Top 41 Gluten-Free Brunch Spots to Delight in Encinitas

Elizabeth Finley

Totally Gluten free heaven

Natasha “Nikki” Ferrer-Perez

I had the California Sandwich on Focaccia and it was so yummy! I was meeting some friends to yap, so I didn’t want to be stuffing my face the whole time and stopped ordering after the sandwich, but I WANTED TO DO NOTHING BUT STUFF THEIR WHOLE PASTRY CASE into my mouth! I’ll definitely have to come back another time on my own just absolute pig out on everything!

Allen Shaw

So tasty. Can’t tell they’re gluten and dairy free. Made the wife happy!

Earth Explorer

East Indian themed healthy restaurant with gluten-free and vegan options. The three egg omelet was pretty good and a frittata was even a little better. The coffee is very standard with no exotic options such as butter coffee or espresso tonic or pour over. The seating is very comfortable and the Wi-Fi was about 100/20. Overall this is the place I would recommend trying when you're in Encinitas.

Mary Carbajal

We had a fabulous dinner. You can’t find a better beach view. The ambiance is warm, comfortable and beautiful. The food was excellent. I’m so tired of having mediocre food and being disappointed. The service was outstanding. Our server was attentive and made good suggestions. I can’t wait to go back. There were so many things I wanted to try. They have a gluten free menu which made ordering food easy. This will be a favorite place !

Bayley Macintosh

We enjoyed our meal here. It was our first time trying it, the smell of the chicken lured us in, lol. The only complaint I have was the sauces. Theyre a little runny, lacked flavor, and therefore took away from the experience, as I love sauce and a good sauce elevates the meal. The best one was the BBQ one but again, runny. It barely stuck to the chicken. Aside from that though, we liked the food and a bonus is, we didnt feel sick or anything like we often do with eating out. The ingredients are clearly superior which I appreciate a lot. We got the gluten free fried whole bird and I think they did a good job with the gluten free recipe.

Fauzia Burke

Pannikin Coffee & Tea is one of my favorite local spots. Their chai is perfectly spiced—comforting without being too sweet—and I always feel well taken care of as someone who eats gluten-free. They have great g/f baked goods, and the gluten-free blueberry muffin is my go-to treat. Moist, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweetness. Such a cozy, welcoming vibe here. Highly recommend!

Sophia

Good food although I don’t think I chose the best thing on the menu. They do have plenty of gluten free options (GF sourdough, GF cassava tortilla etc) and of course the food is clean and makes you feel good! Coffee was also delicious. Server was super kind and helpful!

Earth Explorer

Excellent French cafe in the heart of Leucadia. I love the fact that they have started to offer bulletproof coffee and have gluten-free options. The Omelette I had was outstanding as was the gluten-free vegetarian crepes. What I didn't like was the fact they don't offer any wi-fi. Not even basic Wi-Fi so you can grab an Uber or do some necessary work. It wouldn't cost that much to add some basic Wi-Fi with about 10 / 10 speed. You wouldn't get digital nomads with those speeds but your reviews would be better. Other than that I love this place.

Paige Mazur

We absolutely LOVE Breakfast Republic! I have a gluten allergy and they do a phenomenal job at accommodating! Even our gluten eating friends love all their options! Jose is our usual server and he does a fantastic job. He is very kind and attentive. We have been consistent customers for years :)

Kim Salners

I really wanted to enjoy my solo dinner plans at Herb & Sea, but they failed… badly. My reservations were for 1 person on a Saturday night. I checked in and the place was packed, but I waited in front of the host stand for 30mins before being seated. I was ignored for 20 mins by 3 different hostesses until I asked what was going on. They had ready excuses and that my table was being bused as we spoke… waited another 10mins then asked to speak to the manager whose name was Luke. Amazingly, my table was ready right away and Luke sat me down and asked about diet restrictions. He recommended and ordered the ceviche with plantain chips for me. I told him I wasn’t going to order dinner anymore specifically bc of the wait time and I had to leave at 9pm and I didn’t trust they could cook and serve me in less than an hour. He said he’d send out the ceviche and I ordered a glass of wine. Nick was my waiter who came over with my wine and instead of standing upright like he did for all the other couples and groups, he leaned and crossed his arms over the other chair across from me. He took my menu and notated/wrote with a star what was gluten/dairy free… like I’m a child or a helpless little girl who can’t read or know what was gluten/dairy free. I ordered the tomatoes appetizer and he only filled my water glass after I pushed it toward him. Nick didn’t refill my water or take my ceviche plate away after I know he looked over at me and my table from the next table over. The tomatoes were served by another buser, but she had no silverware. Nick, at the next table over, heard/listening and turned around to give me a knife and fork then finished with the other table and left without checking in. Nick came by later and asked how was I. I said it was good, but I’d like the check. He leaned on my chair again while refilling my water glass. I told him ‘you know, you don’t need to lean on my chair’. Luke came by again asked about the tomatoes… I said they were spicy and he said that if it was being shared it wouldn’t be so ‘much’ and made it seem weird I was alone. He apologized for the wait and that he’d give me his card for the next time. I told him about Nick and his leaning on my chair and it was rude. I also said, “You know I’m going to do a review, right?”. I told him my evening was ruined by Herb & Sea and that I had planned my night with enough time… reservation at 730 to leave at 9pm for a previous engagement. He acknowledged and comped my ‘meal’ (2 appetizers) and glass of wine. All I can say is I won’t be back and they ALL need to do better. Restaurants are a dime a dozen and I would have loved to actually eat an entree there, but why go back??

SanDiego IsParadise

Delicious food with a gorgeous view! Plenty of gluten free options and substitutions!

Emy Moore

100% GF & vegan cafe. Great Lasagna and wrap

Jennifer Joy

This place is gas, I don’t know how it wasn’t busier than it was!! Big portions, quick service, super delicious. They have a gluten free menu too! Get the orange ish chicken for sure.

Jeff Rushton

Here for the first time. Ian serving is. Wine is very well priced for the quality and the food very good especially for us liking Gluten free options which they have many! We have rebooked again later in the week.

Thomas Kirby

Everything is gluten free and dairy free. Great spot for celiacs or those with allergies. Yummy smoothies.

Debra Fleurbaaij

The location is amazing. Service was so bad though. Didn’t take our order for even appetizers until we went to find the waiter after 45 minutes. Didn’t get our appetizers until again going to find waiter after 45 more minutes. Correct appetizers were not delivered. 1 appetizer-oysters wasn’t ever delivered and when we asked after 15 more minutes we were told they had been out since the morning. Imagine our surprise when the table next to us got an order of oysters 20 minutes later. Main courses were brought incorrectly and 3 people with gluten allergies were served gluten and had to send it back. Some sides were never delivered. The seabass was excellent, but the halibut and mahi mahi were very dry and tasteless. This place is expensive and everything should be excellent for what you’re paying. We’ve gone here many times in the past and will never go back. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

Elizabeth P

Great service and delicious gluten free churros. Just for that it’s an amazing place. Thank you for making gluten-free tacos! They are so rare and we were so happy to have some!

Sofia Sanuni

Super experience! They have a lot of gluten free options, good pancakes, toasts and meals! highly recommend!

Dan Garren

Eggs benedicts was over priced $21.00 for (1) plate. Charged $1.50 extra for (1) piece of gluten-free bread as a substitute. Cashier was rude, almost demanding a tip (for what?) me walking up and taking my order? The cashier brought her (2) children to work with her. They were not well behaved making noise inside and outside the bistro.

marlene

Love this place! Gluten free baked goods as well!

Maddy Hengge

My absolute favorite spot in town for birthday cakes, decadent chocolate croissants, and hot sandwiches (seriously, you have to try the Fifi Larue – prosciutto, mozzarella, basil, and tomato – it's heaven!). And don’t even get me started on their crêpes – they’re out of this world! Plus, they offer gluten-free options, which is a total game-changer. My go-to is the buckwheat Crêpe Monaco – so delish. The staff here is always super friendly and helpful, making every visit feel like a treat. Whether I’m soaking up the sun outside while enjoying my pastries or cozying up inside, surrounded by the irresistible smell of fresh-baked goodies, this place is my little slice of heaven!

SanDiego IsParadise

Lots of gluten free pastries - just ask! They are hiding in plain sight!

Nienah

The gluten free blueberry oatcake is my favorite thing to get here! It’s their gf version of a pancake and it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside been coming here for over 10 years with my family since i was a kid!

Andy Gates

Awesome food, well priced, and friendly staff. A hidden gem in Encinitas. Excellent selection of Gluten free and Vegan options.

Jason Berry

If you want one of the best breakfasts in San Diego, this is your destination. If you want fancy furniture and mimosas and overly attentive servers, go somewhere else. Servers are certainly friendly here, but the style is more of a small cafe. They are busy on weekends, but you'll only have a short wait, as they are pretty efficient at moving people through. Portions are large and there is no cost to share plates. Many gluten free options.

Cj Divine

Paradise bars are my favorite as I have celiac and these are gluten free. Only place I know with really delicious gluten free treats. ( Just wish I could get them delivered to home with my coffee beabs) Coffee is sooooo good. I even order bags of beans for home use. My favorite coffee ever.

Michelle Trostler

I’ve been here 20-30 times. This restaurant is being mismanaged. It used to be great. But now, hit or miss. Menu displays GF symbol prominently and I am gluten free. Awesome! But lately the wait staff often says they’re out of GF bread. Kinda puts a damper on the GF mussels when there’s no bread to sop up the sauce. Last night, the waiter said they were out of GF bread, but then he said he looked and they had some. It wasn’t the yummy flat bread from the last time I was there, but it was something. Makes me wonder if they’re actually out when they say they’re out? The waiter was able to find some after he’d been told there was none. My father ordered a glass of Merlot. The waiter came back saying they didn’t have merlot by the glass. I tried to order beef stroganoff with GF pasta. But they were out of GF pasta. GF pasta is shelf stable. This is just mismanagement. Don’t have a menu that offers GF dishes if you’re not prepared to serve them gluten free. It’s also insane to be unable to order a glass of merlot. C’mon…you’re better than this.

Christopher Seneca

The ultimate neighborhood gem. So thankful this friendly and delicious restaurant exists, as well as that they offer gluten free pizza. In the future it would be wonderful to see a few more gluten free items such as buns or beer, as they always seem to be out, but it would really make this place even more special.

Julie Bradley

The coffee box has yummy gf pasties. We have 3 with celiac in the family and are very sensitive.

Polly Creveling

The gluten free pizza here has had me dreaming of going back to Encinitas ever since I took a bite. The owner has created a magical, fluffy, crispy dough that is every celiac pizza lovers dream.

Hathor Isis Moon

Love the food especially the vegan gluten free raspberry cheesecake cake is heaven on earth. Please make the raspberry sauce less sweet, it needs to be served with an insulin shot last time I went, before when I had it multiple times it wasn't as syrupy sweet like that.

nathalie river

Such a great restaurant! The risotto, brussels sprouts, falafel ball, kale salad, salmon, and margaritas were phenomenal! Gluten free and vegetarian, friendly! Love the ambience of the outdoor seating area.

e turn

You know those ‘let’s get the fam out for unplanned celebratory dinner’ only to have it fail and you’re scrambling for plan B moments? Osteria wasn’t what we thought we’d eat Friday night but it will never be forgotten as the night impeccable service, unforgettably satisfying dishes, and an ambience that felt as relaxed as your backyard but really really special not only salvaged our special occassion but set a bar both in food and service that we keep talking about. Jackson, our server, set the tone and invitation that got our fam out of their funk and smiling with garlic foccacia. My wife has not been able to eat pasta or pizza for years due to gluten sensitivities and had NO issues with any of their bread dishes. She swooned over the scallops. Even my teenager was shocked into sarcasticlessness by what she admitted was the best tiramisu of her life. Osteria Tavi is the quiet masterpiece of a meal and experience we didn’t know was possible.

Forgotten Toaster Waffle

Excellent wine, fantastic food, and safe gluten free food. They understand cross contamination risks. Used to be too loud, but they put in sound absorbing ceiling panels and it is good now.

Lisa S.

Good happy hour. Gluten free options. Great atmosphere.

Lori Davisson

Isabelle Hole

The cutest coffee shop! Literally the best gluten free bagel I’ve ever had in my life and matcha was so good too

Billy Woodfin

Dawn Crawford

Suzanne Scott

Had a great breakfast sandwich!!!! On gluten free bread.