773-0800
Baristas and Bites serves breakfast and lunch, with breakfast available all day. They offer many GF and vegan options including sandwiches in GF wraps, baked goods, and prepared foods. They’re not a dedicated GF facility but they do take great care in the kitchen.
The Bayou Kitchen
543 Deering Ave.
Portland, ME 04103
(207) 774-4935
The Bayou Kitchen serves cajun cuisine much of which is inherently gluten free. For breakfast they serve eggs, sausage, omelettes, and more, all available with various sides, including crawfish tail meat. Lunch and dinner options include jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice (vegetarian available), chili, grits and more. Be sure to tell inform your server of your dietary needs.
Binga’s Stadium
77 Free St.
Portland, ME 04141
(207) 699-4263
Need fried pickles, chicken tenders, nachos, wings, and french fries? Binga’s Stadium is your place. All of their fried foods are GF and made in a dedicated fryer, so you know you’re safe. They also make their own incredible sauces – also GF. Kid friendly and fun!
Bird & Co.
539 Deering Ave.
Portland, ME 04103
(207) 747-4056
Bird and Company doesn’t have a gluten-free menu, but don’t let that discourage you. Many items on their menu are inherently gluten free, the servers are well-educated, and the kitchen is careful. (We hear the poke taco is on point.) So go have some cocktails, tacos and fun!
Bob’s Clam Hut
*SHARED FRYERS
111 Cumberland Ave.
Portland, ME
(207) 536-7608
315 US-1
Kittery, ME 03904
(207) 439-4233
You might wonder why we’re including Bob’s Clam Hut on our list when it’s pretty much common knowledge that they use shared fryers. We include them because it’s valuable information for all. Bob’s is a Maine mainstay and has a huge menu of fried seafood for which they can use GF breading, but it’s not celiac-safe. For this who can tolerate cross-contamination, this place is for you. They do have GF buns for lobster rolls, so if you ask them to prepare yours separately. you might be ok. But no guarantee.
Boda
671 Congress St.
Portland, ME
(207) 347-7557
Boda is the place for Thai food in Portland. The dining room is trendy, they have a dinner and late night menu – and both have plenty of clearly-marked gluten-free options. From quail eggs to oysters to brussels sprouts for starters, grilled squid to scallops to tofu skewers for mains, you won’t go hungry. And they’re super careful in the kitchen. They have plentiful vegetarian options as well.
Empire Chinese Kitchen
575 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 747-5063
Empire Chinese Kitchen is Portland’s go-to spot for Chinese food. They have excellent GF options and they take your safety very seriously. Popular menu items are GF dumplings (try the lobster ones!), fried rice, and their famous string beans. Family friendly and a local celiac favorite.
Eventide Oyster Company
86 Middle St.
Portland, ME 04141
(207) 774-8538
There are lots of reasons to eat at Eventide – mainly oysters. But for the GF crowd, it’s the brown butter lobster rolls that keep us coming back. They make them in-house, and if you’ve ever had the “real” thing, we dare you to tell the difference. Hip atmosphere, small place; go early.
Flatbread Company
72 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04141
(207) 772-8777
Flatbread Company has 17 locations in ME, MA, NH, CT, HI, and TX. But the Portland location just might be the prettiest. They use NH-based Peace of Mind pizza crust and at your request, they’ll prepare your pizza separately. They even have vegan cheese! Flatbread is great pizza prepared safely. But don’t forget dessert, compliments of our friends at New Hampshire-based Gluten-Free Territory!
Forage
123 Washington Ave.
Portland, ME
(207) 274-6800
180 Lisbon St.
Lewiston, ME 02420
A bagel spot might not be the first place you’d think of for gluten free, but if your gluten-eating buddies need a fix, Forage is the perfect spot. Although they don’t make GF bagels, they do have an excellent GF bread that can be used for any of their sandwiches, and they use an “allergy kit” for all diners who request it. This means they’ll make your meal separately and safely. Not a dedicated GF facility, but these guys take your safety seriously. And the sandwiches ROCK.
Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro
608 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04141
(207) 347-3111
The Green Elephant is a 100% vegetarian restaurant serving Asian-inspired cuisine. They don’t have dedicated fryers but they do have quite a few GF options clearly marked on the menu, including tofu tikka masala, pad thai, and many other rice noodle dishes. They can also prepare your meal safely.
194 Park Ave.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-7776
177 Commercial St.
Portland, ME (opening summer 2021)
848 Minot Ave.
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 330-2472
398 Rt. 1
Scarborough, ME 04704
(207) 303-0137
No trip to Portland is complete without a treat from The Holy Donut. Prepared separately in dedicated fryers and overseen by a supervisor with celiac disease, these donuts are EVERYTHING. We’re talkin’ local ingredients including Maine potatoes. And, they’ve been tested at 2ppm. Not a dedicated GF facility, but they really take their gluten-free protocol seriously. Rotating flavors; call before you go.
(photo credit: Gluten-Free Reality)
The Inn on Carleton
46 Carelton St.
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 775-1910
The Inn on Carleton is a charming inn set on a quiet street just two blocks from town. The owner is meticulous, the decor is beautiful, and the breakfasts are excellent. He can make them celiac safe, with proper notice.
Kamasouptra
28 Monument Square
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 415-6692
Maine Mall
364 Maine Mall Rd.
South Portland, ME 04106(207) 415-6692
Freeport Market House
20 Bow St.
Freeport, ME
(207) 415-6692
Kamasouptra has three locations in Maine, two of them in Portland. And as you may guess, they sell soup. Their offerings vary, but they always have gluten-free soups, many of them vegetarian and/or vegan as well. And, although they’re not a dedicated gluten-free facility, they do a great job of keeping the gluten-free soups separate.
LB Kitchen
249 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-2695
LB Kitchen believes that “food is fun and functional.” The menu is full of offerings that are simple, healthy, and delicious. They serve breakfast and lunch, including eggs and breakfast sandwiches, but it’s their diverse and fun offering of bowls that’ll keep you coming back. From a breakfast salad to the Bahn Mi to the Keto bowl, there’s something for everyone. Breakfast and lunch only.
Luis’s Arepera & Grill
948 Forest Ave.
Portland, ME 04103
(207) 284-5007
You really can’t go wrong with Venezuelan cuisine. It’s pretty much all gluten free to begin with, and Luis’s is no different. A very informal spot that’s great for takeout, you can grab arepas filled with beans, cheese, meats, and all sorts of other deliciousness.
Maiz Colombian Street Food
621 Forest Ave.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 400-2881
Maiz Colombian Street Food is a dedicated gluten-free eatery serving authentic Columbian street food. Arepas are their specialty; thick corn tortillas that can be eaten plain, topped with veggies and/or cheese, or filled like a pocket. They also offer vegan options, rice bowls and some desserts as well.
Otto Pizza
250 Read St.
225 Congress St.
576 Congress St. This location temporarily closed
Portland, ME
(207) 358-7551
Otto Pizza has multiple locations in ME and MA and they all offer a gluten-free crust. They also offer Violife vegan cheese, which is one of our personal favorites. They’re not a dedicated GF facility, but they do take great care in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination.
Portland Pie Company
51 York St.
Portland, ME
(207) 772-1231
The gluten-free menu at Portland Pie Company is just plain fun. They’ve got GF appetizers, they make toasted sandwiches on GF flatbreads, and there are lots of really fun pizza options, all made on their own GF basil crust. They also make GF calzones, and there’s a peanut butter cake for dessert. Not a dedicated GF facility, but they do take great care to prepare and bake your meal separately, and they’re a local celiac favorite! (p.s. They’ve got 5 more ME locations, and one in NH!)
Real Maine Flavor
46 Pine St.
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 450-8255
Real Maine Flavor makes all kinds of delicious fruit sauces and flourless chocolate cakes in Freeport. However, they also operate a vegan ice cream window out of Bonobo’s Pizza in Portland. The best part? They only sell vegan ice cream and always have lots of flavors on hand. Even better, they sell GF/vegan ice cream sandwiches as well. Talk about a kid in a candy shop….
El Rayo Taqueria
26 Free St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 780-8226
The folks who run El Rayo Taqueria get it. Most of their menu is inherently gluten free, and the items that are not GF are labeled. Nice change, huh? They understand how to prepare your meal safely and they work hard to avoid cross-contamination. So if you’re in the mood for some mexican, this funky, fun spot is perfect. Not a dedicated GF facility.
Schulte & Herr
349 Cumberland Ave.
Portland, ME 04141
(207) 773-1997
Classic German cuisine is what you’ll find at Schulte & Herr, and much of it is inherently gluten free. They don’t have GF bread, but if you’re into bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato salad and roasted veggies, this is your spot. Portions are big, prices are reasonable, and the staff is accommodating. Be sure to discuss your dietary needs with the server.
Sea Dog Brewing Company
125 Western Ave.
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 871-7000
The menu at Sea Dog has so many “GFA” notations (gluten free available), you won’t know where to look first. And we like that. From lobster rolls to haddock piccata, burgers, sandwiches and more, you really can’t go wrong. Not a dedicated GF facility, but they can prepare your meal separately and carefully. Sea Dog has lots of locations in Maine and New Hampshire – spreading the gluten-free love!
Saltwater Grille
231 Front St.
Portland, ME
(207) 799-5400
Saltwater Grille has seafood, and lots of it. From salads to raw bar to lobster rolls & fish tacos – you can’t go wrong. They even have dedicated gluten-free fryers for fish and chips, fried clams, fried scallops and more. Entrees include salmon, steamed lobster, swordfish and more. Kids menu too.
The Sinful Kitchen
906 Brighton Ave.
Portland, ME
(207) 536-0611
The owner of the Sinful Kitchen has celiac disease. The restaurant is not dedicated gluten free, but they sure do know what they’re doing in the kitchen. Open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, you can get all sorts of sandwiches, burgers, pizza waffles (yes pizza waffles) and more. The seating area is very small and there is no waiting area. Plan your visit accordingly – Sinful is popular!
Sisters Gourmet Deli
15 Monument Sq.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 536-4932
If you’re looking to pick up sandwiches to go or just a delicious, informal lunch, Sisters is your place. They’ve somehow taken sandwiches, soups and salads to a new level, and that’s not easy! They can make sandwiches using gluten-free bread or flatbread, and they can prepare them separately. Be sure to request this when you place your order. They also cater. Not a dedicated GF facility, second location opening in Bath this summer!
Terlingua BBQ-Tex-Mex & Market
40 Washington Ave.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 956-7573
If you’re looking for a little bit of Texas BBQ in Maine, Terlingua is the place. And they’re not fooling around. The menu is clearly marked with GF options, and they are very careful in the kitchen. Smoked pork ribs, chips & queso, chili, salads and more. They even have a market where you can pick up smokes meats, chips, and prepared foods.
Three Dollar Dewey’s
241 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 772-3310
Three Dollar Dewey’s in Portland, Maine has been a bar scene staple for years. But what you might not know is that they now have a gluten-free/vegan menu. There are all sorts of sandwiches and burgers available on gluten-free buns including chicken, hot dogs, and pulled pork. They also offer a fried tofu “chicken” sandwich, a vegan burger, vegan cheese for nachos, tofu stir fry and more. Add in a dedicated gluten free fryer for fries and poutine, and you’ve got yourself a great gluten-free meal in Portland! Not a dedicated gluten free facility, but they can prepare your meal safely.
Tiqa
327 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 808-8840
Tiqa’s Mediterranean menu takes you on a wild trip through Greece and the Middle East. Gluten-free and vegetarian options abound, each dish labeled with the country of its origin. Beet salad from Greece, Tuna Tartare from Lebanon, tomato and mushroom kabobs from Israel – the list goes on. They even have a dedicated fryer for falafel! Just be sure to inform your server of your dietary needs when ordering and they’ll make sure that your meal is prepared safely and separately.
Union
390 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 808-8700
If you’re looking for more of an upscale dining experience, you can’t go wrong at Union. They offer breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, along with kids menus. They’re very attentive to food allergies and sensitivities, and although GF options are not marked on the menu, they’re happy to accommodate. Just ask.
Uno’s Pizzeria and Grill
The Maine Mall
280 Maine Mall Rd.
South Portland, ME 04106
(207) 780-8667
We couldn’t possibly leave the home of our favorite GF restaurant pizza off the list. Uno’s, with its seemingly thousands of locations in New England and beyond, has somehow brought forth one of the best pizza crusts EVAH. You just gotta try it. And if you don’t want pizza, they have many other options, including burgers, salads, fish, steak and seafood. Uno’s takes great care to ensure that your meal is prepared separately and safely, but they are not a dedicated GF facility.
Vinland
593 Congress St.
Portland, ME
(207) 653-8617
PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Vinland is dedicated gluten free. Their mission is to serve food that’s local and organic, is produced sustainably, generates little waste, and is as nutritious as it is delicious. Prices are a bit higher here, but you won’t find a place that cares more about the quality of your meal and its impact on both you and the world.
Zen Chinese Bistro
45 Danforth St.
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-6888
If you’re looking for safe Chinese cuisine in Portland, Zen is your place. The menu is so full of gluten-free notations, you won’t know where to look first, and that’s not a problem we encounter often! From fried rice to noodle dishes of all kinds, beef and broccoli and more, the kitchen follows very safe food prep protocols. Not a dedicated GF facility.
Pier French Fries
12 Old Orchard St.
Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
(207) 934-2328
If you’ve ever been to Old Orchard Beach, then you know about Pier French Fries. Well, eat on, because they cook their fries in a dedicated fryer. *They do make fried dough next to the fries, so be aware.
Maine Stay Inn and Cottages
34 Maine St.
Kennebunkport, ME 04066
(207) 967-2117
It’s not a restaurant, but if you’re looking for a B&B/inn in Kennebunkport with owners who understand celiac disease, Maine Stay Inn is it. They are not a dedicated GF facility, but they do have a daughter with celiac disease and can prepare an excellent breakfast for pretty much anyone. You do need to call ahead to make arrangements.
Bandaloop
2 Dock Square
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
(207) 967-4994
Bandaloop offers fun, safe, gluten-free dining. From shrimp tacos to seafood dishes, ceviche and more, they can make nearly any of their dishes according to your allergen needs. And the GF desserts? Wow.
Spinnaker’s
139 Post Rd.
Wells, ME 04090
(207) 216-9291
In the summer 2019, Spinnaker’s added a dedicated gluten-free fryer. They also added dedicated gluten-free prep tables, bowls, baskets, and serving trays. And you know what that means – they now serve an array of gluten-free fried seafood including clams, clams, scallops, haddock, and shrimp. They also have fries, buns for sandwiches and lobster rolls, and plenty of other inherently gluten-free sides. Spinnaker’s also offers gluten-free chowder, burgers, sandwiches, a kids’ menu, ice cream and milkshakes, and more. That’s classic New England! Not a dedicated gluten-free facility, but they practice excellent kitchen protocol.
Amore Breakfast
87 Main St. Box 684
Ogunquit, ME 03907
(207) 646-6667
Permanently Closed
Who doesn’t love going out to breakfast? Amore Breakfast has so many great and safe GF options, there’s a lot to love. From omelettes to french toast, pancakes, waffles, bagels, english muffins and more, it’s a GF carb paradise in Ogunquit! Not a dedicated GF facility, but they can prepare your meal separately and safely.
The Trap
117 Perkins Cove Rd.
Ogunquit, ME 03907
(207) 251-1650
If you’re looking for fried seafood, The Trap has it. They’ve got a dedicated fryer, gluten-free lobster rolls, salads and crab cakes, and they can put any of their other sandwiches on GF as well. They’re super-attentive to dietary restrictions and they’re on the water. Win win!
Loco Coco’s Tacos
36 Walker St.
Kittery, ME
(207) 438-9322
Loco Coco’s Tacos has their GF options clearly marked on the menu, and there are tons of ’em. They already use corn tortillas for their tacos and they offer many plates and entrees that are inherently GF as well. There’s a kids menu and they even have GF desserts. They are not a dedicated GF facility, but can prepare your meal separately to lower the risk of cross-contamination.
Roots Cafe
20 School St.
Westbrook, ME 04092
(207) 854-8733
Roots Cafe is located a few minutes west of Portland but is well worth the jaunt because they’re dedicated gluten free. They serve sweet and savory crepes, salads, soups, smoothies, teas, baked goods and more. They even have a babysitting service to watch the kids for up to an hour while you take a break!
Ricetta’s Brick Oven Ristorante
240 US Rte 1
Falmouth, MA 04105
(207) 781-7090
512 Main St.
Saco, ME 04072
(207) 571-7700
Ricetta’s is not in Portland, but it just may be worth the 15 minute drive north to Falmouth. Several of the staff have kids with severe food allergies, so they get it. There’s a separate gluten-free menu with pizzas(cauliflower crust option!), burgers, risottos, pastas and more, and the servers are well-informed. Not a dedicated GF facility, but a local celiac favorite!
Woodhull Public House
30 Forest Falls Dr.
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(207) 847-0584
Permanently Closed
The entire menu at Woodhull is gluten free, except for the beer. The menu is eclectic and totally fun, especially if you’re gluten free and not accustomed to being able to eat all of it. On the day we checked, starters include house-fried chips and salsa from a dedicated fryer, corn fritters and more. Main courses include tacos (chicken, fish, mushroom and more), noodles (pad thai, vegetable curry and more) and rice (fries rice, baja bowl and more). Menu items may rotate, so do call before you go. There’s also a kids menu and they often have live music.
Royal River Natural Foods
443 US-1
Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 865-0046
The head chef at Royal River has celiac disease, so you can be sure that he’s got you covered. Check their website for today’s offerings, and then take a break from shopping to enjoy amazing baked goods, soups, lunch items and more!
Wildflours Gluten-Free Bakery
54 Cumberland St.
Brunswick, ME
(207) 725-7973
How could we assemble a list of awesome GF eateries and not include Wildflours? It’s a 30 minute drive north from Portland, but if you’re into dedicated gluten-free bakeries, you just can’t skip it. Cookies, cakes, bars, quiche, scones and more – this place is really worth the jaunt.
Tripp’s Farmhouse Cafe
1056 Center St.
Auburn, MA 04276
(207) 241-7461
About 45 minutes north on I-95 from Portland, you’ll find Tripp’s Farmhouse Cafe in Auburn, ME. They’re a dedicated gluten-free bakery and cafe in Auburn, ME, and a MUST DO! If you’re in the area and/or passing through, make this your pitstop for lunch, snacks for the road, and whatever else you might find yourself needing when you walk in. They even have a food truck!
Raegamuffin’s Gluten-Free Bakery
1552 State St.
Veazie, ME 04401
(207) 942-9400
If you’re headed beyond Portland to the Bangor area, don’t miss Reagamuffin’s in Veazie. Not only are they a dedicated GF bakery, but they’re peanut and tree nut free as well. And any place that makes something called “Amazeballs” is a-ok with us!
Mack’s Place
224 Portland Rd.
Bridgton, ME 04009
(207) 647-4611
If you’re coming to Portland from the White Mountains of NH, make sure you pass through Bridgton, home of Mack’s Place. It’s pretty much a gluten-free diner’s dream – everything from sandwiches, burgers, pizza, fried seafood, baked seafood, nachos, fries and more – all made separately and in dedicated fryers. Informal, delicious and safe family dining. Just the way we like it!
40 Paper
40 Washington St.
Camden, ME 048343
(207) 230-0111
40 Paper Italian Bistro serves inventive, Italian food with plenty of safe GF options. From grilled Maine oysters to GF flatbreads, pastas and more, you definitely won’t feel like you’re missing out. Although they’re not a dedicated GF facility, they also pride themselves on their extremely careful food prep protocols. The menu rotates, so call before you go, but on the day we checked, the entire dessert menu was GF. SOLD.
Sea Basket
303 Bath Road
Wiscassett, ME
(207) 882-6581
Sea Basket uses dedicated GF fryers for all the fried food you could possibly need – fish and chips, onion rings, fries, shrimp, clams – you name it. They also can make GF lobster rolls. They’re family friendly but only open seasonally – call before you go!
CJ’s Big Dipper
150 Main St.
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-2128
We always like to offer up vegan ice cream spots, which is why we included CJ’s on this list. Their blueberry ice cream has a cult following and they always have multiple GF/vegan ice cream flavors. There is very little info available about their cross-contamination practices, so we recommend stopping in if you’re in the area. And please let us know what you find!
Geddy’s
19 Main St.
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-5077
Geddy’s only serves gluten-free fried seafood from their dedicated GF fryers. Add in burgers, sandwiches, lobster rolls, pizzas and a super careful kitchen, and you’ve got yourself one awesome, family-friendly spot for your visit to Acadia!
Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast
15 Cottage St.
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-4166
Jeannie’s serves the best GF Maine blueberry pancakes around. And they can make them separately. They also offer GF english muffins for a variety of breakfast sandwiches. It’s not a big place, so go early and be patient. It’s worth it.
