I'm just going to strictly speak for the service here - Dave, who took our order, was really great at walking us through the options that work for our celiac son, and a way to get more out of our order (by just ordering the monster platter and the GF wrap and making our own wrap). I'd go again for anyone looking for GF options.
Amazing time and food. We were 3. Stayed away from the dips so that we didn’t have to segregate with normal pita and gf pita. 7 dishes split 3 ways and just gorgeous food. Felt very safe there after asking questions.
I wish I had taken pictures of my food everything was incredible! Our server, Sabrina was very friendly and helped my fiancé and I navigate the menu. This was one of the most gluten free accommodating places I’ve ever been. I wish I lived closer so I come back!
BEST PLACE FOR GLUTEN FREE/VEGAN FINE DINING!!! Super fancy, absolutely delicious, amazing atmosphere with the live musicians. My fiance and I were swooning over how luxurious our anniversary dinner was. Its been a long time since we've found a place that meets our dietary restrictions AND makes us feel like we had a real fancy night out. Cannot recommend this place enough. Also, try the silk route feast! Its worth every penny!!🤤
The menu is SO CLEARLY LABELED! I can’t have gluten or dairy and I had the most fabulous dinner! The cider was also lovely. Kind staff that take allergies very seriously
Vegan OptionsDairy Free OptionsDinnerOpen Late NightOutdoor SeatingVegetarian OptionsLunchMediterraneanDeliveryTake AwayKid FriendlyIndianCocktails
People are saying
View more
Erik Standaert
East is East is hands-down one of the most unique and soulful dining experiences you’ll find in the city. From the moment you walk in, you’re enveloped by the cozy, bohemian vibe—dim lighting, live music, and aromatic spices drifting from the kitchen. The décor and ambiance transport you somewhere between Istanbul and Kathmandu.
I highly recommend the “Chai Feast”—a rotating selection of dishes from across the Silk Road served tapas-style. Every bite is rich, layered, and made with love. Personal standouts: the Afghan eggplant, lamb kebabs, and the mango butternut squash stew. And don’t miss their house chai—refillable, spiced to perfection, and served with a smile.
The staff are warm and knowledgeable, and the entire experience feels like you’re a guest in someone’s beautifully curated home. Whether you’re a meat-eater, vegan, or gluten-free, there’s something flavorful and nourishing here for you.
This isn’t just dinner—it’s a cultural experience. Perfect for date night, out-of-town visitors, or when you just need a warm soul-hug in the form of food.
It was my first time trying this place, and for being celiac certified, it made me feel so much safer to eat here. I got the Ottawa burger and a poutine. Both were hands down, so freaking good. Our server Dawn was also amazing she made me and my family feel very welcoming. You guys should also start selling you bacon mayo. I would buy that by the truck loads. Lol
I have to eat gluten free ( not celiac) and the Dalorit dish (roasted butternut squash) was absolutely delicious in my opinion and of course, gluten free! I would highly recommend!
The Gluten Free Tabulé and the pita bread was great! Everything I had was Gluten Free and we all had a great dinner and evening, we even purchased Kefte to cook at home.
Gluten free/celiacs this is a must try. My fave is the Maria's special or the bbq chicken. My fave gf pizza by FAR ive ever tried. The first time I didn't believe it was gf it was too soft and doughy and delicious. It even saves well for the next day (if by miracle i dont eat the entire thing in one sitting...) which is not true for any other gf pizza I've tried. I never go anywhere else anymore for 'za. The staff are all super kind too!
We had a great experience. Service was great. Food was yummy. There was a dessert flight at the end. We had a couple of food allergies and gluten intolerance and they were very accommodating.
Upon arriving, the hostess was great. Our server, Taylar, is a gem! Very knowledgeable, polite, and very pleasant. I wasn’t sure what to order and she pointed out some great items from the gluten free menu. I was very pleased to see such a great variety. She was very attentive to our needs and made sure she checked in at appropriate times. We always love going to GT’s. The food, drinks, music, and above all, the staff are great.
If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would!!!! EXCEPTIONAL FOOD + OUTSTANDING SERVICE by our hostess Sainsha equals us returning for a second time during our mini vacay.
Between our two visits - We had the K-Saq to start … followed by Lebanese Cevapi, Here comes the Bride, Grilled Balkan Beef & Lamb Cevapi, Maros Special … For drinks - the kids had Iced Lattes & we loved the Tehran Underground cocktail which totally topped off our experience.
Sainsha was extremely attentive, and caring helping us with our questions as we had no idea how big the portion sizes would be. So listen to her when she tells you if it’s too much lol ! She was also great in helping baknce our palate which we appreciated greatly. Topping all of that off with the fact that I am Gluten intolerant so having a variety of dishes to choose from totally made my day.
Thank you Sainsha & Maro’s for being a memorable part of our trip this time … a 10/10 You guys know how to make everyone, especially visitors feel special … Keep doing what you’re doing!!
We had a fabulous experience here. Everything gluten and dairy free are marked on the menu. As someone who has to avoid gluten for medical reasons, I am always excited to discover a new-to-me restaurant. Our server was fantastic. He brought out gluten free pitas for us and asked when we ordered if we were celiac. The food was incredible. I'm disappointed that it isn't a chain because I am hardly ever in the area and would love to come back. The Egyptian-themed decor was great. What a nice spot!
Great communication and super adaptable to changes in quantity, and menu for a work event! The food was well received (walima feast), and catered to meat eaters as well as those with dietary restrictions or vegan/gluten-free!
Only thing is the delivery person forgot to leave a crate, but we found a workaround!
My Mom and I tried this place for the first time tonight and were very impressed, between the food, the service and the place in general! Also we loved that the Gluten Free menu (which I needed since I have Celiac) was a separate menu with FOUR pages!!! This and the care they mentioned taking to make sure my food was safe was appreciated!!! We will definitely be returning and I'm so thankful a coworker recommended Maxime's!!!
BrunchAllergen FriendlyAsianDinnerOpen Late NightLunchOutdoor SeatingVegan OptionsVegetarian OptionsSushiDeliveryTake AwayKid FriendlyBarRestaurantMediterranean
People are saying
View more
shaun marq
Absolutely love eating here, the vibe is amazing and the staff are top tier! The food and atmosphere are so unique and as a Gluten Free Vegan who doesn't drink, trust me when I say this is a haven.
I have been a few times so I have tried most of the food. Alot of the menu is already edible for me as is, but the majority of the menu can be accommodated to a vegan and/or gluten free diet which is amazing. The mocktails are equally fantastic.
Watching the chefs at work in the open kitchen is the best, and the Management team and Madison in Events are always the most generous and accommodating. If you are so lucky to have service from Joseph, you will leave a very happy and full man!
Can't wait to be back in the summer for Jungle Brunch!
Overall, a wonderful restaurant! The food is delicious, and so many gluten free options. Most options are dairy free, too. I appreciated this so much I came back 3 times in a week! Be sure to order toum (Lebanese garlic sauce) with your food. It is the best!!!!
Only reason I’m docking a star is service related. I ordered for pickup to eat in my hotel room, and two out of three times they failed to include the cutlery, despite me both checking the box for cutlery, and also putting in the comments. Staying in a hotel, you don’t have access to cutlery, so please be sure to pay attention to customers who request it and provide it for them!!
Didn’t eat in the restaurant, but it is beautiful inside :)
Amazing place. Affordable pricing, generous portions and great service. I've been eating here about twice a week for a while now and I've not had a single bad experience.
I love the chicken shawarma plate. I feel full but not bloated. Their rice pudding is incredible, and has a hint of roses in the flavour. Both are available as gluten free options.
The inside is beautifully decorated. Very peaceful. They have leather seating and benches. I have taken my family here and we have had an incredible time.
Nearly the entire menu is gluten free. Very knowledgeable about cross contamination. Food is delicious and the staff are fantastic. Always a safe and delicious spot to visit. Our go to special occasion resto for years.
This restaurant is a gem. The food is superb. Lots of gluten free options. I had a crepe with seafood, veggies bunded in delicious creamy sauce. Pear salad with goat cheese is Highly recommended.
Hands down the best Lebanese food we’ve ever eaten! We ordered arayes, batata harra, baba ganoush, zesty eggplant, and halloumi and we devoured it all. The menu has a wonderful variety of options for people who are vegetarian, vegan and gluten free! I’m already planning my next visit, thank you for the best meal ever!
The food was okay, but not great. I had the gluten-free pizza, and unfortunately, the crust was disappointing—I’ve had better at Domino’s. My boyfriend ordered the chicken, which was dry and lacked flavor, and the rice tasted undercooked and slightly hard.
My friend had the mushroom pasta, which she said needed more flavor, though she did enjoy it overall.
The biggest letdown, however, was the wait time—it felt like almost an hour before our food arrived. On the bright side, our waiter was wonderful—super friendly and welcoming, which helped make up for some of the negatives.
Overall, it was an average experience, but there’s definitely room for improvement.
The food is always on-point. Incredible selection, so much to try. Always good for a group, either pickup or dine-in. However, service is an issue as they awkwardly require everything to be paid for at the cash and guests can’t order anything to the table. It’s high quality, just note that there’s lots of extra charges for sauces and such, and the cost for additional wraps, especially gluten free, is disproportionately high.
One of the best middle eastern cuisine. We all ate so much that we need to take a nap. Everything is so fresh. My sister has gluten and diary allergy so she was able to get amazing food customized to her allergy needs
Tabule has always been my favourite restaurant, my top choice for lunch in the neighborhood.
The menu offers a variety of healthy options including gluten free items. The staff here are all pleasant and helpful especially Mina. I look forward to see her there every time.
One of the healthiest delicious middle eastern food I have had in a while! I was a bit hesitant to visit due to mixed reviews here and I am so happy I listened to my instincts and visited this gem of a restaurant today. The service and food was beyond incredible!
The restaurant is so cozy and spacious. Ample street parking available and my sister has celiac allergy for diary and gluten, so we were also able to get customized food based on her restrictions.
What a sweet little place! Lovely atmosphere, friendly staff, and yummy food!
Bonus of being family friendly and having lots of gluten free options. Very pleased we found this spot.
Let me start by saying I knocked a star off for atmosphere because we were the only diners inside!!!
Rebecca and the team looked after us brilliantly. The food choice for gluten-free diners is really good and, for those of us that eat anything, I was in heaven!!
I failed to finish off the pizza crusts, as delicious and light as they were, as the bowl of seafood chowder I shared with my wife as a starter ended up 90% in my belly and I was a little full!! That chowder was better than any we'd ever tasted in the finest seafood restaurants in Boston or Seattle...
The pizza sauce on the Mediterranean Masterpiece (bold title, but it lived up to it) was deliciously full of depth and flavour and the distribution of toppings was perfect - every mouthful was a delight.
We are so happy we ate at Little Christo's tonight and just hope we get to eat there again in the future.
Unforgettable Dining Experience at Zarak – A Must-Visit!
I had the pleasure of dining at Zarak for the first time in July with a group of five people, each of us with different dietary restrictions – gluten-free, dairy-free, coconut-free, and vegetarian. While I initially felt overwhelmed by the menu, our server, Sanmeet, turned what could have been a stressful situation into a seamless and enjoyable experience. She took the time to carefully listen to our restrictions and, in less than a minute, curated the perfect menu for us, ensuring we could enjoy our time together without worrying about what to order. Her recommendations were spot on, and the variety of cocktails was equally impressive!
From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, the entire team made us feel welcome and cared for. The level of attentiveness was beyond compare. One detail that stood out to me was how the staff intuitively timed their service – they approached us only during natural pauses in our conversations, which I deeply appreciated. At one point, I needed a napkin, and just as I was about to ask, one of the staff members approached me, and it felt like they had read my mind. It’s those small details that really made the experience special.
Now, the food was incredible, but what made the evening truly unforgettable was the exceptional level of customer service. Towards the end of the night, everyone except me ordered dessert because I couldn’t find anything on the menu that was both dairy-free and coconut-free, which I was fine with. Sanmeet noticed and immediately went above and beyond to accommodate me. Within minutes, she brought out a delicious pistachio gelato, which had no gluten, coconut, or dairy – and it was on the house! That thoughtful gesture spoke volumes about her dedication to making sure everyone had a wonderful time.
What’s even more impressive is that when my partner and I returned to Zarak a month and a half later for drinks and dinner, Sanmeet remembered us. The genuine smile on her face when I greeted her by name made it clear that this restaurant isn’t just about serving great food – it’s about creating lasting relationships with their guests.
Sanmeet’s warmth, attention to detail, and genuine care for her guests left an incredible impression on me, and I’ve been raving about Zarak to everyone I know. If you ever visit, I highly recommend asking for her – she truly made our dining experience unforgettable. I look forward to returning again and again!
This spot has the best gluten free wraps and lemon potatoes!! The staff and owner were so amazing and accommodating and you could just taste how fresh the ingredients are! So many of the sauces were also dairy free which made it easy to enjoy! Definitely saving this spot for the next time I’m in the area! 10/10 😍
Our best night out while visiting Victoria! We loved our delicious Greek dinner. And our host, *Big Dimitri* took amazing care of us! He welcomed us like family, was so warm & professional, and shared all about the history of the restaurant.
We loved our meals- lamb shank, Greek ribs, chicken souvlaki- and dessert! Great gluten free options- I had the chicken souvlaki meal, rice, potatoes, and veggies. And the dolmades for an appetizer. The menu was clearly labelled with lots of gluten free options.
Kids menu as well, and our kids enjoyed it & were treated extra special by staff!
I had a wonderful experience here with my partner! We thoroughly enjoyed that everything was Vegan and furthermore there were clear labels for what was gluten free and soy free. Made the experience relaxing knowing that there were so many choices for someone with food restrictions. Even when it wasn’t GF. It could be made GF. I’m wowed by that! Thank you!
Definitely 5 stars here. I am celiac and cannot eat gluten. They have accommodated me each time and each time the food has been fantastic. They give more than I can eat, so there are leftovers for me the next day. 😋
First time here and won't be my last! Delicious, fresh food and friendly counter service. Beautiful presentation and welcoming atmosphere. I am celiac and they're very careful and knowledgeable about GF (no separate fryer).
Some meals don’t just fill you up. Instead, they transport you.
ALMADINA, a family-run gem feeding KW for over 40 years, feels like a warm memory on a plate. With four locations (including long-loved market stalls at St. Jacobs and Kitchener), it’s a household name in the region.
Everything is made from scratch, in-house: no shortcuts, just generations of tradition and care.
We began with the famous salad plate: roasted red pepper hummus (a forever fave), creamy tzatziki, and bright, gluten-free taboulee. Fresh, vibrant, and full of flavour.
The falafel? Crispy, golden, and satisfying — exactly how grandma wishes she made them. The shawarma manakeesh, roasted in their woodstone oven, struck a perfect balance of veggie, cheese, and tender chicken.
The mixed grill was pure comfort: juicy shish kabob, tawook, and kofta. No sauce needed, though that red pepper hummus pairs with everything.
To sip: their strawberry lemonade is summer in a glass — tart, sweet, and refreshing. We closed with hot mint tea, simple and soothing.
To hear more about this review, follow us @eatinontario on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, & Facebook. ✨🤩🙏
I really enjoyed it here. Delicious gluten free pita and hummus. Yum.
Staff was friendly and the vibe is relaxed. (Maybe slightly too relaxed?)
Anyhow great place for a gf lunch