In Denver, “healthy lifestyle” isn’t just a tagline, it’s practically a personality trait. So it follows that the Mile High City has become one of the best places in the country for gluten-free dining, where thoughtful menus and careful kitchen practices make for fantastic options for the gluten-free crowd. 

For clarity, we’ve grouped standout spots into three categories: entirely gluten-free restaurants, those that are celiac-friendly with dedicated prep areas and fryers, and those with especially strong gluten-free offerings on their menus. 

Note: Menu offerings and gluten-free safety standards can shift. Please verify with the restaurant directly to ensure their current practices meet your specific health requirements.

Fully Gluten-Free Restaurants

At these spots, the entire facility is 100% gluten-free, meaning no wheat, flour, rye or barley is allowed on the premises.
 

Quiero Arepas  

There are so many reasons to head to Quiero Arepas inside Avanti Food & Beverage. First, the LoHi food hall is one of the most happening spots in town, a nearly-always bustling hot spot for great food and drink. Also, its rooftop deck boasts a killer view of the downtown Denver skyline. But the best reason of all might be for the golden arepas. The handheld masa pockets, stuffed with everything from slow-roasted pork to black beans, are naturally gluten-free and incredibly delicious.
 

Just BE Kitchen

The list of what you won’t find at LoHi’s Just BE Kitchen is fairly lengthy — no gluten, no grain, no refined sugar, no soy, no corn, no peanuts and no legumes. So yeah, there’s a lot they’re leaving out, but don’t worry, what’s left is delicious. Choose among French-toast sliders and quesadillas for breakfast and burgers and gnocchi for lunch and dinner. If you’re in Boulder, they opened a second restaurant there with the same exacting (and safe) standards.
 

Rivers and Roads Coffee

The holy grail for gluten-free mornings, Rivers and Roads is so much more than a coffee shop. (Although don’t worry, they also make a great cappuccino in a warm, welcoming setting.) Their gluten-free food menu is so good that they have what might just become your new favorite a.m. meal: breakfast fries. Yes, breakfast fries. Besides the bacon, egg, cheese and chipotle aioli-topped taters, R&R also makes tasty toasts and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. If that’s not enough to convince you to get out of bed, it doubles as a gluten-free bakery. 
 

Sweet Izzy

Finally, a scoop shop where "everything" is the right answer. Sweet Izzy is a 100% dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free sanctuary, churning out plant-based ice cream made from a creamy blend of oat milk and coconut. From coffee Oreo to fudge brownie, the flavors are heavy hitters, especially when loaded with hot fudge, graham crackers and rainbow sprinkles.

 

Celiac-Friendly Restaurants

These are mixed kitchens (serving both gluten and gluten-free menu items) that have implemented rigorous safety protocols, like separate gluten-free fryers and prep areas, to avoid cross-contamination.
 

Vital Root

Forget everything you know about health food. This breakfast, lunch and dinner spot is a downright flavor riot, where just because it’s largely gluten-free and vegan doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing a drop of goodness. Case in point: options include banh mi breakfast tacos, smoked broccoli and cauliflower wings, smash burgers and dark-chocolate beet brownies. Everything here can be made gluten-free without the threat of cross contamination, so feel free to try it all.
 

Acova

With a separate dedicated gluten-free prep area, fryer and panini press, Acova has more than 40 celiac-safe dishes on the menu. Meaning you can come back again and again and not have to eat the same gluten-free lobster mac and cheese, beer battered fish n’ chips and honey-stung fried chicken. (Although they’re all so good you may want to.) Bonus: its sprawling, sun-soaked patio is one of the best in town.
 

Teocalli

The only thing on the menu not gluten-free at Teocalli is the beer, which means you can safely down any of the fantastic tacos, queso, meaty entrees, churros and juicy margaritas. It gets even better at happy hour when those margaritas go for just $8 and, if you’re at the LoHi location (Teocalli also has spots in Lafayette, Arvada and Longmont) the garage door windows roll up on a sunny day for an unbeatable indoor/outdoor situation.
 

Federal Bar & Grill

No need to skip the pub food at Federal Bar & Grill. This neighborhood staple is a game changer for the gluten-free crowd thanks to a dedicated fryer, meaning anyone can face-plant into crispy wings, beer-battered fish n’ chips and breaded artichoke hearts without the cross-contamination anxiety. With a lineup of corn tortilla tacos and cold Holidaily and Ghostfish gluten-free beers, it’s the ultimate spot to reclaim the bar food experience.

 

Restaurants with Great Gluten-Free Options

These restaurants offer a great variety of gluten-free dishes and substitutions, but they don’t guarantee a 100% safe environment for some medical needs.
 

Root Down

A longtime favorite on the Highland dining scene, Root Down is great about accommodating dietary needs while maintaining top-notch flavor and quality. The menu is a playground for globally inspired dishes like lamb sliders with harissa aioli and rockfish tom kha. And every gluten-free dish arrives at the table sporting a GF flag, a small but mighty visual cue that the kitchen has taken every precaution to keep your meal safe and your stress level low.
 

Work & Class

From six-time James Beard Award nominee Dana Rodriguez, Work & Class is all about a square meal and a stiff drink at a fair price. And that means for everyone. Their chickpea croquettes and Cajun crispy fries are both pretty legendary, and because the kitchen operates with such a high level of transparency, you can enjoy your carne asada with chimichurri or cochinita pibil with total confidence in their prep standards.
 

Linger

The Edible Beats group (Vital Root, Root Down, El Five) takes their gluten-free dining options seriously, and Linger might be the most fun way to try them. The former mortuary-turned-hot spot has everything from gluten-free bison steak kushiyaki to duck confit fried rice to carnitas tacos to hot honey sweet fries for the tasting.
 

Modern Market Eatery

Modern Market has healthy fast-casual down to a science, offering clearly labeled grain bowls, protein-packed salads and even gluten-free pizzas that actually have a crunch. With several locations across the city (including Denver International Airport), it’s a reliable, high-quality choice for a quick, nutrient-dense meal. While the menu is designed to be gluten-friendly, it’s even better that the staff is well-versed in handling allergies.
 

El Five

Perched on the fifth floor with some of the most dramatic views in Denver, El Five offers a Mediterranean tapas experience that is as safe as it is sophisticated. The kitchen leans heavily on the naturally wheat-free traditions of the region, offering a dedicated gluten-free menu that highlights their signature paellas, pistachio hummus and patatas bravas, among other flavor-packed dishes.
 

Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar

Sushi is often a minefield of hidden gluten (looking at you, imitation crab and soy sauce), but Hapa Sushi makes it easy. They offer an extensive gluten-free menu and provide tamari upon request, ensuring you can dive into their creative rolls without the guesswork. From their sashimi to a wide variety of rolls, they bring a fun, high-energy vibe to their locations in Cherry Creek, LoDo, Landmark and Boulder while keeping cross-contamination protocols front and center.
 

Brothers BBQ

Barbecue is a natural fit for the gluten-free crowd, but Brothers BBQ takes it a step further by ensuring their rubs and sauces aren't hiding any wheat-based thickeners. With seven locations up and down the Front Range, you’re never far from gluten-free pulled pork, beef brisket, hot links and ribs. Pair your meat with their creamy coleslaw or tangy potato salad for a heavy-hitting meal.
 

Urban Egg

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Urban Egg treats it that way for everyone. They offer a massive array of gluten-free substitutions, including GF pancakes and English muffins that are sturdy enough to handle a loaded Benedict. Whether you're craving a savory breakfast bowl or a stack of sweet, fluffy hotcakes, the kitchen is remarkably diligent about prep, making it one of the most popular (and safe) brunch spots in the Denver area.
 

Xiquita

Bringing the vibrant, soulful energy of Mexico City to Uptown, Xiquita is a gift to all diners, but especially to those that eat gluten-free. Since the kitchen’s heart beats for traditional nixtamalization, almost the entire menu is naturally wheat-free. You can dive into the deep, complex heat of the pozole rojo, the tender banana leaf-steamed cochinita pibil or any of the tacos and huaraches with total abandon.