Goodbye gluten: Lakeland restaurants with gluten-free options

No matter why you’re avoiding it, you can find new eats without gluten here.

Plates of barbecue meat with sides on trays

Skip the bread and get the meats instead at Blue Dog Craft Barbecue.

Photo by LALtoday

Whether it’s a personal choice or a health requirement, a lot of people are looking to eat gluten-free these days — and navigating a menu on the spur of the moment can be tricky. That’s why we asked our readers for their favorite gluten-free restaurants and menu items to try.

Abuelo’s, 3700 Lakeside Village Blvd.
This Mexican restaurant has a separate menu with gluten-sensitive options like fajitas and tamales.

Ax-Caliber Cuban sandwich, milkshake, and French fries

Switch up your bread for an easy gluten-free sandwich.

Photo by @axcaliber

Ax-Caliber, 204 E. Orange St., Ste. 102
There are plenty of gluten-free menu options here. Switch to gluten-free bread for any sandwich or flatbread, enjoy a dip like Buffalo chicken with gluten-free tortillas, or load up on the Lumberjack tater tots.

A sandwich, salad, and iced drink from Black and Brew

Make a sandwich gluten-free by switching out your bread at Black & Brew.

Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro, locations vary
Swap out the bread on your favorite sandwiches for a gluten-free bite.

Blue Dog Craft Barbecue, 640 E. Main St.
Fill up on the freshly smoked ribs, brisket, and pulled pork at Blue Dog’s stall in The Joinery.

Burger 21, 1601 Town Center Dr.
Sometimes you just need a classic hamburger. You can sub your bun here for a gluten-free option, and many of the burgers can be made gluten-friendly.

zuppina

Just ask the Cafe Zuppina staff for a GF recommendation.

Photo by Tina Sargeant Photography

Cafe Zuppina, 4417 S. Florida Ave.
Reader Joan M. sent in this pro tip: Ask the helpful staff here to accommodate your dietary needs. Joan also suggests the veggie plate or lamb dishes.

Fish City Grill, 1485 Town Center Dr., Ste. D112
This spot’s gluten-friendly menu includes many seafood favorites, like salmon and peel-and-eat shrimp.

Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar, 132 S. Kentucky Ave.
Stop here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner for delicious gluten-free eats. Our Instagram follower @michelle_maracz praised their clearly marked menu.

Bowl of meat, vegetables, and rice from Fresh Kitchen

All of the ingredients at Fresh Kitchen will be gluten-free.

Photo by @eatfreshkitchen

Fresh Kitchen, 4520 S. Florida Ave.
Create your own bowls without fear — every ingredient on the menu is gluten-free.

From Beverly Bakery, locations vary
Find this bakery at a local pop-up or order online for allergy-friendly cakes in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, carrot, and white chocolate strawberry.

J. Burns’ Pizza Shop, locations vary
Create your own pie on gluten-free or cauliflower crust with your choice of toppings.

Chicken salad from LoveBird

Order your salad and platter with grilled chicken instead of fried.

Photo by LALtoday

LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken, 2101 S. Florida Ave.
Order the grilled chicken without bread, and add one of the many sides like bourbon baked beans.

Mellow Mushroom, 3555 Lakeland Highlands Rd.
Several of this pizza joint’s most popular pies can be made to order gluten-free.

Mission BBQ, 4014 S. Florida Ave.
Carnivores rejoice. This barbecue joint has a full menu for guests eating gluten-free, including brisket, ribs, classic sides, and more.

A platter of colorful sushi from New Moon Sushi

Get your chopsticks ready because we’re on a roll.

Photo by @newmoonsushi

New Moon Sushi, 4231 S. Florida Ave.
According to Reader April T., “They bend over backwards to make sure you have a gluten-free and enjoyable meal. They even have gluten-free soy sauce and not all sushi places do.”

Nothing Bundt Cakes, 4754 S. Florida Ave.
Reader Donald B. recommends stopping here for a dessert — the chocolate chip cookie cake is made without gluten.

LALtoday Palace Pizza

Grab a gluten-free slice during your next Palace Pizza feast.

Photo by LALtoday

Palace Pizza, 114 S. Kentucky Ave.
Head downtown to build your perfect personal pizza with toppings like pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and more.

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We’re drooling over the shio ramen at Sabu.

Photo by LALtoday

Sabu Ramen, 640 E. Main St.
This stall in The Joinery makes it easy to go without gluten — just swap the wheat noodles in your ramen for rice noodles.

Saigon Bistro, 1554 Town Center Dr. W.
Reader April T. also recommends the shrimp stir fry at this Vietnamese restaurant.

Scarpa’s Italian, 1833 E. Edgewood Dr.
Try your favorite pasta dishes with a gluten-free twist.

A bowl of meat and vegetables from So Fresh

You know it’s fresh when it’s from So Fresh

Photo by @south_tampa_life

So Fresh, 4756 S. Florida Ave.
The menu here is clearly marked, so you always know if you’re ordering within your preference or not.

Toast with jam, goat cheese, and a basil sauce

Try The Juice Box’s Hey Ho Lets Goat toast made with organic strawberry jam, goat cheese, and basil oil drizzle.

Photo via @gracetorresphoto

The Juice Box, 4295 S. Florida Ave.
There’s no extra charge to order a sandwich, toast, or wrap gluten-free here.

Tea Largo, 4634 Cleveland Heights Blvd.
Many of the smoothies, teas, and bowls here are gluten-free, including the granola.

Did we miss your go-to gluten-free eatery? Let us know which restaurants and menu items we should check out next.

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