If eating gluten free is your jam, you are in the right city! Oklahoma City is a food lover’s dream, whether you’re GF, paleo, vegan, vegetarian or a good old-fashioned omnivore. Whether you’ve got a gluten allergy or just a preference, OKC restaurateurs are more than happy to oblige, creating culinary masterpieces you’ll love.
Breakfast
Let’s start with breakfast, since it’s the most important meal of the day. If you’re a pastry person, Harvey Bakery & Kitchen is the spot for you. It’s in vibrant Midtown, and gluten-friendly pastries include the double chocolate muffin, glorious cinnamon rolls, tea cakes, amazing fig jam bars and more. Savory options include the sweet potato, greens and sausage bowl and seasonal offerings. The staff at Harvey Bakery is wonderfully accommodating, so if you see something intriguing, ask if it can be modified.
Neighborhood Jam, with several OKC locations, serves up outstanding gluten-free pancakes, as does Hatch Early Mood Food. The quirky, artsy Red Cup gives you plenty of choices including a top-notch gluten-free biscuits and gravy.
Brunching? Pop over to the Plaza District. The Press serves a fantastic shrimp and grits, hearty gluten-free breakfast hash, and egg and chorizo breakfast tacos with queso fresca and avocado crema. Pair them with a house Michelada or mimosa and a big cup of fresh coffee.
Lunch
For lunch, Tiny Bubbles’ gluten-free pizza is a delight – try the pesto chicken version, with roasted chicken, red sauce, basil pesto, mozzarella, spinach and artichoke. Pair it with a chop salad, and finish with a refreshing cold brew affogato. Another pizza option – Hall’s has the best gluten-free crust in town.
Red Rooster’s salad Nicoise is impeccable: steelhead trout, green beans, fingerling potatoes, jammy egg and lemon vinaigrette; its burgers and sandwiches can all be crafted on gluten-free buns. Picasso Café, in the charming and historic Paseo Arts District, is another great choice. Try a starter of seared ahi tuna, entrees including pan-seared airline chicken with parmesan risotto, bacon-bleu cheese cream and veggies or skirt steak with mashed potatoes and balsamic grilled red onions. The chocolate Buzz Bomb is decadent enough to share – layers of flourless chocolate cake, espresso mousse, chocolate ganache and four berry compote; other gluten-free desserts are berry cheesecake and crème brulee.
Dinner
Think fine dining and GF don’t pair well? Think again! Symmetry can adapt most menu items, and they also offers gorgeous gluten-free appetizers like shrimp cocktail or Korean duck wings and entrees like truffle beurre blanc salmon, roasted asparagus, charred lemon and herbs or a hearty pork chop with sauteed onions and Fresno chilis, topped with a spicy red and green chimichurri.
Red PrimeSteak in Automobile Alley works hard to be gluten- and allergy-friendly. For example, while gluten-eating guests may enjoy fresh-baked dinner rolls, gluten-free guests will enjoy magically good parmesan crisps or house made kettle chips. Red PrimeSteak’s martinis are legendary among OKC locals and although most martinis are gluten-free, I’m mentioning these because they are exceptional. Especially with a couple of parmesan crisps. All of its steaks and many of its choose-your-own crusts and sauces are sans gluten, like the brown sugar and sea salt or roasted garlic crusts, or the zingy roasted poblano chimichurri or black truffle butter sauces. Also gluten-free? The cold-water lobster tail, lump crab and jumbo shrimp. GF sides here include horseradish potato gratin, smoked bacon cream corn and black truffle risotto with marrow butter.
Dessert
Holey Rollers offers sensible yet sinfully delicious treats for those who eat vegan and GF. More than just donuts, they offer locally roasted coffee and tea, breakfast tacos and sandwiches and other pastries. You can find them at their brick and mortar in the Paseo Plunge or rolling around town in their ridiculously cute camper turned donut truck.
The gluten-free cupcakes at Green Goodies with icing piled high would stand out among any line up of cupcakes, GF or not. They take special orders for cakes and other celebratory desserts.
