Full list of Gluten-Free Restaurants in Montreal

August 23, 2015August 23, 20158 Comments

Arepa from Areperas du Plateau

I have been meaning to put together a list of all my go-to gluten-free places to eat in Montreal. I will keep adding new places I find and make it available on my home page. I’m also open to suggestions. This list is in no way comprehensive but aims to list all the 100% GF options and some of the safer bets among ‘regular’ restaurants.

Here it is: Where to Eat Gluten-Free in Montreal

Where to Eat Gluten-Free in Montreal

Here are a few of my favorite places in and around Montreal to eat safe. This list is in no way exhaustive but only includes places where I have had a safe gluten-free experience. Restaurants can change so unless it is 100% GF always call first and ask if they have gluten-free options and always make sure to identify your allergy to your server if you are at a regular restaurant that just caters to gluten-free. There is a trend for some restaurants to mark items as GF on their menu when they really may not be (especially fried food).

100% Gluten-Free Restaurants

There are not many…

Crudessence: Vegan, raw and delicious. This is a great bet for smoothies, kale chips, lasagna and desserts.

3 locations (in the city), $$

http://www.crudessence.com/fr/services/nos-restaurants-et-comptoirs-sante

Arepera Du Plateau: This casual restaurant in the heart of the Plateau serves traditional Venezuelan food and is 100% GF. Try one of their delicious arepas with their amazing sauces. My favorite is cheese and avocado.

Plateau, $

http://www.arepera.ca

Ottavios: Not 100% GF but has a 100% GF kitchen and even has dedicated plates and utensils. It is also BYOB and is great option for an affordable family dinner with lots of options for celiacs and non-celiacs.

3 locations (all a little but outside of the city), $$

http://www.ottavio.ca

La crêperie du marché: Casual crêpe stand in Jean Talon market that only uses gluten-free flours to make all their crêpes. They have both savoury and sweet options.

Little Italy, $

http://www.creperiedumarche.com/

Le point sans g: This food truck is open during the summer months and is 100% GF.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-point-sans-g/373260342795161

100% Gluten-Free Bakeries

Baked to Go: This is my favorite GF bread in the city. Their petits pains and bagels are great. It is rare to find a GF bread you can use to make a delicious sandwich 2 days after buying without toasting the bread.

Plateau or you can order online, $

http://baked2go.ca

Le Marquis Sans Gluten: This is the only traditional bakery I have ever been to that is 100% GF. I highly recommend this place for cakes and pastries. They have a 2 display cases filled with amazing pastries and cakes, one case with only dairy free options. I didn’t think I would ever get to have gluten-free éclairs and tarts. They also carry sandwiches, breads and croissants!

Villeray, $-$$

http://www.boulangerielemarquis.com

Cookie Stephanie: This little shop in the Old Port has delicious cupcakes, mini cakes and brownies. They have even started making grilled cheeses.

Old Port, $

http://www.cookiestefanie.com/index.php/en/

Patisserie Petit Lapin: All their products are gluten-free and allergen-free.

Westmount, $-$$

http://patisseriepetitlapin.com/en/

Mi & Stu: Also dairy free and peanut free they carry delicious products including delicious challah bread. I would recommend calling in advance if you have a specific order.

Mile End, $-$$

http://www.miandstu.com/pains.html

Louise Sans Gluten: This completely gluten-free grocery store and bakery in Dorval is a celiacs dream. Lots of hard to find GF products and fresh baked goodies like donuts and baguettes.

Dorval, $-$$

http://louisesansgluten.com

‘Normal’ Restaurants the GFBFF loves

These are regular restaurants so there is always a risk of cross contamination but all of these places have been great at accommodating gluten-free. Always make sure to ask questions and make sure the server knows you are celiac.

Toqué: They are great at accommodating a GF diet and the food is delicious. I highly recommend it and it’s definitely one of the best restaurants in Montreal. It is expensive but well worth it (the lunch menu is more affordable).

Old Port, $$$+

http://www.restaurant-toque.com/en

Pastaga: Pastaga is a great bet for a nice dinner. Most of the items on their changing menu are already or can be adapted to be GF.

Little Italy, $$$

http://www.pastaga.ca

Aux Vivres: One of my favorites for delicious vegetarian food. They have lots of salad and bowl options.

Plateau, $-$$

https://auxvivres.com/en/menus

Vin Papillon: The few times I have eaten at this trendy wine bar many of the options were GF and most were easily adapted by removing an ingredient. The food was great and fresh with their great wine selection.

Little Burgundy, $$

http://vinpapillon.com

La Prunelle: A smaller French BYOB that has several gluten-free options and is always happy to make substitutions to make something gluten-free.

Plateau, $$-$$$

http://www.restaurantlaprunelle.com/

I have reviewed a few other places but these are the top places I would 100% recommend.

$=Cheap

$$=Medium Priced

$$$=Expensive

Crêpe sucrée- with berries and whipped cream from la crêperie du marché

Salad at Toqué

Mussels at Ottavio’s

Gluten-Free 5-à-7 at Balsam Inn

August 14, 2015August 15, 2015Leave a comment

I recently tried Balsam Inn, right beside Dominion Square Tavern, and had a great GF experience. I was there with friends for after work drinks and we sat outside on the terrace right near Peel street. The cocktails, food, service and atmosphere were great. Since we were there for cocktails we just ordered the side olives and bocconcini with tomato. Several options on the menu were gluten-free as is and many of the other options could be adapted. The waitress was very attentive in making sure my cocktail and food was gluten-free.

I definitely recommend Balsam Inn if you are right downtown and looking for a cute place for a drink and a bite to eat. As this is a regular restaurant there are risks of cross contamination so always make sure to tell your server.

http://www.lebalsaminn.com/

Accommodates gluten-free: Yes

Price: $$

Gluten-free menu: No

A Gluten-Free Food Truck & The Monthly Food Truck Event

August 10, 2015August 10, 2015Leave a comment

The first Friday of every month May through October about 40 food trucks converge outside the Olympic Stadium. Happily one of the trucks, Le point sans g, is 100% gluten-free. This was great for me as my boyfriend could try out a few of the trucks with lots of gluten and I could eat 100% safe. I’m sure a few of the trucks had some gluten-free options, but there could be issues with cross contamination.

I had a chicken poutine that was good but definitely not a poutine in my books. It would be better described as delicious french fries topped with shredded chicken, light gravy, mozzarella, tomatoes and crema. I also got two chocolate cookies which were delicious. The food truck can be found on other days all over the city. You can check out their Facebook page to see where they are. The food is good, safe and not too over priced surprisingly.

I would highly recommend checking this event out, especially if you have a friend/partner that loves food trucks or loves trying lots of different foods at once. There were lots of people but most of the lines were around 10 minutes long except for a few trucks. There are also beer and wine tents if you’re thirsty. It’s really an event for everyone. Even the vegans and celiacs thanks to two separate trucks that cater to each.

Here is an article about the monthly event at the Olympic Stadium:

http://www.shutupandeat.ca/2015/04/27/2015-montreal-food-truck-seasons-starts-this-friday/

Restaurant Manitoba

June 16, 2015Leave a comment

A few months ago I had a nice meal at Restaurant Manotiba and forgot to post it (I am a little behind on posting since I have had a busy past few months!). The menu is seasonal so make sure to call in advance and check their gluten-free options for the evening. It is also highly recommended to make a reservation. The night I was there almost half the dishes could be made gluten-free.

Manitoba has a great atmosphere and is definitely a good option for meat eaters. But while there is a lot of meat (I myself I am 99% pescatarian) I really enjoyed their spaghetti squash with romesco sauce, brussels sprouts, roasted veggies, beans and labneh. It was one of the best meals I had had in a while and was full of flavour. My date and I had oysters to start and the waitress helped us choose a nice wine. He had the bone marrow and our friends had the chefs special. Everyone enjoyed their meals and I would recommend checking out their menu and trying it out for a gluten-free date night.

Here is the review in the Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Chesterman+Fine+Dining+This+resto+Manitoba+name+spirit/10038405/story.html

Manitoba

271 Rue Saint Zotique O, Montréal, QC H2V 1A4
(514) 270-8000

http://restaurantmanitoba.com/?lang=en

Accommodates gluten-free: Yes

Price: $$-$$$

Gluten-free menu: No

** As always it’s recommended to call in advance and state you are gluten-free and to tell your server that you are celiac. Service and prep can change between visits.

Delicious spaghetti squash

My Ultimate Dream Food Day in Montreal

May 25, 20155 Comments

Baked to Go Gluten-Free Croissant

I thought I would share my dream Montreal food day. This can serve as inspiration if you are a local looking for gluten-free foodie inspiration or planning a gluten-free visit to Montreal. I was inspired by one of my favourite food blogs The New Potato. My ultimate dream food day around Montreal is obviously a day where there are no calories, I don’t eat at home and there are no stomach aches from too much gluttony. This Montreal gluten-free food tour would probably be feasible done in two days.

Breakfast: Brunch at Aux Vivres with my boyfriend who is obsessed with brunching. I would order the friend polenta served with salad, beans, guacamole and vegan “eggs”. Or I would just pick up a chocolatine (chocolate croissant) from Baked to Go with a big almond milk latte from a local cafe (probably Café Vitto).

La Polenta from Aux Vivres

Lunch: An avocado and cheese arepa from Areperas du Plateau with my brother who is also celiac.

Arepa from Areperas du Plateau

Dinner: A double date at Toqué enjoying a fancy and delicious meal.

Delicious and simple salad at Toqué

Dessert: Sharing a pastry or slice of cake from Le Marquis Sans Gluten.

Some of the treats at Le Marquis Sans Gluten

Midnight Snack: Sharing a classic poutine @ Poutineville with my girlfriends after a few drinks at a local bar.

Poutine

A girl can dream…

Gluten-Free Crêpes @ La crêperie du marché

May 19, 2015May 19, 20152 Comments

Crêpe sucrée- with berries and whipped cream

I go to Jean Talon Market all the time and only recently realized that La crêperie du marché located in the middle of the market is 100% gluten-free! They used to serve both gluten-free and regular crêpes but for a while now they have gone 100% gluten-free. Chatting with the server I found out they now are now lactose free and gluten-free. There is little better food-wise then when something delicious also happens to be 100% gluten-free and safe to eat.

So go walk around the amazing market on a Sunday, buy lots of gluten-free treats and fresh veggies and finish by stuffing your face with gluten-free crêpes! What a treat! 🙂

La crêperie du marché

Jean-Talon Market, 7138 Avenue Henri Julien, Montréal, QC H2S
(514) 238-0998

http://www.creperiedumarche.com/

Soon I will make a post featuring all the amazing gluten-free treats at the Jean-Talon Market but this is definitely the #1 gluten-free feature of the market!!!

Galettes de Sarrasin- Savoury Buckwheat with tomato, spinach, cheese and eggs

Dinner at Meson

April 7, 2015April 8, 2015Leave a comment

I am moving to a new neighbourhood in Montreal and I’m searching for some new favourite restaurants in the area. So far so good as I had a great dinner at Spanish restaurant Meson over the weekend. There are not a lot of gluten-free options on the menu but there are about 3 appetizers and 3 mains that are gluten-free as is. Our waiter was very knowledgeable on gluten-free and even brought me a little cucumber and chèvre starter instead of the bread option.

My date and I shared trout gravlax to start and it was delicious. As a main I had cod served on top of a potato and kale salad which is three of my favourite foods on plate so of course it was very yummy. My date has one of the gluten-filled cocas (Spanish pizza) and loved it. The atmosphere was great, the service was good and I felt confident my meal was gluten-free. I would definitely recommend Meson if you are in and around Villeray.

Meson

345 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1G8

(514) 439-9089

http://restomeson.com/en/

Accommodates gluten-free: Yes

Price: $$$

Gluten-free menu: No

Arepera du Plateau

March 22, 20152 Comments

I was very happy to see that my favourite neighbourhood restaurant Arepera du Plateau is now 100% gluten-free and joins the small list of 100% gluten-free restaurants in Montreal. It is a great little Venezuelan restaurant on Duluth, corner du Bullion. It used to be almost completely gluten-free and they recently made a few tweaks to make it 100%.

I always order an arepa (kinda like a corn bread sandwich), usually the avocado and cheese, and they bring bottles of the green (avocado cream) and red (spicy) sauce to the table so you can add as much as you’d like. I also love the gausacaca arepa, which is avocado mashed up with onions and tomato. The soup and plates (with rice, beans and an arepa bread on the side) are also delicious. My favourite starters are the cassava chips and the plantains.

This is a great place for an inexpensive delicious meal with friends. Everyone can find something to eat as there are many meat, vegetarian and vegan options. They do not serve any alcohol but have lots of delicious juice. It is a casual environment and in the evening they sometimes have a live singer. They don’t take reservations and it can get busy but it usually doesn’t take long to get a table if you are 4 or less (it can be hard with a group). In the summer my friends and I like to pick up arepas to go and eat them picnic style in Lafontaine or Jeanne Mance park.

4050 Rue de Bullion, Montréal, QC H2W 2E5

(514) 508-7267

http://www.arepera.ca/

Accommodates gluten-free: Yes

Price: $

Gluten-free menu: Yes

I currently only review restaurants I recommend.

Gluten-free Sushi at Maiko

February 18, 2015February 18, 20151 Comment

Maiko was one of my favourite restaurants when I moved back to the West Island for several years. While I don’t go often, the one on Sources Bldv. is delicious and they are great at accommodating gluten-free. My family sometimes orders sushi in for dinner when I visit them in the west and the person who answered the phone the last two times was very knowledgeable about gluten-free restrictions.
My favourites are sashimi, avocado rolls and spicy salmon salmon (without tempura). A double birthday for my friend and I meant two plates of gluten-free sorbet to share. They even have gluten-free soy sauce. A lot of sushi places now have it and this usually (not always) means they are knowledgeable about gluten-free diets.

The ambience is nice and our waiter was great with dealing with my groups range of allergies and food restrictions. Between the 5 of us we had 2 vegans, one celiac and one sensitive to a large variety of foods. Obviously there is always a risk of cross- contamination. Make sure to explain any allergies to your server and simple options like sashimi are always best.

There is also a location on Bernard (near Parc) if you are in the city.

Maiko

http://maikosushi.ca/

Accommodates gluten-free: Yes (could depend on your waiter)

Price: $$$

Gluten-free menu: No

I currently only review restaurants I recommend.

Gluten-Free Dinner at La Prunelle

February 12, 2015March 20, 2015Leave a comment

La Prunelle is around the corner from my apartment and a good bet for a french meal in the Plateau and it’s BYOW. If you are visiting Montreal and looking for a nice BYOW on Duluth that is safer than most for gluten-free dining this is your best bet. I have ordered the salmon a few times and it was great. This time I ordered two appetizers, the salad with chèvre and raspberries and the tartar. Both were delicious and the tartar was served with homemade chips instead of toasts to make it gluten-free. Since it was my birthday I shared some crème brûlée for dessert. Overall it was a great birthday dinner with lots of great food, good wine and no worries about gluten poisoning.

It is on the pricier side but it is better quality than some of the other BYOW restaurants nearby and because it is smaller and a little fancier they take more time to listen to dietary restrictions. It becomes more affordable when you take into account the BYOW factor.

Bonus: In the summer they open up the windows completely and it becomes an open air resto. I can’t wait for it to be terrasse season again!!

La Prunelle

327 Avenue Duluth Est, Montréal, QC H2W 1J1
(514) 849-8403

http://www.restaurantlaprunelle.com/

Accommodates gluten-free: Yes

Price: $$$

Gluten-free menu: No

I currently only review restaurants I recommend.