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The 10 Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Ottawa That Celiacs Obsess Over

“Let’s have dinner” sounds simple enough—until you’re watching your friend scan a menu with growing anxiety, searching for something she can safely eat. 

My friend lives with gluten sensitivity, and every restaurant invitation comes with an invisible checklist in the form of questions like “Are there options?” and “Is it even worth the risk?”

But here’s the thing: Ottawa’s food scene has seriously stepped up these past few years—so there’s definitely something tasty yet gluten-free out there for people like her.

I searched and visited the best restaurants in Ottawa where celiacs can relax, explore diverse options, and eat with peace of mind.

1. Good Eats Cafe

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodeats_ottawa/ 

Website: https://goodeats.ca/ 

Address: 207 Bell St N

Contact Details:

Business Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday – 9 AM to 9 PM
  • Friday and Saturday – 9 AM to 11 PM
  • Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM

Must-order: Loaded Nut and Seed Salad

Many locals call Good Eats Cafe a “yes-taurant”—a place that says yes to every dietary need. It’s precisely this inclusivity that has made them Centretown West’s haven for health-focused diners.

That commitment to accommodation is evident in their menu. The cafe serves vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals, with everything made fresh in-house.

I tried their Loaded Nut and Seed Salad. The lightly sweetened roasted nuts, topped with pumpkin and sunflower seeds and a maple balsamic dressing, create a satisfying interplay of sweet and tangy notes.

What makes the meal even better is where you enjoy it. Beyond the indoor seating, their patio is the perfect spot for breakfast or dinner with a few friends.

Pro Tip: 

Contact them to arrange catering for your event, with menus ranging from breakfast and lunch to dinner packages.

2. Little Mac’s

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlemacsottawa/ 

Address: 991 Wellington St. W

Contact Details: 

Business Hours:

  • Monday and Tuesday – 12 PM to 8 PM
  • Wednesday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM

Must-order: Fried Chicken with Chipotle Mayo

Little Mac’s is a cozy restaurant in Hintonburg that serves southern-inspired comfort food. The owner’s wife is a celiac, which sparked the restaurant’s dedication to providing safe, delicious gluten-free options.

The place brings the vibe of an American diner that comes with matching portions that could leave you comfortably full for hours.

I recommend trying their Fried Chicken Sandwich with Chipotle. What sets it apart is the crispy coating that stays crunchy without any greasiness, giving way to remarkably juicy and tender chicken that won’t dry out like most fried chicken sandwiches.

Pro Tip: 

Skip the wait by calling ahead for pickup or ordering through Uber Eats.

3. La Dolce Vita Preston

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladolcevita.glutenfree/ 

Website: https://ladolcevitapreston.com/ 

Address: 180 Preston St

Contact Details:

Business Hours:

  • Sunday to Thursday – 5 PM to 9 PM
  • Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 10 PM

Must-order: Spaghetti and Meatballs

La Dolce Vita Preston stands out not just for its traditional Italian cuisine but also for being one of the city’s safest dining spots for celiacs.

This restaurant is particularly known for its extensive gluten-free menu, which has been verified by the Gluten Free Food Program. They’ve also been supported by the Canadian Celiac Association.

What’s amazing is that everything is prepared in a separate kitchen area with specially trained staff. This is to prevent any potential cross-contamination, so guests don’t have to worry about what goes in their meals.

As for the food itself, their Spaghetti and Meatballs stand out as a great dinner option. The meatballs simmer in a tomato sauce that gets its smoky flavour from double-smoked bacon.

Pro Tip: 

Make sure to book reservations if you plan to eat here on the weekends.

4. Del Piacere

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delpiacere/ 

Website: https://delpiacere.ca/ 

Address: 416 Preston St

Contact Details:

Business Hours:

  • Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 11 PM

Must-order: Margherita Pizza

Del Piacere was opened in the midst of the pandemic when the Head chef Pietro Amoriello took a leap of faith. 

He chose the name deliberately—it means ‘of pleasure,’ reflecting his belief that dining should be an experience that lingers, where each dish creates a moment worth savouring.

Although not a gluten-free-centric restaurant, they’re willing to accommodate requests and customize dishes based on guests’ dietary needs. They’ve adapted Italian classics that are typically off-limits for celiacs, including Carbonara and Rigatoni Bolognese.

Beyond these accommodations, the restaurant’s menu features fresh homemade pasta, wood-fired pizzas with traditional toppings like artichoke, and seafood dishes like Taglioni Costa Smeralda.

I suggest trying their 15-inch homemade Margherita with gluten-free dough. What’s great about this pizza is the crust—it’s blistered and crunchy on the edges but still gives when you bite through. The toppings are minimal, but they actually taste like something.

Pro Tip: 

Contact them first to find out about the ready-to-serve gluten-free meals of the day before visiting.

5. Wolf Down

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolf.down/ 

Website: https://www.wolfdown.com/ 

Address: 380 Bank St

Contact Details: +1 613 421 4054

Business Hours:

  • Sunday to Wednesday – 11 AM to 12 AM
  • Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 1 AM

Must-order: Tofu Salad

Wolf Down was established because Joelle Parenteau (the owner) fell in love with Berlin’s döner sandwiches while travelling in Germany. 

Inspired by that experience, she brought the Berlin-style sandwiches back to her hometown. Aside from the sandwiches, there are also great selections of salads and rice bowls.

They keep their menu small, which means they can really focus on quality ingredients and put their own spin on things. It’s honestly pretty different from what you’ll find at other spots in Ottawa.

When it comes to gluten-free options, their Tofu Salad is a must-try. When I tried it, I was hooked—something about that sweet and salty combo just really works.

Pro Tip: 

With limited seating, it’s best to visit during non-peak times if you want to stay for a while.

6. Fratelli Westboro

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fratelliwestboro 

Website: https://fratelli.ca/ 

Address: 275 Richmond Rd

Contact Details:

Business Hours:

  • Monday to Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
  • Thursday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday – 5 PM to 9 PM

Must-order: Gluten-Free Ravioli

Fratelli has been a family-owned restaurant run by brothers Robert and Richard Valente since 1996. It was originally established in the Glebe before expanding to multiple locations across the city.

Despite now having several branches, they continue to successfully uphold their family tradition of Italian hospitality, serving wood-fired pizzas and other Italian classics.

The Westboro restaurant is famous for its Monday half-price wine bottles and a bustling, energetic dining room where close-set tables and a warm, family-like staff create a neighbourhood bistro feel.

As for what to order, go for their Gluten-Free Ravioli. It’s stuffed with butternut squash and topped with brown butter cream sauce—you get this great mix of sweet, savoury, and nutty all in one bite.

Pro Tip: 

Check out their monthly dinner specials.

7. Johnny Farina

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyfarinarestaurant/?hl=en 

Website: https://www.johnnyfarina.com/ 

Address: 216 Elgin St

Contact Details:

Business Hours:

  • Monday to Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
  • Thursday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday – 4 PM to 9 PM

Must-order: Pepperoni Pizza

Johnny Farina is situated in the historic Elgin Theater, which still features its spectacular 35-foot ceilings from its heyday in the dining room.

The owners make the most of the spot’s creative history by displaying artworks on the wall from local artists. Guests can even purchase these, and believe me, they make great conversation starters while eating.

Beyond the ambience, the food itself lives up to the artistic setting. They’ve been serving wood-fired pizzas alongside housemade pasta, an extensive wine list, and even Italian gelato from their street-side counter.

Locals love the Pepperoni Pizza here—its sauce has that perfect balance where it’s not too sweet or tangy, and the basil really comes through.

Pro Tip: 

Follow their official social media pages for up-to-date information about their daily specials.

8. Union Local 613

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/613union613/ 

Website: https://union613.ca/ 

Address: 315 Somerset St W

Contact Details:

Business Hours:

  • Monday and Tuesday – 4 PM to 10 PM
  • Wednesday and Thursday – 4 PM to 12 AM
  • Friday – 4 PM to 2 AM
  • Saturday – 5 PM to 2 AM

Must-order: Duck Wings

Union Local 613 has this great vintage vibe and serves up southern-style dishes that hit the spot.

But it’s not just about the food. Diners can sit communally or privately while enjoying great tunes and being surrounded by interesting art and decor.

For the gluten-sensitive, you shouldn’t miss out on their duck wings when you visit. It has crispy skin and tender insides, and is served with adobo jerk, puffed rice, and fried shallots.

The restaurant also features a hidden speakeasy downstairs that’s accessible behind a bookshelf. The club’s cocktails and bourbon offerings are naturally gluten-free, so that celiacs can party all night without worries.

Pro Tip: 

If you want to let loose a little, try visiting from 4 PM to 5 PM on weekdays when they offer happy hour deals.

9. Petit Bill’s Bistro

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petitbills/ 

Website: https://petitbillsbistro.com/ 

Address: 1293 Wellington St. W

Contact Details:

Business Hours:

  • Monday to Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
  • Thursday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
  • Friday – 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
  • Saturday – 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
  • Sunday – 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Must-order: Beer Battered Fish & Frites

Petit Bill’s is a French bistro with a Newfoundland accent—a combination you’ll rarely find in Ottawa. The restaurant was born from family values and the down-home hospitality that the owners’ parents showed to everyone.

That friendliness is served up alongside fresh seafood from sustainable fisheries, great steaks, a VQA Restaurant Award of Excellence-winning wine list, and classic cocktails.

One of their guest-favourite gluten-free main dishes is the Beer-Battered Fish & Frites. With its golden brown chips and crispy frites, it’s a meal that looks as good as it tastes.

Pro Tip: 

If you want to experience the bistro’s traditional Newfoundland Supper nights, book your spot early—these events are super popular and fill up fast.

10. Siam Bistro

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siambistro.ottawa/ 

Website: https://www.siambistro.com/ 

Address: 1268 Wellington St. W

Contact Details:

Business Hours:

  • Tuesday to Friday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
  • Saturday to Monday – 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Must-order: Gang Garee Gai

Siam Bistro consistently earns their spot among the city’s top-rated Thai restaurants, drawing devoted regulars who return for family recipes that have remained unchanged for over three decades.

This restaurant has built a loyal following through intense flavours and high-quality ingredients in 75 dishes. Favourites include Green Curry Chicken, Pad Kee Maw (many claimed to be the best spicy noodles ever), and Green Mango Salad with Shrimp.

Their Gang Garee Gai stands out above the rest. It’s a yellow chicken curry with potatoes prepared in coconut milk and served with steamed jasmine rice. 

Thanks to their generous portions, it’s always guaranteed that you’ll be full and satisfied when you finish eating there.

Pro Tip: 

Don’t forget to try their Housemade Lemongrass Tea; it’s their signature drink.