Where can a dairy-free celiac and a gluten-free vegetarian eat in NYC?

August 12, 2015 7:08 PM

We are difficult to feed, but we will be in NYC for a few days this month and will need to eat. Please help!

We are both gluten-free, she has Celiac's. She doesn't eat dairy but she eats meat. I am a strict vegetarian (no fish, but I eat dairy and eggs). Can you suggest some places in NYC where we can order things off the menu without having to make many annoying changes?

posted by figaro to Food & Drink (14 answers total)

I'm generally dairy and gluten-free (though not super strict about it) and I find lighter Asian fare is good for this type of diet- Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, and some Chinese. You just need to avoid soy sauce (and fish sauce if you don't eat that). These cuisines are mostly gluten and dairy free otherwise, but you'd probably still have to double-check once at the restaurant. It's usually easy to find vegetarian dishes or substitutions at these types of restaurants too (less so at Chinese places which are more meat-heavy and soy-sauce heavy, but you can still usually ask for no sauce or meat).
posted by bearette at 7:18 PM on August 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Bareburger is really good at catering for special diets (vegan/vegetarian and gluten free options are all marked on their menu).

Dig Inn is a casual chain that should also work for your mix of needs.

Peacefood's a good recommendation. I never noticed that Blossom was good for gluten free folks, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention.
posted by snaw at 7:37 PM on August 12, 2015

There's an excellent vegan sushi place called Beyond Sushi on 14th Street, east of Union Square. It's a small/casual takeout place but very inventive. They say they can make items gluten-free.
posted by lisa g at 12:46 AM on August 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

Sun in Bloom, which has a location in Park Slope, Brooklyn as well as Tribeca. They have what you need on menu and are great for brunch.
posted by lunalaguna at 1:13 AM on August 13, 2015

If you're looking for a quick, light lunch, there's a chain of salad bar restaurants called Just Salad that are pretty good. You can order a custom-made salad or order one off the menu. They're mostly in mid-town, and if the weather is good, you can get your salads as take-away and go eat in Central Park.
posted by colfax at 3:06 AM on August 13, 2015

I've been meaning to check this risotto place out in the east village. Definitely gluten free, and vegetarian friendly, you may be able to figure something good out there.
posted by larthegreat at 4:11 AM on August 13, 2015

And across the street from the Risotteria mentioned by larthegreat is Keste, which has excellent GF/DF pizza.
posted by thejoshu at 5:05 AM on August 13, 2015

A lot of falafel places are vegetarian and will be able to accommodate gluten-free/dairy-free as well: Nish Nush, Taim, Maoz.
posted by loolie at 7:38 AM on August 13, 2015

Pala! They have gluten-free pizza, and vegetarian and vegan topping options as well as meat toppings. They take cross-contamination very seriously - their pizza ovens and prep areas are separate for the gluten-free items, and all their fried items are completely gluten-free. Their GF pizza crust is fantastic.
posted by bedhead at 7:58 AM on August 13, 2015

The Risotteria might have some salads that work for both of you. Otherwise, I recommend Find Me Gluten Free. The reviewers are more often people with celiac disease so they understand that it's not as simple as "this place has some stuff marked GF."

(I've eaten at the Risotteria and it was delicious and I did not get sick nor worry about it really.)
posted by purple_bird at 8:52 AM on August 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

Anjelica Kitchen. They are not a gluten-free kitchen, but they have gluten-free menu items.
posted by archimago at 11:40 AM on August 13, 2015

HuKitchen
posted by gemutlichkeit at 12:31 PM on August 13, 2015

Indian food! Lexington Avenue in the 20s has lots. And for grabbing a quick lunch, midtown has build your own salad places every 2 feet (the ambiance is obviously less than fantastic).
posted by imanastasia at 6:07 PM on August 15, 2015

Hampton Chutney! There's one in SoHo, and one on the Upper West Side. My gluten free family has brought plenty of gluten eaters there and everyone is happy.
posted by NMH at 6:52 AM on April 1, 2016